Try Me
A/N: This will be a short chapter, but sets up the more citrusy stuff to come (which I've already started on).
Disclaimer: I don't own Skip Beat
The Reading
On January 2nd, Kyoko walked through the halls of LME. The day before (much to her surprise), her mother had invited her over for a New Year's meal. As their previous meetings had been, it was rather awkward. They tried to act like mother and daughter, but the past weighed on their interactions. Still, it had been nice to eat with her mother, and for the first time there had been laughing and smiling. They had even watched a New Year's variety special together.
Now it was to something Kyoko found even more terrifying – the first read-through of the script for her new movie. If she thought what she had to do for the movie was intimidating, it was even more intimidating to see her fellow actors and actresses. She recognized most of them not because she actually knew them, but instead because they were all well-regarded as among the best actors working in Japan. A few had won awards, and one had even had a role in an award-winning Hollywood film. There were only two cast members she recognized aside from Ren: a girl she had auditioned against for Momiji and Murasame.
They went around the table for everyone to introduce themselves and read their roles. Only the actors, Director Ueda, and one producer sat at the table. Kyoko was thoroughly intimidated to have a seat at the table with the talent around her. Under the table, Ren patted her leg once to reassure her. The actress Kyoko's age would be playing her best friend, while Murasame had a small part as her classmate (and, later the coworker hired to replace her).
For the most part, the read-through went well. Kyoko took many notes on her script and tried to get a read on what her fellow actors and actresses would be doing. When they got to the love scene, everyone intently watched Kyoko and Ren. She could feel their eyes on her, but did her best to read the few lines they had gotten. As they read on, Kyoko realized more details had been added, making a couple other conversations take place in compromising positions. Still, she maintained a straight face, trying not to show her nervousness.
When the readthrough was done, Ueda stomped out and the producer handed each cast member, manager, and staff member present a detailed schedule of when they would be needed on set and when each scene would be filmed. Kyoko found she would be on set nearly every day, but Ren would only be on set about half of the time. He was doing another project at the same time, so that had affected the days he could be on set.
Kyoko gathered up her things to leave, but Murasame stopped her. "Do I know you from somewhere?"
"I don't think so," Kyoko lied. "But I'm looking forward to working with you." She bowed for extra effect before leaving the room.
Outside in the hallway, Kyoko and Ren found Director Konoe waiting for them. "I knew you two would be here today, so I wanted to meet with you. Do you have a minute?"
Murasame, who had followed them closely out, looked confused. Konoe gave a polite greeting, but pulled Kyoko and Ren off to another meeting room for more secrecy.
"Is everything alright?" Ren asked.
"Yes, definitely," Konoe responded. "But I had a question for you two."
Ren had an idea what it was about, but Kyoko was obviously confused.
"Since the movie did well, I thought it would be good to release your identity with the DVD release," Konoe said.
"Only if it's just my identity," Ren replied. "I figure it would be best if Setsu's identity was kept a mystery. After all, she did me a favor, so I wouldn't want to cause a scandal."
"She wasn't advertised with the movie, so it should be possible to keep that quiet," Konoe said.
"Thank you," Kyoko said.
"But, I do think we should release your identity to the cast. We don't have to if you don't want to," Konoe said.
Kyoko looked up at Ren, waiting to see what he would say.
"I would still prefer to keep it a secret," Ren said.
Kyoko, although she would never admit it, knew Ren was jealous, but had her own reasons for keeping her identity a secret. "Murasame really liked Setsu. Because I'm acting across from him in this latest film, I would prefer not to have my behavior as Setsu affect his attitude towards me on set."
"That's understandable," Konoe sighed. "Then, Ren, would you be willing to reveal your identity at the DVD release press conference next week? You could tell the cast before it starts."
"That would be fine," Ren replied. "Although I'm not currently scheduled to attend. I'm sure my manager would be willing to work with you on that if you meet with him."
"Is he here?"
"Of course, he's right out in the hallway."
Soon enough, Ren had introduced Konoe to Yashiro and left the hallway with Kyoko following behind.
"Are you interested in a date tonight?" Ren asked her once he was sure they were alone in some back hallway. For extra privacy, he used English.
"I couldn't go out tonight," Kyoko said, indicating her clothes. Although she thought Ren would only consider a fine restaurant a date, Ren was open to other options.
