On the Tenth Day of Christmas Ogata gave to me….

Ten N.G.'s,

Nine Stern Glares,

Eight Love Me Jobs,

Seven Acting Lessons,

Six Kyoko Demons,

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 22nd

……………..Memo……………

Subject displays classic signs of anxiety and tension. Currently, the Subject diffuses said symptoms by being extremely critical and perfectionist towards co-workers. Is firm and strict with any perceived flaw, even when flaw would be permissible under ordinary circumstances. When alone Subject frequently appears distressed and overjoyed alternating between both attitudes. Judging from Subject's nails, they have taken to chewing their nails when worried. Frequently, Subject puts their heads in their hands when confused, or calls friend but hangs up when they answer. Subject's apprehension seems to stem from the return of the Subject's father to Japan, causing Subject's normal behavior to be more erratic. Reconciliation between Father and Subject would be most probable cure for Subject's unusual behavior.

…………..Yesterday…………

She walked into the lounge heading towards the tea pot that she filled with hot water and fresh tea leaves. Checking her wristwatch, 1:33 PM, she went over to the lounge chairs where she picked up a celebrity magazine. Mind candy. There was time to spoil though. Briskly she leafed through the pages to see if anything caught her attention, noting a wedding and a divorce, a couple babies and the return of a famous director. The director piece caught her interest so she decided to read more. As soon as she finished the first line her phone began to ring. Startled she picked it up and was further shocked by the caller.

"Hello."

"Hello. Sorry for calling you, but I was wondering if you could help me with something."

The steam blowing out of the teapot whistled sharply.

"Hai. Why don't you tell me what you need help with."

………………Today………………

"NG!"

Director Ogata called out to the resignation of the crew. Tsuruga Ren looked up with a wry grin, 'poor Itsumi-san'. Director Ogata wasn't going easy on any of them, even more than his usual critical expectations, recently it seemed as if he was calling NG's for things that were already as faultless as possible. At the moment, Ogata-san kept calling NG's on the climatic fighting scene between Katsuki's fiancé and Itsumi's character. To Ren's eye, the scene went off exceptionally well, but apparently Ogata-san did not agree. He could tell the two actresses were becoming frustrated.

"Who would think such a fragile looking director could be such an uncompromising director?"

Yashiro muttered out. Ren looked at him surprised, only to see Kyoko-chan standing next to his manager. Her Mio makeup was finished, but she was carrying a notepad and pen on which she was scribbling.

"Um, Mogami-san, what are you doing?"

Yashiro joined him in watching Kyoko realize what she'd been doing, and quickly put the notepad behind her back smiling up at them extra innocently.

"Oh, writing down some tasks from the President."

They glanced from her to each other and back to her.

"So which of us is he having you stalk?"

She gawked at them, eyes bugging. Her mouth opened and shut a few times, as she attempted to say something but nothing came out.

"There's no need to be shocked, we've both been suspicious he was having us followed."

Yashiro stated. Kyoko finally stopped gaping, but was now smiling nervously.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Yashiro-san, Tsuruga-san. I'm not following you…"

She gave them the odd stare, as silence descended around them.

"Then who are you following? Mogami-san…."

Ren inquired curious. Kyoko flatly refused to look at either of them, instead, choosing to look out at the row of fans that showed up to watch the filming. There was the usual dozen or so fangirls, but only a few fanboys. Two appeared to be ten and the others were in their twenties, except for one who was blocked from sight wearing sunglasses, baseball cap and jersey. The latter one wasn't watching Itsumi-san like the others, but seemed to be watching what the crew was doing. That was unusual, maybe they were an aspiring film technician. At least that's what Ren would have thought were Kyoko not staring at said fan speculatively. Before he could ask her about it, a crew member came running towards them.

"Mogami-san! Director Ogata was hoping you could go shoot the scene with Mio's parents, he's taking a break with the other scene so the actresses can take a breather."

