Chapter 3
Morning 8:15 am, in Ren's car heading for the meeting for the new drama.
Yashiro acts as any normal day for any normal meeting for a new project and watching ahead the road from the seat next to Ren.
Ren is concentrated on his driving but restless at the same time.
Ren: Aren't you going to ask me...?
Yashiro: Ask what? (Playing innocent with a normal reaction)
Ren: I thought by now you will do your usual thing, Yashiro san. Like pestering me with a bunch of questions for the sake of mocking me.
Yashiro: That's rude, Ren... you know that i support any kind of development between you and Kyoko chan (with a slightly hurt expression for being accused for mocking) But since you brought up the subject yourself, how do you feel about this matter? (Looking at Ren)
Ren: I've already been in a drama with Mogami san in Dark Moon, i don't see why this time should feel any different. (Concentrated on his driving with a normal reaction)
Yashiro: Hmmmm... (looking closely at him trying to find a slight reaction but it's useless) I thought you will be more excited and happy cause you will spend more time with Kyoko chan, especially now because you will have more scenes together. But looking at you being the same as always it's kind of disappointing.
Ren: ... (not answering anything)
Yashiro: But i am really curious about how Kyoko chan feels about this project, working together again.
Ren: Since this time she was offered the lead role, i assume she must be happy.
Yashiro: I think i can imagine her reaction about being the lead actress, but perhaps when she was told that she will act together with you and this time she has the role as the object of your role's affection ... she was happy? (Looks at Ren again with sneaky eyes)
Ren: Yashiro san... Did you forget with what kind of eyes that girl is looking at me? For her I am nothing more than a senior actor who she looks up to.
Yashiro: Ahhh... that's right. That pure Kyoko chan probably won't have the delusions of hoping to be in love scenes with you like the rest of the actresses.
(Turning his head back and looks at the window feeling disappointed and a bit guilty for Ren)
Ren: If you know that much... then filling someone's head with hopes is a cruel thing, don't you think so Yashiro san?
(With a serious expression and a slightly cold tone, still concentrated on his driving)
Yashiro: Yes... (with a scared tone and expression) That was scary... (inner thoughts)
At the facility where the meeting is going to take place, Kyoko is at the seating area and having her inner thoughts about how to react when Tsuruga san will show up.
Kyoko: I couldn't sleep all night and came here 1 hour earlier than the appointed time of 9:00 am. But that's ok, like this i will have more time preparing my heart for the upcoming doom that is waiting for me. Hang in there, Kyoko! You will get through this! You can do this! (with the determination of a soldier that is prepared to be killed in action) This is just one more experience where my acting skills are being tested by the president. That's right, that's right... I will not give him the satisfaction to be defeated by this role, No sir! Prepare to be amazed by my own will of not surrendering to the pressure!
I will show you how much I've grown as an actress in this short few months.
(A few meters from her a voice can be heard of an older woman)
Old woman: Thank you very much... you really helped me young man. If it weren't for you i don't know how i would get down from this stairs.
Young man: Please don't mention it, it was not a problem at all. Please be careful next time. (With a warm smile)
Old woman: Once again, thank you. (With a smile on her face like she's seeing her grandson) I will go now, the car is waiting for me outside.
Young man: Would you like me to accompany you to the car?
Old woman: Oh no, no need... (pleased) you've already helped me. Please, i don't want to hold you from your destination i can go now my own way to the exit.
Have a nice day, young man.
Young man: Have a nice day yourself too, ma'am... (with a smile and they part ways)
Young woman: You just can't help yourself, can't you Shige kun? When you see a troubled elderly person you go right away and help them... (smiling)
Shige kun: Won't you feel bad seeing them and not helping Hagino-san? Besides i don't dislike old people at all, they remind me of my own grandma.
Hagino san: Could it be you feel homesick? (with a soft smile)
Shige kun: There's that too, but i came in the city with a purpose. It's been 2 years by now and right now i'm having the best time hahah (smiling happily)
Hagino san: Yes, yes... shall we go now and search for the meeting office?
Shige kun: Alright, let's go.
(On their way to the meeting)
(meanwhile, Kyoko's phone is ringing, she opens her purse to search for it and when she sees on her phone the dialer is Moko san she answers it happily)
Kyoko: Mokooooo san! I'm so happy you are calling me! What is the cause of this miracle? Could it... could it be you miss me Moko san?! (With a happy fairytale magic kingdom expression on her face)
Kanae: Enough with your delusions! (with an angry tone)
Kyoko: Awww... (a bit hurt)
Kanae: How can you be so embarrassing this early in the morning...? Geez...
Kyoko: But Moko san... the thing is, Moko san won't call me often on my phone and always sends me a plain message right to the point. So when you do call i can't help and feel so happy Mokooooo san!
