Kyoko's Secret: First Test of a VS model
Hey ya'll thanks so much for all ya'lls' support! God in Heaven knows that if it wasn't for you…I wouldn't be doing what I do. So with that thanks to the following people for reviewing or following/favoriting my story (and if you left a review as a guest, I will be responding to it here!)
JeremyVD: well, I could tell you but that would be no fun ;) besides, maybe she's just a jerk kidding! You're right, there is a deep dark secret in Yori's and Kyoko's past, now here comes the challenge, can you figure it out? Thanks for reviewing as always and being patient with me! You are amazing!
Guest (August 4, 2013): Wow have I really been gone that long with this story? Horrible! I'll have to do better about that in the future. My fault sorry. Ha ha, join the club. Not many people like Yori (confession time: I'm the writer of her and even I don't like her sometimes) but that's what makes her a good villain right? Gotta love to hate to make a villain great ;) I hope to hear from you again. sorry I didn't update as quickly, but if you scroll down not too far from here, you'll find your update waiting for you
Skeek622: Cool name by the by. Is that what you think? Well, maybe, maybe not, you'll have to read on and tell me more about your theory sorry this took so long to update, but I hope it's worth it. Thanks for reviewing!
So with that, let's move on to the ones that are not guests I don't know if I sent ya'll a PM or not, but this story has been on hiatus for so long that I decided to leave ya'lls responses here too sorry it took so long, I promise I will do my best to not let that happen in the future.
.UkUs: you think that was devious? You're gonna love what I've got planned next me and Yori share a devious streak so I hope you enjoy all the mischief and mayhem I've got planned for everyone sorry I kept you all waiting so long, I have no excuse. I am so, so, so, so so, sorry I can't promise it won't happen again because I don't know what will happen in the future, but I can promise I will do my best that it won't happen again. Ya'll are important to me and like friends, so I want to keep you happy by doing what I love. I am so sorry this took so long to get out, but if you look down just a little further, you'll find a new chapter up and waiting for your reading . Yori liking Sho? Ooh! Tell me more! Maybe, maybe not, but then again you never know ;) I like the theory though! Happy to advertise for your story my dear it's a good story! Glad you're back to writing it thanks for the review! I hope to talk to you soon!
Cheesehead101: now that is a coincidence O.O uncanny! What would be even more coincidental is if any or all of them worked in the modeling business! Then that would be way to awesome! thanks for reviewing, sorry this chapter's out so late, but I hope you enjoy it anyway
Mrs. Zala: Nice to hear from you my friend! As for being busy, believe me I know just how you feel I don't actually have a beta reader because I like to do my work mono a mono but I'm always checking my reviewers to see what needs to be changed. Sorry about the grammar, it's never been my best subject but I'll try to fix that let me know if you see anything okay? Thanks! I wonder if Ren figured it out too…but then again, he's never been so quick on the uptake…maybe though. Yori working for Saena? Hmm…I could see that, maybe ;). DING DING DING DING DING! You are 100% right! Angel was singing "the Circle of Life" from the Lion King, what can I say I love Disney movies and now, so do my characters . Thanks for your review! I hope to hear from you soon!
Muchachomomo: you think Yori is the victim here? I give you props for the kindness you are showing her most people by now want her dead . Yori! You have someone that doesn't hate you! …she says you're stupid if you think that she's the one in need of help (but personally I think she's bluffing). Now, you know I can't spoil the surprise ;) but I think you're getting warmer ;). Sorry that it took so long to update this, but I hope you like this chapter anyway. Thanks for the review!
Celtika82: ha ha, as much as I love the theory I can assure you, Yori is not gay for Kyoko. In fact, she doesn't really like Kyoko at all. But a half-sister hmm? I like the idea, you may be right can't give everything away though ;). In love with Shotarou? Hmm…I could see that, they're both manipulative jerks so it's like a match made in hell right? Ha ha, personally there are times I don't like her myself. She's quite the witch thanks for the review! Sorry it took so long for me to update it. Hope to hear from you soon!
Rsrdiall: You reviewed so much I had to do it all in one place sorry this chapter took so long to get out but I hope you like it . Yori's quite the complex character but hopefully some things are beginning to come to light about her. I thought that being a VS model would be fun too so I wanted to try and put Kyoko in the position (that and I just like messing with Kyoko's mind) . Caught that did you? ;) I thought it added a little Disney flair thanks for reviewing I hope to hear from you again!
Trinity1012: that's right! You and a few others have been here since the beginning and put up with my slow updates and slow responses and all that stuff. Sorry that this one's so late too. Completely and totally my fault. Hopefully though you enjoy it I'm excited for Kyoko too! I can't wait to take this story to the places I want to take it! It's gonna be amazing! Thanks for the review I hope to hear from you soon! Sorry this took so long.
