PRISONER

by FFNPREZ

Chapter 10: Finally! The first episode!

Two days in Shinobu Island and Kyoko found herself unable to stand not calling her friend for advice. Kyoko relished Kanae Kotonami's spirited-spartan-like voice, "Tell me the real reason you called me Mogami Kyoko, and don't dare say that you miss-called eighteen times during my commercial shoot just to tell me you missed me!" Kotonami's voice resounded through the earpiece of Kyoko's mobile phone as if she was on speaker.

"Heh," Kyoko broke out a nervous laugh which echoed in the girl's bathroom she occupied by herself. Her best friend was a spitfire, she took acting seriously and it took Kyoko's blood and guts to call and disturb her knowing that she's on location shooting for a top mobile phone company.

"You know the last time you called me while you're filming was back in your first gig and you were having a problem getting into character," Kotonami paused before saying "With that musician Fuwa Shou." Her voice was calm and concerned now which is the reason why Kyoko loved her best friend, her previous outburst was just to rattle her into confessing what got her antsy.

"Moko-chan! I'm… You're right! What's gotten into me? I was fine when I rehearsed this a month ago, even last week, even last weekend, I got this scene in the bag and now that it's time, I'm having a hard time being Kat."

"I don't get why you're nervous. This is your forte, for all the nonsense cooked up in your brain, I'm surprised and in awe of how you can just perfect pretending to be someone else, sometimes I want to ask tips from you." Kyoko's eyes widened at Kotonami's humbling words. Her friend was a Viking, she never gave compliments and if anything her friend hated admitting that she needed something from someone. Before she could speak Kotonami continued, "Unless, you're keeping something from me. Did something happen between you and Fuwa?" Kotonami paused then in a deeper more serious voice she continued, "Or was it Tsuruga-san? Is there something you're not telling me?"

"Uh…" She couldn't tell her the embarrassing scene from last night, when she allowed him to stick his tongue down her throat, and she didn't think that over-the-phone would be the perfect time to tell her best friend about her first real kiss!

"I… Don't you think it's because deep down I'm intimidated?" Kyoko paused and stared at herself on the mirror of the girl's bathroom. She didn't see the striving redhead in the pink jumpsuit but the fierce and tall blonde student she's supposed to play. Clad in a fashionable white sundress with a racer-back-cut top and a flowy skirt reaching above her knees, it highlighted the delicate curve of her shoulders and the slim contours of her waist, giving her character the feminine yet intense touch that she needed. But somehow, she couldn't balance both inside.

"We've never had a kissing scene 101 back in our training days! And I'm doing it with the number one idol in the country? Isn't that a bit scary? The reality that I'm the least popular among the three of us is suddenly weighing over me! What if I suck, figuratively speaking, at that kissing scene? The haters are going to devour me! Fuwa's fan club's gonna feast on my soul! Fuck me! I've never even seen myself kiss on camera! What angles are good?"

"Breathe Mogami!"

"I cleaned my nose in case the camera decided on that angle." She said thoughtfully, "Kyoko!" Kotonami interjected over the phone, "I know that it's a bit awkward and freaky. In cases like these you just have to rely on your gut-feel. That's what makes a great actress! Just go with what feels right at that moment and trust that the director will do his job. Unless, you've got some personal experience you haven't told me about."

Kyoko's eyes bulged and she was thankful Kotonami couldn't see her expression right now, or she would be disappointed that she's mixing personal life with work. So she began to internalize the advice her best friend just told her "Wow." Kyoko blinked while digesting her beloved friend's words, "You're really a genius Kanae-chan."

"Just keep in mind that in that scene you are not Kyoko but the character you're playing and he's not the famous idol but the man he's playing. You're in a world where his fame doesn't affect you because you're a different person."

Kyoko exhaled hard and she smiled when she saw the hungry gleam in the eyes of the girl in the mirror, staring back at her,

"I love you Kotomi-chan! I swear I will treat you to that all-you-can-eat-dessert when I get back!" she said excitedly.

"Are you nuts! You know I'm trying to lose ten-pounds!" Kotomi's voice was back to scolding.

"Nyahaha! Talking to you always makes me feel invincible! I have to go, see you next week!"

