Chapter 5: Meet the Costars

"The official cast has been released," Honoka informed Misaki.

Honoka and Satsuki were all sitting at Misaki's dining room table. Honoka had profiles of all the costars.

"We have you as Marina Cleo," Honoka said, laying out Misaki's photo in the center. "Takumi Usui as Derek Faramir. You already met him. He's a three time Oscar winner and the most well-known star in the industry. He knows how to work in front of the camera and in front of the press. He's flawless."

Misaki nodded.

"Cast as Cypress Lunar is Vivian Sullivan," Honoka said, laying out a picture of a beautiful brunette. "Vivian was scouted out by Benedict. She's very well known for her action movies. Vivian is known to perform all her own stunts and is skilled in different styles of combat. Benedict wanted someone he could get close ups during action scenes and Vivian was perfect because Cypress in the script is a fighter."

"Is she well known?"

"She knows the ropes," was Honoka's only explanation.

"You already heard, Sakura has the role of the enchantress. The Dark King is played by Tora Igarashi whom you've co stared with before..."

Misaki sighed. Tora always tried to smudge the line Misaki had drawn between them.

"The Queen is played by Angel Carmen-"

"Oh her!" Misaki exclaimed. "She's such a regal woman. Doesn't she always play these queens or what now?"

Honoka nodded. "She's in her thirties now," she added. "Her prime time has passed, however, her character was the last one cast because Benedict wanted her to line up with the actress of Marina."

Angel had dark brown hair and amber eyes. Misaki would buy that she was her mom in a different world.

"Then a character called Luke Magnus," Honoka said, pulling out a photo of a handsome man in his mid-twenties. "Is played by Kyle Thicke. He's the drama king. Funny how he's the loyal friend to everyone in Red Rider."

Misaki knew this guy- well she's seen his face on all the tabloids so she knew him from a distance.

"Martha Cleo is going to be played by Natalie Freeman," Honoka introduced. "You're going to need to get to know these people. You'll be spending a lot of time with them. Benedict wants to film in New Zealand."

"Really?!" Misaki exclaimed. "We're going all the way to New Zealand?"

"Yes," Satsuki said. "He's strange. He wants to use as less green screen as he can despite this being a very mythical plot line. Most of the enchantress scenes, transformation tricks and etcetera all need to be green screened."

Misaki shrugged. "He's the director I guess…" she said.

"There's going to be two table reading before you leave," Honoka said, flipping through her leather book. "You have to be on your A game," she reminded Misaki. "Whatever he tells you to do, just do it. You're running with the pros now."

"Of course," Misaki said.

Table reading… Before any actor gets on set, everyone sits down around a table and reads through the script. No actions, no lighting, no camera, just by using one's voice, you have to portray everything.

Misaki didn't know most of the cast who was going to be there. Benedict had a lot of small parts but he was only going to table read with the main characters who were: Marina Cleo, Martha Cleo, Queen, King, Dark King, Cypress Lunar, Derek Faramir, Enchantress, Rider 1, Rider 2, and Luke Magnus.

"Stan will pick you up when you're done," Honoka said. "You have a press conference later tonight."

Misaki groaned and threw open the door of the car. "See you later."

"Good luck!" Satsuki cheered.

"And don't always frown so much," Honoka added. "Smile!"

Misaki turned and headed inside the building. Her heels kept echoing on the linoleum as she approached the door. She paused at the door, inhaling deeply. Her hand slowly reached for the doorknob.

"I'm getting older by the minute," someone yawned.

Misaki whirled around.

"Takumi…" she said, making eye contact with the famous actor.

"Would you like me to get the door for you?" he asked.

He reached over and opened it.

"Ladies first," he said, holding out his hand.

Misaki glared at him and walked in with her head up. The casual chatter quieted as everyone examined each other.

"Welcome," Benedict said, getting up from his seat. "Looks like the last two people missing are here now."

Misaki smiled and nodded.

"I'll give you all five minutes to introduce yourselves," Benedict said. "I need another coffee."

Everyone watched as he left the room and then went back to looking at each other.

"Misaki!" Sakura said, rushing over. "How have you been?"

Misaki hugged her friend. "Good. And you?"

"Great…" Sakura leaned in. "Observe carefully," she whispered.

Sakura released Misaki and Misaki shook the beautiful brunette's hand.

"Vivian Sullivan," she introduced.

The first impression of Vivian was bubbly. She didn't resembled a tough fighter but she was incredibly fit. Her cream dress hugged her body perfectly.

"Angel Carmen right?" Misaki asked, shaking another woman's hand.

"Misaki Ayuzawa," she replied, nodding.

"Nice to meet you," Misaki said.

"You as well,"

"You don't have to introduce yourself to me," Tora said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder- a habit Misaki really hated.