ChordOverstreetFan: Whoa O.O Yori's dead…now what do I do? Hmm…I don't like her methods either, in fact she really ticks me off because of her manipulation and deceit but you know, the Bible says that those that do wrong to others and lie and deceive others will be revealed, so it will happen here too be patient and you will see the consequences Yori will face when her manipulation comes to light.
Data Seeker: my good friend and person whom I discuss all sorts of interesting topics with . Thanks for reviewing and sorry this took so long to get out. I've been really dropping the ball lately. I'm glad you see that I'm improving and I promise you I will only get better. Because of the content of this chapter I would advise you to proceed with caution. While there is nothing that goes past a PG 13 rating, I still don't want you to feel like I've overstepped my boundaries. thank you so much for your in depth review and I hope to hear from you soon. thank you
LeeTae: you and me both! I want them to get together so badly! I've been waiting 209 chapters now! Irritating! But it will happen sooner or later, just gotta be positive right? sorry this chapter took so long but I hope you enjoy it anyway, not as much cuteness between Kyoko and Ren I'm afraid but I'll have a lot of fluff and adorableness for the two of them next chapter I promise. thanks for reviewing I hope to hear from you soon!
Socat14: I like your thoughts on the matter. It would make sense great positive way to think about it (see what I did there) ;) Optimism Prime! Sorry this chapter took so long, but I really hope you enjoy it anyway. Thanks for reviewing I hope to hear from you soon
Yvonnerenee: Whoa O.O you thought about this a lot…I like it! Can't say whether you're right or wrong but I like it! as time goes on, you'll probably begin to see what Yori's true motive is behind all this (but then again, that's just another secret now isn't it?) ;) sorry this chapter took so long to get out to you and everyone else but I hope you enjoy it the same. Thanks for reviewing!
NikZkinE: O.O (applauds) I think you're the first I read that doesn't want Yori to be the bad guy. Is her fanbase growing (looks behind) O.O Yori! You have people that love you!...she says she doesn't care :p (but I saw her blush so I bet she's happy) well, you know the stories not over yet so anything could happen ;) Yori may not be as bad as she seems. That's all I will say on the matter . Thanks for reviewing and sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I hope you enjoy it though.
Last one I promise. This is a shout out to all those that have favorite/followed me. Because I owe you all a lot too!
AdrianXander, Abe no Seirei, Angel4EverLostInLife, AngelWingsPrincess, BloodGushes, Cana99, Celtika82, D'cute, Dark Rubi, DragonHeart456, DreamIdol, DreamersNight, Ducki9, Frost Merry Darkness Luver, GuiltyCrown, Himeru, Huginn et Muninn, Insena, Jay T Nguyen, JessieFace, Judy1998, LadyBarsunvonJodexnis, Literati Lover, Lithtys-chan, Lizzibennet, Mayumi Shinomori, Megan750, Meganlei, Misa-kike-chi, NikZkinE, Pandora Rosa, PantherLily1, Rei-baka, RisaliaDragneel, RockPrincess410, .UkUs, Shadow Phoenix 16, Shinagi, Socat14, Sweet-single, TIGGI1, The Butterfly Dreamer, Trinity1012, Water Rosechan, Wen Hui Chew, Xiaolang Li 4ever, Yvonnerenee, angie-chan98,apple abs, arienrhod, ayame86, bluegirl330817, charlestonstexan, crims0nfire, crukay25, dragon-blazer, fangirl desires, hizurihikari, karie2055, kitkatketi, kitten100, kitty.0, martika25, , misao97, missshay16, moon3, mrs. Zala, muchachomomo, naoya-chan, nauticathu, ndngrl14, nej24, novvy, prettyoddlife1, robinlover, santanaann4524, .146, ultimatebishoujo21, , winter-ghost-20, Silver, IreneMercer789, Otaku-ka-ren, SB-KMS-OSN-OHSHC-EDLA, SleepieBye, Tharooday, , WAIT IM LOST, anna381621146, irikedaworld9654, lilanimecrazy88, martika25, , starberrysshinee, xoxh3l3nxox.
Thank you all, reviewers, guests, readers, favorites, followers and just those that peruse my stories when you are bored. It makes me happy to know that you enjoy them. I hope you like this chapter too same song same rule, leave a review and I'll get back to you . So with that said, I don't own Skip Beat, or Victoria's Secret…the only thing I own is Yori (and everyone hates her) oh well. On with the chapter!
By the by, all this is fictional, any similarities to the real Victoria's Secret is completely coincidence. Just clearing that up.
**********************************VS*******************************
Kyoko's face burned red as Angel revealed her outfit for the beta modeling test.
"Um…Angel-san…do I really have to wear that?" she asked, her ears burning with embarrassment.
Angel smiled and nodded. Kyoko's face dropped and she trembled, "but it's so…small."