Kanae: Ahhh! Will you just stop it?!
Kyoko: Ok... i'll stop now... (she let out a small whining sound)
Kanae: Ahhh... the reason for my call...
Kyoko: Yes...?
Kanae: The reason i am calling you is because i've heard you were offered a role and not as a supporting actor, but as the lead actress... I just wanted to say to you... (hesitantly) Congratulations!
(Kyoko is surprised for a moment but then she makes a moved and warm expression on her face about to cry but holding herself back hiding it from Kanae)
So... why are you not saying anything? Why are you staying calm? Hmmm? Could it be the connection is off?
(Kyoko in a hurry to respond to her)
Kyoko: I'm here Moko san! Don't hung up!
Kanae: Geez! If you are listening then say something! Why are you making me wait?
Kyoko: Sorry Moko san! But right now... I am so happy because you called to congratulate me. I feel really happy having you as my friend... hehe... (smiling)
Kanae: ... (is not saying anything but she's happy too)
Kyoko: Moko san? Moko san? Ahhhh! Could it be you hung up on me? So cruel...
Kanae: Ahhh Shut up! I'm still here, i didn't hang up! ( with a slight embarrassing tone) So where are you now? Are you already shooting scenes?
Kyoko: Hehe... not yet. Right now i am waiting for the meeting to start. The director of "Lex Talionis" is still not here.
(at this time Shige kun and Hagino san pass from Kyoko and they hear she waits for the meeting. They stop and wait for her to finish her call)
Kanae: I see... well i said what i wanted to say, now i have to go. Bye!
Kyoko: Ah, wait Moko san!
Kanae: What is it now?
Kyoko: I wanted to say it properly this time, Thank you...
Kanae: ... (not saying anything)
Kyoko: Moko san?
Kanae: Message received. Bye! (hangs up)
Kyoko: She just cut the conversation like that. (a bit hurt) but that's Moko san after all, it's normal.
Shige kun: Excuse me, are you here for the meeting for the drama "Lex Talionis"?
Kyoko: Hmm? Ah, yes. (Surprised cause she sees an unfamiliar face)
Shige kun: So it's here after all.
Kyoko: Are you here for the meeting too?
Shige kun: That's right. (with a smile) (he sees that Kyoko is wondering who he is)
Forgive me, i forgot to introduce myself.
My name is Godai Shigeki. I am the actor casted for the role of Igarashi Jin. And this is my manager Hagino san. Nice to meet you! (With a cheerful tone)
Hagino san: Nice to meet you...
Kyoko: My name is Mogami Kyoko (stand up and bow) I will be playing Igarashi Mai.
Nice to meet you too, Godai san, Hagino san (Polite)
Shige kun: Igarashi Mai? Mogami Kyoko? (trying to remember her in some role)
Ah! I got it now! Are you the actor who played the role of Hongou Mio?
Kyoko: That's right. (Kyoko's inner thoughts: Ah, this man too needed a time to associate me with my role of Mio)
Shige kun: Wow! Sorry but, the role and the actual person are like 2 different people.
(Amazed she's not like Mio at all)
Kyoko: That's ok, i'm used to this reaction Godai san, don't mind it... -_-
Shige kun: But to bring a role to life, someone completely different from one's self. I find that really amazing. (with a gentle smile) (Kyoko is surprised)
Kyoko: Thank you...
Shige kun: I am really looking forward working with you, Mogami san. But, why are you the only one here? We have 20 minutes more till the meeting starts.
Kyoko: I came here 1 hour before the meeting so, that's the reason i am by myself. (Shy)
Shige kun: How diligent of you Mogami san. (smiling) Do you mind if we wait here with you?
Kyoko: By no means! Please have a sit.
Shige kun: Thank you. (Shige and his manager sit opposite her) I must say your performance in Dark Moon was really something to be seen, and you've only been doing this for how long?
Kyoko: About 6 months... what about you, Godai san?
Shige kun: Hmmm... i would say about 2 years and half give or take. (with a smile)
Kyoko: I guess that would make you... my senior? (Suddenly she stands up and bow to him a multiple times) I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were a senior actor! (Shige and his manager are stunned at her and then they laugh)
Shige kun: Hahah, It's ok. I really don't mind it (he's laughing a bit more)
Hagino san: It's ok Mogami san, besides Shige kun here don't care for things like this at all.
Shige kun: It's ok, it's ok (covering his mouth from laughing with one hand) But how come you don't recognize me? You haven't seen any of my dramas? Or watched a variety show?
Kyoko: (she turns her head the other side a little and apologies) Ah... I'm really sorry... even though you knew who i was. I'm so sorry.
