One week later. Monday November 14th.
The week passed without serious incident. The worst thing anyone tried to do was some trashy paper trying to do an expose on Kyoko being Bo. Thankfully thanks to Mio and Natsu, most people thought the writer was just a desperate hack. Kyoko wasn't sure if she was happy or sad about this. It was good that she could continue as Bo but saddened that the poor writer, who was telling the truth, was unbelieved by everyone.
Ryu was picking Kyoko up from the Darumaya. As she pulled up she was greeted by a visibly shaking Kyoko. She instantly went on alert.
"What's wrong?" Ryu asked, worried.
"Nothing! I am actually really excited! I've barely seen Ren all week and today I get to see him and start the filming for 'Ever after'. Oh and see Moko-san. She got a call from the director after Kimagure Rock aired asking her to do an audition for the part."
"That's great!"
Ryu relaxed. Nothing was wrong. Just another weird quirk her charge had. Kyoko practically bounced in her seat all the way to the studio. She suddenly violently vibrated.
"Who's texting you?" asked Ryu.
"Ren."
Excited? R
How did you know? K
I know you. See you soon. R
See you soon K
It was a quarter to 9 when Ryu and Kyoko met with Yashiro, Ren and Kanae inside the studio.
"Moko-san!"
Kyoko hit the outstretched hand.
"Act properly. You are on set."
Kyoko looked down and mumbled.
"Yes Moko-san. Sorry Moko-san. I'm glad you get to try out for the part today."
"After what I saw, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Hello! Hello! Hello!"
The five spun around to face the director.
"Good morning director," intoned the assembled cast and crew. The director greeted everyone and began explaining what would be happening today. They would begin with Kanaes test, get everyone fitted for their saftey harnesses and maybe even get some filming in if they had time. The director headed over to our 5. Kyoko and the others bowed.
"Hello Ren-san, Kyoko-san"
He turned to Kanae.
"You must be Kotonami-san. Thank you for coming in."
"No director. Thank you for this opportunity."
The studio door banged open. Kyoko glanced at the clock. It was 0925.
"I'm here!"
"You're late." boomed the director.
"It's not my fault," yelled Misako, "my manager didn't wake me up."
"How is that an excuse? Are you a child? Incapable of doing something as simple as setting an alarm? Your manager is not your mother. You are an adult."
Mia pouted.
"I'm sorry," she said sarcastically, "but I'm here now so you can scuttle off behind the camera and we can start filming."
The director looked livid. Everyone took a step back.
"NO! We cannot start filming. If you had been here on time you would know todays schedule. Kotonami-san."
"Yes director?"
"Please prepare for your test."
"Yes director."
Kanae went to prepare, while Mia was throwing a tantrum.
"What test? Who was that?"
"Your replacement."
"MY WHAT?!"
Misako looked set to explode.
"Did I not say that if you were even a minute late you would forfeit your part?"
"You were serious?! You would really ruin your movie by taking me out of it because you're a grumpy sod?"
The director was apopletic with rage.
"ENOUGH! You're lucky you were even allowed in this building after what you did last week."
"What are you talking about?"
"I believe you called me a bore and the cast and crew untalented morons. On live TV."
"They were supposed to edit that out. I'm going to sue them!"
"It was live TV! There is no editing. Your part is forfeit. You will remain but have a lesser role."
"Then I quit."
"Then you will never work again. Your outburst on TV will make you a pariah. I certainly will never recommend you to anyone and you'll never work for me again, after this. No one will hire you. So what do you do? Take the lesser role? Or never work again?"
This seemed to actually sink into Misakos mind. She slumped slightly and even appeared to be a little distressed. To the shock of the gathered audience she apologised and slunk off to a corner.
Kyoko and Kanae where holding their sides with one arm while the other was holding a hand over their mouths to stop themselves laughing out loud. Ryu, Yashiro and Ren were a little more composed but their eyes glistened with the restraint it was taking.
The director and Misako were having an intense discussion in the corner. When it had finished, Misako gave a very half hearted bow.
He headed back over and signalled Kanae. She straightened up and became the consumate professional. She obviously had memorised the script and produced a flawless scene.
"Kyoko-san. Come here."
Kyoko dashed over, "Yes director?"
"Where ever did you find her? She's amazing."
"She's my best friend and colleague at LME."
"She's perfect! She'll make a brilliant queen. Thank you Kyoko-san!"
Kyoko flushed. Even Kanae looked a little embarrassed.
Later, in the changing room, Kyoko was getting her final fitting for her saftey harness, and had to admit that it was one of the most embarrassing things she had ever done. It didn't help that Ren was sat glaring at the poor man who was fitting her. Ryu and Yashiro had gone off to do paperwork and Kanae was in wardrobe getting all the queens costumes adjusted to her size. Ren was still staring.
