Work Text:
Anne was always delighted when she got to video call with her parents. Anne always admired their drive and dedication to their job ever since she was young, but this led to them having a workaholic tendency.
But Anne was excited to call her parents today for another reason. Anne had slowly realized that she wanted to pursue modeling as a career. She had thought before that she wanted to pursue acting, with how she admired the femme fatale characters on so many shows she loved but no… She realized that there was something really exciting about capturing one's beauty, in order to truly capture the elegance of the clothes you wore…
And she wanted to give other people hope and be a role model to them.
Just like Shiho's inner strength had. Her best friend was such an inspiration to her… She wanted to be that kind of person to people who needed it.
Anne's laptop screen blinked before an image of her parents appeared. Her parents looked exhausted with their rumpled clothes, shadows under their eyes—the works. But they also looked happy as they always did. There was a spark in their eyes. As tiring and demanding their job was, they always threw in 110% effort.
"Mom! Daddy!" Anne greeted.
"Hello sweetheart," Mom greeted Anne with a warm smile on her face. "It's been too long since I've gotten to see your face."
Dad sighed, shaking his head. "My darling girl gets more and more beautiful every day. I'll have to be careful before someone sweeps her off her feet!"
"Keita, always so dramatic," Mom chided, poking him in the side.
"You knew what you're getting into when you married me, my darling," Dad fired back with a playful smile.
Anne giggled. Dad did have a small dramatic side, but it was really nothing compared to Ren. But personally, she always thought her parents were cute together. They were partners in every way possible—a team.
Mom had a shrewd mind and handled a lot of the finances, while Dad had a creative mind. When she was little, she was always so amazed with the beautiful dresses that he would create. Every time Dad caught her looking through his sketchpads, he'd joke about creating a dress for Anne.
Her parents' fashion design label may be smaller compared to some others, but it was one that operated with passion.
"How's Italy, by the way?" Anne asked as a way to change the subject.
"Lovely as always." Dad then pressed a hand to his cheek. "Alas, if only I could whisk your mother to one of their many wonderful restaurants! But you know how it is—work, work, and more work."
"You love your work though, Daddy," Anne said with a giggle.
Dad winked in response. "Ah, but I love your mother more. And I'm in one of the most romantic cities in the world and I can't spend some leisure time with my wife?"
Mom flashed an amused look at Dad.
"Ah, but we're together most of the time, dear. That's all I can ask."
Dad gave her a fond smile in response before Mom turned back to Anne.
"So what have you been up to, Anne?" she inquired. "And… how's Shiho? Her recovery has been going well, hasn't it?"
Anne winced. She skimmed over the details about Kamoshida with her parents. Her parents had been infuriated and they had wanted to sue the school but Anne convinced them that since Kamoshida was going to jail and atoning for his crimes, that they didn't need to step in like that.
"Um, well… Shiho actually is settling in her new home," Anne said.
Dad tilted his head. "New home?"
"Her parents agreed that there were too many bad memories in Tokyo right now. Her dad requested a transfer with his job," Anne said softly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetheart," Mom said, her gray eyes growing soft with sympathy. "I know how important she is to you…"
"B-But I'm okay! I have more friends than Shiho, you know? I still miss her a lot but… I'm not alone."
She had a lot of awesome friends now. And Anne was so grateful about that.
"Your group of friends has been growing lately…" Mom smiled gently. "I'm happy to hear that."
Dad nodded. "Mm-hm. It's nothing Anne deserves. Though… you have been collecting more male friends…"
"Daddy!" Anne cried out, feeling her cheeks flush.
Mom poked him in the side once more. "Ignore him, sweetheart. Your father likes to pretend that he can intimidate any boys from getting close to you."
It was a little too late for that though… Anne couldn't help but feel amused.
"Excuse me?! What's that supposed to mean, Airi?" Dad demanded.
"Love, I adore you, but you're as intimidating as a baby kitten."
Dad pretended to pout at that, and Mom gave a chuckle at that. She then leaned in, pressing a light kiss against his cheek. This kind of scene was so familiar… Her parents were prone to gentle bickering but then they'd exchange casual affection like that. Dad grew up in America, so he was more physically affectionate than most Japanese. And over years, Mom had adopted that.
But she wanted to talk to her parents about her recent decision. She probably should try to get their attention again…
"But there is something else I wanted to tell you guys," Anne continued.
Dad tilted his head. "What would that be?"
