Hidden in Plain Sight

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of the characters from the Manga.

Summary: LME has seen better days; Kyoko was forced to return home by her mother and Tsuruga Ren has gone back to the States to resume his true identity. So who is the new kid making entertainment news… and why is Saena so angry?

Chapter 2 – The Fox and the Hound

This was fun. As a matter of fact, Lory hadn't enjoyed the annual audition this much in years. At the moment he was sitting and listening to the musical auditions of Group 1. Some were quite good, while others were definitely not gifted in this area. There were also a few precious gems among the bunch… but after over an hour of careful observation he was confident that Mogami Kyoko was not among them.

She had Ten's help; I'm confident of it. With Ten's magic and Mogami-san's gift she could be almost anyone… but she can't really change her body type…

He waited until the current applicant, a piano player, finished her audition before he quietly stood and made his exit. As he went through the door he met Sebastian's eyes. For just a moment there was a twinkle in those eyes and it made him wonder if his butler/chauffeur/assistant was in on the secret. He wanted to ask, but restrained himself. It would be much more fun to ferret Kyoko out himself.


The Talent audition consisted of a talk-show set. The applicants were required to study a basic interview script and act as the hosts. In this scenario people were allowed to work in pairs. Z quickly grabbed Miyoko as his partner, citing his own issues with the language. "I'm going to need someone that I can trust to work with… will you help me?"

As if Miyoko could say no to anything that Z requested when he showed her those lost puppy-dog eyes…

Miyoko paled, however, when they stepped into the auditioning room and saw the three men who would play celebrities for the talk show. She looked to Z for strength, but he seemed deep in concentration. Each team, as they entered, was handed dossier on their guests, very similar to what they might receive as real talk-show hosts. They were given ten minutes to study the dossier and to plan out their ten-minute interview. The pair read silently and Z couldn't help but notice that Miyoko's hands were shaking. He reached over and gently took one of the girl's hands in his. "Relax, Miyoko. We can do this. You've already proven yourself with your singing, so think of this as a throwaway part of the audition. Besides, I've seen these guys on television and they're a lot of fun."

"That's not what I'm worried about," the girl muttered quietly enough that Z didn't catch the words.

"Hmmm, What?"

"Oh… nothing… I'm sure that we'll do fine. Listen, I have an idea…" They leaned their heads in and finalized their plans. When their ten minutes was up, they stepped up on the stage and took their spots. Z stepped up to the edge of the stage confidently and began speaking, "Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentleman, and welcome to ShopTalk; the show where we explore the inside secrets for success in the Entertainment World. Today we have extra-special guests. These three men have their own variety show, one of the most successful and popular evening shows in Japan today. They sing, they dance, and they always keep us all laughing. Please welcome Bridge Rock!"

As the applause machine filled the large room with sound, Hikaru, Shinichi, and Yusei ran out onto the stage, raising their hands victoriously and goofing off. Rather than shaking hands with the two hosts they gave high fives to Z and then surrounded the pretty girl. Shinichi, always the joker, slid forward on his knees to grab Miyoko's hand for a kiss. Yusei, more controlled, took her hand and bowed. Hikaru was next, but when he stepped up to the beautiful girl his eyes grew wide for a moment before he repeated Yusei's action.

Miyoko looked only slightly relieved as she took her seat. Z wanted to ask her what was wrong but he didn't. Instead he took his own seat, leaning back in the same fashion as the three celebrities. "So tell us: Although you are called the Ishibashi's, you aren't actually related. How did you first meet?"

The first portion of the interview went well. The Ishibashi's were fun and personable, and Shinichi kept everyone laughing with his little teasing comments. There seemed to be a slight tension between Hikaru and Miyoko, but it wasn't noticeable to most people. The atmosphere changed when Miyoko asked, "So tell me: Many people have noticed a big difference in Bo in the past six months. Most people think that the person behind Bo has changed. Is this true?"

