Kaorin71: Ninth chapter…. Another bore-me-to-death chapter… Seriously, I'm losing the initiative to write… Ugghhh… But I'm also serious about continuing this one. Plus, there are only a few chapters more before it all ends, I think. . Well, the Japanese drama had a few episodes but it was still striking. I'm planning to have it like that. Oh well…. I'm going to apologize for Kanae and Ren's OOC-ness. It's stupid to think that Ren could get mad at his beloved Kyoko but what the hell. It's going to change anyway…. Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I don't own Skip Beat…
Chapter 9: Ocean Of Tears
Kyoko thought she would die.
As soon as she had entered the room, she quickly noticed the uncomfortable atmosphere around her. And when she turned to look at the president, her fears were confirmed. She saw that serious expression on his face, one that told her that he wouldn't let her out of the room alive. She felt a shiver run through her spine as she sat down on the sofa.
What now? She winced in her thoughts. Why are they so persistent? Why do they want to find out this secret so much? Damn it. Even the president wants to squeeze it out of me! Okaa-san, this is really hard. It's too difficult to keep a secret from the president.
Lory cleared his throat, making Kyoko jump up with the sound. He fixed his gaze at the Kyoko when he spoke. "This meeting might've surprised all three of you but I assure you that nothing bad is going to happen."
From the side, Kyoko sighed in relief. Then she looked to her left where Kanae was seated. Her eyes were fixed on Lory's desk, avoiding eye contact with her. To her right, Kyoko saw that Ren was comfortably leaning on his chair, no minding her existence. The two appeared to be torturing her with their silent treatment. It seems like Lory was the only one who wanted to torment her verbally.
Lory then picked up a bunch of piled up documents on his desk. Skimming through them, he said, "I have no criticisms on your recent jobs. The three of you seem to be doing just fine according to the information that I got. All of you exhibit exceptional skills. Especially Mogami-san."
There was a slight change on his voice when he mentioned Kyoko's name. The actress picked up on this and decided to remain quiet. She was afraid that talking might do her more harm than good. Plus, getting the president to do the talking saved her from the possible questions Ren and Kanae might throw at her.
The president continued. "Well, it looks like you three are getting more famous by each passing second. As you might've guessed, I've called you guys here because there is a job waiting for you. Rather, requested for you to take."
Ren immediately tuned back to reality. "A job? A job for each of us?"
"As I see it, yes." Lory studied the papers at hand for a moment and then went back to the conversation. "You three are recommended for a part in director Kitazawa's newest drama."
"Director Kitazawa?" Kanae asked, intrigued. "Is he the same director who got nominated at the Oscars last year?"
"Yeah, that's him," he replied. "Shui Kitazawa. He's only in his early twenties but he's already made a name in our industry. He's very experienced, despite his age. Shui is the ideal director to take if you plan on making a drama series."
So he's that famous, huh, Kyoko thought absent-mindedly. I guess I'm lucky to be requested by him.
Getting to the point, Ren asked, "He wants us to appear in the drama he's going to direct? The three of us."
Nodding, Lory leaned back on his seat, otherwise called as his 'throne'. "Yep. He wants you three. And the parts he plans on giving you guys are pretty good."
Raising the other piece of paper to his face, he told them, "Kanae Kotonami-san is recommended for the role portraying the female lead's younger sister. That's a big accomplishment, if you ask me." Turning to Kanae, he said, "This is your chance to regain the feeling of love. I hope you would take this."
"I've already thought about that," Kanae told him, staring directly in his eyes. "I'm gonna take the role."
A look of approval was on Lory's face. "That's a good choice." Then he faced Ren. "Now, Ren, you are requested for the male lead of the story. It's nothing new to you. But it's good experience for you to take this. You're as inexperienced as these two when it comes to love."
Ren nodded but he ignored the last part. "I'll take it anyway. I'd like to work with director Kitazawa, seeing how famous he is."
When he had finished talking to Ren, he went on and let his gaze fall on Kyoko. No, not his gaze. It was a glare. Lory was glaring at Kyoko with extreme magnitudes. Kyoko flinched as she saw this. She then wondered frantically how much people Maria had informed about that call. It was bad enough to have these three hate her. How much more if a lot of people actually knew about it?
"Mogami-san," Lory said slowly, not prying his glare from her. "I must say, you've made an impression on the director. He's been attracted to your acting talent so much that he decided to make you his female lead."
"What?" Kyoko blurted out, not believing what she heard. Female lead? She wondered. Me?
The man was somehow amused by Kyoko's reaction. She didn't even know how big the talent she possessed. "You're highly recommended for the female lead. In other words, you get to be Ren's co-star."
At the mention of the actor's name, Kyoko took a quick peek at him. His face showed no expression whatsoever. She sighed deeply. Well, what was she expecting? Ren resented her. He wouldn't be happy having the girl he hates so much act as his leading lady. Fate really is tricky.
After the president was done speaking, Kanae asked, "So what kind of drama is it? I suppose you are going to tell us what we are getting ourselves into. I don't want to play a puny role."
"Of course," Lory said, slightly frowning at the impatience that the woman was showing. "This drama is kind of different. It's not like those other drama that's about family problems or the likes. It's much more than that. Shui had a hard time locating script writers who could make the story so - melancholic, I think."
Kanae grunted. "Just tell us how it is already."
Lory sighed. "The story is mainly about the female lead, Hime Shiina. She has a younger brother, named Akihiro, aged seven and a younger sister, named Yuka, aged thirteen. Hime is fifteen and is helping her parents make a living. She's athletic and is sort of smart, too. She's very talented and everyone likes her for her happy-go-lucky attitude."
