Chapter Eleven: Advice
Kyoko sank into the hallway and sighed. She had just finished another Kimagure Rock session and it hadn't gone very well. In fact she had been scolded again by the producer because of her subpar performance. There were several instances where she had missed her cues and even her interactions with the cast were stiff and awkward.
I can't believe I let myself get distracted so badly that I messed up my work again.
Only one day had passed since she had received the offer to be part of Go. She knew she had to respond to the producers soon with her answer, but everytime she thought about the role she sank into a depressed daze. Tsuruga-san's reaction to finding out that she was up for the role of Rinko had her seriously doubting what to do. Without any hesitation he had physically recoiled from her. Everything in his manner told her that he didn't want her to take the part. (She completely ignored the part where he said she was good enough to do it of course.)
She just couldn't see any positive outcome no matter what she did. If she took the role, Tsuruga-san would be unhappy that he would have to work with her, and that would be unbearable. But if she refused the role she would hate herself for missing out on this great opportunity to grow both in her acting skills and in prominence in the acting world.
Of course the advice that Moko had given her wasn't that helpful either. Her friend had brazenly told her to suck it up and talk to Tsuruga-san about his reservations. "Obviously his opinion matters to you, so just get more details. You probably misunderstood him anyway." Misunderstand? Ha! She could hardly understand him to begin with. Part of Kyoko really wanted to confront her senpai and get some clarification. A nurse had barged in last time and Kyoko had unabashedly fled before she could be caught up in any more embarrassing conversations. On the other hand, she was also afraid of confronting Tsuruga-san. What if he confirmed her worst fears, that he really looked down on her abilities as an actress?
But somebody had believed in her enough to give her the role. And she had been in tough situations before right? After all she created a Mio that would satisfy Director Ogata and Hiroko Iizuka, the former Mio, and also successfully created an angel for Sho's PV that would allow her to finish production without ruining it. If she could do those things, couldn't she create a beautiful princess? She already loved the role. She knew with every bit of her soul that she could act out Rinko. So why was Tsuruga-san so negative about it?
As if being called by the force of her thoughts, Ren appeared in the same hallway as Kyoko. Of course she was so absorbed in the confusing thoughts that swirled around her that she didn't notice him until he stood right in front of her.
"What was that?" She asked jumping as she realized there was a person in front of her.
Ren gave her a pitiful look. "Ignoring me already? And I only came over out of concern for a depressed looking animal."
Kyoko looked up at him in confusion. She honestly had no idea what he meant. Then she realized that she was still in her Bo outfit. Relief hit her as it occurred to her that she didn't have to face him as Kyoko right then.
"What do you mean concern?" Bo asked.
Ren gestured to the chicken, "You're sitting over here looking like you're waiting your turn to meet the butcher. It's obvious that something is wrong."
Kyoko kicked the chicken legs a little sullenly and changed the subject. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Ren sat down on the bench with her and stretched out his long legs. "Oh not much, just an interview. But enough about me. What's bothering you?"
"Oh, uh… it's nothing, just a work related worry. Nothing to bother the great Tsuruga Ren with."
But Ren wasn't having that, he folded his arms stubbornly. "You can't just wave this off. You've heard all about my issues. I think it's only fair to talk about yours. Besides, maybe I can help."
Kyoko almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation. She was talking to the very person she needed to talk to, but wasn't in a position to be honest. But maybe if she was careful with how she worded things… Well… It was possible to gain some clarity about her situation.
"Well, it's actually about another job offer I have." she started, thinking very hard about each word before she said it. "You see I was offered a role in a production that seems very beneficial to me, but one of my co-stars seems dead set against me being part of it." She was terrified, was that vague enough? Would he automatically guess it was her?
Instead of pointing at her in fury as he discovered her identity, Ren thought about what she had said and responded calmly. "People don't always get along within a production." He mused, "Obviously the producers would have thought of the chemistry between actors as they chose and filled the role though… Is this someone you personally don't get along with?"
Kyoko shook her head vigorously, "I think we get along pretty well! I mean, they might hate me sometimes, but in general I feel like our relationship is good."
"So what makes you think they are dead set against you being in it?" Ren asked.
"It's just a feeling I guess…" Kyoko said, not sure how to describe their earlier interaction in vague enough terms. "But I'm positive about it."
"Have you talked to them directly?"
I'm trying to now! "Uh not really. I am afraid that they'll shoot me down though."
