I told you I had the first half already done! Thank you so much to the people who put this story on alert, and thank you deeply to my two reviewers for the last chapter Lady of the Hunt (awesome name by the way) and kitty.0. Both of you thank you so much; you guys rock! Like before I have part of the next chapter done, as you shall see at the bottom of this chapter with the preview. I have taken your time enough, so on to reading!
Kyoko
Tsuruga-san seems to have gotten over his bad mood from the day before. I thought to myself as I served lunch the next day.
During the rest of the day and at night before I went to bed, I contemplated about going and asking what was wrong, or simply letting it roll over for now. I couldn't very well suddenly question him; that would be too rude! But could I really just let it slide and not help him?
It was already dark as I was still stuck between the two, and so there was nothing I really could do besides the latter of the two, which was to simply let it roll over for now. However I had still been worried about him as I slept, barely managing to get a bit of dreamless sleep from pure exhaustion.
I was dreading seeing him still in his resigned mood when breakfast came, however it appeared as though I worried naught, for he was acting no differently from normal. There wasn't even the gentleman's smile he wore in order to hide his emotions. It was real, and it was as though the events from the day before hadn't happened.
~O~
The time spent here on Kyoto was probably the most relaxing I had ever had. It was only when I finally had a full afternoon to myself with nothing to do besides walk around that I truly realized how much of a lack of relaxing I had done over the course of my life.
My life as a child had been completely dedicated to my studies and learning how to become a proper hostess at Shotaro's parents' inn. When arriving at Tokyo I had to work hard day and night in order to pay the rent, not even able to spare a little bit of money in order to buy the occasional comfort or luxury other girls would be able to do. Even now, over the past two years in the entertainment industry I have always been working with memorizing scripts, working on my schoolwork, and simply trying to bring myself up in the entertainment industry with both the LoveMe section and other jobs. Not even mentioning the whole Bo thing.
Never in my life had I, Mogami Kyoko, ever relaxed. And so when I finally got the opportunity to, it was with slight pain and submission. I felt as though I should be doing something, but the lack of things necessary to do made it difficult to achieve this sense of completion I so dearly wanted.
It took the entire first day and a half for me to get used to settling with only cooking meals and learning my script on my agenda for the entire day, as I was soon distracted in my own world as I took leisurely walks and imagined meeting the fairy kingdom among the trees and flowers.
But what I truly enjoyed most of all were meal times. It was during those times of the day that I always saw Tsuruga-san, and each time he arrived with a smile. Honestly, I rather enjoyed his company. I had never seen Tsuruga-san as frequently as I did now, that is except for the time that he got sick while I had been his manager.
Each breakfast we would greet each other and talk for a little while, then go off to do our own activities. We would meet again for lunch, and talk for a while more, sometimes having a full conversation. It was during this time that he teased me, but I am not as bothered by it as I was before. At dinner we would talk, switching from either conversation to small talk on alternate days. Then we would head off to bed, bidding the other a good night.
It was a nice and comfortable routine.
On the fourth day of this I noticed a small change in Tsuruga-san. Before, he would slip into his polite mask he always wore around others, but now those moments were becoming less frequent. I smiled to myself whenever I thought about that.
And yet this all changed on the fifth day, when the topic on practice scenes was breached again.
~O~
It was during lunch that the subject was brought up.
"Mogami-san, would you care to practice a scene with me later today?"
Hesitating only a moment, I nodded my assent. The breach of subject had brought up the memory of Tsuruga-san looking so saddened, and for a moment I had considered saying no to his question. But I also knew that this was what we were here for; the drama. So I agreed, albeit worried about Tsuruga-san. I didn't want him to turn melancholy after such friendly days.
The conversation was turned in a different direction, but my mind was occupied with thoughts of the practice. Looking up into his face, I could see that he was slightly troubled as well.
Oh dear.
~O~
Taking only our scripts with us to the room from before, we began a scene as soon as the door shut, Tsuruga-san simply stating "Episode two, scene five." Action.
"Oh! You're here again!" I said, running up to meet Yori, who was sitting by the same rock as before, looking as though he hadn't moved from the spot.
He simply nodded his head to me as recognition.
I sat down next to him in the same spot as before, setting my backpack down with me.
"How come you don't talk much?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.
"I'm not a very talkative person." Yori said after a few moments.
"Well then, why don't we play a game then?" I asked, suddenly coming up with an idea.
"A game?" Yori asked, appearing confused.
"Yeah! It's called twenty-questions – we each ask each other questions, until finally both of us have asked twenty questions. Simply, right? Oh, and you can't lie." I added as an after thought.
"Okay, let's begin. How old are you?" I asked straight away.
"Nineteen." Yori answered.
"Oh, you're not much older than me then – I'm seventeen, by the way." I paused. "Wait, I guess I shouldn't have told you that without you asking me. Oh well. Your turn."
" . . . "
"Come on, ask me anything." I prompted.
"Can I skip this?" Yori asked.
"No, it's your turn. Ask me something." I said, willing him on.
"Well then . . . What is your favorite color . . . ?"
"Rose pink." I answered immediately. "Okay, what kind of music do you listen to?"
"I don't really listen to music much."
"Oh, well then that's all right. Your turn."
