93. Third Degree

598 Words

Izumi knocked on the door and cracked it open.

"Hey, Noriko-chan, we're just about to start. Are you ready?"

The cheer vanished from Izumi's face immediately when she saw her friend. She could tell right away that the sweet girl was upset. She looked like she was about to cry. The make-up artists too were sharing guilty glances and wringing their hands. Izumi's eyes narrowed and her shoulders drew back as she walked into the dressing room.

"You two, out!"

The make-up artists started, but quickly scampered to obey the actress. The door closed behind them, leaving only Izumi and Noriko in the room.

"What is it?" Izumi asked, getting right to the point.

"Nothing," Noriko said evasively, facing Izumi with a brave, faltering smile. "Just a silly little thing."

Izumi scowled, and her sharp eyes spotted the magazine that lied open in Noriko's lap.

"What's that?"

"A magazine."

"Show me."

Noriko took the magazine and put it behind her back.

"There's nothing in it."

"Like hell there is!" Izumi snapped. "Please. Tell me what is wrong."

Noriko's lip trembled. She pulled out the magazine and offered it to Izumi. The actress took it, and soon noticed the picture that had upset her friend.

"That son of a bitch," Izumi muttered darkly under her breath.

"Look it's probably nothing," Noriko said pleadingly. "Taiki isn't… He would never…"

"Have you talked to him?"

"No, I just found out."

"Alright, then I will."

Before Noriko had time to resist, Izumi had left the dressing room and was heading back to the studio.

"Taiki-san may I speak to you? In private?" Izumi called to the actor once she had found him, her voice brisk and her eyes flaming.

Taiki blinked in surprise but flashed a quick grin.

"Sure!" he agreed and followed Izumi into an empty dressing room. After closing the door, Izumi turned around to confront Taiki and smacked him with the magazine.

"Owww! What the hell, Izumi?!" the actor complained.

"You know, I wanted to ask you the very same thing," Izumi hissed, now pushing the page with the offending photographic evidence at Taiki's face. "Your girlfriend is in her dressing room, putting on a brave face and trying not to cry. Anything you want to share, Taiki?"

The blonde man looked at the photograph, his eyes widened in shock.

"Shit! Who the heck took that pic?"

"That's not really what I want to know."

"Look, it isn't what you think."

"Who's the chick?" Izumi demanded relentlessly.

"Melissa. She's been my stylist in a few earlier projects."

"So you're into foreign women now?"

"No!" Taiki denied, offended by the accusation. "I told you it isn't like that! I just wanted her opinion, you know? As an expert in fashion and all that crap."

"Well if it really was nothing, you should go tell all that to Noriko-chan."

"I can't!" Taiki huffed. "It has to be a surprise!"

"What are you talking about?" Izumi asked incredulously.

Taiki frowned and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"You never saw anything, alright?" he told Izumi in a pleading tone.

"Alright," she agreed, though her scepticism showed in her voice.

Taiki pulled out a small rectangular box out of his pocket.

Izumi gasped in surprise.

"Is that…?"

"Yeah."

"When are you going to…?"

"In a few weeks. On her birthday."

Izumi bit her lip.

"I'm really sorry. I jumped into conclusions and – "

"Don't sweat it. It's ok, I'm glad you're looking out for Noriko."

A bit shyly at first, but then growing stronger, the two of them smiled, now sharing the secret.