Disclaimer #1: I do not own SkipBeat!
Disclaimer #2: The current politics of Japan is conducted in a framework of a Parliamentary Representative Democratic Monarchy, where Prime Minister of Japan is the head of government. In short, Japan is generally considered a Constitutional Monarchy with the system of Civil Law. However, the story of the drama, 'Strangers In Dark', is revolving around the Traditional Monarchy System of Japan in the 21st Century, where all political power is passed down to an individual known as 'Monarch', or in this story, the 'Emperor'. The story line, settings and members of the Imperial Family are entirely frictional. Regarding the characterization of the Family in the drama, I meant no disrespect and have no intention to impose any negative judgment on the true Imperial Household of Japan. Please understand.
Chapter 6 – Starter
The air was heavy with heat, thick with it. But the sharp white light of afternoon had mellowed toward a gilded evening light that was so soft, so comfortable and cozy that it made people walked into the heat and bathed in it willingly.
Hayashi Minako and Yamada Ichiro were one of them.
They were out in the hospital garden and Minako was pushing her fiancé's wheelchair through the warm air of evening.
"Ichiro, isn't it a little too warm here? Why not just rest in the room?" Her beautifully arched eyebrows were knitted together in a deep frown and her tone was filled with disapproval. She didn't mind walking, but she was dead worried. Ichiro's health had been going downhill and his immune system had been a whole lot worse than before, causing his body prone to opportunistic infections. So staying out in the public would be atrocious.
"Summer doesn't last very long." His voice was faint. He then pointed to a stone path she wasn't sure she'd seen before.
The path itself was constructed of stones, various shapes, sizes, and tones all smoother into a fluid curve that led back to the garden in a circular way. There were three benches among pots where vivid blue flowers flooded and dwarf trees speared. The evening sun spilled pale gold onto the stones, making the path looked celestial and blissful.
"It's beautiful." She said and found herself smiling at the magnificent scenery.
"It's pleasant to enjoy it while it does." He said with a small smile.
She couldn't argue. She supposed it was, the flowers, trees and the stones were spectacular. Looking at the scene, she thought of his words and pain began to stab at her heart. Yes, summer doesn't last long, and this time, it will be his last su-No, she shook her head, it was not the time to dwell on the subject, and it would be best for them to indulge themselves in this heavenly place for the moment, forget the harsh reality.
"Let's sit down."
They walked toward one of the benches. Minako set him and the wheelchair beside, and sat on the wooden bench. There was a moment of silence and there was something...something that under the surface of Ichiro's placid calm. She could sense the edge of it, like a knife wrapped in silk. She knew what was troubling him right now. Every cell in her body screamed for her to rush forward and hug him, to tell him everything would be okay. But both of them knew it was not true and she needed him to talk to her.
"What's going on?" She turned his wheelchair slightly so he sat facing her.
He didn't answer. He just sat there and looked at her quietly. The evening sun shone on his brown hair, making them spilling down over his head in a rush of gold, it danced on his ivory face and draped abound his frail figure, making him looked like an angel, an angel who belonged to another world, an angel who would be gone anytime.
Minako's hand reached forward, she couldn't resist the urge to touch his face. She needed the contact to know he's still there, in front of her. It was one of the rare moments he wasn't in pain, where he could be himself.
Her heart sank the second she put her hand on his, he's so thin, she thought. The cancer left him weak and helpless. Her hand trailed from his eyebrows to his dark eyes, nose and mouth before he caught her hand and held it in his.
"I'm sorry, Mi." He spoke softly. He once told her that she was the most beautiful woman in his heart, so 'Mi' suited her just nice as it held the meaning of 'beauty'.
"Ichi?" She glanced up to him in surprise.
"I'm sorry."
"Why? It's-"
"I'm sorry I can't keep my promise." He smiled, but a sad one.
"Ichi, it's not-" She stopped when he put his hand on her cheek lightly.
"I'm sorry I can't give you a future." He stroked her cheek with his thumb. Soft.
