Thank you so much for all of your support! I truly appreciate your comments. =)

I hope you all enjoy Chapter 3.

This day would have been perfect if I weren't currently in the position that I'm in. Matsunai-san, I mean Ruriko-san…I better watch myself and remember that I'm supposed to fake an eager familiarity with the girl…is a complete failure as an actress, no as a professional. Her ability in the tea ceremony she's acting out can be granted as fair, but…" Don't stare at Ren until you forget yourself." And this is what I was waiting for. Rurko-san had been staring at me for what seemed like hours without a single line coming out of her mouth. I mean I'm grateful that my looks have helped improve my standing in the industry, but I'm not a painting in a museum. Heh…I wonder if this is what fish feel like in their tanks. Anyway, I would gladly give her more than half of my attention if she were just a bit serious. Ah, so it's going Mogami-san's turn now…

I don't understand what's going on in the head of this woman. She really is stupid for getting into a fight with Ruriko-san earlier and now she's actually going take part in this contest. I can only bow to her perseverance, but as things stand her actions from earlier will only end in failure. The position she's currently in shouts out her pain. There's no way she'll be able to act out the part correctly…*SNAP*…ah? He…her expression is serene…and her smile…beautiful and gentle, as if her swollen ankle were only a slight discomfort. Actually, rather than slight, it's as if it were just a figment of her imagination. Well this is certainly interesting. I haven't met another actress with this kind of attitude in quite some time. I wonder how far I can push her abilities and test what sort of courage she has hidden inside.

Host Hotel for the Cast

As I got older, I learned that a single glass of scotch on the rocks would help me relax and reflect on events that I initially pushed away. Her face was paler than any color I had ever seen, yet she continued to kneel perfectly still, perfectly graceful as cold sweat formed on her small face. I didn't mean to push her to that extent, but I, too was caught up in my character. Her determination provoked me to act seriously alongside her. But those haunting words she muttered in reply to the Director's request to stop acting still ring clearly in my mind. "No…I…until the end…I…absolutely will not leave this spot…The guest…is still…still here…" She referred to me as the 'guest' and the moment I left the mat she fainted into the Director's arms. Why would she push herself so hard for a business she got into for revenge? Why would she even get hurt for it? There's no doubt in my mind that she lost herself during her acting. It's happened to me plenty of times. And it might not have been for the character written on the script, but it was a character she had chosen to play. What could…" Look! Is that Ren? It's Ren! That person is definitely Ren! Really? In person? Wanna go talk to him? Yeah? Why is he here? He's by himself! If we wanna grab a hold of him, it's now! Let's go say hi to him! Wait, I'm not mentally prepared yet!" No way…it's so dark in here, how did they figure out who I was? *sigh* I guess that means my time here is up…I better go find Yashiro-san.

I know he mentioned something about peeking in on Mogami-san's photo shoot. Now where in the world did they set up? Ah…there he is," Ren, could I ask something of you?" Director Shinkai? I wonder what he needs. *sigh* It seems I will be continually pushed into her company for the time being. At least Yashiro-san is here with me so that I don't have to oblige with polite conversation. *soft thump*

Ren's Room

She seems to be a mystery I can never hope to unravel. The distinctness in her character is so far apart from each other, that one cannot guess what she will do or say next. She was so plainly defiant to my company and then in a singular moment she was a frail creature that I felt the need to protect. Her face earlier…no her eyes…were withdrawn and empty as if no one was inside. There was no light or soul behind the clear amber glass, and her expression was so sad. That strange expression on her face….why does it feel familiar? Was it really sadness? Perhaps loneliness? Or…Sst…what is that tightening in my stomach? How annoying…am I hungry? No, it can't be, I'm never really hungry.

Next Day

Another night has passed, and yet my thoughts were filled with her. Every encounter I have makes me feel like I've taken one step forward and two steps back. Usually I'm able to pinpoint a person's personality fairly quickly, but, she's a really weird girl.

Hmph…and as if on cue the person of my musings has just entered into my line of sight. Thank goodness Yashiro-san inquired about her health before I had to…eh? "Both of you were mistaken! That was because of the tea ceremony which reminded me of a man whom I hate to the core!" What? Is she serious? "A man whom you hate to the core…is the one whom you mentioned the last time…that guy…oh…in other words, it is for revenge that you've worked so hard. Like this time too…the endless effort during the acting competition right?" Will she admit to it? "That's right!" I can't believe this woman! While I do admire her perseverance, I can't agree with her motive. I can't believe I sympathized with her after I saw the look on her face. I protected her from that nosy reporter from 'Boots" and still the most outrageous answer was the correct one. I guess any further worry that may have been entertained can now rest in the assurance that her strength is formed for a purely superficial reason. Oh yes! I mustn't forget to reward her for her hard work. "The reason why Ruriko-chan has become so serious in her acting is all thanks to you. As someone who is acting together with her, I should also express my gratitude towards you…If possible, please let me show a little thankfulness." (-10 points Totally Cannot Make It!)

*sigh* Well it's not an entire loss I guess...I should just admit it to myself that it's fun messing with her. Her reactions are just way too funny and her naiveté just makes everything even funnier. I have just found my new favorite toy…

Thanks for reading! Please continue to review and provide constructive criticism. I also wanted to let you all know that half of the next chapter will be entirely of my own creation as Ren is actually absent from the second half of Volume 4. (I know I was sad, too. Even a little peek would have satisfied my eye candy craving.) ; )

In future chapters, please provide scenarios or jobs you would like to see Ren do outside of Nakamura-sensei's manga arc. Thanks!

~Kaede Itsuki~