Work Text:
“Put on the chemise before the corset,” Shu instructed.
“I know,” Mika replied in a heartbeat. There was no bite in her words, though, as she looked over the intricate outfit with a shimmer in her eyes. Laid on the bed was a deep blue corset top with silver embellishments, a frilly skirt that would fan out just below her knees, and lacy black stockings that she knew were carefully handcrafted. She ran the delicate fabric of the sleeves between her fingers, in disbelief that she was worthy of wearing such a thing.
Awestruck as she was, Mika wasted no time in undressing herself. She tucked her discarded clothes into a neat pile on the corner of the bed before picking up the thin chemise. Shu watched her with a precise gaze all the while, taking note of where she had filled out and where she was still bony and frail.
“I’ll have to adjust your measurements soon,” Shu murmured, and Mika only hummed in response.
The two had a strange sort of living situation in Shu’s atelier. Neighbors whispered about how the budding fashion designer was allegedly keeping a model locked up in her bedroom, much like a pet or a dress-up doll. They never saw her leave the apartment, and on the rare occasions that she did, she was always fastened to Shu’s side as if bound to her owner by an invisible leash. But as much as the townsfolk gossiped, Shu didn’t pay any mind to the rumors. And so, neither did Mika.
‘No one understands the intimate relationship between an artist and her muse’ is what Shu always contended. She scoffed at philistines who couldn’t comprehend her art even if they tried. It didn’t matter what those pesky scandalmongers thought because Shu had a vision, and Mika was the only one who could execute it.
In time, she would reveal her creations to the world and gain her due respect from the select few who would understand. But first, she had to make sure everything was perfect, not a single stitch out of place.
Before Mika could even ask for help in tying up the corset, Shu had taken her place behind the woman. Meticulous hands took the satin ribbons and laced them up tightly, knocking the breath out of her for just a moment. Interestingly, she didn’t finish threading them to the end. Mika turned halfway around to question her halted movements at the same time that she felt fingers pinching at her stomach.
“You’ve gained weight here,” Shu said, pressing her lips into a thin line.
Mika hung her head in response, not wanting to look her in the eyes. “Sorry.”
“Have you been snacking on sweets again?”
Mika didn’t know why she asked questions like this. She was trying her best to stick to the strict regimen that Shu had laid out for her, couldn’t she see that? She would never do anything to intentionally subvert her wishes.
“No… we stopped buyin’ sweets last month,” Mika replied, coming out as more of a mumble than she had wanted.
“Hm.” A pensive pause. Shu’s silence hung heavy in the air as Mika nervously awaited her response. “No matter the reason, you need to watch what you eat for the next few weeks. If you keep gaining at this rate, you won’t fit into the collection I’ve prepared for our debut show.”
Mika felt tears prick at her eyes, but she silently willed them to go away. “I’m sorry, Oshi-san… I shoulda been more careful, I’m makin’ a waste of yer hard work.”
Shu sighed. She wanted the best for her precious muse, and low self-esteem wasn’t productive in achieving that. “It’s alright, don’t be sorry. I can alter the garments, but I also know how beautiful you can be.” She finished lacing up the corset with one last squeeze, making a little bow with the leftover ribbon. “I just want you to be your most beautiful self.”
“An’ I will be,” Mika said, her voice firm with resolve while a single tear streamed down her cheek. “I’m so sorry, ya deserve a better model. I dunno why ya chose me, honestly, there are so many better—”
“Arrêtez-vous,” Shu suddenly commanded, her harsh tone cutting through the air. “You know I don’t like it when anyone insults my art. That includes you, being the vessel that displays my work to the world.”
Mika nodded solemnly. She knew better than to question Shu’s tastes, or question why she took a liking to a pitiful girl like her, so she resumed dressing herself without another word. She picked up the stockings next, bunching up the fabric and carefully rolling them onto her legs so they wouldn’t snag. She admired the roses woven into them, darling and ornate.
Then came the petticoat, followed by the skirt. They added volume to her silhouette, poofing out and making her feel like a ballerina dancer dyed in brilliant midnight hues. She tried an experimental spin and watched the skirt flutter to life.
Mika didn’t miss the way Shu watched her twirl with fondness. Though she used to shy away from the intensity behind Shu’s stares, she reveled in her attention now. She only cared about being pretty in Shu’s eyes—everyone else be damned.
‘She treats me well’ is what Mika said to a nosy neighbor once. He had been concerned about her being caged in her room, joking that Shu should allow her to get more sunlight, but Mika struggled to find the humor in his words. How could she feel trapped when she had everything she could want in the atelier? She was dolled up, taken care of, and doted on. She had no desire for anything more, other than helping Shu fulfill her artistic vision as repayment for her kindness.
What the neighbors didn’t know was that after all the scrupulous examinations, and after all the offhanded critiques that left deeper scars than Mika would like to admit, Shu always made the hurt go away in an instant. Of course they would misunderstand, because no one but Mika could see how much Shu adored her.
“How do I look?” Mika asked, smoothing out the fabric and locking eyes with Shu. It was a needless question. She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it.
Shu approached her steadily, reaching her hands out to wipe the tears off her cheeks. She hadn’t realized she was making a mess of her face until now, not when her heart was soaring to the sky with anticipation. Thank the heavens that her makeup hadn’t been done yet, or she would be in for a scolding.
“Beautiful. Exquisite. You look perfect, ma chérie,” Shu praised, and Mika beamed at her with the light of a thousand moons.