148 Chapter one, 2016, the value of friends: 9 (2/2)

When Noriko and her porters arrived with the third set the modelling crew received instructions in new attire. All in all the loss of time could be counted in minutes.

As the stash of boxes by the gates shrunk the hangers in the gym hall filled with clothes tried on, and by the time the last of the clothes were carried inside the models looked as if they had a pretty good idea about how to change between sets in an absurdly short time.

While the exercise served its intended means, it also became a show of its own. An audience gathered, both boys and girls, ogling the models as they changed. Noriko heard Kuri shout a choice set of Swedish words to the boys, and there was no need to understand the language to get the message across.

Hitomi-chan looked more embarrassed than beautiful, and Noriko understood her perfectly. Changing clothes as a model meant spending a lot of time half naked in front of others, and no matter how much they tried to shield her with blankets, some of the boys always managed to sneak a peek or two while she wore nothing but her underwear.

”Kuri, club room,” Noriko suggested when she understood that nothing Kuri shouted would help.

Hitomi-chan gave her a grateful look in return and stared pleadingly at Kuri. When Kuri started to shake her head Noriko grabbed one of her arms and yanked.

”What?”

”Club room. This isn't Sweden. We're not used to having boys stare at us that way.”

”If you want to work as a...”

Noriko didn't allow Kuri to finish that sentence. ”This isn't work. It's a school event, and Hitomi-chan shouldn't have to go through this.”

Kuri backed down at that. Almost. ”But the clothes?”

It made sense. The ones they planned to use from the start lay in the burner after someone shredded them. ”I'll assign people to guard duty here, OK?”

Kuri nodded, and shortly afterwards Noriko watched her leaving the gym hall together with the models. They carried a box each. Enough to continue training, but most of the clothes were still here. Another half an hour later saw all boxes empty and the hangers filled to capacity.

Now the time had come for the more difficult part. Kyoko was bound to scream bloody murder when she found out.