Episode 27: Storming the Cloudy Moon
"My Mio… Mio who will lives in your Dark Moon, so that we can dispel the cloud of Tsukigomori. I promise you that...The wind of change is coming."
To blow the cloud of Tsukigomori away and made way for Dark Moon.
Hiroaki shivered, his heart was racing but not with agony but excitement. It was the same feeling he felt when he saw the angel, Luce lifted her beautiful face that twisted in madness. That this actress would be his Mio for Dark Moon, she could surpass Mio of Tsukigomori.
Always concerned by someone else's gaze,
I should abandon
my cowardly self
That song kept echoing to his heart, and he knew it was because deep inside his heart he wanted to do what said in that lyric, abandoning his cowardly self.
I keep on searching for the key to the locked door
But I stumble without finding the right answer
"Alright…" He steeled his heart. "We will conduct an acting test." If this would bring him the right answer, so be it.
Iizuka gaped at him, for a moment she saw the glimpse of Date-kantoku and she couldn't say no to him.
Meanwhile (Fuji TV)
"Shou… whatever happen beyond this door, promise me you'd better bite your tongue than saying something that will haunt your career for years to come." Shouko told him seriously, looming over him intimidatingly.
To be honest he was a little scared of Shouko now. "Shouko-san… I get why you're worried since I would be in the same show as that Star-trash group." Her glare made him correct his words. "I mean Stardust group… I won't let them to bait me to do anything stupid."
"I doubt it very much they would taunt you, they say one thing about Touya-san and you will fly into a rage." She crossed her arms in annoyance.
Shou scowled at that, "I won't lose control over her!"
"Could have fooled me." Shouko trailed off with a voice that dripped in sarcasm. "You said you still think she belongs to you, but guess what Shou? It never matters what you think, because Touya Kyouko is a person, a great actress and one of brightest talent of LME… she doesn't belong to you!"
Shou opened his mouth, "Eight years together… and devoting herself to me, I'd think I have right to think so."
"You still say such cruel words…" Shouko really started to see her charge in new light, a spoiled boy who used to have something precious and took it for granted. The girl had became beautiful and shone so brightly, and he refused to acknowledge he had been foolish to throw her away, no, he thought he never lost right to claim her.
"Shou… think what you want, I wish I can change that." But she was just a manager. "But… as soon as that door is open, you're Fuwa Shou… you belong to your fans and Touya Kyouko is just another actress who happen to act in your PV."
The message was clear, you were no one to her.
Shou accepted that message and endured the talk show, he even managed to hold back sneering at the group of younger boys in matching get up he personally thought was so lame. Even lamer when the cream haired boy by the name Nayuki admitted their clothes was original design of his twin sisters.
Then the basic questions on their life finished the host of the show asked about their newest PV and single.
He performed first, stepping forward in his leather clad glory.
I'm prisoner in paradise!
You've been pierced with my darkness!
I'm prisoner in paradise!
It's a thorn you'll never pull out!
I'm imprisoned by a love,
That's cruelly beautiful.
His mind wandered over Kyouko, Luce whose beautiful crying face haunted his dreams for days. He squashed that feeling and continued to sing till the end, pushing the vivid image to the corner of his mind.
So focused in his song and audience Shou didn't notice Stardust Group narrowed their eyes in unison, Hoshitani in particular looked out of character with how much he squinted and straining his ears. 'Just now he sounds a little different before his voice turned… unfeeling as usual.'
He was not imprisoned by that plain and boring girl!
I'm imprisoned by a love, that's cruelly beautiful! He sang the last chorus.
Then his PV started to play in the background as he returned to his seat, a single sofa across a much bigger one occupied by Stardust Group. He couldn't help but feel smug when the audience was mesmerized by his cool devilish look on screen, and held back his annoyed growl when they were more shocked to see Kyouko's Luce.
"So beautiful! Is she even human?" The host was a guy, by the name Maeno and Shou wanted to rip his eyes off of its socket if the guy didn't stop staring at Kyouko's tearful face.
He checked his cue cards, "And surprise everyone! This beautiful fallen angel is no other than Touya Kyouko, the new rising actress of LME!"
Why were they talking about Kyouko?! She was just Kyouko!
"And she is also playing in Stardust group's PV!" Maeno added with a wink. "Twice, for both Tengenji-kun's and Tsukigami-kun's! Whoaa, is this mean Touya Kyouko will appear in all single PV of yours?" He asked expectantly and it clicked on the lone singer that the host was just trying to connect the topic between him and the group smoothly.
It was grating to think he and this group had 'Kyouko' in common of all things.
It was Hoshitani, the leader who answered. "We would love to have the opportunity to act against her in our PV, there's nothing official yet but Kyouko-senpai is kind enough to promise us that she won't refuse to act with us in our PV again."
"Wonderful! That means we can look forward for three more amazing PVs, collaboration between Stardust Group and Touya Kyouko." He cleared his throat. "There's some that says PV Tenka no Hana is a romantic song… but Ayanagi record denied that, they says none of the single you have released is romantic in nature why is that? I mean you guys are all attractive boys so I can't imagine why you won't create romantic song like..." He trailed off glancing at the lone singer. "Fuwa-kun's Prisoner."
Shouko who was on backstage clutched her chest, 'Shou! Please be still my heart!'
Otori Itsuki glanced at the other manager, 'Fuwa's manager hm… nothing's happening on stage and yet why she looks like the end of the world is near?'
Tengenji cleared his throat and looked straight at Shou in the eye, "It's simple really… all five singles from each of us have one." He held up his index finger. "Same theme or rather… one concept, is that how we sing a song that reflect ourselves the most…"
His eyes narrowed, "So while it's a shame we won't release a romantic song, there's no way… we can release such a lie when we're still available and still looking for the one." Shrugging, as shaking his head at the ridiculous idea of selling a song they had no feelings for.
