A series of varying ficlets loosely in response to the previous chapters.
12 Showbiz Days of Christmas: Omakes
On the First Day of Christmas Shotaro gave to me….
A Stalker in a Sakura Tree.
Creak. Crik.
The boughs of the Sakura tree protested against the weight pressing down upon them. Unaware of this, the bundled mass sat observing the figure below. It had been surprising running into Sho on the way to LME main offices. She had two dramas to film for that day, and had left early in hopes of catching some of the acting class she attended when she wasn't too busy. That had ended when she had spotted Sho when turning a corner. Quickly jumping back behind the building when she recognized him, causing the passerby behind her to shriek in surprise, before she shushed them and the lady cried something about There is no way he would go without making fun of her if she knew he was present. So she had done the logical thing when a girl is suspicious of her ex-childhood –friend –who –used –her –as –a –slave –and –she –had –vowed –revenge –upon –would –do. She followed him.
That had been five blocks ago. She didn't get what he was up to. Shirking his work again no doubt. Poor Shoko-san was probably frantic with worry because he didn't tell her before slipping out. He used to do that when skipping chores his parent's had wanted him to do; she'd always covered for him though. Not this time. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Shoko. Why exactly was the baka outside just staring at the snow? Wasn't it to dangerous with his rising fame that he'd be overrun by a mob of his fangirls? Hehehe. Now there's something she'd pay to see. Then again she wouldn't be able to get her revenge on him. A dark aura grew around her, spooking the nearest birds into flying away. What was the baka staring blankly at anyways? Probably acting out…he hates being confined by other people. Maybe he was thinking about a new girl he could use foolishly as a slave. Mimori-san most likely. Poor lovesick girl.
Kyoko's eyes pointed and she leaned in closer to as Sho finally seemed to shake off whatever he was staring at.
"Its times like these I need those Beagles to show up. I need to blow my steam off on someone."
Snort figures the only thing he would want to do is get in a fight. Boys. So predictable. She couldn't believe that he was still using fists against the Beagles. She told him that would never scare the lead away, but no, the baka had to insist the gut was afraid of his fists. If it weren't for Tsuruga-san he would still be stalking her. Looked like the Baka was ready to leave glancing at the trees where she was sitting. She froze.
Creak.
Ring. Ring.
Snap.
"Hello Shoko, miss me?"
She landed in a snowdrift under the tree as the branch she was sitting on broke at the same time his phone rang. Really, this was all his fault. If he hadn't been acting weird she wouldn't have fallen out of the tree in the first place. Luckily Shoko had saved her. And was apparently berating the baka right now from the sounds she could her on the phone. Hmmmm might be a good time to slip away before he noticed her. Quickly, she crawled through the trees and out of the park.
"Hai. I'll be there. "
Sho snapped his phone shut and finished glancing around the park. All he saw was the trees, looked like a branch had snapped off one. Must have been what he heard.
………………
Shoko glared at the phone in her hand. Tapping her foot on the floor. How dare that boy hang up on her! Slowly the crew members around her gave her space, fear written on their faces. She was going to make sure he was so busy; he barely had enough time to sleep. If it weren't for the mysterious texter, she would never have known he was walking around a park. Did the baka not realize how famous he was! They'd both be lucky if he managed to get back here without being ravaged by some crazy fan. Oh, she was going to make him regret ditching a meeting with a potential investor. He was going to be working harder than ever before. Her lips turned in a satisfied smirk. A dark aura surrounded her. He was going to pay for treating her like a slave.
On the Second Day of Christmas Lory gave to me…..
Two Love Me members.
Scaring vapid girls,
On a spider toy,
In the LME rafters,
Heeheeing not that coy,
Drooling through the bite,
All the girls go shriek,
What joy it is to trick and fright,
Those that scream 'eek'.
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells,
Lory has plan,
Oh, what scary love possessed eyes,
All the idols ran.
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells,
Lory has a plan
Oh, what scary love possessed eyes
All the idols ran.
An audition or three ago,
The Love Me pair was cursed,
To do odd jobs to act
While all the people laughed
Sawara held onto his head
Praying all goes well
Unknown to them Yashiro proposed Ren wed,
Receiving firm denial.
Oh, jingle bells, jingles bells,
Lory has a plan,
Oh, what scary love possessed eyes,
All the idols ran.
Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells,
Lory has a plan,
Oh, what scary love possessed eyes,
All the idols ran.