Yusei took the question first, "Actually, there have been several people who wore the Bo suit. The person we have now is great, but the first Bo left an example that has been very hard to match."

Miyoko smiled innocently, ignoring Hikaru's glare, "The Bo suit isn't especially tall. Is it true that the rooster has been played by women as well as men?"

Shinichi laughed, "We can't tell you. We are sworn to preserve the anonymity of our Bo. I will tell you that somebody on the show once had a crush on our rockin' rooster."

Hikaru clenched his fists while Z looked on with curiosity. Miyoko innocently prompted, "Soooo… did the rooster return that person's feelings?"

They were saved from replying when the countdown clock showed thirty seconds and Z stepped in, "Well, it looks like the mystery of the romantic chicken will have to be put off until another day. We want to thank our guests from Bridge Rock for spending time with us today. Let's give them all a big round of applause."

As the judges conferred Z watched the silent exchange between Hikaru and Miyoko. Confused, Z began to wonder if Miyoko might have worn the rooster suit before. Wouldn't that be ironic?


Fuwa Sho glared at the woman across from him at the table. He couldn't believe that she had the audacity to barge into his place of work after all of the chaos she had caused six months ago. At that time she had not only publically humiliated her own daughter by causing a huge scene, but she had also slapped him in front of hundreds of people when he tried to intervene. Saena had even threatened Tsuruga Ren with a lawsuit when he proposed marriage to Kyoko on the spot… (well, okay… Sho didn't mind that part so much)… before dragging her suddenly submissive daughter back to Kyoto.

Sho had been disgusted with Kyoko at the time, but now he wondered how much of that submissiveness had been an act. "Let me get this straight, Mogami Saena: You want me to help you find your daughter so that you can force her into a marriage she has no interest in just so that you can feather your own nest… or rather your husband's political career… am I right?"

Saena seethed inside, but she reluctantly admitted to herself that this boy was not quite as dense as she had always supposed. "All I want from you, as the son of a family who has received financial assistance from me, is for you to tell me what you know about my daughter's whereabouts and to write a list of places she might be."

Sho glared at this detestable woman, but he knew that her words were true. He had always wondered what the tie was between his parents and this vile creature. He knew that his parents, his father especially, hated the woman and yet she had made periodic appearances throughout his childhood and even left her illegitimate daughter in their care.

It explained why his parents, who truly loved Kyoko, had always kept her at arms-length. All of this time Saena has been controlling them. I wonder exactly how much they owe? It also explained the fact that his parents had been so insistently grooming Kyoko as his future bride. Kyoko had been his childhood friend and he really liked her until his parents began to speak of her as his fiancé. They must have been hoping to clear the debt by marrying the two families… but that would have tied me to Saena forever!

That might have been Saena's intention at one time, but then she married an up-and-coming politician with his hands in a thousand different political and financial pots. Seven months ago Saena had shown up out of the blue and demanded that her daughter return home. No amount of protest or pleading could dissuade her. Sho's parents told him that Saena intended to marry Kyoko off to the son of a very wealthy supporter because the boy was fascinated with Kyoko's role as Natsu. Essentially Saena planned to sell her daughter off to a man who neither knew nor cared about the real Mogami Kyoko.

"You're asking the wrong guy, Saena-san," Sho ground out. "She and I were barely speaking at the time that you dragged her away." It pained him to say the next words, but he did it anyway. "The one she would have run to is Tsuruga Ren." He hated the words even as they came out of his mouth, but he still had to suppress a smile. If Kyoko was in the United States, then Saena would never catch her. Sho would rather have his childhood friend with his arch rival than in the clutches of this woman ever again. I hate you, Tsuruga Ren, but I sincerely hope that you are man enough to keep Kyoko out the clutches of this harpy.

Kyoko was beyond his help now, but he could do something about his parents' dilemma, "While you're here, though, I want to know exactly how much my parents owe you."