Shou tensed, 'Just now he, no, they are challenging me?!' But on what? It was clear there was a bait dangling somewhere in his words, but Shou couldn't tell in which part.
"My Tenka no Hana for example is telling my love for transient nature in Kabuki arts, my family heritage... Kyouko-senpai's flower spirit is personification of nature beauty…" Tengenji elaborated, "It seems romantic in vague sense but it's more about my philosophy of life and not love."
Maeno hummed, "So there's a concept that ties your singles together as a group… how interesting! The singles in a way is introducing yourself to the world…"
"Yes." It was Tsukigami who answered now. "Basically we're baring our soul to all of you, telling you one message." The blue haired boy tapped his lips and whispered one line that picked up by sensitive mic pinned on his collar.
"This is me, please accept us the way we are."
Then they said in unison. "We're Stardust Group!" Earning a round of applause from audience.
Shou clicked his tongue, 'Show off, just because there's five of you didn't mean you can beat me!'
"Wow, all these heartfelt talk make us can't wait to see your PV, Tsukigami-kun!" Maeno gushed, "So would you mind if we show the PV before your performance?"
He could feel the familiar feeling of dread but Hoshitani had one hand around his shoulders and Nayuki was holding his hand. Kuga and Tengenji didn't say anything but the look they sent was encouraging. They had practiced this scenario, he was not going to give in to his panic! He was not alone!
"Of course." He answered confidently. "Listen to my song!"
Then the PV started to play, and the scene of him walking in crowded street at night appeared. The camera zoomed in to his hesitant steps that slowly became steady and the scenery faded to a grand theater. The floor was flooded by shallow water, and it wa rippling in tune with the melody.
There was a pipe organ with spinning gears in copper color, and then a single spotlight fell on him and another to a statue of goddess with white opera mask, wearing toga, staff with cresent moon top. The pedestal was high and shaped like a cliff with steep steps that spiraled down.
The marble statue of goddess came to life, starting from the tips of her finger and the tilting neck so the goddess was looking down on the singer. Tsukigami gasped in shock as she flew down from her pedestal and landed gracefully before him, fingers fanned below her chin, giving impression that the goddess was appraising him. Then she swung her staff in graceful arch, and the boy fell on his knees, splashing the shallow water
The wooden floor below rippled and suddenly golden frames of sky in various size rose, circling around the stunned boy. He rose and looked around the reflected sky on the frame with a frown marring his perfectly sculpted face. His attention was distracted and suddenly in place of a goddess was a doppelganger who was unlike him in school uniform was dressed in elaborate white suits jacket, blue undershirt, pocket watch hanging from his pocket breast, pale blue bow tie and dark grey pants with white line on both sides. The double's face was shadowed so they could only see the bottom half of his face.
I stretched out my hands
to the cloudless sky as a child.
There was a shower of white petals over the double as he stretched his hand out to Tsukigami. Their hands reached for each other as if to meet in a handshake but then the doppelganger's pulled away, and their hands slid away smoothly over each other.
Tsukigami's eyes stared at the nothingness vacated by his double sadly, before he started to sprint.
Before I know it,
I have given it up as a distance I couldn't reach!
Then the doppelganger appeared again, and Tsukigami chased after it to a surrealistic labyrinth full of ivory colored steps and doors that glowed faint blue under the light, giving the space eerie atmosphere.
I was always chasing after someone's back! Ooh~
Now Tsukigami was in pursuit, desperate to reach his doppelganger but it danced away from him. Twisting, jumping, and crossing over the steps elegantly in contrast of the boy's reckless and desperate run. Then at last he caught up but before he could grab his double, it opened the door it was leaning on and twisted around before pushing Tsukigami through the door to endless void.
And the things I had started to look fake! O-Ooh~
The boy cried out as he fell, and the goddess appeared again following his fall. Long graceful fingers slipped under the mask and they could see her luscious lips mouthing.
"Are you going to stop here?"
His blue eyes snapped open in defiance and he stopped falling, landed gracefully back to the flooded theater with a splash of water droplets and flower petals. The goddess' mask was back on its place, arms spread out, her body tilted slightly to sides, her whole body language screamed joy and excitement. Then she spun around, her veil thrown away to camera and when the view was cleared the goddess morphed back to Tsukigami's double.
Then the two walked in parallel, hand reached out for each other.
There was a place I couldn't reach!
No matter how much I walked!
Suddenly their steps were in line and there was no longer any distance between them. Then the double and Tsukigami was face to face, head tilted as if they were about to kiss. Then a shower of white petals shrouded everything from sight, and as it cleared Tsukigami emerged, dressed in clothes his doppelganger wore.
I rejected the picture of myself I imagined, He sang as he danced, the frames appeared again, reflecting his dancing limbs that expressed his frustration. The mirrors broke and Tsukigami flailed as if he was at a lost.
Screaming! He opened his mouth in silent scream, as he kicked the water in frustration. Crying! Tears started to stream down his blue eyes, and the goddess was there right in front of him.
Praying with all my heart! Ooh~
He fell on his knees, fingers laced in prayer as his head hung in desperation and hope over the goddess' lap. Her hands ghosted over his cheeks, lifting his head up so he could look at her ivory mask covered face. His hands reached out and took the mask off, but all they could see was the bottom half of her shadowed face. Even so there was no doubt the Goddess was beautiful.
She leaned down and whispered a prayer before she flew away. Tsukigami reached out but she was out of his grasp.
Releasing my hoarse voice into the infinite sky!
In the limited sky…
Storm of petals shrouded him again and Tsukigami was back in his uniform, the magic was over. He looked at the goddess, she had turned back to a statue but now she had both of her hands open and looking down at him, as if saying she would be with him always…
In the limited sky!
He gathered a handful of petals floating on the water and threw it to the sky, and the petals blown away by the wind, swirling around the goddess before escaping to the skylight. He reached out a hand towards the goddess and the sky before clenching his fist, as if in promise he would get them one day.
In the limited sky!
And the sky would be open to him one day.
