LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE IMPROVEMENTS!
I DO NOT OWN SKIP BEAT!
(Rosa POV)
As I got into my manager's, Yashiro Shoko's, car to go home to prepare for Kuon's and my anniversary, I decided that it was time to have a real anniversary. Come on Kyoko, you'vebeen married for four years and you're highly not a child anymore. Besides, when has Kuon not shown how much he appreciates you! I thought to myself as I prepare for what's to come.
FLASHBACK: 2 MONTHS AFTER ARRIVAL
A very frantic Kuon came rushing through the front door calling my name. "Kyoko, What happened!? I heard you collapsed!" Kuon said worriedly as he rushed to my side when he found me in my bedroom.
"It's just a cold, it snuck up on me before I could sense it. Don't worry there's no other damage." I comforted him and he vowed to take care of me, which was rather clumsily, as he flustered about. It's only expected when he's never had a cold, nor has he ever been in charge of doctoring one. I had to force him to let me make the soup while he held me in case I fell.
FLASHBACK: LAST YEAR JUST BEFORE I WENT TO HELP FUWA
"I wasn't lying when I told that woman about being happily married to you, Kyoko. Just please don't forget that when you're fulfilling your promise." Kuon told me shakily with worry as if his world was shattering.
"I will never forget you, Kuon. Our marriage, to me, is everything." I told him as I kissed him, but before we could go too far, I froze.
"Don't worry, I won't force you." Kuon pulled away giving me a comforting smile.
I made myself vow then that after helping Fuwa, I would be ready.
FLASHBACK: A PHONE CALL DURING HELPING FUWA
"People have been saying that you're out cheating on me with another man?" Kuon said off-handedly though slightly worried.
"Pft, with Fuwa? Not likely, he's a spoiled brat. I'm much happier with the man in my dreams." I told him, disturbed by the idea of ever being like that with Fuwa.
"Really, and what's he like, this man in your dreams?" Kuon said relieved and intuitively, I smiled.
"Wouldn't you like to know? I've got to go, Fuwa's home. I love you and I'll see you in my dreams." I ended up saying quickly as I heard Fuwa's voice coming down the hall.
END OF FLASHBACKS
I smiled to myself as the memories faded, I knew I was ready.
When she pulled into the parking spot I got out and smiled at her. She could tell by the look on my face that to was going to be more special than any. "I'll see you in the morning." She said in a doubtful smiling way.
I rushed up to the apartment to get everything ready and was done by the time Kuon got home. He came in with a beautiful big bouquet of roses and a giant stuffed lion that had fur and eyes the same colors as his, golden blond and green.
"I hope this is still okay?" He said with a knowing smile. As he looked around he noticed some things were different and went to check out the apartment. The place finally looked like it belonged to a married couple, instead of room-mates. "I like the improvements." He said as he kissed me.
A few days after the audition shachou calls me up to his office. I get the feeling it has something to do with Kanae. So, I brace myself for whatever awaits me and follow Sabastian to face whatever craziness shachou has come up with this time.
"ROSA! I AM GOING TO CREATE A NEW SECTION! I will call it THE LOVE ME SECTION! It was inspired by Kotonami Kanae! The way she answered that question in the audition... I HAD TO DO SOMETHING! I AM APPOINTING YOU AS THE SUPERVISOR! HERE, THIS IS YOUR UNIFORM!" I look at what he is holding up, I nearly lost my lunch. Are you serious? With one look at his face: Yes, yes he is.
"Shachou, not that I'm not flattered by the idea but, don't you think someone who's career doesn't depend on their reputation and appearance?" hoping he would be detoured by that. NO. SUCH. LUCK.
"We will make an official announcement! Besides, I already have your first assignment! I really do need you on this one, please Rosa." he was grinning from ear-to-ear.
"Fine, but on one condition, I become supervisor under the name KYOKO. What is this project you need help with?" I said in a defeated tone with a sigh.
"It's Matsunai Ruriko! She's gotten out of hand and I don't know what to do! So, I set her up with an acting job with Ren, her crush, hoping that she will see his devotion to his job and have it inspire her! That, and director Shingai. But, now that I've thought about it, I don't think that will be enough! Please, Rosa! Help her!" he says all this dramatically to me. I feel irritated about her feelings for Kuon. But, I know what his feelings are for me.
"Alright, I suggest the best way to do it would be to make her aware once she's there. Ren will do that on his own because neither of us believe it blinding people from the truth. As for me, instead of sending me in as an adviser as usual, how about I come in as a rival for the spot that she has been asked to play. Also, I want to do this one as Rosa." I tell him, thinking all this up as I go. He nods along completely agreeing with whatever I say because he knows that it will work.
