Anime/manga: Skip Beat

Disclaimer: Since this was posted here , it means that the Skip Beat Franchise and its characters are not mine. I am merely a fan, obsessed with Sho, Kyoko and Tsuruga Ren so much so that I can't stop my mind from creating its own episode with them... Love, love! It's so inspiring and the anime tickles the little squealing girl in me I was so desperate to lock up if not eradicate.

Prisoner

2nd Chapter

Kat sat in front of the room. She hated it, she thought she'd be the only female who'd audition for the role in the school play. She heard that the students from Hanabishi Gakuen thought the school theatre was so lame nobody dare join it, but then, she knew the main cause for the change and she could hear it behind her.

'Gin-sama! I saw your new commercial last night!'

One fan exclaimed excitedly, hovering over the blonde man sitting on the chair at the back of the small auditorium.

'Me too!' Said fan no. 2

'It was the reason why I couldn't sleep!' Fan no. 1 uttered again.

'It was so hot!' Another fan shrieked in delight.

'Domo.' The blonde man said with less enthusiasm than necessary. He was bored, and it showed, albeit not to his deluded fans.

Kat turned her head around for a second to see the 6'1 feet tall blonde devil sitting at the back of the room where his group of girls surrounded him. She released a frustrated sigh, the main reason why the small auditorium was full that afternoon was no other than him.

'Gin-san! So you're auditioning for the role of 'The beast!'' one student asked dreamily.

'I can't wait for you to get the role! A blonde beast, I can imagine! I wonder who 'Beauty's gonna be.'

"CUT!" Director Ogata yelled. "That's it for today everyone, see you tomorrow for the next scene. Get your beauty rests… especially the lead actors."

Shou stood up from the chair of the set and prepared to leave to freshen up in his dressing room when the group of supporting actresses earlier crowded him again, this time, for real… no longer in a scene… no longer acting.

"Shou-sama! We would just like to say that it's a HUGE HONOR to be working with you!"

"Yes! We've been big fans ever since you've started."

"I saw your new advertisement on TV last night. The perfume! I couldn't sleep for real!" Shou cocked his eyes at that.

"No wonder you have huge bags under your eyes! Don't blame your ugliness on Fuwa-san! I had a pleasant dream because of you Shou-san!" another one giggled.

"I plan on buying it for my boyfriend."

"I know! Let's escort him to his dressing room!"

The actors dispersed, while Kyoko remained seated on the set, shaking her head when silence filled the room. She sighed then stood up to grab a copy of the script where a bunch was neatly piled up on the set of the teacher's table, acting as props, it was labeled 'Prisoner' they finally made up their minds about the title.

'Talk about interesting…' Kyoko murmured to herself while she opened the folder and read the script, not bothering to sit. 'An actress playing a role of a student who will be playing a role of a fairytale character. It gets my heart pounding! And not to mention, Kat's character is the same as Setsu…' her happy face turned sour when she saw the word 'Gin' … 'why couldn't the director have gotten a real actor? Kijima-san would fit this role better…'

"I like what they did to your hair." Kyoko's skin crawled at the sound of the voice. She quickly looked up and instinctively took immediate backward steps until she was against the chalkboard.

"W… What are you still doing here?"

"I slipped out of those actresses' sight. I was wondering why they were so good at acting turned out they weren't acting with me at all!" Shou whined, then repeated his earlier statement, "Director Ogata really did a good job on your character huh?"

"What are you talking about? I'm the lead female, and for your information, this makeup and hair style is similar to my role as one of the Heel Siblings, idiot." She paused then thought for a second, she did like how they designed her make-up and clothes this time, "Then again, without the grunge, punk look, and the chains and the leather, haha… who would've thought Setsu's costume could look this fresh and elegant as a student? Ha ha h… hey!" she shrieked suddenly in a panic. Shou had moved closer while she was doing her little monologue and was now right in front of her.

"Who knew blue eyes would suit you." Kyoko's spine went cold when Shou bent down that the tip of their noses touched, and by reflex, she pushed him away.

"Hey!" he chuckled, the force only sending him to take one step back and as if nothing happened he continued, "I always thought your original eye color always resembled the sherry *okaa-san served at the restaurant." *okaa-san=mother

Kyoko had it, she won't play any of Sho Fuwa's games.

"Okay you ass, what are you up to?"

"Me? Nothing. Is it bad to want to bond with my co-actors? This is my acting debut after all so—"

"You, the great Shoutaro Fuwa would like to ask ME for some pointers? Is that it? Is that what this is all about?" Kyoko asked innocently but it came across as a cocky remark that Sho's pride came up in defense.

"Oie, nobody said I needed any." His old self came back, all the malicious plan he had earlier taking the back seat, "Besides, haven't you been watching any of my MVs? They're like short films and I'm like the main actor, so if you think about it, I've acted as many times as your precious Tsuruga Ren."

