Act 92 – The Cons of Our Secret Friendship

Kyoko stared at Sawara-san in astonishment, she hadn't expected to come into work that day and be told the news that she was just listening to. This was the type of information and good news that someone gave to people other than Kyoko Mogami. This was a job request and not only for any job but for the one that Ren was playing a main role in, the one where Ren – Kuon, was following his father's lead. She didn't know how to respond to this.

She stared stunned at the head of the talent department, "Drama?" she asked as she blinked feeling as if she had stepped into a dram. "A request to perform in a drama for me?" she asked as she pointed to herself. Of course she would be unsure about this. She was a high school student, part of the LME actors training program, and more than that she was a Love Me member and her work was now being requested.

"Yes," Sawara nodded with a weak smile, "See? You don't believe it right? I also asked them again and again," he told her and Kyoko couldn't get her breath to calm down. What had she done to gain this – was Ren, no acting was far too important to Ren and he would never act so unethically as sneaking her roles in dramas. Still, if Ren hadn't gotten that role for her -

"This is a great one," Sawara continued, "A remake from a big hit drama series twenty years ago. Nonethless the masterpiece will be the main topic this year." Kyoko stared at him, her eyes growing bigger and she pinched herself to make sure that she was still awake. This seemed like some type of either very weird dream or the calm before the storm of something bigger. Why wasn't such a great piece being offered to Kanae, Kanae had more acting experience and talent than her and Kanae was also getting other acting offers so why couldn't such a big drama go to her.

"It seems you were greatly recommended," Sawara commented and that made the fear build a little in Kyoko. She had been greatly recommended? Who the heck would recommend her? "By Producer Asami Haruki to Ogata-shi, the drama's director."

Kyoko paused, her ear twitching as she heard what he had said. She had taken that job offer wanting to get revenge on Shotaro and despite it almost making Ren's trust in her crumble, she had taken hold of her feelings and done her best to produce something worthy. Now she was being told that it had helped her take a step further in the world of showbusiness. A dark cloud seemed to swarm around her and she turned back to Sawara-san, "You mean that…Fuwa Sho's"

"That's right," Sawara said as he looked scared of her. He didn't understand Kyoko's dark negative energy and Kyoko really didn't appreciate the fact that he didn't understand. Apparently Sawara-san considered her as a huge Sho Fuwa fan. He had attempted to give her a treat as an audience member before when it had been Fuwa and thank god for that chicken suit because she hadn't wanted to meet Shotaro at that point of her career. "The same producer who's in charge for Fuwa Sho in Queen Record," he said referring to the music studio, "It seems Asami-chan is an old acquaintance of Ogata-shi. Among some main characters, it seems he couldn't find any actresses that fit his image so he discussedit with Asami-san. Then Asami-san showed him Fuwa's PV which contains you in it. It seems Ogata-shi was falling for your act."

Kyoko turned to Sawara still with a deep suspicion for where he was going with this but at least it would hopefully mean a step forward in her career. She didn't want to hear anything dumb like Shotaro would be leaving his ugly and dirty footprints in the middle of Ren's great work.

Kyoko paused for a moment as she heard Sawara start to relax and he smiled softly, "He said he really wants you to participate," he said and Kyoko felt her back straighten a little. "So, what will you do?" he asked and Kyoko paused. She felt put on the spot. She had been wanting to know more about Shotaro's involvement in the drama that she hadn't thought of what her answer would be.

Kyoko fidgeted. She could accept this without worrying about anyone finding out about her true feelings for taking the job with Shotaro, couldn't she? Nobody would need to suspect her. Still even though the reason why she was getting the opportunity to act in such a high profile role was unpleasant to her and she would rather be seen for things that she was proud of it would allow her a chance to act. Still, maybe she was acknowledged for doing her best at being in the video as the angel who turned into the devil. This would also allow her to experience more roles of a variety. It only made sense to take the offer since it would increase more aspects of the self that she wished to nourish.

"Oh, that's right," Sawara told her, "I forgot to tell you the most important thing, that the drama's main actor is Ren."

Kyoko blinked as she heard that without any type of reaction. She already knew that since she had been over at Ren's apartment and had seen the DVDs of his father who he didn't want to discuss as well as the script. She knew that it was Ren but…but maybe the fact that it was Ren meant that he should be surrounded by veteran actors. The last thing that she wanted to do when it came to her precious Corn would be to drag him back and make it harder for him to accomplish his dreams, she wanted to see him flying high in the sky after all.

