Me: Long, long, long, time since an update, but it's the end of the year and exams are up tomorrow XP
Runo: Yeah right, and you have been studying huh.
Me: My version of studying is special. And I have been busy because I've been doing my personal project, a weird thing in my school, which can be basically anything we choose, so I decided to do a manga.
Dan: Don't use that as an excuse.
Me: Are you two teaming up against me?!
Runo and Dan: (Shrugs shoulders)
Me: Never mind, I knew it would happen someday -_-" Oh, by the way, any lyrics in this story have been edited by me. And the bolded words in them aren't in the actual song, but I put them there to go with the story.
Reviews:
InnocentDiamond: So I got you there at the beginning huh XD Yeah you've been trolled XP I had to add something of Alice's past just because I think it was time, but I'm not done yet, believe me.
Bunnytea: You've been tricked too! Haha this is getting fun X) Oh, its okay, I like reading them anyway :)
azure blue espeon: I'm sorry about making the girls win all the time, but I already planned on who won what for story purposes. I'm trying to make things more exciting, but that won't happen for another few chapters.
RexDragosaurus: Wow, thanks for being a new reader to this story and for giving me the longest review of my life by far! Okay here we go. I'm glad you like my pacing even though I made a massively long chapter a few back from this one. At first I didn't think it'd be that interesting, but I'm glad it's appealing with the reassurance of the reviews from the people reading this story. Oh, don't worry about S.T.A.R.Z. spying, just read this chapter and then see in a couple of chaps. I'm happy this is an exception to your dislike of out of character behaviour. The characters will return to their actual personalities soon enough, but I wanted Alice to have a hostile one because that's how the story goes. I want to gradually change her. Yeah I'm not so good at humour, but I'm really funny in real life trust me. I'll try to work on the comedy even though this is a hurt/comfort story. And I know about the grammatical errors. I started this like when I was thirteen and I had a lot to learn. I'll fix things up when I have the time. I guess I do need to work on my vocabulary a little more XP And don't worry about the 'He said – he said' deal, I just don't like changing things halfway through, but I have be learning. I called Alice a beauty because it was on the Bakugan Wiki XD That and because it's like her brand for the group. And the ninja thing is cartoon ninja, not like real life ones, so I think it is okay in this sense. I realise I have been repetitive with the labels; it's just that I don't like using the same word all the time, but it's a little different in this chapter. The blunette thing was something I read so many times in other stories so I decided to use it. Besides it's an anime so outer world hair colours have to have something to go by XD The girls appear superior because of their history together, just wait till I relieve that information, and the guys are arrogant because of the girls attitude. I'll make Dan a more in character, don't worry :) Like I said later in the story is where things will make sense. Yeah, in the beginning I really liked to describe clothes, but maybe I'll settle to drawing the ones I really like, so when I have time I'll sketch them out. Sorry about repeating myself, like I said I don't like using the same words, but I'll cut down on them. Thank you for taking the time to give me some constructive criticism. It will help me grow as a writer :) And I don't get offended easily. Well I do, but it depends on how I'm feeling XD Also thank you for the beautiful stars :)
BlueMoonAngel31: Oh, Laura B! You're finally on your own account! That's great! Well I had to stop somewhere. But after this chapter I'm sure you're going to get really annoyed X)Whohoo, I fooled another one! Just kidding, glad you were sucked into it though. And you won't be disappointed about things happening between Shun and Alice in the next chapter X)
shadowwing1994: Oh, I'm glad I made you smile :) That's always such a fuzzy feeling.
Ekasari 12.7-TheRavenGirl: Man I tricked a lot of people in the beginning huh XD There will be more Shurisu moments for sure. Just read this chap ;)
Glacial Pisces: Oh, gosh! I didn't realise! Thanks for reminding me. It feels so long ago! Thanks for your encouragement sweetie :)
EmpressPyrus: Thank you for being a new reviewer :) I'm very flattered that you like me X) Yes! Give in to K-Pop! It will take over the world one day XD I have a problem with updating, but I'll try to get back on track. And Dan and Runo will have their moment soon enough, just wait and see ;)
I don't need a man – Miss A
Chapter Fourteen: Part of the Show
Mira
"Okay you guys. I think that's enough for the dancing sequence."
The director said as he came up to us. I nearly made my relieved sigh audible when Ace lifted me up from the last dip we did. Apparently the stand in dancer sprained an ankle while making their way here, so I had to take her place. How unprofessional. Alice would have laughed, or at least I think she would.
"Now you two will have to separate so that we can cover both of your scenes faster." The same person informed, already splitting up the crew in two equal groups.
Ace and I passed one another as we took on opposite sides of the site. Nothing was said between us.
{~X~}
Alice
"Wow you're pretty."
