Okay, this is the next chapter!! I've been trying to update every weekend. My tests went well, by the way. I'm sure you were all worried ^-^. To Shiroyuki76, like I promised, I put Kyoko all dressed up in this chapter..!!

Disclaimer: Skip Beat is not mine. Unfortunately.

CHAPTER 4!

Mayui watched in horror as that stupid, ugly replacement girl swaned around the room, talking to light crews, Tsuruga Ren and finally the equally-stupid Director Shinkai. She was so sneaky, batting her eyes at everyone and acting all innocent. And no one else saw it! She glared at Kyoko and the Director as they plotted happily with each other. Smiling and laughing as if nothing was wrong. She'd show them. Suddenly, Mayui met Ren's eyes from across the room. He seemed a little shocked, and she realised her face had no make-up on it. Crap! She quickly returned down the passageway. Now Ren must think she was a total barbarian. It was all their fault!

She hurried along the corridor and turned into her own dressing-room. It had yet to be changed; as she was no longer the main female lead, there was no need for such a spacious room. All her dresses, her costumes, her props, would need to be adjusted. Mayui looked into the mirror on her dressing table. The face that stared back was marred by a furrowed brow and pouty lips. She looked like a sulky child, which, it must be admitted, she was. A soft tap at the door announced the entrance of her manager. The lady was tall, with black hair, sensible shoes and fashionable glasses.

"Saku-san, why did you take so long?" she demanded.

"Mayui, the filming won't start for at least half an hour. Have you checked your new part?"

She sniffed, "Of course I have. But it doesn't matter, because that Mogami Kyoko will be gone sooner or later..."

Her manager looked worried. "Mayui, you know I always give you advice, you shouldn't say such things aloud. Always keep up a good face."

She was right. No need to let them know she hated them. She could just smile, act stupid and unsuspecting, as if she knew nothing about the plot that had cut her lead from the movie. Everyone discriminated against the beautiful rich people, those with more talent and grace than them. That plain girl; the only thing going for her was the fact that she was close to Tsuruga-san! She turned to face her manager. The woman was tall with black hair, quite pretty is she didn't dress so severely or wear such ugly glasses. But it didn't matter; her presence only enhanced Mayui's own appearance, and she was good at her job.

She breathed out slowly, and smoothed her features.

"You're right. I'll stay calm."

After all, she still had a job to do.

0

Kyoko stood in her dressing room. It was small but more than adequate, and close to Ren's. Yashiro had called to check on their progress and she'd enthusiastically reassured him of her charge's still-perfect attendance record. She breathed deeply through her nose. This coming bout of filming was important; it was to check if she could play the role properly. She'd studied Marguerite's character from different points of view over the past day or so, usually in different moods. She felt a slight closeness to her, as her younger life had also been hard. However, Marguerite had a brother who cared deeply for her, an older one who was more of a guardian to her. How was she supposed to show that? She could use Sho... or maybe Moko... Except Sho was a manipulating bastard who didn't have her good at heart, and Moko was barely ever obviously affectionate. The person who best fit that role would be... someone who didn't exist. A fairy prince, in fact.

Well, it didn't really matter. So long as she had a reference, something to start from, it could work. Funny, how the last time she'd used Corn to help her she was playing a boy, and now she was a rich, 17th Century lady. Corn was still helping her. She looked towards the costume rack. On it was a beautiful dress, full of frills and jewelled decorations. It was a light beige colour, with a low cut front and short sleeves that ended in lace at the elbow. There was also a matching hat which was apparently in fashion at the time. It, too, was beautiful but not practical. Like Dark Moon, for this project she had to wear a wig. It was a masterpiece of long, dark curls and when she had first seen it, she'd wished to grow her hair out so she could get it styled like that.

There was a knock at the door, announcing the arrival of two of Shinkai's most talented make-up artists. Kyoko felt vaguely insulted (did he think she needed it?) before her pleasure at the opportunity to dress like a princess overcame her, and she opened the door with an excited and genuine smile. The two women bustled inside and got to work.

