Saturday arrived, and Riran and I were standing in front of a certain building.
The tenant on the first floor was our destination for today, the Ishite-dera Gemstone Shop.
Despite the name gemstone shop, jewelry like rings and necklaces were sparkling inside glass cases.
Because they were pieces of jewelry set with stones, every single one was so expensive it made my eyes pop. Scary.
“They’re beautiful...”
“Yeah. I can’t afford to leave even a single scratch on them by mistake.”
Seeing them in person was different from seeing them on the website.
Even though I knew that, I hadn't expected them to be this beautiful.
As we were peering at the jewelry from the storefront, the building's automatic doors opened and Ishite-dera-senpai stepped out.
“Oh, welcome, you two! I’ve been waiting!”
“Ishite-dera-senpai, thank you for having us today.”
“Hello.”
“Yes, yes, you’re both shining today as well! Come on, this way, this way!”
Led by Ishite-dera-senpai, we entered the shop.
O-Oh... The impression inside the shop really was different from the outside.
I was struck by a mysterious sensation, as if I had entered another world. Not that I’ve ever been to another world, though.
The staff members bowed to us, and we bowed back repeatedly.
I don’t know if it was just my imagination, but even the staff seemed to be glowing somehow.
We crossed the shop floor and entered a back entrance reserved for staff.
As expected of a famous shop. The staff room was well-organized and luxurious.
“Well then, let’s snap some photos real quick.”
“Shouldn’t we greet the owner first...?”
“Ah, my father is currently overseas for business negotiations. So, for all intents and purposes, I’m the owner of this shop.”
No way. To be the owner of one of Japan’s leading brands while still a high school student... She’s surprisingly capable.
“Oh? I feel like something very rude was just said about me.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Really? Oh well.”
As a female photographer who had been waiting prepared her heavy-duty camera, Ishite-dera-senpai placed several pieces of jewelry on the table.
Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and anklets. There were so many varieties I couldn’t even count them.
“The ring sizes aren't an issue since I had you measure them in advance. Now, let’s get through these one after another!”
Wearing white gloves, Ishite-dera-senpai slipped rings onto the left ring fingers of both Riran and me.
The platinum rings were embedded with sapphires. They were definitely high-end items. My hands trembled a little.
“Now, both of you, put your hands out and overlap them. Kuonji-san on the bottom, and Sanada-kun, you wrap yours over hers.”
Following Ishite-dera-senpai’s instructions, we overlapped our hands over a white cloth.
The beautiful rings sparkled on our fingers. The photographer took photos of them from various angles.
“Miss, these two are amazing. No matter what angle I shoot from, they all look perfect.”
“I knew my eyes didn't deceive me! Good job, both of you!”
They were showering us with praise just for wearing rings and having our hands photographed.
It was kind of embarrassing.
After that, we repeated the process of putting on and photographing various types of rings.
We took solo shots of Riran and me as well, and then we were done with the rings.
Next, we moved on to the necklaces.
“For the necklaces, I want to show your faces too. Is that okay?”
“Well, it's a bit late to worry about that now.”
“We already showed our faces during the wedding advertisement, after all.”
“Okay, okay! Then, let's get started!”
Riran and I put on matching necklaces.
The chain for the men's version was thicker, but the shape was the same.
We took photos against a white background.
However, the photographer’s expression clouded over slightly.
“Is something wrong?”
“How should I put it... it lacks a certain 'spark.' No, everything is wonderful, but I feel like we could draw out more of your potential...!”
I looked at the photos displayed on the computer.
...Is that so? I thought they were coming out well.
However, Riran seemed to feel the same way, as she nodded in agreement.
“It’s true, I feel like we’re a bit stiff compared to how we usually are.”
“That’s right. Even if the distance between you is fine, the atmosphere feels a bit awkward.”
The women began discussing this and that.
I didn’t get it. What was the difference?
“How about trying some different poses? Right now, you’re just linking arms.”
“You’re right. As the Miss says, let’s try various poses.”
“But we don't really know how to pose like that. We aren't models, after all.”
True, I didn’t know any professional poses.
In that case, the only thing we could do was...
“Riran, come here for a second.”
“Eh? Okay.”
I called Riran over and sat down on a sofa for the time being.
Then, I patted my lap.
“Wait, you want me to sit? Here?”
“You always do it. I want you to sit sideways with your legs together today, rather than straddling me.”
“I-I guess it's fine, but...”
She seemed embarrassed to do it in front of others, glancing at the two of them.
However, she steeled her resolve and sat on my lap sideways.
When I wrapped my arm around her waist, Riran smoothly wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Riran, look at me.”
“Wait, wait... y-you’re too close...!”
“Don’t look away from me.”
“Auh...”
Her face turned bright red, but Riran showed the expression of a girl deeply in love.
In that instant, the photographer’s eyes gleamed as they snapped the shutter.
“Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! That’s it! That’s what I wanted! Not an atmosphere conscious of the camera, but jewelry that gently nestles into daily life! Great! It’s really great!”
“Ooh! As expected of Sanada-kun!”
Whew... Good, it looked like I had found the right answer.
After that, we continued taking photos wearing various pieces of jewelry with 'daily life' as the theme.
By the time we finished the last shot, the sun had completely set.