"CUT—"
With a call from the director, the staff in charge of lighting and props began to adjust their equipment, while the stylists and makeup artists hurried forward, leading the two idols back to the dressing room to check on their styling and makeup...
"Today's shoot is going abnormally smoothly."
The assistant director couldn't help but sigh in a low voice as he gathered the script in his hands:
"Even though the amount of content has increased several times over, it somehow feels even easier than when we were shooting the promotional video."
"The main reason is her."
The director gestured with his chin in the direction of Ai.
"During the promotional video shoot, we mostly had to call a stop because of her, but she's in great condition today. She's made almost no mistakes at all."
"Yeah..."
The assistant director nodded.
"I actually quite like watching her be clumsy. But today was so smooth it was almost a little boring."
"..."
The director subconsciously fell into deep thought.
Although this was only his second time working on a shoot with this idol duo, he had an incredibly deep impression of the newly formed group.
On one hand, it was because they came from the famous idol agency, [Watanabe Production]. On the other hand, it was because of the duo's two members.
Misumi Uika, though only sixteen, had professional skills and personal qualities that were in no way inferior to any professional singer or actress. Coupled with her mature and appropriate way of speaking and her elegant and graceful demeanor, it was easy for those working with her to take a liking to her.
As for Hoshino Ai... this director simply couldn't describe the "strangeness" of this girl in a few words.
Her amateur background was clear at a glance, she had no foundation in singing or dancing, and her words and actions all revealed an air of unprofessionalism... but even so, no one would doubt that this girl would definitely become a huge star in the future.
"It's cruel, but in this industry, looks are everything."
The director murmured, gazing at the dressing room not far away:
"With those looks alone, this girl is enough to become a super idol who will lead this era."
However, during today's shoot, the girl's performance was drastically different from before.
Mistakes like tripping on flat ground, forgetting lyrics and moves, or suddenly bursting into laughter for no reason didn't happen even once. Aside from occasionally staring blankly at the cuff of her pajamas, her performance today was practically perfect.
And he didn't know if it was his imagination, but the feeling Ai gave off today was completely different from her usual cheerful and innocent self.
Should he say she had become quieter... or more serious?
In any case, outside of the actual filming, Ai had barely cracked a smile all day.
Although from a director's perspective, it was a good thing for an artist to be able to devote themselves entirely to their work, this nearly one-hundred-and-eighty-degree change was still a little concerning.
I'll tell her manager to keep a close eye on her later...
"Whoa! W-What is this!"
"Ai! So cute!"
"Oh my god... quick, quick, camera team, send someone over here! We have to get some behind-the-scenes shots of this!"
"?"
Suddenly, a commotion from the dressing room doorway interrupted the director's thoughts. And when he stood up and looked towards the source of the exclamations, he froze on the spot as if petrified.
...
Whether in reality or in animation, a "form-fitting" effect will always deliver the most direct visual impact.
And that was precisely the first impression this stage outfit gave.
The perfectly tailored cut completely showcased Ai's figure. Even though the only exposed areas were her arms, the entire outfit exuded a charm and allure that made it hard to look away. What was even more shocking was that this visually seamless garment actually used completely different high-end fabrics for the shoulders, waist, and skirt, creating varying degrees of movement and layering while also achieving maximum comfort for the wearer.
In addition to creating a perfectly tailored effect, the delicate openwork lace decorations, the extremely skillful use of color, and the fine control over the natural draping meant that every detail of this garment demonstrated astonishing pattern-making skill and a design sense that was impossible to ignore.
However... the most stunning feature was, of course, the embroidery that covered the entire garment.
Upon the blue-pink base, one could see understated and mysterious pale gold embroidery everywhere. Without lights, this embroidery served as a pattern to add a basic sense of decoration to the outfit. However, once under the lights, these star-patterned embroideries would instantly burst forth with a brilliant and gorgeous golden starlight—
"So cute..."
Looking at her partner, who seemed to be sparkling beside her, Uika couldn't help but murmur with a dazed look in her eyes:
"I see... so this is the piece he crafted for Ai with his own hands?"
Perfect.
No other adjective was needed.
Even though the studio was only lit by the most basic lighting at that moment, Ai, who was emitting a faint golden glow, had already become the most eye-catching "first-magnitude star" on the entire set.
"...No wonder my outfit was decided to be a black formal dress."
Uika looked down at the black dress she was wearing, which was as deep and elegant as the starry sky, and an expression of realization dawned on her face.
"I'm the starry sky, and Ai is the star..."
This must be the work of that former fashion model director. What a mature and interesting design.
Just as Uika was inwardly praising the two stage outfits, another commotion suddenly erupted beside her—
"Eh? Wait, what's wrong?"
"Why did you suddenly start crying!? M-Makeup artist! Get Ai back inside, she needs a touch-up!"
"Huh? What's going on!?"
Uika instinctively looked towards Ai, and just as she had heard, Ai had, for some reason, suddenly started to sob quietly.
...Ah, so that's it?
"Now, Ai should be completely sure..."
Uika guessed the reason for Ai's tears in an instant.
Like the pajamas, every part of this outfit conveyed the designer's care for Ai.
Soft, high-quality fabric that was gentle on the skin, a design that minimized exposed skin as much as possible, a cut that allowed for easy movement, an astounding amount of detail, entirely handmade to haute couture standards... and her favorite six-pointed star pattern.
It was no exaggeration to say that this outfit was the crystallization of all of Tetsuya's feelings for Ai.
That being the case, it wasn't strange for her to burst into tears over it...
"This music video... is probably going to be a huge success."
Gazing at the back of the figure being led back into the dressing room, Uika couldn't help but feel this way.