On the Third Day of Christmas Yashiro gave to me…
Three Broken Phones
The car was full of unspoken tenseness. Ren opened the door, but did not move to get up. Yashiro had kept his mouth shut for fear of the dark aura radiating around Ren. Neither spoke of the occurrence at LME earlier, or the fact that Ren was still phoneless. Yashiro sighed and opened his door, getting out of the car. Ren followed his actions. They took the backstairs, as usual, to get to the dressing room. Ren quickly changed into his costume, before the makeup artist came to touch up his makeup. When the makeup artist came by they shook, but managed to get the makeup done after a few slip ups. Ren prowled out to the set as soon as the makeup artist finished, leaving Yashiro to calm the fretful woman.
The set gradually became silent as Ren walked out standing behind the director, who was sweating profusely at the dark aura lurking behind him. Nervous chatter picked up after a couple minutes. Soon after it was time for the dark monologue piece of the mercenary character Ren was playing. Ren lazily sauntered under the lights lighting a cigarette sitting hauntingly in a lone chair. The director called action. Brrring. Brrrrnnng. Brrrrrnnnng. Click. Ren picked up the phone, starting the six minute dialogue that revealed the killer, soulless persona of the character. Yashiro was regretting Ren playing this character that held a gun after the morning's events, even if it was only a toy. From the expressions of the other people on set, they were regretting it also. Especially, when five rounds went into the phone. One of the producers approached Yashiro between cuts. He was sweating.
"Yashiro-san, what's wrong with Ts- him?"
They both watched the actors who be acting with Ren in the next scene lean back as far as they could and still be on set.
"Oh him. He's having relationship issues. His girlfriend ran away from him today because he was pulling the same aura."
The producer sweat dropped.
"Poor dear, I can't blame her."
If you only knew, if you only knew.
On the Fourth Day of Christmas Maria gave to me….
Four Wax Dolls
Lory beamed, overjoyed. He had got ahead in his Christmas list for the LME employees, and finished the reports Sawara sent him about the Love Me duo's 'research'. As he had gotten up to stretch, he looked at the clock and realized this was the time Maria generally wrote to his 'workaholic' son, he grimaced, who had taught the boy that kind of lifestyle. Really, he'd never get the boy's seriousness. Anyhow, Lory decided he would pop in on the emailing session, and whisk his adorable granddaughter off and read her a classic princess story, before tucking her in. As he reached the computer room, the maid informed him that Maria had already gone to her room for the evening. He contemplated for a moment, then headed to her room, hoping to catch her before she fell asleep.
As he neared her room he began to step more quietly and slowly, so she wouldn't hear him. He grasped the handle of the door, listening. He didn't hear any noise, so he slowly pressed the door forward and peeked in through a crack. His face fell. Tears brimmed in the corner of his eyes. Where had he gone wrong? Why was his adorable, princess like granddaughter burning human shaped candles? Who had swayed her innocent soul? Slowly, he closed the door falling into a fetal position outside the door. A dark, depressed aura enveloped him. She was nine; she should still be playing with dolls and ponies, not playing with dark magic! He poked at the floor a few times. Sigh.
Playing a love sim would help him feel better. Lory gradually uncurled from his position and crawled on all fours to his room. This was it. He was buying Maria a pony for Christmas.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas Ren gave to me….
FIVE GENTLEMANLY SMILES
Moko stood pondering. She paced back and forth the length of her apartment. Normally, she didn't like to take Love Me jobs back home with her, but this time it had to be done. It would not be on her head if another President were created, and the President did not need any co-conspirators, he was enough bad enough without help. The problem was she didn't know who she could get to date Yashiro-san. Tsuruga-san was right. A puppy or kitten would not be enough to distract a potential president. She'd checked his records. Yashiro-san didn't have that many friends he was close enough to that they could distract him so that left her with one option: get Yashiro a date.
After Tsuruga-san had left, she'd asked Itsumi-san if she knew anyone who'd been willing to date Yashiro-san. Itsumi-san had just given her an are-you-crazy look. Her face had gone red from blushing so much. She'd actually run out of the room. Moko had just shrugged. And gone to get any research on Yashiro-san she could. Now, the problem she faced was who she would find to date him. Really, she had no idea about asking guys out, it wasn't her fault she'd been raised in an environment where the motto was food over boys! There was nobody she could ask after Itsumi-san ran away, Kyoko was out of the question, she'd overact and give the mission away. Sigh. Why did she have to drive away all the other female employees?! She had no doubt that one of those gossipers could help her.
