Finally! Chapter 2 is up! I used some lyrics of a song here, so if you were wondering where I took it, it's from Rachael Lampa's song "If You Believe". (BTW it's a theme song for the movie "A Walk To Remember".. hahaha.. just saying..) Like I said, here it is, chapter 2. Sorry it took me a while to upload the next chapter.. I had to read some more manga to update myself with Skip Beat! :)

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE SONG OR THE ANIME/MANGA. :)

Chapter 2: Unknown Project

"That's not how you play it," Sho said, taking the guitar off of Kyoko's hands. With a pout, she gave the instrument back to its owner, while leaning closer to watch those fingers touch each string and play the guitar with awesome precision. She could only sit in awe. A gentle smile crossed her face.

Sitting under a large tree, there Sho was, playing before her, wind blowing through his blonde hair as he strums guitar strings. She moved to get a more comfortable position while not taking her eyes off him. And Sho, serenading her with that song, she couldn't be any happier. It felt like for her, it was only two of them, the rest was just a wide meadow, and there they were, under a Cherry Blossom tree, playing music together. It has always been a habit of Sho to play every afternoon breaks in school, and Kyoko was his only audience, to which she was more than willing to be his listener and critic.

"It's your part now," Sho hinted, looking at Kyoko and back to his guitar.

"Oh," she slightly jolted, and clearing her throat she sang,

"Never wished for material things;
never needed wind in my wings.
I never wished for anything but you...oh!
I can't explain it,
someone just told me,
"Go where your heart is,
you'll never be lonely."

And they both chorused,

"If you believe that dreams come true,
there's one that's waiting there for you.
'Cause I believed when I saw you
that when you want something enough,
that it can't escape your love.
There is nothing in the world that cannot be...
If you believe, oh oh..."

Sho ended the song with a few more strums and Kyoko simply clapped her hands.

"That was so romantic Sho-chan!" she exclaimed, her eyes twinkling.

Smirking, he coolly asked, "Was my playing okay?"

"OKAY? It was soooo good! You're the best musician I know!"

"Be honest. You're sounding more like a fan girl than a critic."

"I am telling the truth!" she squealed, "I just get all excited and fidgety about it…"

Putting aside the guitar, he leaned against the tree, and placing his hands behind his neck, "But I don't think it was not yet good enough to get me into a professional career," he sighed.

Kyoko, clenching her fist, encouraged him, "What are you talking about? It was more than enough! Just believe in yourself! Look, you can compose your own songs, which are all great by the way, you can play a lot of instruments, and not to mention your dashing good looks, there's no way record labels will not—"

Kyoko instantly pursed her lips upon seeing Sho in slumber.

"Hmpf," she ranted, "Baka Sho-chan, he did not even listen to a word I said. Why can't he see that I'm not just flattering him?"

Realizing that she wasn't doing anything else, other than talking to herself, Kyoko fell silent, and settled herself on locking her eyes on the sleeping Shotaro. She breathed out a sigh and played with his hair, and happily removed some flower petals that fell on his uniform. It was perfection that was in front of her, and to Kyoko he was untouchable, like one of those moments when you see a delicately prepared food that you just want to look at it rather than eat it because of its beauty, yet she can't help but be drawn nearer to him.

Kyoko shook her head, "Why am I even comparing him to some food I see in restaurants? I've seen too much in his family's hotel… argh!" tapping her forehead.

The cool breeze continued to caress Sho's hair as Kyoko just sat by his side, her knees bent towards her chin, her eyes gleaming out of pure contentment of having the person she loved the most beside her.

Until now, that feeling has not returned to me…

The crowd applauded Kyoko after her performance, with her manager making a 'two-thumbs up', but still with unbelief that Kyoko can actually sing. Kyoko, with a blank face, awkwardly returned to her seat as the people said:

"Wow, you have a nice voice!"

"Kyoko-san, even you were emotionless, the vocals were really good!"

"I can't believe you can sing that well!"

Even with all the praises, and the cheers, Kyoko only managed to make a slight laughter and thanks to all who listened, while Ren clapped his hands as well, but paid more attention on Kyoko's expressions. He just pursed his lips in disappointment.

Kyoko sat back on her seat, at the end of the table, feeling nostalgic, as her mind wanders back to her trance-like state again. She did not want to crowd her head with her memories of Sho. Not tonight, not at her anniversary party. Focus on yourself, she thought. And as she did, she figured that her life is so different now. All she wanted before was to see that person she loved make his dreams come true, which made her think she was too selfless, but that to her was all her desires. But now that she freed herself from the demon (as Kyoko calls him), all the other desires that have been kept locked in her heart suddenly burst open, and she had no idea where to start.

I want to have princess roles again! That way, I can wear more fabulous costumes! But then I also want to try a voice acting job before that… wait, I must learn first how to fly, so I should try skydiving and then voice acting, but before the voice acting, I should first do this… argh! What the hell is going on with me? I need to organize my mind…

Drifting again to the fantasy world she began to argue with herself, and even before she forgets everything around her, Ren waved his hand in front of her face, attempting to take her back to reality.

