All right, so this is the beginning chapter of the revised story of Unforgotten Memories. Of course, the title has also changed, Tsukiakari: Anata ga Shitteiru (translation - Moonlight: I Know You). I hope readers enjoy the first chapter, although not much happen, except to introduce the characters and somewhat of the plot that is similar to the first few chapters of Unforgotten Memories, but definitely is going to a whole new direction.
Chapter 1
"Tsukiakari: Anata ga Shitteiru, huh?" President Takarada asked the Tsukigomori director, Hiroaki Ogata, after looking through the script.
"Yes, since Tsukigomori was such a big hit, I thought a sequel would be wonderful," Ogata said with big hopeful eyes.
"I am guessing you want the same old cast, with Ren as Katsuki and Kyoko as Mio, right?" Ogata nodded to the question.
The President sighed and said, "Why not? But you, like Yashiro and I, know that Ren already had enough difficulty with the romantic side of Katsuki, so are you sure he would be up for this even more romantic Katsuki?"
"Yes, I have faith in Ren-san that he can do it."
"Yes, I have faith in him, too. That boy never wants to back down from a challenge. Have you talked to him yet?" Ogata nodded.
"So he is okay with it all?"
"Absolutely."
"All right then. That's one down. What I am now worried about is Kyoko playing Mio."
Ogata cast downed his head. He knew when he wanted Kyoko to play Mio again; he would encounter this tiny obstacle. Unless one calls a romantic scene as a tiny obstacle, the person has better be prepared for Kyoko's wrath of her demons. And in this case, Ogata was this person who had to be careful of Kyoko's anger.
"Yes, I know. Kyoko-chan would rather throw a fit than play the part. But I want to keep her Mio as one of the cast because you also know that she fits the part perfectly," Ogata said.
President Takarada nodded in agreement and said, "How are you going to get her to comply to the part, though?"
"Well, I don't want to use the tactic, but since Kyoko is agreeable to anything that takes a little reasoning…maybe we don't have to tell her about it and just let her find out for herself. Or maybe she would be easily persuaded if we just tell her that Mio was a big hit in Tsukigomori, that she has to be in Tsukiakari," Ogata said.
"Not a bad thought, Ogata, but let me warn you. Beware of the consequences later when she does find out," President Takarada leaned in and winked.
"Thank you, sir," Ogata took the permission "to tell such a lie to Kyoko" cheerfully. Ogata was happy that this was coming along. Now, to track down his target of the trickery.
"By the way, sir, where is Kyoko-chan at the moment? Is she back from the states yet?" The director asked.
"Yes, she is back, but not at L.M.E. at the moment. I have sent the Love Me section, or precisely just Kyoko, to the airport to pick up someone important," the President replied.
"Who would that be, sir, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I don't mind at all. It's just one of my "children" who have finally decided to return home to the family," President Takarada said indifferently, resting his head on his folded fist, which was relaxed on the arm of his chair, while manicuring his other hand's index finger with his thumb.
"Oh, I see. So he is another well-talented actor, I presume?"
Suddenly the President jumped out of his seat and stood looking into the distance, frightening the young director that he almost had another one of his "breathing attacks."
"Uhhh…is s-something…wr-wrong, President?" Ogata asked once he somewhat regained his composure and even breathing.
"No, everything's all right, and things are going to get better from here on," President Takarada looked at Ogata with starry eyes.
"May I ask what you mean?" Ogata asked confusedly.
"I was just thinking maybe you can cast him for the other main male lead in Tsukiakari," President Takarada suggested.
"Other main male lead? You mean for the role of Aki? But, sorry, sir, for me being blunt with you on this matter, but I do not know who you are suggesting to play the role, and I am not sure whether he would be fit for the part."
"I am sure he will do a splendid job on the role of Aki."
"May I ask for his name, President?"
"Hmmm…well it's a surprise, and you will know by tomorrow or later today, I'm sure," Takarada said. "I want you to have him cast as the character of Aki," the President said with some intimidation.
"Ummm…s-sure, I will…uh…see how he plays the part when I have Kyoko sign onto the drama, sir," Ogata gulped and sweated bullets at the fear of not wanting to feel President Takarada's wrath when he did not get his way.
"Good, I know he will do fine," the President assured the young director.
"I can see you have a lot of faith in this actor, sir. I am sorry, but if you could excuse me, I have a meeting with the writers about patching up some details for the script. So, if I may, I will take my leave here, President," Ogata stood up, bow in respect to President Takarada, and left.
On the opposite side of the door entrance was Takarada's assistant, Rai, who held the door for Ogata, and as soon as the director left, Rai entered the room.
The assistant bowed in greeting to the President.
"Ryoji-san should be landing soon, President," Rai informed the older gentleman.
"Really? Okay, hopefully he will be nice and talk to Kyoko. You know how un-socializing he is with everyone."
Rai, looking confused, asked, "What do you mean, sir? Miss Kyoko is not picking Ryoji-san up, remember? You gave the Love Me Section the day off. Indeed, Miss Kyoko is at the airport, but she is not there for Mr. Ryoji, but for Tsuruga-san. So with all said, there is no one picking Ryoji-san up."
"So, I am not treating him with special care?" President Takarada said with sad puppy-eyes, "I am such a horrible "father". He should be arriving in first class by having a chauffeur driving him."