She flipped her gaze from the fan to the crew member.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

As the crew member left yelling that they were ready, Kyoko turned and bowed to Yashiro and Ren, who waved back at her. Ren only took a minute to watch her go, before he looked towards the fans again. His curiosity got the better of him and he headed discreetly towards the fans, making sure their attention was fully on the scene being shot in front of them. He leaned against a wall that was shadowed and looked head on at the fan. Sure enough the fan barely watched the scene before turning his gaze somewhere else. Ren looked around the set trying to figure out what the man was staring at. The only thing he saw was the other actors watching the scene, the crew members doing the lighting, sound checkers and director Ogata observing the filming. Why would the man watch the crew instead of the actors, unless he had a relationship with one of the crew. Ren watched pondering the scene as Ogata called out NG again.

"He is tough on his actors, isn't he? I would never have thought that someone as feminine as him could be so decisive."

"No. I'm sorry Ogata-san only appears weak, but really, he is strong as a director."

"As a director, hmmm?"

Startled Ren looked over towards his side seeing the fan he'd been watching him right there. When had he moved this close to him? The man let out a sigh.

"I'm glad you think that, but then again you're famous for being polite, so I don't know how much I should believe you…"

Ren sweat dropped. Who was this guy?

"If Director Ogata was weak willed, he wouldn't have been able to make Dark Moon even more popular than Tsukigomori, now would he? Anyways, I assume you've been watching the takes, so you should have seen how 'soft' Director Ogata is on the actors."

Ren said as a matter of fact, staring at Ogata. The fan stared at Ren for a few seconds before chuckling.

"You're just like your father. I suppose I was taking advantage of you there, since you're as well known as the co-star killer as you are for being a gentleman. I'm happy that you're looking after Hiroaki for me, I was really beginning to worry if he would ever be able to come out of my shadow. So thank you."

Ren had gone still the moment the fan said 'father'. Shocked, he rasped out,

"Hirotaka-san?"

"Ha-ha. You guessed. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone anything. I was just grateful when Kuu said you were working with Hiroaki, since you've both had similiar experiences."

Ren was still shocked at seeing Hirotaka-san.

"Does Ogata-san know that you're in Japan, Hirotaka-san?"

"Now would I go out of my way to disguise myself if he knew I was here? Bur yes, he does know I'm in Japan, he's just been avoiding visiting me. Another thing Kuu shared with me, sometimes one has to go visit the son instead of waiting for the son to come to them."

Ren's normal grin dropped, and he looked wryly at Hirotaka-san.

"I'm sure Ogata-san would love to talk to you, but he's probably nervous he will fall under your shadow again."

"I know. That's why I wasn't pushing it."

"What happened then?"

Ren looked at the exasperated line that was Hirotaka's mouth. He knew that look. It added up.

"President made you come."

Sigh. Head nod.

"Hai. He guilted and tempted me with the family card. Wouldn't quit babbling about the spirit of Christmas either."

"Ahhhhh."

The two stood in silence for a while watching the filming, with Ogata stopping every few minutes to retake a scene he wasn't satisfied.

"Which actress is the one that's supposed to help me with this 'Christmas surprise'?"

"Mio."

"She's not like that offstage is she?"

…………...Outside…………….

Slam.

Tick- Tap, Tick-Tap.

Asami gradually walked towards the building in front of her: the studio where Dark Moon was being shot. Really, she wouldn't be coming here under most circumstances, but when Kyoko had called her and told her the situation, she'd decided she better come here and set her dear friend straight. It was odd thinking of her effeminate, dainty friend being a tyrant to his crew and actors. Just a year and a half ago, Hiroaki would have had a panic attack at the mere hint of his father. Now, he would jump at any little imperfection in the acting. From one extreme to another. The things she did for him.

As she walked into the studio, she showed her license to the attendants who checked her off on the list and let her pass. She slowed her pace as a man dressed in a loose fitting jacket and baseball cap passed her smirking. He seemed very familiar, but she wasn't going to dwell on it. Entering the filming area, she joined the other fans, scanning the room for Hiroaki. Instantly she caught sight of Kyoko in her Mio costume standing of with the other actors. Seemed they were doing a scene with the two leading characters. She let her attention stay on the scene for a few moments before a loud 'NG' was called out. Following the voice she caught sight of Hiroaki. The scene had being going well in her opinion, but as she hadn't been watching it closely enough she might have missed something. Sighing she went towards the wall edge, trying to get a hold of Kyoko's gaze. After two minutes, Kyoko looked in her direction and excused herself, heading towards Asami.

