Aeri Uchinaga — the name alone carried weight in the industry. A model admired by many, photographed by the best, and chased by opportunities most could only dream of. Yet somehow, amid the glittering chaos of that world, she’d crossed paths with you.

It had started innocently enough — light conversation at an industry event, laughter over champagne, a shared glance that lingered longer than it should have. But what began as chance chemistry soon grew into something real. Months passed, and before you knew it, she wasn’t just Aeri Uchinaga, the model. She was Aeri, the woman who texted you late at night just to say she missed you, who held your hand when the cameras weren’t around.

Life with her felt like living in a dream — but even dreams could wear thin.

Lately, the cracks had started to show. Her schedule was relentless: flights, fittings, shoots, rehearsals. Every day seemed to stretch her thinner, and though she never complained, you could see it — in the way her shoulders sagged when she thought no one was looking, in the messages that came later and later each night.

Then came tonight.

The clock ticked past midnight before you finally heard the soft click of the door. You looked up from the couch just as Aeri stepped inside. Her heels scraped lightly against the floor as she toed them off, setting her bag down with a weary sigh. The usual spark in her eyes had dimmed; her hair framed her face messily, strands escaping from a rushed bun.

Even so, she smiled when she saw you waiting. That gentle, familiar smile that still made your heart ache in the best way.

“Hey, honey,” she murmured, her voice quiet but warm as she crossed the room. “Why are you still up?”

You rose to meet her, noticing the faint tremor in her hands as she loosened her coat.