"NOOOOOOO!" Kyoko backed away from the assistant, fear in her eyes. "No! Absolutely not, I refuse!"

"Kyoko-san, you have no choice, you have to." The costume assistant insisted, her voice almost pleading. "If Ms. Deedee comes here and finds out that you refused, we'll all be in big trouble. She's scary when she's angry!"

"But why?! Why this?!" Kyoko backed farther away, eyes darting back and forth like a small animal about to bolt.

"MOE!" Kanae yelled, marching over to the assistant and snatching the clothing out of her hand. She turned to Kyoko and shoved the offending piece of cloth at the girl. "Who cares, Kyoko?! You're going to be wearing clothes over it, so it doesn't matter does it?!"

"Exactly! If it doesn't matter, then why-"

"What is going on here?" Deedee strolled into the dressing room. The assistant trembled as Deedee's eyes settled on her.

"Ms. Deedee, w-we are having a s-slight disagreement about Kyoko-san's c-character design. She refuses t-to wear the entire o-outfit."

"Now, now, now that won't do." Deedee turned to Kanae. "Do you have a problem with my designs, Kanae-darling?" Kanae shook her head, the woman's cold voice startling her into silence. Deedee turned to Amamiya, who had just walked in. "Chiori-dear, do you think that my outfits are unworthy of you?" Her voice had gotten harder.

Amamiya, looking confused and slightly scared at the woman's tone, shook her head quickly. Deedee nodded briskly before turning back to Kyoko. "And I know for a fact that Cara has no problem with my outfits whatsoever, for she has worn more daring outfits than these in the past. Now, what makes my outfit for you so terrible that you refuse to wear it?" Her usually husky and sultry voice had become dangerously icy. The assistant was visibly shivering from the woman's tone.

Kyoko gaped at the designer, at a loss for words. Instead she pointed a shaky finger to piece of cloth that she had dropped after Kanae shoved it in her hands. Deedee picked it up… and began laughing, a deep, rich sound that cleared away most of the ice in the air.

"This, THIS, is what scares you!? Dahling, it's just a thong."

"But, but, why do I have to wear it if no one else will see it. Can't I just wear my own underwear?!"

Deedee's gaze snapped back at her. "No, you may not. Your character is a beautiful, sexy female detective. And a beautiful, sexy female detective would wear a thong. Not only does it tie into your character's personality, but a thong is the only type of underwear that can be worn with your outfit or else underwear lines will show through and ruin the image. Now," She tossed the underwear back to the teenager and made her way towards the door, "I have to go and help the boys finish getting ready. Hair, makeup, wardrobe, NOW! If you three are not ready to go when I return, I will strip and dress you all myself, and let me tell you something; you ain't gonna like it! Now chop, chop! And you," she pointed at the assistant. "Use all necessary force to get them ready. The shoot starts in less than two hours; that singer boy and those two gorgeous actors need to get ready as well and seeing as they have just arrived, I need to tend to them. Come join me in the men's dressing room when you finish with these girls."

She stalked out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her without waiting for a reply. The actresses just stared after her while the assistant breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god she didn't get too mad." She turned to Kyoko. "Just wear the outfits that she puts out or the shoots will be hell for you." Shoving the rest of the girls' costumes into their arms, she made her way towards the door.

"I have to go help Ms. Deedee now. I will be back in 15 to do your hair and the final touches of your makeup. If you aren't dressed by then, I will dress you myself."

Kyoko, Amamiya, and Kanae stared as the assistant left the room. Kanae sighed and made her way over to one of the dressing areas. She shut the curtain with a snap and began to undress. Amamiya did the same.

"But, but…"

"MOE! Kyoko, just get dressed already. You are a professional! Stop complaining! This. Is. Our. JOB." The tone of her voice made it clear that the discussion was over.

Steeling herself, Kyoko walked into her own dressing area. Wincing inwardly, she removed her clothes and put on the thong. She felt so naked. Slowly, she grabbed the next article of clothing.

Kanae and Amamiya stepped out at the same time.

"You look good."

"So do you."

"I know. I didn't think I would like it but-"

"WHAT IS THIS?! HOW IS THIS A BRA?!"

Amamiya and Kanae were listening to Kyoko in exasperation when the door opened again.

"Good, you two are dressed." The assistant had returned. "If you two would take a seat, I'll finish your makeup and hair. And Kyoko-san, be quick; we are running behind schedule."