(Other than Tsuruga Ren and Fuwa Sho, she no interest in other celebrities)
Shige: Maybe I am not popular as i thought. Hmmm... what do you think Hagino san? (turns to his manager next to him asking her)
Kyoko: I'm sure it's not like that! (Panicking a little trying to explain herself)
It's just, I'm trying to do my work properly and in multiple places and i have to help at the restaurant where i'm staying in i have to make sure to do my share of work i can't be ungrateful towards the boss and the missus and when i finish my work for the whole day I'm too exhausted to...(she gets interrupted by Shige kun)
Shige kun: It's ok Mogami san hahah I'm just messing with you (laughing)
Kyoko: That's really cruel, Godai san! (embarrased)
Hagino san: Indeed... (with a slight scornful look at him)
Shige kun: Sorry, sorry...I just wanted to see what kind of reaction you will make this time, and you didn't fail to amuse me. (laughs)
Kyoko: I was really feeling guilty here, you know? (With almost tear in her eyes)
Shige kun: Forgive me...? (with a warm smile on his face)
Kyoko: But don't do it the next time...(pouts)
Shige kun: I promise... Hahah
Kyoko: And yet you keep laughing at me... (looks at him with a bit of angry eyes)
Shige kun: Ok, this time i will really stop. (getting serious from now on)
(A few meters from them, at the stairs Ren and Yashiro san are watching them)
Yashiro: I wonder what they're talking about...? They seem really friendly over there. (looks at Ren with anticipation)
Ren: ... Let's go there and we will find out.
(with a normal expression on his face)
Yashiro: Right... (they go to Kyoko and Shige kun)
(Shige kun have noticed that Ren and Yashiro are here and they are approaching)
Shige kun: It looks like Tsuruga Ren and his manager are here as well.
(Kyoko makes an instant turn to search for them with her eyes)
Kyoko: What...? Where? (And then she sees them approaching)
Ren: Good Morning, Mogami san. (with a soft smile on his face)
Kyoko: Good Morning Tsuruga san! Yashiro san (greets them with a bow)
Yashiro: Good morning Kyoko chan. (with a pleased look on his face) ^_^
Ren: I see you've already met some of the cast... (with a kind and polite tone looking at Shige kun)
Kyoko: Ah, that's right. This is Godai Shigeki san and his manager Hagino san.
Shige kun: Nice to meet you.
Hagino: Nice to meet you.
Yashiro: Nice to meet you
Ren: Nice to meet you... i believe this will be our first project together, Godai san.
Shige kun: That's right, and no need with the formal speech after all we are the same age. Just Godai will be fine. (polite smile)
Ren: As you wish... (polite smile)
Shige: Is it ok to call you Tsuruga kun?
Ren: Sure... please do.
(Director Hirai shows up behind them)
: Good Morning everyone! I am Hirai Kanetake and i will be your director for this drama.
(Every one greets him separately): Good morning, Director Hirai.
: I'm glad to see you all came... (suddenly he notice that there are only 3 of them) wait, i think we are missing one person?
(A loud voice can be heard coming from the stairs)
(A young woman in her teens is running towards them with a man behind her)
Doiuchi Hisa: Wait for me! I'm here! Hurry up, Kobe san!
Kobe san: I'm behind you, Hisa chan! Keep running!
(It's the model and newcomer actor Doiuchi Hisa and her manager Kobe san)
Doiuchi Hisa: I'm so sorry! The traffic was really tight... (trying to take her breath)
: Actually we were just about to enter the meeting, so you are on time.
Doiuchi Hisa: Oh thank God! (After she have calmed down a little she looks around her and sees Ren) (her inner thoughts: Oh no! Tsuruga san saw me coming late and he's like the punctual king) (she's nervous and suddenly she sees Godai Shigeki)
Doiuchi Hisa: Shige...? What, why are you here?!
Shige kun: I'm part of the cast heheh! (with a cheerful tone)
Doiuchi Hisa: WHAT? (With a screaming tone, surprised)
The actors for the roles of Igarashi Jin and Igarashi Mayuka makes an appearance, such as the Director of the new drama - Hirai Kanetake.
And what kind of connection Godai Shigeki and Doiuchi Hisa share?
Next chapter coming soon...
Writer's note:
Since my vocabulary is still poor and English being my 2nd language i didn't write the appearance of the new characters, but i think that if i give you some links about how I imagine them in my head it would be easier to get across the idea of them. At least that's what i thought. But apparently you can't share links on this page. I tried many times editing the doc. and is not showing the links at all.
If you are still interested in how i imagined these characters you can PM me, but i don't know if there i can send the links too. Or if you know other fan fic site that allows links please tell me about it.