I DO NOT OWN SKIP BEAT!
It had been a few days since the incident, and Kanae started to act suspiciously. She seemed to be on-edge all the time, even freak-out a little here and there. "Moko-san... What are you doing?" I finally had had enough.
"What? I'm not doing anything!" she defied.
"Riiight, and I'm going to pop positive on a pregnancy test tomorrow. As your supervisor, you need to tell me if it is work related." I said dismissively, just to make her realize how obvious she's being.
That did it, "SHE! SPARES NO EXPENSE... ...IN TRYING TO STOP ME FROM GOING MY WAY! When I was in third grade, we did a play. The class voted, and I got the leading role over her. After THAT... ...she started to work behind the scenes. She always got the leading role. I got minor parts that didn't even have names. In junior high... ...she even prevented me from joining the theater club! It's a lie for sure that she just HAPPENED to enter this audition! SHE... ...CAN'T STAND ME GETTING THE SPOT-LIGHT ANYWHERE!"
"What are you talking about? What audition? What girl?" I asked rather annoyedly, already not liking whoever this SHE was.
"I... ...I signed up for an audition to this drink commercial, hoping to get into the spot-light faster." she tells me sheepishly.
Before she can go any further I cut her off. "So, what you're saying is that at the first sign of trouble you're going to duck and run without properly fighting, is that it?" I pin her with a glare as I say that and continue. "If you're going to act so weak than you shouldn't even be here." I strengthen my glare as she pales. "This is a place where real men and women come to work, NOT for KIDS to PLAY in." As I glare at her she looks down dejectedly. I realize then, how much this GIRL has broken her. "BUT, if you're serious and you want to stay then ask for help when you need it. We have all had our enemies that have tried to break us down. Mine, was Fuwa Sho and a few others, he never really got the chance because a certain SOMEONE opened my eyes before any REAL damage could be done. But, we've all had them. So, I will go with you to the second half of this audition. DO NOT get used to this, YOU WILL fight on your own next time." She looked at me with surprise, determination, and hope. I knew that would be the right thing to say, she's going to be amazing someday.
"How are you going to help me?" She asked with a lot of hope in her eyes.
"Obviously, by turning this into a love me assignment. What you will be learning is how to deal with highly stressful situations." I said in a 'final word' type of tone.
Once she left, I called the director. "Hello director Kurosaki-san, this is Tsuruga Rosa from LME... ...Yes, it's been a while... ...I just heard the most interesting story..."
As we walk in people stop and stare in horror at what we are wearing. Haha, I don't blame them! "So, remember the best way to deal with people like her is to ignore their words and fight back with recognition by doing what you do best acting respectively, there is nothing that a bully can't stand more than someone who doesn't react." I told her as a reminder to help make sure she doesn't chicken out.
"Okay. But, what are you going to do? You're not a part of the audition." she asked confused as to how I will be able to stay.
"I already know the director from past experience with him, I told him what was going on. Trust me, he won't be bought off by that girl, Koenji Erica. He like many in the entertainment world, works to be recognized as entertaining in his job." Just as soon as I finished speaking there was a scream.
"WHA?! WHAT?! WHAT'S WITH YOUR CLOTHES?! NO! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! HOW EMBARRASSING! I HOPE YOU DIDN'T COME HERE DRESSED LIKE THAT!" some obviously rich snobby girl yelled. "Ah. Maybe you're doing this out of desperation, because you know you can't win against me? You CAN honestly admit defeat, you know. I wanted you to know your place earlier and surrender quickly. But you persistently tried to be involved with acting in secret... ...So I ended up staying at the grade school I was supposed to transfer from in third grade... ...And I had to go to a junior high that I didn't even want to attend! I was supposed to have the best background! Really... ...because of you... ...my life has been ruined..." we were both glaring at her murderously as she was blaming Kanae for all of the things that SHE chose to do herself. She really is like a female Shoutaru. I was having flashbacks of the few years that I had to deal with him.