"You made it."

"Hai. It was difficult, I'm supposed to be shooting another PV for Sho, so he was suspicious hanging about while you were texting me. Don't worry I didn't tell him it was you."

Asami said, holding a hand to hold back any of Kyoko's outrage.

"So how is the filming going?"

"Well, we've shot four scenes so far today, but he's only been satisfied with two so far. He's yelled out six NG's since I arrived, but he was at it before."

"Hmmmm…."

Asami went silent thinking over what Kyoko said, and what she'd witnessed from the last scene. She let her vision stray over to Hiroaki. Observing him for a few minutes, she finally broke the silence.

"So have any of you taken a lunch break yet?"

Kyoko threw her a baffled glance.

"Not that I was aware of."

"Okay. Why don't I go talk to him and get him to call a lunch break. Then I can implement your plan. Do you have everything prepared?"

Kyoko gave her a measuring look before nodding.

"The preparations are finished. Hirotaka-san is here, actually he just left fifteen minutes ago. All we need you to do is get him to the restaurant by 8:00 PM."

Hirotaka-san had already been there? She knew that man looked familiar.

"Alright, let's get this plan started then."

Asami slipped under the rope separating the fans and the crew. Gazing around the set she headed to where some of the crew was standing. Being a director herself, she would never interrupt another director while they were in the middle of filming. As Ogata called out 'cut', she silently strolled over to him, stopping when she was by his side waiting for him to finish calling out orders. As soon as he was finished, she tapped him on the shoulder. Turning to look at her, he jumped a bit, surprised.

"Asami!"

A few of the crew looked in their direction before going back to their tasks. She grinned at his reaction.

"Hiroaki you get surprised to easily. I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch, I had a question for you."

He blinked at her actions.

"Sorry. We're in the middle of shooting, and I would like to try and finish three more scenes today."

She shook her head, pointedly looking at her watch.

"You baka, did you forget to eat lunch? It's 1:17 now."

His gape told her all she needed.

"Call a lunch break. This is slave labor."

He stared at her for a moment dumbfounded. A second later he shook it off and announced a lunch break. The relieved looks of the crew and actors worried her. Hiroaki seemed to realize this also. They both walked out to the area reserved as a cafeteria, and Asami bought two bentos and drinks before heading to an isolated table. She put a drink and bento before Hiroaki, who sweat dropped.

"So what was it you wanted to ask me, Asami?"

She took a minute to lay out her food and eat a piece of fish. Hiroaki became more nervous as she chewed. Swallowing, she asked casually,

"Why didn't you tell me Hirotaka-san was returning to Japan?"

His eyes became wide. Sputtering,

"Oh…Sorry. I didn't mean anything….I guess it slipped my mind…"

She tortured him, picking another piece of fish to chew.

"It is so tragic when I have to hear my dear mentor is returning to Japan from a gossip magazine, not my dearest childhood friend who happens to be his son… How long have you known?"

Hiroaki gulped, staring at his hands lying in his lap.

"A month."

Asami froze in the process of holding another piece of fish in her chopsticks. He'd known for a month? She had found out the night before last! She finally ate the slipping piece of fish, thinking as she chewed. She scanned Hiroaki's appearance.

"You're chewing your nails again, aren't you? I thought you quit that. I guess that tells me how you're handling his visit."

Hiroaki had the grace to flush. Sometimes Asami thought he had been born to the wrong gender.

"Are you going to visit him? Have you even talked to him?"

"N-no. Kaa-san keeps trying to get me to speak to him, but every time I try I get to nervous and hang up. I thought I'd cured myself of my fear, but that isn't so when we have to deal with each other."

"Go visit him. You are never going to get over your fear if you don't confront him. You can't avoid him, you're a Daddy's boy and you know it."

Hiroaki regarded her eyes clearly wanting to deny her accusation, but in the end he gave in.

"I know."

