Notes: I would like to say that I have a lot of respect for La Corda d'Oro which is why I am using the characters. I will try and make my Skip Beat characters as real and close to their original selves as possible. I will be making Kyoko a little more confident with her acting abilities. She will no longer need to rely on Ren for advice.

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or La Corda d'Oro.

On a spring day, Kyoko's wish to play a normal girl finally came to pass. Her character was not evil or suffering from any traumatic childhood accidents. People would not run in fear if this girl passed them in the hall. In fact, her character was very normal, at least as normal as manga heroines can be. She would be playing Hino Kahoko in a live adaptation of Kin'iro no Corda. Granted, the girl was given a magic violin by a fairy and lived in a world populated by people with blue and green hair, but other than that, Kahoko was very normal indeed. She didn't brood or glare. She had friends and was liked by almost everyone. When she found out she received the role, she squealed so loud that neighboring office towers were wondering if their P.A. systems were on the fritz. There would be more challenges for the role besides simply learning her character. She would actually need to take violin lessons so she could play the violin convincingly (even though all the actual performances would be prerecorded by professionals).

"Mogami-san, please be aware of the challenges of this," Sawara-san warned her. "This is also your first lead role. Do not take this opportunity for granted." He grinned as he saw her straighten her shoulders and level him with a direct gaze. She was less like normal high school girls than she would like to think. She had matured rapidly as a part of being in the biz. "You will be working with a large cast, but you must be the anchor. Do not forget. The director will meet with you later this afternoon"

Kyoko left Sawara-san's office slightly dazed. She was finally being a normal high school girl, sort of. Her eye's misted slightly. She would finally get to have the experience of a normal Japanese teenager even if it was only through acting. She was glad she had started to go high school so she could have a commonality with her character since music definitely was not one of them. She wandered out onto the sidewalk from the large building and went to her favorite café to think. She was debating whether to read the manga and watch the anime to fully understand her character. She had little familiarity with the world of anime and manga since she had been working since a young age she had never had the luxury of the free time to read or watch them. She remembered Sho had been quiet fond of several but could not recall any titles.

In a room tens of stories above her head, the president was sitting down with Koyouko's newest director Tanaka Hiroyuki to inform him of the best way to handle his new actress.

"President, I'm honored by your receiving me, but I already picked Mogami-san for the part. What else is there to say?"

"Tanaka-san, with women, there is always more to say and especially with this one."

Tanaka looked nervous and asked "What is so special about this one? I know and have observed her talent. She can create intense characters which are individually memorable. We would like her to translate that intensity and passion into when her character plays her instrument."

The president smiled, "Then it is excellent that you have chosen Mogami-san. She is special for her talent no question, but she is also special in her work ethic and character development. She creates the most wonderful backstory for her characters and always manages to somehow relate her own experience to them."

"So she's a method actress?"

"Yes, a most wonderful one.

Their conversation continued until the president's secretary interrupted and announced Mogami's arrival. As she walked in, she bowed first to the president and then to Tanaka who gave a small sigh of relief. He had gone out on a limb to request her given she had no experience as a lead or as normal high school girl. However, the expression on her face was cheery and good natured. This girl could do a fine Kahoko.

"Mogami-san, we are very glad you will be working with us," he said.

"Please take care of me," she replied.

"I would like to talk with you about your role for a few moments. Have you ever been in love?"

The question caught Mogami's attention. "No, I have not. I have never been in love or had someone be in love with me. At least, in the way you mean. I have friends I love very much but never a romantic love." The president smirked at this.

Tanka went forward, "That is good. You see, the character of Hino Kahoko is a naïve hardworking girl who does not understand her own positive affect on those around her. Though there will be several male cast members, you will not fall in love with any of them in this series. However, they will each in turn develop a crush on your character."

"What!" Kyoko felt slightly nervous. She really didn't have any experience with portraying romance. God, she hoped they weren't going to require her to kiss someone. Her face became slightly heated. She really should have looked over the manga.

"Which is exactly what the character needs. I'm betting that you have someone older you look up to and who helps you as you continue with your work?"

"I have Tsuruga-senpai who is very generous in helping me improve so I do not disgrace our agency"

"Good, treat the male characters in the show as you would Tsuruga-san. Obviously this is an understatement and as you read the script you will the nuances of her relationship with each boy. But, I want you to approach each boy as you would a friend or upperclassman. They will fall in love with your character based on her sweet nature and hardworking attitude. And the really short school uniforms" he put in as an after thought.

Lord, thought Lory, it's like this is a parallel of her actual life. I hope no one actually falls for her. Not for her sake, but I don't think Ren could take it Then again, anything that gets under his skin is certainly amusing for me.

Koyoko was momentarily taken aback at the mention of the school uniforms. "Umm, how short will they be?" she asked.

Tanaka smiled. "You'll be fine. Tomorrow I will bring you, our five men together as well as our Fuyumi-chan. You'll all meet, and we'll go over initial expectations as well as getting you all set up with your music tutors. By the way, you'll be sharing yours."

"I will?"

"Yes, you and Mori-kun will both be playing violin in the drama. Don't worry," he said in response to her nervous look. "You are learning basic fingerings and the proper method for hold the bow so you can look authentic, but we're having all the music recorded by professionals"

"Good to know," she said to herself. She excused herself from the room and went down towards the lobby. While exiting the building, she met Yashiro and Tsuruga, well, she actually walked right by them since she was in thought for how to play a violin, but Ren interrupted her reverie.

"Good afternoon, Mogami-san" Ren said.

"Afternoon," she said distractedly.

This was not the response he wanted.

"Is there something on your mind?" Yashiro asked for him.

"I have just been informed of a new role. I finally get to be a lead." She couldn't stop a hint of pride from creeping into her voice. She bounced on her heels as she clasped her hands in front of her. She was finally at least approaching Tsuruga, and Kyoko so wanted him to be proud of her.

"Which role is it?" Ren asked politely.

"I'll be Hino Kahoko from a manga series" she replied.

"Congratulations" Yashiro replied for both he and Ren. "I'm sure you will be just as talented with it as with your other ventures."

"Thank you, well, I need to go browse my source material for the meeting with the rest of the cast tomorrow. Please excuse me."

As she left, Yashiro turned to see a distinct look of pride on Ren's face.

"Why such a face, Ren?" he asked

"Who would not be proud of a kohai who was being successful?" he responded.

So, Yashiro thought, he's still denying it to me, though he has probably at least admitted it to himself by now. I wonder how happy he'll be when he finds out who else is in it. Ren had actually been approached to be the music teacher, but Yashiro had not even brought it to him because it was not a large enough part. He'll kill me if he finds out he lost a chance to work with her again. He swallowed.

"Well," he said, "I hope she is comfortable anchoring the cast."

"Do you know the project? How many will there be in it?" Ren asked.

Yashiro smirked, "There will be 7 men, and she's the main love interest." Best to be like a bandaid. Right off.

"What?"

Please Review!