Disclaimer: Author owns nothing. Mai-Hime belong to Sunrise.
CHAPTER 25
TOKYO, JAPAN
Director Zhang was walking towards the studio where their first taping will be done. With a cup of coffee in hand and script on the other, she proceeded to her director's chair. Taking in the set-up, she smiled and took another sip before deciding to double check her script.
She was in a green screen studio where all the walls were covered in green. Several poles and platforms can be seen. Stuntmen and scampering crews were everywhere. Cameras were already set-up. Everyone was ready when she arrived including the superstar who was perched on a large elevated platform, few feet from the ground. She was wearing her purple yukata which was the protagonist's main costume for most of the scenes in the movie. She was almost ready to for the scenes except for the missing safety gears which should be worn to ensure that she will still be in one piece after jumping.
Director Zhang waited for a few more minutes, thinking that the crews were working on the superstar's safety gears. Her impatience became prominent when she saw men in black scratching their head while trying to explain some things to the superstar who just stood there, her attention was on the ground where she will be landing after her fall.
Grabbing her lapel mic and earpiece, Director Zhang hastily went towards the elevated platforms, taking two steps at a time.
"What's the problem here?" She demanded looking at the three men in black who were holding the harness and safety gears.
"She doesn't want to wear these." The men answered, scratching her neck. He had been trying to convince the superstar to wear them for minutes already. All explanations and logic about safety had been exhaustedly explained but the woman seemed to be too adamant to listen.
"What's your problem with harness, Viola?" She directed her question to the superstar instead, eyebrow raised demanding answer.
"I do not see the necessity for them, Director Zhang." Shizuru answered nonchalantly.
"In case you knocked your head somewhere, let me just reiterate to you that you're about to jump from a freakin' thirty feet high platform for this scene." She reminded her with a sense of incredulity in her voice.
"I am well aware, Director Zhang. I read the script."Shizuru answered, her crimson orbs looking directly into green ones which narrowed at her.
"And you still want to proceed without a damn safety?" She asked with narrowed eyes.
"Yes. Unless you want to cancel this scene, Director Zhang. It is a lovely day for off after all." Shizuru answered, challenging the director.
"Suit yourself then. Just make sure you're still in one-piece to do the remaining scenes, Viola. I want to have this movie done without having to attend a funeral in between." She said with little interest to the superstar's well-being. She was obviously not the type to babysit her artists.
"I'm sorry, Director. But we cannot proceed with the stunt if Viola-sama will not wear these." The man intervened, holding out the harness.
"Viola-sama, we need to ensure your safety. It will be dangerous to jump from this height with or without the trampoline below. Not everyone is good with freefall. Only professionals are allowed to do that stunt. Plus you will be jumping while holding your Naginata. That will be very risky without the harness to ensure you are not moving too much and hurt yourself with the blade." He said, looking pleadingly at the superstar.
Shizuru just cast a glance at the Naginata which was held by one of the men before answering the crew. "I can manage myself. Your concern is not necessary."
"This bitch." Nao thought with irritation but was suddenly interrupted by her phone ringing. She fished it out of jeans pocket before answering with an unpleasant tone. "What do you want, Kruger?"
This got the attention of the superstar who looked at her with a squinting pair of red orbs.
"Whoa. Ceasefire! Are you on your period or something?" The person on the other line said in surprise.
"Get to the point, Kruger. I don't have the time for your stupidity. We're about to start taping." She said, looking down and assessing the height of the platform. "This is damn high." She thought out loud.
"What is damn high, Nao?" The person on the other line asked.
"What the hell do you want, Kruger?" She said, dismissing Natsuki's question.
"Whoa. Okay. Okay. I just want to check if you received the script I had asked Mai to give you so, you can pick up where we left of." The person on the other line said.
"Yeah I did. You fucking murdered it though." She answered back and heard the person on the other line chuckled.
"I just think that some scenes are irrelevant." The person on the other line said.
"You rewrite the whole story, you moron! The scriptwriter will be hunting your stupid ass if you're here right now." She yelled at the phone.
"It's still up to you, though. Those are just suggestions." The person on the other line explained.
"Yeah. Whatever." She said, waiting for the person on the other line to answer. But when none came after a long seconds of silence, she resumed. "Is that all you called for?" Another long seconds of silence came and she only heard deep breaths being exhaled and inhaled on the other line. "Kruger, you better not call me while you're in the middle of having sex! That's fucking gross and disgusting." She yelled while massaging her temple. Her eyes caught the sight of the superstar's fists which were now clenched.
"Wait, what?!" The person on the other line said as if she just came to senses. "I'm not in the middle of having sex, Nao." She said hurriedly.
"Whatever you say, womanizer. I'm hanging up." She said but was halted by the person on the other line.
"Nao, wait!" The person on the other line said with urgency.
"Hurry the fuck up, Kruger. I don't have slack." She said with a hint of impatience in her voice as she looked at the superstar who was now calmer than usual.
