Always with You
Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of its characters.
Chapter 28 – Ten in one blow
"Don't you dare embarrass me," Kanae told the three girls who were there to see her off at the airport. Of course she was directing her intent at the girl who was leaning on crutches. "We're professional actresses now, not schoolgirls. I'm only going for three months; it's not a big deal." None of the girls chose to comment about the suspicious moisture at the corners of the raven-haired girl's eyes.
Kanae looked at each girl in turn. To Mari she said, "See if you can do something about that mutt of yours. He'd get a lot more recognition if he didn't look like a hoodlum."
Mari smiled, "I don't know. I kind-of like the rebel type. You be careful around all of those hot Australian cowboys."
Kanae looked at Amamiya, "Are you sure about going? You're not just going because of Hiraga-san?"
Chiori Amamiya would be leaving for the United States in two weeks. She had accepted an offer to play a Japanese girl in a World War II internment camp. The story was sad, but it had a beautiful ending. And, best of all, she would be acting alongside Hiraga Akio. She smiled, "It's a little of both. But I really do love the role, and it will be my debut as a lead." She grinned mischievously, "You just watch out around Hio-san. Don't let him teach you too much karate. And watch the full-contact."
Kanae rubbed a particularly sore spot on her hip where he had thrown her to the ground. Aiko Mari had been correct about who would be training her. He seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. She wondered if she'd survive, "I think that he still holds a grudge for the time I threw him."
Kanae turned to look at her best friend, who was currently making all manner of weird faces as she tried not to blubber, "Mo! Just give me a hug and get it over with!"
Both girls embraced tightly. Both had tears. "Now, I'll be back in three months. You don't let that overgrown Ken-doll of yours talk you into eloping. You just focus on your acting career. You're my biggest rival and I expect you to maintain your focus. Got it?"
Kyoko used leaned into her crutches so that she could use a hand to wipe her tears. "Be careful over there, Moko-san. I can hardly wait to see your movie."
Kanae was safely through the security line when all three voices sound out clear and strong, "MOKO-SAN, we love you!"
"MO!"
* * *
When Director Kurosaki first explained his plan to the cast of Always with you, he had intended to only film five episodes at a time. With the time impact of Kyoko's injuries and recovery, and the enormous number of suggestions from the fans, he decided to finish the series in one blow.
Kyoko's cast had been removed two days before, and her bones were pronounced fully healed. She was anxious and ready to get back to work. It would help to dispel the sense of betrayal and rejection that still lingered over her mother's death.
When Hizuri Kuu had hired an investigator to find Kyoko's mother, neither she nor Ren had been told. It had been the Fuwa's who finally found out what had happened to her. There had been no contact in years, only one old letter telling them that she wouldn't be coming to take Kyoko back for a little while longer.
She had never asked how Kyoko was doing. She never even knew that Kyoko had run away to Tokyo, or that she was a success.
Kyoko shook off her sad thoughts as Director Kurosaki called, "Ok, ready on the set!"
(Once again, the following commercials are presented in their final form. The scenes were shot at different… you know the drill. One other thing: Due to the nature of some shots, the filming took two days.)
Eleventh commercial
[Suzuko Nanami is seated in the restaurant across from her parents and beside Matsakuro Kenji. The silence is strained as they eat. Nanami looks beautiful in her kimono and Kenji can't stop snatching glances at her.
Finally Nanami's father speaks, "So, my daughter tells me you work as some sort of wedding planner?" He sounded disapproving.
"No sir, that is my sister's business. I was just helping her when I met your daughter," Nanami turned to look at him in surprise, "Actually, I'm the President of Matsakuro Distributors International."
Nanami looked over at him in alarm. Her father, who was just reaching for a drink, lost concentration and spilled it over the table. A waiter is there quickly to wipe up the mess.]
Twelfth commercial
[Suzuko Nanami is angrily staring at Matsakuro Kenji as they stand in a lobby area of the restaurant.
"How could you tell my father that you're the president of some giant company?! Now he'll be trying to marry me off to you tonight! How could you be so irresponsible?"
"Suzuko-san, I am the President of Matsakuro Distributors International. Didn't you read the card I gave you?"
"Of course I read it! It didn't say anything about you being the president! I just thought it was some small business." Her last words came out in as high-pitched sign of frustration.
"That must have been one of my old cards. I apologize. I became president when my father passed away."
Nanami looks up at him sympathetically, "I'm sorry. I overreacted. Shall we go back inside?"
As they start to walk in, Kenji reaches down and takes her hand.]
Thirteenth Commercial
[Nanami's father and mother exchange farewells with Kenji. Her father is handed a to-go box by the waitress. Nanami lingers to speak with Kenji.
"Thank you for helping with this tonight. It was nice seeing you again, Matsakuro-san"
"Not so fast. Don't forget your side of the bargain. I get one day. Wear comfortable clothes, Suzuko-san. I'll be picking you up at 9am tomorrow morning."
"Matsakuro-san, I should tell you that I never want to fall in love again. I am happy the way that I am. So please don't get any ideas."
"A deals-a-deal, young lady. You just be ready."
She bows and turns to walk away.
Kenji watches her go with longing eyes, "Your not happy, Nanami-san. But I'll do my best to change that."]
Fourteenth Commercial
[Both Kenji and Nanami are dressed casually in blue-jeans and comfortable shirts. Kenji pulls his truck into the parking lot of Tokyo Disneyland. Nanami's eyes widen.
