Obligatory Disclaimer: If I owned Skip Beat! then I would not be here, writing fanfiction. I would be standing behind Yoshiki Nakamura with a whip to ensure a higher frequency of new chapters. (Geesh, and I swore to myself that I wouldn't be one of those people who tried to write witty disclaimers...)

Chapter Two

"Tsu...ru...ga...san?"

Kyoko stood at the door of the conference room, arm still outstretched and holding the door open, her lower jaw having hit the ground. After she'd been dismissed from her final class at school, she had rushed to the meeting. She had bounded towards the door once she'd arrived, eager to see her Moko-san again, and had instead come face to face with Director Fujishima Tatsui, who she'd expected, and Tsuruga Ren, who she hadn't.

"Kyoko-chan!"

Someone came barrelling into her from behind, cooing in her ear affectionately as they nuzzled their face into her hair. She froze, and scrabbled to get out of the stranger's embrace. Flustered, she stepped away, bowed to the newcomer, and very quickly moved away to sit next to the director. In all honesty, she would have been more surprised about the attack, except her mind and all her resources were busy figuring out just why her senpai was sitting at the table.

Now, from her seated position, she nervously examined the person who'd tackled her from behind. He had longish blond hair that framed his delicate features, and his slim, almost effeminate figure was draped in a long, apricot coloured scarf that he wore around his neck. It set off his unusual purple eyes, which were now gazing at her in pure adoration.

"Kyoko-chan," he cooed again, sidling up to her.

"I'm sorry? I don't...know you," she said distractedly. Ren frowned. She was definitely not taking this molester seriously. He'd heard of Watabe Mitsunari, but had never worked with him even though they belonged to the same agency. Apparently he'd been in Korea for the last two years, which was probably why Kyoko hadn't recognised him, despite his fame. He was known for his flamboyant nature, and his 'delightful' habit (according to gossip magazines) of clinging to the co-stars with whom he'd developed a good relationship. Which was everyone, it seemed. Everyone, including strangers. And Kyoko.

"Oh, of course not! I'm a huge fan of yours, Kyoko-chan! I was so excited to finally meet you, and be able to work with you. I'm Mitsu!" He clapped his hands together, and flung himself into the seat next to her. She shifted away from him nervously, but otherwise seemed to accept his exuberance. She just hoped that in the future, if she ever had any fans, that they wouldn't act in the same way. Still, if that was the kind of reaction people had to their favourite stars, then she shivered to think what Tsuruga-san went through every day. Thank goodness for Yashiro-san. At the thought of her senpai's manager, she glanced around the room. He was not present. I guess Tsuruga-san doesn't always need Yashiro-san around, especially not for small cast meetings like this.

Examining her expression, Mitsu whimpered. "Didn't you like my hug? I'M SO SORRY KYOKO-CHAN!" With this, he pounced on her again. "I JUST REALLY LIKE TO HUG THE PEOPLE I LIKE!" Despite herself, Kyoko smiled. She wasn't accustomed to physical contact, but she understood wanting to hug people. Moko-san never lets me hug her! Maybe this is how she feels. At least I like both of my co-stars so far...unless Tsuruga-san is also starring in this drama. And just like that, our oblivious heroine finally figured out why her senpai was sitting at the table on the other side of the director.

"Tsuruga-san, are you in this drama as well?"

Still latched to her side, Mitsu blinked, and pulled back a bit. "Well, Kyoko-chan, that is why Ren-chan is here. It's because he's the fourth member of our House of Four!"

Even the director looked amused by how long it had taken for her to understand it. Ren just looked slightly disgruntled. She hadn't sounded particularly enthusiastic about starring with him.

Kyoko sat in a slight daze for a few minutes as she processed the idea. She was going to act in a drama, with her senpai! She felt proud and terrified at the same time – proud that she was now closer to achieving her goals, and terrified, because this was her senpai. In her eyes, he was pretty much the ideal actor – the person she aspired to be. Not that she'd ever be anywhere on his level, she knew that, but the honour of acting with him was too great.

Finally, Director Fujishima coughed, and stood up. With all the incredibly dramatic revelations and hug attacks of the last ten minutes, he had quite forgotten that he was supposed to address these actors and tell them what they were here to do. "We're just awaiting our other female lead, Kotonami Kanae. In the mean time, I'll just introduce myself. My name is Fujishima Tatsui, and I've been in this business for a little over eleven years now. If you get a chance, feel free to watch some of the previous films and shows that I have directed, as they will provide some insight into what I look for in an actor. Now, I've selected the four of you based on your skills in portraying your characters, and because President Takarada and I both believe that you will work well together."

Ren frowned when the President was mentioned, while Mitsu giggled in agreement. "Excuse me, but what exactly is the President's role in this production? He seems to have an unwarranted amount of interest in this."

The director raised his eyebrows at what Ren had left unsaid, but answered, "The President is one of the producers of this drama. He was very eager to ensure its success. Furthermore, he recommended each of you to me, so don't disappoint us. Especially you, Mitsunari-san, since this will be your first drama since returning to Japan."