There was a long silence after the PV finished playing, jaws dropped open especially Maeno's who was in danger of dislocating his jaw. Then at last he found his voice, "That's…"
As if on cue the audience broke to cheers, their applause was deafening.
"Incredible!" Maeno screamed over the applause, unable to hold back anymore. "No wonder you guys called your PV an artistic collaboration instead… it's a musical performance!"
Otori on the backstage hummed, clapping along with the audience. "Good job boys~ ha ha ha…"
Shouko was expecting another PV that was better than Prisonner, it was given considering Tsukigami Kaitou was a talented singer and even more better actor than Shou could ever hope to be but this… "Why a musical?"
Otori overheard that, "Ara, you don't know? In the first place my boys are never debuting as singers… most people are just assuming. They're first and foremost a musical actor… each of their PV is meant as their very own musical drama."
A musical drama.
"Perhaps it's arrogant of me to say this, but even if my boys are newcomers… when it comes to quality of their drama, there's no way we would lose to a mere PV." There was no arrogance in his voice, merely stating the obvious. "Beside… now that I heard both Fuwa-kun's and Tsukigami's song in turns, I can't help but wonder Aki-san…"
Then Shouko was reminded Otori Itsuki was also a performer, and Akatoki once was after him but soundly rejected. "Wonder what?"
"He has such a good voice…" Otori trailed off, "Technique wise I could tell he didn't get as much as formal training as my boys but Fuwa-kun is very talented it didn't matter, but…" He frowned at her. "What is he thinking? Singing a song that's so empty of feelings, I can't even tell if he is serious or not."
Just from one song he could tell?!
"Oh well, it's none of my business but… now he is on the top but if he go on like this. Fuwa-kun can be replaced with just by anyone, what a shame…"
"What did you just say?!" Shouko was angry now. "You can't just-"
Otori didn't seem to care he had offended Shouko, "Oh, but I can… there's a very good reason why our President insist on going through so much trouble with theme reflection for our boys. Because… no matter how hard stars after them try, they can't be replaced… style and song could be imitated, but now the world know them as a person… imitators is the least of our worries."
True, just like that a group of newcomers like Stardust had successfully escape typical idol status. Something that Shou who had been in industry for one and half a year couldn't escape yet.
"Your boy in the other hand… it's just about time someone would get an idea to replace him, and that's it for him." Otori shrugged, "He is replaceable not because he is no good, but because he didn't pour his soul in his song… the current him… he is replaceable Aki-san."
His words sounded like a death sentence to Shouko.
"His songs are lies, and everyone can lie as well as him…"
Even she couldn't deny that.
Seirin High School
"Even though I said I'm ready… actually not quite." She admitted sheepishly, blushing like a tomato.
That caught everyone who had gathered in secluded corner of the school off guard, namely main cast plus Iizuka-san and handful of crews plus Ogata-kantoku. "Uhm… not ready, why?" Ogata-kantoku asked nervously, she looked so confident just now.
"Eeh… I have Mio's character down but my hair is a little…" She trailed off unsurely, "The image I have for Mio didn't fit this hairstyle." Kyouko admitted as she took off her wigs and the wig cap, exposing her natural ebony hair.
Ogata-kantoku frowned at that, "Is the hair that important? We don't have a lot of wig in stock." And she was the only one who needed it.
Kyouko nodded, "Very much! If not it would be like expecting you to see one color game in chuugen and expect you to understand the flow!"
"Oh, I see!"
Iizuka-san snapped, "Not all of us play Go here! So don't expect everyone to get that parable!"
Itsumi glanced at Ren who didn't seem confused, in fact he had a fond smile on his face. "Uhm, do you understand what Touya-san is getting at… Tsuruga-san?"
Ren chuckled softly, "One color game she meant is where a game of Go is played using stones with the same colors, testing memory and analysis ability to their limit…" He saw her playing it once with Yun-sensei, it was no wonder she had such a strong memory and logic. To amateurs it would look like brain torture instead of training.
"So looking at the game halfway not from the start would confuse anyone… so what Touya means is no matter how good she act her Mio, her looks now would get on the way as her appearance and act would clash."
"Oh." Itsumi nodded sagely. "Why didn't she just say so?"
The actor didn't even miss a beat to answer that. "Because she is from Kyoto." Ren sighed, "Subtlety is already rooted in her very being."
So she was not a native from Tokyo? She didn't have any kansai accent in her Japanese though, but then again she could speak Korean like a native, so speaking Japanese without regional accent would be an easy feat. But still…
Momose glanced at her co-star, 'They're not kidding he can comprehend her nonsensical ramblings…' So they were really 'best' friends, what a strange relationship. How long they knew each other again? He acted like he knew her for her whole life.
"Hm… I am sure I bring a scissor, here it is!"
Their jaws dropped when Kyouko fished out the sharp scissors from her bag and pulled looked around for mirror, her intention was clear. "Ah, Kantoku can I ask for makeup crew to-"
The new thing they knew Tsuruga Ren was by her side and the scissors was snatched away from her hand. "What are you trying to do with such a sharp thing, Touya?" He asked, fake gentleman smile firmly in place.
"Huh?" She looked at empty hand and the much larger hand holding her scissors. "Isn't it obvious? It's emergency so if we have no wig we can just cut my hair…"
Ren was ticked, how could she be so flippant about her hair?! "You're a girl, treasure them." She had such a long and luscious locks too, he would know since there was more than one reason why he developed a tendency stroking her head since they were young.
"It's not like I will make myself bald… I'm just going to cut them short!" Why he acted like she was going to renounce his femininity or something?! "Give that back!"
"No way." He held the scissor up, out of her reach. "Just tie your hair or something, weren't you told to compromise once in awhile?"
"I don't want to hear this from someone who refuse to quit when he had thirty nine degrees fever!" Kyouko retorted, jumping to reach the scissor.