Miyoko was strangely silent and tense as they returned to the great hall to await their final test of the first day. Z wanted to ask questions, but he had his own secrets so he decided to respect hers. Instead he pulled out his guitar and began to strum.

Music is a universal language and a great ice-breaker. As Z continued to play the other tense applicants began to migrate toward the pair. One of the hopeful singers asked Z to play a song. When he didn't know it, another guitarist walked up and joined them. She played the requested music and Z picked up the melody. Soon Miyoko and two others began singing. Within minutes they were joined by two more, and then three. While people waited for their turns they were able to enjoy the impromptu concert.

Nobody noticed the eccentric company president as he prowled around the crowd examining faces. Sebastian, standing nearby against a wall, watched his boss as he searched and his mouth quirked in what might charitably be described as a smile. His boss was as excited as a kid on his first camping trip. On one hand he wanted his boss to continue to enjoy his day. On the other hand he didn't want him to succeed. Although Sebastian seldom if ever spoke, he knew of the young lady's dilemma. He was a traditionalist in most things, but he did not want Mogami Kyoko to be sent back into the claws of that woman. Shortly after Kyoko and Maria become acquainted, Sebastian had been sent on a trip to Kyoto to investigate her background. What he found made him despise Mogami Saena.

Lory walked back toward him, a bemused expression on his face. "Let's go to the acting tryouts." Lory had seen several people who might be Mogami Kyoko, but he couldn't be sure yet. He needed to check out Group 3 next.


Thirty minutes later Sawara came out and announced the fourth and final round for the day. Group 2 stopped their impromptu concert and proceeded to the acting audition. As each person entered they were handed a script. A quick read-through showed the applicants that the script was pure dialogue, without any character descriptions, blocking instructions, or scenario explanations. Many of the applicants began to mutter, but they went silent as a door opened and several people walked into the room.

A slim, middle-aged man with his hair done up in a ponytail called for everyone's attention. "Good afternoon everyone, my name is Matsushima, and I am the Director of the Acting Department." He gestured to the others, who had taken a seat at a long table. "With me on the judging panel are Director Kurosaki who specializes in filming commercials and Director Ogata, who you might recognize as the director of the hit television drama Dark Moon." The first man was tall, with a goatee and face jewelry that made him look like a hoodlum. The second man was small and delicate, more like a princess than a prince, and yet everyone recognized him as a rising star in the world of directing.

The tension level in the room had now risen dramatically. Before them were two men who could make or break them in the entertainment industry… but as if this wasn't enough, the door opened again and the President of LME himself walked in and took a seat.

Matsushima spoke again, "Each of you have been given a script. If you are a female, you will play Character A. If you are a male, then you will play character B. We have pulled in two of LME's young rising stars to play the other parts. You will have noticed that there are no instructions or blocking notes in your script. Your job is to memorize your lines and then interact with the others players in accordance with their actions. In other words, the way that they speak and act towards you will be your clue as to your character and standing within this scene. One male and one female applicant will participate in each run-through. I will give you one additional clue before we begin: Until this moment, you have never met the other two characters in this scenario. Oh, and one more thing: it won't do you any good to pump the first applicants for information. Although the words will never change, the scenario will change over and over again, at the whim of our actors."

The applicants were sent back out into the great hall until it was their turn to enter. Miyoko went earlier than Z* and she returned later looking very disappointed in herself and noticeably tense. She wouldn't elaborate on her discomfort, but she did note that the one bright spot for her was that she had been allowed to meet two real television and movie stars. Twelve more left and returned before it was Z's turn.

The bishounen stood to enter the door and found himself paired with one of the girls who had been vying for his attention earlier in the morning. The girl was overjoyed until he held the door open to her… and then she forgot all about him as she recognized Kijima Hidehito and Kotonami Kanae waiting for them. The girl began gushing over Kijima, which only served to irritate the beautiful raven-haired actress.