Kyoko's ears exploded at the audacity, "Don't you dare lower Tsuruga-san to your level stupid Shotaro!" Kyoko turned into a completely different person when it came to her 'senpai' or 'mentor' Tsuruga Ren which irritated Sho, mainly because it's a sign that the actor has had a huge impact… and influence on Kyoko in the short time that they've worked together.

"I don't want to be here anymore. You can practice your acting skills now since you've got the place all to yourself." She said, preparing to exit past Sho but he made a quick grab at her upper arm. Kyoko's head turned back in surprise and opened her mouth to shout at her childhood friend, or used to be, but he beat her to it.

"So that's why you're here then? To practice by yourself?"

"Yes, Tsuruga-san taught me that. Rehearsing whenever possible is highly recommended, you can take note of that." Before she could move a step Sho's palm slammed to the wall right next to her face, trapping her,

"And what else has he taught you?" his eyes were blazing now, he was angry, although what he was angry about, Kyoko had no idea.

She didn't answer, instead looked at him with a mix of disdain and confusion he growled in a low and controlled voice, "You said…" he paused, making sure he was looking straight into her amber eyes, "you'd never kneel in front of Tsuruga Ren, you said you'd never feel anything towards him. Have you forgotten that?! Yet look at you now! Like a love sick puppy. I see the way you look at him whenever you're with him on set… let me tell you, it looks pretty familiar." Kyoko's eyes widened in surprise, Sho Fuwa couldn't possibly know the turmoil Tsuruga Ren's been causing deep within her, it wasn't even clear to her what she felt, yet Sho, this guy, can smell it.

To hear the words said out in the open, struck a realization in her heart that she didn't want to discover at such a time.

Panic and terror were unconsciously mirrored in her eyes, it couldn't possibly be true. She stared at Sho, her gaze less daunting, less firm and less confident than before,

"No… you're wrong. I'm just using him…" she said, and Sho wondered if she was convincing him or herself. He saw it, he knew Kyoko long enough to see that she was confused, and he in turn was feeling annoyed, like he wanted to shake her out of it. He couldn't, and at that moment, when Kyoko pushed his arm away for her to pass, he let her.

-ii-

"M… my own manager?!"

"D… Drive? Me?! EH!?"

Mogami Kyoko sat on the individual renaissance-style couch in the living room of the president, Tsuruga Ren and his manager, Yashiro-san, sat on the long three-seat couch to her right while the president luxuriously sat on his Egyptian made throne parallel to her. An assistant came in carrying a tea set which she put on the gaudy looking 18th century tea table in the middle.

"Is there anything else Mr. President?"

"No that's all Shio, thank you." He waved her away, turning his attention back to his 'still recovering' artist.

"Mogami-san, what do you expect? With the amount of exposure you have had and you will have in the future, you will indeed be needing a manager."

Kyoko's face was a mix of happiness and uncertainty, "Hai… I understand, but driving?"

"Ah. Yes, I've given your manager some thought, who would suit you perfectly? Who would know you well enough to manage you? Who will be responsible enough to look after the welfare of your career? Who will be that one person who can lead you to the success you are so working hard for? I can't just hand you over to some charismatic, business-minded prick… Have to admit, it took a while for me to see the diamond in you, and it certainly took sweat and blood to polish it." He sounded drained and defeated in that last sentence that Kyoko felt a bit insulted,

"Ah… Domo, for taking the effort." She forcibly said politely,

"No no… As you can see…" the president droned, crossing his legs and resting his chin on his hand, elbow on the throne, "It is very well worth it. You may not realize it yourself, but I need a person with the same vision as I to manage you and nobody would be more perfect than Yashiro-san." He tilted his head to Tsuruga Ren's manager who was sitting in a proper but relaxed manner.

"B… But… he's Tsuruga-san's manager."

"And yours, he'll be handling LME's top stars… well, top star… and rising star." The President corrected himself.

Kyoko's mind went spiral, "No! I couldn't possibly impose! I can still manage being a free agent."

"Yashiro?" the president turned to the four-eyes who had a patient smile on the entire meeting,

"Ah, Kyoko-chan, tomorrow you'll be having a photo shoot for 4 different magazine, a television interview the next day and I was able to book you a commercial for a make-up brand, the one you always use?"

"Y… You mean ********?!"

"That very one!" Yashiro said with pride.

"Princess Rosa's going to be glad!" Kyoko pressed her palms together in a dreamy manner then caught herself when she found all men staring at her like she's mental.

"Ehem…" the president coughed to gain everyone's attention, "You see? You couldn't book all of them on your own, even if the companies were to call you personally you'll have a hard time organizing the contract and the schedule."

"I… understand. I just don't want to impose."

Yashiro turned his patient smile to Kyoko, "I'd be happy to manage you Kyoko."

"But Ren will still be Yashiro-san's priority, but it doesn't mean you'll be less valuable Kyoko."

"I UNDERSTAND!" she said on alert.

"Being that, you need to learn how to drive."

"Eh!?"