"I wasn't planning on it, Tora," Misaki replied, shifting away.

"Ice cold as always," Tora teased. "How are you going to bring spring?"

Just then Benedict returned with his coffee and everyone sat down where their name tag was.

"I just want to get the feel of the script today," he said, sliding on his glasses. "I'll read the actions and everyone just read their part. You all know the drill."

The actions scenes were really funny. Benedict would narrate and the actors would just pipe in a few words here and there.

"Cypress slashes through the enemy line," Benedict read. "She dashes toward the general with sword up high. She yells…"

"I shall disgrace my entire linage if I do not slay you today!" Vivian piped in with a strong determined voice. "Prepare to face death!"

"They clash swords," Benedict read. "And Cypress grunts from force…"

"Ugh?" Vivian said.

Everyone laughed.

The reading went smoothly though Benedict made revisions on the spot. Luckily, they were only small things.

"I will be assigning homework," Benedict declared when they wrapped up for the day. "We all need to brush up on some things."

He got up from his seat and tossed his glasses on top of the script.

"Everyone must get in shape especially if you play a Rider. I'm envisioning choreography and you can't all rely on a stunt double. I want close ups."

Everyone started leaving.

"Misaki, Takumi, please stay behind," Benedict said.

Misaki swallowed and turned around.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Both of you come here," he said, waving them over.

He leaned back in his seat and propped his feet up on the table.

"Misaki, Takumi," Benedict said. "I know this was the first table reading and I know it's hard to express undying love when you're sitting at a conference table but you need to work on the chemistry the two of you," Benedict said. "So since you're my two stars. You have extra homework."

"Of course," Misaki said.

"You two have to go on a date today," Benedict announced.

"W-What?!" Misaki exclaimed. "B-But I'm busy."

Benedict gave her a look. "What's more busy than The Project?!" he demanded.

"I have a press conference..." Misaki said quietly.

"When does it end?" Takumi asked, cutting in.

"Around 6-"

"Great, I'll pick you up at 7," Takumi said.

Misaki was stunned speechless. He'll pick her up? That was how dates worked wasn't it? It's what the boy always said in movies but it sounded so foreign to her. Misaki felt her cheeks redden and bit her lower lip.

"Perfect," Benedict said, standing up. "You two get to know each other."

He clapped both of them on the back and left. Misaki glanced up at Takumi.

"Are you being serious?" she asked.

"Of course. Can I have your address?" Takumi asked, smiling.

"I...uh..." Misaki stammered.

"Don't tell me you forgot where you live," Takumi teased.

Misaki blushed harder and gave him her address.

Throughout the entire press conference Misaki was worrying about her date. Funny how a 20 year old like her never went on a date before. She made the mistake of telling Satsuki and her entire prep crew was in her living room when she got home.

"This is Misa's first date!" Satsuki cheered, rummaging through her closet.

"Satsuki, it's not a big deal," Misaki muttered. "Benedict Riser is forcing us to go."

"It's still a date," Satsuki said, throwing outfits onto Misaki's bed. "Are you nervous?"

"No," Misaki lied. "It's all professional."

Satsuki looked like a ditzy person but when she was serious, she got work done. Misaki was dressed in leggings, combat boots, navy blue blouse and a denim jacket with natural makeup and straightened hair in no time. Miraculously, Satsuki even cleared out her apartment before it was 7. Misaki double checked her purse and sat in her bedroom.

"Date," she said out loud. "Da-te..." she enunciated.

What were they going to do? Go to the movies? Go to a restaurant?

Speaking of food, Misaki's stomach grumbled loudly. She hadn't eaten since the small snack before her press conference.

"Ding Dong!"

Misaki jerked up. She kept a poker face as she answered the door.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi to you too," Takumi said, holding out a small bouquet of flowers.

"For me...?" Misaki asked.

No, for the other Misaki Ayuzawa," he teased.

Misaki took the flowers. "Would you like to come in while I get a vase?" she asked.

"Sorry for intruding," Takumi said as he walked in. "Nice place," he commented. "You live by yourself?"

"Yeah," Misaki said, rummaging through the cupboards. "What about you?"

"Same," Takumi agreed, sitting at her kitchen table. "You have a very clean kitchen," he complimented.

Misaki filled a vase with water and set the flowers in.

"I don't really use the kitchen," she said, shrugging.

She turned around.

"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Why are you going through my fridge?!"

"I was curious to what you eat," he said as if it were an obvious thing. "You really shouldn't eat frozen food," he said, looking in her freezer.

"I don't eat at home very often!" she said in defense of herself. "My manager usually gets food for me."

"You can't cook?" Takumi asked, amused. "Or you don't have time."

"I burn everything including water," Misaki said, flatly. "Why? Do you cook?"

"For fun sometimes," Takumi said, nonchalantly.