I gasped at a small sound as I felt the hem of my dress being tugged. I glanced down behind me and smiled as one of the kids working with us for the day looked up to me with her big innocent eyes. I was almost jealous of them.
"Oh, thank you," I said squatting down so that I was at her eye level. "But I think you are much prettier." I tucked pack a stray lock from her head behind her ear. The little girl giggled when my fingers brushed the back. She had the most interesting hair colour; almost a light Columbia blue.
But I think you are much prettier, Alice.
I felt my smile soften as I stood up. The girl tilted her head at me curiously. Funny how she noticed that slight change; hardly anybody did. But at least she didn't know why.
"Alice!" I heard Runo call from the other group of kids. Her arm was swaying above her head in my direction as I made my way to her, leaving the little girl to stray away to the other children playing with the skipping rope prop. "The director guy said after this scene we're going to head down to the lake." she informed me. I simply nodded in response.
"What were you doing with that kid?" she asked a moment later under the shade of the large white umbrella where the makeup artists had just finished their work. I shifted in the foldout chair we were both sitting in and stared at the same girl playing happily with the others. "Nothing," I replied sardonically. "She just came up to me." I didn't understand why, but Runo let out a laugh.
I turned to her. "What?" I said confusingly, showing a slight hint of a pout. When she was done chuckling she answered with, "It looked like you were mother and a daughter playing there for a second."
I felt my breath hitch as I unconsciously straightened my posture. "Why would you say that?" I questioned almost defensively, but I was pretty sure she didn't pick that up. Runo shrugged, her eyes suddenly went from the grassy floor of the botanical garden to the children. "You guys just looked so... mother-daughterly, I guess." I held my gaze at her for a moment before staring at the same scene.
Mother-daughterly... huh...? I didn't understand what she was saying, but at the same time I do. I felt the irony in Runo's words, although she would never know.
I silently sighed as I gazed at the cloudy sky above us from the rim of the umbrella. I wondered if this would be the last sunny day before winter arrived and took away the warmth the sun was beaming down on us today. It's a shame that things like this never last. Then again, nothing ever does.
"Will you ever have kids?"
Runo asked out of the blue. I was taken aback by her question as I took in another sharp breath. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Why would you ask me something like that?" I took in her nostalgic expression. To this she laughed yet again. "Why won't you just answer me straight?" she asked lightly. "You've been acting a little strange lately," Her tone suddenly changed; a more serious one by the look she was giving me. "Ever since the show started actually..." It sounded like she had an epiphany, although I wasn't sure of what since I had no idea what she was talking about.
"What about you?" I said in return, to which caught her by surprise. "Your habit seemed to have dimmed down ever since that confrontation of Dan in front of the vending machine a few weeks ago." Runo slightly jumped. I could swear her face was flushed. This made my eyes narrow into a glare. "You aren't ... feeling something for him ... are you?" I asked concernedly.
"What are you talking about?" she said with a flippant wave of her hand as she crossed one leg over the other, using the wooden intersection of the chair to support her feet on. "If you're going so ask if I had a crush on Dan then say it directly." Her blush soon faded until her fair skin turned back into its normal colour. However I was not convinced.
But in the end, what could I do about it?
"If you feel something for your rival, then be my guest." I said, abruptly getting up from my seat as it rattled from the motion. "But just remember why we're in this game in the first place." I stomped away to the set of kids before I could correct myself.
Instead of competition, I said game.
Runo
'Feel something'? What is she talking about? Why can't she say I have a crush? Which I don't really! But Alice does have a weird way of phrasing things.
Watching her escape the shadow of the umbrella and into the sunlight seemed very much like her personality. When the cameras are on her she is as bright as the spotlight itself. But when they're off, she's...
I sighed. I don't know how to explain it. Or rather, I can't explain it. In the years I have known Alice I still have trouble answering questions about her. I feel a bit guilty. She had done so much to help me and I'm not even halfway finished helping her. I'm in debt to her.
I laughed to myself at the reason why. It was something so small yet it was a big deal to me. And Alice was the one to get me through it all. I had to admit, my habit is almost gone.
I watched as her laughs mixed in with the children's fairy-like giggles. She held onto the same little girl's hands she was with before, spinning in a circle. I think they were playing Ring a Ring o' Rosy.
No matter what she might say, or what she didn't say, considering she hasn't answered me yet, I know one thing.
She wants a kid.
I smiled at the thought of a mini Alice. She's going to be so cute. I envisioned her as the little girl Alice was still with. If she did have a child, I know she's going to be a great mother.
But then reality hit me, and I shook my head. Alice is never having a kid. I laughed bitterly. I was contradicting myself. And it made me feel so bad that I didn't know Alice as well as I had thought.
