Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat!, nor am I associated with any of it's affiliates, such as Hana to Yume magazine, or ShojoBeat publishers. All characters within are created and presumably owned by Nakamura Yoshiki-sensei. I humbly beg pardon for any mistakes that may be made by me.
Shiroyume Akira-Played by Tsuruga Ren
Otome Yuki-Played by Fuwa Shotaro
Yamaguchi Kuroko-Played by Mogami Kyoko
First Act
By PhoenixTorte
Yamaguchi Shin put his teacup back on the table and sat back on his cushion. He looked up into the eyes of the young man sitting across from him. "It is agreed," he pronounced. "As upon the contract with your grandfather, you shall marry my daughter, Kuroko-chan."
The young man across from him smiled warmly. "It would be my pleasure to marry Yamaguchi Kuroko, and I hope that I can be a good son to you." Otome Yuki bowed respectfully.
"You agree as well, then, Kuroko?" her father turned and looked at her. Kuroko, her face carefully blank, nodded carefully.
"Of course, any match that you approve is acceptable, otou-san," she said. "I would be glad to be the wife of Otom-otome-ot…"
"Gyaaaa!"
Kyouko jumped to her feet, hands to her head. "Why do I have to say that I'll be that fool's wife?! Kyaa, I can't take it! Why this idiot of all people?" As she let off steam, her demons began to swarm in full force.
"Kyouko."
Kyouko froze in her ranting.
"That's a really weird face for a girl to be having. Don't you think?" Kyouko slowly turned to see that Tsuruga-san was beaming a full-force gentlemanly smile at her. The demons swirling around her had no choice but to shrivel and retreat before that deceptive smile. 'Eek.' She thought. 'Tsuruga-san's mad now!' Contrite now, she bowed low in apology.
"Goomeeen nasaiiii!" she wailed. Despite himself, Tsuruga felt a stirring of amusement at Kyouko's predictable reaction. No matter what, if she knew that she was wrong, she would always apologize in an amusing, extreme way.
"That's alright. Just do your best to act professionally." Tsuruga nodded, and then went back to the sidelines where he had been watching her. Although he said that she should act professionally, he felt a little glad that Kyouko still hadn't forgiven Sho. Then again, at the same time he was a little peeved that she could get so worked up over someone that was supposed to be her ex. Ren did his best to force down the stirring of jealousy that had sprouted in his chest. It was hard. He loved Kyouko so much.
Oblivious to Ren's inner musings, Kyouko nodded. "I'll do my best!" she proclaimed. Taking a deep breath, she began to formulate a plan to make it seem as though she didn't hate Sho, but instead get into her character. Though the girl that she was playing didn't especially care for getting married to someone that she didn't know, she certainly didn't hate or dislike Otome Yuki-she just didn't know him, and felt a sense of apathy for him.
"Well, then!" the director said, coming up behind them. "Shall we do it over from the top? Places, my darlings!"
Yamaguchi Shin put his teacup back on the table and sat back on his cushion. He looked up into the eyes of the young man sitting across from him. "It is agreed," he pronounced. "As upon the contract with your grandfather, you shall marry my daughter, Kuroko-chan."
The young man across from him smiled warmly. "It would be my pleasure to marry Yamaguchi Kuroko, and I hope that I can be a good son to you." Otome Yuki bowed respectfully.
"You agree as well, then, Kuroko?" her father turned and looked at her. Kuroko, her face carefully blank, nodded carefully.
"Of course, any match that you approve is acceptable, otou-san," she said. "I would be glad to be the wife of Otome-sama." Carefully and respectfully, she bowed to Yuki. Gracefully, as a Japanese woman should, she picked up the beautiful china teapot, and poured more tea into her father and Yuki's cups. Her father beamed on proudly at her grace and good manners. Otome Yuki waved a hand at the tea however, and bowing once more to Yamaguchi Shin, he excused himself, and took his leave. Father and daughter stood to see him to the door, where Yuki got into an expensive looking car, and drove away.
Once they were alone, Shin turned to Kuroko. "Daughter," he said quietly. "I am very proud of you for honoring your grandfather's promise, though I know that it must be a shock to you. Thank you, for keeping honor in the Yamaguchi family."
Her face still placid, Kuroko bowed to her father. "Of course, chichi-ue," she replied. "I know my duty well." Her father nodded once, in approval, and then left. He never saw the lone tear that streaked down Kuroko's cheek, the only sign of grief she gave at the loss of freedom that would come with being the wife of a rich young man, in a rich old family.
Hiya, sorry this one is short, but I hope it's a little better than waiting a while for an update! I'll post more soon, promise! ;-)