Kanae reclined slightly in her chair as she watched the assistant apply makeup to Amamiya and fix her hair. She began to relax as she listened to Kyoko's muttering from behind the curtain. She smiled. Tsuruga Ren was going to flip out he sees what Kyoko is wearing.

"Alright Kanae-san, let me just fix your hair and touch up your makeup and you will be good to go." Kanae nodded and closed her eyes, allowing the assistant to transform her.

It was almost an hour later when the assistant led the three actresses to the shoot location. It was amazing; costumes were everywhere, the shoot backgrounds ranged from solid colors to patterns and landscape backgrounds. Lights hung from the ceilings and there was a padded table which sat over a half a dozen cameras.

"If you will wait over there with Mr. Kelp, I'll go and fetch Cara and the boys. And don't you dare do anything to mess up your makeup or clothing. We won't forgive you if you do." She stalked off, leaving the three girls behind with the old man.

Mr. Kelp was dressed more casually than the last time they saw him. He had lost the full suit and instead was wearing tan dockers and a peach plaid polo shirt. He wore white tennis shoes and a white herringbone driver's hat. He nodded slightly at them, seeming bored.

"H-hey-lo" Kanae and Amamiya said in shaky English.

"Fine, fine. If you want to get started, could you stand in front of the green screen here? I need to test out different backgrounds for the shoot." Mr. Kelp asked in his deep, gruff voice.

"What did he say, Kotonami-san?"

"I don't know. I only caught something about us being green."

"Green?"

"Well, are you going to work or just stand there?"

'Oh god, he's getting angry-'

'I don't know what he said-'

The girls thoughts were cut off as Kyoko answered the man.

"Please excuse us sir. My friends and I are not used to talking to native English speakers. Our English is actually very poor." Kyoko bowed her head slightly as she spoke, every inch the well mannered young lady. She was surprised at his next words.

"I don't like excuses. Your accent may be a little strange, but, as professionals, you should be able to understand simple instructions like 'stand over there.' I am an old man; you cannot expect me to learn an entirely new language just so that you children can be lazy. Isn't English taught in your schools here?"

"Yes sir but-"

"Then study harder or bring a translator. I did not leave my family and travel halfway around the world just to babysit spoiled actresses." He stood up suddenly. "I am going to get a drink. You had all better be ready when I return with the photographers." He walked away, leaving a stunned Kyoko gaping after him.

"Kyoko, what did he say? He sounded really mad." Anamiya asked, her face a little pale. Slowly, a few of Kyoko's little grudges popped out.

"What a rude old man! He called us lazy because we aren't perfect at English! And he could have at been polite and said 'hello' back!" As Kyoko continued to rant, she didn't notice that the other actors had come up behind her. She jumped when she heard Ren's voice.

"Is everything alright, Mogami-san?" Kyoko spun around to face him. "Tsuruga-san!" She looked him up and down, embarrassed that he heard her outburst. Frantic, she said the first thing that came to mind. "You look good!"

He did. His hair was styled in a way that looked professional but not like her spent more than five minutes on it. He wore a cream colored shirt that had the top two button's unbuttoned and a tie was tied loosely around his neck with the ends tucked into his breast pocket. He wore dark grey slacks and matching loafers, and in one hand was his suit jacket. On his left wrist was a gold watch, and peeping out from beneath his shirt, the lines of a tattoo could be seen on his chest.

She instantly clapped her hand over her mouth but she wasn't quick enough to catch the words. Ren chuckled at this. "Thank you, Mogami-san, you look good too."

And he really thought she did; in fact, he had been shocked when he first saw her. Her hair was brushed back in a way that made her seem older and more mature. She was wearing natural looking makeup that had the same effect. And her clothes looked great on her. Her button down baby blue blouse and black suit jacket accentuated her small waist and delicate shoulders. Her black slacks made here legs look long and she was every inch the mature working woman. She wore black boots with a two inch heel and had a black leather purse with her. She wore gold posts, a delicate gold chain necklace with a clover shaped pendant on it, and a small gold and silver watch on her left wrist. She looked stunning.

Kanae rolled her eyes at the stupid look on Kyoko's face.

"You look nice." Kanae looked down at Hiou who had come to stand beside her. He wore a pair of baggy jeans, a red zip up hoodie over a long grey t-shirt, and well used sneakers. His hair was messy and thick black glasses framed his eyes.

"Thanks Hiou-kun." Kanae blushed and looked down. Her costume consisted of a deep red shirt and a grey skirt suit with crimson three inch heels. Her long hair was in a professional up do and her ensemble was completed with a black leather briefcase.