It just took me a while to realise that, and a long way to go for me to truly understand how important it meant.
Shun
The stuffy motorbike helmet I had on was giving me a headache. I literally let a breath of relief when they allowed me to take it off after the first scene. The leather clothes I had on weren't helping the heat either. The one sunny day in autumn and I have to wear black.
"Shun!" A crew member called to me. "We need you run up the sidewalk again!" I mentally groaned but replied by saying, "Be right there!" I don't understand why they need to reshoot me running uphill on the side of the street. I'm just glad it didn't take too long to film me riding on a motorcycle in the middle of a crowded highway.
I waited by the foot of the slope, waiting for the crew on the side to prepare the camera crane. I found it irritating that this wasn't over yet, even though I should be more ... I don't know, enthusiastic, I guess? I just feel a bit on edge for some reason.
I folded my arms, getting more impatient by the second. I even felt more uneasy when the extra who was supposed to be the viewer's point of view online smiled at me. I was supposed to lead her around all day as we filmed, and so far I'm getting that eerily creepy feeling that she was turning into a fan. Or already was one.
"Okay, we're ready!" The director alerted me from afar, and I took that cue to run ... again.
The way I was acting on film was a little bit exaggerated to how I was actually like. I was more ... joyful? I hate to admit it, but I'm no ball of sunshine. Dan was close to it though. I was smiling so much in these scenes I was starting to wonder if anyone would be fooled.
As the extra followed me upwards, I thought back to my script and did the scene, apparently I was supposed to show the extra a friend I had. We escalated up the slant to a suburban street. There was barely anybody there, probably because we blocked the place off. The camera trailed after me until I came up to a doorway bearing an ancient Korean design.
"Cut!" The director yelled. "Thanks Shun. We'll pack up and move to the next location within the hour." I nodded and said my own thanks to everyone. After more than enough of the crew retreated by to the vans I leaned on one of the double set of doors and sighed. It was too hot to be wearing this costume.
I was about to unzip my jacket when the door suddenly opened behind me. I lost my footing and almost tripped on the small step leading up to it, but I managed to hold onto the doorway before that happened. I lifted myself back up and turned around where Alice stood.
And there it was again. That edgy feeling came back.
No One
"What are you doing here?" Shun asked casually, stuffing his hands in his pockets, but failed to do so considering the leather jeans he was forced to wear were too tight.
Alice blinked at him. "Didn't you read your script?" she asked, but already knew his answer. "I'm supposed to be the person you're meeting, but don't end up seeing," she explained, tucking a loose stand of her orange hair behind her ear as it fell from the white dahlia hairclip pinned by her left temple. "I'm just here for a cameo."
Shun nodded. Alice thought he was about to say something more, so she remained quiet. But when he didn't, she cleared her throat to get rid of the awkward silence. "Well anyway I'm done for the day, so I'm heading back to the hotel." Shun nodded yet again in response.
Alice slightly tilted her head to him. Usually she'd expect some kind of personal question, but now he was just ... quiet. And that made her a little curious. "Are you okay?" she asked without realising, taking in his exasperated form; the sweat on the back of his neck and his slightly redden cheeks. It had been a warm day. "You look kind of hot."
Shun, not aware of her words us much thus the silence, shook his head as if he's just noticed Alice was right in front of him. "What?" he said, unaware of how mistaken he was. The tinge of his face suddenly became one shade deeper.
Alice didn't understand his taken back reaction, so she just asked, "Are you sick? Don't tell me it was because of that run in the morning. I'm a little busy right now to take care of you." Despite the refusal to nurse him even though he wasn't sick, Shun smiled at the consideration in her voice. "So you would take care of me?" There was no teasing in his tone, if anything he was touched.
Alice coughed in her hand, but Shun caught on that it was obviously forced. "I may be competitive," she began, hoping her cheeks weren't as warm as they felt, "but I'm not heartless. You helped me even though I was your rival, so it's only common courtesy to do the same."
That word made Shun's elated expression turn into one of curiousness. "Why do you always say that?" he asked. Alice raised an eyebrow. "Say what?" The singer honestly didn't understand what he meant.
"Why do you always label us as rivals or competitors? We're from the same company." Although Shun had a point, Alice felt like she needed to restate something. "Remember what we're here to do?" she questioned, but didn't give enough time for him to answer. "Sure we're from JYP, so what? We're on this show to compete."
"Compete for what?" Shun interrupted, "The recording contract? Either one of our groups are bound to debut anyway. We basically have through the show." He reasoned splaying his arms beside him. "So why are you trying so hard to win?" Shun wanted an answer - a damned straight answer. Maybe it wasn't the right place or time to ask, but he had to tell himself: When will she ever answer me?
