(So many people...)
(It's incredible how they're all able to withstand this cold weather.)
Kanade?
Oh... Sorry, it's nothing.
So, where are we going today again?
This new makeup lounge that opened just recently!
I want to test out some things before our shoot, so... Oh, this is it!
It's so glittery...
Isn't this place incredible?!
You can try out all the cosmetics you want for one hour with just one coin♪
Wow, I honestly had no idea that a place like this existed...
...
Is something the matter?
Oh, it's just...
Now I sort of wish there was a place where you could freely try out musical instruments and equipment.
Yeah!
Most shops will let you if you ask the staff, but you only ever get to play for a few minutes.
Right.
However, I may just be uninformed. An instrument lounge like that may already exist...
You have me curious now!
Let's look that up later!
<And guess what? Mizuki and Shizuku agreed to lend me some of their clothes too!>
<They did?
Yes, those two do both seem to have extensive wardrobes.>
<Exactly! They really saved the day since they had just the kinds of clothes I was hoping to use!>
<Anyway, now I know what I'm going to have you wear...>
<Which brings me to...! Our special guest!>
<Special guest?>
<That's right! She's one of my friends from school, and she agreed to help out after I told her about my project.>
<So, without further ado, from all the way in the United States, it's... Kohane!>
<H-Hello...!>
<Umm... Can you two see me okay?>
<Yeah, we see you just fine!>
<Hehe. Thank goodness.>
<Hello, Yoisaki.
Oh, wait a second... Maybe “good evening” is more appropriate based on what time it is in Japan right now...>
<Umm... Hello.
You perform in the same team as Ena's brother, yes?>
<Yes, my name is Kohane Azusawa.>
<Kohane's a really amazing photographer!>
<So, today, I'm hoping to get as much advice from her as possible on taking good pictures!>
<I see...
Then, Azusawa, thank you for joining us.>
<I-I'm really not as good as she makes me out to be...>
<But I will try to help in any way I can.>
<Thanks, Kohane!
Then, I'll start by asking...>
<How do you take good portraits of people?>
<Portraits...?>
<Well, I suppose it's important to choose a good location and a plan for bringing your subject's charm to the surface.>
<Yes, I see.
Bring Kanade's charm to the surface somehow...>
<Also, since your project already has a specific theme attached to it... You may want to find a way to factor that in somehow.>
<Factor in the theme?>
<Yes. When I entered into this photography contest for Valentine's Day a while back...>
<Thanks, Kohane!
I have a much better idea of how to take the pictures I want now!>
<Thank you for also going into detail regarding what a model needs to do during a shoot.>
<I'm glad that I was able to help.>
<Good luck, you two.
I hope your project turns out really well!>
That was a great shoot!
Great shoot to you as well, Tenma.
We ended up taking quite a few pictures. Did any immediately stand out to you...?
Yes, you looked so amazing in every outfit that I'm having trouble deciding which picture to use!
I see...
I printed them out, so could we take a look together?
This is also your chance to let me know if you see any that you don't want me to use.
Okay, thank you.
(I was worried that I'd made some funny faces since I'm not used to having my picture taken...)
(But thank goodness. My expressions look more natural than I was expecting.)
(I can't thank Azusawa enough for the advice she gave me. And Tenma did a good job of helping me relax during the shoot by talking to me...)
*Nod*
I've looked through all of them now, and I didn't see any problems.
Which means, Tenma, all that's left is for you to choose...
Tenma...?
Huh...? Oh, I'm sorry!
Did you find any problems at all?!
No, I didn't notice anything...
Sorry, did they not turn out the way you hoped?
No, don't apologize!
You did nothing wrong, Kanade!
It's just...
Umm... This is probably going to sound a little strange...
But something is missing.
Do you know what I mean...?
Missing?
Yes...
(As far as I can see, nothing appears to be missing.)
Is there something in particular that you're not happy with...?
Huh...?
Oh, I'm sorry if I misspoke...
This is just my gut feeling, but you seem to be hung up on something, Tenma...
...
Hung up... That'd be an exaggeration...
It's just...
I feel like there's something I can do to make you even more radiant, you know...?
Even more radiant...
Yes...
Take this picture for example.
I chose this outfit with the goal of drawing out your mysterious side.
And this one was supposed to capture the kindness you showed when you helped us with our songs for Shibu Schools Fest...
They all have elements of the radiance I see in you... So, I don't know why I'm feeling this way.
I see...
(Tenma knows what she's trying to capture. If she still feels like there's something missing, then...)
Could my inexperience as a model be the problem...?
No!
You really did do an amazing job, Kanade! You looked cool, cute and super duper ridiculously gorgeous in every picture!
Th-Thank you...
No, not at all...!
(That feeling of what you're trying to capture being just barely out of your grasp...)
(Why does that seem so familiar...?
I feel like I understand what she's going through.)
(Oh...)
(That's right...
I experience the same thing sometimes when I'm composing a song.)
(I'll have a message or theme solidly in mind but struggle to express it properly...)
(A process of trial and error will produce a few possible solutions, but none will seem right...)
(Tenma might be going through the same thing right now.)
(Then, all I can do now is...)
I understand...
Huh?
This is just my guess...
But I think you should trust your sense that something is missing.
Because I'll find myself feeling the same way sometimes when I'm composing a song...
Kanade...
So, I'm willing to continue helping you until you've taken a picture that captures what you feel is missing.
What...?! A-Are you sure?!
Yes. You still have time until you have to turn in your project...
I agreed to help you...
So I want to see this through until the end.
Kanade... Thank you so much.
If you'll bear with me for just a bit longer!
*Nod*
Let's do our best, Tenma...