Chapter 3: Princess Takeover

AN: A flash of inspiration struck me earlier this morning, and I decided I should write it down write away. Hopefully, you will enjoy this too. Thanks again for the support!

Kyoko's mind whirled as she tried to think of an acceptable problem to spill to Kanae. The only person who currently knew of her feelings for Tsuruga were the president and her. In fact, if she thought about it, Chiori didn't even know about Kyoko being frien-… colleagues with Ren. She would know that they have played in the same drama, but Kyoko doubted she knew about the rest.

Resigned to her fate, Kyoko gathered her courage. There was no way she could lie to her best friend anyway. "I got a new drama offer. It's a princess role." She paused. "Then shouldn't you be happy?" Kanae questioned. This kind of thing seems right up her alley.

"Of course I'm happy Moko-san! I've always wanted to be a princess! That's not the problem! It's also a," she sighed, "romance role." Kanae glanced at Chiori, who nodded sympathetically. That was the reason why the three of them were in the Love Me section after all. Plus, Kyoko was the most adverse to romance out of them all.

However, a second glance at Kyoko proved she was hiding something else. "What else?" Kyoko looked shocked before putting up her "Love Me Spokesperson" smile. "That's the entire problem." Kanae scowled, pulling out a mirror. "Mo! You can't lie with your face looking like this!"

Kyoko slumped in defeat. "My costar… Is Tsuruga-san." Kanae saw where this was going, but didn't like it. "And? You trust him don't you?" "Yes, I trust him. That's not the problem either. If I act as his love interest…" Kyoko shuddered. "I'm afraid."

Chiori finally perked up. "Afraid of what?"

"I'm afraid that if I act as his love interest… These wretched feelings of mine might grow. Or I might become too hopeful only to be let down and hurt in the end. And…" She tapered off, feeling the tears roll down her face. "It will hurt when I realize that all of this is just acting to him. And if he realizes my feelings, then he will be disappointed. We won't be friends or colleagues or however close we are. He won't be my mentor, or my senpai." She bawled.

Chiori sent a look to Kanae that clearly read, "How close are they? They even know each other?" Kanae frowned slightly, then gave a lovesick look as if imitating Ren. "Two clueless romantic failures bumbling about their feelings for each other."

Kanae shifted in an attempt to comfort Kyoko. "Mo! This is a chance! Just let the role take over! Even if you let something genuine out, this is your best chance to just brush it off as acting! Mo! I don't see your problem!"

Amamiya and Kanae could practically see the gears turning in Kyoko's head. Her tears drying, she gave a small smile. "And with that, all the pieces have fallen into place. I know how to act my Hiyori! I will not fail my senpai, or my own feelings." Her mood changing quickly, she shot a glance back at Kanae and Chiori. "Thank you! Moko-san! Amamiya-san! I need to get something for my role!"

And with that, the tornado of Kyoko Mogami rushed out of the karaoke box, leaving a confused Chiori to look to Kanae for an explanation. "I got it." And Kanae began a long winded explanation of the relationship between Kyoko Mogami and Ren Tsuruga.

Kyoko bustled about the store, looking for the object that will tie her feelings to Hiyori's. And there she saw it. A golden bracelet with a sad teal rhinestone crown on it. She felt some connection to it, so she picked it up and took it to the cash register. The sad teal of her resignation, surrounded by the pressure of the crown and the golden expectations of others. And yet, there was something that shone in that color.

After she purchased the bracelet, she took it home, desperately trying to contain her excitement. I shouldn't let her free just yet. Oh, but I want to! Yes, I want to! Kyoko steeled her resolve. Tomorrow was the read through. She only had to wait one more day to let her free.

Kyoko rushed home to the Darumaya, only pausing to say a brief hello to the Okami and Taisho. Kyoko needed something to calm her excitement. Sighing, she took a quick bath and changed into pajamas. Suddenly, her phone rang.

"Yes? This is Mogami."

"It's me."

"Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko did not even notice that Ren had only bothered to say 'It's me.' Instead, she was drawn back into her excitement for her role.

"Are you ready for the read through tomorrow?"

"Yes! I found my link. My connection to Hiyori! I won't disappoint you senpai!"