She gave up on pacing and picked up one of the tapes on her bookshelf, placing it in the VCR. It was an old home filmed tape about one of her client's niece. She plopped down on the floor, observing all the actions and movements of the girl. If only it were this easy to find Yashiro-san a girlfriend. Her body became still. Eyes focused somewhere else. It was that easy for her to find him a girlfriend. Her face went flat and she sweat dropped. Would Yashiro before a brunette or a blonde? Hmmm…..
On the Sixth Day of Christmas Kyoko gave to me…..
Six Kyoko Demons
Maria froze. Something had just spoken to her. Told her she was cute.
Sorry Father, I have to go exorcise a demon right now, or maybe I'll call the Shinto priests over for a séance- I can't decide, but I'll write to you tomorrow again!
Love Maria
..............................
Maria's father sat at his messy desk waiting for Maria's email. He was furious at his father. How dare that lovesick baka not tuck his Maria-chan into bed! He had every intention of calling the man, but knew better than to try before 7:00 in Japan, otherwise his call would likely be screened for love sim games or a sordid love drama. Seriously, he didn't understand how they were related; at least Maria-chan was normal even though she was near him the entire time.
Ping.
And that would be Maria's email. Quickly he opened it scanning it. His reading gradually became slower as he read her response……..
"That's it! I'm calling him until he picks up the phone! How dare he corrupt her healthy, innocent mind!"
On the Seventh Day of Christmas Kuu gave to me….
Seven Acting Lessons
Kyoko walked back to her dressing room at the Box R set. Her feet were killing her, but there was no way she could go against Natsumi's personality and show the pain. Nope. Really, she was beginning to develop calluses anyways. It wasn't bad now that she didn't have to run around for President's Christmas celebration, though she had this foreboding feeling about Valentine's Day. In fact, she thought Sawara-san said something about having her look over paperwork that evening, so she wouldn't be on her feet to long. Feeling good she pushed open the door to her dressing room. Her jaw dropped. Three white roses stood in an ornate glass vase with a gold letter tied with silver ribbon. Disbelieving, she staggered forth. Her fingers faltered as they daintily grasped the envelope reading Kyoko in beautiful styled Kanji, English cursive penned below. Hesitating a moment she carefully opened the letter taking out an expensive piece of parchment.
Dearest Kyoko-chan,
I am a big fan of yours, and appreciate your talent. It is always a joy to see great model showcasing her talent to others. Honestly, I don't think any of the models I know could have acted Natsumi nearly as well as you did. I'll admit I thought you did a frightful Mio as well. I can't imagine what acting with Tsuruga-san was like, but I bet it was healthy test of your acting ability. I am sincerely jealous that you have such an upstanding, talented sempai as him, but then again I had my own too! Most definitely, I will keep watching your career span out, and hope in the future we will have the chance to meet.
Yours truly,
J.
P.S.- Kuu tells me to thank you for the desserts, they were delicious as he expected!
Who was J? and how did they know Kuu? Well, as long as J was acquainted with Kuu, Kyoko assumed it was alright, no one dangerous. That made her giddy. From the way J. wrote, Kyoko suspected she was a beautiful rich lady! Possible royalty! She couldn't wait until they met!
On the Eighth Day of Christmas Sawara gave to me….
Eight Love Me jobs
"So did she crack?"
"No"
"Try again tomorrow, I want to know what the boy asked for."
"Boy, sir? He's twenty-one…"
"So, he's still inexperienced in the important manners of the world."
Sigh.
"Fine. I will try to get her tell me again…"
"Great. I look forward to it."
Click.
Sawara sighed. What is President's obsession with Tsuruga-san? No. I'd rather not know. Nothing good could come of knowing. If only Kotonami-san would tell him, so President would leave him alone. Sighing, he looked towards the corner of his desk. There sat two lifelike miniatures, black shoes and a candle. He might as well pull out the wrapping paper. Would it be bad if he lit the candle early? Good fortune may be the only thing to help him survive the next year. The company exhausted him sometimes.
On the Ninth Day of Taisho gave to me….
