On the Fifth day of Christmas Ren gave to me….
FIVE GENTLEMANLY SMILES,
Four Wax Dolls,
Three broken phones,
Two Love Me members,
And a Stalker in a Sakura tree.
12 Showbiz Days of Christmas
December 11th
It was mildly hot standing beneath the glare of the harsh lighting on the set, while attempting to squash the urge to sigh as the young actress 'struggled ' to remember her lines properly. Unfortunately, it would be an unconceivable sin for the perfect gentleman, the gentlest, most considerate actor in showbiz, Tsuruga Ren, to appear even minutely irritated. Sometimes, sometimes, he wished he could be himself, Kuon, but then that would lead back to flashes of the taboo past he had been so desperate to escape from, and he would will himself to be Tsuruga Ren once more. Sidestepping the looming, clingy shadow. To prove this, he smiled prominently, in between the takes, at the flustered actress. The surrounding area gradually became quieter, chattering ending mid-sentence, as Ren strolled towards the unsuspecting actress, who looked more and more confused as she realized the set had fallen unusually silent. Tepidly, she tilted her eyes up, only to be frozen solid with shock as she met the gaze of the unearthly smiling Tsuruga Ren. Ren's smile brightened even more when he realized he had her attention.
"May, I be of aid to you, Yamura-san?"
He slowly reached out and grasped the script from the still unmoving actress. Not a peep could be heard on the set as he paused thoughtfully reading the script…
"Mmmmm…"a nod, "Since you are having such difficulty saying, 'Hai. Nozuma had travelled hurriedly off to the West, without a thought to the poor infant she was burdening the family with', why don't we change it to, 'Hai. Nozuma thoughtlessly left the family to raise Akari-chan in her rush to go West'" Ren turned his eyes from the script to throw a questioning glance at the director, who was also still, "if the director is okay with that?"
It took the director a moment to shake out of his stupor, and nod at Ren's suggestion. Ren grinned encouragingly at Yamura-san.
"So, how about it?"
Yamura was slowly beginning to show signs of life now that the intense smile of Ren's had disappeared.
"H-hai. I'll try it. Thank you, Tsuruga-san."
A blush fully adorned her cheeks, as the studio came alive again.
"You over did it."
Yashiro jibbed sternly at Ren, as he got in the car.
"If you hadn't smiled, she wouldn't have had all that trouble preceding, but nooo- now- all the women on the set a crush on you. Aren't we clever? You are lucky; I don't think anyone on the set realized you were impatient, not being helpful. Normally, you are able to concentrate and wait while the actress struggles to get through her lines, why are you so impatient now?"
Yashiro stated all of this flatly, as he flipped through his agenda. Ren sweat dropped…wait for it.
"I suppose you were daydreaming about Kyoko again, debating whether or not she was still wearing the President's uniform, unaware of all the strange men ogling her."
Yashiro briefly peeked up from the agenda to see Ren leaning down over the steering wheel, face hidden, exasperated.
"No, Yashiro-san, I was not thinking about Mogami-san or that hideous piece of clothing of the President's, nor do I ever daydream about Mogami-san when I'm acting."
He muttered as his oft repeated speech came to his tongue. He raised his head and began to back out. His overly suspicious manager stared at him with long unspoken skepticism.
"Mmm hmmm."
Ren decided to drop the Kyoko subject altogether.
"It's harder for me to be myself because of the 'film'. I feel that 'B.J.' lingers with me, even when I'm at another set. It's a lot more difficult to shake off than I had expected."
Yashiro relented a little, slightly sympathetic.
"I suppose, but you need to do better in 'shaking' B.J. off, I don't want him affecting your career. The Gentleman persona of Tsuruga Ren must be protected, at least until you reach a stage like Kuu. Just tell me if this keeps occurring."
"Hai., Yashiro-san."
It fell silent. For a blissful moment.
" But have you thought about what you are going to say to Kyoko-chan, the next time you see her? Assuming she doesn't run away screaming."
Ren deemed it unnecessary to respond to the bait his childish, matchmaking manager was luring him out with. But…he might have to think about what Yashiro said- Kyoko might be leery of him for awhile. It was all the love crazy meddler President's fault. She wouldn't be avoiding him if the President hadn't forced her to wear that…scandalous…piece of 'clothing' dubbed a uniform.