Senpai again. When will I ever escape this pedestal she insists on putting me on? "I'm sure you won't." You could never. "Yashiro and I will be there to pick you up at 7 for the read through."

"Okay! See you tomorrow, Tsuruga-san!"

He chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Alright. Good night, Mogami-san."

"Good night."

And with that, Ren returned to his own preparations for his character.

Mikuchi Haruto. The eldest son in a large, poor family. His father and mother are dead, leaving him to look after the family. He often argues with his brothers, even if he is only teasing. This sets he and the princess of on the wrong foot. He is shocked by the separation from his family, and angered on how the royal family can do whatever they want. However, he can't go against the crown.

He slowly starts to fall for Hiyori. She acts as the most independent and infallible princess in front of everyone, but he has seen different sides of her. Her sweet attitude towards children. Her determination to become the princess everyone wants to be. Her insecurities and fears. Her quiet resignation towards love only pains him. Her happiness for simple things and innocence draw him in.

Ren couldn't help but see the similarities between this story and their relationship. However, some part of him was looking forward to the other sides of Haruto.

Haruto has a tendency to flirt with Hiyori once he falls for her. He gains a genuine sweet side for her. And yet, he has a possessive jealousy that easily flares up.

This character seemed to be a combination between himself and Kuon. It was as if the president deliberately set up these characters. He sighed, grasping at the object he used to link him to Haruto. A single, simple wedding band around his pointer finger as a memento from his parents.

He placed the ring on the nightstand and went into bed.

Tomorrow, Mikuchi Haruto would come alive.

Kyoko waited by the door, the clock on the wall turning to seven o'clock just as Tsuruga's car pulled into the driveway. Fingering the bracelet in her purse, she bowed to the Okami and Taisho before she exited.

Kyoko climbed into the empty passenger seat. "Good morning, Tsuruga-san! Yashiro-san!" He smiled at her. "Good morning, Mogami-san." "Good morning, Kyoko-chan!" Yashiro's voice piqued up from the back.

"Are you excited for today?" Yashiro asked Kyoko, sending a suggestive smirk to Ren. "Yes! When it all came together yesterday, I struggled to contain Hiyori's spirit." Kyoko smiled sheepishly. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Tsuruga-san!"

Once Ren glanced at her expression, his hand tightened on the steering wheel. "And to you as well." He stated, using all of his acting experience to try and keep a calm facial expression and voice.

The rest of the car ride there was made in comfortable silence, or with Yashiro making small take with Kyoko. They arrived a few minutes early, and walked into the meeting room where the read through was being held.

Kyoko walked in and bowed. "Please take care of me! I look forward to working with you!"

Ren followed in a similar fashion. "And to me as well."

The actors sat down, their seats right next to each other as the stars of the drama. Director Shingai was off in the corner, talking to some of the supporting actors and actresses.

Kyoko could no longer contain her excitement. Turning away from Ren, she opened her purse, slipping on the golden bracelet. She now had on a polite smile that didn't reach her eyes. A mask that hid her own true feelings. She pulled this mask from her years of hiding her suffering from Shotaro. Her eyes seemed to be clouded, yet had a distant light glimmering beneath.

Ren looked over at Kyoko. "Mogami-san?" She turned to face him. However, Ren was slightly shocked at her expression. Recognizing that she was already in character, he slipped on the ring that had been sitting in his pocket.

Director Shingai sat down and called for the other actors and actresses to take their seats. He introduced each of them, as they stood up and announced their role. They started with Haruto's family, then some servants and others that would work in the castle. The actor that introduced himself next was familiar enough to shock Kyoko out of her character for a brief moment.

"Hello. My name is Taira Murasame, and I will be playing Hiyori's butler and childhood friend. It's a pleasure to work with you."

AN: I didn't expect to put Murasame in here. However, while I was looking for a romantic rival (Not Sho or Reino… I have a role for Sho, and I have an idea for Reinos) for Ren I remembered another fanfic that had Murasame, Kyoko, and Ren in the same drama. I instantly thought he would be great for the role. Thanks again for your support. Hopefully, the next chapter will be out around Tuesday or Wednesday. Now, I am going to leave you all with a questions. Do you want Murasame to fall in love with her outside of the script as well?