"I never learned," Misaki explained. "I never even went to a proper high school."

"Why's that?"

"I had to work," Misaki said, pouring Takumi a glass of water. "I did commercials," she added. "And now I'm doing movies."

"You had me at hello," Takumi quoted.

Misaki was surprised. He knew that quote?

"That was four years ago," Misaki muttered. "My commercial for the new smart phone."

Takumi smiled to himself like he knew a secret that no one else did. Misaki was trying to understand his facial expressions when her stomach growled.

"Shall we go?" Takumi suggested.

Misaki nodded. They walked outside and got into Takumi's car. It was an expensive Lexus.

"What do you like to eat?" he asked, dialing the radio.

"Anything is fine," Misaki replied.

"Do you like classical music?" Takumi asked as music filled the car.

"I don't mind."

"You seem pretty easy going," Takumi said. "What do you mind then?" he asked.

"I mind being teased," Misaki said, glaring at him.

Takumi smirked. "Okay," he said, parking the car. "Sit still for a moment," he said, getting out of the car.

Misaki didn't understand why until he walked around and opened the car door for her and held out his hand. Misaki got out herself.

"I'm a big girl," she reminded him.

"I like big girls,"

"I don't like you,"

"Ohh, harsh," Takumi said, grinning. "Do you like steak?" he asked.

Misaki looked at the fancy restaurant. "I don't mind…" she muttered.

Takumi took her arm and led her inside. The hostess there knew him and showed them to a private room.

"What can I get you to drink?" the hostess asked.

"Red wine. The best you have," Takumi said. "Is that okay with you?" he asked Misaki.

Misaki shook her head. "I'm only twenty. I'll have a coke," she said.

The waitress handed them menus and left.

"You don't drink?" he asked.

"I'm underage,"

Takumi snorted. "At least someone in Hollywood follows that rule," he said.

"Are you underage?" Misaki asked, curiously.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm old enough for you and alcohol."

Misaki kicked him under the table. Takumi just grinned at her.

"So," he said, opening the menu. "I recommend any steak here. Don't go for anything with seafood. It's not the best."

Misaki scanned through the titles of dishes. Just then, the hostess came back with drinks.

"Thank you," Misaki said.

"Are you ready to order?" the hostess asked.

"Yes," Takumi said. He hadn't even opened his menu. "I'll have a brandy flamed peppercorn steak medium rare with a side of sautéed mushrooms."

"And you, Miss?"

"Um… I guess I'll have…uhh…" Misaki mumbled looking at the menu.

"Want to try the same?" Takumi suggested.

"Sure…" Misaki said, handing her menu over.

"You must not eat out very often," Takumi said, sipping his drink.

"I never had the luxury to. Now that I do have the money, I've lost interest."

"Why are you in the industry then?" Takumi asked, resting his elbows on the table and studying her.

"Why do you keep asking me that?" Misaki asked. "I'm in the industry because I have the passion and dedication for acting needed."

"I'll be completely honest with you since we're supposed to expose our souls to each other anyways," Takumi said. "This lifestyle isn't for you. The industry takes more than passion and dedication. You have to know how to play people or be played."

Misaki snorted. "You're being way too dramatic," she said. "I've already signed my contract with Benedict. I'm staying," she said, slowly and clearly.

Food arrived and conversation ceased as Misaki tasted her steak.

"It's good," she said, almost surprised.

Takumi smiled. "I'm glad," he said.

He lifted his glass. "Since you want to join this world, let's toast then. Good luck and may you always be successful."

Misaki picked up her own glass. "Thank you," she said, clinking glasses with him.

The rest of dinner was small talk. Misaki learned that Takumi went to college for acting and was hired immediately after graduation. They swapped funny stories and enjoyed their meal.

"Dessert?" Takumi offered.

"I'm stuffed," Misaki said. "I'll take a rain check on dessert."

Takumi nodded and asked the hostess to bill them.

"How much do I owe you?" Misaki asked, opening her purse.

"Dinner was on me," Takumi said.

"No," Misaki said. "We'll split it."

"No, I'll pay."

"I have money!"

"As do I," Takumi said, smirking. "Have you ever been on a date before, Miss Ayuzawa?" he asked.

Misaki blushed. "No…"

"Well," Takumi said, picking up the checkbook. "The gentleman always pays," he informed her. "And I intend to be a gentleman."

Misaki was quiet as he drove her home. Takumi was insistent on walking to her suite too.

"Um…Thanks for tonight," Misaki said.

"No problem," Takumi said. "I look forward to working with you."

"Yeah," Misaki said, not meeting his gaze.

Takumi leaned over but Misaki jerked back.

"Good night!" she said, slamming the door shut.

Takumi heard the door lock and shook his head. What an interesting girl…