During the conversation Alice's eyes had averted to the cement ground. The silence returned around them, but it wasn't awkward; it felt tenser. "Why are you?" she finally said, lifting her brown eyes to meet his honey ones. "Why are you trying so hard? You're obviously upset about Miss B being in the lead, yet you say I'm competing for something that's useless?" She breathed an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms as her pupils searched for something to look at; something that wasn't his intense stare. "You're such a hypocrite."
As if it were saving her from anymore confrontation, Alice's phone rang. She answered it as if he weren't there and stalked away towards the van that took her here in the first place.
Once she was inside and away, Shun let out an aggravated groan, ruffling his slightly gelled hair. Things were just getting better between us, he realised. Why didn't I just stop questioning her so many things? Shun asked himself.
His hand ran down his face as it bent back so Shun could stare upwards to the cloudy blue sky.
Why do I want to know so badly?
"Oh god, it's freezing here at night!" Julie screeched as she held her arms, shivering.
She basically ripped the jacket from the wardrobe stylist when she handed it to her. The silver-haired girl muttered an apology to them before slipping it on in a matter of milliseconds. She practically moaned when the soft material on the inside almost instantly warmed her up.
Being beside the same river they were at on the drama mission excited her. That was, before she realised they were filming there at night, and not in the once warm afternoon.
But with the mass of people crowded around a couple of break dancers and the blasting music was more than enough to suffice for that. Besides, she thought the night is when things really got fun.
"This is gonna be awesome!" Billy cheered pumping a fist in the air. "I'm gonna wipe the floor with these wannabe dancers!" Julie could help but giggle, "Hey, what about me? I am the lead dancer of Miss B." Billy managed a smile behind the rim of his baseball cap as he pulled it down to cover his eyes. He missed talking to Julie like this, but he knew he had to keep a low profile, so he didn't say anything more. Julie didn't mind though, that smile was good enough.
"Too bad we aren't dancing," Dan said as their came up to them, script in hand. "Apparently it's only just the backdrop." The disappointment in his voice dragged down both Julie and Billy's enthusiasm that they had just seconds before. The stylist let out a sigh, recalling that she only skimmed the script upon arrival at the suite earlier in the morning. She read the word 'dance' and 'party' and that was practically enough for her to go all Julie on everyone at breakfast.
"What could be more fun than dancing till dawn?" Julie whined gesturing to the raging crowd. Dan discreetly handed the stack of papers to her while effectively taking several steps back, ducking behind a makeup cart as if he were waiting for something happen. Julie raised a brow at him while throwing a look towards Billy, who shrugged in response.
Julie opened up the script and began reading the lines word for word at a fast pace. About halfway down the second page, the silver-haired girl let out an ear piercing shriek that left Dan half dazed on the floor and Billy simply blinking widely as if he just got a wakeup call.
"We're going shopping!" She screeched while jumping up and down. Her actions reminded Billy of the kangaroo that once broke into their school grounds when they were kids. "We get to dress some extra guy up at an all-night store!"
Dan returned to the two a couple minutes after Julie had calmed down. He rubbed his left ear to get his hearing to kick in. "I knew that was going to happen. I think it's my hidden sixth sense." Billy stifled a laugh. "Dude I think everyone has that sixth sense if they spent an hour with Julie." The two shared a laugh, but the tanned girl paid no attention as she was already thinking of different combinations of clothing styles in her head.
"You guys ready over there?" One of the crew members asked. They responded with a chorus of yesses and made their way over her. With her clipboard and headset, the stagehand motioned everyone into their position as told by the director.
The trio stood in front of the camera, with Julie in the centre preparing the open speech. It was a little hard to hear her over the dance battle that was occurring behind them, but thankfully the microphone guy was picking up her voice on the mike boom.
Suddenly Shun came up behind them and slung his arms around Billy and Dan, a little uncharacteristic for him, but the fans didn't know. They all acted surprised even though they knew it was planned. Shun arrived about an hour after they had, but spent his time elsewhere. Dan guessed up a tree as he picked up the 'don't talk to me' vibe when he arrived. Both of his group members wondered what happened to him before he came to the set.
The four were hanging around the party scene by the riverside before Billy and Julie were split off from the others. They walked down the boardwalk with the camera and crew following in toe until they reached a brightly lit clothing store. Julie inwardly shrieked yet again. At least to her; everyone else could hear her outward squeal very clearly.
The silver head bolted into the shop with very amused Billy coming from behind. Julie roamed the shelves and racks with the camera catching everything. She interacted with it as if were an actual person, which is what she had to do.
The store was mainly white and was very modern. Everything was organised very neatly, not a top or shoe out of place. The store seemed empty though as there wasn't any staff around. But they were probably out back so they wouldn't interfere with the filming.