Sigh. They ate in silence for a while.

"How about we talk about this tonight?"

Hiroaki glanced up at her.

"You owe me dinner for buying lunch anyways."

He sweat dropped. She always did things like this.

"Okay. What time do you want to eat?"

"Eight. I should be finished with work by then. I'll drive."

Great. The restaurant was going to be expensive. She always charges interest for buying things.

Asami smiled at Hiroaki's flat grin. Everything was going to plan.

……………..Later that night…………………..

Hirotaka-san shifted in his chair nervously. He was sitting in the restaurant awaiting the arrival of his son and Asami-chan. Occasionally, he would get glances from other customers. He supposed he looked like a ghost, wearing a casual white suit with his pale complexion. He and his son were cut from the same mold, it always surprised people how much alike they were. Hirotaka-san was becoming impatient and more nervous as the minutes stretched on. President Takarada had arranged for him to be here twenty minutes before his son was supposed to arrive, and it was doing nothing to help his nerves. It had been two and a half years since he had seen Hiroaki since he left to film his latest production. When he had left, Hiroaki had been suffering from their relationship to the point where he would suffer an asthma attack whenever his name was mentioned. He'd left to do the production as much out of interest as his for son's benefit.

Running into Kuu, he'd found out they were both suffering from the same problem. Their fame was so wide their adorable sons couldn't escape it. It had been a relief when he learned that Tsuruga Ren was to be playing the part of Katsuki. Then he was sure Hiroaki could find someone to help him, and Tsuruga had done just that. Hirotaka-san was overjoyed when his wife had informed him Hiroaki had stopped suffering from severe anxiety. Quickly it had become disappointment when his son avoided contact with him. Which was the reason he'd jumped at President Takarada's offer to reunite them for Christmas. Hopefully, this would help him gain back his cute, gentle son.

"Asami, why do you always choose fancy restaurants? Shouldn't I be repaying you by treating you to fast food?"

Hiroaki asked in a suffering tone that spoke of old familiarity with the subject.

"Because you're the man. Asami-chan shouldn't be treating you to anything, you should have already picked it up for the both of you before she considered buying it."

Hirotaka quipped. Hiroaki could never get in the habit of how to properly treat a lady. He turned his head to see his son frozen in his tracks starring at him. Asami-chan pushed on him while walking towards their table.

"This coming from the man who once told me to buy my own bento."

Asami-chan had always had too good a grasp of sarcasm.

"That is not my fault. I thought you were a boy at the time. Not that anyone could tell from your lady like appearance that you used to be a tomboy."

"Hirotaka-san, you are a sexist. I'm so glad your habits never rubbed often on Hiroaki."

They both laughed, while she was pushing his frozen son into his chair.

"O-otou-san?"

Hiroaki rasped out gradually coming out of his shock. Really, his son was so cute.

"Yes, Hiroaki?"

That earned him several blinks.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm here waiting for my dearest son and his girlfriend to arrive."

A choking sound came from Asami, while Hiroaki continued to be surprised.

"W-why?"

"Why not? I wanted to see my son after three years."

Hiroaki stared at him wide eyed.

"So I can't get a hug? How about you then, Asami-chan?"

Asami-chan glared at him. Hiroaki spluttered. She pushed him out of his seat.

"Go hug him and make up already."

His son just stared up at her from the floor.

"I'll tell your crew about that time in high school when you pretended you –"

Hiroaki was up from the floor blushing in mere seconds, rushing towards him.

"I've missed you Otou-san. Sorry for not calling."

"It's okay, just respond when I try to contact you from now on."

I not so secretly love Ogata and his delicate seeming appearance. I also love Asami. She'd be the leader in their relationship, without a doubt. Couldn't help making Kuu and Ogata's father old friends in this considering their sons both work on Dark Moon in the same roles they did, and both Ren and Ogata suffer from their fathers' shadows. I figured Ogata's father has the same proud, doting habits as Kuu. Not sure why I made Ogata's father a bit perverted in this, but I prefer to think of it as him having teasing personality at his acquaintances expense, especially Ogata's and Asami's. :-)

Review!

False Sourires