"I look forward to Matsunai-kun being cured!" he says as he ushers me out the door so that I get back to work with my manager, Yashiro Shoko. As we make our way to the next destination I tell her about the Love Me Section. She, of course, thinks it's hilarious until I reveal to her that she WILL be JOINING me.
"What? I have to wear that ridiculous uniform as well! But, I'm MARRIED! Why did you have to agree to this! Don't answer that, I already know." she pouted.
"Isn't that: we're married? I'm sure our husbands will have comments of their own." I said, laughing a little. Shoko then got this eureka look on her face that morphed into a teasing devil look that rivaled her husband's quite well.
"So, how was your anniversary?" I said trying to keep herself from saying more.
"It was perfect." I said with full in-love look and smile as I finished getting ready, leave a dazed-out Shoko behind.
DAY OF THE ASSIGNMENT: MATSUNAI RURIKO
(Rosa POV)
When Shoko drove us to the site we find ourselves being blocked by a broken down van. "I'll go see what's up." I say to her as I get out, she tells me to be careful. Just as I get to the van my arm nearly gets clipped by the van's sliding door flying open, and out steps Matsunai Ruriko ranting about their van breaking down, and her poor manager trying to calm her down. I decide to approach the manager instead, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if there was something I could do to help."
Before the manager can answer Ruriko starts to shout at me. "YES, THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO! YOU CAN GIVE ME A RIDE TO THE FILMING SITE! I'M THE MAIN CHARACTER!"
Just as she starts for Shoko's car I signal for Shoko to lock the doors. "I'm sorry but, I was told not to give you any assistance by shachou, Matsunai-san." I say with a smile on my face and then turn around to start walking up the hill. "Oh, but your manager is more than welcome to get a ride." By the look on her manager's face, I'm guessing that she's too soft for this mission.
"BUT I'M THE MAIN CHARACTER! AND WHAT ARE YOU WEARING!? IT'S AN INSULT TO RICH PEOPLE!" Ruriko screams behind me as she trails after me. I was wearing a simple white tank top and cargo shorts with a comfy pair of sneakers.
"Just because you have a certain role doesn't me that the other roles are any less important." I scolded her giving her heated glare (Mio worthy) that she cringed at.
"HEY! MY FAN-BASE IS JUST AS BIG AS YOUR'S AND YOUR BROTHER'S! SO, OF COURSE I GET TREATED SPECIAL! I'm willing to bet that you made up the thing about shachou telling you to not be nice to me BECAUSE YOU'RE JEALOUS! Your brother chose ME as HIS acting PARTNER, INSTEAD of YOU!" She said haughtily. It got on my nerves so much that I forgot to watch my footing, and ended up twisting my ankle. "SEE! THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR BEING MEAN TO SOMEONE WHO IS SPECIAL!" she mocks me as she walks right pass and continues on, leaving me here. Tyrant queen!
"Well, shachou wasn't joking about her bad attitude." Kuon says as he comes up behind me, picking me up in a princess-hold and starts carrying me to the site.
"Yeah, no kidding. She's so full of herself I actually feel a little sorry for her. Only a little." I say as I wrap my arms around Kuon's neck to stabilize myself and see Kuon silently laughing.
"You plan on tearing her to pieces." he says fully laughing this time, teasing me.
"She started it. Besides, that's why shachou told me to be here." I pouted defending myself. We both knew that shachou always depended on us to set the example.
"You're schedule still hasn't picked back up, huh? And, I suppose I can't talk you into going to the hospital." he said with a sigh knowing how stubborn I am.
"There is work to be done. I'm not leaving until it's finished." I told him defiantly. He sighed, giving-in, knowing it was coming. I kissed him and we stayed like that for a minute before he resumed walking.
When we got there, Yukihito patched me up and I felt an evil aura of hatred coming from Ruriko. Looks like the fight has now begun. After that I go to sit down until I sense the signal to proceed which didn't take long.
"HEY! What is this about a Love Me Section? Is your schedule so loose that shachou had to take pity on you by creating it? I bet he only did it because your brother begged him to." Ruriko said snobbishly.
I sighed, "The Love Me Section was founded for helping young talents establish a true image of respect and equality for all regardless of their position. As well as reminding those who have forgotten what that is."
"Hmph! Yeah right, The Love Me Section is to help the privileged ride into easy fame. Well, I'm not going to allow that!" She puffed out her chest as if she was that important and then walked off to start filming.
"Believe what you want, because you will soon learn." I said under my breath as I got comfortable in the chair Kuon gave me. I smiled at him when he entered the room, giving him a kiss once he reached me.
10 MINUTES LATER
"Geeeeeeeeeeees, I have to do it OVER AGAIN! I'm just WALKING ON! How many TIMES do I HAVE to do it OVER?!" Ruriko screamed at Shingai-san while stomping her feet like a toddler.
