Spotlight
Chaptire Three
By: Satomi-chan Beta-editor: Chibi-Cookies
Sakura's Point Of View
I sat at the small round table staring down at the tea cup held in my hands, warming them slightly. I tried not to focus on the people who were staring at me, they whispered to each other like I didn't know they were talking about me. How pathetic, I drank some of my green tea. Mino's, it's my favorite place to just sit down and have a cup of coffee. I even knew the owners, Chiharu and Yamazaki Takashi.
Chiharu was a beautiful woman in her thirties (making her four years older than me!). She had red brown hair that she always kept tied in a twist. Her husband, Yamazaki, enjoyed telling me stories and the origin of things. For instance, did you know that it snows in the winter time because after summer the land gets too hot so it needs to cool down? If there wasn't a winter, we'd all melt. (A/N: It's a lie.) Ha! I bet you didn't know that!
"Hey, Sakura!" I turned around to find a tall girl with long ebony hair coming my way. Tomoyo had been my friend since forever, especially since she's my cousin.
She owns Daidouji Designs. A highly praised designer company, which the agency I work under promotes. Of course, that was under her request since I work there. She designs all of the clothes and has them made and mass-produced. Models like me advertise them in photo shoots and in runway shows.
"So..." Miss designer sat herself down in front of me with an eager grin on her face. "Give me the details, don't think I forgot! Who was he? I hardly doubt he was an alcoholic, of all the lame excuses, Sakura!" Her eyebrows made that funny jerk that never ceased to creep me out. I sighed before making a sip of my tea and braced myself for what I was about to release.
"It was Syaoran Li." I answered holding in my breath. I could tell she was gaping at me with an expression of surprise.
"It was?" She sounded less surprised than I expected her to. She stared at me observing my own thought to this. "I haven't seen him in so long. Well except for the magazines and TV."
"Magazines and TV?" I blurted out. What was she talking about?
"Yeah." She said slowly, like I was a ticking time bomb "He's an actor, didn't you know that?"
I placed my cup on the table before bursting and took my turn to stare at her. This was unbelievable news.
"An actor?" I repeated. Did you know... that was my childhood dream job? And here I thought as I was finally fulfilling it, my elementary school rival beat me to it. "He's an actor?-!"
"Yes. I thought you knew that." Tomoyo stayed calm with a small frown on her face. "He's been rising in the last five months."
"The last five months?" My jaw dropped. "The last five months I've been doing photo shoots for over ten companies, doing runway shows for your company, taking interviews while promoting new merchandise! I had no time to even go through a magazine or flip through the TV channels because Rika has been giving me jobs left and right."
"I'm sorry Sakura." Tomoyo apologized after I stopped my angry blabbering for a moment to catch a breath. "I thought you already knew and just didn't want to talk about it."
"Well thanks for the late update." I drank more tea to relieve my sore throat.
"I didn't recognize him, thought." She shook her head remembering back to last night. "I must've had too much to drink."
"No, really?" I said still a bit upset." Anything else you need to tell me?"
"He's dating a model." She said in a hushed voice. I put down my cup once more and stared at her. I knew this was coming and I had to be ready for this. "Her name is Ari Mikoto."
That name is now embedded into my head. Not on my death list but a watch-out list. It didn't surprise me he would go for a pretty girl like a model. He's always been into those types. And now I wonder, is that what drove me to this profession?
"She's in lingerie, with Vikara Himitsu." Not a surprise at all. Now that I think about it, I was wearing different clothes this morning, did he change me? I wonder how he got through that. Sicko... "She isn't big, but the paparazzi love them together."
Time froze and I caught myself in the fork of an imaginary road. My heartbeat became faster not knowing which way to go, not knowing what future the road I pick will lead me to.
I could ruin her and steal him away easy, or I could continue to live my single, popular hopeless life. Which one?
"What else?" I asked Tomoyo, staring glumly out the foggy window. She sighed and looked out the window too.
"There's nothing on marriage yet." She passed information to me one step at a time. "And he's the biggest heart throb in Japan amongst women."
"Typical." I stated. I find everything predictable, the acts of humans especially. Tomoyo looked at me with the utmost concern in those amethyst eyes of her.
"You still have a chance." She told me. "He isn't married. He's into models - and you're a supermodel. There's also history with you two..."
"I know." I turned to face her, sipping more tea. "But I don't think I should take that chance, I gave up a long time ago."
I wasn't entirely telling the truth. Giving up was a misconception. But what could I do when he was the one that cut me off? This friendship thing...we already tried it on mutual terms.