Looking into his dark eyes, she saw pain and regret. "No, Ichi. You're wrong. You gave me a past and a future. They're beautiful." She took his hand and laced fingers with it, her eyes both clear and determined.
"Mi, I'm-"
She moved forward and hugged him tightly. "No. You gave me a future and THIS is it. Do you think we'll be here together if we did not meet each other at the orphanage? Do you think I'll be who I am now if you did not talk to me when I was eight? I'll still be the introvert girl who's avoided by everyone. I wouldn't have friends if it weren't because of you. You changed my life the moment you talked to me, Ichi. My past wouldn't be completed without you in it. And without the past, I won't have this future with you. A future with you is all I've ever wanted."
"But I'll-"
She eased back and put her thumb to his lips.
"Ssh. Don't says that. It's never enough, you know. But I'm happy that I have you by my side for twenty years. I'm a lucky girl, Ichi, that I'd met you." She smiled.
Looking at her smile, Ichiro felt helpless. He was the lucky one, to be able to meet her. They were both broken from their childhood memories, they both had monsters from their past. But she was an angel to him, she was the one who untied the knot in his heart and only she had the power to do so.
Besides, how could he explain what it had been to watch her suffered the misery that caused by him? To know that she'll need to walk through them alone in the future. He'd held her through her disconsolate childhood. He'd walked her through the nightmare of her past. How could he tell her what it felt like to know she might have to overcome them on her own, without him being there for her?
How could he? He thought.
But he knew it was best for both of them if he didn't speak of it. He lowered his head and rested his forehead against hers.
"I love you." He whispered, and kissed her softly on the lips.
"I love you too." She leaned forward.
At the beautiful stone path, they kissed in the glowing sunlight while the sky shone through a trellis wild with blue blossoms.
It was the day for Kyoko to shed her leg cast and stitches. Instead of being excited, smiling like a summer daisy for embracing her long lost freedom to walk on her legs, a small frown creased her forehead. She was deep in thought when walking down the street, totally ignorant to her surrounding. And that neglectfulness had caused her to miss the black vehicle that parked at the roadside, which brought her to the hospital.
She continued to walk down the street aimlessly and jumped abruptly in surprise when there's a vibration in her jeans pocket.
"He—Hello?" She stammered.
"Mogami-san." A familiar deep voice was heard.
"Tsu—Tsuruga-san?"
"Mogami-san, you missed." The voice was calm.
"Eh?" The queen of obliviousness asked in bafflement.
"Mogami-san, I believe you just missed the car." This time, the amusement in the voice was hard to be ignored.
A few seconds later, her eyes widen in realization. Ah! The car! How could I forget about it? With embarrassment clouded over her face, she quickly dashed to the car.
Tsuruga Ren had insisted, debated, and finally, roped in his brighter-than-sun gentlemanly smile into the morning conversation before Kyoko relented and agreed for him to give her a ride to the hospital for the cast and stitches removal. However, not everything in his plan went smoothly. Due to his attractive figure that captured too much unwanted attention, he was forced, or rather, ordered by Mio to stay in the car while she wheeled herself to he hospital. He'd planned to use the Demon Lord for a counterattack but decided not to push his luck too far. Therefore, he was in his car when Kyoko had unknowingly walked passed it.
The door was opened and closed in a second. "Tsuruga-san-I'm-very-sorry-to-inconvenience-you-to-call-me-because-of-my-stupidity-and-foolishness-please-forgive-me!" Panting, she bowed deeply in the car. If there were more spaces, she would undoubtedly fall into a dogeza.
"Mogami-san, did you run? You shouldn't be doing so as your leg had just off-cast. It would be bad for recovery." Disapproval and concern were distinct in his voice.
Ah, he's angry with me! And being the ever-oblivious Kyoko herself, she took no notice of the concern.
"Gomenasai! Tsuruga-san, please forgive my reckless behavior!" She bowed again.
