A/N: I apologize in advance for the all cough in the last chapter and what's coming down the pike. I've been busy with a new series in the Mai-HiME universe and while I was there, my muse met another muse who looks a lot like Kuga Natsuki. Well, needless to say, my muse has been in lust (or love) and it's had an unusual effect on her, as well as my work.
A special thank you (bow) to Demel aka Sugador for providing me with the term, "Shizuma'd" and graciously allowing me to use it freely.
Absence Makes The Heart Go Wander
Since the episode takes place at the beach, Sakoi Masayuki decided to shoot it at the same resort he sent his main cast to before this project started. The place was beautiful, on the beach, and the staff was already used to dealing with his actors. He chose Fujiwara Jun to direct the scenes back at the school with the two primary actors left behind. Fujiwara Jun was a young director, but from all career indicators, he was definitely on the 'fast track,' the same place Sakoi Masayuki was just a few short years ago.
Because of Sakoi Masayuki's industry-wide reputation as a 'perfectionist,' his decision to leave his trusted assistant, Kobe Ayako behind to 'assist' Fujiwara Jun, was not surprising to anyone.
At Hikari's house, Amane sat on the bed and watched Hikari pack for the location shoot.
"I wish you were going to be there with me," Hikari said as she placed her bikini in her suitcase.
"I wish that too," Amane replied as she lustfully watched the skimpy bikini disappear into the suitcase.
"A-ma-ne," Hikari teased.
"Gomen," Amane apologized sheepishly and added, "I have to see Detective Yamada tomorrow afternoon. I think Hanazono-san is seeing him in the morning.
"Why don't you come to the resort after you speak to him," Hikari suggested cheerfully and seeing Amane's hesitation, added the incentive, "I'll model my new bikini for you."
"Since you put it that way…," Amane began.
Hikari pounced on Amane, cutting her off and taking the older woman completely by surprise. They kissed deeply.
In Yaya's bedroom, as she packed for the location shoot, her spirits began to perk up as she hoped being back at the resort would somehow rekindle Tsubomi's feelings. Yaya desperately clung to her hope, because it was the only thing keeping her from drowning in her sorrow. She picked up one of her pillows off the bed, hugged it tightly, and inhaled the fading scent of the woman she loved.
Very early that morning, Sakoi Masayuki herded his cast and crew to the resort. He planned for the ordeal to quickly turn into a fiasco and it did not fail to disappoint. Of course, everyone arrived at the resort too late to shoot, which Sakoi Masayuki assumed would happen, so he instructed Ayako to book them an extra day when she made the reservations. After the 'read through' everyone was free to spend the remainder of the time enjoying the resort.
Nagisa and Tamao sat chatting quietly in the resort's small reading room.
"Where's your second skin?" Nagisa asked teasingly.
"I think she's in her room," Tamao answered.
"Aren't you worried?" Nagisa asked, suddenly serious.
"About what? Her cheating on me?" Tamao giggled.
"Good point," Nagisa giggled.
"I saw her flirting with the concierge earlier," Tamao smiled.
"Doesn't that upset you?" Nagisa asked.
"Why? She's single and available. I have no claims on her and she has none on me," Tamao answered.
Just then, two young women paused in the doorway of the resort's small reading room, stared inside, pointed, and giggled. Nagisa and Tamao stared at the two giggling young women incredulous. After a few minutes of debating between the two young women, the blonde young woman stepped into the room, with her friend following close behind.
"A couple of your fangirls?" Tamao teased.
"I don't think so, they look like crew," Nagisa replied.
"Suzumi-san?" the young blonde asked and giggled.
"Hai," Tamao answered tentatively.
"My friend and I are on our way to dinner and were wondering if you would like to join us?" the young blonde asked and giggled some more.
"Could my friend Aoi-san join us?" Tamao asked.
"Ano…we…were hoping…to have dessert with you afterwards," the young blonde woman said shyly as a crimson blush covered her cheeks.
Nagisa immediately caught the sexual innuendo and smirked when it shot over Tamao's head.
"I already have dinner plans. You go have a wonderful dinner," Nagisa said quickly to Tamao.
"Nani?" Tamao asked confused.
