Chapter 1: A New Offer
Kyoko Mogami was having a fantastic day. To her, fantastic was an understatement. Those who passed her in the hallway could practically see roses bloom as she skipped by. And it all started with a phone call last night.
Kyoko's body shook violently as her cell phone vibrated. She quickly pulled out her phone, not bothering to check the caller ID.
"Hello? This is Kyoko."
"Yes, this is Sawara, and guess what?"
Kyoko felt slightly disappointed, but quickly tried to shake off the feeling. It wasn't like she wanted her esteemed senpai to call anyway. No. Of course not. "Oh, umm… What?"
"You know, you don't sound too excited. Maybe I shouldn't tell you after all." Sawara huffed.
"No! No! Please tell me! I'm excited! I'm sorry! I'm listening!" On the other end of the line, Sawara could see her bowing to an empty room. Suppressing a chuckle, he replied, "You've been offered a new role! A heroine role! This is great! You're branching out!"
Kyoko's eyes sparkled and unshed tears of joy glistened in her eyes. "Really? Really? This is amazing!"
"The director was previously acquainted with you, and after seeing your newest works, he decided that you were fit for the role! Congratulations Mogami-san, you have been chosen to act as the leading lady in Reverse Cinderella, Hiyori Kiyo!"
Kyoko felt her brain stop working at ''Cinderella.'' 'A fairy tale!' she thought. 'I get to play as the leading lady in a fairy tale!' "Cinderella…" Kyoko gasped. "Do I get to play a princess? Do I?"
Sawara smiled, knowing this role was right down Kyoko's alley. "Yes. You are a princess. The sole child of the king and queen of the land of Sakuya, your parents follow an ancient tradition and decide to have you marry a commoner. At first, you dislike him, but your feelings toward each other grow inevitably. The drama tells the story of your love."
Kyoko felt her heart sink a little at the idea of a romance role. However, her desire to branch out as an actress (and play a princess role) won out over her fears. 'Besides,' she thought, 'I've already admitted to the President that I lo-… Have feelings for Tsuruga-san. This may be an important step to regaining that lost emotion.'
"And so," Sawara continued, "You have a meeting tomorrow with the President and your costar, who also happens to be from LME. However, I do not know whom. The President was very secretive about that. Tomorrow you will meet the President to discuss more details of the role with your costar. You will receive the script there as well. The President seemed excited, and wanted to do this personally."
Kyoko could not decide whether to be excited or scared about the President's attitude. However, those decisions could wait for tomorrow. It was late, and according to Sawara, she had an early morning with the president tomorrow at 8. She assumed the meeting accommodated the other actor's schedule.
"Thank you for calling me, Sawara-san. Have a good night."
"You too, Mogami-san. Good luck at your meeting." And with that, the two hung up.
Kyoko quickly grabbed her pillow to muffle her shrieks of excitement. "I'm a princess! I'm princess Cindy! I'm a good, kind, fair woman with a love for her kingdom!" She gasped for air, out of breath from all of her screaming. Looking up at the clock once again, she decided it was time for rest.
Tomorrow was an important day, after all.
Little did she know that on the other side of Tokyo, two men were having a very diligent conversation in a car. "Tomorrow's the meeting for your new drama, Ren. Aren't you excited?" As Ren glanced over at his manager, he could swear there were devil's horns on the top of his head.
"I am always excited to play a new role." He replied simply.
"Tsuruga Ren, the perfect gentleman and professional," his manager sighed, looking out the window. "Though I suppose that will be put to the test soon," he muttered, a small smirk sent to the other man.
"Did you say something, Yashiro?" Yashiro could detect a slight sparkling aura from behind him. "No, nothing." He smiled.
"And plus," Ren continued their previous conversation, "this will only be my second heavy romance. It is a chance to broaden my horizons more."
"Director Shingai is directing it as well. I'm sure we can expect great things out of this drama." Ren gave a slight smile, sincerely glad to work with the young director again. He dropped the older man off at his apartment and made the short drive back to his own.
He changed into pajamas and collapsed onto his bed, slightly tired from his full day of work. However, he couldn't seem to find it in himself to fall asleep. Groaning, Ren stood up and walked to his kitchen to poor himself a small drink. As he sipped on the whiskey, his mind wandered to a certain chestnut haired girl that always occupied his mind.
Wouldn't it be great if we starred in a love drama together. He sighed. He knew the fates were not that kind. After the Heel Siblings took a break, they haven't been able to see his lady love as much. And he missed her. Her warm eyes and smile that could pick him up even on the worst of days. Her voice that could snap him out of his darkest nightmare.
He sighed. I shouldn't think like this. Even though I've decided to choose her over Rick, if I hope too much, I will just end up disappointed. Noticing his empty glass, he stood, taking his glass back to the sink. Which I never use. He walked back to his bedroom. I should just sleep. Tomorrow is an early day, and with the president, you never know what will happen.
And with that, Ren somehow willed his eyes to shut and his body to rest.
As two very conflicted individuals (and a very giddy manager) made their way to the office of one eccentric one, their thoughts seemed to focus on the same thing. My costar. Kyoko could only hope that she got along well with him. After sparing that brief thought, her mind wandered back to the joy of acting as a princess.
My costar. Ren thought. I hope she isn't clingy. And, he added, maybe she will even be able to act opposite me. You start to hope for a challenge.
Kyoko was the first to notice the other, as she noticed a familiar silhouette standing outside the very office she was meant to go in. "Tsuruga-san!" Her heart skipped a beat, and she gave a genuine smile. She did not want to admit how much she truly missed the man she loved. And as she got closer, she recalled a certain statement. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, hmm? No, no. She quickly shook her head. However, she could not deny that he seemed more attractive than when she last saw him. His long eyelashes, the way he screamed masculinity without even trying.
Ren, on the other hand, was genuinely shocked and gave his heavenly smile in response to hers. And that smile killed her. Her grudges ducked for cover, screaming "Run from the holy light!" After seeing that smile after a long separation, she did the only thing her body could. Turn red.
Oho... Yashiro smirked at Ren. Someone's a little lovesick, scratch that, a lot lovesick today.
Unfortunately, Ren had chosen this moment to turn away and open the door for his lady love, missing the adorable look on her face. "After you, Mogami-san," he said, the ideal image of a gentleman. Kyoko ducked her head and entered the room, noticing the all-knowing president with a goofy look on his face before schooling his features.
"Mogami-kun! Ren! Welcome! Have a seat, have a seat." Lory was dressed in something that appeared to belong to the Late Victorian Era. His gray suit jacket was over a recently ironed brown plaid shirt, with a black tie and matching dark grey trousers underneath. Complete with a tophat and monocle, he seemed to fit the image of a dapper man.
Kyoko decided to dress up slightly, in a white skirt with ruffles under a denim shirt. Ren had decided to wear a simple emerald shirt over tan pants.
"I'm sure you both know why you are here. The meeting of your costars for Director Shingai's new drama, Reverse Cinderella." Kyoko's mind whirred to life. Finally awoken from her stupor, she remembered why she was here today. "You mean...?"
"Yes, Mogami-san," the president stated, cutting her off. "You and Ren will be playing as love interests for each other in Reverse Cinderella."
"Eh?"