Behind the Scene #1

Timeline: 'The Next Episode' Chapter 1

When Ren dropped him off at his apartment complex, Yashiro Yukihito was in euphoria.

How could he not?

His charge, the infamous on-time prince, Japanese number one actor and bachelor, Tsuruga Ren, had finally had the gall to confess to the love of his life, the newbie actress KYOKO (real name: Mogami Kyoko). And the feelings had been somehow reciprocated, and Ren was no longer an available bachelor for the rest of the Japanese women population.

And during the PV shoot, Yukihito had known better than what other people knew - may be except Kotonami Kanae, Kyoko's best friend - that the new pair of lovebirds had kissed for real.

Yes, people, Tsuruga Ren and Mogami Kyoko - the couple whom people would have never thought could be that chummy, with Kyoko being a traditional person - had kissed in front of the other people in the site, and it had definitely not been acting.

Giggling to himself like a fangirl he was, he fished his pockets for his key to unlock the door of his apartment while thinking about what the couple would be doing tonight. Ren had mentioned a dinner at his condominium, and now the bespectacled man realized something.

The tall actor hadmade mention of it in a rather casual manner, as if having dinner with Kyoko at his spacious apartment had been a routine.

And Yukihito had been so fussy about them not spending time more with each other.

Now he, as the first worshipper of the pairing, felt utterly stupid for not noticing it.

Well, at least they were together now.

His cell phone rang, and he automatically reached for his trusted latex surgical gloves before taki g his phone out of his briefcase. Glancing at the display, he was mildly surprised when he saw Lory Takarada's office number. "Yashiro speaking."

"Yashiro-kun," the deep baritone that belonged to his employer said gruffly. "Can you come to my office now?"

The brunette was sure that he would not like this. "Now, as in right now, Sir?"

"Why of course! Can't you?"

"No! Er, I mean yes! Yes, of course I can come! To your office at LME, correct?"

It was silent for just a short while. "You know what,Yashiro-kun?" Lory said, breaking the really short silence. "Forget about going to my office; I'll send someone to come and get you at your place. Is that understood?"

What else could Yukihito say other than a 'Yes, Sir!'?


The ever loyal employee of LME and manager of Tsuruga Ren gaped when Sebastian - his chauffeur for the night - brought him to Takarada's castle - I mean, mansion - in the flamboyant man's ever trusted gold Hummer.

If Lory had personally called him to come to his residence, then what he was going to talk about with him was surely more than just about work. As eccentric as he was, Lory Takarada never brought his work back to his home - although he did share some stories about his employees to his granddaughter, Maria.

Steeling himself, Yukihito walked into the lavish building, only to be quickly met again by Sebastian who was to show him the way. He was brought to a very large room with comfy large bean bags and an enormous screen on the wall, which at the moment was showing...

... a scene of a love simulation game?

He then spotted the owner of the house sitting on one of the bean bags, mulling over his choices of what the heroine should cook for the guy. Seeing that Yukihito was too speechless for his own good, Sebastian cleared his throat loudly.

That managed to get Lory's attention away from the screen.

"Yashiro-kun!" the president of LME greeted Yukihito, too loud for the man with glasses. "You're here! Come! What do you think I should choose!"

Hesitantly, the brunette looked at the screen. The choices were all hot food suitable for chilly weather. "Is there any difference...?"

"Of course there is!" the mustached man huffed. "Of course I like cheese gratin the most, but in this game it is more liked by the other guy character rather than this character I'm trying to capture. And nabe was out of question, because this guy's not a family type of guy. That leaves-"

"The chicken pot pie," Yukihito cut him abruptly, stating the obvious. "There, you have the answer now."

Lory blinked for a while, clearly dumbfounded. He stared back and forth between his employee and the screen. "Uh, you're right. Pot pie it is."

"Sir, you're not seriously calling me here to help you solve this simulation game, are you?" Yukihito asked warily.

"No, I'm not," the reply came quickly, calming the manager a bit. "But it's indeed about love."

Now he wanted to smack himself for being too naive to believe the president right away.

"Yashiro-kun, you're aware that your charge, Ren, is in a romantic relationship with Mogami-kun, aren't you?" Lory asked in a serious tone.

Yukihito blinked. "Yes, I do know. I'm his manager, after all." Guessing where this conversation was going, he quickly added, "And of course I'll do everything in my capability so that this relationship of theirs remains a secret from public and media until they decided to-"

"Although your thoughts are well-appreciated, that's not what I'm talking about, you fool!"

The bespectacled man flinched.

Lory then continued. "What about you?"

"About... me?" Yukihito repeated unsurely, pointing at himself.

The boss nodded dramatically. "Yes, you."

"What do you mean, Sir?"

"Of course I'm talking about your love life!" Lory blared. "Goodness, you're almost as dense and serious as your charge that you don't pay attention to your romantic aspect which needs a woman to-"

Yukihito seriously did not like where this was going. "Whoa, President, please. I know that I am already near my 30s and people will frown at me if I am not getting married soon, but with how work is going-"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," his employer clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Why are you and Ren so alike?"

"Err... Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" the brunette asked.

"In some aspect, yes, but not in this one! Don't tell me you're also blind to love!"

That offended Yukihito. "Excuse me, Sir, but I am perfectly normal and longing for a romantic relationship with someone!"

Lory suddenly smirked. "Are you serious?"

"Of course I am."

"Then, you wouldn't mind if I introduce you to some women I know, would you?"

Yukihito blinked, taken aback by what Lory had said. "Pardon me?"

"Yashiro Yukihito," the flamboyant man said, using his best employer tone. "I'll have you go on several omiai with the women of my choice. If by the end of this year you don't find yourself a wife-to-be, then I shall fire you from your position as Ren's manager. And the first omiai is tomorrow, at Blue Wars, 7pm. You'd better not forget, or I'll personally hunt your ass and drag you there."

The bespectacled man shivered in fright. This is not happening!


When Yukihito got home, he called Ren sluggishly.

"Hello?" the deep voice of his charge said when the call was received.

"Ren..." the brunette murmured.

"Yes?"

"I hate you."


Ever wonder why Ren seemed to have a lot of free time in 'The Next Episode'? Now you have the answer.

This is a pilot chapter. I might or might not continue this depending on the reviews I get, so...

Please review :) Thank you!

P.S.: I'm also welcoming ideas of the kinds of women you want our dear poor Yashiro to meet in his blind dates ;) Of course, you'll be credited as the owner of the idea if it is used in the chapter.