Ren chuckled, "It's okay, Mogami-san. Please think about your health first before the others." And, to make sure she took it seriously, he added, "A professional actress should take good care of her body, it's a responsibility."
"Yes, Tsuruga-san. I understand." She nodded rapidly.
Satisfied, he asked, "So, Mogami-san, how was it?"
Kyoko began to describe the process and the doctor's instruction. She needed to undergo physiotherapy for a week to restore the full ability of her leg and she was pleased of the duration, as the filming of the drama had been postponed to one week later. The times matched perfectly.
"It's my fault that the director had to procrastinate the filming schedule." Her sighed in regret.
"No. It's not your fault. If someone was to be blamed, it's him." His voice was stern and his knuckles had turned white by clenching the steering wheel too tightly.
Yes, Yamada Ichiro may be the victim of fate and he could sympathize with his tragic encounter. But he could hardly forgive him for exerting such violence on Kyoko. Just one second late and she would be...
Drawing his senses back to the present, he stole a glance to look at the girl who had occupied his mind for the past few days. Instead of a rebuke, silence was all he got in return.
She was staring out at the car window quietly. Ren lifted an eyebrow. More, he thought. There was a deal more trouble in her eyes.
The rest of the journey was obscured in silence as he deliberated over the wheel.
Takarada Lory found him at the garden terrace that off the parlor of his office. He was standing in front with his back to an evergreen tree, contemplating.
"I thought I'd see you."
"Ah." Satoshi put both his hands in her pockets. "I wonder if I might speak with you for a while." He was dressed in a navy blue shirt with sleeves rolled up carelessly on both sides. He looked casual in it and it somehow refined his rugged good looks.
"Of course." Lory took a seat at one of the tables.
"Would you care for some refreshment, Yamamoto-san?" Sebastian, Lory's loyal aide had mysteriously appeared at their table.
"I'd love a glass of wine." He rolled his eyes when Sebastian disappeared at the parlor.
"He's still the same old abstruse Sebastian."
Lory shrugged nonchalantly. "People hardly change."
"What is it that you want to tell me?"
"I feel obliged to inform you of the new filming schedule since you're the president of the company of the two leading stars." He said idly.
"Satoshi, did you expect me to believe that's the reason?"
"Well..." He paused when Sebastian set two glasses of wine on the table. "Thank you."
"Well...?"Lory prompted.
"...I ruined it." He pressed two fingers on the bridge of his nose, sighing resignedly.
And Lory did not need to ask what was it.
"How?"
"I scared her." He slumped in his seat.
"For all I know, Satoshi. Kotonami-san is not the kind of girl who'll freak our easily." Sipping his wine, Lory talked calmly.
"Well...not freaked out...Shocked, maybe?"
With the glass in his hand, Lory turned to face his friend. "What exactly did you do?"
"Well...I kissed her." When Lory shot a look, he clarified immediately, "On the cheek I mean...But it's—it's common in foreign countries right?" He looked hopefully at him. He had lived in Italy for seven years, a kiss on the cheek was a common gesture for greeting and appreciation. "She was worried about Kyoko-san at the time, I just did—did it to comfort her." So no big deal, right?
Then why the hell she avoided him like he was a plague?
"Satoshi, my dear friend." He set his wine down. "Although she always seems to be cool and apathetic, deep down, she's still a traditional Japanese girl."
"...Shit." He swore under his breath.
Lory's eyebrow lifted in surprise. It was infrequent for him to lose his composure. Interesting, he thought.
"And if it's just a simple gesture for comfort, then why is it bothering you so much?" Amused, he asked.
Satoshi looked at him in puzzlement.
"At the very least, I can tell you..." Lory grinned like a Cheshire cat.
"You like her."
Ren stepped into his living room with two cups of steaming coffee in his hands. He looked over and found Kyoko sitting on the sofa, obviously musing on something. She looked beautiful even when she was frowning, and for a moment, her beauty captivated Ren. He just stood there looking at her stupidly until senses came back to him.