It was after I moved that I realized I missed him. That I realized he wasn't the cocky enemy I made him out to be.
The truth was that I had an inferiority complex. I admired him. Jealous of what I saw he had - the stable family love, popular among friends and girls, athletic ability, good looks, intelligence and loyal determination. And sitting beside the boy with that much on his shoulders began to bug me everyday, I hated it. I hated him, or so I thought.
I had called him up one night to tell him I liked him, even if it had been so long since we've seen each other, two years exactly. I don't know why I did it. But I didn't want to live with it anymore. He was appearing in my dreams and my mind circled around our memories. Well, my memories. I only had gotten as far as confessing my likeness toward him and how confused I was. He didn't understand it either, but had said it was okay. He let it be, and that partially relieved me.
After that, we tried to talk, but it wasn't much of a conversation. I had also seen him when I went to Tomoyo's but I couldn't bring myself to greet him. Soon after that, we didn't talk and he didn't respond to my emails. I felt like a fool all over again, and that was when my hatred towards him came back.
"Sakura..." Tomoyo softened the tone of her voice. She knew what I went through, listening to me ramble on as a kid. I know she has no doubts about the feelings still lingering inside. "...you shouldn't have to endure this much pain."
I stared at her. The atmosphere in the room was downcast for the moment.
"If Syaoran is happy, you deserve to happiness too." She was a collected person that looked out for the wellbeing of others. We had always stuck up for each other. "You live alone and all you do is work. You don't have anyone there to make you happy."
"And since Touya and your father are...well, gone. I seem to be the only one left that is close to you." He eyes began to water, and I could see she was holding the tears back.
"And I can't always be there for you, as much as I may want to."
"I know, you don't have to worry." I told her. "I'm okay living like this."
"No, you deserve better, Sakura." She shook her head. "I'm not going to let you live alone, we are going to live full happy lives."
I did my best to smile at her thoughtfulness. We were so in this together as friends and family, and no one would take us down. Heh, it was girl power.
"Thanks Tomoyo."
Pi! Pi! Pi! My phone rang. I stumbled through my purse to get it.
"Hello?" I answered it.
"Sakura!" Rika squealed my name out excitedly. "You got that lead role you auditioned for!"
"I did?" I grinned happily at my luck.
"Yes. That movie Hatori Karasumai is producing, Meitantei Rikku (Detective Rikku)." Rika said trying to calm herself down. "You're officially Rikku Hanase."
"Are you serious?" I smiled as Tomoyo watched me, I was bursting to tell her the good news tell her the good news.
"Sure am, where are you right now?"
"I'm at Mino's with Tomoyo."
"I need you to meet Hatori at Boketo Studio's now."
"Now?" This was sudden. "Why now?"
"He needs to confirm and go over cast members. Then costume and designs are going to look at you. And they have your finalized script." Rika said. "I also found out your co-star love interest is none other than Ryu Nanae!"
"He is?-!" My eyes widened. I smiled happily seeing Tomoyo laugh at my expression. "I am one lucky bitch."
"Haha you know it! I don't know who's head you bit off to get that lucky." Rika laughed.
"Oh I didn't bite. I killed them with niceness." I said sweetly. "But tell Hatori I'll be there right away."
"Okay. When you're done, can you go to the agency to pick up your photos? Hold on to them for a bit, okay?"
"Yup!" I said cheerfully. "Bye!"
I hung up and put my cell back into my purse.
"I'm going to be in a movie with Ryu Nanae!" I jumped to my feet and pulled my purse over my shoulder. Tomoyo's mouth dropped and my smile widened.
"No way!" She giggled nervously. She leaned up on the table with her elbows and supported her head. "This is your chance Sakura!" She winked at me as I laughed and bid her goodbye. I hopped into my Vette and made my way to Boketo Studios.
Although this was my fifth time being cast in a movie, it was my first time in a starring role. I had always been filmed as a brilliant co-star, so this was exciting news. Not only that, but try Nanae as my love interest! He's a three time award winning actor and only twenty-eight years old. He's known for his good looks; those stunning hazel eyes and brown hair that falls so elegantly around his sharp features. He was Japan's biggest heartthrob, that is, until Syaoran came into the picture, or so I'm told.
I had finally arrived at Boketo Studios and entered the main building, the huge one that covered the rest of the area. It was a large gleaming building that I've always admired. When I was a child I used to think this is where all the acting happened, but as I grew older, I realized I was wrong.
"I'm looking for Mr. Hatori Karasumai..." I informed one of the ladies at the desk. She looked up and smiled at me with a nod, telling me the thirteenth floor in conference room one-hundred-twenty-two. I thanked her and made my way there.