"Fine." Kotomi sighed on the other line, "Good luck on that kissing scene. Hn, knock them out of their socks." Kyoko could feel her friend smiling on the other line despite her sharp and snappy voice, after a few more words they both hung up.

Shou Fuwa couldn't take his eyes off Kyoko when she returned on set. He watched her walk to her position behind the kitchen counter where a stove with a boiling pot of Mexican Chili was prepared for the scene. She was a sight for sore eyes. Was it possible that this girl in front of him was the same love-struck boring woman who only lived to 'serve someone'? He still couldn't believe it. At seventeen she looked incredibly hot, and mature, at least, in that moment. Is this what that Vhie-Ghoul-Beagle saw in her?

The thought raised his temper. Over time, monopolizing her hatred, no matter how twisted that sounded, was getting harder and harder. But last night he was pretty sure he stamped his mark on that department deeply.

She was doing a pretty good job acting calm and he wondered if it was real or a ruse to cover up how she's still beat up over last night.

"Actors! Take your places we'll start in five minutes!" Director Ogata said over the megaphone and took the director's seat.

Shou took his position by the kitchen door, his attention never leaving Kyoko despite the dozens of camera crew, production crew and onlookers present.

The clapper went in front of the camera with the clapperboard bearing the name of the clapper, the title of the movie, Prisoner, the episode, Episode Seventeen and the scene information written last.

The atmosphere changed from light to heavy, everyone was quiet for some reason. After filming the first five episodes, this was the episode where skinship with a kissing scene was to be shot and everyone was anticipating it.

Director Ogata reviewed t heir positions on the screens in front of him, "Ready actors." He said calmly,

"Camera rolling!" The main camera man said,

"Action." Director Ogata said. Everyone silently watched the two actors play the scene.

Gin: What are you doing here? Why are you making the drinks?
Kat: What are YOU doing here? Why aren't you at the bonfire?
Gin: It was noisy, and Michael's making the students play a stupid game.
Kat: You mean, The Professor, tch, you know him, makes every second productive,

Gin: Oh, so to you he's just a professor?

Kat (rolling her eyes): what are they playing?
Gin: Err... Can I help you with that?
Kat: I owe you my life, the least I can do is make you a drink.
Gin: I won't say no to that. (pausing, he went to stand beside Kat)

Gin: Well, the stiff's having students do MIME & MOVEMENT, the silent action exercise.
Kat: That sounds fun. 'Acting without words…'
Gin: Really? (His eyes glimmered with intent) Then let's play here.
Kat: Huh? It's boring when it's just two people playing.
Gin: No let's try it. (He clasped his hands together) Can you guess what I'm doing now?
Kat: Fine. Hmm… you're pleading for forgiveness.
Gin: Good, (He sat on the table so he was looking at Kat who was mixing drinks) How about this?
Kat: Irritation.
Gin: You're good…
Kat: Of course. Is that all you've got?
Gin: How about… this?
Kat: You're… thinking… about something… contemplating…

Gin: Try again (he closes their gap and Kat's breath hitches)

Kat: You're thinking… about something… you've planned something, but the other person… doesn't know about it.

And at that cue Gin claims Kat's half open mouth. Eyes wide and still, the surprise left her and was replaced by a kindled fire.

Slowly, Kat accepted and reciprocated, the unidentified emotions slowly building over the past few months have exploded at the moment and she gave in to that emotion.

Passion was what everyone felt in that room, but Kyoko Mogami was fighting hard to give off that vibe, inside she seethed with anger when Fuwa threw a curveball by throwing his tongue in her mouth. In that moment of repulsion she remembered Kotonami's words: In cases like these you just have to rely on your gut-feel. That's what makes a great actress! Just go with what feels right at that moment…

Rely on your gut-feel…

Just go with what feels right at that moment…

And her body knew what to do in these moments now and she delivered. She clasped the front of Gin's shirt and pulled him closer, molding her body into his.

Michaels: "This kind of fraternizing is forbidden on this trip." And on that cue, when Tsuruga's character appeared on the doorway, Director Ogata yelled "CUT!" he stared at the three actors still engrossed in their respective roles, "Good work everybody." he said.

xoxox

It was past 8 o'clock in the evening and Kyoko found herself, together with the cast and crew of 'Prisoner' cramped up inside the Director's hotel room, everyone was quiet, tense and excited since they're watching the most awaited 'Pilot-Episode' of their show.