Nine Stern Glares
Yashiro chuckled darkly to himself. It had taken him three days of sneaking around the offices but he'd finally managed to find Kyoko's address. Now he could begin plotting his master plan to get Ren and Kyoko together. Hehehe. This would be an excellent method for scouting Kyoko's hobbies and interests. All the better to help his clueless actor get closer to her. Snort. Ren had already proven he'd need all the help he could get. Yashiro had a nagging feeling that he was missing something. Why did the address seem familiar to him? Oh well. He shrugged. Time to 'observe' Kyoko's surroundings. If he was lucky, he'd find something to make Ren jealous. Hehehe. He picked up his pace, plots racing in his mind. As soon as he turned the corner to the street indicated on his slip of paper, he noticed the increase in people on the street. Now that he thought about this street was a popular restaurant and shopping area, why would Kyoko live here? Bewildered, he looked for the building 'Darumaya'. After four minutes, he spotted it on the other side of the street. After crossing, he stared at the window for several moments unsure if he had written the directions correctly. Finally, he decided to enter the restaurant. It was old-fashioned. He blinked for a moment, before taking a seat at a table. Yashiro resolved to stay and see what happened before deeming the entire operation a failure.
"Yashiro-san. What are you doing here?"
Yashiro glanced up to see Kyoko.
"Ummm…I came to eat here; you know how I like old-fashioned things. Do you work here?"
Kyoko patted the back of her head.
"Uh, sometimes. Is there something you would like?"
Yashiro was surprised; he hadn't had time to consider what he might like.
"Some green tea and the house special."
"Okay. Taisho is already cooking that so it should be out in few minutes. I'll go get your tea."
"Alright."
Yashiro beamed at her glowing face. Twiddling his thumbs waiting for her to return. This was very valuable information. Soon she came back tea pot in hand.
"Here you go Yashiro-san. Sorry, for earlier, I was just surprised Tsuruga-san wasn't with you."
"That's alright Kyoko-chan; I guess I am usually with him. I admit that I was really surprised you were a waitress here."
Yashiro laughed not really lying.
"Though your uniform here is an improvement on the one at work. Too bad you couldn't wear a similar outfit at LME."
Kyoko sighed letting her tray go flat against her apron. She nodded, one hand holding her cheek. While Yashiro's smile fell as a shadow loomed behind her.
Slam.
Taisho firmly placed the special on the table, glaring sinisterly at Yashiro who pressed his back as far against the counter as possible. Kyoko looked at the scene in horror.
"Your lunch is ready."
Taisho gave one last firm glare before turning around and walking behind the front counter. Kyoko chuckled- weakly.
"Sorry about that Yashiro-san, Taisho is overprotective of me. I better go wait on the other customers."
Yashiro watched her walk away anxiously. He had not been expecting that, not in the least. Poor Ren, one more obstacle in his and Kyoko's relationship. Snort. The bastard would probably treat it like a godsend. The baka.
On the Tenth Day of Christmas Ogata gave to me….
Ten NG's
Hiroaki sat back down next to Asami-chan. Hirotaka couldn't be happier. His two favorite pupils eating dinner with him. Too many things to tease, so little time. Now, where to start…
"So…Hiroaki, when do you plan to propose to Asami-chan? Your mother and I want grandchildren to spoil."
Nothing sweeter than the tantalizing taste of chaos. He smirked to himself, but outwardly kept a deadly serious expression. Asami-chan choked on her wine, glaring at him. Hiroaki just blushed.
"Otou-san!"
Hirotaka glanced between the two of them.
"Your right that was wrong of me." He regarded Asami-chan. "Asami-chan, when do you plan to propose?"
More glaring and spluttering. How cute!
"I understand if you don't want to do it now, I mean you have a career to worry about, so we're fine with waiting a few more years."
Uh oh. She was blushing an unbecoming scarlet.
"Otou-san! How many times do Asami and I need to tell you, we aren't dating!"
One dost protest too much. Time for the puppy eyes.
"But why not? When you were five, you always said that you'd grow up and marry Asami-chan. I recall Asami-chan saying Hiroaki would be her prince charming, and that she would never accept anything less."
Hirotaka squeezed his eyes shut when he felt the cold, wet sensation splash him. Asami-chan had dumped her wine on him. He faltered for a napkin, wiping the liquid from his eyes. Hiroaki was looking nervously between the two of them. Asami-chan was perfectly posed, arms crossed and legs crossed.