The world had stopped when he looked out the window, and saw Kyoko, as the President, Yashiro and he were heading downstairs. At first, it didn't register in his mind the uniform she was wearing, he'd only took in the unholy bright pink glow. THEN, he had caught sight of it, coming to a halt. There was no way his innocent Kyoko was wearing that outfit in public. A silent Crack told him his new phone had fallen victim to his tightly clenched fist. Slowly, a wide flashing smile touched his lips, once full, he turned to the now silent perpetrators, yes perpetrators, he didn't think for one second that his manger wasn't involved, he wasn't sure how, but he knew Yashiro was in cohorts with the scheming master himself, and he handed said Mastermind the phone before turning and heading for the stairs, ignoring the two stunned schemers. He took the stairs knowing full well with the scantily clad Kyoko burning in his mind, he would have to avoid other men, so his jealousy didn't get out of hand.
After what seemed like hours, he finally was to the ground floor exiting the staircase. Not halting, he slowed his pace searching for the vivid pink that represented his prey. There she was, back turned towards him setting gifts beneath the tree. Why did she not hear him? What if he were a stalker? He could have gotten grasp of her and hauled her off by now. Another reason to have her get rid of that cursed uniform. She already had enough stalkers.
"How are you doing Mogami-san?"
Kyoko's back went rigid, before she turned around slowly, trembling to look at the owner of the voice. Her eyes went round with horror broad smile gracing the owner's lips. She shrieked. "Agh!"It almost caught him by surprise, but the smile stayed.
"Now, is that the proper way to greet your senpai? You should bow politely, responding hello in return."
Finally recovering from her fright, she realized she had just screamed out loud. Ren could see the thoughts rolling around her head. ' oh no, I just screamed aloud in front of Tsuruga-san!'
"I'm so sorry Tsuruga-san! I didn't mean to scream, you just scared me-"
"That's understandable, I quite understand the reason now."He interrupted her profuse bowing and teary eyes. "But in the future, please, try to remember you are an actress, it could hurt your reputation to do those things aloud."
She looked aghast with contriteness. Really, her actions could be so cute sometimes. Which brought him back to why he was there.
"If you don't mind, Mogami-san, what exactly are you wearing?"
Another gloomy, petulant look crossed her face.
"President assigned the Love Me members a Christmas mission, and he gave me this uniform to wear."
"Really?"
Ren's smile increased as he knew for a fact that he would have to talk to the slippery matchmaker later.
"I'm glad to hear that... I was worried that you might have worn that unintentionally, not realizing it's generally used as…"
He paused. Kyoko taken aback by his smile eyed him suspiciously.
"Used as what Tsuruga-san?"
He made sure to make a reluctant pause to get her full attention.
"Well….lingerie for couples."
Kyoko stared at him, silent. Her features showed the full realization of his words, mortified horror as she stared down at her clothes, a vibrant red. Eyes saucer sized, she shouted.
"I'msosorry Tsuruga-san!IhavetogoI'msoembarassed!(2)"
She dashed away from at full speed.
Check for getting her out of public. She would likely refuse to wear the uniform again, so step two check. Now to complete step three; getting revenge on the co-conspirators…
Ever since that incident, he hadn't seen Kyoko, knowing her, she was so embarrassed by being seen in lingerie, she was too scared to face him.
"Sure, you aren't daydreaming?"
How could one man make a clear question into an irrefutable statement? Yep, best just to ignore the man and leave him to his delusions. He parked the car as they reached the LME offices. As they got out of the car, Yashiro answered his own question.
"I'll take that as a yes."
The man was incredibly lucky he had firm control of being Tsuruga Ren. They both continued walking, but stopped in unison, sweat dropping, twenty meters from the door. There was a large crowd of female employees glaring at each other, wordless promising the other death. Curiosity piqued, Ren and Yashiro looked for the cause of the murder(1). At the same Ren spotted the mistletoe, Yashiro heard one woman squawk
"He'll kiss me under the mistletoe, you can just go away."