"Mogami-san, here's your coffee." His voice broke her reverie.
"Thank you, Tsuruga-san. And sorry to trouble you." She took the cup from his hand.
They were in his apartment because they both thought it would be better for her to learn from watching clips of those dances since she needed a week for her leg to regain full strength.
With the cup still in her hand, her mind slipped again.
"What's bothering you, Mogami-san?" He asked gently.
"No-nothing! Nothing was—was...urm...I'm—I'm all right!" She spoke nervously and her smile was just a little too bright.
Setting down his cup on the table, he took a seat beside her and gave her a relaxed smile. "It's okay, Mogami-san. You could tell me what's wrong."
"Ah...It's really nothing, you see. I'm—I'm not bothered!" She tried to give a casual shrug but failed.
"Mogami-san, you're clearly upset with it, it'll be better to say it out." He smiled again, persuasive this time.
"No, it's noth-" She glanced up and was instantly attacked by the super-high-voltage gentlemanly smile that she afraid the most. She could feel her grudges cried in distress and raised a white flag to the army of sun.
She lost. Miserably.
"Hmm?"
She bent her head and spoke, "I—I saw Hayashi-san and her fiancé today, in the hospital." She fidgeted in her seat.
When she did not continue any further, he urged, "Then?"
She looked up to him, her expression was a mixture of confuse and abject misery.
"I saw them at the garden, holding and supporting each other over the reality. Even if he's going to...to...go soon, they faced it bravely, together. The bond between them is strong, they still love each other." She paused.
She said the word, he thought. She said it.
His breathing hitched when she continued. "Like the taisho and okami-san of Darumaya, they'd been with each other for decades. They tolerate each other, helped each other over crisis, they could understand each other with just one look. Although there were arguments but somehow they survived through those predicaments." She looked away from him and walked across the living room to the window.
"And I thought that maybe...maybe love is exist after all." Her eyes were on the sky. It was dark and the stars were twinkling happily at her. She had been thinking about it after she came out from the hospital. The unfortunate experience with her mother and Sho had put an unspeakable fear and distrust in her heart, like a claw that wrapped around her neck, choking her. But as time passed by, she had the Darumaya couple who treated her dearly like their own child, she had Moko-san who was best friend, she had other friends who were like family to her, and she had...her sempai who had been giving her advices all along, who came to save her as she hoped, who was willing to clear his schedule to stay by her side, helped her through the pain and nightmare.
She turned her head and saw her sempai standing behind her. She blinked and blushed profusely at the proximity.
It will not be easy for her to break out from the chain that had been restraining her heart for so long, she needed more time. But well...she thought, love may have presented itself to her in a different way.
And Ren just looked at her with an affectionate expression.
"I don't disagree with you." He smiled warmly at her, a genuine smile.
"Kyoko."
One week later, Monday, 5 p.m.
When Kyoko arrived at the filming location, she was amazed, shocked, stunned, stupefied, and astounded by the giant majestic structure in front of her. She stood paralyzed to the ground, staring the wondrous view with wide eyes.
The production team had rented an unbelievably massive mansion in Tokyo as the Imperial Palace for four months with a prodigious amount of money. The traditional mansion was now a government property but it was once belonged to a noble family in the past. The mansion itself was 30,000 square feet and had a garden of 20,000 square feet. It had various elements that were associated with wealth, it had 3 floors, 3 staircases, 3 elevators, 45 rooms and 12 bathrooms. The team had also put in high expenses for the cosmetic changes to the mansion for filming purposes, causing the old mansion to take on a new outfit. It looked like an Imperial Palace now.
And for Kyoko, it became her fairyland.
She was talking to plants and fairies in her fantasy world when Ren held her arm, ushered her to the female dressing trailer. She was still in her lala-land, unaware of what had happened, when stylist started to work on her.
