Disclaimer: Nothing of Skip Beat belongs to me, only the original parts of the plot for this fanfiction.
Warnings: Implied m/m, but nothing bad. I hope. ;-)
Note: I was bored and I decided to post a story that's not finished and not I know where I want to go with this so I think it's unlikely that the story won't be finished. Please bear with me, I try my best. When my beta has the time (or I enough material) I'll replace the chapters eventually. In the meantime, please have fun reading and tell me what you think :-)
The Harem Flower
Part I
July 2010
President Takarada Lory was having a somewhat exciting morning. First his secretary had surprised him with a new job offer for his poster boy, Tsuruga Ren, and then, only fifteen minutes later, another offer had fluttered in, this time for Mogami Kyoko, his favourite protegé. These news outshone even his new, polished knight's armour that his assistant Sebastian had put on him this morning.
A hearty breakfast and three cups of coffee later, that same favourite protegé was sitting in his spacious office, staring distrustfully at his face.
"Could you please say that again?" she asked, trying hard to sound polite.
He chuckled. It was highly entertaining to watch her mood swings. Oh yes, he could understand Ren – the boy had only recently admitted that he rather loved riling her up just for the fun of it. Being annoyed brought out some of her best features as it made her eyes sparkle and her cheeks flush a very pretty pink.
"Of course, Mogami-kun," Lory said jovially, smiling benevolently. "As I said, there is a job offer for a movie for you. A movie usually is the debut for an aspiring actress such as yourself so you should consider this offer carefully."
Kyoko's expression darkened. "And what is this movie about, again?"
Ah, she's being rather forward today, Lory thought, fighting to keep his amused chuckles down. Out loud, he said patiently: "It's about a street gang in Tokyo that decides to smash their enemy gang before disbanding for a better life. You would be a part of the 'good' gang. Not the lead, I'm afraid, but the part the director wants you for has great potential."
"In short, it's another bully role," Kyoko mumbled darkly. "I should've known that accepting the role in Box 'R was a mistake."
"Well, I would've wanted your debut to be a romance," said Lory, "but it can't be helped. Director Abe asked for you specifically so it would be rude to turn him down outright."
Kyoko sighed but didn't argue.
"If you want to hear my professional opinion, you should take the job. Not only is this your entry into the film industry, it also pays well." Lory looked sorrowfully at his young charge. "I know that you have it hard, Mogami-kun. This would buy you time. You've been working very hard these last months and people are satisfied with your work. You need a break, however, before you work yourself sick. If you take on this movie you'd have a mostly clear schedule until filming starts in five months. Dark Moon will be finished in two weeks, Box 'R in a month. The rest of the time you could concentrate on school and working out for the role. How does that sound?"
He could see that the offer was tempting her. She was a hard worker by nature but even she had limits. Juggling high school, acting school, three different acting jobs and her job at the place where she lived was strenuous, even if she didn't show it. Lory had had someone look into her situation as soon as she had haggled out the conditions for paying for acting school and had been distressed at how much she had to work to keep up with her more fortunate peers.
Unfortunately he couldn't support her financially as it would be unfair towards all his other talents, but he still wanted to do something for her. Her perseverance had impressed quite a few people already and he was sure that someday her hard work would pay off and she would leave all the other young talents behind her.
"No extra jobs?" she asked cautiously. "Not even LoveMe work?"
"Well, perhaps a little LoveMe work," Lory amended, "but only so you can see your friends every now and then. Is that alright?"
"It sounds heavenly," she sighed. "Too good to be true, in fact. Where's the catch?"
At this, Takarada Lory laughed out loud, making the hinges of his armour rattle. "If you decide to be blunt I might as well tell you right now," he chuckled. "As I said before, you'll need to work out for the movie. Here's the script. Director Abe highlighted your part so you won't have difficulties finding it."
Kyoko took it and flipped through the first pages. "As I thought, she's a hoodlum," she groaned. "Too bad I promised Father that I wouldn't turn down roles just because I don't want to play them."
Lory nodded, proud of his old friend. "You have to see the bright side. You get paid for becoming a fit young woman. If I may be so bold and recommend a studio?" Lory took a business card from his desk and slid it over to the young woman. "The owner is a friend of mine. He regularly trains young talents from LME, and only females. You should feel comfortable there. It'd be best if you talked with the trainer about this and work out a training plan together. Abe-san has specific ideas how you should look for the movie. The holidays have just begun, so you should make use of the extra time and get a good head start."
"Yes, sir."
Lory leaned back in his chair and smiled broadly. "Now don't look so dejected. It'll be a great experience. Besides, learning martial arts won't hurt you either. Didn't you have a problem with a stalker a few months back? I won't encourage you to take advantage of your training, but if someone ever comes too close for comfort again, well …" He winked and left it to her imagination to complete the sentence.
The atmosphere lightened considerably after that. She looked abashed and absurdly grateful, even though a bit of her apprehension remained.
Seeing her like this, right at this moment, Lory swore to finally get that course for self-defence organized that he had planned for a while now.
It was not that he did not care for his people but his hectic agenda made it so difficult to finalize it. But no longer. Just thinking of someone trying to violate a young girl like the one before him, fresh and pretty, made his skin crawl.
To add to his growing discomfort it wasn't only Kyoko who had to deal with stalkers. Her case had just been the worst in almost two years and he wouldn't stand for it any longer.
No, he would finish it today, even if it meant keeping Director Kurosaki waiting.
"Promise me to meet Maeda-sensei as soon as you've signed your papers, Mogami-san." Lory sat up straight, all business-like again. "The sooner you start your training, the sooner you'll have reached a comfortable level."
"Yes, sir," she repeated, smiling slightly. "If that was all … ?"
"Yes, yes. Could you please inform Sebastian on your way out that I need his help?"
"Of course. Have a good day, Takarada-san." Kyoko bowed in that pretty, traditional manner and quietly left his office.
Only seconds later Sebastian, dressed up as knave, flitted in, carrying a folder with him, most likely the one with the project Lory had been worrying over just minutes ago.
Lory smiled indulgently. Sometimes he still couldn't believe that his foreign looking little spy was now so loyal to him. It seemed unthinkable now that he could work for anybody else ever again. The same went for almost all of his talents but Sebastian was a special case.
Very special indeed.
End of Part I
