Joanna's Burning Muse (4)
Ah~! This part feels a bit off. Getting too wrapped up in inspiration isn't always a good thing. Gotta revise this.
By the way, my body proportions are insane, right? Is this even human? I've never seen proportions better than a mannequin's. What a waste not to model with a body like this.
Since it wasn't a naturally born human body but one artificially crafted by Poni, it had some cheat-like qualities that were fully captured by Joanna, the designer with her sharp eyes.
Fitting multiple outfits took about four hours since we weren't just trying on one.
"It'll take about two days to finish all the alterations."
"Perfect, right on schedule. Oh, and the models know they can't gain or lose any weight for a while, right?"
May Lin shot us a fierce glare after hearing Joanna.
Since the clothes were tailored to our current bodies, any changes would mean redoing the alterations.
As everyone started heading out after wrapping up, I asked the manager for permission.
"I wanna talk with Joanna for a bit. I don't even have her number properly."
"You guys really only knew each other by face?"
"How much personal time did we have in Marenchino to get close? I'm shocked she came all this way to see me."
"Watch out for scandals, okay? I trust you'll be careful, but from my position, I gotta double-check even a dead flame."
"Got it, I'll be careful."
I'm already screwed, manager. Sorry in my head to the manager who trusts me, even with my hidden woman and kid.
Finally, Joanna and I were alone. The moment we reached a spot without people, we properly reunited.
*Smack— *Smack— *Mwah—!
"Hah, electric. This is the moment I've craved. Just a bit more."
"Mmph! *Mwah, mwah, smack, smack!*"
I welcomed her charge, like she was gonna wear my lips away. Watching her work had gotten me a little heated too. I'd thought she looked cool sketching designs that day, and today was the same.
Joanna at work was just cool.
"You know I got so wet down there from you I snuck to the bathroom mid-session?"
"Whoa, no idea. I was thinking you looked cool, and then you say that…."
"I thought I'd never see you again. But here we are. I was so happy, kept flashing back to that day. Didn't your muse miss you?"
"No way. I missed you too."
Joanna glared, unsatisfied with my answer.
"Then why'd you ghost first? I woke up expecting you right there."
"Circumstances—I couldn't stay till morning. I'm an idol, remember? But I left my number, figured you'd call."
"How, when I didn't even know who you were? Just your name."
"Didn't you see the number I left?"
"No clue, it wasn't there. Woke up alone."
I pulled her into a tight hug as she pouted. Should've left the number somewhere more obvious—didn't think she missed it.
"Sorry I couldn't stay till morning."
"I missed you tons. Can't forget that night. Any woman who's done it with you once probably ends up like me—dreaming of it nonstop, soaking the sheets."
"Mm."
"So, you free tonight? I wanna spend it with you. If you're even a little sorry, make it up to me."
She pressed her hand to my chest, full-on sex appeal. No man turns down a woman asking like that. I accepted gladly.
"Anytime. Look forward to tonight—I'll knock you out."
"Hohoho! Any other guy, I'd call bluff, but I know you're serious. Heart's racing already."
Her suit look stirred me too. The Joanna I'd seen in the dark night had that loose, sleepy sexiness. But this one? Cool beauty vibe.
Watching her work, I realized: without prior connection, fittings would've been serious business, not chatty laughs.
'Professional fits her perfectly.'
One-night stand meant we knew more unknowns than knowns.
"Was me showing up a burden?"
Her sudden arrival startled me, but no burden.
"Nah, you brought an amazing gift—how could it be?"
"Never imagined I'd chase like this. Back then, pissed thinking you ditched without a number. Figured if you left clean, I'd do the same."
"But you came anyway?"
"Yeah. Couldn't help it. Without you, my head went empty. Thought I was going dumb. Now I get it—I'm an artist who lost her muse."
Joanna had her reasons too. That's why she chased this far—to reclaim inspiration.
I teased mischievously.
"That sex stuck that much?"
"…Wanna deny, but can't. Just looking at you sparks ideas. Guess I'm doomed to need you to create."
Joke or serious? Her face full of regret.
"For real, huh? What now? You gotta go back to Marenchino."
Photoshoot ends, we're oceans apart again.
"Not just visiting."
"Huh?"
"Staying awhile. At least a year? Maybe more. Haven't nailed the exact time—will when it comes."
Her tone light, but heavy deliberations behind it. Staying for me? Felt guilty.
"Schedules mean we won't meet often."
"Gaps are fine. I get your job. Know scandals kill male idols."
"You know and still staying?"
"Frejak branch here—I'll commute. Learning Eastern fashion in a new land? Good experience."
She rubbed noses, grinning.
"Not pure loss staying."
Wanna ask her perfume. Up close, her scent tempted—wanted to pin her here for deep skinship. But not the place.
"So this shoot was your doing too, for me."
"Cocky much? Even as lead designer, I don't swing power like that!"
"Really coincidence?"
"Pfft~ Obviously I recommended. But staff liked it? Not solo push. You and members move Frejak. Plus, my work needs you—clothes born from your inspiration. You wearing 'em shows true charm."
"Those outfits from earlier—your take seeing them live? Match expectations?"
Curious if it met hype. Knew from fittings it'd be positive.
Joanna went dreamy.
"Beyond imagination. Realized I hadn't seen your true self that day. If redesign chance now, I'd jump."
"Today's were plenty great."
"Heh, I'm sharp, y'know? Fashion blindspot like you. But praise always hits good."
She was perceptive. I'm fashion-illiterate: ugly face? Clothes don't matter. Pretty? Anything works, so casual. Bottom line: zero interest.
Couldn't chat long in studio. After reunion smooches (ignore that), swapped numbers to end bittersweet meet.
Tonight's doppelganger doll eases the ache. Meeting at her hotel.
"Today's outfits super cute, right?"
"Uh…kinda confusing."
"Hyung knows zilch about fashion. How'll you model?"
"Not look homeless?"
"Your face deserves better!! Gimme if wasting!"
I got mine too, dude.
Manager dropped bombshell overhearing.
"They'll give clothes post-shoot. Wear 'em well."
"Whoa! For real? Frejak stuff's all luxury. Pricey!"
"Duh, expensive. Promo when you wear 'em."
"Us wearing boosts promo?"
"Work harder then, rookies."
Airplane's unique rookie success, but can't touch established fan giants. Tender sprouts—need toughening against storms.
"Writer seemed picky. Nail shoot to get clothes smiling. Cry from scolding? Disaster. They ignore male tears."
*Gulp—*
"Heard fashion world's brutal."
"Beyond imagination. Entertaiment tough, but fashion? Pure wild."
No "colleague" concept—eliminate to rise. Explains the egos.
"Ugh, her glare haunts."
"Nightmare fuel."
Eungyu and Jun whined. May Lin's predator eyes? Instant nightmare.
"Total nightmare, right?"
"Definite."
I barely held; kids worse. Bright Uyeon's smile shriveled.
"…More practice at dorm?"
"Yeah."
"May Lin super famous? Aura screams it."
"Search?"
"Hits mean big deal."
Cluster whipped phones, searched May Lin. Found our linked article instead.
"Article on us?"
Manager on Kyungtae's shock:
"Yup~ Planned today. Gotta announce Airplane x Frejak pictorial collab."
Brag far and wide.