Sawara watched her, "Huh? You really don't have predictable reactions," he said and Kyoko blinked at him. "With how big a star Tsuruga-kun is, you don't…"

"Oh," Kyoko said as she blinked and nodded quickly. Despite her understanding of their friendship and despite the fact that they had told Ren's manager that they were childhood friends who had gotten together in a rare and unexpected way now they were both older, nobody else truly knew this. Her eyes widened. She should have been acting as if he were some higher being, right? That way nobody would get suspicious of their connection. Wait. That wasn't something either of them wanted and it would mean they would have to behave as strangers and if Kyoko slipped up on that secret then Ren might never fulfill his wish.

"Please," Kyoko said as Sawara looked at her completely confused, "Let me think about it for a while."

….

….

Kyoko looked down at the floor as she sat with Kanae, she wanted to tell her everything but Corn was just as precious a friend to her and Kyoko didn't know if she would be able to not lose his trust if she didn't hide certain facts away. Still, she had such a strong desire to appear in the drama and the role was one of a rich young lady which was a role that she had always wanted to play. Everything inside of her was pushing her to do it but she didn't want to create any risk for Ren and his dream. Corn was treasured to her and for more than his friendship but would he say it was foolish of her not to think of herself when making this decision.

Kanae stared at her as Kyoko's brain almost exploded from all of her worries, Kanae's voice was smooth and low but she had concerned eyes. "You…" Kanae said as she stared Kyoko in the eyes, "You're worried over something, right?" she asked. "You're always acting weird but…"

Kyoko screamed internally. She wanted to keep her friendship with Kanae but she had no confidence in where to start talking about this. Kanae loved acting which meant that hearing Kyoko's desire to join LME would be hurtful. Kanae probably would take whatever role she was offered so she wouldn't give a fair view to spoiling the drama for someone else. Also, Kyoko didn't know whether she could trust Kanae with the secret of her and Ren being friends because that might mean that everyone would find out. Still, she valued her friendship. She also didn't want Kanae to misjudge her for selling her heart out to Shotaro and coming to live with him in Tokyo only to be ditched and find out how easily he had been duping her. Would there be any chance of Kanae respecting her following that admission?

Kanae felt extremely angry by the way that Kyoko was acting and she looked away from her as the charm lay discarded on the ground between them. "you should spill your secret to me," she demanded but Kyoko fidgeted. She didn't know where to start with her secrets and she didn't want to lose their friendships. No, There had to be some way of handling this carefully and skillfully.

….

…

Kyoko sighed as she finished changing in the locker rooms from the loose and casual clothes from her acting class to her every day clothes. She was still being haunted by the knowledge that she hadn't told Kanae the truth and had been making up lies and half-truths about the reason why she couldn't say but she had gotten caught anyway. She would have to admit to those horrible things in her past.

As Kyoko looked up to where Kanae was closing her own locker, she opened her mouth to speak but Kanae quickly turned away, coldly ignoring her. Kyoko felt the tears in her eyes and she started to question about her worthiness as Kanae's friend. Kanae had told her something that had been a guarded secret to her and now Kyoko was keeping something away from that precious female friend.

Kanae was right, she had discussed something personal and even showed Kyoko the home life that she was trying to keep hidden away from the public. Kyoko wasn't brave at all. Kanae was trusting her with important things and she wasn't trusting Kanae. She had to be a much better friend than the one she was right at this moment.

Kyoko would need to respond somehow, Kyoko looked at Kanae and with her desire to talk to Kanae it was almost as if Kanae was held captive and was being dragged over to Kyoko. Along with negative and desperate emotions, Kyoko had always realized that her energy was different from most other people's. She hopefully had some kind of connection with Kanae which made it easier for the two of them to have a conversation at this messy point of their friendship.

Kyoko stared after her. Well, it was now or never. She would have to beg for forgiveness from Kanae and hopefully they would maintain their friendship. There was really only one person more important to Kyoko right now than Kanae but he would understand. Corn always seemed to understand. '

End of Act 92

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Thank you to Kaname671 for reviewing Act 91