Just as the last camera flash popped and Dirk was still shouting euphoric praise for the "most iconic, most soul-destroyingly sexy shoot this studio has ever seen," Luna was already gone.
Like smoke under moonlight.
No trace of the mysterious, electric, glamorous woman, just a faint shimmer of setting powder in the air and the soft, echoing tinkle of her laughter left behind in the soundscape of stunned murmurs.
Kana, still breathless from laughter and high off the chaos, was immediately mobbed.
"WHO was that?!"
"Where did she GO?!"
"Is she a K-drama actress? Some indie darling?!"
"DOES SHE MODEL PROFESSIONALLY?!"
Even the exhausted stylist with half a curling wand still stuck in her bun leaned in and asked, "Is she single?"
Josh, sulking in a chair nearby, sighed dramatically. "I didn't even get to give her my number…"
Kana nearly choked laughing again. "Josh, please, she left faster than your courage to hold Emilio's stare."
Josh groaned and faceplanted into a cushion.
Just then, the shoot's creative director pulled Kana aside, eyes sharp with intrigue.
"That model… we need her again. For our spring campaign. Who is she?"
Kana, keeping a perfectly straight face, replied sweetly, "I would tell you, but…"
The director raised a brow. "But?"
Kana smirked. "Let's just say I only got her because I have something extremely blackmailable. And no, I'm not telling you what it is."
"...Was that a bluff?"
"Oh no. It's 100% true."
Elsewhere…
A few blocks away, hidden beneath a shady tree at the edge of a park, Luna was sprawled across a bench with her jacket hood up, sneakers kicked off, and the most unladylike laugh erupting from her chest.
She clutched her stomach, shoulders shaking.
"Spicy shot with Josh and Emilio… oh my god… I really did that," she wheezed.
Her phone buzzed.
Kana [4:30 PM]
I hate you.
Everyone's losing their minds.
Also, you're buying me bubble tea.
For trauma compensation.
Luna [4:31 PM]
I gave them a gift. You're welcome.
🧋 Deal. Extra pearls?
Kana [4:32 PM]
Double. And you're getting me that custard bun too.
Luna [4:33 PM]
😤 Bribery is ugly, Kana.
Kana [4:34 PM]
Blackmail's prettier. Ask your reflection.
Luna laughed again and hugged her knees, catching her breath. She glanced at the sky—the sun dipping low, gold stretching across the buildings like a quiet curtain call.
Meanwhile…
In another studio downtown, Emilio, back in his signature tailored black, was prepping for his next shoot. He sat calmly as his makeup artist brushed a light shimmer across his jawline.
"She vanished," his assistant muttered, scrolling through a dozen group chats buzzing about the mysterious woman.
Emilio didn't look up from his tea.
"She'll resurface."
"Did you… know her?"
He smiled faintly. "I know her chaos."
Then, setting down the cup, he flexed his knuckles and added under his breath, "I've got an MMA match next week. I'll need her mischief to distract me again when it's done."
At a cozy, neon-lit bubble tea shop tucked between a bookstore and a nail salon, Kana spotted Luna immediately—hood up, slouched over a corner table with two trays full of goodies: two towering bubble teas (double pearls, of course), a paper bag of custard buns, and a plate of steaming meat buns already half-devoured.
"About time you got here," Luna said through a bite, barely glancing up.
"My queen," Kana sighed dramatically, tossing her bag on the chair and gleefully grabbing her drink. "All is forgiven."
"You haven't even heard what I brought yet."
"I can see the custard buns." Kana ripped into one like she'd crossed a desert for it. "Sweet, sweet redemption."
Luna smirked. "You're welcome."
"Actually," Kana said with a sly grin, "you should be the one compensating me."
Luna paused mid-chew. "Excuse me?"
"Yeah," Kana leaned forward, smug. "You caused a studio-wide panic. Do you know how many people cornered me asking who you were? Josh almost cried. The director tried to bribe me with a free photoshoot slot."
"I helped you finish your shoot. I saved your schedule."
"And you got to unleash your chaos, so it was mutually beneficial," Kana replied smugly. "Still. I don't have a rich dad to compensate for stress therapy."
Luna narrowed her eyes.
"Fine. I'll let you pick the playlist on the drive to visit Mary."
Kana gasped. "Great! No more melancholy, weird anime openings!"
Luna grinned. "Rude. But I'll let that slide since I'm in a good mood."
They clinked their bubble teas together with exaggerated elegance.
As they settled into their snacks, the inevitable topic came up.
"So," Luna said, licking a drop of sauce off her thumb, "you saw the spicy shot?"
Kana nearly spat out her drink, coughing and waving dramatically.
"Oh my god, YES. Josh looked like he was about to melt. Emilio played along like a damn pro."
"Right?" Luna cackled. "I only meant it as a joke—thought they'd laugh it off."
"Nope," Kana said between bites. "Josh looked like he was trying to summon Jesus. Emilio looked like he was Jesus. Everyone was about to pass out. I swear one of the stylists had a nosebleed and fainted."
"That's on you," Luna smirked. "You dragged me into it."
"And now I'll be haunted by Josh's slow, confused smoulder for weeks." Kana took a dramatic sip.
They both laughed so hard their tray nearly fell off the table.
"God," Kana exhaled, wiping her eye. "It was chaos."
"Delicious, fashionable chaos," Luna agreed. "With pearls and buns."
"Bless this day."
Luna raised her meat bun solemnly. "To buns, boys, and bubble tea."
"Here, here."