Okay... breathe Sakura, I continue to tell myself. I also couldn't stop grinning like an idiot. So getting up to the thirteenth floor with along with a hoard of other people, I had calmed myself. Mostly.
I found conference room one-hundred-twenty-two, Hatori and the rest of the main cast there. Boy was I late.
"Sakura Kinomoto!" He walked to me with open arms and that suck-up smile on his face. "My star!"
He took me by the hand and led me inside the room to meet my co-workers. And there he was, Ryu Nanae.
"The beginning of Meitantei Rikku!" Everyone in the room applauded, as well as myself.
"Now," Hatori pushed me into a chair. I crossed my legs and sat there acting business-like and focusing my attention to Hatori just as everyone else. "Let me officially introduce our main cast. And Sakura dear, Rine here has your finalized script."
A woman in red with square framed glasses approached me with a package. Then, Hatori looked around at everyone like he was his own shining star.
"As you all know, Sakura Kinomoto will be playing the role of Rikku Hanase, a female detective and main character of the film."
A small applause broke out as well as some chattering. I stood up and bowed for a short second then sat back down feeling the blood rush to my cheeks.
"Next is her counterpart and rival detective Kudou Inamoto." He grinned and looked in the opposite direction of Ryu Nanae for some odd reason. "That will be played by Syaoran Li."
A dark figure emerged from the shadows and bowed his handsome head as everyone clapped. Okay, I could have sworn Rika told me my counterpart was Ryu Nanae, not... him! Didn't I just see him this morning? It's like my life couldn't get much more of him! Was this some kind of set up?
"And the mastermind criminal will be portrayed by none other than Ryu Nanae." Hatori had his three stars out and continued with Inspector Haruno (Actor Seno Mayabe), the most appearing victims (Actors Takashi Iwaru and Keiji Futsukiyama) and so on.
My body was stiff feeling Syaoran's eyes on me. I looked in his direction every once and awhile and this is freaking me out by the second. I can't stand it.
"Alright, so we're just going to go through some brief discussing on the storyline." Hatori put on glasses that I bet aren't even prescribed and grabbed a handful of papers that the same girl before gave me. This guy makes me laugh. He's the one that should be the actor! "So Sakura, who will be playing Rikku, is hired for a case of fifty million dollars stolen from a large company; Emen, Problem is she has a rival which will be you Syaoran."
"This whole detective vs. detective idea is a hot twist." Ryu commented. Oh I must agree!
"Exactly!" Some girl also agreed. Back away now dear. "So what makes it even more interesting is this love connection, beating each other to the conclusion, while conflicting their emotions, or a form of lustful love."
Why me? Why Syaoran? What happened to Ryu Nanae? I mean, God! Did this really have to be fate? And the problem is I can't turn it down, for more than one reason: It's too late, Rika is counting on me, this is a career I wanted, I have nothing better to do, and Ryu Nanae is here! I can't exactly argue with that now can I?
And the criminal mastermind is sexy... Rika is just going to get one hell of a yelling from me for this little... misunderstanding.
They continued on their little conversation with me only half listening and contributing. I think my anxiety is getting to me, so I found the absolute wrong time to try and deal with it. They referred to me a lot more than I expected and all I could really do was smile and nod my head. This was so unnerving to me and Syaoran playing a lovers-rivals role! What happened to friends? And we had only come off on good terms this morning! I think I'm going to cry...
"Miss Kinomoto?" I quickly snapped out of my daze by the sound of my name. It was the same woman that approached me with a smile on her face and tape measure in her hands. "Let me just get down some measurements and see what kind of look would suit you as Detective Rikku."
I nodded and followed her to a secluded spot in the room. Everyone else's eyes seemed to follow us as well. Stupid, curious, sickening people...
"I'm seeing a classic black and white look on her." Hatori rubbed his chin while Rin measured certain parts of my body. I'd rather not mention. "The green eyes and auburn color of her hair give her color already and that makes her beauty stand out."
"It's classy." Ryu examined me with a tilt of his head. I'm ready to faint. "And it does give her that business detective look. It makes her look professional."
"But she's a detective." Syaoran cut in for his opinion. Everyone's attention averted to the handsome brown haired man. "She's supposed to blend in. its part of her stealth in order to get information and clues, not cause suspicion and heighten her risk of death. The classic look can be suited for an office thing. But outside, I think she should look like a regular woman."
"I guess your right in a realistic view," The slightly grayed eyebrows of Hatori furrowed.
