The Meeting of Strangers
Well, it seems like you guys liked the previous chapter so I will continue to write. If I make any major mistakes or you guys think that something should be added, go ahead and tell me. I accept any and all comments. Enjoy.
/ Kyoko's P.O.V /
I woke up in a small apartment, freaking out before remembering that I left the wanna-be punk in the expensive apartment. I got up and looked at the clothes I had in the small bag. Not much. I need to go shopping and I think I might cut my hair a bit. (Please remember that it is still long and black)
I walked down the stairs to see Tashio serving others and Tashio's wife (I'm going to call her Ame) cooking. When Ame saw me, she waved me over and gave me a bowl of miso soup and some rice.
"I talked to your father last night," she stated.
"Is he angry with me?" I asked in an unsurprised tone.
"No. But he does give his consent for you to act, sing, or anything else that you want. He asked if we could be your guardians. Is that okay?" Ame said, turning to me with a hopeful face.
I know that no matter how hard these two have tried, that they haven't been able to conceive. So, I instantly told her that I would love that, I already see them as my Aunt and Uncle, even if they do act more like grandparents.
I finished my breakfast before telling them my plan of the day. Shopping, haircut, going to LME to apply for the audition and coming here to help out with anything as long my father doesn't want me to do any more little jobs for him today. They were ok with this and gave me a new bike. I hugged them and repeatedly said thanks.
Now, I want to keep my black hair and I also want to keep it a bit long. So I decided on a layered cut, stopping at the top of my shoulders. When I went to the shops, I looked for some clothes my father likes me wearing for the odd jobs, then some nicer clothes suitable for working and catching attention in. Nothing bright PINK! Ugh, I hate that colour. I then grabbed some clothes suitable for parties and hosting. Just in case I grabbed some kominos and yukatas.
I rode all the way to LME in my new ripped skinny jeans and a nice three-quarter sleeved shirt (you guys can picture whatever you want to). I parked and locked my bike outside before walking up to the receptionist's desk.
"How may I help you?" she asked, not looking up to see me.
Rude much. "I would like to audition for the… acting department," I said after thinking of my strong points.
"Do you have an appointment with one of the acting department heads or the president?" she asked, finally looking up.
"Yes, I have one for President Lory in five minutes," I replied sweetly, hiding my annoyance.
She seemed to have recognised something before shrugging it off. She then asked my name.
"Kyoko Tashio," I said. I asked the Tashio's if it was alright for me to use their name and they were extremely happy.
"Alright. Elevator to your left and top floor. Have a good day, Tashio-san," she said before going back to whatever it was she was doing. As I got on the elevator, I saw she was playing solitaire.
I walked out of the elevator on the top floor coming face to face with a man dressed as an Egyptian servant, I believe.
"This way please," he asked very quietly. He seemed a little surprised that I didn't seem surprised at his costume.
I followed the man through what seemed like a jungle before we came to the president. He was wearing camouflage pants and an open button-up cotton shirt, showing off his chest. I ignored this and sat where he told me to.
"So, why do you want to join the others in the adventure known as acting?" he asked.
"I was bored where I was previously and wanted to do something more exciting and adventurous. I also wanted to make people happy," I answered as close to the truth as possible.
"Hmm. Very nice. I think you just may get in. No one else believes me in spreading the love around," he said with a pout.
"Thanks. While I believe in spreading the love around, I still have some deep emotional wounds healing from some past experiences," I said with a small blush.
"Yes, don't worry. I will help you overcome any obstacle you may encounter in your adventure of acting and finding love," Lory said with a determined glint.
"Yes, thank you. I believe I have to fill in some paperwork?" I asked.
"Yes, do you want to do it now?" he asked, looking a little shocked.
"Might as well get it over and done with now rather than later and have more to fill in," I answered as his assistant handed the form to me.
We waited in silence while I filled it in. When Lory read it over, he raised his eyebrow at something.
"I like your favourite quote, who is it from?" he asked.
"Oh, that. I wrote it a little while again. It is true though. 'NO matter how hard we try to protect ourselves, we will always be hurt, but those that rise to the challenge will be the ones to conquer anything.' (Just thought of that on the spot, I honestly don't know if it is a real quote or not)"
"When did you write this?" he asked.
