[T/N: There's like a random timeskip without indication between this chap and the previous one btw.]
"Alright, can the groom step over a little more... good, that's the center, you don't have to move again!"
At the Kitaya Photo Studio, a veteran photographer trusted by Watanabe Productions was directing the five young people before him.
"And the brides, a little closer! Surround him completely... yes, that's it! Okay, hold that pose, I'm going to adjust the lighting."
"Hiss... is this really okay?" the photographer asked after he had left, a belated sense of unease dawning on him. "I feel like this photographer doesn't seem to have any particular opinion on our photo shoot's theme..."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but look down at the four girls beside him, each clad in a wedding dress. Standing in the center of such an enviable scene, Chihaya Tetsuya felt less happiness and satisfaction and more like he was about to be arrested by a police officer descending from the heavens.
"Don't worry, this photographer is an acquaintance of mine. I can guarantee the confidentiality of this private shoot," said Higuchi, who was standing to the side as both guarantor and overseer of the session. Her expression was perfectly normal. "And... this isn't the first time he's taken on a job like this."
"Eh? I-I see..." Tetsuya nodded, looking surprised. "As long as we're not causing him any trouble..."
"Excuse me, Tetsuya-kun?"
Just then, Togawa Sakiko's voice cut in, tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"I feel like you're not paying nearly enough attention to the four of us! You have four brides standing around you right now, you know. Shouldn't you be focusing all your thoughts on us?"
"Even if you say that..."
Tetsuya's gaze shifted to their wedding dresses.
All the outfits for this shoot were provided by the studio, so the dresses the four girls were wearing were all rented props. As a studio trusted by a top-tier idol agency, the quality of the dresses was actually quite good, but for Tetsuya, it was far from enough.
"Ai's dress shouldn't use this kind of fabric; it should be a more ornate, patterned material. This one is a little too plain for her."
"Anon's dress is too long and heavy. The overall length should be shortened, and more work should be done on the hem to give it a sense of lightness."
"The upper body of Soyo's dress isn't handled well. It not only fails to flatter her figure, but the style doesn't match her gentle temperament at all."
"As for Sakiko, first, a higher quality fabric should have been chosen. And this veil and shawl are just too crude. Her wedding dress should be much more exquisite."
After critiquing the rented dresses, Tetsuya shook his head once more.
"Today's shoot can only be considered a rehearsal. In the future, your wedding dresses will have to be made by my own hands."
"...Honestly."
Faced with their beloved's seriousness and high standards, the four girls couldn't help but share a helpless smile. At the same time, his promise of personally-made wedding dresses made them look forward to that day even more...
"Alright, lighting's ready."
The photographer, having finished his adjustments, returned to his camera.
"Okay, first, a shot from the front. Everyone, just look natural. Act as you normally would when you're with him."
"Yes!"
The four girls pressed in close to Tetsuya again, their expressions all blissfully happy and relaxed.
Feeling the warmth that enveloped him, a slight smile appeared on his face as well.
Click—
"Good, perfect."
Without even needing a countdown, the photographer had swiftly captured their most genuine and natural moment.
After they completed the frontal group shot, under the photographer's direction, more photos were taken from different angles and in various poses.
Tetsuya's mood gradually shifted from his initial dissatisfaction with the dresses to being infected by the radiant smiles on the girls' faces.
Although this was just a rehearsal, in the not-so-distant future, he would absolutely turn this into a real wedding.
He would personally design their unique wedding dresses and turn all of their current dreams into reality, one by one.
When that day came, looking back at the green and immature photos they took today would surely be an interesting experience...
"Alright, those are the formal photos. Next... it's time for something fun."
The photographer pressed a series of buttons and then stepped away from his camera.
"In ten seconds, this camera will begin a one-minute continuous burst shot. During that minute, you can confess, you can hug, you can forcibly kiss him, you can even strip off his suit—it's all up to you. I'll turn the burst shots into a flipbook album, so you don't have to worry about missing any details."
As Tetsuya stared in shock and the smiles on the other four girls' faces grew brighter, the photographer waved his hand.
"Well then, have fun. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and... begin."
"Wait, Mr. Kitaya, this isn't how a photo shoot is supposed to go—Mmph!"
Before Tetsuya could even get his protest out, his lips were captured by Hoshino Ai. The other three girls each wrapped their arms around him, intentionally showing off their affection for the camera.
Meanwhile, the photographer had already retreated to the side, coming to stand next to the equally smiling manager.
"Is that lad going to be alright?" he couldn't help but ask, a worried look on his face. "He looks like a sheep that's fallen into a pack of wolves."
"Hmph, that's where you're wrong. That's exactly the feeling I was going for," Higuchi replied.
Clearly, this final, somewhat chaotic plan had been proposed by the usually stern-faced manager herself.
"After all, if you want to be happy, you have to endure a certain amount of hardship..."
Just as Tetsuya thought, today's photoshoot was merely a simple rehearsal.
Awaiting him in the future was only more happiness than he could currently imagine, and with it, corresponding trials.
Still, there was likely no need to worry about him.
After all, no matter what, this greedy man would always strive to find the best possible ending, one where everyone could find happiness...
"Tetsu, I don't have work tomorrow, so I can stay at your place for another night."
"Looks like we'll have to make a trip to the convenience store before we head back!"
"Tetsuya, I'll be counting on you tonight, too."
"Ah, Tetsuya-kun, the burst shot is about to end! Remember to smile for the camera!"
"Hiss..."
Under the expectant gazes of the four girls, Tetsuya suddenly realized that compared to the perilous and cruel fashion industry ahead, the challenge of tonight might be even more arduous and severe.
"Please... be gentle..."
Click—
And just like that, with a smile that was an equal mix of distress and happiness on his face, the continuous shot came to an end.
Fortunately, not all happy endings in this world come to an abrupt and predictable stop.
Under the embrace of a sky full of stars, a new chapter in Chihaya Tetsuya's story was about to begin..