"Well by the views of the movie industry, she is a super model, so people expect a sexy woman out of this." Syaoran stepped out and started to walk near me, "I say just give her a flexible costume that accentuates her curves, but..."
He turned to me with a serious uplifting eyebrow. "...Sakura is going to have to pull off that sex appeal with her sharp witty character, or else it doesn't suit the part."
"I can do that." I grumbled irritably. Like I don't know how, pfft! "It comes natural as a model and actress."
"He's right." Some man in tight flashy clothing spoke up. I seriously underestimate the amount of professional people are in this room making their little notations on note pads and referring back and forth to the script. I try not to feel incompetent. "Her clothes have to have a dangerous look. No old school trench coat but how about one outfit that's a simple red tank top and...um...black pants for instance. And we could simply give her a pair of heels, a gun and she has that dangerous, feminine look."
Its funny how easily exaggerated television makes things. A detective is a detective, not a police officer.
They just don't carry around a gun. They use their wit and study of human psychology to solve cases. But I guess that's how television goes, right? And the viewers especially want it to be some supernatural heroic idea.
They continued to brainstorm some more ideas on costumes for my character. Then it was Syaoran's turn. I'll clear his character up for you.
Kudou Inamoto. A charming detective that is quiet and deals with cases on a single base, much like Rikku Hanase. He is well-known, but is hidden beneath Rikku's charm because of her female upstage. Kudou is quick witted and serious, giving him a cool look. He lives a simple life, but finds interest in a stubborn, smart girl he rivals - Rikku Hanase.
Sounds like my kind of guy! I grinned to myself imagining Ryu Nanae leaning against the wall in the dark, mysterious shadows of an eerie room, a sly smirk on his face as he conveyed to the dumbfounded police his deduction. Oh, it was too good! Then I realized that the character would be portrayed by Syaoran. So of course none other than the Syaoran Li, had replaced my brilliant mental image I had made of Kudou.
For the rest of the time I was there, I created little scenarios of Detective Kudous's greatest moments. I think I'm rather brilliant, don't you? Or more so childish, I mean lately, all this work has been tiring me out that I haven't been able to keep up unless I amuse myself. And this was my ultimate solution.
I took a deep breathe; relieved I was out of that stuffy place of rich people. To be honest, as much as I work I don't find myself 'rich' like how other people view famous people should be. I make enough money to pay the rent, buy necessities and keep up with my own insurance. I don't like being in debt to people so all the money I make is enough to keep me satisfied on my own.
I pushed the button to go down to the lobby floor, feeling a presence join me. Everyone else though, seemed to still be wrapped up in this fantastic new movie idea.
"Long time no see." Syaoran chuckled sarcastically. I smiled and laughed myself, seeing it had only been a few hours since I last saw him.
"I guess we'll be working together on this thing." I bounced on the balls of my feet waiting for the elevator to arrive. It finally did, and we both stepped into the sea of people.
"I guess so." he nodded. We reached the ground floor and walked out together. "But I won't be so bad will I?"
He smirked at me seeing my questioning look. My friends often tease me and my slight naïve persona. I wonder why?
"Seeing the way you drooled all over Ryu Nanae, I hope I'll be enough to work with..." I blushed and turned away. Awe man! He caught me! Syaoran laughed at my little reaction.
"I'll see you later, Sakura." He waved to me as we parted to our cars. I waved back with a smile. "Bye."
I honestly felt blessed; I hadn't been acknowledged by him for a long time. I'm just happy to be on these friendly of terms.
I checked off my meeting with the Meitantei Rikku cast in my mental check list and read on to my next task: picking up my photos from the agency.
Syaoran's Point Of View
I couldn't run away. I needed this chance to be played in this film. And I did agree I would come off as friends with Sakura. If I quit that job it would totally contradict what we agreed on. And running away would make me a wuss. I have to man-up and stand my ground; I will not be intimidated by a girl - a beautiful, gorgeous, sexy self-sufficient, talented woman for that matter. No way!
But I will admit that she can make any man go weak in the knees just by staring into those exotic jaded eyes.
"Hi love." I answered my cell. I feel like it's been forever since I've talked to her, when it's only been last night since I've seen her beautiful face.
"Hun, can you pick up some forms for me at Atsuri Agency?" We're getting some girls from there that Yoshidori wants me to take a look at." She said in annoyed tone.
"Alright." I had nothing else important to do, might as well kill time before working myself to death with this new assignment. "Oh yeah, I got that detective Rikku part!"
"You did?" I imagined her smile on the other end. "That's great Syaoran. You want to do some detective work on me later?"