"Mogami-san?"

"Ahh, Tsuruga-san!" shaking her head to clear her mind, "What is it?"

"Nami-san wants to talk to you," Ren pointed at Kyoko's manager, who was talking to some people nearby. Kyoko looked at her from afar and saw Nami's excited face as she talked with some people whom Kyoko supposed were directors and producers.

Without delay, she went over to her, waiting for some good news, perhaps a new drama? Or maybe a movie? She has done filming movies before but not as much as dramas, so she's putting her hopes in movies, or even maybe a modeling career? But that was beyond imagination.

"What is it, Nami-san?" Kyoko asked.

"Let me introduce you to Tamura-san," looking towards the man beside her, who, to Kyoko, seemed almost like a carbon copy of President Lory. He was wearing a whimsical outfit, only with shorter hair, but with a longer mustac.

What's up with this is person, is he a President Lory wannabe or what? Kyoko thought. "It's nice to meet you Tamura-san! I'm Mogami Kyoko," bowing low.

Tamura furiously shook Kyoko's hands, "Ahh, Mogami-kun! The pleasure is all mine! I am planning to produce your next project. We'll be meeting tomorrow afternoon for further information regarding that. Actually, Nami-san and I discussed about it just a while ago."

Kyoko glared at Nami, "That was fast, Nami-san."

Nami was almost always responsible for confirmations on Kyoko's projects, sometimes she takes projects without Kyoko's approval, which made her pissed at first, but because of that, she became more recognized in the industry. After all, Nami was before an actress, but after she got married, she retired and instead decided to be a talent manager and a mentor to future actors and actresses (especially to Kyoko).

Nami winked at her, "Of course, I'm one of the best managers out there after all! I have lots of contacts, hahaha!"

Kyoko imagined Nami as an octopus with many tentacles (and those were her 'contacts'). She chuckled, "As expected of you, Nami-san, my 'future project generator'."

They laughed. Tamura then bid farewell, "Well then, Mogami-kun, l have to go now, I still have to talk to someone who's going to be your teacher for your next job."

Tamura then slipped away from the party and went on his way. Meanwhile, Kyoko folded her arms across her and looked at Nami for answer.

Nami squinted her eyes. "What?"

"What kind of project am I in this time?" Kyoko said, "You've put me through bizarre jobs before and I don't think this is any different."

Nami replied, "Believe me, Kyoko, this is by far, I think the most 'decent' job I've accepted for you. And the most profitable!" her eyes sparkling.

Kyoko scoffed, "Oh please, Nami-san, I think because of you I became basically everything, you made me become a Lolita maid, a sniffy librarian, a demure nurse, and even a tree mascot for heaven's sake! What is it? Don't tell me I'm gonna be playing a human-turned-into-a-genie this time! (though that actually seems nice)"

Nami said, "You'll find out tomorrow," and almost preachy, she told her, "and hey! If it weren't partly for me you couldn't have grown into a more matured actress! I always tell you, you'll never know who will see you acting, so you have to take as many opportunities as possible! Not only that, you should try other things as well, it can improve your acting by being exposed in different circumstances."

Kyoko nodded in defeat, "You're right. Fine, I'll take this job, but it just drives me nuts that you're not telling me anything about it!"

Nami assured her, "Relax, have some faith in me, this job is going to be exciting!"

"You better be right about this, manager," Kyoko replied, still with a hint of skepticism.

"Ah! You're early!" Tamura exclaimed.

Tamura went in the studio as he was greeted by a guy, sitting comfortably on a sofa with his legs stretched, his arms resting on its sides as he carefully fondled his blonde locks. He let out a cool smirk while Tamura settled himself on a chair across him.

"So," he paused for a bit, "what is it that you want me to do Tamura-san?"

"Hmm… let's say I want you to hone some raw talent for me."

"Oh!" sounding intrigued, "you want me to tend a new sheep?"

"Not exactly," Tamura grinned, "more like teaching a cub to hunt."

He howled in laughter. "Is this some wild animal we're talking about?" he asked, not losing his cool composure.

"Well, you can put it that way. And I think she's no ordinary cub."

The guy looked at him with excitement, "Is the little cub hot?" he said in a playful tone.

"Hahaha, you'll see when we meet her. There's more to her than meets the eye. I think she's very challenging to deal with, she's known for her extraordinary fighting spirit."

"Well then Tamura-san," he concluded, "you can count on me. I'll make her even more extraordinary!"

"I knew you would say that. After all, you're a person who's always up for a challenge. You're not Fuwa Sho for nothing."

Sho looked at Tamura straight in the eye as he confidently proclaimed, "And I never lose."

Finally! Sho has arrived! I just had to say that.. haha. Thank you for taking the time in reading this humble fic of mine! Will update asap. :)

PS As you may have noticed I have original characters here named "Nami" and "Tamura". Since they'll be recurring characters, I decided to name them in the fic.. Thanks to Jhiz for the advice.. :)