Anne cleared her throat. "Well… you know how sometimes I would get some modelling gigs before? Because of your contacts…"
There was also how she actually thought to start modelling out of a childish desire to want to model for her parents—so they'd always be together.
Dad laughed at that. "It definitely helps fund your love of shopping, doesn't it?"
Anne giggled. "Yeah, there is that, but that's not my point! It's just umm… I realized something recently. It's a model's job to hold herself in a certain way, to showcase the clothes properly—to let them shine. I realized… that I don't want modeling to be just a hobby. I want to take it more seriously! I want to reach the very top!"
It was quiet for a moment. Anne couldn't help but worry that she had shocked her parents into silence. Her parents looked at each other for a second but then they turned back to Anne.
Mom's lips suddenly curled into a smile.
"That's an admirable goal, Anne," she said. "Though I assume that you might be modeling for our competitors then?"
Anne gave her a sheepish smile. "Probably, if I keep trying to push myself… I was thinking of taking lessons online, to start learning more languages so I can take gigs abroad. I know it won't be easy, but I don't want to just coast by anymore just because of how I look."
Dad's expression grew thoughtful. "Anne Takamaki, Top Model… Has quite a ring to it."
"Mm, I have to agree," Mom said with a gentle smile. "But I know you can do it, sweetheart. When you put your mind to it… you can accomplish anything."
Anne's heart swelled at her parents' faith in her. Her research had shown her that the stats showed that models usually retire before the age thirty so it was assuring to hear that they believed in her.
"D-Do you mind if I use your contacts? I need every advantage I can get… especially since so many models end up retiring young…" Anne trailed off.
Mom raised an eyebrow before her smile turned bemused. "Anne, in this industry? I'd be more insulted if you didn't. I want you to use every advantage to get your foot in the door, so you can succeed."
Dad nodded. "You can be the one, Anne. The one who makes it her way to the top."
"And there are other options to spread your influence," Mom continued.
Anne tilted her head. "Like… acting?"
She had noticed that a lot of models also dipped into acting during her research. Like Yukari Takeba. She was actually a little short to be a model but there was something about her that drew your attention.
"Exactly." Dad nodded. "Take Tao Okamoto for instance. She models all over the world and has been cast in movies. She's been in a Y-Men movie! It helps give you exposure. And Ai Tominaga! She was one of the first Asian models to debut on a European runaway! She's on TV, a radio personality…"
"Lisa Silverman too!" Anne said. "She got her start as an idol, if I remember right."
She'd remember sitting on the couch, watching shows where Lisa would model alongside Japanese models. She had immediately caught Anne's attention when she was the only blonde-haired, blue-eyed model in the crowd.
The media called Lisa the Japanese Heidi Klum, which Anne found pretty funny given how Lisa was actually 100% white. She was just born and raised in Japan.
"And she's recently launched her own fashion brand… not to mention all of the other deals she's secured."
Dad chuckled. "You know… that might not be a bad idea for you."
Anne giggled. Subtlety was not one of Dad's strengths.
"Maybe… I'll think on it. But I want to focus on modelling right now," Anne said.
Mom smiled at her. "We're with you, sweetheart. We'll support you, no matter what."
Anne felt happiness fill her. Even though they were continents apart, the support they were offering her… It meant the world to her.
"Thank you, Mom, Daddy…" she said; she was at a loss at what else to say.
"Of course, Anne." Dad nodded. "Though I suppose maybe we should start looking for openings for you…"
"Daddy, no!" Anne immediately objected before looking to him sternly. "I want to earn it."
Mom chuckled. "Work hard then, sweetheart. I look forward to featuring you in one of our shows in the near future."
Anne couldn't help but beam at her parents before nodding enthusiastically.
"I will, I swear it!"
Dad chuckled. "We were actually talking about scheduling a show in Tokyo around Christmas… we thought it'd be a good way to squeeze in some time with you for the holidays."
Anne couldn't help but gasp at that. Her parents were so busy… so that would really be the best gift in the world.
"Ah, there's that child-like joy," Mom said teasingly. "You may have grown up, but you still have that."
Anne couldn't help but blush out of embarrassment. But her parents smiled at her, affection clear in their eyes.
"So… work hard, Anne." Dad winked. "We're looking forward to seeing how far you've come by Christmas."
Anne smiled at that. A challenge… a tangible goal!
Anne pumped a fist before looking her parents straight in the eye.
"I won't let you down!" she exclaimed.