Wednesday Morning
Ren watched as Yashiro tried to hide the papers from him. It started on Monday. There were pictures of the Tabloid King with Kyoko in his arms. They went to dinner and then dancing on Saturday night. Rumors and news of the new couple spread like wild fire as expected.
It made Ren see red then his vision slowly faded to black. It made his acting for his darker roles fantastic, but it was harder to stay as Tsuruga Ren. Yashiro has been trying to keep things away from his eye. It hasn't even been a week yet and already they were every where together.
He was finally going to be able to see her today as they were scheduled for a meet and greet for the new movie. He looked at the small package on his dresser. It was a gift for Kyoko. He wanted to give it to her sooner, but everything got in the way.
"Ren, it's time to go," Yashiro's voice brought him out of his thoughts. Ren closed his eyes, took a deep breath and counted to ten. He opened his eyes and grabbed the small box. He turned towards the door with a gentle look, nodded at Yashiro and left. She is in the other room, alone and everything will be normal with her, he told himself.
He walked into the room and saw her there and that knot in his chest instantly realeased. She was the only thing in the room with her auburn hair and sweet face looking up at him. She was wearing a blue jean zipper dress, zipped partially down revealing a red tank top.
"Good Morning, Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san," Kyoko greeted and smiled sweetly at them.
After the first real deep breath he took after a week of stress, he greeted her in kind, "Good Morning, Mogami-san." Ren sat down next to her, while Yashiro took a chair against the wall out of the way.
"I have something for you," he said softly and placed the box in front of her. Her eyes widened and sparkled. He couldn't help but smile his real smile at her. His back was facing the incoming actors, not that he really cared who else saw it at the moment.
"For me? But it's not my birthday or anything. Why?" She took up the box and held it like it was something precious.
"It's nothing as grand as you are making it sound. I wanted you to have it for emergencies," Ren explained. Kyoko opened the box and found a light pink cylinder that looked like lipstick. Excited but confused she took off the cap and found a spray nozzle.
"Perfume?" She looked up at Ren. She was about to smell the nozzle when Ren stopped her.
"No!" He quickly shoved it down and away from her then chuckled softly. "It's pepper spray," he told her and Kyoko abruptly leaned back and stretched her arm out further.
"Why would you give me pepper spray?" She carefully put the cap back on and set the object down. Ren pressed his lips together trying to think. How could he explain that he wanted her to have that in case Isao touched her?
"Well, I wanted to make sure you were safe out there. This is a good item to have since you are getting so popular. I bought one that would look inconspicuous in your purse." He said reasonably and laughed again. "Just don't mistake it for anything else."
"Sadly, I don't have anything this pretty," she joked as she took the time to slip it into the front pocket of her bag.
"Thank you, Tsuruga-san." She smiled up at him again. He sat there and looked into her eyes willing her to see him as he sees her. He heard a cough behind him and was snapped back into reality.
"It's nothing. Please remember to use it if you feel threatened," he repeated making Kyoko nod in agreeance. Ren slipped back to his "normal" mask and turned to face the incoming crowd. They all greeted him kindly and as did he to them while his mind went over his conversation with Kyoko. What he would have really like to tell her was to use that the second he touched her, even by accident, but he would have to trust her best judgment.
Director Nakamura came in and introduced everyone. The room fell still once Kyoko was introduced as the villain. She waved shyly, and Ren had to hide a smile behind his hand. The director continued like it was nothing.
"That is exactly why I hired her. You don't think she could do that sort of thing, do you? Kyoko-san, that right there is how I want you to act Masami in everyday life. Sweet, innocent and shy, then when she goes out she will do a complete 180. Kyoko-san, if you could please show them the other Masami, if you are ready," Director Nakamura asked excitedly. Kyoko was happy that she had the bad Masami ready and didn't want to let the director down.
Kyoko nodded and closed her eyes. Ren was surprised that she already created Masami. He turned around and watched her demeanor change. The room seemed to have gotten stiller as she slipped into the real Masami. He watched as she relaxed in her chair and crossed her legs making the skirt hike up her thighs. She shifted in her seat to the right and the skirt ran even higher. Everyone watched as she placed her left elbow on the table and tilted her head towards it, resting her chin on her knuckles. Her chest seemed to swell out of her jean dress as she moved in her seat.