Angel chuckled and did a look over on Kyoko, "looks like the perfect size to me. Come on, in you go."
Kyoko paled. Was she really going to wear that? Her gold eyes went wide and she shook her head, "I don't think I can do that. Besides, it won't look pretty on me. I'm plain and boring."
Angel narrowed her eyes in confusion as she stared over at Kyoko, "says who?"
Kyoko took a step back and she responded, "everyone! Nobody likes a plain, boring, girl with no sex appeal!"
Angel raised an eyebrow and shook her head, "whoever this 'everybody' is, and they must be blind as a bat to think you aren't pretty."
Kyoko's eyes widened and she stepped forward, "but it's true! I mean, look at me!"
Angel stepped forward, "I am. And I don't see where you're plain or boring. I mean, in my own opinion you look like you've just stepped out from a fairy tale."
Kyoko was stunned. This beautiful girl thought she was like a fairy tale? Was this a dream?
'must be. I know I'm not pretty. I'm not going to fall for it.'
Angel could see the depression weighted in the young girl's eyes. She wanted to say something. She wanted to show the girl how beautiful she really was. But she knew better than anyone, it won't work like that. She turned to leave and she turned back to Kyoko, "listen Kyoko-san."
Kyoko turned to see Angel staring at her in all severity. "modeling's not the same as acting. You can't hide your emotions in front of a camera. You can't be someone you're not. Be careful."
Kyoko stared after the door and turned back to the costume. She bit her lip before shaking her head, "no! I said I was going to do this! I will do it!"
"you sure about that?" a cold voice monotonously retorted. Kyoko spun around to see Yori, her blue eyes glaring at the young girl with all the malice she could muster.
Kyoko took a step back. What had she done to Yori to make her mad? "Yori? Are you okay?" she asked softly, as to not anger her further.
Yori's glare intensified and she shook her head, "no. Kyoko. I'm not. Are you trying to make a fool of me?!" she screamed.
Kyoko flinched and stared at Yori confused, "whatever I did Yori I'm so sorry! I know I've done something wrong to you! And for that I'm sorry."
Yori's face was emotionless as a cold smile broke out on her face. It made Kyoko shiver in fear. "do you think you can step into a world you hardly know, with no experience whatsoever, and just understand everything in it and how to perfect a skill that you have never tried before? Are you that arrogant?"
Kyoko paled and she opened her mouth to rebuttal, before Yori cut her off. It was more like she was talking to herself as she continued. "or are you really that gifted? Was that the reason? Are you just that blessed by God to be able to do so much when others can only do so little?"
Kyoko shook her head, "no! Yori! I'm not that talented! I'm talentless and not beautiful and don't really have any sex appeal."
Yori glared at her, her blue eyes piercing the golden eyed girl, "are you mocking the other models?"
Kyoko shook her head frantically. What could she say to this girl to stop her from glaring holes through her, "no I'm not! They're amazing and incredible and…"
Yori cut her off, "you know, sometimes I think that you do this just to get sympathy." She mumbled beneath her breath. Kyoko didn't catch all of it as Yori turned her full wrath on her, "this is serious Kyoko! Do you know how much all of- ugh!"
In an instant, Yori was leaning against the door, breathing hard. Her hands trembled at her side and Kyoko stared at her with worry laced in her gold eyes, 'she doesn't understand. She can't understand. That's why I can never let her take my place! That's my place! It's not fair!'
She grit her teeth and glared at Kyoko, "just…finish…getting….changed." she commanded weakly. Then she left.
"what did I do?" Kyoko asked. She turned back to the lingerie that still lay over the door. Remembering Yori's cold words she picked up the silky material.
"I don't think light of their job. I'm not trying to mock them. But a plain, boring girl like me will never be able to pull this off." Her heart fell as she unclasped the bra. She had never even worn one like this. It clasped in the front. She slipped it behind her shoulders.
'you'll never be able to look like them. You're a plain, boring, girl with no sex appeal.'
Those harsh thoughts continued to berate her even as she slipped the cups over her chest and clicked it into place. She slid on the underwear and pulled the negligee over it before pulling her orange hair out from underneath it. She turned and ignored looking at herself in the mirror as she shut the door and proceeded to the photo-shoot after wrapping a thick white robe tight around her body.
In the hallway she glanced around for her friend. Her heart fell when she didn't see her. 'Yori must be so disappointed in me. She thought I was mocking her as a manager and the other models. Why do I keep messing things up?'
******************************VS***********************************
Gasp! Gasp! Huff!
Yori leaned against the wall and held her hand to her chest, grasping at her skin with her nails, and leaving small bloodstains where her sharp fingers had scratched her skin.
"stop. Stop. Stop. Not yet. Not now." She repeated like a mantra, her blue eyes firmly on the girl in the mirror. The poor girl in the mirror looked exhausted, her black hair was disheveled and the rings underneath her blue eyes showed that she lacked sleep the night before. Her face was pale and laden with sweat as her breath came out unevenly. Yori hated this girl in the mirror.