That statement started a quarrel that allowed Ren and Yashiro to back away without being seen. Huddling behind a wall support, they conveyed through frightened looks 'how are we supposed to get out of here?'.
"Psst. Pssst."
They turned to look behind their shoulders, only to see a cliché figure wearing a classic detective coat that was too large for them. The figure notice 'it' had their attention, and motioned them over to where it stood. Ren and Yashiro flashed each other confused, 'but what the heck' looks before shrugging and following the figure. 'It' started to move away when it noticed they were following, as they were moving farther away from the rabid fangirls they proceeded to follow it through a door that led to a side staircase that led up to the main offices. Finally, they came to a stop, and the figure took off 'her' hat.
"Hello, Yashiro-san. Tsuruga-san."
Kyoko said smiling sweetly up at the two, only to see a startled Ren and a dumbfounded Yashiro. She sweat dropped.
"Umm…Is something wrong?"
She asked appearing rather nervous.
"Kyoko-chan. Why are you wearing that outfit?"
Yashiro blurted out.
"Ohhh, this? Ummm…I'm wearing my Love Me uniform underneath, and didn't want to be seen by the screaming crowd. I slipped this over it, so I wouldn't be seen."
They gave her understanding looks. Anything was less noticeable then the evil pink uniform, except maybe, neon orange.
"That would explain it. But, why were you outside waiting, Mogami-san?"
Ren asked the now annoyed Kyoko.
"It was because President decided to put mistletoe on all the main entrances, and put it in all the newsletters that he expected everyone to follow the tradition of kissing beneath it. As a result, all the female employees, fan girls and fan boys came to the conclusion that if they could catch an idol beneath the entryway, they would have to kiss the person, so all the most popular idols of LME have carefully been staked out…And for some reason, none of them seem to have seen the newsletter the President handed out. Mr. Sawara assigned me the task of helping get the idols in and out of the building without them being mobbed. Tsuruga-san's is the largest so far, he has fans at each entrance, almost sixty at the main entrance."
Ren sweat dropped at this. That was so like the love-addicted President. Seriously, the man needed to be set straight.
"Oh, well, thank you so much Kyoko-chan. I don't know if Ren and I would have made it without your help."
"Oh, it was nothing. I mean, I'm sure you could have blocked them from Ren using your ice aura."
Yashiro blinked. He was unsure if he should be insulted or not. Ren stepped in.
"Yes, thank you Mogami-san. It's good to see the President changed your uniform."
Kyoko blushed a faint red, looking at her new uniform visible through the open coat. Her new uniform had a knee length dress and candy cane stripped leggings.
"Um…thank you Tsuruga-san. President gave it to and Moko and I, later that day, after I saw you."
"Oh, I'm glad. Though I'm sorry if I embarrassed you with my comment back then."
"No, thank you for telling me."
Yashiro threw an evaluating look both of them, wishing he knew what Ren had said.
"I didn't have a chance to ask you before, but why were you dressed up like that?"
"Hmmm…oh this is because the President is having the Love Me section spread the Christmas Spirit, so we have to dress the part too. You know the President."
Ren and Yashiro were forced to nod at this.
"What exactly does the President ask you to do?'
Ren asked to rid himself of the eerie thoughts of the President's habits.
"Well, Moko and I have to decorate the different offices; the ones not already decorated by the other people the President hired to help. Actually, we were the ones who had to put up the mistletoe. Moko is really mad, she eventually had to leave, so I could finish hanging up the rest of the mistletoe."
Her hand rubbed her head nervously, Ren and Yashiro watched her curious.
"Why did she leave you to do all the work, Kyoko-chan? That seems rather rude."
Kyoko gave a flat, drilling glare letting out a Mio like aura.
"It wasn't her fault. Employees who came by while she was hanging the mistletoe, kept bugging her for a kiss. After some visual K band bothered her, she said the President could hang it all up himself, but she was finished. She told me I should stop too."
Kyoko sighed, eyes shut, missing the still Ren. Yashiro, who was still regarding Kyoko had a strange apprehension overcome him. Kyoko's eyes shot open and refused to glimpse Ren, staring steadfast at Yashiro.
