“please, kiyoko! i don’t know who else to ask!”
kiyoko gives an unconvinced hum, phone pressed to her ear, occupied with peeling a potato. “i don’t believe a fashion designer doesn’t have access to modeling agencies who can connect you with professional models.”
“that’s not the point,” asahi argues. “it’s supposed to be ordinary clothes for ordinary people.”
“uniqlo sells clothes for ordinary people but don’t use ordinary people as models.”
“they don’t sell couple clothes!”
she picks up another potato to peel. “maybe, but why ask us? surely other couples would fit better.”
asahi makes a noise of distress. “are you kidding? is there another couple more wholesome than you and tanaka?”
“what about sawamura and sugawara?”
“did you forget how suga said he purposely made extra spicy curry for daichi as payback for ruining his socks? also, they’re in taiwan and won’t be back in time.”
“give you think about it? the shoot won’t be longer than a few hours, all expenses paid. i’ll treat you to dinner! if you want to make a trip out of it, i’ll find a honeymoon suite somewhere in ginza–“
“there’s no need for that.” kiyoko sighs. “i’ll ask, but i make no guarantees.”
“you’re a lifesaver, thank you!”
she ends the call. it isn’t uncommon for asahi to ask them to model for him – hinata and kageyama often model his athletic wear, and he even asked nishinoya to model some of his travel wear. couple clothes seem to be a new venture, a project he’s mentioned before, now coming into fruition.
it’s late by the time ryuu returns home, calling out a tired, “i’m home!” kiyoko meets him at the genkan, taking his bag. “thanks, babe, did i ever say i love you?”
“every time i take your bag, yes.” she smiles, gesturing at the kitchen. “dinner is ready.”
they sit with plates of curry, chatting about their day. “azumane called today,” she tells him. “he asked if we’d be interested in modeling couple clothes for him. do you want to do it?”
ryuu gives her an incredulous look. “modeling? us?”
“yes, he said we’d be a good fit. the company will pay for everything, so we just need to show up–“
kiyoko blinks. “just like that?”
“if you want to, that is,” he adds quickly. “i’m cool with whatever you pick! we already did some stuff for him, so it isn’t like we don’t know what to do.” that’s true – ryuu was featured in the same travel wear campaign as nishinoya, and kiyoko modeled one of asahi’s dresses, a simple sundress she still wears.
“we could make an overnight out of it,” kiyoko says, echoing what asahi said. “be in the studio for half a day, enjoy a nice dinner, and then spend the next day looking at the sights before returning home. it’d be nice to get away for a bit.”
ryuu nods eagerly. “i’ll start making calls to clear my schedule!”
“wait, i should let azumane know first. then we can start planning.” she smiles, watching her husband’s blush blossom across his cheeks. always quick to jump the gun, and just as quick to reel back. it’s why they balance each other so well.
after several phone calls and schedule rearrangements, the couple is on a shinkansen to tokyo two weeks later. kiyoko watches the countryside pass in a blur outside the window, ryuu’s head resting on her shoulder, snoring gently. she reaches over to adjust the blanket around him, fixes the toque on his head before resuming her watch, their fingers still intertwined together.
a taxi awaits them at tokyo station. kiyoko pulls her drowsy husband through the crowd, who pulls their carry-on along, eventually returning to his senses as they get stuck in traffic. “tokyo’s always so cool to visit,” ryuu whispers, leaning closer to her. “you ever think we could live here?”
“i wouldn’t be opposed to it,” she replies. “i don’t mind our life in sendai, either.”
asahi awaits them at the entrance of the studio, glasses askew and hair tied into its usual bun. “kiyoko! tanaka!” he welcomes them with warm embraces. “thank you so much for coming and helping out. i’m in your debt, seriously.”
“that means you’ll treat us to wagyu steak tonight, right?” ryuu asks with a smirk.
“honestly, if that’s what you want, i’ll call around…” asahi starts reaching for his phone, but kiyoko is quick to stop him.
“we’re fine with whatever you’ve already planned,” she reassures him.
“no, seriously! if it’s wagyu you want, i can–“
“let’s save that for another day. really.”
“aw, babe, weren’t you saying it’s been a while since you had wagyu?” ryuu jokes.
her smile is laced with amusement. “don’t make it sound like we eat it every day. azumane, please, lead the way.”
cameras and lights are arranged in front of a white backdrop, several pieces of furniture pushed to the side. the couple is separated for hair and makeup, and kiyoko is shown one of the outfits to model – tanned pants, plain white shirt, and yellow jacket. she’s given a handbag as a prop.
ryuu stands beneath the lights, dressed in yellow shorts, white shirt, and tanned jacket, along with a yellow toque over his head. he turns to her, jaw dropping slightly, cheeks turning red. kiyoko stands beside him, unable to help but admire how well they complement each other. “you guys really look like a couple,” asahi remarks from the sidelines.
“i’d hope so,” she responds, glancing at her husband. ryuu is pointedly looking the other way, blushing.
“all right, time for work. let’s see…tanaka, put your arm around kiyoko. yeah, that’s it – move a bit closer to your husband, kiyoko…okay, good. look natural, okay? tanaka, why aren’t you looking this way?”
“i’m afraid i’ll combust,” ryuu intones gravelly. “my wife is too beautiful for me to lay my eyes upon.”
kiyoko giggles, moving closer toward him. “thank you, dear. you’re quite handsome, yourself.” that’s the precise moment the camera goes off, capturing the moment. while the public may only see this one image in the catalogue, the couple’s love for each other will definitely be clear for all to see.
inspiration: fanart of kiyotana couple clothing!!