"When is your birthday?"
"April 7th. What's yours?"
As I asked this, a frown came over his face, as though he was struggling to remember something.
"December 10th." He said at last.
And it went on like that, neither of us keeping track of the questions, until finally we had gone much over the supposed twenty, and it was time for me to go.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow!" I said, standing up and putting my backpack over my shoulders.
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, you'll be here tomorrow, won't you?" I asked.
" . . . Yes, I will."
A smile lit up my face.
"Okay, until then!" And with a wave I left the stream and headed home.
At least that was what was supposed to happen. That was what the scene was supposed to be, however we never made it to the color question before Tsuruga-san stopped us and we began again.
And again.
Just like last time.
Upon the fifth try at the same scene Tsuruga-san gave a sigh and let his head fall in his hands.
I was frozen, unsure of what to do.
"Mogami-san, can we go over another scene, please?" I heard him ask after a moment.
"Yes, of course. Which one?"
"Episode three, scene one.
And yet the same problem there too.
" . . . Can we stop here for today? I'm suddenly feeling tired."
I nodded my head.
"Yes . . ."
"Thank you, Mogami-san."
Shooting a tired smile my way, Tsuruga-san stood from the spot he had been sitting on and headed towards the door.
Don't let him just leave like that! A voice at the back of my head screamed, and so before I knew what I was doing I turned around and gently touched his arm.
Looking slightly surprised, Tsuruga-san turned and looked at me. My face was burning at my daring move. Well, I really couldn't back down now. Clearing my throat, I finally spoke.
"Um, Tsuruga-san, if . . . if you ever need someone to talk to, you know I . . . I'm here . . . right?"
A surprised look crossing his eyes, there was a few moments silence before he finally spoke.
"Yes . . . I know . . . Thank you, Mogami-san." With a warmer smile on his face, he gently tugged at my arm, where I let him go.
Silently closing the door behind him, Tsuruga-san left, the silent click of the door signaling his departure.
Well . . . that was something. I thought. But I replayed the warm smile again in my mind, and couldn't help but smile as well. Even if the change was minuscule, I helped him in some way. That was good enough for now. At least now he knew that I was here.
A smile creeping up my own face, I picked up my script from where it had been sitting and left the room, a smile still upon my face.
Ren
If you ever need someone to talk to . . . I'm here.
The words kept repeating themselves in my mind, like a chorus to a song I could not get out of my head. The melody of her words as she said them, had caused me to forget about what had happened, if only just for a moment.
But moments are always short-lived.
What have you been doing the past few days? The being that had now become more and more familiar as my conscience that did not beat about the bush and went directly to the point. This being was otherwise known as Ren Number Two, so to speak.
"Trying to practice Yori's character." I responded calmly.
And what progress have you made on that?
"Very little." I admitted.
None.
A small frown graced my features.
"Well what exactly am I supposed to do?"
You know what to do.
"No. I won't let Kuon out!"
It is the only way-
"-It is not the only way!" I insisted.
Keep trying to fool yourself then. We both know what needs to happen. You may try all of the techniques you want, all of the things you were taught when you were younger about acting. It'll be a decent enough act. One fit for an amateur. But you and I know that it will never be good enough.
I shut my eyes and forced my mind to go blank. A white sheet of paper. An empty space. Nothing, not even the slightest hint of anything besides that white emptiness.
I learned during the first few days conversing with this conscience of mine that it knew how to convince someone. It had the tone and debonair of a master at the art of deluding. Also, because it was a part of my conscience it also had the advantage of knowing how to push my buttons and did it well. But I would not be fooled.
I had learned early in life not to be fooled by anyone, especially once I had entered the entertainment business. Do not let others sway you. If you work hard, there will always be a way out of tough situations. There is always more than one way.
Once my mind was completely cleared, I waited for a time. One minute. Five minutes. An hour. It was impossible to tell time when in that state of pure calm.
Finally I opened my eyes.
Right then it was too soon in order to attempt to think about the character again, because then there was the risk of my conscience trying to convince me to become Kuon.
It was at that moment that the words from before rung again in my head once more, as though they had been waiting for just the right moment to make their entrance again.
If you ever need someone to talk to . . .
A smile graced my features once more. Standing, I walked over to the door leading outside and sat down on the porch*. The faint smell of jasmine washed over me, calming me further and reminding me of the woman of my affections.
I was at peace.
* - Okay, so again there is the problem with me having absolutely no idea about Japanese culture and items, so I'm not quite sure exactly what the correct term for the thing outside the home that you sit on is called. In case you don't know what thing I'm talking about is, this was the best picture I could find, just remove the spaces and replace the 'dots' with the actual thing: http : / / hermonacasa dot com / wp - content / uploads / 2011 / 08 / Asian – nuance – terrcace – exterior – house – design – from – japan dot jpg It's that porch-like thing, if you happen to know what it's properly called tell me please, I would deeply appreciate it.
Thank you for reading, and here is a little preview of the next chapter!
It was that time of the week again. I walked to the bathroom, a small box in hand. Opening it, I set it aside for a moment before looking in the mirror and reaching upwards. The lenses came off without trouble, to reveal the alien yet familiar dark blue eyes I had been blessed with. Or rather cursed.