Chapter 2 - Punishment
Friday Morning
Lory was reviewing the end of the week status reports from every division of LME. It really wasn't as long and tedious as it sounded. It was merely a report of any big changes, new projects or ending projects that occurred each week for each of his talents. Most of the time there were a few things to take note in each area, the start of a new CD for two of his singers, and the ending of a dance tour for one of the troupes were some examples of what was in front of him.
Finally getting to the actor's division, he saw Kyoko's name. He perked up and grinned. He was so hoping that she would take the new love drama. It was all about forgiveness and the power of love overcoming even the worse of challenges between people. It was exactly what she needed to help overcome her problems with love. Sliding his finger across the sheet, he read the new role she will be playing and his face fell. A small rain cloud materializing above him, dark and heavy with lighting and thunder.
He leaned back in his chair thinking to himself, Why didn't she take the love story? I definitely thought she would take the love story. With Fuwa in the other drama and the movie being a brutal killer, there was no way my plan wouldn't have worked. Lory sighed. That girl surprised him every time. His eyes widened as he remember who the good guy would be and sighed again. He bent forward placing his forearms on his lavish desk and rested his forehead on top.
Lory remembered talking to the director of the film. He wanted Kyoko because she looked so sweet and innocent, but at the same time she could pull out such a manipulative cruel look as Natsu. Her character would be the sweetest thing in the world, a friend to all - caring and pure, but when she goes out to play, she turned into a psychopath and brutally kills her victims without remorse. He never dreamed that Kyoko would accept this role. He sat back and swiveled his chair towards his window. The sun was shining high in the semi cloudy sky. Lory sat silently in his chair as an idea formed in his head. Why didn't I think of that before? He picked up the phone and called Yashiro.
Yashiro was standing in the back corner of the studio watching Ren's shoot. It was going perfectly as usual. Nothing ever goes wrong with the top talent in Japan. He heard his phone beep once. He wanted the least annoying tone on the phone and could never feel the vibrate function, so this worked best. Slipping on a glove, he turned away from the stage to answer the phone.
"Hello, Yashiro speaking."
"Yashiro, is Ren available to see me before the end of the work day?" President Lory's voice rang though.
"One moment sir," Yashiro replied and juggled his things to look at Ren's schedule, his eyes running across notes after notes of appointments. "I'm sorry, sir, but he is booked till 10:30 tonight. He is free for an hour tomorrow at 2," He offered.
"Hmm, I only need to ask him a question. Can you have him call me during his next break?" Lory countered casually.
"Yes sir," he agreed and looked at clock on the wall. "In fact, he should be done now." Yashiro could hear the words of a job well done and appreciation of working with such a professional being said all around. It was obvious that the shooting was complete, so he asked Lory if he could hold for a moment.
"Yes, of course," Lory responded nonchalantly as Yashiro quickly stepped over to Ren.
"Ren," Yashiro called out. "The President needs to speak with you. It sounds urgent." Yashiro handed the phone to his client, waited and listened. He didn't move since it was probably business, and he should know what was going on as well. He watched Ren listen to President Lory, not giving away anything of the conversation but then his gentlemen's smile appeared. Yashiro looked concerned. Why is he smiling like that for?
"I'm sorry, sir, but I have to politely decline," Ren spoke into the phone and stood a moment longer and then shook his head. "Yes, I'm sure. Thank you for the opportunity though." Ren finished and flipped the phone closed sourly.
"What was that about?" Taking the phone back, Yashiro had to ask. Ren shrugged.
"An offer came in for a publicity date. I told him no," Ren answered making Yashiro frown. He followed his client confused. Ren continued exasperated as they walked to his dressing room, "I really don't want to deal with another bubbly up and coming star that won't keep her hands to herself."
Yashiro stopped just before entering Ren's dressing room. They told the President that Ren wasn't interested in those anymore. The last one wouldn't stop hounding him, hoping that if they did date at least once, he would be hooked on her. Shaking his head, Yashiro thought it best to simply forget about the whole conversation.
