CHAPTER II - ANGEL OF MUSIC
"You're asking me for advice?"
Kyoko nodded, too embarrassed to speak.
"Despite the fact that you know how I feel about your interactions with that guy? That's pretty shameless, even for you, Mogami-san." Kyoko wanted to crawl underneath the floorboards. "And you're even contacting me when you know I'm on a top secret shoot. Don't you think you're letting Cain and Setsu get to your head? You're asking too much for just a kohai."
Kyoko cringed so hard she toppled over. The Tsuruga Ren 'Reproachful Scolding' edition doll had been flung out of her hand reflexively. The doll's reproachful face stared up from the floor at her in mocking disapproval.
"As I thought," she mumbled remorsefully, crawling over to pick up the doll, "there's no way I can ask him…" What time is it even in Guam? I wonder if he's on set right now?... Not that it mattered. He probably wouldn't pick up, even if he wasn't filming. He was Cain Heel, so there was no way to contact 'Tsuruga Ren' right now. And even if there was, it was impossible.
Kyoko squealed in dismay. How could she possibly even talk to him? Her ears turned beet red just thinking about it. Corn had kissed her! While looking like Tsuruga-san! And then to make it even worse, SHE HAD TOLD HIM ABOUT IT. Maybe he'll be hit by a falling coconut in Guam and lose his short term memory, Kyoko prayed. Then she would be able to look him in the eye whenever he got back to Japan.
Kyoko rolled out her futon, hoping that sleep would settle her nerves. She needed to be well rested for whatever Sho would throw at her tomorrow on set.
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The morning of her doom had arrived, but so far it was quiet. Probably because as soon as she arrived on set, Kyoko was immediately sent off to get into costume.
"All finished, Kyoko-chan!" the stylist announced after one last time checking her work. The make-up artist removed the cape shielding Kyoko's costume so the girl could stand and get a closer look in the mirror.
Kyoko barely recognized herself. Chocolate-brown curls tumbled down past her shoulders, half tied back with a midnight blue ribbon. Her costume was a white leotard with thin straps and corset-style lacing on the back. Around her waist was a blue sash to match the ribbon in her hair. Best of all, there was a soft white tutu skirt that fell just above her knees and beautiful pink satin ballet slippers with ribbons that wound up her calves. Kyoko twirled, feeling the tulle swirl and float around her legs. She felt like a ballerina princess.
"I am the most fortunate person alive!" Kyoko almost cried, but she didn't want to mess up the make-up artist's hard work. The styling team was grateful to have someone who appreciated their hard work, but both the hair and make-up assistants didn't know how to bring the actress out of her Nutcracker Ballet fantasy and back to reality.
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Asami Haruki was pleased with how smoothly the production was going. The B-roll footage and performance shots from earlier in the week had turned out well and things were proceeding nicely on schedule.
"Kyoko-san, there you are!" the producer waved the actress over. "I'm glad that we're able to work together again."
"It's a pleasure to work with you again as well!" Kyoko bowed.
"Isn't the set spectacular?" Asami asked. "I'm so glad we ended up going with this concept! Are you familiar with the original story?"
Kyoko nodded. She had seen an adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera on TV once when she was little (although she was pretty sure in the version she saw, one of the main characters was played by a dog). It wasn't quite a fairytale, but Kyoko still loved the story. A promising young star on the rise is unexpectedly reunited with her childhood sweetheart, who just happens to be a dashing viscount! They fall in love, only to be torn apart by an evil genius. But love prevails, and the young couple triumph and live happily ever-
"Hey, pay attention!" Sho smacked Kyoko on the back of the head. "I didn't hire you to stand around daydreaming."
Kyoko spun around glaring, ready to rip out a chunk of Sho's hair. But the singer had wisely stepped out of range. Kyoko squinted at him and wrinkled her nose.
"What are you wearing?"
"Oh, this old thing?" Sho tugged on the collar of his green wool coat and brushed some invisible dust off the gold fringe on his shoulders. "I just felt like dressing up." He met Kyoko's blank look, then rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue at her. "Obviously, I'm in costume, idiot."
