Chapter 5
After the meeting ended, at the parking lot Hisa and her manager prepare to go inside the car to head for their next location. At the same moment Shigeki and his manager were about to do the same thing when suddenly Shigeki calls out to stop Kobe san, Hisa's manager.
Shigeki: Kobe san! Can I have a minute? I want to talk with Hisa chan for awhile... (with a polite tone and smile)
Hisa: That's impossible! We are running late! Hurry up Kobe san! (Trying to go inside the car as fast as possible and when she's just about to close the door of the car, Shigeki stops her by holding the door so she can't close it.)
Shigeki: It's only for a few minutes, don't be in such a hurry. I promise I won't keep you a hostage for a long time, hahah ^^
Kobe san: I don't know... Hisa chan? (Trying to find out if he needs to let them talk and retreat)
Hisa: Fine! Just hurry up and leave me alone! (Shigeki just smiles and goes inside the back of the car to talk to her)
(Kobe san then goes to Hagino san who waits for Shigeki a few cars behind)
Kobe san: I hope they won't start fighting...
(Hagino picks a lighter and a cigarette from her pocket, lights up and starts smoking)
Hagino: I would have offered you one, but I know you don't smoke Kobe san. And when it comes to them we can wait and see, hoping they won't cause a scene...
Kobe: Ah... (lets out a worried sigh)
(Inside the car where Shigeki and Hisa are)
Hisa: What is the thing you wanted to talk to me about, Shige...?
Shigeki: First I wanted to tell you congratulations for breaking successfully into my field... (pauses and looks at her on the eyes for a few more seconds)
How pitiful... you didn't know that I will be here too, otherwise you would have run away...? Hmm? (with asking tone)
Hisa: I am not afraid of you...
Shigeki: Are you sure? Are you really... sure? (he's closing in the distance between their faces and when it's just about to get close even more to the point where their lips touch she push him away slightly with her hands)
Hisa: If I was then I would have canceled my offer with the Director Hirai after I saw you right? But I will take on this project and use it to advance my career.
Shigeki: Ohhh...(with expression that says "is that right?") which takes me to my second point... I know who is your new target… It's Tsuruga kun, right...? (with a serious expression on his face)
(Hisa is not saying anything)
Flashback after the meeting ended Hisa and her manager goes to Ren
Hisa: Tsuruga san...? (Stops him from his way to the exit and when he turns she's behind him waiting with a smile)
Ren: Yes? (surprised for being stopped)
Hisa: I just wanted to say how happy I am to be in the same drama with you, Tsuruga san. (With a friendly smile on her face) I've heard many times how Tsuruga san is often being called the co-star killer I'm just lucky I will have the opportunity to see it for myself with my own eyes. Since this is my first drama I hope I can learn a lot by acting alongside you. (While she is all smiles with Ren, Shigeki is watching all this quietly with a slightly serious look)
Ren: I see... (with a polite smile) I am looking forward to work with people who are taking acting seriously... since this is your first role Doiuchi san I believe you are eager to show what you got. I don't dislike that... and since our roles are connected I will have the opportunity to watch over your progress and share an opinion about your work, is that what you are trying to ask me? (with a polite smile)
Hisa: Actually... yes. Is that ok with you Tsuruga san? (with a shy tone of voice)
Ren: I don't mind... but what about Godai kun? I thought you were close enough to share things like this...
Hisa: Ah... Shige kun and I are indeed from the same Agency and we have the senpai-kouhai relationship, but I think If I ask him he would probably try not to hurt my feelings and not tell me if I suck or I'm doing something wrong. So that's why... I thought about asking Tsuruga san for his help on this matter. (with a friendly smile)
Ren: In that case... I will lend you my help (polite smile)
Hisa: Thank you very much! (bows down)
End of Flashback
Hisa: I only asked Tsuruga san for his guidance since he's the most popular actor, besides... (Shigeki interrupts her)
Shigeki: Don't lie to me! (shouts at her with a serious expression, then tries to calm down for a few seconds with his hand holding his forehead looking down. After he has calmed down a little he looks at her and starts talking)
Shigeki: Are you really going to do this?
Hisa: Do what?
Shigeki: The same thing you did to me... (Hisa makes a subtle hurt expression trying to hold her feelings down)
Hisa: You said what you wanted to say,now go out! I still have somewhere to go to I don't have time for this. (with a slight angry look at him)
Shigeki: You don't wanna tell me... Fine then, I will find out eventually. And when I do be prepared to face the consequences.
(He gets out of the car and goes where his manager is waiting for him.)
Shigeki: I'm done with the talk... (looks at Hisa's manager and then Kobe san goes inside the car where Hisa is waiting and drive for their next location)
Hagino: Judging by your expression, It looks like you had some serious things to discuss...?
Shigeki: I don't wanna talk about it, let's go! (with serious tone and expression)
Hagino: Fine... (let out a sigh) But you know you'll feel better if you talk about it, or at least change that rough expression on your handsome face. Don't forget you are an actor, you never know when a paparazzi is hiding. Ahh... (suddenly realizes she made a mistake) I'm so sorry Shige kun, please forget that! I didn't mean that... it was a slip of the tongue... Ah... (waiting for his reaction with a slight panicked and worried face)
Shige: Let's go! The day is not over, we still have work to do. (And goes inside the car)
Hagino: Yes... Ah I'm so stupid! (Hitting herself with her fingers on her forehead) I really shouldn't have said that! (and goes inside the car, driving for the next location)
(In Ren's car. He, Yashiro and Kyoko are sharing a ride and talk about the drama)
Kyoko: Tsuruga san... is it really ok to take me to LME? I've heard you have an interview next.