Julie used Billy as a human mannequin, picking out a shirt from a hanger and placing over his chest. She took a step back to see if it fit. She liked it, but the drummer shook his head with a tight smile. Julie giggled putting the shirt back. Polka dots were never his thing. As she did, Billy attacked her with a straw hat that she found cute as it had a baby pink bow wrapped around it. She posed for Billy, puckering her lips playfully before twirling in front of a full body mirror.
After a few inactive scenes they began throwing random pieces of clothing at the camera. This was because that was how the virtual tour was going to work. The person online would pick an article of clothing and Julie or Billy would pass it to them - very interactive for the campaign.
Later after finishing up the various scenes, the crew began packing up the equipment. Julie was humming to herself as she held a skirt in one hand and a jacket in the other. She couldn't decide which looked better.
"What do you think?" she asked Billy from the mirror. The blonde was seated on one of the blocks that lifted up a dressy looking mannequin. He shrugged as an answer and she rolled her eyes. "Relax; none of the others are here." She then continued deciding what piece she liked better. The hat Billy gave her was still on her head though.
"Yeah, but still," Billy said scratching the back of his head. "We've been doing this for so long I kind of gotten used to it." Julie's expression softened. Her smile seemed more sincere than charismatic, as were her eyes. "I guess so," she said placing the clothes back where they belonged before taking a seat beside Billy on a higher block. "But it isn't long until this is over all over."
"Yeah..." Billy let a breath out through his nose. "When one of us will be the winners and the others..." – Billy sighed – "will probably never get to see again." Julie patted his back. "Don't say that. We're from the same record label. Even if one of us loses we'll still see a lot of each other!" The drummer cracked a smile at her enthusiasm. It made him feel slightly better. Julie always had a way to make him smile...
"Julie! Billy!" The stagehand called from the top of the swirly black metal staircase where the entrance was. "Filming is over! You guys can go back!" The two waved her thanks before she left through the glass doors.
Julie hopped off the block, landing on both her feet in perfect alignment and gestured to Billy. "After you," Billy chuckled and did the same. "No after you," he said in a posh accent, which made her giggle as she skipped up the stairs to the door. She waited for Billy to reach her before exiting together.
But before they passed the threshold of the store, a loud beeping noise started sounding, and the lights from the security system began flashing bright red. Julie looked around in all directions like a frightened puppy while Billy tried to figure out what was causing the disruption. It was when he spotted the hat on Julie's head did he figure it out.
A woman in a classy business suit came running up the stairs as the ruckus died down. She clutched onto the railing catching a breath from the short sprint upwards. "Miss..." she began pantingly while pointing to her head, "That hat hasn't been purchased..." Julie looked up and saw the interlaced pattern of the straw fedora and quickly took it off, muttering an apology as she handed it too her.
"Actually, I'd like to buy that." The two glanced at Billy, who already had a credit card in hand. The saleswoman nodded as she told him to follow her down to the cash register, followed by a stuttering Julie. "Hold on, I have enough hats anyway!" she informed the blonde as he casually leaned on the shiny surface of the front desk. "Think of it as a souvenir," he said with a smile. His tone was so gentle that Julie couldn't turn him down. And he knew that. All she could do was swallow some useless words and let him place the purchased hat back on her head; this time without the tag.
Julie had to hide the blush on her face behind the rim. But just like Billy's baseball cap, he could see the small smile tugging at her lips just under the brim. She just missed the smile on his face as they left the store.
The groups, their host and the crew had invaded the lobby of the hotel, earning many hovering eyes from the employees and customers.
Miss B as usual sat on Baron's right on a long plush cream couch, while two of the B. Brawlers sat on single sky blue love seats. Of course it'd be Shun and Dan on them while Billy lounged on the arm and Ace leaned his back on the board, angled only that his side profile could be captured on camera.
The air was a mixture of sweet and sour vibes. And it seemed like the Baron could sense it too coming from most of the group members on either side of him. He couldn't pick out who was being so hostile though as everyone appeared to be how they always were, so he let that rest for the moment, mainly because they were rolling live now.
"S.T.A.R.Z. is back with its seventh mission! Wow we're already more than halfway in with some people," – He cocked his head to his right – "in the lead." The pink-haired host tried his best to maintain the laughter inside of him when he slightly heard the disapproving grunts the boys made. "In just one day, the tourist campaign site has reached over three million viewers – who by the way are the people voting for tonight's win." Baron said with a computer on his lap. There was a plasma screen television behind over the fireplace mantel that showed what he had on the laptop, which right now was a wallpaper of Hello Kitty. Anyone watching the show would question Baron about his choice in backgrounds if they hadn't known that it was actually Julie's Mac.
