Blank Space

Oh my God, who is she?

I get drunk on jealousy.

You'll come back each time you leave

Because, darling, I'm a nightmare

Dressed like a daydream.

Mimori carefully adjusted her scarlet dress. Eyeing herself critically in the mirror, she smoothed the fabric that clung to her hips and pulled at the shoulders so that her cleavage was more on display. As a last touch, she tucked a red fabric flower into her long black hair and pulled on a pair of strappy black heels. Mimori smirked. Of course Sho would only have eyes for her tonight.

The limo pulled up in front of her house. With a last smirk for the mirror - Sho was going to love this dress! - Mimori made her way past her mother, who gave her a distracted wave, not looking up from her phone call. Sho's driver opened the door for her, and Mimori slipped inside. Sho gave her an appreciative glance as she cuddled up to him. His manager rolled her eyes and continued to do whatever she was fiddling with on her phone.

"Sho-chan, how was your day?" asked Mimori. "Mimori wants to know."

"Fine," said Sho. "Recording's all done for the next album. Nothing special."

"Are you going to have a big release party?"

"Probably."

What's-her-face looked up. "You have a new PV coming up next week. Mimori, would you like to be in it?"

Sho frowned. "You were supposed to get Kyoko for that."

"I've taken the request as far up as it will go. She's not going to do it. Mimori?"

"Of course Mimori will do it. Mimori will do anything for Sho-chan."

"How far up have you gone?" asked Sho, ignoring Mimori.

"To the president himself," said his manager. "He said no. That it wasn't in her best interests. That her schedule is full anyway."

"It's a job. Having jobs are in her best interests."

"And Kyoko is in demand. There's not much I can do when offers are pouring in for her. Mimori can play the part and won't overwhelm you."

"As if that plain, boring girl with no sex appeal is in demand."

"Sho-"

"Sho-chan has Mimori right here," pouted Mimori. "Why are you so worried about her when you have Mimori to keep you company?"

The irritation drained from Sho's face. "You're right, of course. You'll be perfect for this PV, Pochi. Tell me what you did today."

Pleased that his attention was finally on her, Mimori chattered about school and upcoming tests, glossing over Kyoko's presence in class. She talked about a shoot she'd done over the weekend, complaining that Sho should have called her at least once before this awards show. Seeing that Sho was distracted and therefore not listening to her, she talked about the three men who had flirted with her, how well her photos sold, and her upcoming role in Ren Tsuruga's drama. The last caught Sho's attention.

"Why are you acting with him?" demanded Sho.

"Mimori needs to branch out into acting," said Mimori, "otherwise people will forget Mimori. Mimori wants to be famous forever."

"It's a good shift," Shoko said. "Models often act as well."

"And Mimori won't be competing with Sho-chan!" said Mimori happily. "Mimori will be able to keep supporting Sho-chan in your PVs."

"We're here," said Shoko before Sho had a chance to say anything. "Behave. I don't want to be doing damage control tomorrow on top of everything else."

"Fine, fine," said Sho with an irritated huff. "C'mon, Pochi, let's go show them what a glamour couple looks like."

He stepped out onto the carpet and extended a hand back for Mimori to take. Mimori smiled happily as she emerged from the limo. The crowd was screaming for Sho, cameras were flashing and reporters were waiting to get the first word with her man. With Sho's arm around her waist, Mimori walked down the red carpet, stopping to sign autographs for fans. Sho signed autographs as well, flirting lightly with the drooling girls being held back by fences. They had just reached the first reporter when the crowd exploded again.

"Oh my God, he's here!" squealed a girl a few feet away. "I can't believe that Ren Tsuruga is going to be only a few feet away!"

"I'll die if he smiles at me," sighed her friend. "He's just so everything."

Mimori snorted and turned her attention to the reporter. Her Sho was the best, and if these girls couldn't see that then they were stupid. That pin-headed ham actor had no talent that could match Sho's, and he somehow charmed the public into believing that he was the best Japan had to offer.

"So, Mimori, how long have you and Sho been together?" asked the reporter.