"Until I'm satisfied with your performance. I told you, you're the daughter of an old, established family. You've had to act that way, even to your fingertips." Shingai-san directed her.
"So, I AM doing what you said!" she talked back at Shingai-san. I don't think she's going to get it no matter how many times you tell her. I thought to myself, knowing it was better to SHOW her just as I was taught.
"No, it's just YOU... ...walking, wearing a kimono. Start over." Shingai-san told her adamantly. "When you stand, stretch your spine. Pull in your chin a little. Your center of balance should go through the top of your head to the souls of your feet."
"I've had enoooough! You're not going to give me the okay no matter HOW MANY times I do it! You don't like me, that's why you're bullying me like this! I'm an amateur in acting! I can't act like an actor! I'M QUITTING! If amateurs are allowed... ...it doesn't have to be me! Yes. The LOVE ME SECTION might be good. They'll do ANYTHING to get points!" Fun. Let's scare her a bit for that. I thought to myself as zoomed over there and chopped her pride-filled nose off.
"You're right. Even the LOVE ME section can do that much acting. So, as the supervisor of the LOVE ME section I'll accept your invitation." I told her giving her a murderous glare with a smile. After that I was whisked away to the dressing-room to get ready.
"Don't you think this might be setting the bar a little too high for the LOVE ME section?" Kuon asked with a raised brow and a teasing voice as he helped with the straightening of the clothes. (He didn't come in until after she was changed)
"Not really, I mean everyone's heard that it will be ran by a professional actress. So, that in its self already set the bar high. You should know about that one already" I whispered that last part as we went to leave to start the show. He nodded his head in agreement looking a little down-casted, hugging me for comfort. I hugged him back, "we can call them any time. I miss everyone too… I want to see them in person." I gave him my own "puppy eyes", he smiled, nodding his head and giving me a kiss.
THE CHALLENGE
When we get out there I could tell that Ruriko was finally getting the picture. She, of course, covers it up as soon as she spots us.
"HMPH! Anybody can look good, with a good make-up artist! You're lucky, you're so plain, make-up looks really good on you so you can change into someone completely different." her attempt to recover her pride was amusing so I leveled her with another glare.
"Yes, it's all because you being selfish, arrogant, and insolent that I look like this. And now, do to your challenge, you are to fight to keep your job not only here, but at LME as well!"
"I- I won't lose against you! This job is mine!" Bingo! This is too easy! I thought with a smile.
As I did the scene, I could tell that my perfect one-shot was intimidating her. Although, I'm sure she's trying to use the fact that I'm a professional to nurse her pride. "Great!" Shingai-san said as the scene was completed. I course went to get my ankle re-bandaged after that.
"I really wish you wouldn't push yourself so hard." Kuon sighed after he finish tightening the fresh bandages. I grabbed his hand a smiled.
"Pain is war, and she is fighting me, the enemy to keep her job. I can't insult her by showing weakness. She will never learn." I said this hoping Ruriko heard me. But, all she seems focused on is the challenge. "Well, on to the next scene." Kuon gives a small sign of protest.
"It's the tea ceremony scene." and with that we went outside where I went to sit in a chair while Ruriko practiced. I already knew I could do it, because mom and dad taught Kuon and I together.
While Kuon and I were talking, Ruriko angrily made her way over to Kuon. "Tsuruga-san, you want to co-star with your SISTER, don't you!" she asked him accusingly.
"Huh?" Kuon looked confused because we announced the falsehood of the siblings rumor that somehow got started a while ago as well as telling everyone of our married status. I guess not everyone took it seriously. I thought as I watched him come to the same conclusion that I did.
"That's why you only pay attention to her!" Ruriko told him childishly.
"No, that's not it. I want to work with someone who respects and cares about their work." that stunned her into silence. After that was the tea ceremony. That did not end well for me, Shoko had to take me to the hospital. But on a good note it slapped the stupid out of Ruriko-chan.
BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL
"I still don't like the way you siblings act around each other, it's creepy!" Ruriko vents at me.
"WE'RE/THEIR NOT SIBLINGS!" I and a few others I didn't know were listening told her. "Ren and I were always close as children, I'm guessing that's how they thought we were siblings, that and I think they believed us to be too young to be married. We've already told the media about this a few years ago."
"Oh." was all she could say and blush from own mistake.
THE NEXT MORNING: IN THEIR HOTEL ROOM
"So, I hear you are going to be the supervisor of shachou's new project?" Kuon asks teasingly, knowing all about it.
"Yeah, it will be under a different name though, KYOKO." I said, ignoring his tease.
"Are sure you're ready for that. Because you know what this means, right?" Kuon's voice laced with worry as he asks.
"Yeah, it's no big deal since it will only be for the Love Me Section." I smiled comfortingly at him and kissed him on the lips. Then, I got out of bed to get ready for the day and to meet the new section.