"You all look good." Lani, Yashiro, and the rest of the managers seemed to have finished their meeting. "You all looked exactly how the characters were imagined."

Amamiya had been transformed into a casual waitress, her blue jeans and red button up t-shirt paired with a pair of black pumps, a red headband with her hair in a ponytail, and a black apron. Kijima looked half his age, wearing white cargo pants and a dark green skin tight t-shirt and tennis shoes. His looked screamed 'hot guy' without overly flaunting it and like Amamiya, his hair was pulled back in a ponytail. His face even sported a small goat patch beard. The makeup artists had done their job; when Amamiya and Kijima stood near each other, you could really see the 'family resemblance' between the 'siblings.'

Even the self-proclaimed bad boy Murasame was decked out in a full police uniform, complete with hat, working radio, and weapons. Scar makeup had been applied to his nose, making it look like it had once been broken and had not set completely straight and his hair had been lightened up so make it more of a mousy brown color.

"Really? I think I'm still the most handsome." Kyoko felt her grudges come out and her heart almost stop when Sho came up and draped an arm across Lani's shoulders. He looked like he did before he got famous. His hair was a chestnut brown and his face was clear of makeup. He wore faded and ripped jeans and a light grey t-shirt with a vintage looking leather and jean vest. He wore brown boots and chains draped over most of his outfit. He had a long earring in one ear. The only thing that had really changed was his eyes. He was wearing contacts, which made one of his eyes a clear grey, and the other a deep brown color.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ren saw Kyoko stiffen slightly. His eyes narrowed. 'What is she thinking about that is making her so uncomfortable? Is it something to do with Fuwa?' His eyes narrowed even more at this thought.

Lani shrugged Sho's arm off of her shoulders. "You look very good Fuwa-san, however, you need to practice a little more. If you're not careful, your flirting can be misinterpreted as harassment and an invasion of personal space." Sho glared at her, surprised and angry at the same time.

"What-"

"OMG, you're right Lani! He does kinda come off as a stalker."

Lani turned to face Cara. "I said they may be unwanted invasions of space, not the hallmarks of a stalker."

"Same diff." Cara flipped her braids over her shoulder and placed her hands on her hips. "Besides, y'all ain't got nothing on me. She posed and if these actors weren't so good at hiding their true emotions, all of their mouths would be open. Her outfit was…outrageous. She was wearing a black and white pinstripe suit with no shirt on, showing off her lacy red bra. Her sun kissed beige skin seemed to glow slightly in the light and on her chest and neck wears small but exquisitely detailed black lace-like snowflake tattoos. She wore black and white high heels that seemed extremely difficult to walk in, though she still stood with balance and poise. On her head was a black and white striped fedora. A rifle holster was strapped over her suit and she wore big hoop earrings and a sliver and ruby bracelet.

"Cara, why aren't you wearing a shirt?"

Cara winked. "Jealous, Lani?"

Lani rolled her eyes in response. "Of course not, but your character is a successful businesswoman and a black market dealer. Do you think you can pull it off looking like that?"

"Of course; there actually was a shirt with this but Deedee told me not to wear it all of the time." She turned and grabbed Kijima and Murasame by the shoulders, steering them towards Mr. Kelp and the photographers. "Now, let's make some beautiful pictures. SAY CHEESE EVERYONE!"

Lani rubbed her temples; she could see a massive headache in her future.

"Is she always this childish?" Lani looked up and her gazed rested on Shoko.

She grimaced. "No, but to tell you the truth, she is even more unbelievable when she's being serious."

Shoko shrugged and elbowed Sho. "Sho, stop glaring and go; they are getting ready to take pictures."

Sho walked away, mumbling under his breath. The rest of the actors made their way over to the photographers as well.

"What was that, you runt?!" Cara shouted at Sho as he got near her.

"Shut up you old hag!"

"It's so nice that our charges can get along, isn't it?" Shoko leaned against the wall next to Lani, watching as the photo shoot commenced and Cara and Sho continued to fight.

"They must cause you two a lot of grief." Yashiro joined them.

"Sometimes." Lani stared at the bickering stars intently. "What surprises me is that Cara's being so nice to him; usually when people piss her off or call her old, she ends up in a fist fight."

Shoko and Yashiro stared at her. "Fist fight?! How wild is she?!"

Lani laughed and watched Mr. Kelp break up the fighting by tripping them. "She's probably one of the most sincere, interesting, memorable people that you are ever likely to meet!"