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In hindsight, I probably should have expected this to backfire in the way it did. Anyone else would have been able to know right from the get-go.
Still, when I handed Shuna a prototype camera I had developed, it seemed like the perfect match. After all, Shuna was very creative. She has a very good eye for detail and can make anything pleasing to look at. Be it clothes, food, even small things like her handwriting. Everything Shuna did turned into something amazing, which is really saying something. Plus, she’s very reliable and mature. It made sense to hand over the prototype to her, given that photography was just another art form that I was sure Shuna could master in no time.
I just… forgot to factor in the fact that she likes making clothes for me! Ok, listen, you gotta understand; I wasn’t expecting a betrayal of this scale! I feel completely blind-sighted right now! Sure, it’s completely obvious now that she’d want to take pictures of me in the clothes she makes…
But a magazine publishing all of those embarrassing photos?! Come on, I don’t think anyone would have predicted that!
These are the thoughts that run through my head as I stare down at the flimsy book in my hands, my form plastered on the cover in the sundress Shuna made a month ago for me to model. Each page features different pictures, most of me in different outfits Shuna made in the past month, though some of our other friends make appearances. I’m a little envious that Benimaru gets to wear all the cool outfits! Even Shion looks more mature than me… My heart is wounded!
Shuna is looking at me expectantly, though. She asked me to try on more clothes today to take more photos. God, she looks so proud of her work. I can’t ruin her spirit now!
“These look fantastic.” I tell her, and it looks like I absolutely just made her day. Her eyes light up and the smile on her face grows wider and wider by the second.
“It is such an honor to hear you say that, Rimuru-sama!” Shuna says before holding up what looks to be a ballroom dress. She’s absolutely sparkling. “I’ve got a lot of other things for you to try on, too! I finished this one just last night, and I have an idea of how I want to set up the pictures! I can’t wait to share this with everyone!”
She thrusts the dress into my hands and runs off into the picture room.
It wasn’t a lie. The photos look amazing, even if they’re a bit embarrassing. I was right to assume Shuna would be a natural at photography considering how creative and artistic she is. She even got over the learning curve faster than I thought she would. I haven’t seen her so passionate for something in a while, either.
I steel my nerves and go to put on the dress. Embarrassing as it may be, I’ll still do it for her.
It takes a while before she’s actually ready to take the pictures. She fiddles with the lights and fusses over my hair. She’s even started applying makeup for these shoots. According to her, it helps with the pictures. I thought the ones without it looked just as good, but Shuna’s the artist here. God knows I have no artistic eye myself.
I know I complain about this a lot, but most of it I can easily move past despite my reservations. Embarrassing? Yes. Painful? No. The painful part is the photoshoot themselves.
I’m no model; I have no idea what I’m doing. So Shuna’s the one driving most of these shoots. Suddenly, these dress-up sessions have grown exponentially in length. I have to take off entire days when Shuna gets that spark of inspiration and builds up a closet of things for me to wear.
Like right now. The ballroom dress Shuna made is beautiful, there’s no arguing it. It has bright reds and oranges, it reminds me of fire, and it glistens when the light hits it. So of course Shuna wants to get pictures of it from as many angles as she can! I feel awkward just standing here; occasionally Shuna will approach me and tell me to move my arm and help position me in a pose she wants, but I can’t tell if I’m doing it right.
It takes a while, but when Shuna’s finally satisfied with the photos she’s taken, she grabs another dress off the rack and sends me off to change into that. That’s the routine that’s been established on these days; change into a dress, let Shuna fuss over my hair and makeup, take photos for an hour (or more if Shuna starts getting frustrated or I mess up a photo), rinse and repeat.
During the sessions, I try not to think too hard about what’s actually happening. I learned early on when we started these that I have a terrible poker face. If I start thinking about how embarrassing this could end up being, Shuna will know and fuss at me because the pictures aren’t turning out right, my face is too red or my smile isn’t genuine enough.
Besides, I have enough time to think during breaks and after the fact.
Like right now, while Shuna is styling my hair into a bun, the dress I’m wearing a flowing seafoam green. I can feel the prying eyes of a certain purple Kijin and Demon from the entrance of the studio. They’re whispering to each other and I feel the back of my neck heat up. In times like these, I’m glad I can’t hear what they are saying.
“There, perfect! You look so cute, Rimuru-sama!” Shuna announces; pride evident on her face. I turn to face her and see her smile soften when she gets a good look at my face. Ah, I guess my wandering thoughts are showing again.
“Rimuru-sama… Have I properly thanked you for doing this for me yet?” She asks, and it wasn’t a question I was expecting.
“Uh… N-no, I don’t think so, but you don’t need to. I’m glad to do it.”
“I know it’s not your most favorite thing to do, but I’m very happy you agree to do it so often. I will find a way to make it up to you properly!”
“Shuna…” I can’t help the fond feeling bubbling in my chest. “I actually enjoy doing this with you. I’m just not used to it, I guess. Don’t worry about it too much, kay?”
“Still, I should repay you for your troubles. Oh, I know!” Shuna claps her hands together before giving me the sweetest smile she has. “We can host a party for the debut of the magazine and show off all our hard work! I’m certain everyone would love to celebrate! We can give everyone a copy, too! Wouldn’t that be fun?”
She’s beaming so brightly in contrast to the pit forming in my stomach. The thought of everyone having a copy of those photos…
I-It’s worth it for Shuna to be happy, right?
…Right!?
--
The party was a hit. As planned, the magazine was supplied to all of the guests and ended up more popular than expected. The monsters adored seeing their beloved leader in many different outfits. It sold out in minutes upon its release. Shuna could not have been more proud. Her dresses and photos were loved and adored by all.
Though the main attraction was one Rimuru Tempest, who ended up being the main selling point.
Unfortunately for Rimuru Tempest, due to popular demand, he ended up having to model in public more and more. The people would not rest until they got their fashion show. Group morale rose drastically the more they saw their adorable leader in various different outfits, cataloged forever in Shuna’s Fashion Magazine. Rimuru’s face would be plastered all over town in the dresses he modeled for Shuna.
It was that day Rimuru learned the valuable lesson of foresight.