Z, on the other hand, didn't appear to recognize either person. He performed a poor version of a bow and then stood by for the action to begin.

[[The scenario begins:

Actress C (Kotonami Kanae): Help me! Runs up to fall at Actor B's feet. You have to help me! He's evil, I tell you!

Actor B (Z): What! Who hurt you? Who is he?

Actress A (applicant): What are you doing with this woman? You promised me that I could trust you this time!

Actor B: I didn't do anything! She just ran up screaming for help.

Actor D (Kijima): Unhand that woman! She is going to the police station with me.

Actress C: The police station, Hah! As soon as you get your hands on me you're going to do something vile. This man is my protection now!

Actress A: Your protection! Get your hands off of my man!

Actor D: What a beautiful young woman! Why don't you just forget about him and go with me?

Actress A: I… I couldn't…

Actress C: You see! He's a cad! An evil man trying to lure women away and… and…

Actor B: Mister, I don't know who you are, but perhaps we'd better all go to the police station

Actress A: I'm sure you're overreacting. Look at him. How could he be bad?

Actor D: You've got the wrong idea entirely! It's her who's… Here, let me borrow your phone pretty lady and I'll prove everything!

Actress C: Don't trust him! I think this man's right. We should go to the police. I'll go! We'll all go!

Actor B: How am I supposed to know who I can trust? Aren't you trying to steal my girl?

Actress D: You see, he's a trickster, a playboy, a cad!

Actress A: You're just making things complicated and twisting things around. You were the one who has another woman hanging on you, even though you promised…

Actor B: I told you…!

Actress D: You mean that he's just as bad as he is! And to think, I put my trust in you! That's it, I'm leaving!

Actor C: Oh no you don't! Get back here!

Actress A: They're gone… Wait! He still has my phone… and he stole my purse!

Actor B: I knew that he was a scoundrel. We'll call the police… Where's my phone? Where's my wallet?

Actress A: This is all your fault! I'm leaving too!

The scene ends with the other girl stomping off of the stage with Z left standing there, pockets pulled out and a bewildered expression on his face.]]

From the beginning of the performance Kotonami Kanae was seemingly clinging to Z, but was, in reality, rifling through his pockets. Meanwhile Kijima was playing the poor female applicant like a violin until she could hardly think straight. Had the skit been played in front of a real audience everyone would have been laughing at their subtle but obvious antics.

The judges thanked the two applicants but offered no critique. The two real actors stepped up and greeted them properly. Kijima made the young lady blush profusely by kissing her hand and looking meaningfully into her eyes. Z, smiling, performed the same action with Kanae but received only a stiff smile.

Takarada Lory continued to lean back in his position at the table, stroking his mustache and saying nothing.

Everyone was exhausted as the long day of auditioning drew to a close. Miyoko seemed deeply troubled by something, but she wasn't willing to share her troubles with Z. She did say that she hoped that they would both receive a callback that night and that she would have the opportunity to perform with Z again. Z reciprocated her best wishes and they both went their separate ways.

Miyoko had just turned the corner when the person she had hoped to avoid stepped out and blocked her path. "You didn't really think that I wouldn't recognize you, did you?" He gestured towards the car parked nearby, "Get in please. We need to have a long and serious talk."

Smiling sheepishly, Miyoko complied.


Notes: I am very pleased with the early response to my story and hope that the rest will live up to your expectations. I originally began the Imperial Entanglements story as a comedy, but it wouldn't cooperate. So now I am writing this one in compensation… and because the idea wouldn't leave me alone. Different stories in my head impact me in different ways. For me, this one has the same feel as Being Crushed under Setsu's Heel. Hopefully it will have the same comedic impact. Either way, please enjoy.

BTW: many of you have made guesses and asked questions. I'm not ignoring you; it is just more fun if you let the story play out.

* The numbers were not passed out based upon arrival time that morning, but based upon when the original application was received. Therefore, even though Z arrived much earlier than Miyoko, she still had a lower number.