CHAPTER 107
I do not own Skip Beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.
~~Magical Summer trip ~~
~~ part 12~~
~~Photoshoot?~~
She stretched under her sheets, her hands caressing the soft cotton cloths. Her limbs wormed the cover tight around her lean form, and in the limbo of her altered mind state between the dawn of her awakening and her night, the warmth transmitted by none other than herself to her sheets' cocoon set ablaze her imagination. It ignited half-cut imageries, where the heat her body sensed belonged to strong arms, embraced her from behind, a comforting figure holding her securely against its soothing life.
She nuzzled her nose into her pillow, moving her limbs. It sufficed. Fresh cold infiltrated her warm pocket like a snake twirling up and around a man foot ominously. Like the razor-sharp blade of reality, it tore her half slumber apart. Her lids shot open.
She stared at the fluffy piece of cushion that was her pillow for a while and threw it across the room, scaring the hell of a peacefully sleeping Snow. Her cat jumped a good foot in the air before looking at her without accusatory eyes.
"Sorry." She mumbled with a sigh.
She took her in her lap and pet her, hugging the soft white cat against her chest. Snow might have felt she was seeking comfort from her because even if her caresses stopped after a while, she began to rumble a loud purr against her chest, and Kyoko laughed and cried as she hugged her a little tighter.
Once calm, she gave her phone a quick peek, and noticing it was past ten a.m., she went to the bathroom. She felt a tin better after her shower. She picked a loose short sleeve washed-turquoise tee and jeans and made her way to her kitchen. Snow trailed after her, stepping her little paws on top of her bare feet and racing to the counter when she heard Kyoko opening the cupboard stocking her food cans and kibbles.
She hadn't even broken the lid of the chicken open that her cat had jumped on the counter and was twirling in circles wildly. She was also howling her lungs out, as if she hadn't been fed in a week.
"Shh, not so loud, you are going to wake Ren up."Her cat meowled just as loud. As any proper feline, she was not taking orders. "And didn't I say you couldn't go on the counter?"Kyoko said, picking up the fluffy white thing to put her down. The protestations doubled, her mewls getting even louder, and Kyoko rushed to pick back the can of food, and opened it. But when she turned back around, Snow was back on the counter, as proud as ever and even purring.
"Stubborn ball of fur." She told her but she fed her the can and even pet her a little, before letting her eat in peace. Once the furry beast was fed, she started to prep breakfast, and that's when it hit her.
She rushed to her phone and picked it up, it was a few minutes past eleven.
Doesn't his shooting start before noon?
She tried to remind herself what he told her two days ago about the modelling shoot. He hadn't said much but she was sure he had told her the hour. In the end, she couldn't remember the exact time but she was still positive it began before midday. And he wasn't up. He hadn't told her if he was planning to rent a car to go there or anything. He could always borrow her own rental one – even if he hadn't asked her – , but she was certain he was aware going to the location would take some time. If it was an outside shooting, they tended to only go to pre-selected areas that the casting crew and director could secure or have secured at all time, to avoid meeting common people and tourists too much. And if it was a random outside scenery that had been picked, it took double time to get satisfactory conditions. In any case, the probability of the location being close by was nearly of zero. And if it was supposed to take place in a studio, none were remotely near. Most were close to the centre of the city or in the outside border of it. But then, it was all the way around. So, even longer than to the centre of the city.
That is something she was used to have to take into account for her schedule. Ren was not. But she was sure he would have taken even that into consideration.
Whatever, it was pointless sweating over the cause right now. The conclusion remained: it was going to be a stretch or it was already too late to be there in time.
She rushed up the stairs, followed by a Snow full of curiosity. She was usually not allowed there but Kyoko had bigger issues to resolve right now.
She gave soft thuds to the room at first but when it came back without answers, even after accentuating the resonance of them, she creaked open the door. He was still sleeping soundly, the form of his side only shadows in the penumbra. The shape of his long back met her eyes when she closed up, and Kyoko held back a laugh when she noticed his head was half under his pillow and his hand was clinging to the side of the mattress, even with him in the middle of the double bed.
She straightened her mind.
Not the time to be fascinated.
She made the blinds raise a tint to let a splinter of light pass through. She shook his shoulder.
