Keep on trying
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! or any of it's characters.
Chapter 51
Everything good needs replacing
There was only Lory in the room, which made Ren feel somewhat secure. However the president's face didn't show any positive emotions. 'What did I do wrong?' the actor wondered. "Congratulations on your press conference. It sounded as if you liked the idea of being substituted." he told him. "Thank you. I worked hard on that speech with the best members of the PR department, so it's not surprising that it ended up well." his voice sounded serious, yet full of confidence. It made Lory smile a little. He had been predicting that Ren would be knocked down by the reporters, but somehow he managed to save himself and his job.
"It reminds me… did you plan with the PR department to make a statement about someone important? It was really convincing. You made it sound as if you gave up the role to spend some more time with that person.", "Um… no. I guess I got distracted and then I just tried to save the day." his voice dropped a little. 'I hope he didn't notice.' He sure noticed. "Is that so…?" Lory smirked, sensing Ren's uneasiness.
"Anyway, I hope you are aware of the fact that it is a turning point in your career. From now on, everything can become an opportunity to broaden your acting skills and fame or it can jeopardise all of your efforts." Tsuruga-san gulped. He knew that it was a serious situation, but listening to his boss saying it this way made him extra anxious. The president seemed to be content about Ren's reaction. 'That kid needs to know that things may not always be the same as they are now.'
"Is there anything that I should be more cautious about?" finally asked Ren. "Not something, but someone." Lory said it straight. "You mean… the new Katsuki.", "He has a name and I'm more than sure that we will hear it more often now. It's Kimura Itsuki to specify. Remember it. He has a lot of potential and you know how rarely I think about anyone like that." Ren didn't feel bad about it. Itsuki was only some new star. He would shine as long as his fans allow him to and then he would fall down, just like everybody else in that industry.
Lory observed Ren cautiously. He didn't like the way Tsuruga-san treated his words. They were to frighten him and make him work harder to avoid some kind of catastrophe. Yet, his best actor ignored his warning. 'He got spoiled.', "Just the fact that you are a number one doesn't mean that it will last forever. There are lot of people, waiting for you to fall and take over your place." He sighed deeply. "I checked the Kimura-san's background and I'm really worried about you. Please, give my words some thought and don't drag yourself down. You need to be more alert to every of your action now." Ren smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern. As always, I will do my best." 'But will it be enough?' Lory felt some strange déjà vu. 'I really do hope he won't destroy himself.' He could sense some dark aura coming from Ren. It reminded him of the actor's early teens. The anger in his eyes, the confidence in his words and the fear in his heart. 'I've got this weird feeling that I just unlocked a bad ending in some otome game. It's the first time I don't want my foreboding to be true.'
That day Kyoko came back home earlier, since it hurt her that she could not attend her lessons the way she wanted. 'Why is it painful tho?' She wasn't sure. Each time she tried to gave up that courses, she failed miserably. 'I got attached to people I met there.' But it was only a half of the truth. Kyoko was satisfied, when she learnt something new. It made her feel complete, as if she was doing things she was destined to do. Of course she didn't think about that. The girl always believed that she was to marry Sho and make him happy. His happiness equalled hers. Never the other way around.
Sho was sitting on the couch with pen in his hand and lot of paper sheets around him. It looked like wanted to be covered by them absolutely. "Another block?" she didn't even need to ask. Her fiancé was getting more and more concerned about his songs. He wanted them to be better. Sho would no longer accept mediocrity, since he wanted to stay at the top. "Seems like it." he sighedlengthy. "Put down your pen, please." she ordered him, feeling confident out of the nowhere. "Why are you telling me this?" Sho was annoyed. "Just look around. It's no use. Today you won't write anything, if you don't change your attitude. How about a small break?" As much as he hated her bossing around, the idea of a short rest appealed to him. "Sure, why not?"
They turned on TV and changed the channels quickly, not able to find anything appropriate. 'It's weird that there are so many channels and nothing to watch." Kyoko complained as she was looking for something interesting. "Stop it now! Go back! Yes, this one!" Sho shouted. It was some gossip program about celebrities. Kyoko saw the title of the episode, still not sure, if she saw it correctly.
"Yess! Pretty-boy face is making another mistake. Guess who's gonna be the next number one!", 'Definitely not you.' Kyoko was shocked of her thought. Somehow she didn't like Sho boasting himself, when someone else failed. Especially when that person was Tsuruga Ren himself, the one who helped her lately. 'Why do I want to take his side?' She was grateful that Sho could not read her mind. "I feel like I can write a thousands of songs now!" And so he took his pen back and started to create his new hit, while Kyoko was fighting with her own, weird feelings.
AN/ I'm sorry to update it an hour later than usually, but I had an eventful day. I hurt my leg once more and I hope it will stop now or else I will have to amputate it ;p. And look at those reviews! We've just hit the magical number of 100~! I want to thank every single one of you for supporting me, even when you're just reading this story and not leaving any proof that you're actually doing it. My hearts skips a beat each time I look at the amount of people checking out my story. Thank you so much once more. I hope you have a great day and see you soon~!