Ren's left eye twitched, and he scooted away from her."You're one to talk, I'd think jumping to icy water for modelling job is worse…"
They started chasing each other back and forth, never once breaking elegant stride that ingrained in their body. "How long you're going hold that against me, again?!" As if she didn't hear that enough from other people.
"Right back at you, Touya."
Someone cleared his throat, that was their managers. "Tsuruga-kun, Kyouko… not again."
"Ren… Kyouko-chan…" Yashiro groaned. "We left to take calls from the office and you two are already…"
"To be fair it's-" They started in unison.
"Following the usual routine, both of you are equally in the wrong!" They snapped at their charges, drowning whatever the two stars were about to say.
Yun sighed, "Anyway… I can guess what happen here, Kyouko… please don't forget, while it's trivial to you these two…" He gestured to panting husband and wife standing a few feet behind him. "And the rest of Monogatari and VB Rose staff would be terribly upset if you cut your hair on a whim."
"Ah, Maki-san and Kazuha-san… right on time!" She beamed at them.
They took a long inhale of air before they grabbed Kyouko on each arms, "Please excuse us Director… we're her personal stylist, and we will take it from here."
"Oh."
"Just please…" Maki, the half french was still out of breath. "Don't touch her hair… her parents would flip and a lot of people would fly into a rage." Tsuruga-kun of all people looked ready to do so.
"Yes, go ahead." He just nodded numbly, thankfully they were still on schedule.
Back in Music'on Studio
Shou was trembling, that song just now… he knew there was a chance that Tsukigami had better singing technique. It was grating but self-study could only go so far against someone who had been trained since he was young. But Shou was confident he had a better song, voice and looks to outweigh Tsukigami's technique.
But Limited Sky was not a better song from Prisonner, it was hard to compare since the genre was completely different but… listening to Limited Sky there was something missing from his song that Tsukigami had in abundance.
His song sounded empty in comparison, but Limited Sky was…
"Why are you embarrassing yourself?" Shou asked before he could stop himself.
Silence…
What the heck did he just say?!
Tsukigami paled for a moment before his expression hardened. "How am I embarrassing myself, Fuwa-san?"
He could've just ignored that! Shou saw the challenge in their eyes, he was dared to continue this provocative topic! "As a musician myself I can tell…" He replied coolly, "This song speaks about inferiority complex and defeat, a very honest song." Foolishly honest of Tsukigami to sing such a song, Shou wouldn't caught dead singing this. "Do you have no pride as a man?" He sounded genuinely curious, no intention to mock the younger singer.
Of course they knew better…
Otori whistled, "Lashing out when he feels defeated hm?"
Shouko couldn't believe this, in one hand Shou was saving his image as superior musician with implying Tsukigami-kun was desperate enough to sing such a honest but image damaging song. Genuinely curious why Tsukigami resorted to such thing, but the message was clear.
'Are you that desperate to beat me?'
Tsukigami smirked at the blond singer, "Fuwa-san… it's also a form of pride to present yourself as you are, because there's nothing to be ashamed of." He answered confidently. "As you said… my song tells about my inferior complex, but is it a bad thing to feel? In this competitive field everyone have someone they admire and feel inferior too…"
Then he declared check-
"It would be a lie to say you have no one you admire in this field, or anyone as rival without feeling this someone is better than you." Tsukigami finished confidently, daring him to deny that.
It was something not even Shou could deny.
"We definitely admire Tsuruga-senpai from our agency as actor." Tengenji smoothly joined in.
Hoshitani nodded sagely, "If we aspire to be the best, of course we can't help but compare ourselves with the top star like him just so we could motivate ourselves with a target to reach!"
It was a blow to his ego that while he was obviously number one in music chart they didn't even look at him but at Tsuruga. Maeno seemed to notice this too and politely ignore this tidbit, there were things that even interviewer like him should pretend to be oblivious of to get his show running peacefully.
"I wish my song resound in your heart so that… everyone will not give up facing obstacle in your dream, and it's sign of strength to admit you're struggling… you should be proud you're fighting your hardest to reach it."
It was obvious to Shou they were already prepared if the image of this song was attacked, and he looked like a jerk for mocking Tsukigami. He didn't do it openly, but how his question was interpreted was still up to their fans.
He had to say something! "Interesting and aspiring I'd say…" He had to admit that much about their song for the sake of his image.
"Thank you." Tsukigami returned generously but it was clear he knew that compliment was to save face.
Maeno noticed electricity between the group and lone singer, and so happy they only have five minutes left on the show. "So for closing of this show… we will have, wow! Stardust Group will sing their group song for the first time! Such an opportunity!"
Shou was shocked, 'They're not going to let Tsukigami singing the full version of his song?!'
"Please enjoy our next song… 'Countdown' to the next three songs that will tell you our stories!" Hoshitani, the leader jumped to the center stage excitedly. "So! Let's start the countdown everyone!"
"Five!" He started.
"Four!" Followed by Nayuki.
Next was Kuga, "Three!"
"Two!" Tsukigami took his place.
"One!" Ended by Tengenji.
And the music started, and the five danced to the tune. Then for the first time, Shou felt it… sense of defeat when music was concerned. He had lost this…
Back with Dark Moon
Because they were just putting on her new wig, understandably it took less than five minutes for the professional couple to finish. However it was still confusing them a great deal why the Sugimoto couple suddenly burst out of the classroom they borrowed to fix Kyouko's hair, their faces were as pale as paper sheet.
Then they got the answer why, when Mio emerged out of the room in all her intimidating glory. Her hair was short, exposing her scar prominently for all to see and with one look alone everyone in vicinity was stunned to silence. She made way to a lone chair by the stairs, and all crews made way for her as if she was a royalty. Then she sat down gracefully and began to read, ignoring the world and creating personal space larger than necessary through her murderous aura alone.
"That kind of Mio…" Iizuka-san stammered in shock, "She is out of chara-"
She was interrupted by Momose of all people, "I want to act with her Mio!"
"Huh?"
