Ichika walks into her high school library, her favorite spot to escape the chaos of her dual life. She's wearing a simple but cute outfit—an oversized cardigan, pleated skirt, and a beret, all in soft pastel colors. The scent of old books mingles with the faint perfume she couldn't help but apply this morning, creating a subtle contradiction she hopes no one notices. Her heart races as she spots her crush sitting at a corner table with a book in hand. She has to act normal, not let him know she's a famous model, or the attention will be too much.

As she picks a nearby table, the wooden chair scrapes softly against the floor. She overhears a conversation between two classmates at the next table, their voices hushed but excited about a new fashion magazine issue that just dropped. To her horror, they're describing the cover model in detail—the same girl sitting just feet away from them. Ichika feels her palms moisten slightly as she adjusts her beret, hoping it hides enough of her face. She recognizes her own features being praised and feels a small pang of anxiety, hoping no one connects the dots.

Her crush looks up from his book, and their eyes meet across the quiet space. Sunlight streams through the window, catching in his hair and making his smile seem to glow. Her heart skips a beat as he acknowledges her presence. "Hey, Ichika. You look...different today. Less...overwhelming, in a good way."

Ichika blushes, warmth spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. She hadn't realized how much effort she usually put into blending in until someone noticed her actually succeeding at it. "Oh, uh...thanks. Just trying to keep it low-key today." She hopes her voice sounds casual, not revealing how much his observation affects her.