Forbidden voices

Chapter 4 - The voice of changes

She was sitting in a large armchair by the extinguished fireplace. There were pictures in her hands. Photos from London and New York. She looked at the photo taken outside the airport by some random passengers. After all, she's never been that far. She wanted to capture this moment. That's when she met Connor. She could clearly see in the photo the image of a man who, busy with a video call, had bumped into her suitcase. Some would call it a meet-cute.

"I can't believe it's been a year already." Kyoko felt the thought deep in her heart. Something warm touched her cheek. She enjoyed it, involuntarily closing her eyes and turning her head towards the warmth.

"I wish I could see you so calm in every moment of your life." she heard Connor's voice. She opened her eyes and looked up to him. He was sitting on the armrest of her chair, looking at her in a way that made her feel at ease. His hand that had rested on her left cheek now cupped her right. He closed the distance between their faces so that his face was as high as the back of the chair. It was so close to make that distance disappear completely.

There was the sound of the camera shutter. Connor closed the distance between them, gave her a determined look, and blew at her hair, which had fallen slightly over her face as they posed. Kyoko giggled at the feeling of air on her face. "You're ruining our work!"

"Honey, next time use more hairspray because they are falling like leaves in the wind." Connor adviced with a smile on his face.

The scene began to change, the fireplace disappeared, moved by the assistant set designer. "Okay! We have it. At first I thought that the extinguished fireplace would spoil the whole scene for us. However, Harmony! Your idea was wonderful, and the effect.. just wow!" The producer, who had already reached them, rejoyced over scene like an inspired child. "A slightly mysterious fireplace evokes anxiety in the shot. However, the right lighting of your pose gives hope! It's brilliant!"

"I told you Sir, she knows how to make the best of everything." Connor praised Kyoko.

"Aren't you too sweet? I just wanted to show the right feelings that will accompany the story." Kyoko explained. From the beginning she thought that a lit fireplace would give too warm atmosphere to not so warm plot.

The producer was delighted. "And it was an excellent idea. Of course, the performance too. You are made for each other. Well, tell me, how much truth is there between what is said about you?" He looked at the two with undisguised curiosity.

"She is my inspiration, my muse." told him Connor while looking at Kyoko's face. "I will protect her from the lie of life."

A calm smile appeared on Kyoko's face. "And he is my guardian angel."

The producer Castain looked at them thoughtfully. "It was so deep. I will use it! You two are divine! But now Harmony, go to your dressing room. They need to prepare you for your solo shoot."


The next day at 12 a lot of people stared at the screens in amazement. It was no different for Ren. He, president Takarada, Yashiro, and other people associated with the LME agency watched a huge billboard in their building.

It showed everyone the well-known Kyoko. Despite the same figure and face, her eyes perfectly showed that it was no longer her. She stared into the distance, leaning against the window. Behind her back people were learning to dance. Kyoko had long dark hair in the photo, and her bangs almost covered her eyes. Natural make-up, thoughtful expression.

"What is this all about?" Ren anxiously asked the chairman.

Takarada looked at Ren, then looked at the image of Kyoko again. And then he got it. "Yes, of course. Sara's role is to be announced today. "Forbidden Voices" will announce its release date. "I just don't remember seeing it before it was shown all over Japan. Director Castain hasn't changed at all. The behavior of foreigners. Surprise effect."

Suddenly, everyone saw an animation of Kyoko's image disintegrating. The image shattered into pieces of glass, revealing a new scene. Everyone was shocked. Maybe not everyone. Ren was furious.

The ad showed a rather intimate scene by the extinguished fireplace. Connor and Kyoko maintained a pose in the chair that showed their closeness and support. At the same time, the whole advertisement gave a feeling of mystery.

There were inscriptions at the top. "I will protect you from the lie of life." and "You are my guardian angel." flashed brightening the graphics. Then it was announced that the premiere will take place this fall.

Ren approached the president. Leaning to the boss's ear, he asked. "I believe it's far from romance movie, isn't it?" Takarada easily sensed the darkness in his voice.

"Well, there were going to be some changes to the script. Her role predicted a relationship after all. But it seems to have changed more than I thought." The president seemed slightly uninformed.

Yashiro decided to approach Ren and the president. In his gloved hands he held a tablet with the media page open. There was a press conference attended by the film producer Marcus Castain. Takarada and Ren's attention focused on the producer's statement.

"First of all, my dears, do not bombard me with so many questions." the producer asked gently. "I suspect that many of the questions are intended to clear up doubts about the film. I am aware that the scene of our two main characters touched your hearts, but also your thoughts. Despite the presence of a relationship, this was not intended to be a romantic film. However! Witnessing the development of the relationship between these two actors, I noticed how much their relationship could bring to my play. Who would I be if I hadn't taken up the challenge of making my work something more? Why make a best-selling movie when I can create something worthy of a work of art?" Producer was very enthusiastic. There was determination in his eyes.

"Does this mean we can expect a lot of scenes from these two?" one of the journalists asked.

The producer changed his expression. He seemed relaxed and confident. "Previously, the relationship of the main characters was simply supposed to exist as one of the factors affecting the plot. However, Harmony and Connor made me realize that the character of Edgar changes the main character. It opens up a new world for her. I just couldn't sweep it under the rug. I decided with the screenwriter that we would create new working conditions for them. Their characters will develop each other, they will mature emotionally next to each other. We will show their way towards independence. We are convinced that our creation will surprise you all."

They could not continue watching the broadcast because the battery in the tablet was drained.

"Wait. Let me ask one thing." Ren began calmly, but the aura surrounding him meant that something bad was going on in his head. "Will these two play these roles? Together? That damn Connor not only spends his free time with her, but he will also stalk her professionally?" Yes. He was angry.

And it was only beginning. Dark clouds were gathering over the agency, not because of bad weather.