"Well, I don't really know enough about the situation to say for sure, but it sounds like you respect this person, yes?" He watched as Bo nodded their head "Well if you generally have a good relationship and you respect this person, then I think you shouldn't be too worried about them. As long as you are earnestly trying your hardest they will have to recognize that. And if they are a professional then they will react positively to you."
Earnestly try my hardest… It sounded neat and pretty when Tsuruga-san was talking about "Bo" but would he feel the same way if it was Kyoko? She thought she had probably pushed the limits of the conversation, but couldn't help adding one last question.
"Have you ever not wanted to work with someone?"
The thought pierced Ren and he suddenly saw their conversation in a new light. Bo's struggle sort of reminded him of the conflict he had about Kyoko playing Rinko. Though his reasons were perfectly justifiable to himself, he couldn't exactly tell the girl why he was so hesitant to act with her. But he did realize that she earnestly worked in every role she took. If he swayed her to not take the role, wouldn't he be depriving her of a great opportunity? He felt bad about it, but there was just no way he could agree to the match up. It would very likely be his downfall…
After Ren had left Bo, Kyoko sat and thought about the conversation. He had sidestepped her last question, with if anything just proved that he did have an issue with Kyoko. But truth be told she was feeling more calm about the situation. It was reassuring to hear Ren say that earnest efforts would have to be met with acceptance. But one thing was for sure. She couldn't let this opportunity slip from her fingers. She changed out of the Bo suit and called Sawara.
"I'll do it. I'll play Rinko."
Ren was unsurprised to hear from Yashiro that Kyoko had decided to take the role. He had to respect the fact that this was a great opportunity for her. But he couldn't sit idly by and let himself act in this drama with her. He had to meet with Lory. He only regretted that Kyoko might feel personally slighted by his next action.
"You absolutely cannot withdraw." Lory said from atop his throne. "I won't allow it."
"I know that you're scheming. But I won't have it. I can't do it." Ren shook his head and sunk into a lounge chair, "I can't do it."
Lory smiled broadly, then let the expression soften. Ah, the trials of a secret love. "I think it would actually be great for you. I mean you've figured out Katsuki so well after all." Ren didn't respond, he only glared sullenly back at the president. "Fine. Quit if you want. It'll be a huge hassle for the company. But I'll give you another role. This is your only other option though. You have to do one of these."
"What is it." Ren asked tensely, sensing a trap.
"BJ."
"No." Ren said without hesitation. He had been going through a lot of painful growing experiences lately, diving into Katsuki had been dangerous enough. The thought of playing a cold blooded killer… It was too soon for that.
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to choose Kyoko-Oh I mean Go." Lory said with a victorious smile.
Ren groaned miserably.
"You have to choose one. I've put things in place to keep you from taking any other job, so don't think you can escape it."
Ren shook with anger now, he didn't like the feeling of being trapped into a devious plan of the President's. A plan that he knew was fully intended to push him past comfort and into dangerous territory. "Is this fun for you?" He asked darkly.
"Of course." Lory said, he let his smile fade before continuing. "But I'm also doing this because I know it's what is best for you. And luckily, I'm in a position to enforce it."
Ren stood and let his anger cool into a dark stony expression. "Fine. I'll do it. But I'll prove to you that I truly am a world-class actor, and I won't let any emotions get in the way."
"Sure thing." Lory said. He watched Ren stalk out of the room and returned to the TV that was set up next to him. He was stuck in a critical moment of dialogue in his newest dating game. This show is going to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Author's Note: Hey everyone! Here's a general update about the story. I'll admit that coming back to this 10 years later wasn't easy! So much has happened in the Manga since that time that I've confused some time-lines in my brain! So- After re-reading and pondering here is what I think I originally meant? And if not, this is what I'm going with! We are going to say that this story (chapter one) Starts around the Manga's chapter 100.
These are the important parts to know:
-Ren has figured out his role for Dark Moon (and realized he loves Kyoko and may need to embrace that for his acting/future).
-Kyoko has had the encounters with Sho and the Beagles at the location shoot for Dark Moon which resulted in Ren displaying a lot of feelings for her and them having the Ren-using-Kyoko's-lap-as-a-pillow episode.
-Kyoko has worked with Kuu and realized that she needs to be open to trying different roles and learning to love "acting in the play".
-Kyoko has accepted the role of Natsu and has not begun filming.
-I am going to make one small change, that Ren has not accepted the role of Bj at this point. Instead he is going to accept the role in Go.
As always I'd love to hear what you think! Please leave a review if you like it :D (or if you hate it. I'm open to anything and reviews are a great fuel to write more!) Love you all-