A Kiss?
It's been weeks of conditioning and Sora is now able to hold Layla for four hours and pull her and herself back up. No one has caught on to who she really is, because she decided to stay secluded, besides when Sarah has some new trick to test out or just pick on 'Riku'. Sora knows she isn't really good at lying, especially if it's May. She's had to avoid her questioning numerous times. May just won't let it go that a newbie gets to perform with Layla. Luckily, since Sora is the Phantom, she won't have much rehearsal time around May. Today, Mia will lead the meeting discussing the script of the production. That's where Riku is headed now.
As Riku enters the room, Layla and Yuri are already seated at the front. He decides to lean against the wall in the back. While Mia spoke, Riku was thinking. Mia did a really good job with this. I think this is her best work yet. Riku was smiling to himself, until he really listened to what Mia said about a part between the Phantom and Christine. Kiss? He looks to Layla and sees a slight blush. "Ehhhhh!" Riku is beet red.
"Why does the newbie get to kiss Layla-san!", May shouts.
"It will make the stage more exciting. The audience won't be expecting it. Plus the Phantom is so passionate and forceful, we have to do something different", Mia explains.
"I still don't agree with this", May complains. Riku slips out the back door. I need air.
"I think it will be interesting. What do you think Layla?", Yuri looks to his partner.
"It shouldn't be a problem", she says.
"See May. Layla-san approves. What about you Riku?" Mia's question is met with silence. "Riku…? Where did he go? He was just here."
Kalos hears hurried footsteps approaching his door. She's right on time as predicted.
Riku busts in the door. "I have to kiss Layla-san! You said nothing about a kiss! What am I going to do?" Riku continues to ramble.
"Will you please come in and shut the door, Riku." Riku calms down and closes the door. Then h stomps over to the chair in front of Kalos' desk and plops down. "Now what seems to be the problem?"
"The kiss! I can't kiss Layla-san. She doesn't even know it's me. When she finds out later, she will be so upset. What if she hates me? Oh no, no no…"
"Riku. Riku! Sora!" Kalos gets Sora's attention. "Layla isn't going to hate you. This is also part of your test. It's just a kiss."
"Just a kiss! But…but…"
"You better go get lunch before rehearsal."
"Uggggghhhhh!" Sora stands from the chair and stomps to the door.
"Is this your first kiss, Sora?" Sora stops, her hand on the handle and blushes. She then quickly gets out of the room and walks down the hall frustrated.
As Layla and Yuri head towards Kalos' office, they hear someone yell. Suddenly Kalos' door swings open and a very miffed Riku slams the door shut, head hanging and red cheeks. He's so caught mumbling his complaints to himself, that he doesn't notice Yuri or Layla when he walks by. "What if it is my first kiss? I can handle it. I can handle…it…ugh…", he mumbles. He continues to walk on by, mumbling the whole time.
"First kiss? Isn't that great? A first kiss from the great Layla Hamilton. This should be interesting."
"What kind of boy hasn't had a kiss at that age?"
"An innocent one. He is definitely the boy version of Sora. I bet she hasn't had her first kiss. I bet she's wants one from her favorite person, I'm sure Sora will be jealous." Yuri winks at Layla. Me, give Sora her first kiss. Sora jealous. Layla blushes. A blushing Layla, very interesting.
After lunch, Riku is waiting in the rehearsal room for Layla. They have a lot of scenes together, so Mia wanted to start rehearsal with them. Cathy will also be joining them. While still thinking about the kiss, someone touches his shoulder.
"Ahhhhh!" Riku jumps and falls over.
"Jumpy aren't we? You must be Riku. I'm Cathy. I'll be helping out. Let's work together, okay?"
"Hai." Layla is about to comment on Riku's nervousness, but Mia runs in.
"Sorry I'm late. Let's get started with the climax, because the other parts you guy can learn quickly and this way you can work on this part alone once I've taught it to you." Riku and Layla nod. "The scene I'm picturing here is you two, performing specific stunts on the trapeze, which will lead you to a tightrope, where both of you land near the middle. That's when the Phantom will pull Christine into a kiss, confessing his love. Christine removes the mask and the Phantom will grab Christine and use rope that will pull you two up and into the rafters as fireworks go off below, signifying the chandelier crash."
"Sounds exciting. Let's get to work", Cathy advises.
Riku and Layla climb up the trapeze and practice several stunts together. Layla is surprised at the rate her and Riku were able to synchronize with each other.
