Little Maria hated her life right then, even more so, she hated herself. Her grandfather was always scolding her for sneaking away, and even though she wanted to stop, she never did. It was during one of these moments that she first met Kyouko. To be honest, she wasn't all that impressed when she first encountered her.

Kyouko looked like just your average person, which was very unusual. If anyone wanted to enter through LME's entrance, they usually had to look or act extraordinary. This girl was dressed in semi-formal clothes as she made her way humbly to the front desk. Maria was hiding behind a vacant counter wearing a mask as she watched the exchange curiously.

"Excuse me," Kyouko spoke quietly, warranting barely a nod from the attendant, " Hello, ma'am, where might I find the audition room?"

The lady at the front desk sighed as she pulled away from her desk to address Kyouko, " What do you want?" She wasn't going to sugar-coat it, the woman was annoyed at the interruption. Had it been a popular talent, she would have responded in a more polite manner.

"I said I'm looking for the audition room." Kyouko began to shift uncomfortably under the woman's scrutiny.

"Really," her hand hovered over the security button, " then you must have papers, correct?"

"Hai, here they are." She handed them over and the woman's eye opened in shock. Whatever she was expecting, it was certainly not this. When she had the papers tucked away in her hand, she alarmed security. In a matter of moments, guards had the front desk completely surrounded.

"Hey," she jerked a finger rudely in Kyouko's direction, "this women appears to have stolen the invitation documents for our entry-level audition. Please remove her from the building!"

Maria, who had been listening, was beyond angry. She had watched the whole exchange and stepped up in Kyouko's defense. " That won't be necessary; she's a friend of grandfathers!" Several guards who had started dragging Kyouko away froze; Maria crossed her arms victoriously. After all, every guard here knew not to contradict her; let's just say, Lory was a rather doting grandpa…

The desk attendant sneered at the child, " Oh really?" She hadn't recognized Maria because of the mask the girl was was wearing. Even if she had, it was already too late for her.

"Yep, grandfather personally invited her!" the little girl smiled innocently but her eyes flashed. She thoroughly enjoyed toying with the older woman.

"And who might your grandfather be, you little brat."

"One of several that can have you fired in a matter of moments. Not that it matters to you anymore."

She had to hand it to the child in front of her, she had guts to speak to an elder like that. " I don't remember children being aloud in here; while you take care of that women, guards, take that child out with her."

Now she had done it, Maria stopped being playful and settled into a coldness that chilled the room. " I think you could use some fresh air." She danced to Kyouko's side and took her hand, "Use that time to consider your next job; from now on, you won't be allowed back in here."

The woman had barely time to think before she was being dragged away.

Kyouko stared at the little girl and slowly removed her hand, "Thank you, although, I have no clue as to where the auditions are taking place..."

"No problem; I come here everyday. I know this place like the back of my hand; follow me. I'll take you to where you need to go." Maria pranced off and Kyouko smiled sadly. She followed closely behind.

Kanae was scared and angry. She couldn't afford to lose this job; her family depended on her income for support. She had to calm down her fears, she never told anyone, that women couldn't possible show up. For whatever reason, she was always followed and that women would use her money to keep Kanae from succeeding.

She was surrounded by countless other girls, each trying to succeed and come out on top, just how many people would pass, how high her chances were of making it through? All those who were present were rich and use to succeeding in life; how lucky they were. Kanae had to borrow a dress to come to this competition. Her thoughts were interrupted when people began crowding themselves around a free-handouts display. Kanae walked towards the table and was about to grab one when a woman barreled by, redirecting her course.

"Oh, wow! They're so pretty." A girl fawned over the makeup and hovered just over the table. Her hand snaked towards the pile before drawing back. "I'm so lucky," she hummed and twirled. Kanae tried several times, unsuccessfully, to grab a pallet of the table; each attempt was blocked. After a few minutes the girl finally grabbed one and Kanae was now free to help herself.

Kyouko didn't know how to put on makeup. She actually never owned any for herself, so when she saw the free samples being offered, she was excited. Maria watched as Kyouko clumsily began to put on makeup and sighed. Soon, she was over there helping Kyouko yet again.