0

Yashiro ran up the steps and paused as he entered the building. There were corridors leading every-which-way, and he didn't know which path to take. The foyer he was in was devoid of people, only a couple of chairs, a reception desk, drooping plastic pot plants and outdated magazines. He could see Ren's face on one of them; that was the shoot last June when the photographer kept hitting on him. Ren, that is. Over in the right corner was an old vending machine. He considered taking it hostage and demanding information, as he had once done to Ren, but discarded the idea. Yashiro chuckled briefly to himself; Ren's face had been hilarious, he'd looked so shocked.

"Ah!"

Yashiro turned at the sudden noise. Director Shinkai's head poked out of an open door to his left. He beckoned.

"Yashiro-san! Thought you were sick?"

"No, that was a relative of mine. She's better now. Have Ren and Kyoko arrived?" Yashiro asked as he walked towards the door. The room he entered into was already set up for filming; a large open area with lights and cameras.

"Yes," the Director replied, "They got here about 45 minutes ago. We talked for a bit, and now they've gone to get changed for the first take."

"I see..." mused Yashiro, "So, no developments you'd like to tell me about?"

Shinkai smiled and shot a sideways glance at Yashiro, "You've been meddling? I wondered why they gave the responsibility of one of Japan's greatest actors to a teenage girl. But coincidentally, there has been. "

"Oh? And what might that be?" Yashiro asked. He sensed a potential ally.

"Well, to tell you the truth, when she first came here I thought she and Ren were together. As in, together together, you know."

"Yes, I know. And?" He was feeling decidedly impatient.

"So you see, Ren has started to call Kyoko- Oh! There he is!" Shinkai smiled as Ren ducked into the room from a different entrance. He saw Yashiro almost instantly.

"Welcome back, Yashiro-san, exactly what were you thinking?" Ren smiled. Yashiro shivered.

"It wasn't my fault, I don't tell Aunties when to get sick!"

"No, of course you don't." Ren said amicably, "You just shove me and Kyoko together at any opportunity, however inappropriate."

The manager's eyes lit up almost immediately, and he shared a quick glance at the Director, who was also grinning.

"What? Oh..."Ren regretted talking almost instantly, "Yashiro, don't be so childish, it's not like I did anything wrong..."

The other men just smirked at him, and he felt his mouth starting to pout. He didn't like feeling exposed, and the two older guys certainly made him embarrassed just by the looks on their smug faces. Ren felt his face starting to get hot under their silent but eloquent gaze, and immediately turned away. Which is why he saw Kyoko, dressed up and stunning, before they did.

0

Shinkai sighed contentedly. Kyoko never failed to surprise him. He had a minor flashback to his feelings a year ago, when she'd first been clad in beautiful clothes and had stunned everyone there. That was nothing like now. He could practically feel shock and awe radiating from everyone in the room. To his left, Ren let out a shaky breath.

When Kyoko had first stepped out of the doorway, nervously smoothing her skirts and blushing, it had been Ren's look of utter captivation that had alerted them to her presence. Now, everyone was simply staring at her. The dress for this scene fit her perfectly, the light colours contrasting nicely with her tanned skin. Every movement was accentuated by a flutter of skirts and lace. Her wig was black and glossy; it didn't look odd on her, as she herself was naturally dark haired. Shinkai glanced around the room. The stagehands were staring, the light men were staring, Mayui's manager was staring and the girl herself, who had just arrived, was also staring. To his right, he saw Ren, still with that reverent look on his face mixed with a sort of...pain? Or frustration? He couldn't tell. The director decided it was time to break the impasse. Kyoko looked horribly nervous.

"Kyoko-chan! You look wonderful!" He said loudly as he walked towards her. Many others were quick to echo his sentiments, and soon the girl was surrounded by excited crewmembers and bit-actors, all complimenting her transformation.

"Kyoko-chan!" squealed Yashiro, "You look great!! Just wait till Ren..."

He faded off. Shinkai looked around the room. Ren wasn't there. He looked back to Kyoko, encircled by well-wishers. She looked devastated.

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Well, that's it for now!! I'll keep writing and get the next chapter up by next Saturday (I hope)!!

Thanks to all the people who reviewed. It really made my day, seriously. If you keep reviewing, I'll keep writing. I neeeed the motivation...