If there was one thing that Takaki-san had been putting into Kyoko's head that was the way someone of her nature should behave in front of the media and the audience. Takaki-san knew a lot about idols and talents behavior, how they were expected to react in public, give honest but adequate answers, and never get nervous under pressure. Takaki-san had also worked on the tale Kyoko should give to the press when she'd be asked about the movie. From the president to the movie's producers' team, they'd accorded to give one version of how she'd obtained the role. Kyoko also knew that probably the photographers and the journalists had been lead there so her news could help erase the bad effect Sonoda's scandal had caused to the production.

"How did you get it?" one of the journalists was very pushy about getting his question answered first.

Takaki-san regained her composure and rushed to block them "One question at a time, please, we're in a hurry" she said.

Kyoko put on a genuine smile, remembering how her role of Saori had charmed the audience "I am afraid that question will be better answered by my manager" her eyes were trying to be calm "I am not really sure of why I was offered the role, I only know I did an audition early this morning and it seems I passed it" Kyoko had been told to play as she just got the news delievered, like she'd been a temptative optiong and, giving the circumstances of her visiting her acquaintances, she'd done a quick audition. The journalists were a little bit confused by her answer.

Before they could throw in any other question, Takaki-san took the initiative to answer "Since our agency is already involved in this production, we got a petition to let Kyoko audition for the role" Takaki-san never smiled, she was as serious with the audience as she used to be with Kyoko "I guess they liked the results"

"Haven't you been told yet?" One of the journalists had been eager enough to understand.

"I guess I know now" Kyoko grinned "I've been busy rehearsing until now" her gaze was focused on the cameras "I only hope this won't cause any troubles with our play" Takaki-san had insisted in her still being as humble as she could, and not forgetting to mention she was there only due to casuality.

"Do you think the fact you're Ren Tsuruga's kouhai influenced in their decision?" that was another journalist, the one who'd asked how she felt about co-starring with him.

"Oh" Kyoko played to be mesmerized "I don't really think so" she lowered her gaze "Tsuruga-san was too serious about this production, I don't believe he'd got time to even think on suggesting my name" she returned her eyes to the cameras "besides, the producers were really concerned about this too, I don't think they would let anyone deciding for them who Lady Murasaki should be" she smiled once more.

"How do you feel about co-starring with Ren Tsuruga" that journalist was really insisting.

"Afraid, I guess" she cut the smile "Tsuruga-san is a great actor and I am just a beginner compared to him" she lowered her gaze just a little, so she would look innocent enough "but I'll give my best to not ashame my senpai" the way she controlled her facial expressions to accompany her already studied words, was crucial to feed the media what they wanted.

"Well" Takaki-san prevented any other questions get asked "We have no more time, we're sorry" they both bowed to the audience present there, and Takaki-san made her way to leave.

I hope we gave them what they wanted… and that what they will publish satisfies the president and the movie producers.

Kyoko was amazed that all those hours Takaki-san had forced her to practice her speech and how to appear in public had been actually useful. Kyoko could check it herself after having dinner, browsing for the news on the internet sites.

"You were perfect" Kuon was on Skype approving of her performance for the media "Even if I hate that you're being used to cover for Sonoda's scandal, I must admit that"

"I am O.K. with it" Kyoko assured him. They had discussed so much how this step could affect Kyoko's will of not getting accused of using her connections to advance her career, and she also knew that Kuon wanted this project to be something of his own, so having her in there was stealing his moment a little "I am sorry it ended all up like this"

"Well" Kuon hadn't been too keen on her replacing Sonoda either "to be honest, I had been thinking it over, and I am fina with it now" Kyoko was surprised by this confession "Maki Sonoda was being a pain" he grinned "and even if it's a risk, I want to accept the challenge to co-star with you"

"That's my line" Kyoko protested "since when it's a challenge for Ren Tsuruga to co-star with a rookie like me?"

"Because your acting has grown" he said with determination "and you already put me on trouble in that first secret rehearsal" Kyoko blushed remembering how much she'd been trying to resist his attempts to lead her acting "also, it's going to be interesting to play the love scenes under someone else's skin" Kyoko's skin was burning. She hadn't got time to consider the amount of love scenes they would have "It's a challenge to get to perform those not mixing up my real feelings for you" Kyoko thought the temperature in her room was rising too quick.

"Well" she wanted to avoid that matter, especially being apart at the moment "now it's your turn to give them a satisfactory reply. Because you know they will ask you back if you had something to do with this"

"I won't be lying since it wasn't my idea and I wasn't glad with the whole situation" he said regaining his serious features "This whole production is going to be a fire test for both of us"

When Kyoko went to sleep, she kept thinking on Kuon's last words. He was right, this time people would be more interested into seeing through their senpai-kouhai relationship, as well as too demanding on her performance results. Even if she had one of the producers so exited to have her in the movie and director Ogata by her side, it would be a thought test to perform. On the other hand, Kuon would need to get away with any accusations of him favoring his kouhai, when he had planned to not hide the fact Kyoko was his favorite kouhai. It was the second part of his appearance at her play's premiere, when he exposed his closeness to the LME most promising rookie and past cast-mate. Kuon had also told her that if the audience was able to acknowledge her being his co-star, that would be a good move towards their future intentions to make their relationship public.

