Chapter 8: Morning Routine and New Beginnings
The soft glow of dawn crept through the curtains, rousing me from sleep. I stretched my limbs and got out of bed, ready to begin my usual morning routine. After brushing my teeth and taking a quick shower, I headed to the kitchen for breakfast—just a cup of coffee and some toast to start the day.
As I sipped my coffee, I checked my phone, scrolling through my usual apps. Nothing significant popped up—no urgent notifications or updates. Satisfied, I placed my phone aside, ready to get on with my day.
The café awaited me, where I had been working part-time for the past two weeks. It had become a steady rhythm in my life, even though it was a new establishment. Sakura-san, the café's manager and owner, had told me that she'd opened the place after quitting her previous job for something more relaxed. Though small, the café had charm, and I was the only part-timer for now, helping her build it up.
I left my apartment and walked down the quiet morning streets, enjoying the cool air. As I approached the café, the familiar bell above the door chimed softly, signaling my arrival and the warm, inviting scent of fresh coffee greeted me.
Sakura-san was behind the counter, her brown hair tied to the side, cascading over her right shoulder. She had a naturally elegant posture, and her firm bust and slender waist gave her an aura of refined beauty. Her sharp black eyes met mine with a smile.
"Good morning, Renji-kun," she greeted me warmly. "Ready for another day?"
I smiled as I tied on my apron. "Of course, Sakura-san. Let's get started."
Her soft laugh followed as she nodded, her movements fluid and graceful. "I'm glad to have someone reliable here. It's hard getting a new place off the ground."
We shared a few more words as we prepared for the day, the conversation flowing naturally, before the door chimed again. This time, Nakamura-san stepped in. Her second visit, and she still carried that delicate shyness from her first.
"Good morning, Renji," she greeted, her voice as gentle as her presence.
"Good morning, Nakamura-san," I replied, giving her a friendly nod. "Same as yesterday?"
She nodded with a small smile, taking a seat by the window, her posture relaxed yet modest. I quickly made her cappuccino and brought it over, noticing how she carefully avoided eye contact as I placed it before her. Her reserved demeanor only made her more intriguing.
---
After that second visit, Nakamura-san began coming by the café more frequently and doing her work. Each time, she seemed a little more at ease, gradually opening up in her quiet way. We talked more as the days passed, and her soft voice and calm smile became something I looked forward to. She began to trust me more, and one day, out of the blue, she told me, "You can just call me Aoi."
"Alright, Aoi-san," I smiled. It felt good knowing she felt comfortable enough to drop the formalities. Over the next few days, we grew even closer, sharing conversations that went deeper than the small talk from before. There was something simple but beautiful in the bond we were building.
---
The weekend finally came, and with it, the photoshoot Yuki had arranged for me. When I arrived at the studio, the air buzzed with energy. Yuki, dressed in her usual sharp office suit that highlighted her tall and curvaceous figure, greeted me with a professional smile.
"Renji, today's shoot will be a couple-themed clothing commercial. You'll be paired with Haruka Yamashita, one of our agency's top models. You two will be working closely today, so I expect great chemistry."
I nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. Yuki gestured to the side, and there stood Haruka Yamashita , a vision of beauty. Her long, flowing pink hair shimmered under the studio lights, falling effortlessly down her back. Her figure was impossible to ignore—an hourglass shape, with full, perky breasts and wide hips that made her seem like she was sculpted for attention. Her blue eyes sparkled as she smiled and approached me.
"Nice to meet you, Renji-kun," she said, her voice smooth and confident.
"Nice to meet you, Yamashita-san," I replied, shaking her hand.
Yuki clapped her hands, breaking the brief tension. "Alright, let's get started. The theme is couples trying out outfits together. Just relax and enjoy the shoot."
The shoot began with us in casual poses, standing close but with enough space to keep it comfortable. But soon, the photographer instructed us to get closer, our poses becoming more intimate. Haruka's body pressed lightly against mine in some of the shots, her soft curves almost melting into me as we posed in various outfits. Her slender waist fit perfectly in my hands when I had to hold her for one of the poses, and her natural grace made it feel effortless.
Between shots, we shared light-hearted banter.
"You're a natural at this, Renji-kun," Haruka-san laughed softly as we took a brief break.
"I'm just trying to keep up with you," I replied with a grin.
She blushed slightly, her cheeks taking on a soft pink hue. "You really think so?"
"Definitely," I said, meeting her eyes.
As the photoshoot continued, we got even more comfortable with each other. Then, at one point, Haruka looked at me and said, "You know, you can just call me Haruka."
I hesitated briefly, out of politeness. "Are you sure?"
She smiled warmly, her blue eyes glinting with mischief. "I insist."
"Alright, Haruka-san," I chuckled lightly, but she shook her head.
"No," she corrected with a playful grin. "Just Haruka, Renji."
The casual use of my name felt intimate, and she gave a soft, approving nod when I returned the gesture. "Alright then, Haruka."
---
As the shoot came to an end, we thanked the crew and exchanged numbers. Haruka smiled warmly as she saved my number into her phone.
"I hope we get to work together again soon, Renji," she said, her voice full of genuine warmth.
"I'd like that," I replied. "Let's keep in touch, Haruka."
After saying our goodbyes, I headed home, feeling a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. The shoot had gone well, and I couldn't help but smile at the thought of the connections I was building—both professionally and personally.
---
Later that evening, without Renji's knowledge, Haruka posted several pictures from the shoot on her social media account. Her page, already bustling with activity from her many fans, exploded with excitement once the photos went live.
The first picture showed Renji and Haruka standing close together, her pink hair cascading over her shoulders while his hand rested gently on her waist. The chemistry between them was undeniable, captured perfectly in every shot. Haruka's body was a particular focus for her fans, who couldn't help but notice the way the outfits accentuated her full bust and wide hips, as well as her perfect hourglass figure.
Comments began flooding in almost immediately:
"OMG! Who's the guy with Haruka-chan?! He's so hot!"
"Haruka's never looked this good in a shoot before. That pose with her leaning against him… 🔥🔥"
"This new guy looks like he just walked out of a fashion magazine. Perfect pairing!"
"Haruka's body is killer as always, but who is this mystery model?!"
As the comment section filled with praise for both of them, more curious voices chimed in:
"Anyone know his name? I need to follow him ASAP."
"Their chemistry is insane! Please tell me they're a couple in real life."
Haruka herself liked a few comments but stayed silent, letting the excitement build. Her fanbase began sharing the photos widely, and soon Renji's face appeared on multiple fan pages and forums, with speculations swirling about his identity.
Despite the buzz, Renji remained blissfully unaware, going about his evening routine without any idea of how much attention he was drawing in the modeling world.
[An : Let me know your thoughts on this chapter. Also I'm contemplating the type of energy for the MC in Soleria. Since mana is what everyone else will be using, I'm hesitant to stick with it. I'm looking for something purer—perhaps astral energy or even divine energy. I want it to stand out compared to the usual forms. Feel free to suggest any ideas!]