Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann Fan Fiction / Crossover With Non-anime Series Fan Fiction ❯ Factory ❯ Display Exhibit ( Chapter 53 )

Display Exhibit

I: Prep Work:

-Pandora-

I took a deep breath. I had been preparing this for months. All my hard work into everything. So many sleepless nights. So many cups of coffee. So much self-hate. I was ready to quit so many times. But here I am. I splashed water on my face.

The call came last Christmas. Yoko Han is doing a winter display of all the hottest fashion designers in Neo-Tokyo. I had to pinch myself in the cheek.

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“Yes,” Ms. Han said. “I am starting the year off with my latest line. I saw your shoes during the Christmas Display. My assistant thought they were so cute.”

“Why thank you,” I said.

“Are you in?” she asked. I quickly nodded as if she could see me.

“Of course!” I said. “Thank you so much!” I quickly bowed as if she could see me. Ms. Han giggled over the phone.

“I look forward to working with you,” she said.

“Same to you too,” I said. That might have come out as a squeak.

“Have a good day,” Ms. Han said. “Goodbye.”

“Bye,” I said. I hung up my phone. I couldn't help but to break down squealing like a little girl. This was it. I was finally going to have my big chance. I did have some chances but lately I just wanted something bigger. Maybe this could be the one this time.

II: Models:

Jemima has my back. She's been waiting a long time to do this. She helped to show off what my shoe designs would look like.

“You're going to do fine,” she told me. Jemima has been my number one supporter for years now. I have always had her, Hunter, and Evan in my corner. Andy has been supplying me with enough money to get my designs off the ground. So far, they have been mostly sold during Andy's exhibitions and modeled off in his movies. I have been grateful, but I still need more.

“Wolfe-san,” someone said behind me. I turned around. A Japanese woman in lacy black underwear and peacock feathers stood in the doorway.

“What is it? What's on your mind?” I asked. She held out her left foot.

“Did I hook this on right?” the model asked. I knelt down for a closer look. She had all but on hook hooked on properly.

“Here, let me get that for you,” I said. I fixed the hook like it is supposed to.

“There,” I said. “How does it feel?” She looked at her dainty foot. Her face perked up.

“Wow! It's like my foot's in a cloud,” she said. The model looked up at me with stars in her eyes.

“Thank you so much!” she said. A knock came on my dressing room door. We both looked up.

“Five minutes, Wolfe-san!” a man's voice said.

“Okay!” I shouted.

“Thank you so much,” the model said. She bowed and hurried out of my room. I turned to the mirror and forced myself to smile.

“Show time,” I said to myself. I stood up and walked out my dressing room.

III: Opening Morning:

-Outside-

500 people were coming in the morning. This event was invitation only. Plus ones were allowed to come. Andy's Factory posse was in the crowd. Evan and Hunter stood in the front. Andy stood in the background with his cigarette in his hand. Everyone stood outside of the Izanami House of Art. Anytime now…

A woman in a skin-tight black cat suit and matching cat ears and whiskers walked up to the glass doors. She took a moment to stared at the crowd. The woman paused for a beat. Evan and Hunter looked ready to jump through the glass. The woman grinned and unlocked the door. She moved aside and let everyone in.

The morning's exhibit had begun.

IV: Glamor Shoes:

-Pandora-

This exhibit was going to be an all-day thing. Slowly more and more would come based on when their tickets were. Right now, was the morning crowd. The outfits were ready. The models were ready. My designs were ready. The sets were ready. Ms. Han and I were ready. I headed out into the main exhibit hall as the front doors opened.

The sets went like this:

Forest

Ocean

Dream-State

Innocence

Happiness (That was going to be a junior's section.)

Saving a Life

Japan's Spirit

Romance

Finale: Power of Women

Jemima was going to be in the Forest and Dream-State displays. My heart's pounding against my chest. My stomach won't stop turning. I kept running through the worst case situation in my head. I couldn't help it. I can't help but get the feeling that something could go wrong.

Something I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see Jemima smiling at me. I blinked at her.

“Jemima? What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I'm going to be up soon,” she said.

“Oh,” I said. She broke into a huge grin.

“Everything is going to go great,” Jemima said. “Your designs are beautiful. They are going to love them. I love them.” I made myself smile.

“Thanks, Jemima,” I said. I could hear Ms. Han greeting the morning crowd at the podium.

“I have to get going now,” Jemima said. She turned and walked back to join the other models.

V: Deals and Pride:

“I love your designs,” Ms. Han said.

“Thank you,” I said.

“I first fell in love with them when I saw your designs in Mary and Theresa.”

I turned to her with a shocked look on my face. “You saw that?”

“Yeah. I saw it at that pool theater downtown.”

“Wow.”

“The film wasn't good, but I liked the shoes of the main actresses.”

“Thank you.”

“Say, would you like to do more collaborations with me? I am looking for someone to do a spring exhibit with me.”

I didn't have to think about my answer. “Sure!” My face felt so hot and flushed red. Then she asked a question that I haven't thought much about.

“How come you haven't done many collaborations in the fashion world?” Ms. Han asked. “Your designs are beautiful in a dull landscape. Your work is like a breath of fresh air. You should try and expand more.”

I didn't have an answer. I hadn't thought about it until now. Did I want to stay under Andy Teach's world forever?

VI: After Party:

-Outside-

Day one wrapped up with an after party. Just the typical Stardust Factory party. Pandora was supposed to be the center of attention. Right now, she was just happy that day one took off without a hitch. But still, that sinking feeling wouldn't leave. She couldn't help but to feel that something was going to go wrong.

“You did a great job,” she heard behind her. Pandora turned around, about jumping. Hunter flashed a huge grin.

“T-T-Thank you,” I said. The Irish actor tilted his head.

“Something wrong?” he asked. She quickly shook her head.

“No,” she lied. Pandora pulled him into her arms. Hunter had a puzzled look on his face.

“Pandi?” he asked. She looked up at him.

“Please… kiss me,” the designer said. At first, Hunter blinked at her.

“What?” he asked.

“Please!” she pleaded. Hunter didn't say a word as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She was quick to kiss him back.

“What's going on here?!” someone shouted.

VII: Busted Triangle:

-Pandora-

Evan looked like he had been hit by the Bullet Train. His glass fell to the floor. Hunter and I stared at him. I struggled to say anything, but nothing came out. Evan's face looked tomato red. He gritted his teeth. Hunter held me closer to his chest.

“Come on, man!” he said. “Haven't you noticed it?” I looked up at him. Was he… smirking? I turned back to Evan. He had his hands on hips. The fear of death ran through my body. Oh no. What is he going to do now?

My boyfriend let out a loud, rage-filled scream. It didn't help that everyone was staring at us now. I lowered my head. I wished that I could just sneak into the ground and disappear.

VIII: Highs and Lows:

-Outside-

With the highs come the lows. A career is on the rising, but a relationship will be doomed to fail. Which one is going to happen first? Maybe it's time to let go and move on?

Black Display