Anticipation covered Kyoko. At least her last job in the industry would be a good one. A jolly and super talented role. Now that was a role that any girl would want. Maybe she was going to enjoy this one, despite her disagreement with the two.
"Unfortunately, everything crumbles," Lory continues. "Everything in her life changes when she is diagnosed with a progressive and degenerative disease." He rubbed his temples, trying to think. "I can't recall what it's called but I know there's a word 'spino' there."
Kyoko felt her stomach tie into knots. The word 'spino' is there. Could it be..?
"Wait," Kanae interrupted, waving one hand furiously in the air. "You said I'll be the younger sister of the female lead, right? But I look older and taller than Kyoko!"
"Nothing that make-up and proper lighting can't fix," Lory quickly answered, not wanting to hear her ranting on. He was trying to remember that name. "Now what was it? Spinocardiac… Spinore…"
"Spinocerebelar Degeneration," Kyoko told him softly. The three turned to look at her, hearing what she had said. But she didn't budge. "It's that disease isn't it?"
He considered her statement for a second. Then slowly, he nodded. "Yep, that's the one. It's too hard to remember. How did you find out about it, Mogami-san?"
Stunned with his sudden question, Kyoko bowed her head and stared at the floor. Having direct contact with the president would bust her lies. "I w-was searching the internet before I went h-here and just found that."
No more questions were asked. Kyoko was thankful that the president bought her excuse. If he happened to see through her act, it's all over for her. She'd get kicked out of the business and spend her days waiting for her time to come.
The president leaned forward, continuing his explanation. "Anyway, she gets diagnosed with the disease and so. But she doesn't know about this at first. Only her mother. Soon, she gets into weird accidents and she starts thinking why it's all happening to her. When she accidentally looks inside her mother's drawers, she discovers her real condition."
Turning his eyes to Kyoko, he said, "You will have to practice a lot from now on, Mogami-san. It's very difficult to portray a delicate role such as this. You have to appear like you really do have that illness."
The actress almost laughed sarcastically. I don't need to act it out, she thought grimly. I already am sick.
"Slowly but painfully, the disease decreases her coordination and movements but her mind still functions. That's why the illness acts like a prison," Lory further explained. "You can think; you know what's happening to you but you don't have the power to stop it. It's like you're trapped in your own body as a prisoner."
I'll be a prisoner in my own body, she thought. I'll be trapped inside, slowly waiting for my time to come. I'll become worthless. I'll be a burden. I will…
Kyoko saw the president looking worriedly at her. What's wrong? Was he afraid that she wouldn't be able to act it out?
"Mogami-san, are you alright?" Lory asked, still looking at her. "Why are you crying?"
"Huh?" She hadn't noticed but while she was thinking, tears were trickling down her face. Now that Lory pointed it out, she became more aware of it. Taking out her handkerchief, she wiped the fresh tears from her face. No use though. More came out of her eyes.
"Is there something bothering you?" The man continued to ask, standing up from his place.
"No, it's…" Kyoko couldn't talk properly. She was sobbing for an unknown reason.
The two who had been ignoring her earlier glanced at her. Kanae looked like she was about to give in and make up with her at any moment. Ren appeared, well, neutral. He didn't seem to care what was happening although in his mind, he wanted so much to be the one who would comfort the girl.
Lory was making her way toward her. But Kyoko, regaining her senses, stood up and gestured for him to stop. "No, I'm alright. I'm just… practicing for the role."
The man's brows knotted together. Practicing? It didn't seem like those tears were fake. "Are you sure about that?"
She nodded vigorously. Lory, unable to disagree with her, sat down on his chair again. He was beginning to get suspicious of her actions. Kyoko had to be careful from now on, especially in front of these three people.
Clearing his throat, Lory set the papers on the desk. "There're no more complaints, right?" When no one answered, he took three five-paged scripts from his drawer. "This is the script for the drama. It's only for the first two scenes so if you want to get the whole script you have to consult Shui."
He held out one of the scripts. "Ren, this one's for you."
The actor gracefully got up from his seat and took the paper from the president's hands. He skimmed the pages first before he sat down. For a brief moment, Kyoko thought Ren glanced at her. But that's only for a short period of time.
"Next, Kotonami-san," he said, holding out another one.
Kanae went up to him and snatched the paper from his hands. She groped it as she quickly scanned the whole thing. There was a low grunt when she got to the third page although she did not give out any complaints.
Just as the actress sat down, Lory reached for the last piece and called, "Mogami-san."
The girl anxiously got up and walked to the desk. She began to reach out for the papers with her left hand then stopped. Her hand halted halfway in between.
She couldn't move.
Not again, Kyoko thought, panicking. Not now. Please.
A puzzled expression was on the faces of the three. They were confused why Kyoko had stopped her hand.
"Are you reconsidering the job offer?" Lory asked her, trying to get her attention.
Beads of sweat covered Kyoko's forehead, despite the cold air around them. She couldn't move her hand. No matter how much efforts he exerted, it just won't obey her mind. And she was beginning to feel disoriented again.
It's like you're trapped in your own body as a prisoner…
Before she would even collapse on the floor, Kyoko grasped the script using her other hand and muttered a soft thank you. Then she swiftly made her way back to her seat. She plopped down, rubbing her limp arm.
Lory, Kanae and Ren tried to ignore this. Lory went on talking and giving them an overview of what would happen at shooting. Kanae focused her mind on him but still felt worried about her friend. Ren stared blankly ahead, unsure for the first time about what he's supposed to do.
After all that explaining, Lory dismissed them. They all went out in a single file with Kyoko at the end. But before she went out, she asked one more question to the president.
"Uhm, what's the name of that drama?" Kyoko inquired, leaning against the door frame.
He took his time before answering. "That drama's called 'Ocean Of Tears'."