Maria drew back satisfied at her work and when she turned around, she bumped straight into someone. Kanae hissed and reacted almost instantaneously; throwing the little girl away from her towards Kyouko. That sent both girls sprawling on the floor with Kanae towering over them.

"Ugh, what are you doing here. You both are an eyesore, you should take your child from here and leave." Kanae lashed out her built-up frustration onto them, "You're an eyesore. There are so many people depending on this audition and you're here treating it like it's a joke."

Kyouko defended herself, angry at the accusations, "Hey, I'm here to audition too. And this child isn't mine."

"Whatever." Kanae stormed away and several people whispered behind her. How could she treat a child in such a manner? They focused their gaze back onto the little girl; none of them knowing she was crying crocodile-tears.

Kyouko wanted to be sympathetic towards Maria; however, something about the girl crying reminded herself of the past. Raw memories resurfaced and she remembered just how weak she was. Kyouko didn't want to utter false words of comfort to the child, but instead, teach her a life lesson that she wished she had known.

"Stop crying." Kyouko pulled away from Maria and kneeled above her. "You think people will come to help you just because you're a girl that's in distress. The world doesn't work like that; all they see is just some little brat. They won't even take a moment's pause to help." Kyouko got up and brushed herself off, "Even if you trust them, they all react just the same. You should quickly learn that if you don't want to get yourself hurt."

Everyone whispered words like, 'heartless, cruel, and disgusting.' Kyouko walked off, as if to prove her point, showing Maria just how alone she truly was. In all honesty, Kyouko had spoken was the truth; nobody from the crowd had stepped forward to help her and eventually everyone turned away. Maria was left all alone again, like so many times before; but unlike previously in the past, she was excited and won over by the woman's harsh words. She would never think that Kyouko was average ever again, only this woman had dared to speak the truth that Maria herself refused to put into words. She couldn't find her salvation in the generosity of those around her, if she wanted to make it in this world, she would have to obtain it herself.

Kyouko watched as people disappeared behind the curtain to walk on stage. Kyouko sat dreamily, her eyes focused on a live-stream projection that was broadcasted in the waiting room. Many performed incredibly feats such as: dancing, singing, talent acts, and reciting lines from stories and poetry versus.

The most amazing had to be Kanae, though. When she had went on stage, she had memorized an entire book in less than thirty minutes. It was as if she knew each page by heart when they tested her; Kanae read word-for-word off the page in a gentle lyrical voice. Her eyes stared off in the distance as the words she spoke resounded riddled with a haunting emotion.

This was broken quickly when she returned and bumped into Kyouko. "Looks like you didn't take my advice; how unfortunate, I only give it to the needy."

"Hai, I guess that it's not in my nature to listen to ill-mannered women." Kanae smirked and turned around just as Kyouko disappeared. If someone had treated her like that, she was certain she wouldn't respond as civil as that. Kanae walked off shaking her head; something about Kyouko intrigued her.

"Hello Mogami-san, please give us a brief description about yourself and then you may perform"

"Hai, my name is Kyouko Mogami, I am sixteen, and I currently live in Tokyo." Kyouko paused, the spotlight blinded her, and she could just barely make out obscure silhouettes in the background. Was Ren somewhere out there? She prayed that she wouldn't mess this up.

Kyouko took out a package wrapped in cloth and a vegetable from a small shoulder bag that hung around her shoulders. She set both right in front of her and with a heavy breath, she unwrapped the pack. She had to move quickly. Kyouko tossed the plant high above her and sliced the air twice as it came back down, catching it in midair. In a few moments she held the center portion; Kyouko grinned when the ends bounced off on each side and rolled away as they hit the floor. She tossed the knife out in front of her, embedding it hard into the stage floor, and reached for another blade.

"I will make a fairy-tale rose bloom with the help of this daikon."

Well, it was less of a rose, and more of a head of cabbage. However, her act was enough to gain the approval of most of the judges. Her name was in the listings of those who passed the first round, and by the looks of it, Kyouko and Kanae were driving the pack. Listed side by side for first place; nervous glances were exchanged between each other.

She left with a heavy heart to visit Uncle Lory.