He drifted the mouse over to an icon and clicked on it. There were two stars – one red and one blue. The names of each group were placed under them respectively, along with the number zero below that. "Shall we see who won the most votes for best virtual tourist?" he said into the camera, but it was more a statement that a question.
Baron pressed the enter key and the stars began glowing from the bottom up and rising, as were the numbers underneath, which were escalating higher and higher. Miss B was waiting for the results to be completed, but felt very confident at the moment. The Brawlers on the other hands were leaning forwards in their seats, everyone except Shun at least, who was still a little on edge. Their egos were severely bruised lately, and if they suffered another lost then ... well, let's just say group complications with your own members aren't the best idea in this kind of competition.
Shun casted a glance at Alice, who was staring absentmindedly at the pot of daises on the low coffee table. He was just able to catch the ear bud hidden under her orange tresses. What was she listening to at a time like this? He wondered.
A whimsical chime dinged that signalled the end of the voting. Everyone whipped their heads from both stars. But only one glowed brightly, while the other was black.
"I can't believe it..."
Julie said with her mouth practically hanging in the air. Her eyes became wide and glazed as she and the rest of Miss B straggled back into their hotel room.
"Me neither..." Runo said in the same tone, collapsing on the vacant couch while Julie took the same position on the other.
Mira clasped her hand over her forehead as she leaned on one of the doors. "After three straight weeks..."said the dancer as she slid to the floor.
"We lost." Alice said plain and simply as she shut the entryway. After hearing the vote count – which they had lost – the girls returned to their suite to back up for their flight back in the early morning. The Brawlers stayed behind to do some extra scenes for future references on their win.
"Why aren't you more hung over this?!" Julie yelled overdramatically, her upper body shooting up on the couch to face her leader over the headboard. Alice fiddled with her iPod headphones, wrapping the wire around its purple exterior. "Should I be?" she asked rhetorically. "We're still in the lead with four to two. Don't get so fixated by their victory as much considering it was only one win." She placed her iPod in the pocket of her overcoat before heading towards her own room.
"It was only one win..." she mumbled under her breath, but the girls' weren't sure if she was speaking to them or herself.
Alice
Kids...
Ever since Runo had asked me that question it had begun to plague my mind.
Sure I was still upset about losing, but not as much as I was before for some reason. All I could think about was that little girl I was with yesterday morning. And the fact Runo had brought up that question. Did I want children? I think as I folded the dress I wore when the others were ... following me, to put it lightly.
"Children..." The word rolled off my tongue. First it brought on a small smile, but almost immediately after I frowned.
The question wasn't if I did want kids. The question was if I could have them. Living in the world I'm in, I wonder if I could handle it.
I laughed bitterly, zipping up my luggage as I have packed everything I had in the one small suitcase I brought over.
I wonder how she handled it.
No One
Miss B trailed into their manager's office when Kato drove them to Tokyo's JYP headquarters straight after their plane touched down into Japan. The Brawlers took their own ride a little earlier than theirs.
Their trip to Korea was over, and left them a little depresses, some more than others. But being back in Tokyo wasn't all bad. It seemed like forever since they had been in contact with Joe, despite all the behind the scenes work he did.
"Wow it's been a while hasn't it?" Runo said with a reminiscent smile on her face. That smile was the effect of not only reuniting with their manager, but the fact Chan Lee was as always by his side. Runo wondered if there was anything more between them than colleges.
The rapper even ignored the B. Brawlers, who were already seated by the glass conference table, and continued to make assumptions about the two with Julie, who was always a sucker for a little gossip.
Alice and Mira however took a seat on the table across from their rivals, respectively facing the members' position.
After Joe and Chan managed to pry free from chattering pair, the rest finally took a seat around the table.
Joe cleared his throat while shuffling through a stack of papers in his hands. "So now that your back in Japan, I'd like to debrief you about your development on you fan populous in Korea," he said, taking the sheet he needed from the pile. "It turns out you two are even more popular over there than back here, which may hurt your reputation considering." Joe glumly glanced at both groups as he placed the statistic sheet down. He then gave a look to Chan across from him to continue on.
"In any case," their publicist began, "It would look bad if you are unable to recapture the Japanese audience, so Joe and I have come up with a plan to recover from your lacking in fans." Chan then grabbed a flat remote by her hand and pressed a button. A projection soon appeared on the green marble wall between two windows behind the girls.
It showed various cut scenes from the show. Only they were scenes that seemed rather intimate if one had not seen the full episode. Cuts such as Runo and Dan's flirty quarrel at the barbeque restaurant back in Korea and Mira and Ace's dance during the campaign were featured.
