Chie: I know it's not Friday yet, but I'll be at animecon (Finland) all weekend long. Hence you got the update a day early this time. :3
Just a reminder that if the names still trouble you, the name list can be found here: chie-chie . livejournal . com / 25476 . html
13. Dare
485 Words
"I dare you to tamper with Ken-san's coffee."
The notion was sudden, but not at all unexpected coming from Mitsuo, the notorious prankster.
Satsuki frowned.
"Why?"
"Because it'd be fun," the boyish actor replied simply, shrugging his shoulders.
Unbidden, a plan began to formulate in Satsuki's mind.
"I will do it, but you will owe me one," she warned, her brown eyes taking a mischievous glow.
"Deal!"
o~D~o
Coffee, as everyone on the set had come to know, was like air for Narita Ken. He simply had to have his coffee in the morning, and if he didn't, none of them would be having a pleasant day.
Satsuki's plan was ingenious in its simplicity.
An identical take-out coffee in her hand, she watched him like a hawk while patiently waiting for him to set his cardboard cup down as he picked up the newspaper. The man was fairly predictable with his routines.
The moment arrived, and Satsuki signalled to the pretty and well-endowed assistant she had roped in earlier as her accomplice. It had not taken much convincing to get the girl to agree to go over and flirt with the charismatic actor that the whole female staff appeared to adore.
While Ken's eyes were occupied elsewhere, Satsuki crept close and performed the switch.
She returned to the spot by the wall where Mitsuo was waiting. As they patiently waited for Ken to drink his tampered beverage, Satsuki took a sip of the coffee she had stolen from him.
She glanced down at the cup from which she had just drunk in mild surprise. For a womanizing jerk, he had good taste.
And then the team held their breaths as Ken's long fingers wrapped around the cup and brought it to his lips.
In a comical display, he spurted the drink out like it was poison.
Mitsuo burst into mirth-filled laughter.
"Nice one, Satsuki! What did you have in there? Vinegar? Salt instead of sugar? Sour milk?"
"Nothing like that," the actress replied with an impish smirk. "In fact, it is exactly like his regular morning coffee, apart from the fact that it's de-caf."
A new bout of laughter caused Mitsuo to double over.
Satsuki turned to look at her friend, an amused gleam in her brown eyes.
"Now, about our deal…"
"What deal?" Mitsuo asked, feigning innocence.
"You owe me one. And I know just the thing for you."
A mischievous smirk on her lips, Satsuki pulled out a beaded necklace, and Mitsuo suddenly paled.
o~D~o
"Sit boy!" the smug and enthusiastic yell rang throughout the set.
Muttering a curse under his breath, Mitsuo reluctantly obeyed and immediately dropped down to the floor.
For a while, everyone stared in confusion and disbelief, but soon, laughter was bubbling in the air around him.
Even if Mitsuo did not appreciate the public humiliation, he was oddly delighted about the expression of cheerful laughter shining on Izumi's beautiful face.