(There is no speaking in this episode, only cameos of the couple having fun in Disneyland. Nanami is having fun and Kenji can't keep his eyes off of her.)
Scenes flash through the couple posing with the characters, snacking, riding rides, laughing at a ride-photo, sitting through a drawing lesson, and finally riding the Ferris-wheel with the setting sun in the background.
They are holding hands when Kenji slips and says, "I'm falling in love with you."
The camera focuses on Nanami pulling her hand away from him and scooting to the edge of the bench.]
Fifteenth Commercial
[Kenji pulls his truck up to the front of her house. Nanami starts to open the door.
"Wait."
"What? I told you…"
"I'm sorry I said that. Can I please see you again?"
Nanami looks into his pleading eyes, "I don't think that is a good idea. I told you, I won't let myself fall in love ever again"
"But…"
"Thank you for a wonderful day, Matsakuro-san. Good night." She closes the truck door and walks away.
Scene switches back and forth to show the couple both sitting at their homes. There is headache medicine on the tables in front of them and glasses of water in their hands.]
Sixteenth Commercial
[Nanami looks at her phone as it buzzes. The caller ID shows "Matsakuro Kenji. She sets the phone down and ignores it. Her mother watches her actions and shakes her head in disappointment.
Kenji looks at his phone in frustration. Throughout the remainder of the commercial the two appear repeatedly in the same locations, but don't see each other.
A song about unrequited love plays in the background.]
Seventeenth Commercial
[Kenji, looking haggard, stands with his sister in the reception area of a restaurant.
"Its about time that you stopped moping around. Now you'll enjoy this dinner, or else."
"Yes, Onee-chan. I hear and obey."
The waitress leads them to a table. As Kenji begins to sit he glances over to see Nanami sitting with her parents, a young man, and his parents. It is obviously a marriage-meeting.
He tries to read his menu, but finally glances up and meet's her eyes.
He stands.
His sister looks up in confusion, "Kenji? Where are you going?"]
Eighteenth Commercial
[The conversation at Nanami's table is interrupted as a tall man walks up. Nanami's eyes widen. Her parents seem startled. Her mother, who has been frowning slightly, smiles.
Kenji bows, "Excuse me for interrupting. Suzuko Nanami-san, can I speak with you for a moment?"
Scene switches to the couple talking in a spot near the kitchen as the staff goes in and out.
"Do you love him?"
"No, I already told you that I will never love again."
"Do you intend to marry him?"
"Yes."
"Do you love me?"
Nanami started to speak, stopped, finally replied, "Of course not."
Kenji looks into her eyes and sees the truth. As Nanami gives a startled squeak as he scoops her up into his arms like a child.]
Nineteenth Commercial
[Kenji stands in front of the table where Nanami's parents and the other trio sit. He has a very flustered and squirming Nanami in his arms.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Suzuko-san. But I'm in love with your stubborn daughter, and I believe that she feels the same way." His bold words cause Nanami to stop squirming and look at him.
Nanami's father starts to rise, but her mother puts a restraining hand on his shoulder. "Nanami, behave yourself. Matsakuro-san, take her with our blessing."
As Kenji passes his sister he says, "Onee-chan, I'd like you to meet the woman I'm gong to marry." Nanami is blushing and still bewildered by the entire situation.]
Twentieth Commercial
[Kenji and Nanami sit on the hood of his truck on a high hillside, watching the sun set. Birds fly in a flock up out of the trees. Kenji opens a paper bag and pulls out a wrapped hamburger.
"I'm sorry that I made you miss dinner."
"You just kidnapped me in the middle of a crowded restaurant." She said it as a statement, not an accusation.
Kenji smiled as he un-wrapped his own burger, "I'm not sorry about that."
"I already told you, I didn't plan on falling in love again."
"This time will be different. You're in my heart every moment of every day. And I'm different Nanami-chan. I will always be with you."
Nanami smiles sweetly as she takes a bite of her burger.]
"Cut! Let's wrap it up, people."
Mari was there to watch the second day and to see the filming of the final commercial, "That was beautiful, you two."
As Kyoko and Ren walked away from the set, Ren told her, "Maybe that's what I should have done. Just sweep you off your feet."
Kyoko smiled, "You didn't need to. You had my heart from the first time you called me 'Kyoko-chan.'"
Ren frowned in concentration, "When did I do that?"
Kyoko squeezed his hand, "While you were sleeping."
___________________________________________________________________
Note: The story's almost at an end. Thank you for staying with me. The last line refers to the time she nursed him when he was sick, in case you missed it.
Personal note to Cactus 2008: I had to laugh when I read your question about the Fuwa's. This is the third time that I've read one of your questions while the answer was already typed on the screen in front of me. I'm beginning to think that you're reading over my shoulder.
To explain: I chose to not go into detail about the Fuwa's because I wanted the readers to get the full impact of Kyoko's meeting with her mother. There was no way to do that if I let Sho's parents reveal the truth beforehand.
I will not try to explain why Kyoko's mother rejected such a wonderful girl. As I mentioned in a previous chapter, I have known children who suffer from the same agony of rejection. Having been there to see and share their pain, I'm not inclined to try and create an excuse for the mom. Perhaps she is mentally unstable. Perhaps she just never should have been a mom. I'll leave that for the real writers of SkipBeat to explain.