"That's great guys, now do a double flip spin off the trapeze and onto the rope, and then Riku pull her in for the kiss." Since Mia, said this mid flip, as Riku was coming down to land, he lost his footing and fell into the net.
"Sorry. One more time from the flip please." Riku scurries out of the net and back up to the trapeze. This time, they both land on the rope, but just stand there.
"Go ahead Riku. Pull her close around the waist." Riku reaches his arm out and pulls Layla over. Once Layla is close, she feels how bad Riku is shaking. He is looking down.
"She shaking really bad. Are you okay?", Layla asks.
"W-w-well….ummm…umm…"
"Who has ever heard of a bashful Phantom? Give it to her! Make her breathless!", Cathy shouts out. This causes Mia to blush.
"I-I….ummm…H-h-how…how do I…ummm…k-k-k-kiss?" Everyone looks at him dumbfounded. This just makes him super red.
"What do you mean how?", Cathy asks.
"I-I've never dated anyone. I-I-I don't know how to k-kiss like how you want. T-This is my first kiss", he kind of mumbles, but is still heard.
"First kiss!", Mia and Cathy shout at the same time. Layla makes no movement.
"You don't see too surprised Layla-san", Riku notices.
"Yes, well you came out of Kalos' office the day of the announcement mumbling and that happened to slip out."
"Since you don't know how, Layla teach him. You lead the kiss the first until Riku is confident enough on his on."
"Alright." Layla leans in for the kiss. Riku's eyes widen.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! My heart isn't prepared yet." Riku stops her.
"You're gonna have to do it sooner or later. What? You don't want Layla to be your first kiss?"
"No it's not that. I don't mind if it's Layla-san." He blushes. "Just give me a minute." Just breathe. It's what you've always wanted. I can do this. He looks into Layla's eyes and Layla looks back. Such pretty blue eyes. Layla leans in and lightly touches her lips to Riku's. His lips are so soft and do I taste skittle chapstick? He freezes. Layla pulls back and looks at him. His eyes are wide and there is little blood drip from his nose. She steps from his arms and he falls off the rope and back into the net. I can't do this, but my life is now complete.
"What did you do to the poor boy? He's pretty much comatose. Do you have the kiss of death or something?", Cathy comments. Layla glares at Cathy, while Mia checks on Riku.
"Riku?" Mia makes sure Riku is still alive. "Riku?"
"So sweet. I've died and gone to heaven", Riku whispers.
"That's great Riku, but I don't think angels have nosebleeds", Mia chuckles.
"Ehhh!" Riku sits up really fast and wipes his nose. Mia and Cathy laugh, and Layla comes down from the tightrope.
"So how was your first kiss from the princess?" Cathy slaps his back.
"Magical…", Riku mutters, not really thinking. Then he blush flares up his face and Cathy cracks up even more. Layla also sports a slight blush.
"Hahahaha! You crack me up. I like you kid." Cathy slaps Riku's back again. "Let's call lunch break. We'll meet back up at 2." Riku nods and runs out the studio.
"I'm going to go speak with him. I'll see you at 2." Layla grabs her jacket and goes off to find Riku.
Just outside of Kaleido Stage Riku his resting against a column. That was embarrassing. My first kiss… Riku puts his fingers to his lips.
"Riku! How was that first kiss! Hahaha!" Riku jumps, turning around to see Sarah walking towards him.
"Sarah-san. How did you know it was my first kiss?"
"Kalos and I discussed how you would handle it. So did you get a nosebleed?" Riku blushed. "Hahaha! You're so cute. You must really like Layla huh?"
"S-s-sarah-san…" Riku whines. Sarah walks up to Riku and whispers in his ear.
"It's okay to like another girl So-ra." Riku's eyes widen.
"S-sarah-san, it's not like that."
"You're so naïve about feelings, but that just adds to your cuteness. Oh look, here comes Layla now." Riku turns around and spots Layla approaching them. "Good luck. Hahaha." Sarah walks away, laughing.
"Riku."
"H-h-ai." Riku stands at attention.
"Calm down. You don't have to be so nervous around me."
"Hai…Sorry…" Riku relaxes.
"Now come." Layla starts walking away from Kaleido Stage. Riku jogs to catch up.
"Anooo…Where are we going?"
"Lunch. We are going to have a talk."
"Hai…" They continue to walk silently to a small restaurant.
When they arrive at the restaurant, Layla leads the way to a small, secluded table in the back. After they order their waters, Layla begins the conversation.