All the singers stared incomprehensibly at the wall before turning back to either Chan or Joe. "What does that have anything to do with gaining more fans?" Dan asked aloud for everyone. Chan turned off the projector bolted to the ceiling before answering. "It has everything to do with fulfilling just that." she said vaguely. The guitarist was about to interject once again, but Chan continued on. "If there were a relationship between the two most popular upcoming groups, then it would definitely spice up ratings." she explained with a smile.
Murmurs were passed on from one person to another as they considered their proposal.
Finally Julie just had to ask, "But we're competing against one another," she pointed out the obvious fact. "There can't be a couple between us, otherwise everything will turn-"
"More interesting," Joe interrupted, stating it as a fact rather than a question. "The public will want to see how things will turn out. This is the equivalent to a reality show and soap opera all mixed into one!" To this Runo sweat dropped. "Save it for Tokyo TV chief. I'm sure they'd love to use your messed up ideas."
Ignoring Runo's sarcastic comment, their manager went on, but was yet again interrupted by the same girl. "Even if we were to have a 'couple' in the show," Runo paused to do the air quote motion with her fingers beside her head, "None of us like each other like that." She gestured to the opposite group before folding her arms. "We are this close from going over the borderline of hate." Runo pointed out, pinching her index finger and thumb close, but barely touching each other. "And I'm sure no one will agree to fake it-"
"I'll do it."
Runo, as well as the rest of Miss B let out gasp. Well, Julie was the one who openly sucked in half the air in the room, while Mira inhaled a sharp breath of shock. Even the boys were stunned by the sudden agreement. Everyone stared at Alice in bewilderment, except for Joe and Chan.
"I see we have a volunteer for the girls," The dirty blonde said with a proud smile. He turned to the Brawlers as he placed his chin in his palm, eyeing each one of them with a speculating look. "Now which one of you would like to take the other half of the job?"
The guys all gave unsure glances to one another, telepathically debating on the matter.
Seeing as the quartet was unable to come to a decision, Chan turned to Joe with an idea. "It seems like the most suitable candidate would be Shun," she stated, earing several scoffs from the girls, and inaudible one from Ace.
Alice however simply stared at the image of herself on the table with a stoic expression. When she blinked, her reflection blinked. When she crossed her arms, it did the same. But the thing was she didn't really know who she was staring at. It made her so tense that she decided to close her eyes and let the others squabble about whom to pick for her 'lover'.
"Why would it be him?" Runo spat incredulously, waving her hand in the said singer's direction. He wasn't fazed about her reaction, but felt somewhat insulted the way she emphasised the last word.
"Well, he is the leader of the Brawlers, and so is Alice for your group. It seems natural." Joe explained. Chan deliberated on the point in her mind as she rubbed her chin. "Then again," she mumbled, causing the others to look back at her. "It seems like Ace would be more appropriate." The bassist was taken aback by Chan's sudden comment. More in an embarrassed way rather than shocked as his cheeks were tinging a slight shade of pink, a reaction that Mira easily had caught.
"Why would that be Chan?" Joe asked, honestly lost in the conversation because this was not what they had discussed earlier on.
"Think about it," she said, pointing a finger upwards in an all knowing way. "Ace and Alice did do a mission together. Not to mention they sung a love song." Everyone's memories went back to their second mission. It hit them that the end of the performance Baron teased them if they were something more. The realisation made them turn back to their publicist. Faces of utter astonishment were plastered on their faces. Alice briefly opened her eyes to get a look at their expressions before closing them again. This time Shun was able to catch that motion. It was fast, but he took a good look at her eyes.
It looked like they were empty and dead.
"This will create a solid relationship if we pair you two together," Chan said glancing from Ace to Alice, but received two very different responses.
Ace was still speechless and Alice was ... smiling.
"I hope you don't mind being my boyfriend Ace," The vocalist said sweetly and smoothly. Her voice was like honey to the bassist's ears. He hadn't heard that tone from her in a while. "It's only going to go on for a little while, so bear through it." With just a simple smile, Alice was able to convince Ace to go along with the plan.
Joe and Chan celebrated the neutral agreement with a chorus of muddled up cheers. The other group members however were still silent.
"That's great!" Chan said with a clap of her hands as she got up from her seat. "We'll make it official tomorrow night. I'll contact the media to come here straight away." As she pulled out her smartphone and dialled various numbers, the publicist slinked out of the room to discuss schedule times with the press.
"If that's all you need," Alice cut in through the silence as she did the same motion as Chan, getting out of her seat, "Then I have something to attend to." Without waiting for a response, the singer exited through the set of double doors she had entered from.
As Alice had left, the view of the window became clear to Shun. Down below he could make out several headlights of various cars. His golden eyes narrowed as the faint shadow of people poured out, coming into the direction of the studio. The dim lights by the recreational pond feature out front reflected of something in their hands, something electronic to Shun's guess.