"stop! You can't do this now! You can't!"
She laid her fist on the mirror on the girls chest, trying to pound some sense back into the lackluster and weak girl. She stared at the girl who begged and pleaded with her soft blue eyes to just be allowed to give in…give up.
"see?" Yori said, her voice as biting as it was around Kyoko, "this is why they all say you can't do it. Because of this stupid inferiority! This is why Kyoko's the one they want! And this is why she's going to have everything I ever worked for! It's your fault!" she screamed.
The girl in the mirror's eyes flashed with tears as the sweat on her face continued to pour down. Yori, disgusted by the fact that the girl had yet to stop looking so weak continued, though her heart pounded with pain, "if you think I'm going to let you ruin everything now you're dead wrong! I've worked too long, too hard for it to end here! Kyoko will not take that which belongs to me. I'll make sure of it."
Yori pushed herself to the bathroom sink and turned on the cold water. Taking a deep breath as her heart continued to pound, she threw her hands in the water and splashed it on her face, trying to force her body to comply with her wishes. She pulled a pack of pills out of her purse and with shaky hands opened the cap. Pouring out two pills she popped them in her mouth and swallowed them, taking a deep breath as she did so. When she could feel her heart calm down she stared at the girl in the mirror as she dried her face and fixed her hair. Her blue eyes were as cold as they needed to be, and her black hair was back to its pristine, sleek shine. Yori stared at the girl in the mirror and smiled wickedly, "Kyoko can't win this time. She won't."
"I thought after all these years, you would have given this up already Lily."
That mocking voice was so similar. Yori's eyes grew wide as she noticed she was not the only girl in the mirror anymore. She stared at a pair of soft green eyes that twinkled with the smile that always accompanied them. Her blonde hair was naturally curled into half waves that fell like soft petals over her shoulder. She gave a thumb and two-finger wave, which was her trademark and Yori couldn't help but laugh.
"and I thought after all these years you'd know me better than that Athena."
The girl shrugged, "eh, me and my hopeless optimism. I thought maybe you had dropped the whole 'wicked witch of the west scheme.' Shouldn't that role belong to someone else?"
The girls green eyes, even reflecting in the mirror cut through Yori's mask. Yori bit her lip before trying to smirk and throw her off, "there's no one else that would fit that role perfectly but me. Anyway, shouldn't you be getting ready for the shoot? It's supposed to be unlike any other."
The girl's green eyes narrowed and crossed her arms over her chest, "with you running things I have no doubt things are certainly going to be interesting as always. But…why have you decided to destroy Kyoko? Tell me what did the girl do to you?"
Yori spun around and stared at Athena angrily, "do I look like the kids you counsel when you're not showing off your ass in tight legging pants and acting like a slut?! You're stupid psycho-babble won't work on me Arissa!"
If Arissa was offended she showed no sign of it. She shook her head, her blonde hair bouncing over her shoulder, "you're not one of the kids I counsel Lily. But…"
She opened her arms and pulled the girl into them and finished, "you are my best friend. I didn't think I'd see you again after you left. And now, I see you and you are…not you."
Yori could feel her heart clench again and she pushed herself away from Arissa. She avoided looking in the woman's eyes. True, when she worked as Lily in Victoria's Secret, Athena was her best friend. But she wasn't Lily anymore. And she had no time for friends. She turned to Arissa with a cold sneer, her eyes dead and cold.
"then I guess you didn't know me as well as you thought, huh?"
And with that cold thought drifting in the air between the two former friends, Yori turned her back to the woman who she used to call her best friend, and left her in the women's bathroom alone.
Outside, Yori could feel the bitter sting of tears in her nose, trying to force themselves out of her eyes; but she had sworn that when she decided to do this, she wouldn't cry at all. She couldn't cry at all. She had no right to.
'just a little longer. Just a little longer.' Trying to pull her mind off the guilt that swirled like a whirlpool in her stomach she cracked a cold smile as she saw Kyoko's dressing room empty, "she won't be able to do it. With my cold words in her head she won't be able to perform. That girl's always worried too much what other people think."
"you sure about that?"
Yori rolled her eyes, who else was trying to talk her out of doing this? Why did everyone, even people who only knew her for a little bit, love Kyoko? She turned to rebuttal the person who was calling her out this time, to be surprised. A girl that she knew, but no longer could know stared at her.
Her long brown hair hung over her face in the soft waves that her mother had given her, and her penetrating brown eyes that matched perfectly glared at her in annoyance.
"what are you doing Yori?" she asked.