"Um, it's okay, President. I will send someone over to the airport right away to pick him up. I will give him a call also," Rai said and left the room to find a chauffeur to pick up the famous mixed blood singer slash actor Ryan Yoshiko who went by the stage name of Ryoji.
Meanwhile, at the airport…
A girl with chestnut brown hair was dashing through the floor of the airport, dodging her way around people and hoping she would make it on time.
'Gotta make it! Gotta make it!'
She ran and ran until she heard a crash from a nearby stand where a customer had unfortunately bumped into a worker who had a tray of fresh bakery. Kyoko took her eyes off of the front view and turned her head to see what was happening. Not watching where she was going, she bumped into something hard.
Thinking she was going to fall, she braced herself for the tumble, but instead one strong arm wrapped itself around her petite waist. She was pulled upward into the person's rock-hard chest, and then there was a pop. This person must really work out a lot, Kyoko thought. Amidst of all the noise in the airport, she could hear her savior's heartbeat. She looked up and saw two piercing, midnight blue eyes mixed with a hue of green. His eyes were of the most beautiful color she has ever seen on a human being before. Kyoko couldn't help but stare.
As fast as his action of saving her was, so was the emotion in his eyes. They went from gentle worry to a shade of grey of anger.
"Um, thank you for saving me from what would have been a nasty fall. And sorry about not looking where I was going," Kyoko apologized and was grateful for his saving.
"Apparently saving you was not the best idea, since you spilled my coffee on me, and now my shirt is stained with it," the guy said.
Kyoko looked down at the guy's shirt and saw a light brown spot. She bowed down and said, "I am terribly sorry about that. I will buy you another coffee, and I can pay for the dry cleaning if you like."
"Don't bother. I have time to waste on an idiot on you. Just watch where you're going next time," the guy said and continued on his way.
Going back to Kyoko, she was flaring up. 'Did he just call me and 'idiot'?' Kyoko was so bothered by the name-calling that her apparitions were releasing their anger on innocent bystanders.
Unfortunately, Kyoko did not have much time to fuss over the thought because an announcement was spoken over the telecom that the plane from the United States landed.
Kyoko raced to the entrance where her senpai, Ren Tsuruga, would walk out of. She searched in the crowd for the tall man, who she suspects would be wearing a hat to hide his identity. Finally, she spotted a man with a black cap on his head, and an older man who was walking beside him.
As soon as Mr. Yashiro walked out of the airplane with Ren to the noisy airport lobby, he spotted Kyoko out of the crowd right away. He waved at Kyoko excitingly like any fangirl would do if she spies her favorite idol a few meters away and demanding a picture to be taken or an autograph.
Ren and Mr. Yashiro came up to Kyoko, who was giving them a big smile.
"How nice of you, Kyoko-chan, to welcome us home," Mr. Yashiro said with a grin of his own.
Ren saw the expression on his manager's face and could only guess what the man was going to say when they are alone. Ren turned his attention to the young woman in front of them and gave her a warm smile.
"Thank you for coming out of your way to greet us, Miss Mogami, but it was not necessary," Ren said.
"It was no problem. Plus, the President had given the whole Love Me section crew a day off, and I had nothing better to do," Kyoko replied.
The three walked out of the airport and hailed a taxi cab. Mr. Yashiro sat in the passenger seat, leaving the other two to their own private conversation, but that does not mean they were out of the manager's earshot.
Back at L.M.E., in President Takarada's office…
A soft knock came at the door in President Takarada's office. A quick "come in" came from the President, and the door to the room opened.
"Mr. Yoshiko is here, sir," Rai said.
Ryan Yoshiko, stage name: Ryoji, walked into the room where the mustached President was sitting in his big boss chair. The door behind him closed, and he bowed in respect to the man who had taught him well in the entertainment industry.
"Ah, Ryoji, my boy. My, have it been a long time," President Takarada stood up and walked to the tall young man. The President gave him a fatherly hug that was long overdue.
"Yeah, six years it has been," Ryoji hugged the President back as warmly as was given to him.
"You sure have grown up, haven't you, Ryoji?" President Takarada pulled back and held Ryoji by the shoulders.
President Takarada gestured to Ryoji to sit down. Warm and fresh teas, along with sweet bakery, already prepared, decorated the coffee table.
The President took a sip of his tea, set it down, and got right down to business. "Ryoji, I want you to audition for a role in a new series that one of my good director friends is filming."
Ryoji barely got the tea down when the President suggested the idea, and the liquid caught in his throat, making him cough. 'He still hasn't changed at all. Leave it to Lory Takarada to get straight to the point and down to business.'
"Don't you think I would need a break, what with all the activities and events I would need to attend and promote for my concert before I can audition for whatever role you want me to play?" Ryoji asked when he got his composure back.
"Yes, I think you do, but we have to make haste because this role is perfect for you," President Takarada said excitedly with big puppy eyes.
Ryoji gave a little chuckle and said, "You sure haven't changed at all, old man. I guess I don't have a choice, do I?"
"You certainly don't," President Takarada said, and the two laughed, enjoying their tea and little reunion.
Hope that was interesting enough to keep readers interested. Wanted to thank AoiTsubasa for the correction of the title :)