Double upload. This is the 2nd chapter I've posted today. Chapter 16 is also new up today.
Monday morning. 8:30am.
Ren, Kyoko, Yashiro and Ryu were stood talking in the parking lot of the studio that was due to film their new drama.
Yashiro looked uncomfortable.
"Hey, Yashiro-san, what's wrong?" asked Kyoko.
Ren looked at Yashiro and put the pieces together. He laughed.
"Yashiro. She knows. I told her."
Yashiro nearly cried with relief. Kyoko and Ryu looked confused.
"When I first found out you were the star I asked that you weren't told that I was also starring. We were having... issues at the time. With all thats gone on I totally forgot to tell Yashiro that it was okay for you to know."
Rens eye were sparkling with the laughter he was trying so hard to hold in.
Kyoko and Ryu giggled. Yashiro looked furious. Ren looked sheepish.
"I am sorry Yashiro. Really I am."
Yashiro considered it. Ren really did look apologetic and with the girls still laughing at the pair of them, it was difficult to stay mad at Ren.
"It's alright Ren. I suppose it has been a bit busy."
Ren took Kyokos hand. She flushed but didn't try to pull away.
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"Sure. The president complained that there was no gossip about me around. It's publicity for the both of us and our dramas. Plus, I don't want to hide."
He took a deep breath and gave her hand a squeeze.
"I love you Kyoko and everyone should and will know it!"
Kyoko flashed a brilliant scarlet from head to toe and swatted his arm playfully. Yashiro had slipped on his gloves and was taking pictures. Ryu was taking notes. Yashiro turned her.
"Are you ever going to put that notebook down?"
"I dont know... You ever going to stop fan-girling over them?"
Ren and Kyoko snorted.
"There's about as much chance of that as there is the president giving up on love!"
Yashiro opened his mouth to protest but nothing came. They were right.
"Okay, okay. Pick on the manager time is over. You two should get upstairs, it'll be starting soon. I will be in the coffee lounge on the third floor."
Ren and Kyoko waved goodbye to their managers in the foyer. They headed along a corridor to the reading room assigned for today.
Ryu went with Yashiro. He flashed her a handsome smile.
"I can buy you that drink now."
Ryu smiled weakly.
"Sure. Why not."
Kyoko was clutching Rens hand.
"Are you really sure your okay with this?"
"Kyoko. I have never been more sure in my life."
She fidgeted.
"What is it?"
"I'm just worried that it'll hurt your reputation, someone of your caliber being seen with me."
Ren was suddenly very angry. Kyokos grudges were out in full force bathing in it, rolling around in it.
"Don't ever say anything like that again! There is nothing wrong with you and I am proud and amazed to have you by my side."
"But I..."
"Positivity."
Kyoko groaned. Did everyone know about that conversation?!
(A/N. Of course they do! It's Lory. He probably did a memo or something.)
"Silver linings. That's what Ryu-san said. Silver linings."
"That's a good one."
Ren squeezed her hand as they stood outside of the reading room.
"I'll be right by your side."
Kyoko opened the door, and was nearly knocked backwards by the almost banshee like screech that erupted out the door.
"Ren-kun! I'm so happy to see you! I can't believe we're working together again!"
It was Misako. Ren groaned. Mia was halfway across the room to Ren when she stopped. She followed Rens arm, to his hand, which was holding onto Kyokos.
"What is that?!" Mia said scornfully, pointing at Kyoko. "What's a crew member doing in here?!"
Ren smiled his smile.
(A/N. We all know which one... It's just extra scary today.)
Kyokos grudges had retrieved popcorn and were settling in for the show.
However Ren, being Ren, was entirely professional. He pulled Kyoko forward as if presenting her.
"This is Mogami Kyoko. She is our lead."
You could have heard a pin drop. Ren took great satisfaction in watching Mia's jaw hit the floor. Even the Kuon in his head was appeased by Mias reaction. Kyoko blushed and took her hand from Rens so she could properly bow.
"Please take care of me. I look forward to working with you all."
Ren's face was blank and careful, but on the inside he was laughing. Kyoko was so unfailing polite and professional that Mia had no response. Everyone had frozen to watch the interaction between the 3, waiting to see what happened.
**BANG**
The door was thrown open and the director strolled in.
"Hello, hello, hello!"
Kyoko had taken her seat and was nearly blown away by the enthusiasm that the man exuded. The director moved to the head of the table and held his arms open wide for attention.
"I am Shinrei Shin. You can call me Director or Shin-Shin, whichever you'd like."
Kyoko giggled. He pointed to her.
"Seeing as you are the only brave enough to laugh, you can go next."
Kyoko gulped. Ren gave her a wink. As the director sat down, she stood up.
"I am Mogami Kyoko. This is my first lead so please guide me and take care of me."
She bowed.
Mia spoke up.
"Great! A newbie lead. Have you got any experience rookie?"
Kyoko took a breath.
"I do. I have done PV's, CM's and dramas. I was in Dark Moon and am currently Box-R."
"Is that supposed to impress me," Mia said, voice full of scorn, "what are you? Credited as school girl #3 and innoncent bystander 6?"
Mia looked round the room, smug, as if expecting praise for calling out the rookie. The director looked angry as did the rest of the cast. Ren looked calm, but his hand was clenched so tight his knuckled had gone white.