"Oh... ...I ruined your life... ...I'm so sorry... But... ...you have nothing to worry about... ...anymore. This is it. I'll... ...FREE YOU FROM MYSELF TODAY." Kanae said while keeping that glare. *whistle* I can't say she doesn't learn fast! I thought to myself as I continued to glare. After that the girl stormed off.
When we got into the room there was a box on the table marked 'FATE', I chuckled as I played along. The director certainly hasn't changed. I remember the first time I met him, it was when Kuon and I were just getting started.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It been a long day at work, and I just gotten started on dinner when Kuon came through the door. "Kyouko, I found us an acting job!
It's an advertisement for toothpaste. They need a boy and a girl. Will you audition with me?" he gave me that puppy look to its max.
I rolled my eyes, "of course! Do really think I'd leave you on your own with all those NASTY girls around? I think not!" I blushed profusely, I realized my feelings for him while we were on the plane over here, which was only a few months earlier.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~END FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"BWAHA!" the director's laugh startled me out of my flashback. Ah! The look on everyone's faces when they see the director, it definitely takes me back. After that, everyone went to their seats and the introductions were made.
Once they were done with the introductions, Koenji Erica, Noisy-san, demanded to know why I was there. "She's here because I had already decided to use her for this commercial, I just need someone to act alongside her." Kurosaki-san said. Well, that's news to me. I thought as made myself look bored before anyone caught on that I didn't know.
"I AM SUPPOSED TO WORK WITH SOMEONE WHO LOOKS LIKE THAT! You CAN'T be SERIOUS!" Noisy-san complained. Why, because it doesn't fit into your world of understanding? Too bad.
"WHOMEVER I decide has to work with her, yes." Kurosaki-san stated irritably. All the girls looked like they wanted to laugh at her. I don't blame them for that either.
"Whomever?! Don't you mean Kotonami Kanae?! I mean they obviously work for the same comp-." Noisy-san started to whine but was cut off by the director.
"If I just wanted someone from the same company I would have held auditions solely at that company, not waste everyone's time with a public one. I like to think that part of my job as a commercial director is bring new talent into the light, not a company's, so if Kotonami-san wins, it will be because of her own strength, Not because she already has experience getting along with her boss." Kurosaki-san stated for everyone so nobody would question or take her whining seriously.
After that the trial began with the explanation of what we are doing. "OBJECTION! THEY BELONG TO THE SAME AGENCY! OF COURSE SHE'LL BE ABLE TO ACT TOGETHER WITH HER BETTER THAN ANY OF US! ...I DON'T THINK SHE NEEDS ANY REHEARSALS!" Noisy-san interrupted.
"HEY! DON'T ASSUME THINGS! EVEN IF WE KNOW EACH OTHER, WE'VE NEVER ACTED TOGETHER SO IT'S THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE!" I yelled at her while the director agreed with me, she really does remind me of a female Shoutaru.
Just as Kurosaki-san was saying that could redraw Moko-san spoke up, "No... ...this is fine. We... ...don't need any rehearsals." I smiled on the inside. She took the bait and is now living up to the actual translation of the name I gave her. I thought a little worriedly but, with pride.
After that the audition finally took place and ended. When Kanae was chosen no one complained, she truly did the best acting. It's still a little funny that Noisy-san thought that she could steal from me in order to save herself. I could also tell that we hadn't heard the last of Noisy-san.
I was right, she tried to send her goons after Kanae while we were on our way back to LME. But, instead Kanae told her off with a revised speech I gave her. Right after Noisy-san left, Kanae asked me if I knew that I was going to be in that CM as well. I admitted it I didn't and I was shocked as well.
Just after I said that Kuon pulled up. "You took so long, I thought I might have to come and rescue you." he said with a teasing smile.
"Well too bad, the audition just happened to run a little over schedule. Then again, I am very tired and wouldn't mind a nap." At that, Yuki-san got out of the car and made it so we could get in. "By the way, Yuki-san how is Shoko? I haven't heard from her all day." I asked as I stepped in with a blushing Kanae.
"Oh, she's good. She had a doctor's appointment and is now dealing with your schedule while she relaxes." his proud father and husband side shining in full as he spoke.