"Months!" chirped Mimori. "Mimori and Sho-chan are very happy together. Mimori will be in Sho-chan's next PV so she can support him."

"That's wonderful," said the reporter. "Sho, when can we expect this new PV?"

"We're filming it this week," said Sho. "I'm excited about the concept and hope that my fans love the song and the video."

"I'm sure they will," said the reporter. "Thank you for your time."

Sho offered a charming smile, his hand tightening on Mimori's waist. They moved down the line to talk to another reporter, but none of them were paying attention to the rock star and gravure model. Mimori frowned slightly, while Sho turned and levelled a glare at Ren. His gasp made Mimori turn.

Hand in hand with Ren was Mimori's one time co-star, Kyoko. She was smiling and signing autographs, talking politely to the screaming fans and making young men dizzy, effortlessly. Mimori hated her before, and hated her more now. Ren, that pinhead, was charming the girls in the crowd with his smile and some charming words that meant nothing. Sho's hand dropped from Mimori's waist, all of his attention on the smiling, laughing couple down the carpet from them.

Ignoring the reporters, the paparazzi and the fans, Sho walked back down the carpet towards Kyoko and grabbed her arm. Mimori plastered a smile on her face and trotted after him. Kyoko was also smiling, but her eyes were cold.

"Let go of my arm, Sho," Kyoko said pleasantly. Ren hadn't yet noticed, but Mimori could see that he was about to turn and see what was going on. She caught hold of Sho's other arm and pressed it between her full breasts. Mimori pulled Sho back a step, forcing him to drop Kyoko's arm. She glared at the other girl.

"What are you doing here with him?" demanded Sho. "Have you forgotten your promise?"

"What promise?" said Kyoko coolly. "My life is no longer any of your business. By your own request and decision. Go back to your fans, Shotarou. They're waiting for you."

"Answer me," said Sho.

"I just did," said Kyoko. She began to turn away from Sho. He grabbed her wrist.

"Why did you turn down my PV?" spat Sho.

"Because I don't want to see you," said Kyoko. "And because I don't have time. You're not good for me, and I'm not good for you. I only wish I could have seen it sooner."

"Is everything alright here?" asked Ren. He placed his arm around Kyoko's shoulders. Mimori felt her eyes sting with tears. How did this plain, flat-chested girl snare these two men?

"Everything's fine, Ren," said Kyoko. "Sho-san and Mimori-san were just saying hello. They were about to leave, as the ceremony is about to start, and we all need to get inside and to our seats."

"I was in no way about to leave," snarled Sho.

"Yes, you were," said Kyoko, her voice light and soft, her eyes hard and flinty. "Before you embarrass yourself further."

"Come on, Sho-chan," said Mimori, tugging at his arm. She pulled him away from Ren and Kyoko and down the carpet, stopping periodically to pose for the cameras. Despite the various reporters shouting questions at them, Mimori steered them through the entrance and down a hallway to a small room where Shoko was waiting for them.

"Why do you always look at them?" whined Mimori. "Why are you always going to her? You have Mimori, and you're more amazing then that no-talent pinhead."

"Sho, did you get into another fight with Kyoko?" asked Shoko. "Did you seriously fight her in public?"

"She's with Ren Tsuruga," said Sho. "She belongs to me. She always has, and she always will."

"Kannon help me," said Shoko. "Go into the ceremony, keep your mouth shut, and behave. I'll review the footage and contact PR. This has to stop, Sho."

Mimori agreed with Shoko, for once. Sho had Mimori, a cheesecake goddess desired by most of the men in Japan who was just his type and just his style. Her breast-to-waist ratio was perfect. Mimori could understand the fascination with Ren: he was Sho's rival. What she couldn't understand was the possessive obsession he had with that flat-chested Kyoko girl. The constant attention Sho gave her had to stop.

They entered the hall where the awards ceremony was being held. Mimori smiled and waved at various other models she had worked with, and was a bit put out by them turning away after a polite smile back. They must be jealous of her, with her perfect dress and perfect boyfriend and perfect career. Mimori sat next to Sho at a table full of Akatoki's other talent and waited for the show to start.