"What do you think they'll have me do?"
Ren snapped out of his stare. The assistants shoulders slumped, feeling the death gaze move away.
"Judging by the script it's some flips, falling and swinging mainly. Nothing dangerous. You might even find it fun. When I first did stunt work that required a harness I was nervous to but it turned out to be really fun. I quite enjoyed myself. It was a little like flying."
He winked at her.
"Excuse me Kyoko-san," piped a timid voice from somewhere around Kyokos waist, "Is it comfortable?"
She took a few steps and did some stretches and squats.
"It feels fine."
"It isn't to tight? Nothing rubbing?"
"Nope. Feels good."
The assisstant moved to undo it but he felt the death gaze return. The assisstant suddenly decided that something important had to be done. Something far away from this man. Now.
He ran from the room.
"Leave the poor man alone Kuon. He was only doing his job."
Kuon stuck his tongue out at her.
"As lovely as it is that you're jealous apparently Kuon, I need Ren. He has work to do."
He tossed her a lazy smile and the mischievous light of Kuon faded from Rens eyes.
A wardrobe assisstant stuck her head around the door.
"Kyoko-san? You're needed in wardrobe."
Kyoko nodded, flashed a smile to Ren and followed the assisstant. She was looking forward to this part. She loved her costumes and was always interested in how they went together. When she walked in, Kanae was still in one of the outfits.
"Moko-san, you look amazing."
A very faint tinge of blush appeared on Kanaes cheeks. Kanae was dressed in a slimline, midnight blue, halter neck dress with detached sleeves that ran snugly down her arms and tapered off to points on her hand. These were connected via a loop of material that the middle finger went through to secure it down.
A wardrobe mistress waved her over.
"Here are all your costumes Kyoko-chan."
They lost her to la-la-land. She had 3 selections. The closest end was the first part costumes. They were her princess gowns. Petticoats and ruffles galore. The middle section would be for when she was cast out into exile. It was peasanty and very simple. The end was her final outfits. Long and flowy, sleeveless and pastels. They were to show the change into the person she had become.
"Hey Kyoko," Kanae said, "guess what?"
"What?"
"I have two pieces of news. Both good. Which would you like first?"
She held out her fists to signify Kyokos choices.
"The left one please."
"Misako Mia is still on the film, but her part is now one of the rebels who helps you."
"Bet she loves that. What's the other?"
Kanae looked at the wardrobe mistress, who nodded.
"We get to keep 3 outfits."
Kyoko almost fell over. She had to sit down.
"3?"
Everyone nodded.
"But not until after filming of course Kyoko-chan."
"Of course not! This way I can see which ones are comfiest and suit me better."
Kanae had to laugh.
"Always a bright side eh?"
The wardrobe mistress picked a few out so she could get final fits. Once everything had been pinned and hemmed and triple checked, Kyoko changed into one of the ready princess dresses. She knew what was next. Make up!
The artiste threw a sheet around Kyoko and tightened it around her neck. Kyoko closed her eyes and let the woman do her work.
Kanae was out and waiting with Ren when a hush fell over the crowded set. Kyoko had come in.
She looked like a doll. A deep red, ruffled dress with lace, red lips, white face and a mass of black curls. She glided over to the director and curtsied. Kanae glanced at Ren. She placed a finger under his chin and closed his mouth. She snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"She...I.."
"I know, but if you keep staring you're going to bring about attention."
Ren shook his head to compose himself.
The director beckoned Kanae and positioned them and told them what he would like for the scene. It was going to be the one where the evil queen exiled the princess.
"ACTION!"
++++++++++++++
"Everything is mine now! You're nothing here but a nuisance. I'd kill you but what would be the point? There's no fun in that."
"You'll never get away with this! They all know you killed him! They'll never follow you!"
"Oh they will. I don't need them to love me like you do. Fear is much better."
She cackled. The princess flinched.
"I'll stop you. The people will. We won't let you get away with this ruination. My knights will help and it'll be over quickly."
"Had."
"What do you mean? As princess I have guards."
"That's where the problem lies. You're not a princess."
"Yes I am"
"You were. As Queen I exile you to the town. To watch me drive this pathetic little town into the mud. You will look upon what you once had and know that it is mine and there is nothing you can do about it. I want you to watch the town suffer. I want you to suffer."
The princess started to cry.
The queen leaned down to whisper maliciously in the princesses ear.
"Watch me take everything you love and destroy it. Guards! Take her away!"
The princess was removed from the castle with nothing but the clothes on her back. As the guards threw her in the mud outside the castle walls, she heard the queen cackling with glee.
++++++++++++++++++
"CUT! Amazing. Just superb!"
The assembled cast and crew were applauding.
"Kotonami-san, that was brilliant. See the AD for your schedule. Kyoko-san, you really captured the essence of despair there. Beautiful work."