"Ahm. Just wanna say ensure everyone's safety is taken care of for the succeeding scenes. Stunts are quite dangerous for nonprofessionals." The person on the other line said, emphasizing some words.
"I'm not a god damn babysitter, Kruger. They're old enough to know what's fucking safe or not." She hissed on the phone.
"Nao, you're the…" The person on the other line started but was cut-off.
"Gotta go, Kruger. Bye." She said before hanging up. "We'll start filming in a sec. Everyone who is not needed on the scene, get down." She said before descending the platform.
Director Zhang has secured her earpiece and mic on before going behind the series of screen monitors. "Camera 4 and 8, your angles are off. Adjust a little. Make sure you get not only Viola's face right." She said to the two camera men.
"Copy that." The two men simultaneously answered, nodding their head as if Director Zhang was able to see them.
"Lights are set." She said checking the monitors before pressing a button on her lapel which amplified her voice. "Viola, you're supposed to be jumping from the roof of the mafia lord's mansion with your Naginata. The special effects team will handle that illusion of the mansion. Just do the stunt and show us the emotions needed for this scene." She instructed, looking at the screen where the superstar's face is shown. She received a nod signifying the woman's understanding.
"Alright, then. Lights and cameras, ready. We'll roll in one…two..three..action!" She yelled on the mic and everyone started focusing on their job.
Kiyo was standing on the roof of an ancient Japanese mansion. A blood moon was reflecting behind her, obscuring her face from view. With a Naginata in hand, she looked down at her next sets of victims. It was another sector of the famous and powerful mafia organization. Men in black with their samurai were seen loitering everywhere. Some were securing their posts while others were having a good laugh like a good tidings had come.
"Let the moon be a witness to the justice that I shall be serving in your honor, my love. I shall not rest until this place is flooded with every single soul's blood. By will of Kami, these souls shall not be touched by the ray of sunlight which they deserve not." Kiyo said, closing her eyes and inhaling a deep breath as she tilted her head to the side.
The moon's light was reflecting half of her face while the other one remained dark and invisible. Taking one last breath and exhaling it, she gripped her Naginata tightly that one can almost see her knuckles turning white. She slowly tilted her head forward and opened her eyes, revealing dark red orbs full of vengeance and hatred. A sinister aura was enveloping her body. She walked towards the edge of the roof before gracefully spreading her arms like a carefree bird and slowly descending down from the height. Her Naginata still held securely, she landed in the middle of the drunken men.
"Intruder!" One men yelled, causing everyone to stand on their ground.
"That is the infamous red-eyed soul taker!" Another one yelled.
Apparently, news of some of their organization's sector being wiped out by an unknown enemy had reached their ears hence, the added security was immediately implemented. More men were sent on night patrol since, the enemy only attacked at night.
"Subdue her!" Another one yelled.
Soon, all men charged in with their samurai ready.
"I am glad no further introduction is needed on my part." Kiyo said smirking as she raised her blood covered hand that was holding the Naginata. "Come at once and meet thy pitiful fate." She said as she started swinging her blade.
Kiyo gracefully slaughtered all the men in the vicinity leaving no lone soul alive. She stood in the middle of corpses with a sinister smile on her face. Dead men littered everywhere and tables were turned upside down. Everything was chaos. Just like how she intended it. She looked at the moon and closed her eyes as if in prayer. She was drenched in blood all over. A few seconds of silence passed before she slowly dragged her Naginata towards the entrance of the mansion. She picked a lighted wood on the way and tossed it backwards, leaving the entire place ablaze. She continued her strides with the burning mansion behind her background.
"Cut! Saved!" Director Zhang immediately yelled once the scene was over. "We need medics here! Pronto!" She yelled once again after seeing the superstar's hand was drenched in blood.
Apparently, the woman had cut her hand with the Naginata when she descended down. Director Zhang was about to pause the filming but the woman just glared at her screen as if sending her a message to continue. Well, at least that was how it appeared to her.
"Damn woman." She muttered as she hastily walked towards the superstar who was immediately surrounded by onsite paramedics. "How bad was it?"
"We have a deep cut here. A few stitches will fix her, though." The paramedics answered while holding the superstar's arm and applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
"Bring her to the hospital. I'll ring her manager to inform of her situation." Director Zhang said but was interrupted by the superstar.
"There is no need for that, Director Zhang." Shizuru answered, looking at the director.
"Shut the fuck up and get your ass to the hospital." Director Zhang fired before addressing the paramedics. "Get her there now."
"Y-yes, ma'am." The paramedics stuttered, surprised by the young director's choice of words. Even the superstar was not expecting that answer.
She pressed a button on her lapel before speaking. "Everyone, that's a wrap. We'll resume on another day. Thank you for your hard work." She said before immediately retrieving her phone and dialing a number.
Haruka and Yukino were inside the video conference room. The meeting with the United Nations' representatives had just ended.
Yukino removed her glasses and started wiping it clean. "I am afraid I cannot accompany you this time, Haruka-san. I need to go to New York by next month. There will be a stockholders meeting and as Shizuru-san's trustor and representative, I need to be there. I am afraid decisions will be made on that meeting that will determine the company's future management. The board of director's meeting is fast approaching. Saeko-san will not require my presence unless something urgent needs to be addressed."