"Just for that, you will be paying for dinner tonight, Hirotaka-baka. Order whatever you would like Hiroaki."
Hiroaki sweat dropped. Hirotaka grinned. He couldn't ask for anyone better for his son. Then again, he did love a feisty woman.
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas Bo gave to me….
Eleven Juicy Secrets
Sawara sighed. Christmas had been over for three days, and President had been creeping around the offices. If that wasn't bad enough, for once, President had been acting serious. He'd looked over all their paperwork, and watched a few discussions between the agents and stars. President always knew what was occurring in their offices, but he rarely felt the need to walk around and prove his authority to them. Actually, all the office workers secretly loved to come and work at late at night instead of in the day, since a manger a few years ago lit it slip at a bar that the President played love sim games in the evenings, and would screen any calls while he was playing them. At first, the employees were miffed at the President's irresponsibility, but then they learned to use it to their advantage. Now when any of them had a proposition they knew they would be required to inform the President of, but were afraid of his reaction to it, they called him at a time when he would most likely be playing the game. It was a good system, the President eventually became aware of the actions that had been taken, but it was too late for him to add any of his 'drama' to it.
At least that was until three days ago. Now the President was there for all the decision making processes, resulting in three terrified idols and a few confounded managers. They had no idea what they had been subjected to yet. Now the President was approaching him. Sigh.
"Sawara-san, how is everything going?"
"Fine, as it was yesterday, President."
The President nodded at that. It was silent as Sawara continued with his work while the President shifted his gaze about. When the President hadn't moved from his spot, Sawara decided he'd had enough.
"President, why exactly have you been roaming about the offices for the last three days, inspecting everyone's work?"
The President gave him a look.
"Isn't that my job as president of the company, Sawara-san?"
Sawara gave him the look back.
"You know that isn't what I mean. It's just that normally you would be off somewhere else, doing something with the idols, taking meetings, or some other business."
The President continued with giving him the look.
"You don't feel as though I have been lacking in my attention to the offices…lately?"
Sawara had a sneaking suspicion about this.
"How so?"
"By attending parties, going to sets, watching rehearsals, spending time with Maria…just not paying attention because of hobbies, that sort of stuff."
Sawara froze. He squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing at his migraine. The childlike curious gaze of the President bored into his back.
"If you mean do we think you're neglecting us because you're playing Love Sims, we don't mind really. Actually, having you watch over our backs makes us more apprehensive."
The President just gaped at him.
"Yes. We know about the videogames. No. It does not bother us. If we really need your input we insist it's an emergency. So please, go home and play the video games, we'll take care of the office work.
He open his eyes to stare at the President's teary brimmed eyes radiating thanks, before the President dashed out of the office and Sawara resumed tending to his migraine.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas Moko gave to me….
Twelve Family Members
The children all sat gnawing on candy canes seriously. Moko's second eldest brother let out a shout when he saw the meat in the fridge. Moko's oldest siblings just stared at the scene amazed. She smiled at her husband's confused expression. Her mother-in-law noticed.
"Do you know what happened, Amaya-chan?"
I gave her an even brighter smile, nodding.
"So who did it?"
I couldn't help giggling as the adults turned their attention to me.
"Santa visited us last night."
They all gave me bewildered looks, as I began to chuckle. I reached to pull something from the pocket of my dress.
"Santa in the red suit, Santa?"
"Oh, I wouldn't call it red. 'Bright pink' might be a better way to describe it."
To her further bafflement I placed a photo in her hand. Her eyes grew wide before she broke into a fit of laughs. Everyone else leaned over her shoulder to get a better look before the joined her. Kanae only told me I couldn't tell them, it isn't my fault I thought it was too cute a scene not to take a picture of her in the sleigh.
"Who ever knew Santa was so grouchy?'
How exactly did Kyoko get Shoko's phone number, hmmmm? Maria's father thinking Maria is innocent?! Does Yashiro like blondes or brunettes? Who is the mysterious J? Will Sawara survive the Takarada curse? Kyoko, a stalker!
Since I started the first chapter, I've had a quirky part that just never seemed to fit in with the actual story, so I decided to add a last chapter dedicated entirely to those miscellaneous parts, at the instigation of MiyabitaYozora. I had a lot of fun with it; there are even some more pieces that I didn't include in this final chapter. Maybe I'll add them later, but in the meantime this is the end of the 12 Showbiz Days of Christmas.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
False Sourires