"I was thinking of going somewhere casual. Maybe an American diner type place?"
Kyoko agreed, so they sped off in Ren's Porsche to the nearest American restaurant. Ren had fun explaining what various dishes were to Kyoko, and had even more fun challenging her to order in English as soon as he found the waitress was an American ex-pat. He and the waitress laughed together as they watched Kyoko try to figure out how to eat a burger when it was not wrapped up and the toppings were on the plate next to the burger. Ren was also happy to finally have good chili cheese fries to eat, something he found Japan to be severely lacking.
"You know you have a figure to maintain, right?" Kyoko teased him.
"Why do you think I moved to Japan? I can't get fat if these are so hard to find," he joked.
"I don't think you'd get fat even if you knew where to find them," Kyoko replied. "You hardly eat."
"You're not wrong," he laughed. He wouldn't tease her about how unhealthy a burger and fries were. "Are we going to get dessert to help make sure I'm getting enough calories?"
Kyoko squinted at the dessert menu that was left on the table. "Chocolate cake?"
"Sounds good, but I'm getting my own slice," he replied.
When all was eaten and paid for, Ren helped Kyoko put her coat on so that they could leave.
"Thank you, Ren," Kyoko said once they were safely in his car. He was happy that she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
He wondered if this meant they were dating, but he wouldn't ask her. He kissed her once more, this time on the lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Filming doesn't start until next week."
"At LME."
Kyoko blushed, forgetting they often ran into each other there. "At LME," she confirmed.
"I was thinking London Hearts for lunch. I'm sure Yashiro will want to come."
"That sounds great," Kyoko replied.
One week later, Ren found himself standing outside the room where he knew his costars from Tragic Marker sat. He was to wait for Konoe's signal before entering the room, per Konoe's request, but he could hear what was going on inside. Konoe was explaining that Cain and Setsuka Heel were characters he invented to make BJ a harder character to play against. Ren also heard the director's profuse apologies for all of Cain's odder tendencies, although Ren knew all of them were his fault. Finally the door opened to signal that he could come into the holding room.
As Ren walked in, he focused on the faces of the cast that was present. He didn't know it in advance, but a camera in the room was put in place to film the reactions of the cast. That was probably for some DVD extra or a variety show promotion.
One person muttered a quiet string of swear words as they saw him entered. Another kept her hands over her mouth to hide her surprise. Ren swore he saw Murasame's jaw drop.
"Good morning. I'd like to reintroduce myself. My name Tsuruga Ren. It was a pleasure getting to work with you on this movie," he said as politely as possible.
"There's no way that was you," the female lead said. The other members of the cast agreed. "I couldn't imagine you being so unprofessional even if it was an act."
Ren donned his polite but angry smile. While technically Cain was unprofessional, Ren as Cain was professional – he didn't drop character and no one found out about his identity.
"So who was Setsu, then?" Ren wasn't surprised that it was Murasame who asked.
"Setsu is Setsu," Ren replied cryptically.
"So she's an actual person?"
"Of course she is," Ren told him.
"Your girlfriend then?" Murasame questioned him.
"How'd you know?" Although he wished Kyoko had been there earlier, now he was grateful she wasn't there. He could never tell her that he'd called her his girlfriend. The look on Murasame's face was exactly what he was looking for. "It was a joke. She's just a friend," Ren clarified, although that was more of a lie than his first reply.
Director Konoe looked relieved at that answer. "Setsu-chan was actually someone I hired to act as his manager, but it wouldn't be good if it got out that she played Setsu."
"So she's a manager?" A female actress asked.
"Something like that," Konoe answered sheepishly. He had to be careful not to say she was actually an actress at LME.
"With that kind of talent, she should be an actress herself," the actress exclaimed. "Then again, she shouldn't. She'd take all my roles!"
At that moment, an assistant called the cast up to the stage. There, the press began to ask Ren about his role as BJ, along with his role as Cain Heel. He tried to answer as diplomatically as possible, but it was difficult. Luckily, Director Konoe managed to field most of the questions because he was the mastermind.
When it was over, Ren was happy to move on to his next job. Well, that was until he saw Murasame's glare over his shoulder. That would certainly lead to annoying moments on set. Avoiding them would be harder than acting as Cain on set. God help him if Murasame found out who Setsu was. All he could do was wait.
A/N: Next chapter is in the works right now!