She took front and center, sitting on the floor as near to the flat screen TV on the wall as she could, she would've glued her eyes to the 62-inch flat screen if it were possible, but then there were 50 others in the room and she can't be selfish, plus they needed to witness the airing together, but as soon as it aired, she forgot about everyone inside the room, even Tsuruga (it was quite impossible but she did) and her other co-actors, it was as if it was just her and the television.

Her eyes widened when she saw herself grace the screen. Her body tall and straight, her face flawless, her voice clear..

"Like a real actress.." she thought aloud,

"Silly Kyoko-chan!" their adorable genius designer who was sitting on the floor beside her whispered, "You are a real actress! So what's going to happen here again?" Ten-chan said, although a genius at her craft, she's not all too good at keeping up and memorizing every single point of the project she'd been on, especially if she's finished her job on it. She preferred to move on to the next project or scene, a habit she adapted since she's not only working for one show but more than a dozen per season hire her for her talent.

"This is where Kat, Professor Michaels and Gin will be meeting for the first time because of the audition for the school play, Beauty and the Beast. The famous rock star doesn't notice me here at first but in this episode Professor Michaels will begin to be my mentor, see!" Kyoko said excitedly when Tsuruga Ren's character appeared on screen, watching Kat audition on stage, a minute after the audition ends the scene shifted to Kat walking out of school and the Professor drove by and offered her a ride to her workplace and in that ride, he gave her some pointers to improve her acting.

Professor Michaels looked hot and powerful, like the real Tsuruga Ren. Kyoko got back to reality, her head snapped around the room to look for Tsuruga Ren, thank goodness they didn't turn off the lights or she wouldn't see him at once, he was at the back, near the door, as soon as she spotted him their eyes met. He smiled at her, that gentle smile of his and she felt her face burn, she whipped her head back to the screen while hot flashbacks of what happened earlier in her trailer played in her mind.

What am I thinking about? Actually I can't think! Princess Rosa will be disappointed! Kyoko thought to herself, referring to the princess guardian who looked over her fairytale fantasies. The kiss earlier, what exactly did it mean? Eeep! I don't think I can look at Tsuruga-san again without making a fool of myself! She fought the urge to look behind her again, Get a grip Kyoko! You still have two more days in this island! Kyoko tried to do her usual meditation while pretending to watch the screen now, the episode ended and she still was a bit shaken by the memory.

"Woohoo!" cheers of celebration boomed from the cast and crew. The first episode already aired which means everyone will be working extra hard to meet deadlines, shoots and attend events, as for Kyoko, she will be busy with promotions and publicity.

She was still sitting on the floor with Ten-chan who gave her a sisterly hug and a beamed up at her (since she's shorter by a couple of inches!) "You're going to have lots of commercial offers! I can already sense it!"

"You think so?"

"I don't think, I know. Now, are you going down at the bar? Everyone's going there for a mini celebration."

"Everyone?" her eyes darted to Tsuruga Ren who was still talking with Director Ogata by the built in bar.

"Oh.. well, I think I'm gonna pass on this one, long day." She said apologetically, Ten-chan gave her a smack on the cheek and went with the other make-up artists who were on their way out. She didn't know if Tsuruga was planning on keeping his promise 'after the shoot', but she didn't want to stay and find out if he remembered.

It looked like she was running from... what, she didn't know yet, and if it made her look like a coward so be it, but she can't seem to handle herself well in front of the veteran actor. She needed to digest everything in order to not do something she could potentially regret!

Kyoko was able to release her breath as soon as she step foot on the elevator. She wasn't even aware she was holding it, it's like she could sense Tsuruga Ren's presence whenever he's near and he seem to suck all the oxygen out of her.

"Ugh! Stupid Kyoko, get a grip!" she spat while pushing her floor number, the doors closed when someone yelled "Wait!" it was so urgent that Kyoko reacted by instinct and automatically hit the open icon so the doors separated again and a 6'1 blonde figure set foot into the same elevator cart. "Hey," Fuwa Shou greeted her as the door closed behind him.

To be continued..

Thank you for supporting the story!

Disclaimer: Skip Beat is originally a manga. I do not own it in anyway and this is merely a fan fiction. Albeit, passionately written 3 Til' next chapter!

Happy New Year!