The female lead was sparkling, looking at their Mio with like excited little girl. "I…" She rubbed her arms restlessly, "I got goosebump just by looking at her, I can't calm down!" This was the same pull she got when acting with Touya-san before! It was even stronger now! "Kantoku! Can I be the one who test her instead?" She wanted to act opposite Touya-san again!
"Itsumi…" Her manager called in worry. "Calm down…" He had never seen Itsumi this excited, even after she won Mizuki role.
Ogata had his doubt about Kyouko's Mio but seeing their Mizuki was so captured by her Mio eased him a little. "Uhm, if Iizuka-san didn't mind…" Her enthusiasm scared Hiroaki a little, since usually Momose was so cool.
Ren had heard that Momose now was also modelling for Monogatari, it seemed as usual Kyouko left quite an impression. Though rather than admiration like Ruriko and Maria had, in Momose-san's case it was more like there was something in Kyouko she saw as worth chasing.
The same feeling Kyouko had for him. 'Gee… if I didn't keep my guard up she will surpass me.' Then again if there was one thing he and Kyouko shared, it was they had been acting for most of their life even when camera was not rolling.
"I don't mind." To be honest Iizuka felt a little unnerved to go up against this Mio as her mother. "But I will decide the scenario and giving cues for you Momose-san." She said, eyeing Mio warily since even from this distance Iizuka felt like she would get killed if she got too close.
Itsumi didn't care, "Sure… this is still your test after all Iizuka-san."
The veteran sighed, "So here is the scenario… I, Hongo Iyami send you to talk with Mio about her hair." That was the clincher that differ this Mio with the original. "You should tell her how much I disapprove of her foolish decision to bare that scar for the world to see. Then question about her feeling towards you too as Mio to Mizuki… as supposedly she has no reason to hate you, ne?"
Itsumi nodded, inwardly she was also wondering when reading Tsukigomori. Why would Mio hate Mizuki, if anything she should be on Mizuki's side. In fact from what she read, Mizuki liked Mio for some weird reason, sympathy for their position as black sheeps of the family perhaps?
She was about to go but Ren walked pass her, "Please allow me to test the water." He offered, "Aside from our showdown was interrupted earlier…" Iizuka-san blushed furiously. "Touya sometimes lost control of her character when she gets too deep in them, so I will go first to make sure it's alright." Then he was off to approach Kyouko or rather Mio.
Ogata-kantoku was confused. "Tsuruga-kun looks alert, why?"
"Because Kyouko's Mio seems to be the violent type." Kyouko's manager, Yun Haseo said. "I am also a little worried to let Momose-san to go to her… I am sure Kyouko has some semblance of control against girls. Now I am worried for Tsuruga-kun…"
"Nah, Ren would be fine."
"He would be… sure." Yun shrugged.
Ikeda-san fidgeted, "Uhm… Is Touya-san strong? When she model with Itsumi she seems to have some training." She scared the hell out of them when standing on the temple's railing like a cat while holding an umbrella.
"She is strong enough to take on medium sized guy I suppose." Yun told them. "And those two have been looking for the right time to get some training together in Uesugi's dojo…" He sighed. "And people says Yashiro and I have easy job."
They gaped at that, "But she looks so…"
Katsuki approached Mio with steady steps, intent to berate the girl for her defiance in class. "Hongo… your behavior in class just now is unacceptable, in private I might be your sister's fiancee but in school I am still your teacher."
She looked up from her book briefly, before returning back to her reading. The message was clear, like I care who you are?
This little girl… "Pay attention when your teacher is speaking to you, Hongo."
"..."
"Hongo! Are you lis-"
"Which Hongo you're calling, sensei?" She asked, her eyes not leaving the book even once. "Is it Mizuki? Or me?"
Katsuki sighed, "I am calling you of course, Mio-"
"Careful." She cut him off, "Or you will stumble on my name and Onee-sama… after all my mother have no creativity in naming her daughters."
"What did you say?!"
All eyes in instance was on Iizuka Hiroko, who clamped her mouth shut in instance. 'What the heck did I just say?! I let her sarcasm to get to me and I just slip to Iyami!'
Taking the chance of their distraction, Mio made her way up to the stairs in elegant stride leaving the dumbfounded mother, future in law and cousin.
"Mio!" Iyami stepped forward, calling out her youngest daughter. "Mio! I am calling you, Mio!"
'Oi! WHy this become a three way battle all of a sudden?'
'She is tested not just by one but three at once!'
'But this is really get interesting, are we recording this?'
'Touya-san's manager is recording this.'
Hiroaki-kantoku didn't know what to think, but one thing for sure, this was not a wind blowing but a... storm!
'But Mio… this Mio other than looks she also feels like a young lady from rich family.'
True, her demeanor was that of an Ojou. It was different from the usual Touya-san, this Mio, her body language screamed pride and arrogance. Mio was the daughter of Hongo family so it fit but… pride and arrogance were not Mio.
Mio at last deigned to look at her mother, "Ah, you're calling me Okaa-sama?" She lifted her chin up, and didn't bother to step down as if she enjoyed standing in higher ground to look down on her mother.
"My apologize." She didn't sound sorry at all. "As I told Katsuki-san… I can't help but unsure whether you're calling me or Onee-sama, since our name is so alike." She sighed wistfully, "If you were bothered to spend more effort in naming me instead of copying Misao-oneesama's name, you could have spared us from the confusion Okaa-sama…"
Iizuka gaped, 'Her sarcastic behavior has gone up a level against me!'
"And also mockery… then perhaps I won't get teased as a failure I even miss a syllable from my name…"
Then she gone up another few steps and before Iizuka could go after her, Mizuki had run up to catch up with Mio. "Uhm… Mio! Oba-sama send me to speak to you on her behalf!"
'She just didn't want to get left behind!'
'We almost forgot it suppose to be Momose-san who tested her!'
'Why is she so eager to act with Touya-san's Mio again?'
