Thank you for waiting, Airi, Kohane...

I... I don't believe it...!
She's like a prince...!

Sh-She's...!

She's become a lethal weapon...!!
Her amazing looks are too overwhelming...!!

Huh?

Don't you get it?! We're saying that it suits you way too well!!

It does? Thank you, Airi!
Those dresses suit you both very well too.

Th-Thank you...!

But I still think I pale in comparison to you, Shizuku!

That tuxedo looks incredible by itself, but you wearing it makes it look just that much more stunning... It's like you're putting your model powers on full display!

Hehe. I really appreciate it, Kohane.

But I alone wouldn't have been able to make this tuxedo seem so wonderful.

Huh? What do you mean...?

Ms. Kinuya told me so herself.
This costume is imbued with the hope that “the wearer can feel a genuine sense of happiness.”

That thought is likely what's giving me the ability to shine brighter than usual.

That thought...?

Yes. Ms. Kinuya did everything for us this time around... But the efforts of the hairstylists, makeup artists, costume designers and such are usually what make what we do a reality.

Yeah, it's not just about the ones in the spotlight. A lot of people have to work together to give that person a captivating charm. That's true whether you're a model or an idol!

I see... That makes so much sense!

Oh, An should be just about ready too.
They were just putting the finishing touches on her hair.

Oh, I can't wait to see her...!

(Wow...! Shizuku looks so cool...!
I knew it. Real models just have something the rest of us don't...)

(Hmm...
Am I really gonna look okay as her partner?)

An, what are you stopping at the entrance for? C'mon, this way!

U-Um, right...!

O-Okay...
E-Everyone, I'm ready...

Oh, An!
How's the dress...?

...!

Oh my. Isn't she lovely...?

Yeah!
That dress and tiara look so good on you!

They do?

I've never worn such a fancy dress before and was worried that I wouldn't be able to play a bride very well... So I really appreciate you saying that.

Y-You're...

Hm?
What's wrong, Kohane?

You're so beautiful, An!

Cute, beautiful and...!
Gorgeous beyond belief!

Hehe. Okay, Kohane, I get it! I look pretty!

But thanks!
You look really pretty too!

Thank you all for your patience!
I'm done setting up everything for the shoot and... Oh!

You all look spectacular!
Yes, absolutely perfect!

So, let's start the shoot.
Please come join me in the courtyard.

Okay!
Whoa...!

(Yikes! I stepped on the hem!)

A-An...!

(No, at this rate, I'm gonna fall...!)

Huh...?

Are you okay, An?

Shizuku?!
Y-Your face... It's so close...!

Oh, I'm sorry!
I thought you were about to fall, so I jumped in to help...

No, I should be the one apologizing!
I accidentally stepped on the hem...!

It's okay, really.
More importantly, An, are you hurt at all?

I-I'm okay...!

Thank goodness...!
Our much-awaited wedding would've been all for naught if our bride were to get injured.

So I'm really glad you're okay, An...

(Wh-Whoa...!)

Th-Thank you very much...!

Wow...!
The prince saved the princess! It's straight out of a fairytale...!

I get why she'd be overwhelmed...
Shizuku kinda has a habit of getting up close and personal.

Alright, An, shall we?
Why don't we lock arms on our way over?

O-Okay!
Thank you!

(Huh?)

(It might be because she's in a dress, but An seems to be acting a little different than usual...)

(Oh, that reminds me of what she said...)

(Is that what's going on...?
Hehe. You're so adorable, An...)

(Geez, talk about a surprise!
My heart's racing because Shizuku's so pretty and literally right next to me.)

(She's so amazing...
So mature and can pull off something like a tux.)

(Alright, that means I've gotta do my best too...!)

Okay, why don't we start by taking some photos of the bride and the bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids are supposed to assist the bride, but they're also usually the bride's closest friends. You don't necessarily have to pose like we're taking formal wedding photos.

I'd rather have you all smile and have fun together in a way that shows others the moment when “happiness brings everybody together”!

Okay!

(Wow, the shoot's really about to start...!)