Kyoko stood up straighter (if at all possible) and stared directly into Misako Mias eyes.
"I am Hongo Mio and I am Natsu."
There was an uproar. The cast couldn't believe it. Ren looked incredibly proud. The director looked smug. Mia looked furious. Once the chatter had died down it was Rens turn. His voice and presence managed to calm everyone down. It was orderly and professional until it got to Mia. She stood up and thrust her chest forwards.
"I am Misako Mia and I will be the evil queen. I have been in many dramas and movies. You're very lucky to be working with me. I mean someone with my experience will obviously prove invaluable."
Mia looked around as if expecting a round of applause or a furtive glance or two at her chest. Everyone was looking at her coldy. She threw herself back into her chair, arms crossed, sulking.
The director got their attention.
"So I know you're all excited! So am I! And it gets better! There are new scripts. More detailed, names and such. Oh, and the title."
Ren and Kyoko flipped over their scripts.
'Ever after'
Ren chuckled low and under his breath. Kyoko flashed him a smile. He leaned over and whispered in Kyoko's ear.
"You owe me a date."
Kyoko turned pink and playfully pushed Ren away.
"Now everyone!" the director boomed making everyone jump.
"Today is the lovely 8th of November. We will commence filming in one week!"
"A WEEK?!" screeched Mia. "How can I be expected to learn an enitrely new script in a week?!"
"Well you read the previous script, yes?"
"Of course."
"Well then, it shouldn't be a problem. There are some changes but nothing to major. A week is more than enough time."
"But I have other work as well unlike others."
The director just stared at her.
"If you find it so troublesome to learn a few new lines in a week then I would suggest you quit. If you are that busy that you cannot learn a few lines, I would suggest you quit."
"I just might, then what would you do? It'll delay filming."
"I will recast the part."
"Good luck with that," Mia said.
Kyoko raised her hand.
"Yes Kyoko-chan?"
She blushed slightly at the informal way the director had called her but spoke up.
"I know someone who could not only learn the entire script in 5 minutes but would also be very grateful for the part."
Mia shot daggers at her. If looks could kill.
Kyoko had not meant it maliciously, she was honestly just trying to be helpful. The director seemed to be considering it.
"Right. Filming begins at 9am. Misako-san. If you are even one minute late I will take it as your choice to quit and you will forfeit the part."
Mia looked livid. The director clapped his hands together.
"That's all for today. You are all dismissed."
Mia rose first and stormed out of the room. Some of the others came over to congratulate Kyoko on her part and her previous works. Ren stood by her side, answering questions and chatting.
"Oh Kyoko-chan!"
Kyoko jumped.
"Y-yes director."
"Could I have this persons number? They sound truly interesting."
"Umm... Could I phone her and check quickly?"
"Yes, yes! Actually it might be better if you explain it than me phoning her and confusing her."
Kyoko excused herself and stepped away to call Kanae.
After 3 rings she answered.
"What?"
"Thats no way to answer Moko-san! What if it hadn't been me?!"
"I have caller ID."
"Oh... Anyway. I'm at the first meeting for my new project and I may have mentioned you. The director would like to talk to you. Can I give him your number?"
"Eh? You mentioned me?"
Kyoko explained about Mias outburst.
"So I could steal her part?"
"Yes"
"Excellent. No one gets away with speaking to my fellow LoveMe colleague like that. Except me. Yes give him my number. If he has time you could even just put him on now."
Kyoko ducked back into the room and signalled the director.
"She is free to talk now if you have a moment. Please feel free to use my phone director."
He took it and started talking to Kanae. After a few minutes he ended the call and returned the phone.
"She's very eager. That's good. She also asked me to pass on her thanks to you."
Kyoko smiled and bowed to the director. She bid him goodbye and went back to join Ren.
"Ready?"
Kyoko nodded. It wasn't until they were back at the car that Ren spoke.
"That was nice of you to suggest Kotonami-san. It probably greatly helped the director."
"How?"
"Misako is very likely to cause problems. By pointing out how easily she can actually be replaced may get her to stop and think before she acts."
Kyoko looked upset.
"I didn't mean it like that! I was just setting an example."
"I know but it was good. Hopefully Misako will act professionally now. Think of it like Ruriko-san. You challenged her, she got better at her acting. Kotonami-san will challenge Misako, hopefully she will get better."
"So it's like an exercise... to get Misako to act better?"
"Exactly that."
This explanation seemed to mollify Kyoko. Ren pulled her in for a hug.
"You are simply amazing. What else do you have today?"
She thought for a moment.
"I have Kimagure Rock today."
She checked her watch.
"In about an hour and a half."
"Late lunch?"
"Sure, what do you want?"
Dozens of ideas ran through Ren's mind. Some of the ideas where actually food while others were only fit for the Emperor of the Night. Others made even Kuon blush.
Kyoko waved a hand in front of Rens face.
"Ren?"
"Hamburger?"
Kyoko laughed.
She was still laughing as they drove off.
Hello people. Your lovely author here. Sorry for the delays. I have been having great difficulty in writing lately. So if you can think of how you would like it to go let me know.
Also you'll notice that Misako Mia changes between 'Mia' and 'Misako'.
This is because I hate her and how I refer to her is how I am feeling about her at the time.