"...where's your mask?"
"What?"
"Aren't you supposed to have a mask?" Kyoko didn't want to be rude, but she was dubious. Isn't the Phantom's mask an iconic element? It seemed like a big mistake to cut it out of the MV, even if it was a very loose adaptation.
"You must have misread the notes," Asami said, understanding the girl's confusion. "Sho isn't playing the Phantom."
"What?" Kyoko floundered, then gestured vaguely at the singer. "But… but he's -"
"It's true, we're both musical geniuses," Sho couldn't help smiling.
"That's NOT what I was saying!" Kyoko yelled. "Do you have no sense of irony?! It's because you're both CREEPS who like to show up and RUIN PEOPLE's LIVES!"
"What?!"
"You follow me around to make me miserable! You kidnapped me from school that time! Stalker!"
"How am I the stalker? YOU'RE the one who followed ME all the way to-"
"Excuse me," a production assistant nervously interrupted, "We just got a message from Tsuruga's manager. They're running late."
Tsuruga?! Kyoko panicked, then winced sympathetically. The assistant had misspoken. She glanced at Sho, expecting the singer to throw a fit about hearing his name, but he was eerily silent. Kyoko felt a shiver run up her spine. No. No way.
"your senpai didn't tell you?" Sho flashed a taunton grin. "I'm giving you a chance to study for your 'personal acting bible' or whatever you called him." Sho's gaze hardened. "What's the problem? You should be thanking me."
Kyoko nearly fainted.
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"Seriously, Ren," Yashiro scolded, polishing his glasses, "I can't believe you're ruining your perfect on-time record because you're too afraid to show your face."
Ren did not lift his head from the steering wheel. Yashiro had a good point. But it wasn't fear that was keeping him from showing up, it was dread. From the moment he'd found out, the feeling had lurked over his shoulder, crawling under his skin, congealing in his stomach like a stone. Ren cursed his own idiocy. He should have known the president was up to something. Did I do something wrong?, Ren thought, Something worthy of punishment? Had he forgotten the President's birthday? Nothing came to mind, which only made Ren feel worse. Because if the President wasn't trying to punish him, that meant he was trying to help, and that was worse. Because if the President was meddling, it could really only be one thing. Ren inwardly groaned.
"She's here too, isn't she."
"Who do you mean by she?" Yashiro asked innocently. Ren looked up at his manager miserably, and instantly Yashiro was overwhelmed by guilt. He forced himself to look out into the parking lot. "You know, every minute we're late is another minute they're alone together."
"They aren't alone," Ren said through clenched teeth. "They're on set with at least twenty other people."
"You know what I mean."
Ren gave a muffled grunt in reply. He sighed. It wasn't like sitting in his car was making him feel any less dread about the whole situation. Might as well get it over with.
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"Cut!" Came the call for the second time from where Asami-san had been standing offstage. Sho's head snapped up.
"What's wrong this time?" He demanded. Asami was being too picky. This was his fourth take, and all he had been doing was gazing off into the distance.
"This is a chance to show your fans your romantic side," the producer replied, not at all phased by Sho's irritated tone. "You're supposed to be a little surprised to see Kyoko, but mostly it should be a look of love. Like you adore her."
"That's what I'm doing!" Sho was exasperated.
"No," Asami said. "Right now it looks like you're checking her out."
"What?! No!" Sho tried to tamp down his embarrassment. He scoffed. "How would I even check her out?! There's nothing to see."
"If I had any more to see, this outfit would be obscene." Kyoko growled, barely keeping her grudges in check. She should have known that Shotaro would ruin her chance at playing a pure, regal ballerina. The leotard's sweetheart neckline dipped scandalously low in front. It was barely less provocative than Setsu's outfits.