(A-Am I gonna be okay...?
Shizuku looks so cool, and An and Airi both look really adorable... Plus, I'm not used to having anyone other than Dad take photos of me...)

*Quiver*

Kohane, are you pretty nervous about this...?

Huh?!
Um... Well...

Y-Yeah... I really like taking photos, but I'm really not used to actually being in them...

Haha. Yeah, I get that.
It's not that I dislike this or anything, but I'm a little nervous too.

You'll be fine, Kohane!
Just smile!

R-Right!
Okay...! Smile... Smile...!

A-Are we gonna be okay...?

Alright, let's begin with a few test shots! First, Airi, mind holding An's hand for me?

Okay!
An, ready?

Ready whenever!

Oh, that's good! You two seem like old friends. Next, Kohane, can you take Airi's spot for me?

We've got this, Kohane!

O-Okay...!

A-After I take her hand... What sort of expression should I be making...?

Hmm... Well...
You could try remembering a time when An looked visibly happy and you felt really glad for her.

When I felt glad for her...?
B-But that's happened so much...
I don't know which memory to go with...!

Oh, Kohane, you're such a straight arrow.
It's okay, just try to relax.

Not to mention that it's your first time being a model. How about we take some photos with just you to get you used to being in front of the lens?

O-Okay...

Kohane seems a bit tense.

Yeah...
I hope she finds a way to shake those nerves.

What if we did some stretches or something else that can help her relax a little...?

Relax, huh...?
Oh, An, can I borrow you for a sec?

Huh? Yes?

Haruka mentioned how you two are really close. If that's true, why not...?

...is what I wanna try.
What do you think?

I see...
Okay! Let's give it a go!

Oh dear. You seem more nervous when you're by yourself. I apologize for asking so much of you.

Let's try taking these a different way.
Um...

(No... My face is totally freezing up...!
I have to find a way to smile fast...!)

(But how...?)

Sorry, Ms. Kawasaki!
Would it be alright if the three of us tried doing this pose we like together?

We have a feeling that it'll look more natural, you know?

Yes, I understand...
Okay, I don't mind you doing this pose of yours.

Okay... Here it is!

Huh?! Wh-What's going on, Airi?
Why are you hugging An all of a sudden...?!

After discussing things with An, we decided to literally get closer to each other!

Yeah! And now we look like best friends!

Heh heh heh... What say you, Kohane?!
Are you gonna let me hog An all to myself?!

Wh-What?

Congratulations, An!
You getting married really brings a tear to my eye...!!

And close it out by really squeezing her tight!

Th-Th-Thank you, Airi!
I'm so happy!

Um... S-So...

Alright, Kohane, go get her!
This might be your last chance ever to hug her!

M-My last chance...?!

B-But... Noooo!

Wah! Ko-Kohane... You're crushing me!

Hey, no fair!
I'm not letting you have all the fun!

Hehe. You have such a beautiful smile on your face now, Kohane.

Yes, your smiles are so lovely...!
I can sense your exuberance from here!

Just keep that going while I take a few more shots!

Man, that was so much fun!
We must've gotten in a year's worth of hugs just now♪

B-But it was kind of embarrassing too...

Nice work, everyone!
Kohane, the expressions you made were so wonderful!

R-Really?
Thank goodness...

Sorry about surprising you like that, Kohane.

But we believed that it was the best way to get you to relax a little more, so we decided to have some fun to lighten things up!

No, that's okay! I feel so much more relaxed because of what you did, Airi! Thank you very much!

In that case, great!
There really is nothing better than when everyone's smiling!

(I'm so glad Kohane found a way to relax. I feel a lot better now compared to earlier too...)

(And the way Airi lightened up the mood in a flash was so incredible... It's like proof that she's really an idol!)

(Alright, I have to keep this up and get in some good shots with Shizuku!)

Meow...

Huh? Did a cat just meow?
Is it the same cat from before?

Oh, I heard from the staff here that some cats have taken up residence around this hall.

I see...

Everyone, let's move to our next location!

Oh, be right there!!