Yori blinked and the girl was gone. Replaced by the cold image in the mirror. Her straight black hair that fell down to her back and her ice blue eyes that stared enviously at everything around her. Things were the way they were supposed to be. Yori took a breath as she looked one more time to make sure she wasn't seeing things before walking out of the door and shutting it tight.
**********************************VS*******************************
"I don't think I can do this." Kyoko said as she reached the photo room, paling as she saw the magnificent sight before her. A brightly decorated room dazzled before her eyes as flash after blinding flash of cameras went off in the closed off space. She wrapped the robe she wore a little tighter around her as she saw Julianna who stood in front of the camera, her mouth curved into a sultry smile as she placed the saxophone in her lips with a wink.
"perfect Jazz! Keep it coming!"
Kyoko's eyes widened as she noticed in the next second how Julianna pulled it from her lips and placed it in between her legs, her hands nimbly wrapped around the throat of the instrument. She knelt down to meet her head at her hands and gave a smirk as the saxophone lay between the valley in her chest.
"beautiful! Now give us a little more sultry to your jazziness!" the photographer called.
Kyoko watched in wonder as Julianna's smirk grew and she slid off her perch to the floor, keeping the instrument firmly between her legs and sat there with a cat-like grin as the instrument head lay over her shoulder.
Kyoko could feel herself blushing as the photographer called for a wrap up on Jazz. She could feel her face flaming red and hot as Julianna stood up from her position and smiled at Kyoko.
"you alright there sweetheart?" she asked comfortingly, as she slipped the robe over her body to hide the beautiful luxurious red lingerie she wore. Kyoko stared up at the beautiful woman and quickly shook her head yes, she couldn't have them think that there was something wrong with her.
Jazz however, was not fooled. But she shrugged and gave a smile to the young girl as her eyes flicked up to see Yori saunter in the room. Her brown eyes narrowed as they stared at Yori's blue ones.
Kyoko didn't notice however as the photographer rang out in a loud intimidating voice.
"Can I have a Ms.…uh…Ki Oh Ku?"
Kyoko glanced around to find someone with that name, before the photographer stared at her. "hey! Aren't you Kiohku?
Kyoko stared back at him before pointing to herself. "me?"
The photographer nodded and narrowed his eyes, "are you stupid?"
Kyoko blushed and was about to blush in apology before she heard a loud voice ring out. "it seems to me the stupid one is you Mr. Nickenson."
Kyoko turned around to see Jazz…no, she was Julianna now, glaring at the photographer. "tell me Mr. Nickenson, do you know anything about the Japanese?"
The photographer stared at the model and sniffed, "as if. Why would I need to know anything about them?"
Julianna's eyes narrowed and her mouth set in a firm line, "well, this girl is Japanese and our new model named Kyoko, not whatever jumble of words you decided to use for her understand?"
The photographer's eyes widened and his face turned red before lowering his head in shame. "my apologies Ms. Mogami. My fault."
Kyoko was about to tell the man not to worry about it when she felt Julianna's soft hand on her shoulder, "a little tip from an American sweetheart. Mr. Nickenson doesn't admit he's wrong very often. He's got this pride thing that keeps from apologizing. So when you hear one, take it for all it's worth." She gave the young girl a wink before Kyoko stared blankly at the man.
"um…thank you for your apology." Kyoko said with a little bow. Mr. Nickenson looked up and gave a small smile. The girl was absolutely adorable! She was like a small woodland creature that was scared and nervous in her new surroundings. Absolutely adorable.
"Will you come up here Ms. Kyoko? I need to take some test shots to find out your height and color."
Kyoko gave a nod and stood up on the platform. She clenched the robe tighter around her waist and Mr. Nickenson noticed.
"um…Ms. Mogami? Can you please take off your robe for me? I need to see the merchandise."
Kyoko's face went red and Athena and Julianna's eyes widened as she glared at Mr. Nickenson. Feeling the strong African American woman staring at him he quickly finished, "I'm talking about the clothes! The clothes!"
Julianna couldn't help but see the uncomfortable rush in Kyoko's face that broadcasted from its cherry color.
"Mr. Nickenson?" she called for the photographer who was still trying to coax Kyoko from her robe. "You're smart enough to know what she is modeling right?"
Mr. Nickenson nodded. "she's replacing Lily right? So isn't she an Enchanting Seductress?"
Julianna shook her head, "nope. Kyoko is our new Princess model."
Mr. Nickenson's eyes went wide and he immediately began fumbling with his computer and cameras.
"lights get behind! Give me more light tones! Someone find me a good forest green screen! We're going all out for this one! Let's move it! Now would be nice!"
Kyoko stood there uncomfortable, clenching onto her robe as tightly as she could. "um...what do you need-"
Mr. Nickenson turned to the young woman and gave a soft smile. She stared up at him with her large and bright golden eyes that spilled from the brim with innocence. He could understand why they chose her as a Princess, she was just too cute!
