Keep on trying

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! or any of it's characters.

Chapter 25

Toed the line

Everyone chatted happily about the opportunity except Kanae and Kyoko. Both girls tried to concentrate and get ready. They weren't given any instructions yet, but they felt like calming their nerves down and practising their breath. Finally one of director's assistant handed them their texts. Ogata-san decided that there will be written a lot of potential versions of the dialogue and they will choose the best one after the auditions. To make long story short Naoko was ecstatic, because it was a proof that her little experiment was right – sometimes it was the fate, that dictated the future of an actor.

Kyoko was the last one to draw lots this time. She found only one paper scrap, so she took it. "1. You have a nice fiancée. 2. I hope you will make this clear, before she finds out." Kyoko was dumbfounded. 'I hope they will explain it soon.' And sure they did.

Kouki smiled, while looking at his students' uncertain faces. "Don't worry too much. I acted the same way, when I first heard about it, but it's not that bad." he started. "You may have watched the original drama… or not, but the script for now is quite easy. Tachibana Katsuki - a teacher played by well-known Tsuruga Ren - slowly falls in love with his student." some girls started chatting after hearing a famous name. Kouki waited until they were quiet. "The problem is that he is already engaged. In this scene his student visits him, because he wasn't in school lately thanks to his cold. The girl went back to her home. Unfortunately before Katsuki walked back to his apartment, he had noticed his neighbour. This is your potential role. The text, that you chose, determinates the story, since Tsuruga-san does not know what you are to say. We think that it's a great lesson about improvisation, since you don't know, how he will react. You will show your disapproval of his actions, making him feel uncomfortable. So without further ado… you have ten minutes to get ready."

Most of the students seemed to be panicked. Acting with Tsuruga Ren himself… they didn't expect it from this cheap course. Some people started memorising their texts, saying it loud over and over again. Moko-san was annoyed. "Let's go." she commanded, making Kyoko surprised. "It's too loud in here." and so they walked away. "Moko-san! What kind of script did you get?", "Stop calling me like that, Mo!" she shouted. "It's nothing special.", "Oh, but please show me your paper!" Kanae sighed. "I've already threw it away.", "What? But did you memorise it correctly?", "Yes, it's noting difficult, really. What's more important – do you know how to act your scene?" Kyoko shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know the way Tsuruga-san will play it, so it's no use planning it anyway. I will just improvise.", 'She sure believes in his talent.' thought Kanae.

Tsuruga Ren at the same time was chilling out in the other part of the building. He knew, why the director made that weird challenge. It was his way to get through other actors' impatience. They shot almost every single scene, when he wasn't needed. Ren sighed. He hated the idea of making so much trouble for the others. He hoped that day would end up soon and he would have a chance to train his new Katsuki. 'Thinking that the one, who helped me was a chicken makes me feel uneasy."

The auditions started. They stood with the same order as previously, which gave Kyoko a lot of time to think about her role. 'I am an intrusive neighbour, who likes to stick her nose into a stranger's problem. I'm aware that he is cheating or he is close to do it. Should I say my lines in a mean way? It's a natural reaction in this kind of situation. But… it somehow doesn't feel right.' The other classmates tried their best, while acting with a celebrity. Most of them failed, tho. They were too stiff or they forgot their lines, when they looked into Ren's eyes. He was way too intimidating! He wasn't even trying to make it easy for them. 'They must be aware that this career is not an easy one and sometimes there are no second chances.'

Soon it was Kanae's attempt. Kyoko was focused on her friend. 'She will be the best one, I'm sure!' she quietly cheered her on. Kotonami-san didn't seem to be nervous at all, which brought Ren's attention. 'Can she be more professional than the others?' he smirked. He decided to do his best this time. They both bowed and Ogata-san shouted: "Action!"

Ren was standing in front of his apartment with concerned face. His gaze seemed to chase something or someone, who was far away. When he was to turn around and go back, he heard some coughing. Ren tried his best not to smile. 'No one said that they can't make other sounds." Now he was even more determined to play well. "Do you have any problem Miss?" she asked politely. His neighbour took a cigarette from her pocket and she lit it. They were both silent as she made a small puff of a smoke. "The walls have ears here." she looked sternly at him, while her voice was incredibly cold. He looked scared. "I'm not sure that I understand you Miss." he answered after a short break. She looked at her shoes and she smiled a little. "I'm not the one to judge, but there are plenty of people, who think differently, so please be careful." she said quietly and then she put out a stub on the wall. Afterwards she walked away without saying goodbye. The man was petrified.

"And cut!" director shouted. The whole room was silent. Kyoko wanted to hug her friend so badly! She was the one to make the room amazed, not Tsuruga Ren. Then almost everyone approached Kanae and congratulated her. Ren waited a little and then he joined the group. "I'm impressed." he complimented her. "I hope that we will have another chance to play against each other again." Kotonami-san bowed. "It would be my pleasure." Kyoko stood in the end of the room, lost in thoughts. Then she hit upon an idea.

AN/ Hello everyone~! Today my note will be short: thank you for following my story and I hope to see you soon~!