"Hai, hai!" Mitsu smoothed his hair and leaned forwards to wink at the director. "I'll do my best." He nodded to his co-stars around the table. Kyoko smiled back at him, glad that this playful actor seemed as dedicated to his work as she was. Seeing his kouhai smile, Ren allowed himself a small smile too. In many ways, Mitsu reminded him of Kyoko, and while the contrast was disturbing to say the least, it didn't hurt for him to hope that one day, she would be as accepting of his feelings as she had been of Mitsu's attentions so far.

Unfortunately, Ren's controlled facial slip seemed to trigger more blossoming adoration within Mitsu. "OH! REN-CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAN~! YOUR FACE LOOKS SO CUTE!"

This was the first time Kyoko had seen the tall man move so fast, with whatever had been on his face replaced by an expression of sheer terror. Mitsu launched himself towards Ren, who as good as dived towards the door in his attempt to avoid the oncoming attack.

For someone who was usually graceful, and avoided all unnecessary and uncalculated movements (except when Kyoko was involved), Kanae considered it highly uncharacteristic of Tsuruga Ren to crash into the door just as she opened it. It was almost as uncharacteristic of him as it was of Kyoko to not immediately run at her screaming "MOKO-SAN!" Instead, Kyoko was glancing uncertainly between Ren, who sat on the floor, his long legs folded beneath him as he massaged his sore elbow, and a blond-haired man, who had his hands pressed to his cheeks in horror.

The only person who seemed unaffected by Mitsu's various disruptions since the beginning of the meeting was Director Fujishima, but he was in cohorts in the President. Ren scowled internally for what must have been the billionth time since Kyoko had first entered the room, but quickly arranged his face and stood up again.

He bowed curtly to the new arrival, and took his seat again, freezing Mitsu with a cold glare. Mitsu only pouted, undaunted by the Demon Lord. Kyoko, however, scooted herself over to her best friend's side, and dragged her to take Mitsu's place next to her. When Mitsu finally seated himself again, this time next to Ren – who only amplified his deadly aura – the director spoke.

"Right, now that the four main stars are here, we can begin. I hope that you've all had a chance to flick through your script and begin developing your characters. Over the course of this week, I would like you to get used to being your character, because the President has prepared a very useful exercise for all of you that I am sure will help you play your parts realistically. As of present, I am unable to disclose any details of this exercise, but rest assured that it will be beneficial. Now, how about we go around the room and introduce ourselves?" Tapping his pen against his thigh, he leaned back, and dipped his head towards Ren.

"I'm Tsuruga Ren, and I'll be playing the part of Fuchida Ryou." Ren really didn't feel like dealing with this meeting anymore, but he knew that Tsuruga Ren would consider leaving for neither bruised limbs nor pride. And now the director tells us there's some kind of 'exercise' that the Boss is involved in planning? This is not good.

"Hi everyone! You can call me Mitsu-chan, and in this drama, I'll be playing Maeda Hachiro. I'm really looking forward to working with everyone!" Mitsu had clearly recovered quickly from his shock at causing Ren to crash into a door.

"Kotonami Kanae. I'm going to be Katsura Rina. Nice to meet you all." Kanae gave a small smile to her co-stars, swallowing the questions she wanted to ask Kyoko for later.

Kyoko stood after Kanae finished speaking, and bowed. "I'm Mogami Kyoko, and I'll be Kinashita Nanami. Please take care of me!"

"Good, good. And I'm your director, Fujishima Tatsui," he said, mainly for Kanae's benefit, since she'd missed his introduction. "I think after all these interruptions, we have just enough time to run through the first few scenes, and then you are free to go. Please take a few minutes to refresh your memories, and then we'll begin."

Kanae smirked. She had no need for that. While Kyoko and Ren pulled out their scripts, Mitsu unfurled his, and turned to Kanae. He was professional enough to know not to hug the ice queen when they were supposed to be studying their scripts, but nevertheless, he smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. Kanae ignored him, and instead turned to survey her best friend. What had the director meant by interruptions?

And what in the name of all that was holy had managed to throw Tsuruga Ren across the room?

/

Ren, why won't you cooperate with me? Grr. Curse your taciturnity. Maybe it's because you're always trying to be so emotionless all the time, so when I try to imagine you with emotion, it gets all mosaic-ed out!

You may have noticed that this fanfic is in the Romance/Friendship category – that is because I am somewhat incapable of being funny. I apologise for even trying. I just tried to capture the feelings of bewilderment but I guess this chapter was mainly to introduce the two original characters, even though it ended up being a little over-the-top. Coming up next, Lory!

Again, feedback of any kind is very helpful, as I believe there are better ways to improve your writing than to agonise over it alone. Thanks to all those who reviewed/alerted/favourited this fanfic, you make me smile. And type another eight pages. (I've written 18 pages already, so no fear of me running out of content with which to update...)

- Interficere