"You, my dear just take five. We'll take your pictures as soon as we have everything set up." He said gesturing that she could leave the set.
Kyoko's heart plummeted. Had she done something wrong already? Well, she wasn't that talented or beautiful so she wouldn't be surprised. 'I knew that I couldn't do this.' She thought sadly as she climbed off the platform.
The linoleum tile was cold on her barefeet as she wrapped her arms tighter around herself. She knew she couldn't do this. Why did she waste her time and more importantly the time of her employers?! What was Tsuruga-san thinking?! She would never be able to be a model like him! She had grown far too arrogant! She wasn't nearly good enough to be here!
As a dark cloud of negativity surrounded her, Lily felt guilt clench in her stomach as she rounded the corner and saw her young friend. 'this is good. She has to be like this. It's the only way to break this "acting" thing out of her.'
Julianna saw it too. She gave a sigh and was about to go encourage the young woman when she felt a thin but strong hand hold her back. She spun her head around, "Angel?"
The elder model stared at Julianna and gave a small smile and shake of her head. "nothing we say will help her."
Julianna bit her lip. It wasn't like her to stand by and watch when people were hurting. It just was never the woman she was. She shifted her stance from foot to foot and Angel chuckled.
"don't worry Julianna," the older, wiser model spoke. "I've seen women like Kyoko before. Those that are so beautiful, but so hurt and damaged that they don't see it."
Julianna nodded. "I've seen it too so tell me why you haven't sent me or Arissa to help her?! Arissa is a child counselor! She could help. And I'm a doctor and a mother of children. I can't just watch a child be hurt. Why won't you let us step in?!"
Angel shook her head. "she would confuse our kindness for pity. She is far too generous and selfless to want us to intervene. She doesn't want us to waste our time on her and would not see it as us "helping" her but rather "pitying" her."
Julianna bit her lip harder in thought. She could understand what Angel was saying. "but…Angel…the way she is now…she won't be able to model." She said hesitantly.
Angel nodded. "Correct. The manipulative words that she has heard combined with the hurt wedged in her heart have impacted her too much for her to complete this job with proficiency."
Julianna stared at the girl as Nickenson called her, "so are we just supposed to let her fail?! That's not how the Victoria's Secret Angels work! We help each other and stand by each other! Not watch each other fail!"
Angel nodded, "correct Julianna. That is the mission we live by as a family. But Kyoko is not ready for it. She must come to us on her own. If she doesn't, we'll only be hurting her more."
Yori who was listening smiled as she overheard them. The models were going to give Kyoko space. But with the right manipulation…she knew she could fool the naïve girl into believing they hated her. For now, she planted her blue eyes on the lithe woman, who shivered in the coldness of the room, even though the bright lights of the photo-shoot burned. "and so it begins." She said.
Kyoko still refused to take off the robe. She hadn't said no verbally, since she would never refuse a command from someone higher up than her (Tsuruga-san would be disappointed if she disobeyed her benefactors!) but yet they still knew she wasn't good enough for this. Her hands were pale as she clenched the white fluffy cotton around her waist.
Mr. Nickenson smiled as a little blush appeared on her face. Now that he understood it was her first shoot, he could understand her nervousness. He had been a photographer for Victoria's Secret for 25 years. He had seen Julianna and Arissa come in to replace their old models that had retired. He had seen Susan's family; The Nichols' become head of the company and begin to expand it. He had seen Susan Nichols marry David Daniels (who at the time was his apprentice photographer) and all the struggles they went through before they got approval of him to take over the Victoria's Secret name. He had seen new person after new person come by and they all were nervous at some point in time.
"Kyoko? "
Kyoko looked up in fear as Mr. Nickenson stood behind the camera, "we're ready for you."
Kyoko took a deep breath as her heart pounded in her chest. Each step seemed to be longer than the last as her bare feet clicked on the linoleum. As she walked by the place where Yori lurked in the shadows, she heard her friend whisper, "everyone knows you can't do this. So stop trying."
Kyoko held back tears as she climbed on the platform. Mr. Nickenson, thinking that the tears in her eyes were simply nervousness said quietly, "can you take off your robe please? I'm sure you'll be fine."
Kyoko flinched as she remembered that she still wore the robe around her body. Slowly, she unwound the knot that held the robe together, her limbs moving robotically as she plucked her fingers through the knot. As it unwound and came down from her shoulders to the floor, Mr. Nickenson's mouth dropped open. She was beautiful.
Kyoko was in a pure white lace top, that wound around her neck in straps and she wore a cute pair of boxer shorts that wrapped around her toned thighs. The top that she wore flowed down over her thighs and butt and splashed out like wings of a fairy connecting to the bra that concealed her chest. Her back was bare, showing off her shoulder blades that was peppered with glitter and lace. She looked like a fairy whose wings were concealed and hidden.
