Yays Chapter 8! So cool that your still with me, thanks for all of the great comments and suggestions.
So, a few responses to comments, yes I know blond body hair is usually much darker then the hair on their head (I am blonde), but, hey it makes for good story telling, so we're going to let it slide a little, but thanks for helping me to keep it real Auraya-of-the-White. And there is a BIG difference between seeing Ren naked and TOUCHING him, and if I remember correctly, she pinned her eyes to his face and did not look at his body.
Let me know what you think. Thanks.
Note: I do not own Skip Beat!
The studio where Ren was scheduled to work was huge and dark. There were several sets that would serve as backdrops for the photos set up around the walls and in the center there was a collection of seats and tables where a few people were gathered waiting for the subject of the photos to arrive. Yashiro held the door open and let Ren lead Kyoko to the center of the room before the manager shut it and brought up the rear. Kyoko looked at the people that she would be working with. It was not hard to recognize the photographer from Ren's descriptions of him. Makoto Hideaki was tall, not as tall as Ren usually was but close, and handsome with wild brown hair. He was dressed in stonewashed jeans with a dark dress shirt with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled way up. A camera hung from a strap around his neck. Not only was he a very good photographer, Hideaki was a renowned shutterbug and was known to take pictures of everything. Ren had warned Kyoko to be as professional as she could while working with the man, his lenses missed nothing. A light fear passed over Kyoko as Hideaki looked up from his conversation and spotted the party approaching. He raised his camera and took several pictures of the girl that was accompanying the male model to his shoot; he couldn't help but wonder who the cute creature was.
"Good afternoon Ren." The photographer smiled and went to greet his subject. "It's a pleasure to work with you again." Kyoko slipped into Ren's professional smile and took the hand that he offered.
"The pleasure is mine, Hideaki." Kyoko answered as Ren had instructed her to. Kyoko felt weird addressing the man that she had just never met so informally, but Ren had worked with Hideaki many times and they had agreed to use their given names. The photographer turned and greeted Yashiro in a similar manor before turning to Ren standing quietly in Kyoko's body.
"This is Mogami Kyoko." Kyoko introduced Ren. "Mogami-san, this is Makoto Hideaki." Ren bowed to the man properly as he knew Kyoko would do. Hideaki picked up his camera again and took a few more shots of the girl bowing to him.
"So polite." Hideaki said quietly before properly greeting the young woman. "It is nice to meet you, Mogami-san." Hideaki smiled at her. Ren returned the sentiment and the photographer led the group to the tables filled with equipment. He hooked an empty bar stool and swung it around for the young girl in the group to sit on. "Please make yourself comfortable, we are still waiting for Mademoiselle Adual to join us." Ren looked at the seat before perching on top of the stool, not because he needed to sit, but because it was what he thought Kyoko would do. Hideaki turned to Kyoko and looked over Ren's body. He noticed the light scruff showing on the actor's face and neck. "Did you forget to shave this morning?" He asked. Kyoko's hand shot up to her cheek to feel the stubble just pushing through the skin. Ren's eyes widened and he forced himself from the groan that threatened him. With everything that happened this morning, he had forgotten to have Kyoko shave.
"I guess I did." Kyoko dropped her hand and chuckled a little. "This morning was a little... hectic." Ren was surprised at Kyoko response, did she have any idea how that statement could be taken? Hideaki smiled knowingly at the tall actor and glanced at the girl sitting on the stool.
"I understand." Ren closed his eyes as he caught the suggestions in the photographer's words. He was slightly glad that Kyoko had not, he was sure that if she had, she would adamantly deny the implications to the ruin of them both. If they were not careful, this was going to cause rumors. "If it is alright with you, I think we can make this look work for you, that is, until Adual arrives." Kyoko pretended to think about this possibility as she searched for an answer from Ren. Ren nodded his head lightly and she agreed to what the photographer wanted. "Great." Hideaki waved to one of the woman standing around the tables and she came over for instructions. "Mina will take care of you today." Kyoko nodded and followed the makeup artists to the dressing room. Yashiro and Ren watched as Kyoko walked away. Yashiro didn't usually go with his charge when he changed and it would look odd for him to do so now when the actor had brought a guest to watch. Ren had half a mind to go with Kyoko, but it would be improper so he bit his lip and trusted Kyoko to do her best. Yashiro stepped up behind Ren so he could speak to him quietly.
"So what's it like to cause Japan's most desired bachelor to have a 'hectic morning'?" Yashiro grinned from ear to hear. Ren glowered at him over his shoulder. Yashiro snickered and backed up before his charge could retaliate.
"You know, you really aren't helping." Ren grumbled at the teasing man. Yashiro snickered a little more before turning to make himself useful.