"Hmnn." Haruka nodded while tapping her fingers on the table. "I'm still considering her movie contract in New York. I don't think it's a good idea. She's better off here." She said pensively.
"Her current movie will be ending in a few months. That New York movie will be a good distraction for a while. In addition, it will be a good opportunity to keep her away from the scandals here. Given that she will agree to go to New York that is." Yukino answered before putting her glasses back.
"It's not her choice to make." Haruka answered, crossing her arms.
"Haruka-san, she is on the right age to decide. She is doing fine now." Yukino said with a little frown at her companion's obvious stubbornness.
"She was fine until Kruger…" Haruka started but settled on puffing an air out instead of finishing her sentence.
To say that she was disappointed with what happened was an understatement. The director just disappeared like a bubble without a trace.
"It is not for us to intervene, Haruka-san." Yukino reminded before reaching for her cup of tea on the table.
"Father is requiring my involvement in the company but I can't leave her yet." Haruka confessed with all seriousness in her face. "I thought Kruger was a good choice."
"I see." Yukino was not surprised by the news. Her friend had a huge responsibility on her shoulder but chose to be on the superstar's side to honor her words to the woman's father. As the only heir to the fast growing global construction company and the inevitable retirement of Haruka's father, the woman had no choice but to fulfill her familial obligation. "How soon?" She inquired, looking at the woman who glared at the table.
"As soon as possible. They are already preparing the turn-over." Haruka answered, sighing.
"Maybe we can give the New York contract a chance. I will be with her. That will make things easier for both of us. I will be able to do my job as her trustor without leaving my eyes off her." Yukino suggested, trying to make a way of the situation.
"I will consider it but for now, it's a no." Haruka said before glancing at the folder in front of her.
"That is alright for me, Haruka-san. But please think about it." Yukino said, before leaning on her seat. She was stiff from the earlier video conference meeting with the United Nations' representatives.
"I need to talk to Director Zhang to arrange Viola's schedule. This will cause some delay in her timeline. She will be out for two weeks." Haruka said, looking at her companion for approval.
"I believe that is necessary given how keen Director Zhang is in finishing this movie on time." Yukino added in.
"Viola will be a problem than her. I don't think she'll be willing to be place in a rural area for two weeks. That woman is a party animal." Haruka said with her eyebrows scrunched.
"Viola-san was not like that before. Besides, it is for a good cause. Let us just pray that the Shizuru-san that we knew before is still there within her." Yukino said before remembering something. "Ambassadresses and ambassadors from different countries will also be there so, she should be fine. She have met some of them and are in good terms."
"Hmn." Haruka nodded. "We can't accompany her. She will be on her own." She said, massaging her forehead.
"She will be fine, Haruka-san." Yukino re-assured her.
"I hope so, Yukino." Haruka said, looking at the folder once again. "She will be leaving in one week. I need to-.." she said but was halted with the ringing of her phone.
She looked at the device on the table before looking at the caller ID. Confusion crossed her feature when she saw who it was. "Director Zhang." She greeted.
"Suzushiro, Viola is in the hospital right now. She-…" The person on the other line started but was immediately interrupted.
"What?! What hospital?! What happened to Viola?!" Haruka bellowed after abruptly standing up, causing her companion to panic. "Answer me, Zhang!" She said, pounding on the table.
"Geez, woman. Will you chill the fuck down? You're killing my ears." The person on the other line answered with irritation. "Just a little accident on the taping. She'll live." She continued nonchalantly.
"Where is she, Zhang?" Haruka demanded in her tone full of authority.
"I asked the paramedics to send you the hospital address. Like what I said, she's safe." The person on the other line said in an attempt to calm Haruka down.
"That's for us to tell when we see her, Zhang." Haruka hissed.
"It was her decision to jump from a fucking thirty feet tall platform with her Naginata harness-free, Suzushiro. If there's something to blame for the shit that happened, that will be her own stupidity and stubbornness." The person on the other line said before hanging up.
"That woman is impossible!" Haruka grumbled as she gripped her phone tightly.
"What happened to Shizuru-san, Haruka-san?" Yukino asked worriedly.
"She jumped from a thirty feet platoon without a harness and with her Naginata. That woman is too much, Yukino. She's becoming suicidal!" Haruka seethed.
She was both worried and mad. But knowing her, she was better in showing her anger than her concern for the superstar.
"Oh, Kami-sama." Yukino said, touching her heart in worry and concern while completely ignoring Haruka's wrong word usage. "Shizuru-san, what have you done?"
How does Shizuru going to India sound? Let's put Natsuki in some tight situation, shall we? The three of them in one place. Let's see how Natsuki will handle things.
Some of your questions will be answered soon. Until next time, folks.
PS: I'm considering Alyssa by the way because I personally root for her. Now, convince me as to why Shizuru deserves Natsuki.