A/N what is this? A chapter? It's been so many months since the last one! Well, you guys can all thank Cloeskyler for making me realize how long it has been since the last chapter. So here it is!

Chapter Fourteen

The next day, Seto was watching Kyoko go through the final stages of the training, feeling a bit of self-satisfaction at the trainer's astonishment that Kyoko first held a sword the day before. She spotted Ren across the gym, blocking out scene fights with the stunt choreographer, not surprised that Ren had such input on the fighting. She turned to Yashiro, who was not even watching, but was again going over Ren's schedule, "How come you are not watching? Bored of movie sets?"

Yashiro looked up in surprise, before chuckling, "I watch during the times Tsuruga is actually acting, since he sometimes asks for my input about certain aspects of his character. I like to be able to know what I'm talking about instead of spouting nonsense. However, I know there are other parts of my job than being a groupie and an advisor, so I learned to take care of other things while Tsuruga is doing certain things."

"How did you become his manager, and for how long have you been together?"

He blinked, then chuckled, "You know, I actually have no idea how I became his manager. I had been a manager for a few newbies, none who actually worked out to go very far. One day, I get a call from the President that a Japanese teenager had great potential, and needed a manager. Why I was chosen when the President had such ideas for his future, I'm not sure since I was kind of new to the business as well, but I grew along Tsuruga. It's been…five years? Six? Something like that."

Seto nodded and turned to look back at Kyoko's training, but Yashiro continued, "Something I found most important, if you don't mind me sharing some advice Seto-san, is to not become too focused on them doing their best. Rather, do your best so that they feel comfortable enough to ask you to do things. That way, they can act without any worries."

The author turned manager smiled at him, "I'll remember that." She looked back over to Kyoko, who was finishing up by bowing to her trainer. As Kyoko walked over to her manager, Seto felt no little amount of frustration at Ren who was keeping Kyoko in his eye sight. As if she would be the big bad wolf to her own daughter, that was pure ridiculousness. Kyoko deserved every piece of criticism, even if some people think it was a bit harsh.

"How did I do Seto-san?" Kyoko asked tiredly, albeit with a smile on her face.

The older woman opened her mouth to give some constructive criticism, but she noticed Yashiro and Ren were listening, though Ren was doing a better job hiding it than his clumsy manager. "Fine." She replied crisply, watching as Kyoko's face fell.

The actress opened her mouth to ask what she had done wrong, but stopped when Keiko came running into the room. "Kyoko! I'm so happy you're here! I need to talk to you," Keiko breathed out, before remembering her manners and bowing slightly to her mother, "May I take her from you, Mother?"

Tomiko frowned slightly, "Don't you have a scene to prep for soon?"

"Already did!" Keiko chirped, making Kyoko a little envious. To be so confident in acting… Keiko really seemed like the perfect girl.

"Alright, but Kyoko has a scene to do later with Ren, so make sure she comes back in a timely fashion." Tomiko emphasized the part about time for Yashiro's benefit, but Kyoko assumed that it was for her.

"Don't worry Tomiko-chan, I won't be late like I have been lately." Kyoko bowed before exiting the room with Keiko, who pulled her into an empty dressing room.

"Shou called me last night! Can you believe it?" Keiko whispered excitedly, "He wants to hang out!"

"How does that lazy boy have time to hang out?" Kyoko asked suspiciously, "Doesn't he have a new album that is coming out in the next few weeks?"

"I asked that too! He said my beauty can aid him with the lyrics that are struggling to get out of his heart," Keiko giggled, "Isn't that the cutest, corniest thing you've ever heard?"

"I've heard worse." The older girl replied dryly.

Keiko smiled, before that smile turned into a frown, "Can you believe that I don't have another scene for a week? Mom says I shouldn't stick around the set, that I should go to school…but who wants to do classes when there is so much excitement happening here?!"

"I agree…it's very addicting to be on set," Kyoko agreed, "Well, would you like me get dressed for my first boy scene? It'll be a little tricky since it's out of order of the script, but I think I'll be okay. Ren and my scenes are most important to get done together since our schedules are kind of on opposite sides of the spectrum most days."