Kyoko's face was red with embarrassment. Was she really that horrible to look at?
"I'm sorry. I can go change if you would like."
Mr. Nickenson shook his head. "let's begin. Give me a pose."
Kyoko froze. She knew poses. Ren showed them to her…but why weren't they coming to her now?! She tried to channel Natsu and could feel the cruel sultry girl stirring in her. She closed her eyes and smiled as her eyes and she gave a pose.
"will this work…sensei?" she asked, giving a small smile as she stared at the photographer.
Mr. Nickenson was shocked. The cute, fairy like girl had vanished; and in her place, a strong, mean spirited woman stared back. The white top that seemed to be like a fairy, now seemed like a false angel that would deceive everyone. He shivered and the other angels were slack-jawed.
"who's that?" Arissa asked. She heard snickering coming from the corner and turned to see Yori leaned up on the wall and trying to hold in her laughter. She narrowed her eyes at her former friend (unable to quite forgive her for her insults before).
"What are you laughing at Yori?!" she demanded of the onyx haired beauty.
Yori looked up and smirked before flashing her blue eyes to Kyoko, "all according to plan. Nickenson's going to say that's not what he wants in five four three two…"
Nickenson stuttered and pulled on his collar as he felt his face flush red at the sultry, but wicked smile of the girl. "Kyoko…um…that's not the look we're going for-for these pictures…"
Yori smiled as she saw the look of fear that flashed in Kyoko's eyes.
"not-not the look you're going for?" she asked, her Natsu personality falling away. Her old fears began to creep up in her mind, as the evil Sho minions returned with their cruel words.
"You're an ugly, boring, woman! You should have known you couldn't pull this off!"
Mr. Nickenson looked through his camera and was surprised to see a frightened animal staring back through the lens at him.
Kyoko panicked as she heard the photographer sigh again. "I'm sorry Kyoko, that's not what we want either."
Kyoko's heart began to panic and beat faster and faster as she felt the blood rush to her head in spurts that was sending the room spinning. Her mind tried to remember another pose and once she had one she stood there. But she heard the sigh of the photographer again and her heart leapt to her chest.
"Ms. Kyoko. That won't work either. Would you like to take some time to think about it?" Mr. Nickenson asked calmly.
Kyoko looked up and saw the other models in the back staring at her with concern. She looked at the photographer who still retained his kind smile, but she could see the irritation brimming in his eyes. She wanted to shout no. the words were in the back of her throat…so why didn't she say them?!
Her eyes fell on Yori, who stood leaned up against the doorway watching her. Kyoko's eyes trembled with tears as she watched her best friend look at her with disappointment and shake her head before walking out the door.
Kyoko felt her heart drop into her stomach. "I failed." She whispered, barely holding back the bitter sting of tears that burned her nose and clouded her vision. The other models came up to talk to her, but she couldn't hear them as she stumbled off the stage. Even Mr. Nickenson tried to speak to her, though she didn't know why. Why would a talented photographer like him waste his time worrying about her?
That just made her feel worse than before. She bowed her head to the cast and apologized, and walked back to the dressing room with her heavy heart dragging down each step.
As she reached the room and opened the door, Yori stared at her with a stern glare. "Were you trying to make a fool out of me Kyoko?" she asked, each word from Yori was like an icicle hitting Kyoko's chest as she bowed.
"I'm sorry Yori. I didn't mean to-"
"What were you thinking?! That you could just pretend to be someone else and that would fly for them? Didn't anyone tell you, "You can't hide your emotions in front of the camera?" Yori scolded.
Kyoko flinched. Angel-san had said that. 'I was so arrogant to think I could do this. I'm a poor, plain, woman with no sex appeal. I was a fool.'
Kyoko's head fell to her chest to keep her tears hidden from Yori. Yori gave a sigh and said, "Well, I suppose this is partly my fault. I thought you could handle this job because you had been doing so well; but I guess I over estimated you. I'm sorry Kyoko. I put too much pressure on you. I'll go deny the job for you now."
Even though Kyoko knew it was an apology, it made her feel worse. The fact that Yori had so much confidence in her and that she had failed hurt her deeply. Bitter words of her failures were remembered as she recalled Shotarou who had laughed at her when doing the PV because she was unable to perform the angel.
"Humph, you are quite composed. Your failure affected the whole production pace. I thought I would loose my composition like you said, but you reap what you sow. the reason why I haven't switched someone so inefficient is…I am so regretful I want to die."
Her tears became anger as she thrashed through the room, remembering those annoying, chauvinistic, egotistical words from Shotarou.
"That's right! I couldn't do that one either because it was Sho-baka! I couldn't-"
She stopped. Shotarou had nothing to do with Victoria's Secret. So wasn't she just using an excuse?
Her heart fell more. She reached into her bag and pulled out her Ren doll.