"Ren, wake up."
He grumbled vaguely but that was all.
"Come on. What time is your shooting? Wake up." She said again.
He pivoted on his back this time and his head emerged from under the pillow, hair totally tousled but eyes still firmly shut. He mumbled something and she tilted down to get his words, thinking he had woke up. Instead, his arm shot up, making a wide turn and catching her waist in the process. Which concluded in making her toppled over him in a little yelp. She caught herself by a knee and an arm, though, managing to not drop on him fully, just looming an inch above him. She couldn't move; however, his strong arm had her waist locked in it.
"Kyoko?"He said clearer at last, and his arm let go as she saw him blinked a couple of times.
"Yes, it's me."She said as she took back some distance and returned her two feet on the ground. "Sorry to wake you up but at what time is your shooting?"
He rubbed his face a little, trying to disperse the grogginess of his mind, she was sure.
"Twenty before noon, why?" And hearing this, she grimaced.
"It's ten minutes past eleven."She said.
"What?"
He grabbed his phone in a frenzy, and she noticed the alarm had gone off a few times. So, he had set up a clock signal.
"Shit."
"When was it set?"She asked.
"Hours ago."He said and rose to finish opening the shutters up. As light shined on his face, she noticed the deep shadows under his eyes.
"You didn't sleep well, did you? That's why you didn't hear the alarm."
He touched his face again, grimly, and implicitly understanding how she had got that.
"I guess." He shook his head.
"Kyoko, can I borrow your car? I can't really wait for a cab to come and – "
"You won't make it even if you do that, there is too much traffic at this hour, but – "
He cursed and picked back his phone, and she saw he was about to call the director when he spun to her once more.
"Do you think that you could drive me with your – "
"If I drive you by-,"
They paused as they assimilated what the other had said.
" …-bike."The finished at the same time with a smile.
"I was about to propose exactly that. And sure."She said with a chuckle.
"Thank you. Do you think we can reach it in time that way?"
"I have a few shortcuts I can use that cars can't take, so I think we have some chances. But you might be better off warning the director, you could be a couple of minutes late, just in case."
He nodded and composed the number, quickly informing his director about the hindrance and apologizing before ending the call.
"Go take a shower, I'll prep a few things you can eat later meanwhile and we can leave."
His smile was radiant. And he abruptly engulfed her in a firm hug, saying a soft – "You're the best"- that made her blush with pleasure.
He let go just as swiftly, and left to freshen up.
§§§
In the kitchen, she fried a few vegetables, prepped a sandwich and packed everything with some fruits in a small cool bag. She made coffee then and had just finished putting on the bike boots and her vest when he arrived.
She smiled and they gulped down their coffee before going into the garage so they could pull out the bike. Helmets donned, they were off.
"Hold on tight," She said in the earpiece, "because I will go faster than yesterday, if you wanna make it."
"Roger."He said with a smile, and nearly crushed her ribs with how tight he held her in the circle of his arms, as she drove.
§§§
The director, Clover Shaw, was busy talking with his cameraman and one of his replacement models for today's shooting, Murasame Taïga, when they heard the vrooming of an engine reaching the surroundings of the camp where they installed themselves. They had situated the camp by around a hundred metres away from the beach – the place where the shooting would take place – , to not have heavy material, cars and lunching area in the way of the shoot.
Clover rubbed his temples as he stared as his screen phone broadcasting weather in Europe area. This shoot was really starting under bad auspices. They were fortunate their main supermodel would be just late, and hadn't needed to cancel his participation altogether. Like half the models who were supposed to be present today. Four feminine models were missing and two masculine ones. Two third of their models for this RMandy summer special were supposed to come from Europe. It was a secret edition, not preregistered anywhere, and right now, Clover felt very thankful for it. As if schedule were staggered, no one would come breathing down on his nape for answers. No one would know any better for the release date. Still, the brand had high hopes for this surprise, so it would still be a lot of lost money, and a lot of his collaborators and technicians could be fired. His reputation would preserve him but it would still be horrendously unfair for his team. Damn that storm.