"Tell me about yourself."
"Eh?"
"I want to know more about my partner. We need to get through barrier between us. These roles are very romantic and if we can't become comfortable with each other, the audience won't enjoy it." Riku nods in understanding. Kalos was right. This will be my hardest stage yet.
"Okay. Well, I'm from Japan."
"How did you hear about Kaleido Stage?"
"I'm really good friends with Sora."
"You knew Sora?"
"Yeah. We…grew up together." This way I can avoid lying. The waiter comes back asking for their orders. Layla orders a salad, and Riku orders a sandwich.
"What was Sora like when she was younger?" Layla blushes a little, but it isn't really noticeable.
"Eh? Ummm…Since I lived right next door to her aunt and uncle's, I got to see her every day. At first, she was sad all the time when she moved in with them, but then she warmed up to people. She realized that when she was sad, the people around also became sad. She didn't want her new parents to be sad, so she became happier. She was really clumsy, until her parents signed her up for gymnastics. They felt like if she had something to do with her time, she wouldn't force herself to be happy anymore for them."
Layla smiles. "Sounds like Sora. Did Sora ever have someone she liked?" Riku was taking a sip of his water during this question and started choking and coughing.
"Ehhh!" Layla looks at him and repeats her question. "No…She never really thought about it, only about her dream of performing on Kaleido Stage."
"I see. Do you have someone you like?"
"I-I…I don't know."
"How can you not know?"
"People say that I'm naïve about my feelings. I mean I do have someone special in mind, but I don't if it's love."
"What are your feelings when this person comes to mind?"
"I want to protect her. She's done a lot for me, and I want to help her in return. She's beautiful and always leaves me awestruck. I want her to be proud of me. She's one of the most important people in my life and I really respect her." It feels weird talking about myself and Layla-san, without Layla-san knowing she's talking to me.
"I would say that's love."
"Love! Really!" Riku has a really big blush and looks away from Layla. I'm in love with Layla-san. But…but…Sora then recalls what Sarah whispered to her, not to long along.
"Probably. Now for your character. The Phantom has really strong, on the verge of obsessive feelings for Christine. During the rehearsals, I want you to amplify your feelings for the person you like and display them on me. That should get you into character." That should be simple, since you are the person. "You can't be afraid to lose yourself in the role. The Phantom is strong and forceful. I'm supposed to be timid. You can't be nervous, just take action."
"I understand. Do you have someone you like, Layla-san?" Layla blushes.
"Yes, I believe I do. They have really changed my life and earned my respect. She is very important to me."
"She?"
"Does that bother you?"
"Not one bit." Riku smiles. Because I also…but I wonder who Layla likes.
"Good. Let's head back for the group section's rehearsal."
"Hai."
Later that night in Sora's room…
"You seem different. Did you discover something Sora?" Sora is against a wall doing push-ups.
"How do you know when you're in love, Fool?", Sora asks, coming down from her push-ups and now sitting Indian style.
"Has our innocent Sora finally realized her feelings?"
"Am I the only one that didn't know?"
"Pretty much." Sora's jaw drops. "But it's okay. Everyone still accepts you and looks up to you. If you want to, I can show you how to give Layla a real kiss." Sora smacks Fool into a wall and climbs into bed.
"Good night Fool."
"Ow…I never get any love. I better make another visit."
Layla's Room…
I finally got Cathy too leave me alone about that kiss. She wouldn't stop cracking jokes. Hopefully Riku can pull it together soon.
"I see you are also lost in your thoughts, Layla." Layla turns around and sees Fool.
"Fool! I'm glad to see you again. What do you mean by also?" Fool floats and takes a seat on Layla's dresser.
"You know our Sora, never taking a break. She's really growing up." Fool wipes a fake tear.
"How is Sora? I haven't spoken to her in a while?"
"She's working hard. There is no such thing as a real vacation for her, just like you. She's going through a hard time right now, sorting through feelings, but she has you, so she's fine."
"But I'm far away from her, how am I any help?"
"You are closer to her than you think." She can take that literally or not. "How are you feeling about this new production?"
"I'm excited for it. I can't wait to see what Riku can do with his character."
"Yes…This should be a very interesting show. You two will be learning a lot. There was also be a shocking revelation."
"Revelation?"
"You will learn in due time. See you again, Layla", Fool says as he ways goodbye and flies out Layla's window.
There seems to be a secret around this production. I wonder what Kalos has planned.