'Strangers In Dark' was a high cost drama. First of all, actors, especially good ones, they were hard to find and they cost more to hire. In this drama, actors like Watanabe Kenta, Suzuki Umeto, Kichida Hajime and of course, Tsuruga Ren were all famous, award-winning actors. Their names alone were able to gain a lot of media attentions and subsequently raised the popularity of the drama. It was not that Kyoko and the other actors were no good, in fact, the director handpicked who involved in it. They were all talented and highly professional.
Secondly, Yamamoto Satoshi was a world-renowned director. He only used top of the line equipments, which were costly and required professionals to operate them. Apart from human resources, there were costs of administration, hardware, props and consumable materials to consider. For instance, the costumes in a period drama like this, it involved either costume hire with insurance to cover all possible damages or hand-made costumes.
"Kyoko-san...Kyoko-san...Kyoko-san!" Asashi Haruna, the head of costume department, shook her hand hard enough to break her out of her dream.
Kyoko looked at her, blinked. "Eh? Asashi-san?"
Haruna sighed, she had worked with Kyoko prior to this drama. She was her charge for a commercial and she had grown to like this girl. Who wouldn't? She thought. The orange-hair girl was unnaturally polite, humble and friendly to everyone. When she first worked with her, she was perplexed by the girl's transformation. She could be whatever you wanted her to be, with suitable make-up and clothing. She was undoubtedly the dream of every designer and stylist. She was perfect in every sense except for a tiny little problem-her fairyland fantasy.
"Kyoko-san, please change into this dress. It's for your first scene." Haruna handed her the costume.
When Kyoko finally took a glance at the dress, she gasped. "A—Asashi-san, it looks...expensive!" Her hand touched the fabric timidly. Even a sundress, it was made from hand loomed cotton with silk lining. What—what if I dirty it, do I need to pay? she thought apprehensively.
Haruna chuckled. "Kyoko-san, you're a princess in this drama, of course all your wearing would be high-classed and expensive! Just be careful not to destroy them."
She gulped and took the dress from Haruna with shaky hands. "I—I—I can't—"
"Well, as a princess, I'm sure Naomi would never ruin her dress." She smiled.
Tsuruga Ren was standing at the entrance of the mansion with his manager, Yashiro Yukihito, who had been babbling for the past twenty minutes.
"Ren, how much do you think they paid for this place? I mean, wow. Look at this!" Yashiro pointed to the exquisite chandelier that hung under the high ceiling of the entrance. The grand chandelier was made of crystals, as in real crystals. He felt exhilarated by just standing there.
Ren nodded. "They invested a lot."
"A lot? That's a master understatement, Ren. It's huge, okay? It's-" He stopped and gaped at the direction of the trailer.
"What?" Annoyed, Ren turned his head. And his throat snapped closed.
They watched Kyoko-No. Naomi walked gracefully across the garden toward the set. Her hair was the color of hazelnut-brown, in soft curls that streamed down to her waist, shining beautifully under the evening light. It suited her rosy face, one that bore breathtaking beauty in its strong, sharp bones, deep golden eyes, in the full, firm lips that were now curved into an alluring smile. She was dressed in a lovely white flowing sundress that stopped at her knees, the color did nothing but refined her fair complexion. Her posture and walk was both elegant and regal, upholding the dignity of a princess.
She mesmerized everyone, including the director, with her grace. The doubt in her fellow actors' heart had vanished the second she stepped out. She was every bit the Imperial Princess.
Satoshi was the first one to recover. "Kyoko-san, we'll be filming the first scene now. You're needed for the second scene. Are you ready?"
After she gave him a brief nod, he shouted, "Come on, everyone! First scene's up! Get ready!"
The spell was broken the moment he shouted. Everyone hurried over to his or her position to get ready.
Meanwhile, poor Ren was rooted to the ground, still in awe of her transformation. And Yashiro, not being much help, put his hand onto Ren's shoulder.
"Wow."
Satoshi and his crewmembers had filmed the view of the place on the day before. They were using it as the starting scene.
