Secrets & Scandals
Cast:
Cure Mint, Akimoto Komachi - age 26
Cure Sparkle, Amanogawa Kirara - age 14
Cure Parfait, Kirahoshi Ciel - age 13
Takamagahara Ken - Cure Twinkle's father - age 39
Yakushiji Reira - age 36
Masuko Mika - age 25
April, 2017
The meeting room in the publishing office is painted in green pastels. Decorative plants line the walls. A large window overlooks a busy city street, which is several floors below. The interviewer is already waiting by the time Komachi's group arrives. The journalist stands respectfully as Komachi and the two actors take their seats. Their respective managers remain standing.
"I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long," Komachi says.
"Oh, think nothing of it! Waiting is a part of my job, and anyhow, I've kept busy." Mika replies with a grin. "Even if that weren't the case, I'd have to forgive you, having known you for so long."
"Ever since middle school, and yet you keep showing up for my book announcements."
"Is that so strange? If there's something to be reported about my personal acquaintances, I don't want to give up that position to anybody else!"
The beautiful woman sitting next to Komachi chuckles. "You should be thankful for such a friendship, Ms. Akimoto. Not all of us can count on having a friendly ear in the media."
"Oh, what have I been thinking? Ms. Yakushiji and Mr. Takamagahara, this is my journalist friend, Mass Media Masuko Mika. Mika, this is Yakushiji Reira, and the gentleman is Takamagahara Ken. Ms. Yakushiji will be starring in a film adaptation of my Phantasma Detective novels, and Mr. Takamagahara has been cast as one of the main antagonists.
After they exchange greetings, Mika immediately returns to the topic at hand.
"So, you're going to be making Phantasma Detective! What motivated such famed actors as yourselves to audition for your roles?"
Reira answers first. "To me, it's not a question of 'is this a good role for a famous woman?' If I don't stay busy acting, then I don't think I can really call myself an actress. If I'm not doing a movie or a drama, I'm usually in auditions, and I can't usually get people to pay me for auditions."
The others laugh.
"Right? I tell that joke to my manager and she thinks I'm serious. I've only started reading Ms. Akimoto's novels since I got the part, but I can tell you already that I've really been missing out!"
Komachi chuckles. "She says she's missing out, but actually I've told her secrets that haven't come up in the books yet."
"Secrets?" Mika's eyes shine. "What secrets, specifically?"
"Mika, they won't be secret anymore if we tell you!"
"I know that! Can you blame me for trying?"
"Yes, but I won't hold it against you. Let's just say that what I've told Ms. Yakushiji is important to her portrayal of her character."
"Fair enough. Mr. Takamagahara, I hope you don't feel like we're leaving you out."
"Not at all. I got interested in the script because there are several scenes that have to be shot in Paris, and my daughter is working in Paris."
"Oh my, for such a reason?"
The man shrugs. "I am in a position where I can pick and choose. If I can work and see my daughter, why not?"
Reira lets out a sigh. "You truly are a lucky man. I can only wish that this movie had a role suitable for my daughter."
Komachi giggles. "Shall I create one for her?"
Mika gasps. "Is this a backroom deal? Am I, Mass Media Masuko Mika, witnessing a corrupt deal right before my eyes?"
"Save us, Mr. Takamagahara! Quickly, say something scandalous!"
"Very well." He clears his throat, then answers: "One of the things I've learned while working in Hollywood is that, as the father of a beautiful girl, I've got the absolute right to shoot any of her suitors dead."
"Oi oi."
At an outdoor cafe in Paris, a pretty brunette with a magazine in her hand suddenly chokes on a soft creme puff. The chef, a cute blonde girl, rushes to her side.
"Kirara, are you okay?!"
Kirara sputters, then nods. "I'm fine. I think some of that went down the wrong hole, but I'll be okay."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure! And when my idiot Dad shows up here, I'm going to slap him across the face!"