Nagisa smiled at Tamao's confusion, leaned close to her friend's ear, and whispered something that caused Tamao to blush a deep crimson. Tamao mischievously smiled at Nagisa and left with the two young women for dinner and dessert. Nagisa decided to return to her room and order room service for dinner.
Nagisa ordered and waited for room service to bring her dinner. She read her script while she waited.
In Room Service, several of the female attendants were vying to bring Nagisa her order. After a lot of arguing and negotiating, the victor proudly pushed Nagisa's dinner cart into the service elevator.
The knock on Nagisa's room door startled her out of her script. She opened her door and saw a young cute brunette woman with her dinner cart. Nagisa stepped aside and motioned for the young woman to enter. As the young woman readied her dinner, Nagisa instinctively checked out the young woman and liked what her eyes scanned. The young woman's voice brought Nagisa out of her reverie.
"Will that be all Aoi-san?" the young woman asked.
"Hai, it all looks wonderful," Nagisa said as she looked directly into the young woman's light blue eyes.
"It's very delicious, but you should eat it while it's hot," the young woman replied as she returned Nagisa's lustful gaze.
Nagisa closed the gap between them and wrapped her arm around the young woman's waist. Nagisa pulled the young woman close and stared into lustful light blue eyes.
"Well, I guess I shouldn't let it get cold," Nagisa said duskily and deeply kissed the young woman.
Nagisa was thoroughly enjoying her dessert when her mobile telephone rang. She picked it up, glanced at the display, and answered it.
"Hanazono-san!" Nagisa exclaimed cheerfully.
"Aoi-san, how is it going there?" Shizuma asked.
"Fine, we lost a day, but Sakoi-sama planned for it. How are things there?" Nagisa said.
"Fine, we also lost a day because Detective Yamada kept me at the station all day. Ootori-san was STILL there when I left earlier this evening," Shizuma said annoyed.
"What are you doing?" Nagisa asked.
"Kobe-san and I are going over some of the more complicated technical aspects of tomorrow's shoot," Shizuma answered as she gently pushed Ayako's head back down between her thighs. "You?" Shizuma added as she stifled a moan.
"I'm enjoying the resort's room service," Nagisa replied as she smiled into light blue eyes before they disappeared between her thighs.
"Well, I won't keep you from your meal. I'll see you when you get back," Shizuma said.
"Okay, don't work too hard," Nagisa said and hung up.
Kagome had her arm around Chiyo's shoulder as they returned to their room from dinner. They managed to manipulate both their mothers into arranging one room for them; for their own personal safety. Kagome nuzzled Chiyo's neck as they walked slowly, caught up in each other. A loud primal scream brought them out of their reverie and froze them dead in their tracks.
"What the heck was that?" Kagome asked scared.
Chiyo paused, listened, and laughed, "THAT is Aoi-san."
Kagome joined her girlfriend's laughter and they continued to their room.
In Hikari's room, Hikari was engrossed in a conversation on her mobile telephone.
"Hai, I understand. No, I'm not upset. I'm disappointed, but I understand. I'm glad you don't have to go back for further questioning. I'm sorry they don't have any leads. I miss you too. Yes, I also wanted you to see me in my new bikini. Don't worry about it. I'll model it for you when I get back. Me too."
In the resort bar, Yaya downed the last of her liquid courage. It was an extremely difficult 'read through' having Hikari and Tsubomi in the same room. Every single time Yaya looked at Tsubomi, her heart ached. She tried to speak to Tsubomi after the 'read through,' but Tsubomi managed to slip out of the room before Yaya could catch her. Yaya stood in front of Tsubomi's room door, gathering all her courage. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. After a bit, Tsubomi answered the door. Tsubomi stood staring at Yaya as the older woman braced herself for a door in the face.
"Tsubomi-san, can we talk?" Yaya asked.
Tsubomi motioned for Yaya to enter her room. Yaya hesitated for a moment and entered. Tsubomi softly closed the door.
In Noriko's room, Noriko was having dinner and watching television. She decided to have dinner in her room, rather than risk running into Chihaya. Noriko had wisely been avoiding her former girlfriend like the plague. Noriko's mobile telephone rang. She checked the display before answering it.
"Moshi, moshi. Due to some delays, we missed an entire day of shooting. You too? I'm having dinner in my room and watching the news. Which channel? Me too! I miss you. I wish I were there with you too. Hai, I'll miss holding you. No, I didn't think it would be this difficult being apart. I'm counting the days. Enjoy your dinner. Miyuki…aishiteru yo."