Now that the scene had moved up, the spectators also run to go after the two actress. Meanwhile Ogata-kantoku was deep in thought. 'No, Mio have pride… I of all people should have known this… you won't feel the pain of inferiority complex like she does if you have no pride, because it's your self worth that was hurting in the first place.'
Ren could see how their director was obviously swayed by Mio's wind, he didn't even put up much fight looking from his relaxed and thoughtful body language. 'It was a correct move to let Ogata-kantoku to listen to Tsukigami's song, starting a spark in him.'
"You too, Mizuki." Mio looked very annoyed, in a short time three peoples she hated the most had forced her to speak with them. First Katsuki, her mother and now Mizuki? Now if Misao joined the fray, it would be wonderful!
"Uhm…" Mizuki fidgeted before she braced herself to approach Mio. "Your hair, Mio… such a shame you have a beautiful ebony hair."
Mio stepped backward, going up two more steps before narrowing her eyes at Mizuki. 'You expect me to believe that?'
The blond beauty stammered, she wanted to befriend Mio but her cousin was so unapproachable. "I… don't want you to get in trouble, because… Iyami-obasama doesn't like your hair. So please Mio… grow out your hair again." She pleaded.
"Mizuki…" She called her cousin coldly, "Don't bother sugarcoating Okaa-sama's words, you can say it…" She touched her hideous scar gingerly. "That to her, this scar is unbecoming for a daughter of Hongo family."
Iizuka had to fight her urge to not run after Mio and Mizuki, 'Of course I would think so!' What a terrifying girl! She was jerking a veteran like her around! If she go up there, she would lose face!
Mizuki flinched, she didn't want to make Mio upset. "She did say that…" She couldn't lie, they all know that was how Iyami-obasama's mind works. "So Mio, please don't make everyone upset…" Don't give them reason to make you suffer even more! "Oba-sama would get mad if you embarrass her with your scar…"
He came to another revelation, Mizuki was right to fret for her cousin, and indeed that was what Mio's mother would think about her scar. But then… if that scar was such a shame to their family, why didn't they do anything about it?!
"Mizuki, you're such a foolish girl…" Mio chuckled softly at her, "I am a failure in her eyes, why would she care about how ugly I am?" She asked her cousin.
"She is your mother!"
"She is Misao-oneesama's mother first before mine." Mio corrected with a smirk, "My beautiful and perfect Onee-sama…" She sighed wistfully, "Do you know Mizuki? You're truly beautiful."
"EH?" Mizuki was caught off guard, blushing furiously.
Mio didn't compliment her because of generosity but making her point clear, "Outside." She reached out, her hand ghosted over Mizuki's flushed cheek. "And inside." She pointed at Mizuki's chest, where her heart is. "Misao-oneesama, you see… is just beautiful in the outside, but inside." She spread her fingers over her own heart. "She is so ugly… uglier than me even."
Mizuki's heart was caught in her throat, tears began to stream down her face. "Mio… don't think like that, about your sister and yourself…" Mio was beautiful in her own way!
Really this girl, just by standing beside her Mio felt uglier and uglier. It was fine for Mio though because… "But it's the truth Mizuki, as this scar of mine…" Her long and graceful fingers ghosted over her scar again. "Whenever Okaa-sama and Onee-sama see it, they didn't see my ugly face… but-"
The reason for that scar to say as it was…
"The ugliness of Onee-sama's true face,
and it's so painful for them to see it…"
It was what Mio wanted!
"Huwaa… instead of the scar making her feeling inferior, she is using it as weapon against her sister!" Reminding Misao no matter how beautiful she was, Mio knew the truth. She could hold that ugly scar over Misao for as long as she lived!
Ren smirked, 'That's right, you've given us the best answer your Mio could offer.' An indisputable answer for why Mio kept that hideous scar in the first place.
Ogata-kantoku started trembling and Ren quickly rushed to his side, his kouhai would be upset if she gave their director another panic attack! "Kantoku?! Are you alright?"
He nodded, "I am just dizzy, my heart is racing and I can't stop trembling…"
How was that could be alright in any way?!
In the background Iizuka-san was swaying as she stepped down, she too was dizzy and her heart felt like it was about to give up.
Ren smiled at that, "She has that effect on people, so how about her Mio?" Looking at dizzy Iizuka-san and Momose-san who was in tears, she was more than just successful as antagonist of Dark Moon.
"I…" Ogata-kantoku clenched his fist, "I can't deny her Mio, and in the first place I have.. Hope in her since I saw her Luce. Mio is always an important character in this drama, she might be not main characters but she is… a catalysis."
"Ah, she is…" A catalysis, how fitting.
"That's why… there's no way I won't use her Mio, I have to!"
"EH?!" His statement earned shocked gasp from the crews.
He straightened himself, smiling. "She keep her promise! She blow the cloud of Tsukigomori away… ha ha ha! How could I not welcome this Mio, my Dark Moon's Mio with open arm." He took a deep breath. "And now, I can see it! The Dark Moon, the world where Mio live in.."
"Our Dark Moon."
Fuji TV (Parking Lot)
"Wait!"
The Stardust Group plus their manager stopped on their track, glancing at the lone singer and his manager who was clutching on his arm desperately. Obviously the buxom woman disagree with her charge coming after them.
"What Shotarou-chan?" Tengenji asked in bored tone, Kuga had sharp eyes and judging from his nod it was safe to speak as they please. "Didn't you pick too many fight with us from LME already?"
Seriously, what did this jerk want now?
Back in Dark Moon set
"CUT!"
Kyouko had a violent awakening, with the clipper so close to her face slowly lowered revealing a nervous AD. "Uhm, Touya-san? Have Mio left you?"
Then she saw them, Ogata-kantoku who looked relieved, pale Iizuka-san who was holding a compress on her head, Momose-san's tearful but happy face, and smiling Senpai.
Wait- rewind! Momose-san was crying!
"Whaa… Momose-san I am so sorry!" She made another girl cry again!