"When I was 6 or 7," I answered.
"well, then. Thank you for seeing me and I hope to see you pass. Have a nice day," Lory said as he walked somewhere into the jungle.
I, too, got up and followed the assistant back to the elevator. As I was walking out I accidentally bumped into someone.
"I am so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," I said as I grabbed all the sheets of information Lory gave me.
"That's alright. I wasn't looking where I was going either. Are you going to audition?" he asked as he handed me some of the sheets.
"Yeah, I am. Are you in the business?" I ask.
"I'm guessing you don't watch a lot of television, read magazines or listen to gossip," he said with a little chuckle.
"No. I only just moved into a new place and I was always too busy. Why? Are you someone popular?" I ask, genuinely curious.
"Yeah, I am," he replied, sounding a little down.
"I'm guessing that you don't like all the attention. Especially with how tall you are," I say. "Oh. Sorry, I'm being rude. I'm Kyoko Tashio," I say as I bowed.
"Ren Tsuruga," Tsuruga-san replies, holding out his hand. I shake hands with him.
"And I am his manager, Yukihito Yashiro. A pleasure to meet you," the blonde with glasses behind him said. We shake hands as well.
"Well, it looks like I was right about you," I say when I turn back to Tsuruga.
"And what are you right about?" Tsuruga asked.
"The fact that you know some form of martial arts, that you are only half-Japanese and that you are hiding some sort of dark past. I won't pry, but I just wanted to make sure," I answer.
"Wow," Yashiro exclaimed.
"My, you do know a bit. How did you figure it out?" Tsuruga said with a very sparkly smile. He's angry at me. Whoops.
"Sorry, didn't mean to offend but I study people's body language more than their words," I answer honestly.
Right before Tsuruga could say anything my phone went off, it was Father.
"Excuse me, I must leave you two. I hope to see you again," I say with a smile and a small bow, walking out the front doors.
"She's different," I could hear Yashiro say before the doors closed.
"Yes father, sorry. I was just finishing my meeting with the president." – Kyoko
"That's good. What did he say?" – Father
"That I have a good chance at joining LME. Did you need me for something?" – Kyoko
"Yeah, sorry Pumpkin. I need you to do something for me." – Father
"Sure what is it?" – Kyoko
Scene Change – Some club No one's P.O.V
A girl with strawberry blonde hair was sitting on one of the stools by herself. Most people would have ignored her, but the outfit she was wearing and the aura she emitted caused people to look. She was wearing (I can't describe clothing at all, so those that know who and what Sestu looks like, it's the outfit she had on in chapter 184).
Every guy wanted to talk to her but was too scared. When some guy walked up to her, he whispered something in her ear, causing her to giggle and nod. He grabbed her hand and took her out the front door in a hurry. All the guys decided to stay and try to find someone who could take care of their little problems.
"So, you're the Empress," the man stated.
"And you are John, the information and messenger," the Empress replied.
"That I am. Remember the guy last week who you had to eliminate?" John asked.
"Yeah, the weak guy. What of him?" Empress asked, wanting to leave asap.
"He had a stronger and more maniac older brother. He's coming after you and anyone you are close with. The King decided to give you a week before you have to give us some information on the people you want to be protected," John explained.
The Empress sighed. "I'll give you the information by next week. Before I go, do you know where Sebastian went?" she asked.
"Yeah, working for Lory at LME. Why?" John asked.
"Do not question me, now I must leave," the Empress said as she jumped on her motorbike and drove off.
Scene Change – After the first auditions (Two days after) Kyoko's P.O.V.
Wow, that was fun. The president liked it and I caught their attention with my outfit. (Black three-quarter jeans and a bright green shirt, you think of the pattern)
I walked towards the sitting area and heard someone crying. It sounds like a young girl. From what I can hear, she walked in and one of the girls, Kanae Kotonami if I remember correctly, was being arragont and didn't want a child around.
I walked in and stood in front of the child. I stared at Kanae and smirked a devilish smirk. I watched as shivers went up hers, and probably everyone else's, spine.