Sho glanced at his childhood friend. Kyoko was turning red, from anger or embarrassment, the singer couldn't tell. Not that it mattered, as long as she was riled up. His eyes swept over her, lingering on her chest. It was easily the most skin he'd ever seen her show. And while it was true she didn't have much to work with, she still looked… Sho tore his gaze away. He tried to swallow, but his throat was suddenly dry.
"Whatever, let's just do it again," Sho muttered, striding back to set. Kyoko tried to shake it off, getting back into character. She wasn't going to let Sho's comments get to her. After all, the less time she spent arguing with him, the sooner they could finish filming and she could be done with this whole thing.
Asami and Shoko shared a glance, but kept wisely silent, and on the producer's signal, the camera began to roll.
The camera zooms into a rehearsal room. Some dancers lounge or stretch in the background, while three girls in white practice in the center of the floor. The focus lingers on a slim brunette as she twirls, the sheer skirt showing more than a glimpse of her thighs. The camera pans to the door as a group of gentlemen enter the room. Two of the dancers abruptly stop and curtsy. Kyoko continues to spin, unaware of the interruption until a fellow dancer taps her on the shoulder. This causes her to tumble out of her spin and land awkwardly in front of a dashing young man. The dancer immediately drops into a graceful curtsy, murmuring an apology. To her surprise, the young man takes her hand and gently helps her stand. Their eyes meet, and a spark of recognition lights up across both of their faces. Holding her gaze, Sho bows deeply over her hand and brings her fingers to his lips. Kyoko gives Sho a flustered smile, her cheeks glowing pink.
They are interrupted by the other gentlemen, who pull Sho away and head out the door. Over his shoulder, Sho's gaze lingers on a still blushing Kyoko.
"Okay, cut."
Kyoko's hopes fluttered. If she was lucky, they had finally gotten the scene. Her stomach grumbled lightly. Maybe we'll be able to break for lunch soon! The thought immediately made her stomach drop. This afternoon, Tsuruga-san will arrive. Kyoko began to sweat, furiously praying that somewhere, some kind spirit of the universe would look down and spare her from the rest of this shoot. Maybe he's coming from the airport? The traffic could be terrible. He might not be able to make it at all! Kyoko clenched her fists, praying with every ounce of sincerity (and terror) that she felt. She wasn't ready for this! Please, please, let him not show today.
"Oh, Tsuruga-san! Perfect timing," the producer said. "Have you already eaten lunch?"
So much for prayers. Perhaps next time she should beg the spirits of darkness to help her. Clearly the gods and angels didn't have any interest in answering Kyoko's pleas.
"Kyoko-chan!" Yashiro said, walking over. "How nice to see you! It's been a while!"
"Hello, Yashiro-san," Kyoko said, bowing automatically. "I-"
"You know, Kyoko-chan," the manager leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "Ren didn't even have breakfast today. You should scold him properly and make sure he eats lunch."
"Oi," Sho grabbed her arm, completely ignoring Yashiro. He began dragging Kyoko down the hallway towards the lunch room. "You planning on wasting your lunch break standing around?"
Kyoko followed automatically for two steps before her brain caught up and she wrenched herself free. Unfortunately, Kyoko pulled so hard that her momentum sent her stumbling forward. Kyoko's shoulder hit the studio wall and she bounced off, expecting to smack into the other wall, but a large pair of hands steadied her. Kyoko felt her rage antenna flare up.
"It isn't polite to grab people, especially young women" Ren said in icily polite tones while Sho openly scowled at the taller man. "It gives the wrong impression." Sho opened his mouth to retort, but Ren had already moved on.
"Mogami-san, nice to run into you again" Ren smiled.
"Uh-"
"Would you join me for lunch?"
"Kyoko's eating with me." Sho did his best to look disdainful as he straightened up, trying to subtly narrow the noticeable height gap. For a moment, Tsuruga Ren's polite mask slipped and the singer caught a glimpse of cold contempt.
Both men half-turned to face the young actress, who was doing an amazingly perfect recreation of the painting The Scream.
"EXCUSE ME!" Kyoko turned and sprinted down the hall to her dressing room, slamming the door shut behind her.