During the drive Kanae decided to sneak and use my stamp book while I was resting. That was the start of a beautiful friendship. Apparently I asked her to join us for dinner in my sleep, which she accepted.
"So, how did the audition go? And how was it seeing Kurosaki-san again?" Kuon asked after he finished his first bite.
"Ugh, can we say noisy?! I mean that girl commented on every little thing! I was highly tempted to slap her!" I held nothing back as I vented everything that had happened. Kanae just laughed freely along with Kuon, as I became very animated in my frustrations.
That evening continued to be filled with everyone's laughter until we dropped her off at home. "Let's do this again some time!"
"That would be great!" Kanae said very excitedly, this is definitely a day that will be treasured.
THE NEXT MORNING…
Ring, ring, ring. A small delicate reaches for the offending object. "Hello?" The groggy voice connected to the hand answered.
"Hello Kyoko, long time no see."
When Kyoko heard the voice on other end she shot up into a sitting position. The motion caused Kuon to wake up with concern. "What is it, babe?" His question caused her to look over at him as she mouthed 'it's my mother.' Which told him everything was fine until he looked at the clock. 2:30am. "What's she calling for this early?"
"Hey mom, yeah, it has been awhile. Why are you calling? Is everything okay?" Kyoko replied in concern. "Oh yes, I'm fine. I just wanted to see how you were doing? That, and Kuu called, said they were going to visit soon and he wanted us all to get together at some point?" Saena asked hopefully.
"Mom, you and I both know that you're not calling me at an ungodly hour to talk about Kuu-san and Julie-san." Kyoko sighed as she pointed out the obvious. Something told Kyoko that she wasn't going to get anymore sleep that night so she grabbed her robe and walked out to the kitchen to make herself a pot of tea.
"Damn, I knew I couldn't get it passed you. How did you get to be so smart? Don't worry, I didn't touch a glass, I am still nine years sober of all alcohol. I don't even own a single bottle, I called you first." Saena said confidently with a smile in her voice.
Kyoko smiled warmly at how well her mother was doing. "I believe you, so tell me what's going on?" She asked as she put the water in the kettle on the stove and turned the burner on.
"I was kind of seeing this guy at work, and you know how hard I took your father's death so I didn't want you to worry. But, I swear it's like I'm cursed, I mean everything was going great and then I saw him hugging this other woman and, well, you know that after your father we found out that he was having all these other affairs. Which would explain why he and Kuu never got along, because Kuu definitely knew ALL ABOUT being a playboy, OF COURSE he would KNOW! And I, I just flipped. We got into this big argument and I think it's over between us." Saena vented while Kyoko poured the tea into two cups, holding one of them out for Kuon, who had been watching her from behind. He grabbed the cup so she could take hers as they made their way to the couch.
"Just because the two of you get into a fight over him hugging some woman doesn't mean that it's over. Kuon and I went through that before too, shortly after we got off the plane. Yeah, it was his COUSIN that I didn't know." Kyoko comforted her mother while full bodily blushing at the last part. Kuon kissed her hand with a smirk on his face remembering how jealous and possessive she was. "Just explain what happen, including about dad, and let him decide, he is the victim after all." Kyoko tells her mother comfortingly while glaring at Kuon.
"You're right, you're right, I'm sorry I woke you up with all this, I love you, good night." Saena hung up right after she said it sounding like she had been called by someone.
Kyoko stared at her phone for a few seconds before Kuon pulled her to him. "So, your mother found someone new and you got to tell her something embarrassing about your own relationship." He told her with a warm smile as he hugged her, rubbing her back affectionately.
"Yeah, although even if I did have a feeling that I might one day be giving relationship advice to my mother, I always thought that as a joke. So, what kind of man do you think my mother is dating?" She asked of handedly as she snuggled into him.
"Someone who isn't too concerned with the hour and needing sleep." He yawned in order to prove his point. She kissed him as she grabbed the cups to wash them as he followed her, picking her up and taking her to bed after she was done.