Chapter 3

The test was in full as one after another were presenting themselves.

"Hello, my name is Mogami Kyko. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and one of my hobbies is cooking traditional dishes."

" Why do you want to enter the entertainment industry?"

"I was raised in a very traditional household, and I was raised with a planned life for me. But now, I have the opportunity to create a new path for myself. Acting is something I love. Being able to create a new part of me that I would not normally show to anyone and in the process being able to learn something new about myself."

"Do you have someone that you admire in the entertainment industry?"

"Hiroko Lizuka she is one of the very first actresses that I saw since I was younger. Her portray of Mio Hongo was the first wonderful."

"ok No. 61, you can go backstage and prepare for your turn to show your talent"

"Thank you for your time" she moved to give the president and Judges a perfect bow that seemed more elegant than before.

As Kyko entered the place, everyone was bustling around. Some were changing into dancing clothes, others preparing violin, guitars, and other instruments. This time Kyoko wanted to show them something different than her Katsuramuki technique. She wanted to show them her elegant side with her Tea ceremony, and maybe it will be enough to attract their attention. Kyoko was getting ready to surprising every competitor backstage as she was the last one. They took more time getting her stage-ready. Kyoko surprises everybody with her exquisite manners and an excellent way to carry a kimono, from all the times she helped at Sho's parents' inn.

" I am NO.61 Mogami Kyoko and I will show you the tea ceremony. If the judges, please take a seat with me on stage."

As one by one sat at the side of the stage, Kyoko, who was looking like a perfect host elegant with a slight smile on her face, began the tea ceremony. The workers with great care created the room since the choice of materials for and construction of the chashitsu was well chosen, giving it a sense of rustic yet refined simplicity. The tea ceremony began with Kyoko as the host bringing the tea utensils and offering her now guest sweets and then preparing and serving them tea made of pulverized tea leaf stirred in hot water. After everyone finished the tea, the president, followed by the judges, began to ask questions and compliment her technique and elegance.

"Your tea ceremony was well executed. May I ask since when do you practice it?"

"I was six years old when I began to learn the tea ceremony, paintings, calligraphy, and flower arrangements as well as katsuramuki. One of the most difficult yet essential techniques for professional Japanese chefs. as I live in a Ryokan in Kyoto, my upbringing was very traditional."

"you looked completely different than your last look, is this one more of your talents? If you dint present yourself beforehand, I would not have recognized you."

"Well, you could call it a talent since it has happened before. Normally I don't use too much makeup. Still, it changes my features a little when I do, and with a different hairstyle is like I'm a completely different person. I think this is also one of the reasons I want to go into acting since my appearance will also help me create a new persona. It will give me versatility."

"well, I think this was a wonderful performance. Now, how about we move to the second face of the test?" the president responded, giving a happy smile as he got off the stage. In contrast, Sawara-san gave Kyoko a thumbs up.

The next part of the audition consists of the girls answering a phone call, and the judges will meter their reactions.

"THROUGH THIS HANDY, A PARTNER WILL BE TALKING TO YOU... PLEASE TRY TO REACT INDIVIDUALLY. WILL BEGAN WITH NO.31 " "oh, ah yes..."

As one by one the participants began, Kanae, who was at Kyoko's side, started talking to her In whispers.

"did you... known it's said that at this point, the actual LME-auditions begin? The tests so far are the same every year, but now, the tests from now differ? That's because the president chooses them personally. The one who fails this dropout. That is one of the reasons why LME casting proves to be difficult."

The phone arrived in Kanaes hands as she began her turn. She stopped talking as the turns became closer to the end. It was the same as before. The difference this time was that Kyoko was not acting as naive as before. This time she would be the rival that Moko-san always said that she was to her and slowly become her best friend. When Kanae's turn comes, she is very fast in reacting with a charming face, with a few tears and saying a simple "I'm so happy!" All the judges are impressed at her speed and quality, and so is Kyoko as she began her turn.

"I was such an idiot. I was out with many women since then, but it somehow didn't work out. They say that I'm difficult to handle due to my ego. So I realized how much you love me. I'm aware that I'm rushing. Forgive me but couldn't we give it another go?" As the person on the phone speaks, Kyoko slowly closes her eyes and begins to tremble. As the conversation on the phone finish, she opened her eyes with a frow full of sorrow and pain and began her response.

"Could we? I love you, as you say, but I also know you better than anyone else. I am sorry, but my love, it is not enough for us to work out." with a trembling voice Kyoko deliver her lines. "Goodbye," she says her last word. Her eyes became blank with pain, and soundless tears began to pour out her eyes as her body gave up and she kneeled on the floor.

Everyone was shocked as Kyoko finished acting; still, nobody moved or talked until Matsushima-san from the acting section and Sawara-san stood up and began clapping. Everyone followed, including the president, smiling, yet his eyes sparkle with interest that made the judges tremble, remembering his mischiefs.

It was moments after the first part of the auditions finished. The number of those who passed has been announced and different from Kyoko's first experience this time. At the end of the list, NO.61 was located. With a sigh of relief, Kyoko left the room after a long congratulation from Sawara-san and a personal introduction to the head of the acting section Matsushima-san who Kyoko remembers since he was the one who helped Kanae the most when it came to auditions or part in TV dramas.

Sawara-san was left alone with a cup of coffee in the cafeteria, thinking about Mogami Kyoko. As he remembers the audition, her eyes made him tremble inside as he never witnesses someone who looked so broken. It was known that to achieve that level of acting. One had to have years of experience or know what feeling you are portraying for a young woman like Kyoko to experience pain that made him want to cry, troubled him as she reminded him of his daughter.

Suddenly a tiny finger presses his frown forehead, making him cry in pain and the little girl giggles at the older man.

"what's up with you, uncle, that you pull such grim face. I was worried. I could walk by without saying anything."

"Maria-can."

"yes, uncle," Maria responded, tilting her head. "ah, that's right, if you can go on a tea break, then the casting has ended, right."

"Yes, the first part."

"What happened with NO.61?"

"She is going into the second part of the test. How do you know her?"

"she helped me before. Bye uncle"

At LME Intertainment in the audition hall, a smaller group were begging the second and last part of the test. The group was divided into smaller groups, only living from the acting section to perform first.

"Now, everyone, please read this script for the test question. After that, tells us directly what your thought are. In addition, please describe if you were the character in the story. How would you portray this role? Of course, it is permissible if anyone wishes to use actual acting to show your answer."

As Kyoko was the last one to answer her question Kanae who was by her side, began to mumble about how foolish the protagonist was.

"you shouldn't say that if you wish to become an actress," Kyoko whispers to Kanae while covering her mouth with the scrip.

"why not? It's the truth. it is not a good role that I would like to play."

"it may not be a good role for you, but if you were to say that to a director in a drama or movie, you would be fired in an instant since you are offending them. It is better to do what you do best and act as if you understand the script and the role,"

"I guess you are right."

When it was Kanae turned, her answer was not the same anger she had on the family, but it was not the same impact she had on the first part of the audition.

"Mogami Kyoko its your turn"

"Yes, I think the character is acting as almost everyone in real life and putting on a smile, and by repressing her feeling, she became more trouble and lost. She tries to support her family, even as problems come in the future, making her stronger yet confused. If I were to act like her, it would be with a peppy and cheerful personality in front of everyone. Once she is alone, she would be a distant and silent person.

"very well, this is the end of the test. We will inform you of any decisions in the future. Thank you for coming."