On the Tenth Day of Christmas

Kyoko arrived on the set of Lotus Blades early and nervously greeted the director. She was introduced to the people she was going to work with that day, and was promptly hugged by a very happy Airi Oohara. Kyoko was pleased to see her friend and hugged her back.

"I'm so glad I get to work with you again," gushed Airi. "I just know you'll be perfect as Masami."

"I've got an idea of her that I'd like to show the world," said Kyoko eagerly. "I'm so excited to work with you, too. It's been far too long."

"May I present Taira Murasame?" said the director. "The two of you will have the most scenes together. He plays Ryouta, the man Masami makes the jewellery box for."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Kyoko.

"You too," said Murasame. "I've heard a lot about you. Miss Airi says that you're a method actress."

"I suppose I am," said Kyoko. "It's just the way I act."

"That's so cool," said Murasame. "I wish I was a method actor. I'll bet it's intense."

"I've forgotten to come out of character a few times," admitted Kyoko. "Remember the audition during Dark Moon? I'd been in character for three hours before we started filming."

"I remember that!" said Airi. "Itsumi was telling me about it. It became part of the filming legend!"

"There's a filming legend?" said Kyoko.

"I was working with a few people from that set and they were talking about the main cast," said Murasame. "There are crazy stories running around about the intensity of Dark Moon."

"It was intense," agreed Airi. "Director Ogata pushed us all to our limits and then some."

"But onward to Lotus Blades," said Kyoko. "This is one of my rare non-bully roles, so I'm really excited."

"I'm so glad you get a break," said Airi. "What else are you working on?"

"Another bully role in a drama," said Kyoko. "But I'm determined to make her unique and different from my other bullies. Maud/Lin should be fun."

"I'm sure you'll be wonderful," Airi assured her. "Let's do our best today!"

Kyoko went to her dressing room and pulled on her costume. It was a loose and slightly faded kimono in green and brown. The makeup artist worked her magic, much to Kyoko's delight, and Kyoko emerged as a sickly jewellery box maker.

"I can't believe how different you look," said Murasame.

"It's the talent of the makeup artist at work," Kyoko said insistently. "They work magic, you know."

"I suppose they do," said Murasame.

"Positions, everyone!" called the director. And so the scene began.

Masami, an unwell artisan, is visited by young samurai Ryouta, who commissions a jewellery box for his beloved, a dancer. Masami agrees. Over the next few days, she crafts and paints the box with an exquisite scene of a woman dancing. Ryouta returns to retrieve the box and sits with Masami as she succumbs to her illness. She tells him that true love does not always find a way, and that it would be better if he gave up his dancer. She then dies. Ryouta takes the box to the theatre to give to his love, only to find her with someone else. He keeps the box as a reminder of Masami's words. The next day at the daimyo's court, Ryouta meets Honoka, the daughter of one of the daimyo's retainers. He impulsively gives her the box and she offers him a warm smile.

"And cut!" said the director. "That's a wrap! Well done everyone!"

"Thank you for your hard work," said Kyoko, bowing to Murasame and Airi.

"That was wonderful," said Airi. "I really believed that you were dying. I almost cried."

"Those were really tough scenes to shoot," said Murasame. "You did an amazing job with Masami."

"Thank you very much," said Kyoko. "You were wonderful to work with. It was good seeing you in action again, Miss Airi. Your Honoka was so graceful."

"Thank you," said Airi. "Want to have lunch with me?"

"I would like that very much," said Kyoko. "I'll meet you outside of the changing rooms."

When she returned to the changing room assigned to her, Kyoko found her phone ringing. She picked up, and was greeted by a panicking Sawara. "Hello?"

"Kyoko, thank goodness," said Sawara. "I was hoping that I would catch you. The President wants to talk to you after lunch."

"What about?" asked Kyoko.

"It's Sho Fuwa," said Sawara. "During an interview this morning, he announced that you two are siblings. The phones are ringing off the hook for a statement from us."

"I should have expected this from him," sighed Kyoko. "I'll see the President after lunch at one. I was going to go to school, but this is more important."

"I'll let him know," said Sawara. "Be careful and take care of yourself, Kyoko."

"I will," promised Kyoko. She hung up the phone, and changed back into her street clothes. When she got out of the change room, Airi and Murasame were waiting for her.

"Sho Fuwa is your brother?" said Airi. "For real?"

"For real," said Kyoko dully. "Can we talk about this over lunch? He's really getting on my nerves today."

"In my experience, that's what brother's do," said Airi. "Although his behaviour on Valentine's day was not at all brotherly."

"No it wasn't," said Kyoko. "It was plain weird. And gross."

"What happened on Valentine's day?" asked Murasame.

"Sho kissed her," said Airi. "On the mouth. With tongue."

"Fuwa's into incest?" said Murasame. "Good singer or not, that's a major turnoff. For anyone."

"I said it was weird," said Kyoko. "And gross. Shall we go to lunch now?"

"Oh, sure," said Airi. "It's been forever since we've had lunch together."

"You'll have to tell me what you've been up to since Dark Moon," said Kyoko. "I've been remiss about following what everyone's been doing lately."

"That's alright," Airi assured her. "It's hard to keep up with everyone. I have been watching Box R though. It's pretty good. Natsu and her gang are chilling."

"That is the intended effect," said Kyoko.

"You're playing a girl in a gang?" said Murasame. "That's pretty cool."

"Natsu is the leader of a gang of bullies," said Kyoko. "She's just a normal girl with a sadistic streak."

"Creepy," said Murasame.

"And very cool," said Airi. "She's a fashionista. I love her necklace."

"That's actually a gift from a friend," said Kyoko.

"The friend wouldn't happen to be Tsuruga, would it?" teased Airi. "You looked good together at the wrap party."

"It is, actually," said Kyoko.

"That man spoils you," said Airi.

"Yes, he does," said Kyoko. "And I have no idea why."