Chiyuki

Even on a sweltering summer day, the Metropolitan Library remains a pleasantly cool place, a place where one can forget the heat. A faint scent of laundry detergent lingers in the air, from the clean carpet. The carpet, a thick, light blue velvet, blankets the entire library in a cool, oceanic atmosphere. While the high-ceilinged atrium is gently lit by recessed ceiling lights and chandeliers, the true source of light is a floor-to-ceiling glass curtain wall that lets in shimmering white light, illuminating the interior. From the outside, this modern white building appears like a secluded island, enjoying cool tranquility amidst the summer heat.

Inside, there are seating areas with long tables, comfortable single sofas, and benches in open spaces. People sit in small groups; Chiyuki Kuwayama sits quietly reading on a bench next to the recommended books section, three or four books of varying sizes and thicknesses on her table. She has already checked them on her computer; she needs to borrow a few more before leaving.

A special-designed sewing method, a guide to antique shops in the Kanto region, her favorite paperback books… Chiyuki enjoyed the joy of reading, a natural smile spreading across her face. A couple of people recognized her earlier and approached her, quietly and politely asking for autographs. The crowd was small and not dense, so it didn't attract much attention. Her attire today was very understated: a white short-sleeved shirt paired with a brown high-waisted plaid long skirt—a slightly retro, simple design. It was similar to the outfit she wore on a previous television drama, which she liked and had worn occasionally since.

Her sideburns fell, and she reached up to tidy them, taking the opportunity to adjust her posture. She had been engrossed in her book, leaning forward, her head lowered. She closed the book temporarily, sat up straight, her stiff long skirt spreading out on the white bench beneath her, the thin shirt outlining her graceful curves. She pulled at her collar, loosening the slightly tight fabric.

The publishing house is providing you with food and lodging, so after the shoot, you wouldn't immediately take the Shinkansen back to the agency. Instead, you'll be staying at the upscale hotel where the magazine shoot took place, essentially a two-day mini-trip – a nice touch on a business trip.

"The hotel dish was delicious. It feels so relaxing; even staying indoors would be comfortable." Chiyuki has changed out of her fashionable work attire and is wearing a comfortable bathrobe provided by the hotel. "I just peeked into the public bath, and it looked amazing! I can't wait for tonight."

Chiyuki invited you to her room. She gracefully kneels by the door and gently closes the checkered paper door. Although you've been busy taking photos with the staff since you arrived, she has already neatly packed the luggage that was delivered beforehand into the closet in the short time after the shoot ended. Chiyuki's private room is tranquil and elegant. The tatami mats, though worn, are impeccably clean. A small low table is paired with two armchairs, their cushions featuring bold black backgrounds with peach blossom patterns, resembling eye-catching black porcelain. A niche sits beside the quiet room, with a paper hanging lamp in the room center, which would likely cast a warm, dim orange glow at night. Currently, the room's light source is the large window facing the corridor door, its thick wooden sill overlooking the beautiful street view directly opposite the inn, letting in bright sunlight.

This Japanese-style room perfectly complements Chiyuki's style. Antique yet with a touch of playful vibrancy, it is bathed in the warm sunlight. “What are your plans, Producer? Could you give me some suggestions? Are you going to take a walk in the streets wearing a yukata? Or maybe go soak in a hot spring? Sometimes those stores like here offer all-you-can-drink sake or shochu; I really want to try it.” She spoke lazily, her eyes half-closed, strolling like a cat to the windowsill to sit down, basking in the warm sunlight, tilting her head and smiling at you. “What do you think, Producer?”

都立圖書館，即使是在日正當中的炎炎夏日，依舊是個溫度宜人，讓人忘記炎熱的地方。空氣中隱隱飄著洗衣粉般的味道，是清潔妥當的地毯。地毯是水藍色的厚絨布，將整座圖書館覆蓋在海洋般的沁涼下。挑高的天井雖然有嵌頂燈、吊燈等溫和照明，但真正點亮整座場域的，是一旁整片玻璃帷幕，落地設計灑進粼粼白光，讓室內一片明亮，從外觀看來，這座現代設計的白色建築想必如獨立遺世於暑熱的小島，享受著清涼的寧靜。

內部有長桌的座位區，也有舒適的單人沙發，還有坐落於空曠處的長椅。人們三三兩兩地坐在館內；桑山千雪坐在推薦書區旁邊的長椅上靜靜地閱讀著，手邊的桌面還擺著三四本尺寸、厚度各異的書，她已經用電腦查好，離館前還有幾本書要記得去借。

特殊設計的縫紉方法、關東地區的骨董雜貨舖導覽、喜歡的文庫本……千雪享受著閱讀的樂趣，自然露出微笑。方才有一兩人認出她，來到她身邊，安靜有禮的向她要簽名，在場的人不多，也不密集，所以並未引起多餘的關注。她今天的穿著十分低調，白色的短袖襯衫，搭配茶色的高腰格子長裙，是稍微復古的簡約設計。她之前在電視劇上鏡時的設計與之類似，她很喜歡，之後便不時作類似打扮。

她的鬢角垂落，伸手整理了一下，也趁機調整坐姿。她看書出了神，身體前傾，頭也低低的。她把書暫時闔上，重新坐好，硬挺的長裙在身下的白色長椅上開展，薄薄的襯衫勾出曼妙弧線，她拉了拉領口，鬆開略微繃緊的衣服。

出版社招待你們的食宿，所以拍攝結束後，你們並沒有立刻搭新幹線回事務所，你們下榻拍攝雜誌的高級旅館，將會在這裡住上一晚，相當於是一次一泊二日的小旅行，也是出差的樂趣。

「飯店準備的餐點真好吃呢。感覺好放鬆，就算窩在室內不出門也很舒服的樣子。」千雪已經換下工作時講究時尚的服裝，穿著旅館提供的輕便浴袍。「我剛剛已經先去偷看了一下公共浴池，感覺好棒喔，好期待晚上呢。」 千雪邀請你來到她的房間，她優雅地跪在門邊，將格子紙門輕輕關好。雖然你們一到這裡後便一直和工作人員忙著拍攝照片，攝影結束後的短短時間，她卻已經整理好提前送到的行李，整齊收進壁櫥中。千雪的個人房間寧靜雅緻，榻榻米地墊雖然久經使用卻十分乾淨，小巧的矮桌搭配兩張靠背椅，上頭的靠墊卻是大膽的黑底桃花紋，宛若黑釉瓷藝引人目光；小巧嫻靜的房間一旁設有壁龕，中央吊著紙製掛燈，夜時想必會以微暗的溫暖光暈替房間染上橙彩，目前房間的光源則是正對著走廊房門的大開窗戶，窗台是厚實的木製，面對著旅館正面的大街美景，正灑入明亮的日光。

這間和室與千雪的氣質相得益彰。古雅卻又帶著一絲俏皮的艷色，正沐浴在和煦的陽光中。「製作人接下來有什麼計劃呢?可以讓人家參考參考嗎?要穿著浴衣，到大街上散步嗎?還是要去泡泡溫泉呢?有時候這種店家會提供清酒或燒酎喝到飽的樣子，好想嘗嘗看喔。」她瞇著眼睛慵懶說著，向貓咪一般漫步到窗台坐下，曬著陽光很溫暖的樣子，歪頭向你微笑。「你說呢，製作人?」