11. De-labelling
440 Words
"He's such a jerk!" Satsuki declared vehemently, grumpily glaring at the actor standing across the room from her. He was in full battle regalia, all dressed up as 'Sesshoumaru', taking a short break from the shooting.
As usual, there was a whole herd of female staff members all over him as he smiled charmingly and laughed with them.
Morikawa cocked his head and turned to look at whom Satsuki was staring at. A kind smile rose to his lips and he quietly shook his head.
"I think you are doing him injustice, dear," he said gently, patting the young actress' shoulder in comforting manner.
Although the kindly manners were very typical for Morikawa, the comforting gesture felt a bit weird. He was still dressed in the costume of 'Naraku'; only half an hour earlier, the arch-villain had creeped the hell out of Satsuki.
He was a phenomenal actor, for sure.
"I don't think I am," Satsuki said defiantly. "That skirt-chasing prick," she added in a sullen mutter.
"Now, that is hardly a fair accusation," Morikawa said sedately.
"Really?" Satsuki countered, her dry voice all but dripping with sarcasm. "Obviously he is nothing but an easy-going ladies' man, captivating the women with his charisma and that stupid charming smile of his…"
Morikawa chuckled lightly at the irate actress. He was old enough to realise just why Narita Ken's flirtatious activities aggravated Satsuki so much.
"He is not as bad as you make him out to be," Morikawa patiently corrected. "He shows amazing professionalism for one so young. He is actually very serious about his work."
Satsuki snorted.
"Yeah, right."
Eyes alight with amusement, Morikawa decided to change tactics.
"Have you, at any time, seen him actually making moves on any member of the cast?"
Satsuki fell silent, and an endearing frown creased her usually smooth forehead. She racked her brain as hard as she could, but in the end she had to grudgingly acknowledge the fact.
"No," she replied sulkily.
"And has he at any point instigated flirting with a crew member?"
Satsuki nibbled at her bottom lip as her narrowed eyes stared at the actor from across the room.
As if sensing her gaze, Ken lifted her gaze and his eyes briefly met hers, one mocking eyebrow rising inquisitively. Satsuki quickly averted her eyes.
Now that she thought about, it usually was the females who sought him out and coquetted in front of him like mindless hens.
"I guess not," she mumbled hesitantly.
Morikawa chuckled, and once again patted the young actress' shoulder.
"He's a good lad."
Satsuki was frowning, still not entirely sure if she should believe the sentiment.