The Course of Nature
thexz09
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat! or any of the characters.
Happy reading!
Chapter 3:
Ren put on his cap and sunglasses and they proceeded inside. The restaurant was simple, just a few table and chairs, like the average kind of restaurant, and only a few people were eating, mostly high school students. They went to the corner of the restaurant, and a waitress tried to get their orders, or more specifically, tried to get Ren's order. She made not too subtle hints on flirting, but was completely ignored by the actor, which elicited some quiet giggles from Kyoko. When Ren raised an eyebrow in question, she just shook her head.
After they finished their orders, and the disappointed waitress walked away, Ren looked at Kyoko expectantly and said, "Well, Mogami-san? What was it that you wanted to talk about?" he asked, trying not to sound angry or annoyed.
Kyoko, though, sensed his annoyance and cowered a bit in her seat. "Um, you see, I was offered a lead in Director Hirotaka's new movie, Stars From Afar, which will be filmed in America for four months. I actually hesitated to accept it, but the president was able to give me a reasonable explanation on why I should go, so I decided to accept the offer. He said that it could improve my career as an actress, and that it can broaden my horizons," she said, all in one breath. "Uhm, as you may know, Director Hirotaka is Director Ogata's father and is a very well-known director, so this is all too good to pass. I'm just a newbie actress; this is already an honor for me."
"When?" he asked.
Kyoko looked up, "Huh?"
"When will you be leaving?" he elaborated.
"Um, in about two and a half months" she answered
"How long will you stay there?"
"Er, four months"
"What's the genre of the movie?"
"Kind of like an action movie, with a hint of romance," Kyoko replied, uncertain on where this is going.
"Are there som –," Ren stopped himself. Kyoko looked at him questioningly. He cleared his throat and said, "Never mind. It was nothing." 'I wonder if there are kissing scenes. Though I really want to know, I won't be able to ask without it seeming awkward,' he inwardly sighed.
"Uhm… A-ano Tsuruga-san," Kyoko said after a few minutes of comfortable silence. It was almost a whisper, but was nonetheless heard by Ren. He saw her blushing, and looking down at the table.
Curious on why she was acting that way, wanted her to continue what she was saying, "Yes?"
"U-uhm… I was just w-wondering," she gulped, and forced herself to look at Ren in the eyes. "If it's not a bother, that is."
"It's alright Mogami-san. What is it?" Ren asked, starting to get more and more curious of the cause of her blushing face. 'Hmm… Her blushing face is also very cute'
"C-can" she took a deep breath. "canicallyouorwr itetoyouwhileim inamerica?"
Ren was now confused. "Pardon?"
"Can I call you or write to you while I'm in America?" she finally said, and immediately hid her face from Ren by looking down at the table again, her blush reaching her ears.
Ren looked at her, shocked, eyes wide, on what she said. 'Well… That… was unexpected. I never thought she'd be the one to tell me to keep in contact. I was already thinking of ways on how to tell her to write to me… as a kouhai.' His gaze softened and he smiled his heavenly smile at Kyoko.
When Kyoko noticed that Ren wasn't replying, she said, "Tsu-Tsuruga-san?" she looked up, and saw his heavenly smile. Her demons cringed 'Aaaaahhh! Too bright!'. She looked down again.
Ren used his index finger to lift her chin up and stared straight into her eyes. "Of course, Mogami-san. It wouldn't bother me at all. I'd be willing to call or write to you." He smiled.
Kyoko processed this information, and then she smiled a shy smile, with a faint pink still tinting her cheeks.
They were interrupted when the waitress from before arrived with their food. Kyoko suddenly turned very cheerful, since she ordered her favorite food, Hamburger steak. Ren watched her, trying not to laugh at her antics. For the rest of the meal, they talked about their jobs, and new offers.
After they paid for the meal, they left the restaurant to go to Ren's next job at a modeling shoot.
People were bustling in the set. They were carrying props, lights, costumes, and other necessities for the shoot. The photographer was fiddling with his camera, when he saw the man he was waiting for, walk into the set. "Ah! Tsuruga-san, I'm glad you made it." They shook hands.
"Of course, Tamura-san," Ren replied and smiled.
The man was average in height and looked very outgoing and friendly. He was a bit chubby, and the side of his eyes would crinkle when he smiles. He has jet black hair, and striking, blue eyes. He looked like he was already in his 40s more or less. His attire was simple and decent – shirt, jeans and rubber shoes, but still managed to look professional. He was holding his camera, and was probably trying to fix something.