The next morning, as they waited for the scene to shoot, Nagisa and Tamao napped in their set chairs. A grumpy Hikari saw the sleeping beauties as she approached. She glanced around and spotted Sakoi Masayuki's megaphone next to his director's chair.
"ACTION!" Hikari yelled into the megaphone, mere inches away from the sleeping women.
Nagisa and Tamao quickly jumped out of their set chairs and stood dazed at attention.
"Hai, Sakoi-sama!" both women yelled in unison.
Hikari started laughing, which brought Nagisa and Tamao out of their shock. After the realization of what Hikari just pulled hit Nagisa and Tamao, they chased after the blonde woman.
Chikaru sat in her set chair with Shion standing next to her. They watched Nagisa and Tamao chase Hikari past them.
"I wonder what that's all about," Chikaru said to Shion, who just shrugged her shoulders.
"It could be anything with those three," Shion laughed.
"I'm so happy you could accompany me here," Chikaru said lovingly.
Shion wrapped her arms around her most important partner and held her. The three women ran by them a second time. The back draft from the running women blew by Chikaru and Shion, causing Shion to instinctively move into a protective stance. Chikaru nuzzled into Shion's neck.
"You always take such good care of me," Chikaru whispered.
"I try," Shion smiled.
"Chikaru-chan! Shion-chan!" Kizuna yelled cheerfully, interrupting the happy couple.
"Kizuna-chan," Chikaru replied happily as she looked up from Shion's embrace.
"Kizuna-chan," Shion said as she released Chikaru and stepped back to give Chikaru and Kizuna room to hug.
As usual, Remon was slowly walking towards the three women, bringing up the rear. She was paying more attention to the ground, than to her surroundings, so when Hikari, Nagisa, and Tamao ran by a third time; they ran right in to Remon. All four women went tumbling everywhere.
"Well, at least that put a stop to all the madness," Shion said to Chikaru and got a light smack on the arm for it.
Chikaru hopped out of her set chair and joined Kizuna in helping the four women. With the exception of a few scrapes, bumps, and bruised egos, no one was seriously injured.
Yaya and Tsubomi arrived just as everyone was dusting themselves off and inspecting for bleeding cuts.
"What happened?" Yaya asked.
"Konohana-san, Aoi-san, and Suzumi-san just ran into Natsume-san, knocking everyone to the ground," Shion answered.
After everyone checked out okay, Chikaru returned to her set chair. Kizuna helped an uncooperative Remon to their set chairs. Hikari returned to her set chair and wisely stayed away from Nagisa and Tamao. Nagisa was the first to notice Yaya holding Tsubomi's hand.
Sakoi Masayuki arrived on the set and the bus scene wrapped in one take.
Back on the primary location, Shizuma and Miyuki sat in their set chairs waiting for Fujiwara Jun to arrive.
"Miyuki?" Shizuma began without looking up from her script.
"Hai?" Miyuki said.
"Missing Noriko-chan?" Shizuma asked.
"Why do you ask?" Miyuki retorted.
"You're grouchy," Shizuma said as she looked from her script and smiled at Miyuki.
"I am not," Miyuki huffed.
"If you say so," Shizuma smiled and added a bit sad, "I miss Aoi-san."
"Shizuma," Miyuki smiled weakly in agreement.
Once Fujiwara Jun arrived on the set, Ayako followed him around like a puppy. The usually confident woman seemed flustered and confused, which irritated Fujiwara Jun. Some of the crew, who worked with Sakoi Masayuki and Kobe Ayako for several years, wondered why his most competent assistant was not functioning.
"What's wrong with Kobe-san? She's really out of it," the female Key Grip asked a female Grip.
"She's been 'Shizuma'd,'" the Grip giggled and the Key Grip just nodded knowingly.
The entire scene wrapped smoothly in one take. As Fujiwara Jun watched Shizuma and Miyuki deliver their lines with expert precision, he wondered why Sakoi Masayuki strenuously warned him about the two women before he left.
Sakoi Masayuki was having a similar experience at the resort. All three room scenes wrapped smoothly. Nagisa and Tamao, Hikari and Yaya, Remon, Kizuna, and Kagome all delivered their lines perfectly.