Momose-san was sparkling for some reason as she hastily wiped her tears. Thankfully her eyes weren't swollen. "I am more than alright!" She clasped her fingers together, "Method actor is really amazing, you really become Mio, Touya-san!"
"Eh…" She wouldn't know, the only other method actor she knew was Ren.
"Touya-san." That was Ogata-kantoku and she glanced at him nervously. "Good job."
She rushed down and bowed deeply. "I am really sorry for all trouble I cause on set! Regardless of my intention, it's inexcusable to bother our filming schedule!"
Ogata-kantoku returned her bow, "No, it's my fault… please accept my apology."
"Huh?" She glanced at the director and then to Ren, silently asking what their director was apologizing for.
Ren shook his head, "Director."
He lifted his head, "When I asked both of you to star in Dark Moon, I made a promise to surpass Tsukigomori."
'I want to film my Dark Moon on my own way.'
"And yet… I got lost on the way here." He admitted guiltily, "So focused to do my job right and forgetting my purpose to film Dark Moon." A smile bloomed on his lips. "So thank you for your Mio, Touya-san… you keep your promise and it's time for me to fulfill mine."
That meant… her Mio was accepted?!
"Wait!" Iizuka interrupted. "Are you seriously going to accept this out of character Mio?!"
The director was unfazed, "It's true that she is very different from your original version, but as the actress who played Mio you know better than anyone…" He trailed off. "That the core of Mio's character didn't change, Iizuka-san…"
"Ah…" It dawned on her, what didn't change. "Mio's hatred…"
Hiroaki nodded, "She expressed that hallmark of Mio's character in abundance and send all characters that interact with her reeling with her intense hatred for them…"
Momose stepped forward, face tear free. "Iizuka-san asked me why Mio hate Mizuki… I forgot to ask." It was embarrassing how carried away she was with her acting. "But from how Touya-san's Mio interact with my Mizuki I can tell… her hatred for me is different from one she has for Misao and her mother, or Katsuki who is the man her sister loves…"
She trailed off, one hand over her chest. "Deep down Mio admires Mizuki… but in the same time Mizuki makes her feel uglier just by being around her. Because Mizuki makes Mio aware how ugly she is inside, and there's nothing that could make Mio feel better about it." Unlike Misao who Mio deemed was hideous inside. "Because to her… Mizuki is beautiful inside and outside."
Kyouko clenched her fists, and Ren was shocked to see she was sweating. "Curse your fate a little Mizuki…" She said in heavy voice, "I wish your light will flickered out!" She finished, "Hatred she has for Mizuki is an irrational one… that only make sense to her hate filled heart."
With Misao and her mother, she could control it well but with Mizuki… there was no sense at all in the first place.
Hiroaki smiled, it seemed the leads were all in agreement. "Mizuki and I believe Katsuki too." Ren nodded at him. "They already attached to our new Mio, so it's decided…"
Iizuka just sighed, "This is a madness…"
His smile disappeared, "Oh, but I think I would worry about my sanity more, if I let our Dark Moon to continue as it is."
Huh?
Kyouko blinked, huh? Since when Ogata-kantoku could be as intimidating as Ogata-san?!
"You see… my apology to Touya-san also include my oversight about setting Dark Moon in present time without deep thought about what that meant." He glanced at Ren and Kyouko who felt like they had been caught guilty for something. "I wish you can't be more straightforward about it, Touya-san, Tsuruga-san… One thousand year old game and umbrella hm…?"
Kyouko stammered, "Uhm… I am really sorry for being vague."
Ren chuckled softly, so he caught up now. "We wish to break it gently, Kantoku..."
"Oh, I can't blame you for that." He sounded oddly cheery even though he was not smiling at all. "Especially since Mio is the one who will get the worst respond if we continue as it is."
Iizuka was confused, "What are you talking about?"
He was smiling again now, "Iizuka-san… that scar of hers is Mio's trademark." She nodded, she knew that better than anyone. "What do you think… our audience would say if a young lady from wealthy family that can afford plastic surgery agonizing over a scar on her face?"
Silence…
"Ah." It never crossed her mind, that twenty years ago Mio might just have to bear with it but now…
Mio would be mocked for putting herself in unreasonable condition!
Momose's eyes widened, "Oh… is that why Touya-san keep drawing and erasing the scar on that mannequin?" She was agonizing over that scar for so long?!
"You saw…?" Kyouko muttered weakly, embarrassed.
Ren sweat-dropped. "Touya… you forget your surrounding when deep in thought again?" She just blushed in response and Ren sighed. 'She is so adorable when she is off to her lala land but she really has to fix that habit.'
Hiroaki sighed, "Touya-san." The girl flinched, "Next time you have concern over your character and our drama, please come to talk to me right away."
"Hai!" She glanced nervously at Ren.
Their director didn't miss this of course, 'So there's a deeper reason why Tsuruga-san was not allowed to act Katsuki…' He would just ask them later in private. "Anyway… for the rest of us here, let me repeat this again."
He cleared his throat. "As I said in press conference, Dark Moon… meant to be different than Tsukigomori. Not only just the time and place… but the characters also couldn't be mere imitation of Tsukigomori's. We won't be able to surpass the original with copying it…"
Ren quieted down at that, 'Surpassing the original…'
"And I have no intention." His eyes hardened with determination. "To even let our audiences said that Tsukigomori is better than Dark Moon."
Iizuka could see shadow of Date-kantoku in the background and knew she was in deep trouble with him if she dared to talk back.
"And as we can see from Touya-san's example…" He trailed off, before shooting challenging look to them all."There's no way I will let any of you to perform any less, including you Iizuka-san." A veteran like you should be able to do it.
There was no way she could say anything but, "Yes, of course… Ogata-kantoku."
"Good." He beamed, smiling like an angel again.
Kyouko started to feel dizzy as she leaned to Ren's side, did she just set a standard without consulting it to anyone first? "Touya?"
