So sorry for the veryyy late update everyone . crazy weeks at school, so.. you know -.-

anyway, thanks so much for the reviews! nothing much happens in this chapter, but i hope you enjoy it :)

I'm thinking of writing an one-shot.. inspired by the song Just a Kiss from Lady Antebellum. it matches Kyoko and Ren perfectly, ne? what do u guys think?

Disclaimer : I do not own Skip Beat! ^^

Chapter 3 – Showdown 1

Shinichi Azuma sipped his coffee and sighed at the delicious aroma. Across him, a tall man in suit was watching him patiently. Finally, he put the mug down and smiled. "Nothing beats a cup of Blue Mountain coffee in the morning."

The man laughed. He then waved at a bunch of scripts with Yamato Nadeshiko printed on it. "Anyway, at what time will they arrive?"

"I think they'll be here shortly."

As to confirm his guess, a knock on the door brought both of the men rising. The door was opened revealing two stunning girls: one with long black hair – surely it was Kotonami Kanae – and a cute girl with blonde locks, Mogami Kyoko.

"Ah, welcome, Mogami-san, Kotonami-san. Please come in."

They sat and Azuma introduced them to his partner. "I'd like you to meet Inoe Kaito, the producer and our sponsor of Yamato Nadeshiko."

After bowing in a traditional way, Kaito extended his hand with a bright smile on his face. Kyoko took it, blushing. He is really good-looking, albeit different from Tsuruga-san.. thought Kyoko – and immediately she wanted to bang her head on the wall. What was I thinking! He's a respectable, handsome grown man, and there's just no way he'll find a little girl like me attractive. Not to mention he's probably super-rich and can get any women he wants. She sighed. And why the hell was she comparing him to his senpai anyway?

Kanae shook his hand, but aware of the lingering look Kaito gave Kyoko, while the said girl didn't even seem to take notice. She smiled secretly. Sometimes her best friend could be really dense.

After the formal introduction, they went straight to business. "I expect you two to have prepared for the role?" When they both nodded, the director continued. "Well, I'm going to ask you to act in Scene 36, page 17." The three of them hurriedly flipped the pages while Azuma seemed to have memorized the whole script. "It's the scene where Yamato Nadeshiko was forced to flee the castle, but she refused. It's a really emotional scene, so you don't need to follow the script. What I want is for you to portray your own Nadeshiko."

Kyoko bit her lip. Her own Nadeshiko? How was she going to figure that out without the help of Moko-san and her senpai? You're a big girl, Kyoko, she though wryly. Stop depending on everyone.

"Excuse me, Shinichi-san?"

"Yes, Kotonami-san? What is it?"

"Who's going to play the shogun? I don't see any other actors beside us in here."

"Ah, about that.." Kaito coughed in embarrassment. "I'm going to play the shogun, Kotonami-san. I hope you don't mind."

"You can act, too, Inoue-san? That's wonderful." Said Kyoko, impressed.

"Please call me Kaito, Mogami-san. And actually I only have a little experience in acting. Azuma here asked me for a favor since we don't have any spare actors today. So please go easy on me." He grinned.

"Kaito's role is to convince you to run away. If you're unable to counterattack his words, well.." Azuma smile in encouragement. "You have 15 minutes to practice. I'll tell you the next part you'll be playing after the showdown." He clapped his hands. "The second time you entered this room, I expect to see Yamato Nadeshiko walking in."

Kyoko sat on the floor, at the darkest corner of the room and lost deep in thought. Nadeshiko was brave, and her pride prevented her from leaving. But that wasn't all. She didn't even hesitate to stay. Did she love him? The man she was forced to marry with? She thought glumly. No, it wasn't right. Then, what was keeping her?

She closed her eyes and tried to understand Nadeshiko's feelings.

What were you thinking, when you were risking your life for a man you hardly loved and a home you hardly cared for?

Why didn't you just go with the man you love? Why still care for a husband who had locked you up for almost the entire of your life?

That was when the answer hit her.

It was her responsibility.