After her scene with Hikari wrapped, Yaya immediately started for her room and Tsubomi. Yaya was actually happy Tsubomi chose to wait in Yaya's room, because Yaya had to wrap her arms around Hikari in the scene they just shot. Yaya knew it would have been difficult for Tsubomi to see that, since Tsubomi still found it difficult to watch her girlfriend interact physically with Hikari. Before Yaya could make a clean escape, Hikari stopped her.
"Yaya-san, can we talk?" Hikari asked shyly, almost pleading.
Yaya looked at Hikari and immediately felt the blonde's sadness. Against her better judgment, she agreed to talk to Hikari. They went to Hikari's room to talk.
Fujiwara Jun was beginning to think his senpai was losing his mind, because once again, Shizuma and Miyuki delivered their lines flawlessly and the scene, however brief, wrapped in one take. Fujiwara Jun wished his senpai had warned him about Kobe Ayako, the supposedly amazing assistant. The woman's bumbling was driving Fujiwara Jun insane.
Just when Sakoi Masayuki thought his day was shaping up into an example of perfection, the next scene proved him wrong. Bringing out the bikinis also brought out the chaos for cast and crew. Between all the nosebleeds and fainting spells, several trips to the local drug store were made to restock tissue and smelling salts.
Fujiwara Jun checked his watch and was surprised how ahead of schedule shooting was at this point. Shizuma and Miyuki quickly wrapped this brief scene as well. Shizuma and Miyuki sat in their set chairs waiting for the next scene to start.
"Miyuki?" Shizuma asked.
"Hai?" Miyuki replied, not looking up from her script.
"Still missing Noriko-chan?" Shizuma asked.
"Doshde?" Miyuki asked.
"Because you're still grouchy," Shizuma replied and started laughing.
Miyuki threw her script at a laughing fleeing Shizuma.
With the exception of any dialogue sections of the scene, Sakoi Masayuki instructed his cast to play on the beach and the crew would candidly film them. Nagisa and Tamao relaxed under their umbrella waiting for their dialogue scene to begin.
"Tamao-chan how was dinner…and dessert?" Nagisa asked and giggled.
"Dinner was average, but dessert was quite delicious," Tamao giggled.
"Wasn't that a lot of dessert to eat?" Nagisa laughed.
"At first, I thought it would be, but I was able to handle it," Tamao laughed.
The two women were rolling around on the blanket laughing hysterically by the time the crew got around to their dialogue scene.
The cast and crew moved inside to shoot the resort interior scenes. The scenes wrapped smoothly.
Chihaya finally managed to catch Noriko, despite Noriko's best efforts to avoid her former girlfriend.
"Noriko-chan!" Chihaya yelled from down the hall in front of Noriko's room.
'Damn!' Noriko thought and froze in front of her room door.
"Noriko-chan, I've been looking all over for you," Chihaya said, trying to catch her breath.
"Well, you found me. What do you want?" Noriko said annoyed.
"Is that any way to speak to me? Please face me," Chihaya asked a bit hurt.
Noriko turned and looked at Chihaya. When Noriko saw the pain in Chihaya's eyes, her demeanor immediately softened.
"Why were you looking for me?" Noriko asked.
"I was hoping we could talk," Chihaya said sheepishly and added, "We haven't talked since you left me and…and…I miss you."
Noriko looked into Chihaya's eyes and after a lot of consideration, made her decision.
"Okay, let's talk," Noriko unlocked her room door and motioned for Chihaya to enter.
Once inside Noriko's room, Chihaya threw herself into Noriko's arms and kissed Noriko full on the lips.
"CHIHAYA-CHAN!" Noriko yelled and pulled Chihaya off her.
"Noriko-chan, I STILL love you and want you back," Chihaya pleaded as she struggled with Noriko.
"I'm with Miyuki now," Noriko stated as she sat Chihaya in a chair.
"Leave her," Chihaya said as she pushed herself further into the chair and pouted.
"I'm not going to leave her," Noriko said incredulous as she took the chair next to Chihaya.
"Do you love her?" Chihaya spat.
"Yes," Noriko said softly.
"As much as you loved me?" Chihaya asked desperately.