"She has a point, Kyoko-chan, you could have been harassed too."
Yashiro continued seemingly unaware of the ticking time bomb at his side.
"Oh, n-no. Who w-would b-bother me-ee? An-anyway, P-president c-c-came a-ar-rr-ound and-d d-decided to q-quit, w-when actors werebeingharassedsoIquit(3)!"
Kyoko blathered out feeling the intense pressure of The Lying Smile upon her. Hers shivers increased when the voice spoke.
"Mogami-san, you should think about these things more. You're still a new actress, as these things spread they could affect your reputation. Remember that stalker from the Dark Moon set? Well, that is, those things grow."
Ren admonished Kyoko, a smile on his lips the entire time. Yashiro decided to step in.
"Kyoko-chan, I'm sorry, but we have an appointment, we'll see you later."
Yashiro rambled as he led the still smiling Ren out of the room. Along the way in the hall they passed a few employees who commented on how nice, and polite Tsuruga-san was, he would never do anything rude. Yashiro couldn't believe how unobservant people could be. How could they not see the dangerous, jealous smile of a guy smitten with love. Well, he hadn't gotten it at first either, but still.
"Yashiro."
Yashiro glance suspiciously at Ren.
"Yes?"
Smile grows, head nods acknowledging other actors passing by.
"Remind me to have a chat with President later."
Sigh.
"Don't kill him."
Ren blinked, surprised by that.
"Are you still convinced I used to be in the yakuza?"
…silence…
"I told you, I never was. I don't even know anybody related to them…"
As if I'd ever submit to listening to a gang leader. Usually I started fights with them.
Snort.
The suspicious manager never needs know that though.
"Ren, where are we headed?"
Yashiro admitted, having let go of Ren a few moments after leaving Kyoko.
"I have a meeting with someone, but they won't be here for a while yet, so I'm going to wait in the lounge."
"Wait! How come you didn't tell me about this?"
Yashrio exclaimed surprised, before calming down and sneaking a sly peek at Ren.
"Does it involve Kyoko-chan?"
Ren sighed. The man had a one track mind.
"Why does everything involve Mogami-san with you? Don't answer that. You'll probably just say I'm harboring a dark passion for her or something."
Yashiro gave him the dullest, no duh look possible.
"I knew it."
They stayed quiet while entering the lounge that was empty. Ren sat down in one of the armchairs, and turned the volume up on the news. Yashiro organized, while double checking the assignments he kept for Ren. The news went on about an anonymous donation to orphanages and homeless shelters, numbering one hundred million yen. According to a letter that came with the donations, the giver gave it in hopes that people could enjoy Christmas, and spread their joy to others. That led the newscaster to go on about other traditions and charities seen that Christmas season. The co-worker, a younger woman, winked at her co-star.
"But Ashani-san, you forgot the most important thing about this Christmas."
The disgruntled man asked,
"And what exactly is that?"
Giggle.
"Sho Fuwa's new single comes out December 25th!"
Yashiro looked up quickly at the television, but the news had already moved on, so he turned to see the bent figure of Ren.
That man. Why can that boy always make me lose my composure as Tsuruga Ren? Because he's connected to her. The girl who was your shining light of the dark years. It had been over a year and a half since he had thrown away that shining figure and darkened it. Only through time had the darkness gradually cleared away, yet the darkness persisted in the figure's unwillingness to trust or love.
The newly emerged figure that had came into being, still danced to her piper's tune, unable to escape the mesmerizing patterns he called out. As if the onlooker couldn't see what the new tune was; an attempt to allure the figure away, and capture its allusive heart when the figure least expected it. Unluckily for the piper, the onlooker was no longer resting on the sidelines, but playing a counter tune. Unwilling to lose the returned little light, ever again.
Ren let out a bitter, challenging smile. It slowly crossed his face as he left his reveries.
"Yankee…"
He heard snorted from the direction of his manager. Ren blinked. Crushing the dark aura that had consumed him, using all his acting skills Ren let out a 'harmless' smile, and looked up towards his over imaginative manager. It shed the tone of 'Now what are you talking about, not making things up again, I hope?'. Yashrio was fazed only for a couple of seconds before he snorted.