"I am going to get Ren something to drink. Would you like something too?" Yashiro asked a little more seriously. Ren nodded.
"Yes please." He thought for a moment about what he wanted. "Peach juice." He said. Yashiro gave him an odd look, Ren usually did not like sweet things. The manager shrugged and went to buy his charges refreshment. Ren turned back to the commotion around him. Now that one of the subjects for the photographs had arrived, the crew was working to prepare the first set. Hideaki noticed the eyes of the young girl watching him work and came over to the guest.
"So Mogami-san, are you a model too?" Hideaki pulled his camera up and looked at the girl through his viewfinder. He loved the way this teen looked, the angles of her face, the glow of her skin, the way her hair framed her shapely face, but it was her eyes that kept pulling him in. His camera loved those big beautiful golden orbs. Ren looked back at the camera pointed at his face and blushed lightly. He was used to being photographed, so he did not understand why the photographer's attentions should have an effect on him now. He heard the shutter click several times as the heat spread across his cheeks.
"No," Ren answered as Kyoko would have. "I am an actress, but I wanted to see what a model did. Tsuruga-san was kind enough to offer to let me watch." Ren looked towards the door that Kyoko had entered. Hideaki lowered his camera and looked over it at the girl. She was so innocent; he was dying to get her onto film. He looked at the long jeans and fitted top that graced the girl. They were not what he would have chosen to show her off in, but they did look nice.
"How would you like to try modeling? I can take some pictures for your portfolio." Ren held his breath, this would be just the opportunity that Kyoko would love to jump at, but he did not feel right making that decision for his kohai. He waffled on the idea for a moment as the photographer made puppy dog eyes at him.
"I don't know if I should," Ren played the innocent girl, "I do not know anything about modeling." Ren looked down and towards the door where Kyoko was. Hideaki followed the girl's line of sight and came to the conclusion that she was worried what Ren would think of her if she agreed to his request.
"It's easy." Hideaki said with a smile. "And if you are worried what your friend would think, let's go ask." Ren found himself pulled from the stool by the tall man and led across the studio to the makeup room. Hideaki pulled his new found subject around in front of him and pushed her through the door. "Ren, I am borrowing your companion for a few pictures." Hideaki placed the girl in the chair next to the tall actor.
Kyoko looked up in surprise as the photographer bent Ren to his will. The actors locked eyes and she could see that Ren was leaving the decision up to her. If she said no, he would oppose the man, but if she agreed, he would do his best to make her pictures turn out well. Kyoko blinked a few times before nodding her
approval. She knew what an opportunity like this could do for her career.
"Go head." She agreed and Ren relaxed a little in the chair. Hideaki's eyes lit up like a little kid on Christmas morning as he called Mina's assistant over.
"Can you polish this gem for me Asuka-chan?" Hideaki patted the teen on the shoulder. "Nothing heavy, I want her natural beauty to shine through." Asuka nodded as she picked up a small brush and looked at canvas she had to work on.
"You are a very pretty girl." Asuka said as she ran her fingers through the auburn locks. Kyoko sat in shock as she listened to the exchange. A slight smile crossed Ren's face as he sat still and let Asuka worked her magic. She only used a little powder, a light blush, some soft eye shadow, and lip gloss to color the soft skin. "There." She smiled happily at what she had done. Kyoko did not see much of a change, the makeup she wore for filming was much heavier. Ren stood up and looked at Kyoko, he gave her one last chance to say no. When this did not come, he followed the assistant back out of the room.
"You have a very lovely girlfriend." Mina said as she finished the last touches to her subject. Kyoko was too shocked to say anything. How could someone think that she was Tsuruga Ren's girlfriend! And to describe her, a plain and boring girl as lovely, it was just too much for Kyoko's mind to handle. "You're done." Mina pulled the protective cloth off to reveal the roguish designer clothing she had Kyoko change into before attending to her makeup. "Let's go watch Hideaki have his fun." Kyoko stood up and found her voice.
"She's not my girlfriend." She said weakly, her mind was still spinning. Mina looked back over her shoulder at the denial.
"You better not tell Hideaki that. You know how he likes beautiful women." Mina stepped out of the room as Kyoko stood there with her mouth open. Her first instinct told her to correct the woman, she was not beautiful, she was plain and boring, but she stopped herself. How would it sound if her senpai described her in such a fashion? He would never say that about anyone! Kyoko gathered herself up and followed the girl out to watch Ren work her body.
Author's note: I know that this section was mostly transition and not as funny as some of the other chapters, but it was necissary to lead up to something even more fun and fluffy. I am working the kinks out of it and will get it up as soon as it comes together. Thanks for your understanding.