"You know I'd take up that case any day." I jerked an eyebrow even if she couldn't see. She laughed at my answer.
"Alright, well I'll see you later Mr. Detective." She said in her low, sexy voice. I love it when she does that.
"Bye." I hung up, turning onto the next street to make it to Atsuri Agency.
All the way there, I had fiendish ideas of what I'd do to her, or better yet - what she'd do to me. A devilish grin spread across my face as I parked parallel to the side walk in front of the place with 'Atsuri Agency' scrawled across the top. Posters of gorgeous women and a few men were plastered on the inside behind the glass windows. I shoved on my discreet sunglasses and walked in. The women looked at me with interest and heart shaped eyes. I made their mouths drop and water. Yes, I'm famously known as a ladies' man, a playboy, a player, heartthrob, hunk, hottie, 'the man', whatever... the list goes on. But whenever I found the right girl and a relationship hits, those names don't stick to me.
"Can I help you?" The woman asked with, I guess that is to say, her best smile. She didn't seem to recognize me with my sunglasses. "Are you looking into male modeling?"
"Actually, no." I looked around and responded rather frankly. "I'm just here to pick up some stuff for Ari Mikoto."
"Ari Mikoto?" The lady looked at my questioningly. "She said her boyfriend, Syaoran Li, would pick it up for her."
I took off my sunglasses to reveal my identity. "That would be me."
"Syaoran!" A shrill voice came from behind me. I turned around to meet her again. What is fate trying to do to me? She walked towards me, both of us ignoring the gasps, murmurs and squeals the other woman in the vicinity made. "What are you doing here?" I could ask her the same thing. But this is a modeling agency after all; her profession.
"I have to pick up something for my girlfriend." I answered her. She didn't look shocked like I expected; I guess I'm quite full of myself thinking every girl is after me.
"Mr. Li, Sakura." The woman behind the desk interrupted passing us our packages we came to retrieve.
"Thank you." We both said to her. Then we opened them up to see if they were the right stuff. You know, not to get mixed and have a huge predicament that could ruin us.
Sakura was unfortunately under some stormy cloud because she couldn't help but drop all of her contents across the floor wit her loud, embarrassed "damn!"
I sighed to myself and gentlemanly bent down to pick up her stuff for her. It caught me a bit surprised and caused me to go dry in the throat at what I saw.
One was a picture of her on the beach in a cream-colored bikini lying playfully in the water. Her hair wasn't wet, but her sunglasses gave her a cute, sexy appearance. The light gleaming on her body showed her best features.
Another was of her in the sweetest lingerie I've ever seen. A mirror was behind her in the picture so you could see her features (ahem... her butt.) She looked at the camera in a very, very naughty way, biting down on her red painted lips and those eyes that just pulled you in.
Then there was one of her lying across a bed with only a bed sheet to cover her elegant body. The morning light made her look beautiful. The photo's storyline seemed to be a woman waking up from a busy night, and about to make that morning just as busy.
The last one I found and picked up was really cute. She wore a t-shirt and short shorts as she hugged a giant teddy bear with a huge grin on her face. It was certainly different from all the others, although I found this sexy in its own little way.
Sakura slipped the photos I gathered for her out of my hands, blushing madly. I felt a little red myself. I have a girlfriend for goodness' sake's! It seems so wrong to look at another beautiful woman and feel this way. No, it's definitely wrong. A man shouldn't be controlled by his feelings, well; at least he should prolong it as much as possible.
"Thank you." She mumbled not looking at me. She shoved them into the large, brown envelope and thanked the woman behind the desk once more with a nervous smile before heading to the exit.
I also said my goodbye and following her out. I felt a need to apologize, or at least say something. It was obvious she wasn't comfortable with me seeing her like that, and neither was I.
"Sakura?" I caught up to her by quickening my pace seeing her front teeth bite down on her bottom lip and hug the package close to her, while taking long strides. I had just seen the best pictures of Sakura Kinomoto that any man would die for. And for some reason, my own life started to fade away as I watched her walk beside me and stare into the green colored windows of her soul. Any man would want to be in my place right now.
Note: Hmm... not much to say now, but umm... thanks for everything! And I hope you guys are having a good summer. And this chapter has a bit more explanation on the past. Teehee!
Vikara Himitsu: Thought of Victoria's Secret
Ryu Nanae: Thought of Ryu Eba and Akira Nanae from Wild Act
Meitantei Rikku: Thought of Detective Conan
Kudou Inamoto: Thought of Detective Conan's Shinichi Kudou and that Japanese Soccer player