The photographer then noticed Kyoko. "Oh. Who might this be?"
Kyoko bowed. "I'm Mogami Kyoko, sir. I am an actress in the same agency as Tsuruga-san, and I will be his temporary manager for a few days"
"Mogami… Mogami… Mogami Kyoko… Where have I heard that before?" he said, talking to himself, deep in thought. "Oh! I remember now. You're the one who played Natsu in Box-R." he smiled. "I must say, I am very happy to meet you in person, Mogami-san, though I didn't recognize you, since you really look and act differently from your characters. I heard about you and I admire your skills."
Kyoko blushed at the compliment, and then replied with a quiet "Arigatou."
The photographer turned his attention to Ren. "Tsuruga-san I believe your clothes are already in your dressing room. Please go ahead and prepare for the modeling shoot. We're going to start in a few minutes."
Ren nodded and walked towards his dressing room. When he came out, he was wearing a black and sleek top that seemed to look like a jacket. It had a pocket at the upper right, but had no buttons nor zippers and opens up in the middle of the chest, showing off his well-toned and muscular form. His pants were a dark grey with black pockets in front and at the back, and had been ripped artfully. His shoes were black rubber shoes that had shoelaces. His hair was a bit disarrayed, and he wore sunglasses. He gave off the feeling of being cool.
People stared at him in awe. For the female in the room, he looked hot, sexy, and very, very desirable. Some of the men, on the other hand, looked at him with envy in their eyes, and a bit of annoyance, since they can't have the women staring at them like they were a Greek Adonis, like what they do to Tsuruga Ren.
Kyoko sighed, 'No wonder he was the number one most handsome and desirable man in Japan. Look at how the females, and even some men, are drooling! Although, I have to admit, not all men can wear that AND look good.'
The photographer called the attention of the staff and they started the photo shoot.
For the first pose, Ren leaned on the wall that was made of overused and dirty bricks. The upper half of his body leaning on it, and his legs were spread wide. One of his hands held the opening of his top, exposing more of his muscles. He removed his sunglasses for this pose and showed his half-lidded eyes that are looking towards the camera.
"Okay, Tsuruga-san, just tilt your head a little bit…. There! Good!" the photographer said while taking pictures.
In his next pose, he stood upright with a background of an abandoned alleyway at night with dimly lit streets. He was placed directly under one post so his whole body was illuminated. His feet are separated by more or less a meter, and this time he wore his sunglasses. Both of his hands are tucked in his front pockets, and he smirked at the camera.
The photographer smiled while taking pictures and mumbled, "I really like working with this guy; he's such a natural."
The third pose required him to sit on a wooden bench, with him leaning on his back and him giving off the impression that he was tired. The setting this time was a bustling street in Tokyo.
Kyoko watched all of these with attentiveness and interest. 'It was as if Tsuruga-san was a different person throughout the shoot. It's like it was a new character. Hmmm.. could it be? That Tsuruga-san is using his acting skills in modeling, too?... Yes, that's probably it. That probably explains the different aura that he exudes when he's posing.' Kyoko smiled at this, once again impressed with her esteemed sempai.
The photo shoot continued flawlessly, and with great results. The photographer was happy with his work, and was very happy to have worked with Ren. Everyone in the set was very impressed as well, and they were able to finish ahead of time. "Okay. I guess those are all the shots that we'll need. Thank you for the hard work!" the photographer finally said.
Ren went to his dressing to change back into his original clothes, and went to look for Kyoko. 'I hope Kyoko wasn't bored during the shoot.' He spotted her talking with Tamura-san, the photographer. He approached them, and heard the director's last few words.
"… my daughter really likes your movie, as well as my wife."
"Mogami-san? Are you ready to go?" he called out.
She turned to face him with her usual smile. "Hai, Tsuruga-san. I was just talking with Tamura-san."
"ah, Tsuruga-san. Good job today. I really enjoyed working with you. I hope that we can work with each other again in the future," the photographer said and smiled.
Ren returned his smile with one of his own. "It's my pleasure Tamura-san. I also hope I can work in the future. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get going." He and Kyoko paid their respects to the director and the others, and moved on to Ren's next job.