"Just because you have problems with something personal does not mean that you can take it out on the first person that annoys you," I said.
I watched as she went red with rage before turning my back on her and facing the child, making her angrier.
"And you can stop the fake tears. Just because a little girl is crying, doesn't mean that others will always comfort her. Most of them will tell lies anyway," I say to her as she stops and looks at me with shock.
Right as the girls were going to yell and curse me, the attendant came in saying that it was time for the next audition.
We all sat in our seats and waited to hear what this challenge was. It was something along the lines of someone that hurt us will be asking for forgiveness or apologizing or something. I waited for my turn. Kanae was before me and it was impressive how quickly she could fake tears. Everyone had pretty much said the same thing. 'Yes, I forgive. Let's give it another try,' or even a graceful thank you.
When the phone was handed to me, I was shocked that it was Sho that was begging for forgiveness and asking for a second chance. I showed the shock and waited until he had finished grovelling. What I said next shocked everyone.
"I would only forgive you if you meant it, plus, even if I did forgive you, I still won't forget."
I passed the phone on then. Everyone was staring at me, but I didn't care. I had a carefree smile on my face and looked towards the judges. Lory and Takenori Sawara, the head of the acting department, were smiling and nodding their heads. I was happy, I knew I would pass.
The judges told us to check the board outside to see if we were to come back tomorrow to complete the auditions. When I saw the board, I wasn't surprised to see me or Kanae on the board. I felt someone tap my shoulder a few times. When I turned around it was Kanae.
"Look, I'm sorry about early. You were right, I was angry about someone and took it out on the first person I could get my hands on," she told me.
"That's fine as long as you realised your mistake. Plus she was only faking the tears, like you, to get attention," I explained.
"How did you know there was something bugging me?" Kanae asked me.
"I read people's body language more than words," I explained.
"You use that line on everyone don't you?" a voice said behind me.
"I only use it because it's true Tsuruga-san. So, truce?" I asked Kanae.
"Y-yeah. Truce. How long have you known Tsuruga Ren?" she asked.
"I accidentally bumped into him two days ago," I said with a blush.
"Ren!" Yashiro yelled from behind. "here's your lunch. Hi, Tashio-chan, who's your friend?"
"You can call me Kyoko-chan if you like, and this is Kanae Kotonami, another auditioner," I reply. "Kanae, this is Yashiro Yukihito and Ren Tsuruga."
"Pleasure," was heard from the three people.
"We're not friends either," Kanae said.
I decided to guilt trip her and pulled on tears. "I thought you were starting to like me," I said in a pitiful and depressed tone.
"Uh." She said as she saw the tears. "Yeah, but I don't know that much about you. Maybe we could spend the rest of the day together and get to know each other," she rushed out.
I instantly stopped the tears and smirked. "Alright, I'm done," I said in a happy/smug tone.
"MO! You used my trick against me," Kanae accused.
"It was fair play, Kotonami-san," Tsuruga said with a small smile.
"MO! You're all on her side now," Kanae said.
"Don't worry, plus if you don't want to you don't have to. But I would enjoy the company," I said in an honest tone.
"Really?" she asked suspiciously.
"Really. But don't worry if I have to leave because of a text or call. It would be my father," I explained.
"Yeah, she did that two days ago. Can you believe that she didn't know who Tsuruga Ren was until then?" Yashiro asked in a scandalised tone.
"What? Really?" Kanae asked, surprise written all over her face.
"Yeah. And she guessed so many things about Ren and they were spot on," he continued.
"I could easily tell, just like how Yashiro was raised surrounded by older sisters and Kanae has a very big but poor family," I said. "We better get going if you're coming," I stated/asked Kanae.
"Yeah, let's go. BUT NO FATTY FOOD!"
"Don't worry. I can make any takeout food so healthy that you'll thank me. And Tsuruga-san, make sure you eat a proper meal at least once a week," I said before we walked off, leaving a surprised actor and manager.
"How did she know that stuff?" Yashiro asked no one in particular.
Author's Note
Thanks for reading and hope to hear from a few of you. I accept any comments. Friend or Flame. P.S. I no own 'Skip Beat!'