Convergence Zone
Disclaimer: This series doesn't belong to me.
Teaser: The news media is one step ahead of the Dark Moon cast and Kyoko is completely unprepared for the crowds that are waiting for her arrival.
Chapter 3 – An Unexpected Crowd
[AP News: The cast and crew from the wildly popular Japanese hit series "Dark Moon" will land at John Wayne International Airport on September 16, 2009 in order to attend the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. While in the United States they will also be filming a one-shot special which will air in both the United States and Japan at the end of January.
"Dark Moon" is the story of a family which rose to power and prominence through schemes, lies, deception, and even murder. Now the family is faced with its own destruction as their actions come back to haunt them. This story of hatred and revenge is offset by the touching story of the developing love between two of the key victims Mizuki and Katsuki. Mizuki is played by Itsumi Momose, a rising star in Japanese television and film. Katsuki is played by Tsuruga Ren, a successful actor and model who has been voted Japan's Sexiest Star for the last three years.
Although the story in itself is remarkable, it is Mio, one of the key villains, who has captured the hearts and imaginations of both Japanese and American viewers. A victim of her older sister's jealous rage, Mio bears a horrific scar on her face which becomes her weapon against her own family and against anyone who comes too close. In the beginning of the story Mio is the most visible persecutor of the Mizuki and Katsuki. As the story progresses, Mio is slowly becoming the couple's ally against her corrupt family.
Kyoko, the 17 year old actress who plays Mio, has only been involved in acting for fourteen months and has already gained public acclaim for her roles in commercials, music videos, and in another drama named "Box R." Kyoko also plays a bully in "Box-R," but that character can best be characterized as a sultry, sexy, bored model-type who is a natural leader. According to her acting agency, LME, "Kyoko is a natural method actress who has carefully created each individual character that she has played."
Although there has been an underground movement for years to post Japanese and Korean anime and dramas on the Internet, this drama has been the first to cross the lines into general public mania. Public outcry has led to the early release of the drama with English subtitles. The drama is also being translated into twenty-three other languages set for release this summer.]
* * *
"GOMENNASAI!! Hontoni Gomen Nasai!!" The passengers of first-class were treated to the unusual sight of a frazzled, distraught Japanese teen kneeling in the aisle facing a tall, almost beautiful man.
Before the stewardesses could intervene, the tall man left his seat and reached down to lift up the girl. "Kyoko, you didn't do anything wrong. Now please, before the plane is forced to land, you have to calm down."
Director Ogata, who had been seated next to Ren, quickly got up. "I think that Mogami-san better sit with you for a bit. I'll go take her seat." Before he left first-class, he turned to the girl, "Kyoko-san, (this was the first time that he had ever used her first name alone) we are very proud of you. Nobody holds this article against you." With those words and a gentle pat on her head Ogata stepped through the curtain out of first-class.
Ren gently pulled and pushed the distraught girl into the window seat before he sat down next to her. He kept both of her trembling hands in his two large ones as he tried to calm her down. He was torn between concern for her, joy for the excuse to be close to her and comfort her, and guilt for being an opportunist. "Kyoko-chan, I'm proud of your success. We're all proud of you." He noticed that she was too disturbed to react to his intimate use of her name, "I told you once that the entertainment industry is all about being noticed. This article will be a big boost for your future."
"But… but... it's not right. I'm just a supporting actress. It's not right for them to talk about me and ignore the real actors like you and Momose Itsumi! We need to make them retract the article Tsugura-sempai, we have to…." Ren cut her off by removing his top hand from hers and placing it over her mouth.
Kyoko found herself suddenly getting lost in his eyes. She finally became aware of his hand on her lips and his other hand holding her two hands. With a shock of realization she jerked back in momentary fright. Ren was thankful that she was locked into the window seat. If she had been by the aisle she might have run away screaming. Still, he felt a little hurt that she still reacted so strongly. "Mogami-san, are you okay now?"
His voice soothed her in the way that nothing else could. "Now listen to your sempai: No matter what an actor does, in the end the audience decides. People responded to your Mio. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Now, why don't we talk about something else."
He settled back with a gentle smile, "I know, why don't you tell me about your conversation with Hizuri Kuu-san?"
Kyoko's eyes instantly lit up with excitement, her distress forgotten. Soon she was relating her phone conversation with her surrogate father and teacher. Even as the subject settled her down it brought back all of his hidden uneasiness.
* * *
Kyoko had returned to her seat long before they landed at John Wayne International. Ren debarked hurriedly, hoping to stave off the accidental disclosure of his identity. He was far enough ahead that nobody saw him use his U.S. Passport. As he feared, his mother and father were waiting past the security office. They were disguised from recognition by the general public, but recognizable to him. . As soon as he was past security he met his parents and issued stern warnings for secrecy. Director Ogata was surprised to see the amazingly beautiful woman who must be Hizuri Kuu's wife quickly embracing Tsuruga Ren. By the time that he arrived she had composed herself, but she still kept stealing glances at Ren. Ogata relaxed when he saw that Hizuri was not acting jealous or angry; instead he seemed inordinately pleased.
If Ren was worried about his parents accidentally exposing his secret to Kyoko, he needn't have bothered. As she stepped past security into the loading area, a roaring cheer erupted from the crowd that was gathered on the outskirts. Kyoko was startled by the noise, but she didn't realize the import of the roaring crowd until a group of enthusiastic college girls yelled "Mio, we love you!" and another group of boys started chanting, "Naachan, Naachan!"
She froze in fright until her fellow cast members surrounded her and gently led her to the waiting buses. She spent the rest of the journey to Beverly Hills slumped down in her seat looking like a frightened rabbit. Ren had ridden with the waiting hosts, so he wasn't there to calm her.
* * *
Her discomposure evaporated as her cast-mates gasped in wonder, looking out of the bus windows. She looked through the window to see that they were driving on a long, private drive leading up to a beautiful antebellum mansion. At any other time she would have been in awe of this, but she spotted the tall man standing on the front steps and squealed in pleasure. Unaware of anyone around her, she was hurried to exit the bus. She almost ran up to him, but then stopped herself and gave him a manly bow, "Otou-sama."
Kuu threw back his head for a deep-belly laugh and seized the girl in a bear-hug, "Kyoko-Kuon, welcome home."
The rest of the cast stood stunned at this display. Everything that they knew about Mogami Kyoko told them that she was a poor girl from Japan. Yet here she was being hugged affectionately by the man dubbed by the American press as "The Greatest Action Film Actor of our time." Tsuruga Ren saw their surprise and decided that it would be wise to explain, "Mogami-san was Hizuri-san's manager and personal cook while he visited Japan."
Kyoko was not the slightest bit concerned about her co-actors' reactions. As she stepped back from Kuu, she saw Julie for the first time. Set with a background of the tall marble columns, Kyoko thought that she looked like the most beautiful, queenly woman in the world. Kyoko was instantly lost in faerie-land. Julie had been warned to expect this by both Takarada and Ren. She laughed and stepped down to embrace the enchanted girl before the poor thing fell to her knees in worship. "I understand that you're my adopted son now, Kyoko-chan?"
Ren watched his beautiful mother lead the woman he loved up the marble staircase and had to choke back his emotions. Please let this work out, he prayed desperately.
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