"Mogami-san. I told you if you act for revenge, you'll only disappoint everyone. Why didn't you listen?"
Kyoko sighed. "I'm sorry Tsuruga-senpai. I thought I could do this but I was wrong."
The doll seemed to sigh and stare at Kyoko, the stern glare on his face unchanging.
"Mogami-san. I told you. I think you could make something amazing with this. That means you just have to work harder and not give up."
Kyoko stared at the doll like she just had a revelation. That's right! Tsuruga-senpai had struggled at first with modeling too! He could help me!
But then Kyoko blushed and shook her head. "No. He's too busy to help a kouhai like me. I don't want to worry him like I did with the PV and the Reino beagle and…"
Kyoko paled. She realized that she relied on Tsuruga-senpai for more than she originally intended! She howled out in agony coming upon this dreadful realization. "How horrible of a kouhai have I been?!"
Meanwhile outside, the models had come together to talk to Kyoko. As they approached her door, suddenly a moan like that of a ghoul appeared from inside. The girls all paled and looked at each other.
"Well, aren't we going in?" Julianna asked.
"Did you hear that? It sounded like some creature was dying in there." She heard one of the models say.
"I'm not going in there. What if one of those…Japanese ghosts or demons pop out at me. No way." She heard another, followed by an agreement of mumbles from the other girls.
Julianna sighed and turned to Angel who had just appeared. Julianna blanched. Angel was her boss and she had just disobeyed her orders of not interfering. Angel gave a soft smile.
"So this is where you all are. We have other pictures that need to be taken you know. Nickenson said that they can hold off on Kyoko's for a couple hours. Are you all coming?"
They turned to leave and started walking back down the hallway, leaving Arissa and Julianna staring at the door. Angel smiled at them and looked at the door. "Don't worry. My husband's a very strong judge of good character. She'll be back out there and we can support her to our best when she's ready. We won't let anyone or anything take our newest little sister away from our Victoria's Secret family."
Julianna nodded and Arissa turned to Angel. "How do you know this?"
Angel turned to the door and gave a smile, showcasing her age and knowledge as she said with confidence. "I've seen girls like her before. They fail once, but after that, they try and push and learn and grow until they are beyond what everyone expected them to be. They're the strong ones that will survive no matter what the circumstances."
She turned to the other two girls and gave a wink, "she'll be back and if my prediction is correct, she'll blow us all away."
The girls started walking back with Angel when Julianna spoke up. "Who else have you seen like her Angel?"
Angel smiled and turned her head, staring straight at the black haired, blue eyed beauty that was frozen with shock. Angel stared at her as she responded, "couldn't you see the resemblance between her and our last model Lily?"
Yori clenched her fists at Angel's words, but stood in the hallway alone watching the door and hoping that she hadn't really underestimated Kyoko.
'She can't be that good. No one's that good. It took me a couple days to figure it out. And she's NOTHING like me! Nothing! I'm smarter than her; I'm more beautiful and determined. We are not alike! We…can't be alike. I have to be better than her. If not…then it's all for nothing.'
She waited outside to hear the bitter tears from Kyoko. She knew that as soon as she cried it was over. She would ask Yori to deny the contract, and lose her confidence in her ability and in doing so lose her talent. It was a simple game of chess.
"Check." Yori said with a determined glare at the door.
Kyoko stood on the other side with the phone in her hand. She wanted to call Kanae, but Kanae had told her she knew nothing about modeling. So Kanae wouldn't be able to help her much. She scrolled down until she found the name she was looking for.
Ren Tsuruga
Her mouth dry and her face bright red she pressed the dial button and held the phone to her ear.
The dull and one tone dial ring sounded like the death toll of a bell in her ear. What would he say when he came on the phone? Would he be mad at her? Disappointed? Would he…hate her?
She tried to calm her nervous heart as she heard the smooth, low voice that always caught her off guard with its charisma.
"Mogami-san?"
She took a breath, "Hai senpai."
She heard a soft chuckle on the other side. "How are you Mogami-san?"
Kyoko wanted to respond with "fine" but she knew that senpai would be even madder if she lied to him (he was before and that was not fun). She took a breath and said with as much courage as she could muster, "senpai? I need your help."
The line went silent for a few seconds. Kyoko was worried that maybe Ren decided she was too stupid to help so he hung up. As she panicked herself, imagining all sorts of bad things her senpai would have to say she heard his soft voice once more tickling her ear. "What do you need Mogami-san?"
Sorry this took so long to get out, but it's finally finished! Hooray! Now just to get it uploaded. :p sorry, sorry, sorry it took so long, I didn't mean to neglect you guys honest, I just got so distracted by school, and life and everything else and bleh. Four weeks left of school until summer, than hopefully I'll be able to get more done love you all! Same song, same rule, leave a review and I'll get back to you! Thanks!
-Kate