Mia was still stood in the corner, a look of pure malice on her face.
~!"£$%^ #~
(A/N. I know I have an 'M' rating, but what she's thinking here is so bad I'm not gonna print it.)
They recorded the exile scene, which needed nothing changing and blocked out some other scenes. They did some run throughs til lunch.
Everything had been going so well until then.
Ryu and Yashiro had rejoined them for lunch and they all sat around a table with their bentos happily chatting.
Kanae was enjoying her salad when, all of a sudden, a large amount of cold water landed on her head. Kanae was drenched. Even Yashiro at the other end of the table got hit.
"Oh so sorry. I must have tripped over that ego of yours."
They all knew that voice. Kanae was livid. She grabbed Misako by the arm.
"What's your problem?"
"You are! You stole my part!"
The grudges were revelling in the anger from their mistress and her friend.
Kyoko stood up.
"No she didn't. You lost your part as agreed. After your performance on Kimagure Rock I'm surprised and stunned that you even have a job."
"How do you know about that?"
"The whole of Japan saw! I can only assume that the director allowed you to continue in a lesser role, rather than firing you, out of respect for your talent."
"Pfft. What would a no talent hack like you know?"
It was Kanaes turn to explode.
"This girl has more talent in one finger than you do in your entire body!"
"You're just a part stealer. I don't have to listen to shit like you."
Kyoko reached critical mass.
"Enough! One, she didn't steal your part. She won it fair. Two, the director gave you fair warning and after your outburst on TV, did you honestly think you could keep it? Three, if anyone, it's my fault as I'm the one who recommended her. Four, I thought you might learn something but someone as self absorbed, selfish, cruel, pathetic and horrible as you will never learn."
Kyoko was left breathing hard.
Ryu, Yashiro, Ren and Kanae were left stunned by Kyokos outburst. Ren also felt a small bit of pride. Kanae felt a rush of warmth and gratitude, though she'd never tell. Yashiro was wondering if Kyoko had been drinking again. Mia yanked her arm from Kanaes grip and rounded on Kyoko.
"It's all your fault! You ruined my life! A no talent, unappealing, poor excuse for a human being. How dare you?! How dare you talk to me like that when we all know how you got this part!"
She gestured at Ren, who laughed.
"What's so funny? It's obvious that she got this part because she's sleeping with you."
Ryu, Yashiro and some of the crew members who had worked with Kyoko before started laughing. Even Kanae sniggered.
"Mogami-san didn't even know I was in this drama till the day before the first reading. So that's that theory out of the window. Care to try again?"
Ren sounded disinterested and bored. Kyoko was trembling with anger.
"People like you are the reason there are such vicious rumours and gossip."
Kyoko clenched her fists in an attempt to calm herself. Bad mouthing her was one thing. Bad mouthing Kanae and Ren was worse. She stepped forward and opened her mouth to continue her tirade.
Ryu stood up.
"Kyoko. No."
It was a very definitive no. Kyoko closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She released it slowly, letting the tension and anger leave her.
The first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was Misakos fist heading towards her. All her stage combat training kicked in. She ducked, pushed the arm aside and hooked her foot behind Misakos.
There was a soft thump and some subdued giggles as Misako landed on her arse.
Yashiro stepped up.
"Before you think about going and crying assault, may I point out that all of your actions so far have been caught on the cameras that cover the dining hall and witnessed by those in here. You will not win. It is better if you leave now and we'll speak no more of it."
Misako looked around wildly, looking for someone, anyone to help her. Some were laughing at her, others looking at her with pity or disgust.
Misako screamed and leapt up to attack Kyoko again, who sidestepped. Misako was going in for another attack when Ren stepped in front of her.
"I would seriously suggest leaving now. You cannot win and are merely making yourself look foolish. If you carry on, then I'm sure the director will fire you. Then you will never work again. He is the only thing stopping you from being blacklisted. I would suggest you go home and think."
Misako stopped and straightened up.
"This isn't over." she snarled and stalked out the room muttering.
Ren turned to Kyoko.
"If you apologise to us, I will ignore you for the rest of the day."
The others joined in, agreeing.
Kanae placed her hand on Kyokos shoulder.
"You have nothing to apologise for. You were defending us and yourself. You didn't harm her. I'm quite impressed with your combat skills by the way."
Kyoko looked at Kanae. The last few minutes were blocked out when she saw her best friend still dripping wet.
"Ah! Moko-san! We have to get you dry!"
Kyoko dragged Kanae to wardrobe to help her dry off, get her warm and see if her costume could be saved.
Ren, left with Ryu and Yashiro, turned back to the table.
"Well. That was interesting..."
Yashiro looked at him. He nodded. He got on his phone and started making arrangements. Ryu did the same, understanding what was going on.
Misako Mia would have to be watched.