No matter how much she loved the gaijin, she was still the shogun's wife and the mistress of the house. It didn't matter whether she loved the shogun or not – she was a faithful wife, and she was going to stay with him until the end.

She stood up. She was going to need some props, and only five minutes left. I hope I can make it, she pleaded while running down the LME's corridor towards the costume room.

"Um, where's Mogami-san?" Kaito asked, confusion crossed his face as he was looking for the auburn-haired girl.

Kanae shrugged. "To grab some props, maybe. It's okay, I don't mind starting first."

Kaito looked at her appearance and quickly understood why she herself didn't need props; she had looked like Yamato Nadeshiko herself, minus the cold eyes and uncaring attitude. "So.. I guess you two have already known each other, seeing that both of you comes from LME."

It took her a few seconds before answering. "..yeah, I guess you can say that."

Kaito frowned at her coldness and gave up the conversation, until the last minutes ticked off and she stood, her whole demeanor changed. Suddenly, the iciness faded from her eyes and her lips curved into a serene smile. In an instant, she became a whole new person.

With an unrecognizable smile, she nodded at Kaito. "Shall we?"

He stuttered, clearly not expecting this sweet transformation. "Y-yes."

Azuma looked up when they stepped in and was impressed. Gone was the cold beauty of Kotonami Kanae, leaving only a gentle, kind Nadeshiko. He coughed. "Well, you may start now."

Hearing his cue, Kaito took a deep breath and tried to get immersed in his role; a defeated, broken lord who was begging for his dear wife to flee.

He stared into the dark brown eyes of the beautiful woman in front of him, his shoulders slumped. "Go," he whispered with hoarse voice. "they're coming; you have to go."

Half-heartedly Kanae admitted that this man could act. But not as good as me, Kanae thought while smirking inside as she took a step forward, reaching and cupping his face in her hands. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. "No." she shook her head and said firmly. "I'm not leaving you." She tried to embrace him, but he dodged it.

"No! You must go." he was angry. "There's no use in staying any longer!"

She kept her voice flat. "If you stay, I'll stay."

He ran his hands through his copper hair, frustrated. Then all of sudden he grabbed her shoulder, squeezing it. She winced. "Go. This is an order."

Once again she shook her head. "I'm afraid I'm unable to fulfill your order, my lord. I'm staying with you."

He sighed. "Why? Don't you hate me, Nadeshiko?"

There was a pause. Then, "..I don't, my lord. Why would you say that? You're my husband, and therefore-"

"Stop it, Nadeshiko. There's no use lying to me because I know about you and that gaijin." He looked at her shocked face solemnly. "Yes, you thought I wouldn't have figured it out by now?" Her head bowed down, but no tears came out. Instead, she stepped beside him, and locked her fingers around his.

"It doesn't matter anymore." He stared at her in surprise, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking faraway, her expression distant and lonely, but determined. "I'll still be here with you, because that's where I truly belong."

"Cut!"

As soon as Azuma called a cut, she broke her joined hand. Azuma clapped in enthusiasm. "That was amazing, Kotonami-san, Kaito-chan! You two are really talented." His eyes were sparkling, which made Kanae couldn't help but smile and bowed. "Thank you, Shinichi-san. I'm flattered to hear that."

There was a knock and the door creaked open slightly. "It must be Kyoko. I better go out now." Kanae said.

Azuma nodded. "Thank you very much, Kotonami-san. We'll inform you about the result in a few days. Have a nice day."

He waited for her reply, but none came. Frowning, he looked up and saw the most beautiful woman stood gracefully in front of him. Her long black wig was cut in even height, making it glossy. Her already lush eyelashes were thickened with mascara, her lips tinted dark red. She looked so.. regal.

For a few seconds, no one uttered a word. Then the woman spoke softly, looking unsure. "..um, Shinichi-san?"

Startled, Azuma blinked a few times before speaking. This should have been no surprise for him, since he had seen such a drastic transformation in Box 'R'. But she's really beautiful, he thought while peeking at Kaito - and smiled when he saw him still gaping.

He coughed. "Uh, yes, Kyoko-chan.. you may begin."