Keiko grinned mischievously, "This is my favourite scene in the whole script! The one where your character and Ren's character fight and you beat him, only for him to realize that you're a girl, which at first makes him mad because you hid it from you, and then you two totally fall in love."

"Um, our characters fall in love." Kyoko corrected, causing Keiko to laugh.

"Are you sure? Ren's not called a co-star killer for nothing. And you two have known each other forever."

"Trust me. I'm the last person Ren would be interested in."

"Oh, but you're interested in him?" Keiko edged in, before backing off when she saw Kyoko's look of dismay, "Fine, I'll be quiet about it. But if the two of you get married, than I want be a part of the wedding."

Kyoko groaned, but wasn't able to reply as Tomiko had followed them in, "Keiko, could I talk to Kyoko for a moment alone?"

"Sure Mother. Kyoko, I'll be back in five minutes to help you get ready…" Keiko bowed to her mother before disappearing.

"What is it Seto-san?" Kyoko asked nervously.

"Kyoko. Do you have any idea how to play a boy? It's a very difficult thing, especially when you have to filter through femininity at the same time."

"I've…I've played a boy once. Tsuruga-san said I captured the feelings perfectly."

"Did he now? Then I say just filter in the feelings of the boy you've already played."

"But…" Kyoko was silenced by Tomiko's look.

"Do you have your character figured out yet?"

"N..Not yet."

"Hmm. That's the problem I find with your acting. You falter through your roles, hoping for an eureka moment. Only, until that moment hits, you are inconveniencing the staff, the cast and especially your director."

Kyoko recalled how desperate she felt to find her roles, and the different ways the directors reacted and knew that Tomiko was speaking truth. "I…I will find it, I will find my Yukiko."

"Yes, but will the director have to go back and film everything again? Think Kyoko. It could cost thousands of dollars to fix your delayed vision of your character."

Kyoko's eyes widened, "I will do my best to find the character quickly."

Tomiko thew her hands up in the air, "How long will that be? A day, a week? Even a day of shooting can cost thousands. And in this show, you are the lead, not a villain that shows up every few scenes. Not to mention the fact that you're only used to playing villains, aren't you a little concerned?"

Kyoko closed her eyes, "I will do my best M…Seto-sama!" She almost had called her manager mother.

Tomiko seemed satisfied though, "Good. I'll be watching from the sidelines, so wow me. I hope I did well deciding to be your manager."

"I won't disappoint you Seto-sama." Kyoko murmured respectfully, bowing slightly at the hip.

"Good. I will leave so that Keiko can help you get ready. If she tries to do too much and gets in your dresser's way, just tell her to leave."

"Yes ma'am." Kyoko meekly stated. Tomiko left, and the air became breathable again. The actress barely noticed when Keiko came in chattering. Kyoko robotically moved to get ready for her next scene, catching the notice of Keiko, who assumed it was just Kyoko getting in the zone.

Ren frowned as Kyoko entered onto the set. Was it in his opinion, but did she look ill? Her face was paler than after she had been sword fighting with Seto-san. He went up to her casually, but she didn't even notice him until he was standing right in front of her. "Are you alright Mogami-san?"

She startled, and for a moment he saw a flash of panic in her eyes. He felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. "I'…I'm fine."

"Did Seto-san say something to you?"

She shook her head a little too much, "No. Just feeling a little jittery because I don't have my character firmly in my mind yet," her eyes widened, "But don't you worry Tsuruga-san! I'll be able to find it soon enough!"

"You always do." It almost like her confidence in herself was knocked back a peg or two, and she hadn't even been in front of the camera yet. "Everyone has difficulty settling into a character at the beginning. Shinkai knows you're good, and won't hold it against you if you need a few takes to figure it out."

"I know…he's a great director."

"And you're a great actress Mogami-san. You have played some very difficult roles, and you manage to make them your own. It's very impressive."

A smile appeared slightly on Kyoko's face. "Thank you Tsuruga-san. I feel a little better now."

"Good, because I think we're up." With those casually placed words, Tsuruga-san watched as Kyoko's eyes flashed towards her manager, before looking up at Tsuruga.

"Yes."