"Ogata-kantoku is like turning to a different person." Yashiro couldn't help but commented.
"Well..." He glanced at the girl who was looking pretty pale by now. "Touya's Mio show him the way to Dark Moon he want to film… and-" He stopped, "Touya?" Kyouko-chan? She was not feeling well?
Yun-sensei pointed at one direction. "The toilet is over there, and I have the toiletries" He offered a small plastic purse to Kyoulo.
She straightened herself, one hand over her mouth while the other snatched the purse and sprinted towards the nearest toilet before Ren could say a word.
"Touya?!" He rushed to go after her, followed by their managers.
"Touya-san?!"
Five minutes later…
"Ugh…" She had emptied her stomach and maybe it was just her feeling that she felt a little better with empty stomach. Kyouko still felt terrible though as she stepped out of the stall.
"Touya?!" A masculine voice called out from outside. "Are you alright?"
"I don't think she want to open her mouth by now." That was Yun-sensei and Ren. "Don't worry about the filming, Ogata-kantoku is filming Mizuki's scene with her friend so you have half an hour to rest."
That was good, she thought in her daze. Kyouko walked slowly to nearest sink, grateful that Yun-sensei had left a clean towel, toothbrush, paste, a bottle of water and her medicine. She brushed her teeth, getting the taste of nausea out of her mouth then drink water as much as she could before swallowing her medicine dry.
Never thought she would need this medicine ever again.
She walked out of the toilet and barely noticed Ren had pulled her close, rubbing her back comfortingly. "You scares us…"
"I am sorry…" Mio's hatred, letting that emotion to overwhelm her made her sick. "I lost control… of myself and-" She tried to hold it back but it was like trying to stop a flood.
"Shh…" So this was her demon Sachou was talking about? Hatred and grudge, she would have been better without it... of course, after everything that happen to her how could she didn't bear any? She was just human after all. "Do you…"
She stepped away and he let her to walk to nearest open window, some fresh air would be good for her. "Don't even joke about that." She had came this far, backing down was not an option. "I would get use to it… to Mio…" Her eyes were glazed as she said this, rummaging the pocket of her uniform for her talisman.
He was not going to push her to say anything anymore, this must be something similar to… his own demon, Dark Kuon… "I understand… I will work hard too, or Ogata-kantoku would yell cut all the time."
She was clutching on their memento now, hand clasped around the water sapphire. "You would be fine… you just have to figure it out, senpai."
"How are you going to express it?"
He glanced at her, taking in those pair of amber eyes, dark eyelashes framing the pool of gold.
"A man who deeply desire a woman..."
The fair skin of her arm that brushed against his and parted rosy lips as she exhaled softly. How frail she looked and yet she stand strong, determined to not give up against her demon.
"And keep suppressing that feeling deep inside him with all his might."
The girl who became his image of Japanese girl…
"Corn! Please! Where are you? I need you!" A little girl who walked through the forest all alone for him, but he couldn't be there for her.
"Senpai?" She asked him worriedly, looking up at him with the same pair of amber eyes from ten years ago.
To Katsuki, Mizuki was someone he couldn't touch... someone forbidden. With that line of thought... even if he could let himself to have someone important after what he did, this girl alone would still be someone he didn't deserve the most in the world. And yet...
Her much smaller hands took hold of his, pressing their memento to their joined hands. "Are you alright? Senpai?"
"Yes." He returned her grip gently so the water sapphire pressed between their hands. "I am alright..."
And yet he couldn't get away...
I have a concern about a guest saying Kyouko get Mio's character in one go, in case you miss it. I emphasize that she is 'agonizing' about Mio for days unlike in canon she got it in few hours. Which understandable because Kyouko in canon accepted vengeful side of hers freely so Mio come easier for her. She also have more experience in acting in comparison to canon Kyouko and Ren have taught her a lot too...
Hope you like Limited Sky PV since I hyped it up so much in previous chapters... but I am concerned the amount of description and lyric didn't match. Then again even in original scene, Limited Sky is very complex and a lot of things going in a short time in tune with the song.
And as for her acting test... err? I don't know how it become a three way match LOL
OMAKE: Why you're not a Japanese...
Considering their seniors were busier than they were understandably the chance to run to them in the office was low. So when they caught sight of not one but two, they just had to say hello. They shouldn't have as it seemed Kyouko-senpai was in the middle of lecturing Tsuruga-san about something. But before they could excuse themselves she caught sight of them and called them over.
"Tengenji-kun... can you help me for a bit?"
The red head nodded, "Sure, what do you need Kyouko-senpai?"
She wrote down something in her planner and called Sawada-san, their receptionist who was walking pass LA hearts. "Sawada-san, can you help us too?"
"Sure." The kind woman agreed, "What can I do for you?"
She passed the paper with line she wanted and explained. "Tengenji-kun act as Mikoshiba and say this line to Sawada-san."
"Sure." Tengenji read the line out loud. "Please don't cry, if you keep crying your confidence with flow away with your tears." He recited the line perfectly as wiped nonexistent tear from Sawada-san's eyes.
The receptionist blinked in confusion, "What?"
Then Tengenji's face explode as red as ripe tomato. "Gah!" He threw the paper away as if it burned him. "That's so embarrassing!" He cried before running to Hoshitani, and hid his face behind their leader who just laughed softly. "Kyouko-senpai! That's so mean! You know I can't stand saying such thing!"
Nayuki patted his back comfortingly, "Take a deep breath Tengenji-kun..."
Tsukigami was snickering, "What was that for, Kyouko-senpai?"
Kyouko looked at Ren smugly, "And that... Senpai." He gestured towards Tengenji who was on the verge of death because of embarrassment. "Is how a genuine Japanese man would react after saying that corny line."
Ren looked at Tengenji whose face was as red as his hair and the rest of Stardust Group, they were still embarrassed just from listening. "I see your point." He totally failed at acting as genuine Japanese man.
Review Please!