"Chihaya-chan, I have accepted the fact I couldn't satisfy you, so I left you to find someone who can," Noriko said.
"That's not what I asked," Chihaya said defensively.
"No, but my love for you grew through our years together," Noriko answered.
"I love you and only you," Chihaya stated.
Chihaya began to weep, which tore at Noriko's heart. Noriko instinctively stood and walked over to Chihaya. She knelt down and tentatively wrapped her arms around the weeping woman. Chihaya wrapped her arms around Noriko's waist and buried her face in Noriko's chest. In a matter of minutes, the front of Noriko's shirt was soaked with Chihaya's tears. Chihaya turned and buried her face in Noriko's neck.
Fujiwara Jun instructed Shizuma to play whatever piece she felt was appropriate for the scene. She knew just the piece she wanted to play.
"ACTION!" Fujiwara Jun yelled to cast and crew.
Shizuma played as if no one else was in the room. From somewhere off set, Miyuki heard the faint sounds of piano playing and knew Shizuma was shooting her scene. Miyuki walked to the set and watched her friend play the song she instantly recognized. Shizuma played this piece whenever she was going through emotional turmoil. As Miyuki watched and listened, tears began to roll down her cheeks.
The next few scenes wrapped smoothly, but the air of sadness that hung over Shizuma and Miyuki was palatable.
Sakoi Masayuki was relieved when the next two scenes wrapped quickly, because all the time he spent on the beach in the hot sun tired him out. The night scene was next, but since it was still day, the crew built a set with a backdrop to simulate night for the close shots and used creative lighting for the longer shots. The extremely lengthy scene was broken down into smaller scenes, which made shooting much quicker and easier. The scenes wrapped smoothly, much to Sakoi Masayuki's surprise.
Fujiwara Jun decided to use a large backdrop over the dorm window to simulate night for the one extremely brief scene. It worked well. Shizuma and Miyuki remained consummate professionals throughout their scenes this entire day of shooting. Even Ayako managed to regain her composure after the lunch break and returned to her usual amazing self. The remainder of the scenes wrapped quickly. The cast and crew ended their day ahead of schedule and everyone, except Shizuma was dismissed for the day. Shizuma asked Miyuki to stay and keep her company, while they waited for the rest of the cast to return. Miyuki stayed.
Back at the resort, life on the set wasn't too happy for Tamao. She sat in her set chair grumbling to herself, with a very cross look on her face. Nagisa approached her friend cautiously.
"Tamao-chan?" Nagisa asked tentatively.
Tamao just growled in response, which startled Nagisa.
"Tamao-chan?" Nagisa repeated.
"Nagisa-chan, have you read this?" Tamao held up her script and shook it.
"Hai Tamao-chan," Nagisa answered confused.
"MY lines! They make me look like some weird crazed stalker!" Tamao threw her script.
Nagisa quickly read Tamao's lines in her own script.
"What can you do?" Nagisa asked.
"Nothing much, but maybe I can make it not so creepy," Tamao said.
The scene wrapped with Tamao feeling a bit better about the latest twist in her character, but not entirely.
After Nagisa's scene watching the meteor shower wrapped, she couldn't shake the melancholy feeling that haunted her.
'Why am I feeling like this? Do I really miss Hanazono-san that much? No. That woman is a player and only wants me until she gets me, but she did turn me down after our dinner date. I have to admit, she's hot and I'm not exactly the 'marrying kind' either. I don't know. I'm NOT looking for a relationship right now, but…,' Nagisa thought.
Sakoi Masayuki was amazed when the return trip did NOT turn into a fiasco. He did not plan for this, so when the cast and crew arrived well ahead of schedule, Ayako had to scramble to prep for the remaining episode scenes. All the remaining scenes wrapped smoothly, thanks to Ayako's quick work.
As Nagisa knocked on Shizuma's dressing room door, she could feel her heart beating faster. When there was no answer after a few minutes, Nagisa sadly returned to her own dressing room, gathered her stuff, and left for home. Shizuma quickly returned to the dressing rooms after Sakoi Masayuki finished speaking to her. He thanked her and Miyuki for everything they did to make Fujiwara Jun's job easier. Shizuma knocked on Nagisa's dressing room door. When there was no answer after a few minutes, Shizuma silently cursed Sakoi Masayuki and went to her own dressing room.