He wants them to first get used to us as a screen-couple, and then make them root for a possible relationship, like we were one true pairing. But I just don't know…

Kyoko wasn't sure they could handle to appear that desirable as a couple while keeping their distance and making the audience believe they weren't on those terms yet.

For her, the next weeks were madness. She had a strict schedule, something she was used to from before, but getting up early, excersising briefly, going to Kyoto everyday surrounded by curious photographers and journalists, and trying to be of use in the movie set was crazy.

"Just as I thought" director Ogata had complimented her after Kyoko's first camera's test "it wasn't necessary to show you Nene Ashida's footage to make you match her little Lady Murasaki" that had been one of the biggest worries of the producers, that Maki Sonoda and Nene Ashida had been cautiously selected because they looked alike and they performed similar. Kyoko was someone that would appear so different to the little actress, and her version of the role might collide with the one they had already shot in Ashida's scenes. But once the make-up crew had worked on Kyoko's face and make-up, and because Kyoko had grasped how the script wanted Lady Murasaki to be, the result had been beyond their expectations.

Tha fact that the movie had been suffering because of the delays and the scandal made the production team over-work their cast and try to get as much scenes filmed during day-time as possible. Kyoko barely wasted time waiting on set, which meant the movie staff had to wake up really early to get everything ready for when Kyoko's make-up and outfits were ready. She had only a few hours to shoot ever day and then she had to rush back to Osaka to be ready for the play.

Romeo and Juliet had been as well received in Osaka as it had been in Tokyo, having a full house every night and keeping Kyoko's face in the spotlight. Every night, once the play was over, she left the theatre building knowing that paparazzi might be following her. In the middle of that exhausting schedule, Takaki-san still kept her up-to-date with her Mandarin's study. She made use of the trips from Osaka to Kyoto and backwards to make her study and practice. Takaki-san had interrupted her book-reading from the list she'd gave her, and postponed any dancing lessons, but she still insisted on Kyoko's Chinese because she planned to get her into a Taiwanese production that would be filmed the next year, and Kyoko found it a wise move, trying to get something from her own, without LME or Ren Tsuruga's influence pending on it.

"You surely look like a mess" Kuu Hizuri had been updated on her last schedule changes. Kyoko hadn't been able to chat with him lately, despite she'd been keeping her promise to chat weekly with Julienne "but I am sure you'll be able to slay that movie" Kyoko was thankful to have someone who not only mentored her as a father and as a senpai, but he also supported her that much "Just get it wrapped up soon" Kyoko had postponed a visit to Los Angeles because of that movie role. Kuu had offered her that on his last day at Tokyo, and Julienne had been sad when she'd given the news of the consequent cancellation of that journey.

"I will father" she showed him a confident smile "they are in a hurry as well" Kyoko had explained how much that production had been suffering misfortunes. Kuu was worried for his son, but he told Kyoko he was glad to know she'd get to co-star with him at last. Even if she didn't think she was worth of doing it yet.

Between the movie and the play, Kyoko still had to complete her other endorsements and booked magazine appearences. Takaki-san had a hard time fitting it everything inside her packed schedule, at the end, most of the magazine planned appearences turned out to get shot in the movie set, and some featured her Lady Murasaki look. The production team hadn't been hard to convince, since they needed any promotion possible to make people forget about how unfortunate that production had been till the date.

"Thank you so much for the hard work" after three weeks, director Ogata congratulated Kyoko for her filming's wrapping. Since she wasn't the main role, her scenes were less than Kuon's, but it was the strict schedule that had made it possible to complete her part in just three weeks. She'd even filmed a couple of nights, after the play. Takaki-san had promised her she'd let Kyoko schedule get some air while she finished the performances of Romeo and Juliet in Osaka. However, Kyoko was gutted she couldn't sneak to visit Kuon.

I've grown so dependant of him she had realized of how with just seeing him on set, even when they played the 'just close' senpai-kouhai, it was enough to make her spirits go higher. Knowing he was still filming nearby and she couldn't see him, to keep their plan on its way, was vexing.

But since Kyoko had other things to look forward, and she wanted to give Kuon his time to complete that important movie, she tried forgetting of how much she longed for his touch. Being lovers on set had been completely different from their reality, at the end Kuon's fears were nothing to worry about, since both had managed to get perfectly into their roles and interact as them. Director Ogata seemed really pleased with the results "I've never imagined you could look that well together" he'd said, and then, he'd instantly blushed, making Kyoko worry if he might know something. After all, he'd been long enough with them in Dark Moon to grasp anything coming from Ren Tsuruga, as Moko-chan had done too.

Romeo and Juliet ended up just fine, allowing Kyoko to return to Tokyo so she could pack her suitcases again "It will be only two weeks" she'd promised to Kuon "and I'll try not making your mother sad with your memories" Kyoko was ready for her first overseas trip.

Los Angeles, here I come!

Well, I might get in some details on the next chapter through Kuon/Ren's point of view, but I am not certain I can do it. I mean, I don't know HG's novel enough to make up any 'love' scenes... so I avoided talking about those in this chapter. I may rescue some memories of how they interacted in set, without giving details on the scenes, on the next chapter... but I am just not sure yet.

I'll be taking a break from now XD I might write later tonight ^^

Rei |