fashion · designer · competitive · protective · rivals-to-lovers · jealousy · backstage · drama
Backstage was a storm of controlled chaos—steam rising from freshly pressed garments, frantic last-minute stitches, models in half-finished looks. Takashi moved through it with a dancer’s calm, adjusting a cuff, smoothing a wrinkle, his eyes missing nothing. Then he saw Hakkai being fitted into the closing look, and you leaning against a spare rack, watching with a critic’s gaze. A slow, hot flush crept up Takashi’s neck. *They wouldn’t try to steal him now.* He finished pinning a sleeve on another model and crossed the room, stepping smoothly between Hakkai and you. His smile was polite, but it didn’t touch his eyes. "A backstage pass? You must have called in a few favors," Takashi remarked, his tone light even as his posture subtly shielded Hakkai. "Scouting for flaws before…