She lips curled into a eat shit grin as she opened her eyes. It was always in the eyes that told people to be aware. Most people could overlook the way a person dressed if their eyes were gentle but if they were hostile or in this case crazed, everyone would back away. Her eyes glisten with thirst as they took in everyone in the room. She looked eager and hungry as her eyes settled to a man across the table. Nothing in those eyes saw a man or even a human, only something that would be fun to kill.
Ren turned to look at the man she was staring at. His eyes were wide, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was a younger looking man very stylish in today's standards; he is exactly her profile type. Ren watched as he tried to gulped down the fear, trying to make it go away, but he found it difficult not to look at her and react the way she demanded.
"Thank you, Kyoko-san, you proved my point marvelously," Nakamura cut through the act, snapping Kyoko out of her haze. She quickly dropped character and smiled at the praise as she straightened to her normal position. The pressure in the room all eased the moment Masami disappeared and the sweet actress came back. Ren stole a peek as she shifted her skirt back down her thighs.
The rest of the meeting went well. They discussed the schedule and locations. "We will also be going to Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan National Park for the last week of the shooting. There is where the final act will take place. Arrangements will be made through your agencies when the time comes. I look forward to working with all of you."
Everyone clapped and shuffled their way out. Ren twisted his chair around to Kyoko as they waited for the room to clear.
"That was impressive, Mogami-san. You did well with your new character," Ren praised her making Kyoko blush and smile.
"Thank you, Tsuruga-san. I've been working on her since I found out I got the part. I practiced every day in front of the mirror, then in front of Moko-san and Kuroski-san. They both approved." Her smile faded a little, and she looked down.
Yashiro came to stand next to them and spoke up, "What's the matter, Kyoko-chan?"
"I don't like the way she feels. It's pure evil, nor do I enjoy the way she thinks. When she saw that man…" Kyoko visibly shuddered. Ren placed his hand over her cupped ones in her lap. Her hands felt so small in his.
"It's not who you are. We all know that. It is only a part, a fictional character that has nothing to do with you. After the shoot is over, you can forget all about it." Ren offered her a sympathetic smile while his thumb unconsciously caressed her hand. He saw a blush crawl up her skin and envelop her face. He noticed what he was doing and pulled back with a smile.
"Would you like to join us for lunch?" Hoping for a fast distraction, it was the first thing he could think of.
"I'm so sorry, Tsuruga-san, but I have to meet with Kuroski-san." She stood and bowed deeply. He placed his hand on her head and patted her hair.
"It's quite alright, Mogami-san. How are things going with him by the way?" His false smile stretched across his face before he could stop it. Kyoko's back stiffened. She hesitated and both Ren and Yashiro caught her hesitation. She smiled feebly at him.
"Things are fine, different to say the least. I've never really been on any real dates before, so I'm not sure how things are suppose to be going. I'm assuming since he has more experience that things are going well," she told them.
"They aren't real dates Mogami-san," Ren quickly corrected her. "It's all an act remember. But what type of things? Perhaps I can help you understand." He could feel Ren slipping. He tried to relax and think calm, cool, soothing thoughts as he watched Kyoko fidget uncomfortably.
"Well, the first thing would be how comfortable he gets. I know it is normal for couples to get close, but I feel like it is too soon. I've only known him for a few days," she told him, but her eyes wouldn't look at him.
How fucking close is he getting? Ren felt someone's hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Yashiro very slightly shaking his head. Ren looked at Kyoko, and she looked to be on the verge of tears. Those water filled eyes snapped him out of his anger faster than cold water.
"Mogami-san," he whispered softly as his hand reached out to her cheek. She gently raised her gaze at the handsome man with her eyes sparkling in wonder as he spoke, "if he is doing something you don't like, say so. A respectable man will follow your wishes. You aren't really dating him. You only have to act like you are dating. Act the way you think you would normally act in a date. Don't let yourself do something you don't want to do."
Kyoko was looking into his eyes, his hand still at her cheek, and she nodded swiftly. "Thank you, Tsuruga-san," she said sincerely. His hand dropped unwillingly though he did so love the blush on her face that was ever present. She said her goodbyes, bowed and left the room. As soon as she was out of sight, Ren slammed his fist on the table.
"I should have given her a gun. Even a stun gun would have been better than that silly little spray," he growled.
"Yes, but she wouldn't have used it. The spray is more likely acceptable, since it won't cause permanent damage," Yashiro responded. "Besides nothing has happened to her other than Kuroski getting a little touchy feely." Ren glared at Yashiro's words making him retract his previous statement, "And I agree that is horrible! But it could be worse."