A comedian Mimori couldn't be bothered to know the name of opened the show with jokes at the expense of nearly everyone in the room. Mimori was spared - she couldn't think why - but Sho got blasted pretty hard. The jokes about Ren Tsuruga were also pretty rough, but he laughed along with everyone else. The pinheaded ham actor.

Mimori watched happily as Sho received Artist of the Year for the second year in a row. She clapped happily as he accepted the trophy, made a little speech where he didn't once mention Mimori, and then returned to the table with a smug little smile on his face. Mimori cooed over him, but his eyes drifted to the other side of the room, where Kyoko sat beside Ren. They were chatting like they hadn't even noticed Sho's accomplishment. Mimori felt Sho's jaw clench under her fingertips and she pulled herself into his lap to distract him.

Other awards were given out, and to Mimori's fury, Kyoko won Best Newcomer and Best Supporting Actress for her roles as Mio in Dark Moon and Natsu in Box R. She stumbled a little through her acceptance speeches, thanking Kanae Kotonami (who had also been nominated) for her support, as well as Ren Tsuruga for his guidance on the set of Dark Moon and Lory Takarada for blah blah. The little suck up.

At the break before the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Show and Best Movie were handed out, Sho shoved Mimori off his lap and stalked over to the LME table. Heads turned as he crossed the room. A little hurt, Mimori followed Sho and stood beside him as he loomed over Kyoko, who was talking to Kanae Kotonami and Ruriko.

"So," drawled Sho, "I see you haven't won Best Actress. Yet here I am, Artist of the Year. Again."

"Congratulations," said Kyoko politely. "I saw."

"You're losing," said Sho triumphantly. "Just go back to Kyoto already. You can't match me."

"You're assuming I still care about you," said Kyoko, "and while you got me into acting, you're no longer my goal. You're no longer important to me. All I care about is making good shows and good movies."

"You're right," said Sho, "I did get you into acting. And you owe me for that."

"I owe you nothing," said Kyoko. "I'm taking that as payment for all the times you left me to cry alone. As I said, you're no good for me, Sho-san. Go back to your table and enjoy your night."

And with that, she turned back to Kanae and Ruriko and resumed their conversation. Ren offered them a gentlemanly smile and turned his attention to his neighbour on his other side, who Mimori didn't know. Sho was shaking with anger. Mimori didn't know what to do this time to get his attention back on her. Slowly, she backed away and returned to the Akatoki table. No one looked up or commented as she gathered her things and walked out to the lobby.

Once there, Mimori dialled the number for Sho's manager. Shoko picked up on the second ring.

"What's he done now, Mimori?" she asked, exasperated.

"He keeps paying attention to that Kyoko," whined Mimori. "Why does he do that?"

"I don't know," said Shoko, sighing softly. "Probably because he loves her and is too proud to say so."

"But Sho-chan has Mimori!" protested Mimori. "How could Sho-chan love another girl?"

"Mimori, what happened?"

"Sho-chan won his award. And then he waited for a reaction from her. And then he went over and talked to her. He was really mad when I left."

"Okay, here's what we're going to do, Mimori. I'm going to have Sho's driver pick you up and take you home. The President and I will take care of Sho."

"Okay. Will Sho-chan be alright?"

"He'll be just fine, Mimori. I'll take care of everything."

A few minutes later, Sho's driver appeared and escorted her to the car. She smiled and waved to the few paparazzi who weren't lucky enough to be inside the awards hall. Once inside the car, she slumped and buried her face in her hands for a few moments before straitening up and offering directions to the driver.

Mimori glared out the window as Sho's car drove through the streets towards her house. Kyoko and Ren were always stealing Sho's attention from her, and she was tired of it. She would get them for that, somehow. Mimori would have her revenge, and she would start with plain, boring, no-sex-appeal, goody-goody Kyoko. Yes. Monday at school was going to be hell for the girl who tried to steal Sho from Mimori.