Lory was a little disappointed but not surprised. His plan would take a little longer now, but it didn't really change anything. In fact, it would be fun to see what happens. He picked up the phone and dialed for Sawara's desk.
Sawara was trying to get through the last of his normal paperwork before the weekend. A pen was tucked behind his ear, another in his hand as he hastily wrote down comments or notes on the several sheets of papers fanned out before him and in-between his fingers. The phone rang as he was trying to take a sip of his water. Immediately trying for the phone with the water bottle still in his hand, he spilled water over the phone and some, luckily, self written notes. Putting the water bottle down, he tried to clean up the mess as he answered the phone.
"Sawara!" Lory's voice roared over the phone before he could utter a word of greeting. Sawara straightened up still dabbing at the water spilled.
"Yes, sir, what can I do for you President?" He quickly asked.
"I need to speak with Kyoko-chan by the end of the day. The sooner the better!" Lory ordered and promptly hung up. Sawara paused, soaking in the abruptness of the call. A moment later, he quickly dialed Kyoko's cell phone number.
"Love me!" Kyoko's voice sounded forced.
"Mogami-kun, this is Sawara."
"Sawara-san, do I really have to answer the phone like that? It's horribly embarrassing," she whined. He could picture Kyoko pouting and pleading with him. Thankfully, she wasn't in front of him or else he might have caved in.
"It's only while you are doing LoveMe work. I've told you that before. All other times you can answer normally. Listen, President Takarada needs to see you as soon as possible. Can you go now?" He asked urgently.
"Yes! I'll clean up my supplies and head over," she said cheerily. Sawara felt relief wash over him. He might be able to leave on time today.
"Thank you Mogami-san. Have a good weekend then," he said with a genuine smile.
"Please have a wonderful weekend as well, Sawara-san," Kyoko responded. He could see her smile and bow so formally as she said that. He hung up the phone and prayed that no one else would disturb him for the rest of the day.
*10 minutes later*
Kyoko arrived at President Lory's door and knocked lightly before opening it. She was yelled at multiple times for simply not walking in. He had an open door policy to all of his employees. Everyone knew to come in without warning and state their business. All of his meetings were conducted in a room separate from his office, so no one was disturbing anything crucially important if he was in his office.
Kyoko bowed and announced herself. She noticed Lory staring out the window as she walked in.
"Please sit down, Mogami-kun," Lory told her as he twisted his chair forward and placed his elbows on his desk. Half his face was hiding behind his hands as he watched Kyoko across his large desk sitting in an oversized chair. His face was the picture of concern and seriousness. She squirmed under his intense stare.
"I wanted to talk to you about the role you chose. Why didn't you pick Never Enough to play in?" He spoke into his hands yet his voice was still heard loud and clear.
"The… The cheating one?" She stuttered shocked. He was upset that she didn't sign up to play the cheating girlfriend? I would have preferred that over being a serial killer, honestly, Kyoko wanted to say but couldn't. Sawara called her the next morning with all the details of when and where the first day was for the movie, Embrace No Evil. She paled once she found out what she had picked, but she made a commitment and would stick with it. It would be unprofessional to back out of the role once she said yes.
"Its not about the cheating, Mogami-kun. It's about love and how it can overcome.…" President Lory's speech sounded a lot like all the others he had told her in the past. She understood that love was something precious and powerful, but she simply couldn't let go of how much it hurt. The love part of love didn't seem worth all the pain and sorrow after it. Her thoughts froze as she noticed that there were no more words flooding the room. She looked up and noticed a glare worthy of the Demon Lord, no... it was worse! Turning white as a ghost, she swore never to let her mind wonder while the president was talking again!
"Mogami!" Lory bellowed. "I have your next Love Me Assignment." Her attention focused forward, he sat back down at his desk with a smirk on his lips. "We are going to set you up with a publicity date."
"EH!" Kyoko's body shot straight up.