Author's note:
I'll try my best to put up new chapters every Sunday but I'm very busy right now (the reason is on my profile page) so if I miss a Sunday, please don't kill me! And if you see anyone out of character, please tell me ASAP!
This chapter is focused on Sho mostly. As I said, I am going to take my sweet time writing the smart moves that Kyoko will do later on in the story because I really want to try my best to write as fantastically as Yoshiki Nakamura-sama!
Also, please make sure you read my 'author's notes' sections, they sometimes hold quite important information that is related to the plot! (What I mean is PLEASE READ THE BIT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS CHAPTER ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT HINTS SOMETHING IMPORTANT)! Anyway, enjoy and please review! ^_^
Current Time
"Rewind the music to the bridge again please," Asami directed as she signalled the crew in the mixing room.
"Hai," The crew replied with exhaustion mixed with a hint of frustration. She could hear the disappointment and annoyance in their whispers as they prepared for the music to start again. She sighed deeply. Her head span around and faced the recording room window onlooking Sho in the studio.
Sho's eyes were full of confusion and bewilderment, his blonde hair was matted with sweat, his breathing was uneven and quick, almost as if he was gasping for more oxygen. His hand held on to the headsets with such strength that the veins on his wrists were visible and pulsing.
What the hell is wrong with Sho today? Why is he acting like this? Asami wondered to herself as she readjusted her glasses on her nose. She watched Sho as he closed his eyes and tried to regain his normal breathing pattern. Hers then quickly darted across the recording room to the sitting Shoko in the far corner. Shoko was intently staring at Sho, her arms were crossed, and the look of concern deepened on her face. She was repeating a phrase under her breath. All Asami could make out of it was, "Please".
She frowned and returned her attention back to Sho.
He is taking more preparation breaths than usual. His eyelids are trembling violently. He is trying too hard to concentrate. Why is he acting like this? What is wrong, Sho?
Oh, the music has started. This is the 5th rewind. Come on, you can do this, Sho. Please don't stuff up again.
Sho exhaled deeply.
4
3
2
1
"The crack in my heart widened as I opened the door,
And saw you with that guy on the floor,
You're giving him a kis – "
The word 'kiss' was cut short. No sound came from Sho's throat. His right hand clutched around his neck, his left hand chucked the headset on the floor. His pupils were disoriented as if he was looking at everything and nothing at the same time. His legs stumbled backwards as if he had no balancing skills. His back sequentially hit on the wall behind him. Sho immediately jumped away from the contact, as if he was completely not aware of the space and time that he was in.
Asami and Shoko both ran into the studio.
"Sho, are you alright?" Shoko exclaimed as she placed her palms on Sho's shoulders.
Asami signalled the crew to 'take five' and led Sho and Shoko into the make-up and resting room. They lowered him down onto the middle of the couch and sat down side by side with him.
"Sho, take a break. You are working too hard. Here," Asami grabbed a bottle of cold water and handed it to Sho. "Have some water, will start recording again once you are ready."
"No, if you are feeling sick, we'll cancel the rest of today's recordings and scheduled events." Shoko added as she used her handkerchief to wipe off the sweat drops that formed on his forehead. Life slowly returned into Sho's eyes, but the perplexity certainly didn't leave.
Sho consumed the whole bottle in one gulp. Asami watched as the water passed through his throat in an instance.
"No I can't! Please, Asami, Shoko! I can do this, don't cancel!" His eyes continued to swivel around, as if he was too afraid to make eye contact with both his manager and director.
"I need something to distract me! I need to focus on my dazzling future!" His forced his body to pose in a proud and indifferent position with both hands on his hips and his head turned to angle 47.65 degrees, the best angle to display his handsome face. But his inability to face anyone directly immediately exposed to both Shoko and Asami that Sho was definitely hiding something, something that was hurting him, something that was shocking him so much that he couldn't even concentrate on his beloved music.
Asami turned to face him; she cupped his face with her hands and raised his head to face hers. Sho struggled for a moment. Deep underneath his resistance, she felt him trembling.
"Sho, look at me. Look into my eyes." Sho soon gave up like a child being told off by his elder sister. His pupils jaggedly moved upwards and looked at Asami. He dropped his hands back onto his lap.
"As you can see, work is definitely not helping you to distract. Whatever it is, work won't help. You need to relax. You need to pull yourself back up." Asami used her right hand and stroked his hair. "Whatever it is, I will not force you to tell me but you have to understand that if it will make you feel better, if it will make you return to normal faster, if it will allow you to regain your music once again, Shoko and I will always be here to listen and help you, okay?"
Sho didn't respond. He lowered his head in silence and covered his blonde fringe in front of his eyes.
"Well," Asami sighed as she stood up and walked towards the door to the hallway. "If you need anything, give me a call. Please rest." She closed the door behind her as she headed towards the studio to pack up the equipment and send the crew home.
Shoko, who was still sitting next to Sho, twisted her body in front of him in a seductive manner. She deliberately positioned her large breasts closely to Sho's head tempting him to look at her and hold her.
"Sho….if it makes you feel better, are you mad at me from last night? Because of the fact that I made you sleep in your own bed instead of sleeping on the floor?" Shoko placed both arms around Sho's neck as he looked up. "I am so sorry, I'll make up for it if you will allow me to-"
Shoko gasped as Sho stood up
and pushed her away.
His head turned to the other direction as he plopped himself back onto the sofa. In a solemn tone, he breathed,
"Just leave me alone."
Shoko slowly closed the door behind her as she saw Asami walking quickly towards her.
"Do you know what's up with Sho?" Asami asked. Shoko clicked her tongue and rubbed her chin in confusion and disappointment.
"He is seriously acting weird. This is the first time he has ever refused my way of helping. He usually asks for it way too often. I am worried about him," Shoko answered and scratched her head.
"Was he acting weird before today?"
"Actually, last night…"Shoko realised as she replayed her memories.
Sho's behaviour yesterday evening was acting really strange. When I got out of the shower, Sho's expression was already hurt. The shock and horror on his face were too deep to be possible to have been caused by me.
"Do you think it is something to do with Kyoko-chan?" Asami enquired for Shoko to continue. But before she could answer,
A thunderous crash sound erupted from Sho's room behind them which was then
followed by his deafening cry.
You guys are probably so confused right now about what is going on with Sho. You will soon find out, don't worry! ^_^ I just have to say, I have been DYING to write this chapter and the next chapter because they contained the very first idea that gave me the confidence to post this fanfiction up!
Okay, so in order for the next chapter to work, I have to SLIGHTLY MODIFY the original plot of Skip Beat. It's not a big one; it is just a small, tiny detail.
I'll give you a hint: I modified something that happened in the first half of Chapter 194. I think (and hope) you will be very surprised and excited about what happens in my next entry!
Anyway, please review! Can you guess what the modification might be or what might happen next? Post your guesses in the review section please!
Ily! Until next time!
Enticed