Episode 1
[The camera showed the panoramic view of the Imperial Palace and started with the narration, "The Japanese Monarchy is the most traditional hereditary monarchy that still in continuation. The Takuzawa Empire had arisen with the rapid decline of the Hirayama Empire after the Rebellion in the year of 1954. His Imperial Majesty Emperor Takuzawa Makoto, who was the 127th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from the year of 1990 to the present day." The camera zoomed in to focus onto the Imperial Palace.
The camera continued to focus as the narration went on, "The Crown Prince Katsuro's 27th birthday is being held at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. When everything is supposedly in order, the situation is thrown into disarray just one hour before the ceremony." The scene faded.]
Adjusting the camera at the entrance, the director shouted,
"Action!"
[The grand foyer of the palace was in chaos. The footsteps were heavy and distinctive, people were rushing here and there, the whispers of servants rose to a clamor.
"How?"
"Where's the princess?"
"Where?"
"I saw the princess a while ago at the gard-"
"No! Her Highness isn't there."
"Oh my-it's one hour to the ceremony."
"Let's find—"
"We searched the whole palace, Her Highness is not here!"
"We must—"
They stopped abruptly when the giant wooden door of the entrance swung opened. They stood frozen as they were afraid there might be some high official standing the other end, if so, they would surely be punished for misconduct.
However, when they got a good look at the comer, they sighed in relief and their worries ceased instantly.
"Your Excellency!" They rushed to him and bowed.
"Lord Matsuko, Her Highness had—"
"Sir! Please find the princess. We—"
"Sir! We need to—"
They immediately straighten their forms and stood in silence as he lifted a hand.
Matsuko Shin, the current leader of the noble Matsuko family, was both the Head of Military and the personal guard for the Imperial Princess Takuzawa Naomi. If anyone was to find Her Royal Highness, he was the one.
"As I'd heard, Her Highness is missing?" His voice was so deep and seductive that all female servants eyed him with admiration.
"Yes, my Lord, Her Highness had disappeared ten minutes ago from her room. We could not locate her."
He nodded knowingly. "Leave it to me." He paused, and gestured to the rest of them. "Now, resume to what you're suppose to be doing." They bowed and left.
The tall, handsome, immaculate man stood at the foyer in his dark uniform, took out his mobile phone and dialed.
"Jiro, inform the princess's personal servant to be prepared in her room, I'll bring Her Highness back as fast as I could."
With a small frown on his face, he turned and left.]
"Cut!"
Satoshi couldn't believe his eyes. A perfect first shot, he thought, how impossible. Normally, actors tended to make some mistakes in the first scene because of anxiety and the trouble of getting into the character. However, that did not seem to be the case, he was able to use his superior acting skills to bring out the suitable responses from the other young talents. Their interaction was so convincing and flawless that he could do nothing but give him the credit.
Shaking his head, he looked at the young actor who walking toward him.
Co-star killer, I see.
Now, he couldn't wait for the next scene to watch them act together.
Tsuruga Ren and Mogami Kyoko.
He smiled.
A/N: My sincere apology if there's something wrong with the drama. *bow* It's my first time writing a drama, and to further torturing myself, a period drama. Mind had been twisted into a bundle of confuse mass and played trick with me for the past few days. Anyway, got it started at the very least so hope things could proceed smoothly from now on. Huuu...*sweating non-stop*
Hope you like it though =)
Thanks for reading and please review!
J Luc Pitard : A big thanks for pointing out my mistakes! XD
leavesfallingup : I'm sorry for the person you'd known. And yes I agree, it's sad and heart breaking to witness the process of someone you loved withers from fatal diseases.
pielovingchick : If Corn stone could cure brain cancer, I think the government will turn Kyoto upside down to search for more blue stones. And who knows, perhaps Kyoko would become a billionaire as the 'founder' for this magic stone? Hahahahaha. Anyway, your idea is fun and unique. Thanks! XDDD
Last but not least, a BIG thanks to others who reviewed my story too. Thank you for taking out some time to review, appreciate it! Thank you =)