Ren: It's ok, don't worry... (makes eye contact from the rearview mirror and then he's watching the road concentrated on his driving)
Yashiro: Yeah, you really shouldn't worry about it, Kyoko chan ^^
Kyoko: Ok then... thank you.
Yashiro: Besides, Ren's schedule for today is pretty much packed. So this is his only chance to talk with you Kyoko chan about the drama.
Kyoko: Is that right?
Yashiro: That's right! ^^ (Yashiro's inner thoughts: "You should be grateful to me Ren for making chances for you to be a bit longer together with Kyoko chan")
Kyoko: What did you want to discuss with me about the drama, Tsuruga san?
Ren: I haven't told you yet, didn't I...? (with a soft speaking tone)
Kyoko: What?
Ren: Congratulations... on your first leading role. (with a calm tone with almost a hint of a smile while he's still concentrated on the road)
Kyoko: Thank you... (with a soft almost quiet voice. She feels moved by his words and can feel her chest tightening)
(There is a silence for a few seconds and then Ren starts talking)
Ren: How do you feel for being given such a role... Mogami san?
Kyoko: The truth is, I couldn't believe it when Sawara san told me about it... I still can't although... (makes a shy smile)
Yashiro: You must be very happy Kyoko chan! This is your chance to get more leading roles in the future if you show yourself at your best.
Kyoko: Yes, that really makes me happy! If they like me as Mai, perhaps I won't get bully roles anymore.
Yashiro: Ahhh... that's right this is also your first role that it's not evil. 😅... And is also the first role where you have to be chased by Ren hahah ^^ (suddenly there's a silence, both Ren and Kyoko don't know what to say and make a troubled expression)
(Yashiro's inner thoughts: "I wanted to help break the ice but instead did I hardened it more?" 😓)
Kyoko: Ah... that's right... Yashiro san... hahah (with awkward tone of talking voice which Ren obviously takes a notice of that)
Ren: Mogami san... are you perhaps... uncomfortable playing this role? (he's direct)
Yashiro's inner thoughts: ("Woah! Straight to the point!" 😳)
Kyoko: What!? (shouts surprised) No way, Tsuruga san! How can I be? What made you...think that? (Asking him with a polite and slightly trembling voice)
(Ren makes a troubled expression like he wants to say "It's obvious by your behavior" 😓)
Yashiro's inner thoughts ("We don't need an expert to tell us that you are troubled, Kyoko chan")
Ren: Mogami san... Would you rather be acting this role with someone else... other than me?
Yashiro's inner thoughts: ("This man! What is he trying to do here? Just give her a break already, Ren!)
Kyoko: What...? I'm so sorry Tsuruga san... is that what you think that bothers me? (with a soft voice)
Ren: ... (he's not saying anything)
Kyoko: To be honest... It's not like I don't feel bothered a little. But It's not how you think it is... (trying to explain herself) I am not... I am not confident in my love acting skills. It's not just Tsuruga san also, there's Godai san's role too.
Yashiro's inner thoughts: ("Kyoko chan! This is not the moment where you mention you have to act love scenes with other actor too!"😖 he then looks at Ren who is not showing a reaction to Kyoko's reason)
Kyoko: Probably because I'm a Love me member... I don't really feel confident about it.
Ren: Is that the only thing...?
Kyoko: Yes! (replies right away)
Ren: Mogami san do you remember, the time I had difficulties going into character... when I had to shoot love scenes for "Dark Moon" you were the one who helped me get over it.
Kyoko: Ah... (with a reaction that shows she remembers)
Ren: I would like to return the favor. If there's something you need help with, don't hesitate to come find me. (with a concentrated look on the road)
Kyoko: Yes... (makes a softening expression with a hint of a smile) Thank you Tsuruga san...
Ren: ... (not saying anything)
Kyoko: When I get home I will study the character more and find the Mai within me! I'm sure when I get into character, everything will go smoothly. (with a cheerful tone)
Yashiro: Now you sound more confident, Kyoko chan! ^_^
Kyoko: Yes. ^^ Ah, Tsuruga san you can leave me here, it's only a few more steps till I get to the office.
Ren: Are you sure?
Kyoko: Yes. ^^
(Ren stops the car and then Kyoko steps out and bows to Ren to thank him)
Kyoko: Thank you for the ride, Tsuruga san
Ren: Sure...
Kyoko: I'll be going then... (turns back and goes)
(Kyoko's inner thoughts: "I'm so sorry Tsuruga san! I had to get out of the car sooner! 😣 I can't handle the tension anymore. Thank god he didn't see through my disguise... otherwise how can I tell him that I have impure thoughts about him and that's why this role is making me uncomfortable?!
(At Ren's car)
Yashiro: Ren... did you really needed to ask her if she would rather act with someone else for this role?
Ren: I wanted to know how this affects her...
Yashiro: Well, I understand your feelings. But you also didn't waste the opportunity to offer your help... Are you perhaps hoping for a late night meeting in your apartment to help her with her role? 😏 (looks at him with his sneaky eyes)
Ren: Look at the time, we better go! I don't want to be late for the interview...
Yashiro: Right... You not saying anything is also not denying it either...
(and they are off on their way to the interview)
We pried a bit more on the relationship of Shigeki and Hisa with a lot yet to be unfold. What happened between them?
Will Kyoko finally find her inner piece with this challenging role?
Will Ren get his late night meeting with Kyoko acting as Gen and Mai?
Next chapter coming soon...