Joe let out a relieved sigh as he leaned back comfortably on the leather chair he was on. It seemed like things were going according to plan.
"So can we go home now?" Dan questioned with an annoyed wave of his hand. Joe yawed, stretching his arms up high before resting them on the table. "Sure, you guys can," The remaining seven were about to leave, but before the girls could he said, "But Miss B will have to stay behind for a second."
The Brawlers paused for a moment before Dan and Billy shrugged. They left the girls without complaints and shut the doors behind them.
With a sigh from Runo and a groan from Julie, the girls sank back down into their seats, looking more bored than they did before. "Don't tell me you want us to create a scandal or something, because I think this fake relationship thing is enough for one day." Runo said exasperatingly.
Joe chuckled a little at her remark as he cleaned up the papers on his desk. "Actually there was one more thing I wanted to discuss with you guys, excluding Alice." This piqued up to their interest, but the girls were more concerned than curious. When there was something to do with their leader, they'd do anything to help. So the girls listened intently to Joe's next words.
{~X~}
"What do you think they're talking about?" Dan asked on the other side of the doorway from their manager's office with his hands behind his head.
Billy shrugged I response. "If it concerned us then he'd tell us," he pointed out, "Let's just go back home. I'm seriously jet lagged and miss my bed." The group agreed and headed was about to head down to the ground floor as they were on the third, but was stopped when Chan Lee returned, her mobile still stuck to her ear. Shun was already ahead as he continued walking when he left the office, so he didn't bother to stay back with the others.
"Oh, good, I needed to talk to you guys," Out of the corner of her eyes she watched the B. Brawler leader step down the wooden staircase to the floor below them, disappearing from sight. "You can tell Shun this later." she said pulling something from her leather bound touch pad case.
She handed the latest mission sheet to him along with a blank envelope to Ace. He took it on instinct, knowing the familiar piece of paper, but having no idea what was in the letter as well as whom it was for. All he could do was stare at it, waiting for an explanation from Chan.
{~X~}
Alice
"Yeah I did it," I said through my phone as I leaned on the railing of the top of the last flight of stairs before they reached the ground floor. "I know, act professional right? I can handle this. It isn't any difference than-" I had to pause when I saw all the paparazzi crowded by the entranceway.
My hand slowly slipped down. The voice on the other line faded away till I couldn't hear it anymore. A few photographers were able to push past the security guards by the door, but the horde was only getting larger by the second. What's going on?
I was about to find out what was happening when I felt my right wrist being encased in a tightening grip. My cell dropped down the wooden planks of stairs till it hit the bottom, but that was the least of my worries when I felt my wrist being released. The same hand went up to my forearm as another hand was placed on my left cheek.
Before I knew what was happening, the paparazzi had already broken through JYP's barrier.
"Look up there!" One of them yelled, although I couldn't see them as my eyes were stinging from the tips of someone's hair in my face; someone's black hair.
"Is that Alice and Shun kissing?!"
This was not supposed to be part of the show.
Me: I'm not sure if I liked the ending or not. This was the chapter that I had been dying to get out since forever, but I don't feel that satisfied with it. But NOW things will become more lovey-dovey, in a slow moving but adequate sort of way.
Runo, Julie and Mira: They kissed?!
Me: Shh, I'm talking. Anyway, whether it was good or not depends on you people reading it. Slowly I am beginning to get the feel back for this story. I have listing to a bunch of cool songs and am glad to say fit this story very well :) By the way, did you notice how much my writing has changed? I did a while ago, but I'm a person who doesn't like change things halfway through. I'll go back and edit some things though.
Dan, Billy and Ace: They kissed?!
Me: Will you people stop interrupting me? So as I was saying, recently I haven't been as into writing as I was last year. Somehow I feel like it was much better when I was younger. Yeah I feel that old XP
Everyone: (Yelling over each other)
Me: Oh, just shut up, I'm writing the next chapter okay so calm your farm.
Shun and Alice: We want to know what happened too.
Me: (Leaves room)
Everybody: What's up with her?
Me: (Returns, but only stands by the doorway) By the way, here are the YouTube links to the tourist campaign videos. Watch them in order (Leaves again before anyone could interrogate)
Day 1: Shun (Role: Taecyeon), Julie (Role: Fei), Dan (Role: Junsu) and Billy (Role: Junho and Changsung) – /watch?v=85PZKWmKDzQ&feature=related
Day 2: Alice (Role: Suzy) and Runo (Role: Jia) – /watch?v=YF7R5PGazMU
Day 3 Guide One: Ace (Role: Wooyoung) – /watch?v=M_zYriALgaA&feature=related
Day 3 Guide Two: Mira (Role: Min) – /watch?feature=related&v=kxSjrByJnLU
Say B