Finishing all of Ren's appointments and shoots for the day, they arrived in his apartment at around 7:30 pm. They were able to finish the work today earlier than planned. Kyoko, carrying the groceries, went straight to the kitchen, and prepared for the stuff needed to make Hayashi Raisu (Japanese style hashed beef stew). Ren followed her there and helped her unpack the ingredients.
After unpacking, Kyoko started to slice the beef. "Is there anything that I can help with?" Ren asked, standing near the kitchen counter, where Kyoko was working.
Kyoko looked up from what she was doing and smiled."Um, no. It's alright Tsuruga-san. I wouldn't want to bother you. You can go ahead and watch TV," she said, and continued to slice the beef.
"It's no trouble, Mogami-san. It's the least I could do; you're already cooking for me," Ren reached for another knife and started to help in cutting the beef. Kyoko watched him working. He failed miserably – the slices were too big. Ren held the beef in one hand and the knife with the other. He looked like he's scared that he might accidentally slice his finger or something.
Kyoko laughed at Ren's flustered and a bit embarrassed expression, took the knife from him, and finished slicing the last pieces of meat. "Really, Tsuruga-san." She giggled. "I insist. I don't think you should hold a knife. For your sake. You might get hurt." She smiled at him, walked to the cupboards and tried to reach for the pan and pot.
Ren, still looking a bit embarrassed from what he failed to do, walked towards the cupboards and reached for the pots and pans. "I also insist, Mogami-san. And I can always help with things that don't require a knife."
After acquiring the equipment she needed, she placed the frying pan on top of the stove and placed some butter. While she sautéed the beef, she looked at Ren and grinned. "Yup. I guess you're right. You can help by watching TV in the living room, and it doesn't require a knife. At all." she giggled.
He glanced at the clock. There was now a mischievous glint in Ren's eyes. 'So, she wants to do it this way, huh.' "Alright. Besides, I think it's already time for your recent drama to air. I guess I'll just watch that." He grinned.
Kyoko's eyes grew as big as saucers, and the mirth in her eyes disappeared, replaced by one of horror. "Noooooo!" Ren smiled wider. "You can't do that, Tsuruga-san! It's soo embarrassing!" Kyoko began to shake her head violently. "I'll let you help! I'll let you help!" She then looked left and right, trying to find something for Ren to do. "Um… You can prepare the rice! Yes, that's it!" she looked at Ren. "Tsuruga-san, please prepare the rice! You know how, right?" she looked hopeful and tense.
Ren smiled at her, trying to hold in his laughter. 'Heh. Success.' "Ok. Don't worry. I know how to prepare the rice."
Kyoko sighed, relieved. 'Whew! The drama they're airing now is where I played a character that wore skimpy clothing. I wouldn't want Tsuruga-san to see me like that. It's toooo embarrassing!' Kyoko blushed a bit, and set aside the beef.
After finishing preparing the meal with the rice that Ren cooked, they started to eat.
"Mmmm… This is pretty good, Mogami-san" Ren smiled at Kyoko, once again amazed by her cooking prowess.
Kyoko blushed a bit. "Arigatou. You're not so bad yourself, Tsuruga-san." She laughed.
Ren also laughed a bit. "Speaking of that, would you mind teaching me how to cook, Mogami-san?"
Kyoko looked up, surprised at the request. "So that I can cook for myself sometimes," Ren added. 'And spend more time with you'.
"Oh. Okay then. I'd gladly teach you, Tsuruga-san." She smiled beatifically at him. "We can start your cooking lessons tomorrow."
They finished their meal in silence, and afterwards, cleaned up and washed the dishes (Ren helped with drying the plates). Ren offered to drive Kyoko home, saying that it's already too late to go home by herself. Kyoko reluctantly accepted and arrived at the Daruma-ya at around 9.
"Thank you for driving me home, Tsuruga-san." Kyoko bowed and smiled at her generous sempai.
"It's no problem. Thank you for the wonderful meal, as well, Mogami-san." He smiled at her. "I'll get going then. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 8 in the morning. Good night."
"Hai. Good night, Tsuruga-san." She bowed once more, and went inside as Ren drove to his apartment.
"Haaah! I feel so tired!" Kyoko said, lying on her bed. 'I forgot that being Tsuruga-san's manager was this tiring. It's a good thing we finished early today, since I had to cook him dinner.' She smiled. 'Tsuruga-san can be cute sometimes, and he looked really cute when he was cutting up that meat.' She giggled.
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-Have a nice day-
-thexz09-