What an unseemly habit to develop.
"That…"
Yashiro pointed his face, staring flatly at him.
"No longer works on me."
Damn.
"Don't deny it… You were a hooligan in your past. I know it."
Why exactly did the man childishly accuse him of some absorbed past, without any proof in a no-nonsense manner? A hooligan? Pfft. That was a wishy- washy troublemaker. There was nothing wishy washy about his past, except for his parent's overwhelming protectiveness.
Leafing through the agenda.
"I still am not quite sure of Sho Fuwa's and Kyoko's connection, but from what I've observed: they have a relationship, and on at least one of their sides, it might be romantic."
Ren let the smile fall, preferring to glare lightly at the nonchalant man.
"How many times do I have to tell you 'confess. Win her over. Someone else will take her if you don't.' From the looks of it, someone is already trying to steal her away from you. He's already shown he isn't afraid to start a fight with you."
Ren worked to compose his face, it was dangerous to let his thoughts be visible to this man.
"Her birthday is this month… Have you thought about what to get her this year? It could be the key to winning her over. I suggest a fancy dinner, then go to a movie. Hmmm. No you're both actors. Take her to the ice skating rink and go out for hot chocolate later."
Yashiro had now broken into a broad sneaking grin, eyes alight with possibilities to push Ren and Kyoko together. A murmur of voices began to grow louder, finally pausing right before the door. Yashiro looked up expectantly as the door opened.
"Oh, hello."
Itsumi-san said surprised when she saw Yashiro and Ren together in the lounge.
"I hope we are not interrupting anything."
Yashiro was startled by the appearance of Itsumi-san and Kotonami-san.
"No-"
Ren, Yashiro and Moko said simultaneously, while Itsumi-san stared at all of them wide eyed. Ren smiled gently at Itsumi-san.
"I'm sorry, I've been waiting to speak to Kotonami-san."
Yashiro looked at Ren confused.
"I wasn't aware of that fact. What are you meeting for?"
Kotonami-san and Ren were quiet, eyes meeting briefly before looking away in exasperation. Itsumi-san began to look confused. Reluctantly, Kotonami-san spoke up.
"It's part of President's Love Me Christmas message. We have to get everyone a gift, and President asked me to interview Tsuruga-san to see what he might be interested in."
Yashiro's meddler grin lit up.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I suppose I'm unneeded than, so I'll just get going. Good luck! Remember to get all the information you need to get what you want…"
His manager laughed wickedly as he left.
Ren got up as Kotonami and Itsumi-san cast strange looks at him.
"Itsumi-san, Kotonami-san, please sit down. Ignore him."
Itsumi-san looked worried.
"Oh no I thin-"
"No. It is okay. This won't take long."
He ushered the two young women into the seats, and then went to check the hall, finding it empty.
He closed the door firmly, and braced his back against it. A wry, vibrant smile reached his lips as he regarded the two insecure looks.
"For my Christmas gift, I would like it if you could get him a companion."
Kotonam-san appeared shocked at the request.
"Ugh…"
"A dog, cat, friend or a girlfriend. Preferably, a girlfriend. I don't know if the cat or dog would survive."
Itsumi-san and Kotonami-san threw each other worried questioning glances, uncomfortable with his request.
"Tsuruga-san, if you don't mind my asking. Why exactly do you want a companion for Yashiro-san?"
Itsumi-san, the one who was better acquainted with Tsuruga-san, asked. Ren appeared exhausted.
"Because, I'm afraid he is becoming more and more like the President every day, and I would like it to stop."
Kotonami-san straightened out her back.
"Done."
Whew! Longest chapter yet!
Explanation: 1- a murder refers to a group of crows, but it works well in either tense.
2- I'm sorry Tsuruga-san I'm so embarrassed I have to go.
3- actors were being harassed so I quit
The costume Kyoko is originally wearing isn't that bad, more like a Santa elf at the mall. But being Kyoko, she might believe Ren, who doesn't want her to wear it because he is jealous.
They refer to each other by proper names depending on how well they know each other. Ren is just stubborn in calling Kyoko Mogami-san.
I hope this chapter was enjoyable.
Please Review!
False Sourires