It had broken down just an hour ago before his models could depart from the airport, two days ago, and had kept planes on ground ever since. Knowing what stress did to models, they hadn't warned any of the models when they weren't directly concerned or if it weren't absolutely sure potential partners wouldn't be able to be there. Then, they had prayed for the storm to clear and started planning. They had contacted local agencies to see if they had a few models free just in case and they had made a few calls to further away territories that could potentially have a flight here in time, and weren't concerned by the storm.
They still had requirements for the job, though. The shoes to fill were those of supermodels, and while they didn't require the replacement to be so, they still wanted people used to modelling to some levels. Which brought down the number of people available on-the-fly.
They directed their hopes toward Japan first, obviously – where there was no storm and with how much they were working with the country. That's how they had brought down the number of missing models by two. Kikki Ly was a model on the verge to break into the international zone and would do perfectly. And while Murasame was less seasoned, he had done enough modelling gigs to not be too much of a pain, even if he might need a few more pointers than Clover usually liked. Then they had got one local model, Jule Tris. So, they would be able to work a few parts of the shooting sessions. Yet, they were still down on six models and most problematic, they had lost the partner of their main figure.
Clover had hoped the storm would clear above France enough for her to take a plane yesterday or even today, but the clouds remained stubbornly over it, and it didn't seem like it would lift before a couple more days.
He had already resigned himself and announced that shooting would take more time. But there was a difference with 2–3 days more and a week or more. They couldn't delay for so long and they couldn't possibly take an amateur. And they still needed to find five other models in the meanwhile.
So, it was a given he was running on little to no patience.
"Murasame, I understand your concern on not having a partner for most of your shoot but you can quite understand we are doing our best here."He barely contained himself to lash out. It wasn't the new model was especially impertinent but he was anxious and kept asking questions, knowing very well they didn't have the responses for now. "We will take the individual shots for each model first. And if we are able to determine no new replacement will be able to come by four in the afternoon then, as soon as you are done with your own shots, you will be dismissed. That is all I can tell you for now." He told him and the frowning young man nodded. He wasn't happy but he didn't make a fuss anymore, and just asked the few technical things he needed to pay attention to concerning the shoot.
They were wrapping up their discussion and Clover was about to return to pressing calls all around local and a little less local area in hope for miracle models dropping into their hands, when the roar of the engine had reached their ears.
Both his models and him walked toward the loud area, just as the blast of whatever vehicle it was, ceased. That's when the director finally got a sight of the ruckus's cause. He was ready to strangle anyone messing with his already mess-of-a-shoot when he noticed an enormously familiar long form climbing down a beautiful galaxy-painted bike from behind a tall lean shape. The figure removed his helmet, proving it was indeed Ren Tsuruga under, and Clover had the side thought to check his watch to notice it was only one minute past forty. His main model had arrived and in time with that. Bless be his professionalism. That was truly the perk of this job, getting to work with Ren again would make this mess more bearable.
But he was momentarily distracted of his thoughts, by the unusual dazzling smile his model sported as he gave the helmet back to the driver of that bike, as they were climbing down and removing their own helmet. Golden hair cascaded down and down as it went free from the protection, and an amazingly kind smile greeted the everyone for a fleeting second.
"Holy shit. Life is unfair…"He heard Murasame say by his side as they watched the young woman take the passenger helmet and place it in one of the bike baggage compartments, before she presented Ren with a small white box. They couldn't see what it was from here but no one dared to approach. They had that bubble vibe only couples had, only in tenser and brighter. He could only suppose.
Then, the woman was back on the bike and just as she was about to put back the helmet, he saw his model gave her a peck on the cheek. Then, the bolide roared and she turned around, leaving after a general wave of the hand.
"What made you say this? Do you know her?"Clover asked to Murasame.
"Yes, I know her."He said with a little whine and envious lustful eyes still directed in the direction the bike had left.
"Is she his girlfriend?"The director asked and the man besides him had a devious pitiful grin as he shook his head. One that made everyone curious about this too and questioned Murasame's sanity a little. Of course, any person would have been tempted to know more about the famous actor and model's private life. He was so secret. It was the first time Clover actually saw him quite close to any girl. Though, he had heard he was pretty close with a female friend and that it had raised uproar in Japan. But he didn't know the specifics – he had better things to do than to spy on the personal life of his models, really – , and neither if it had been deformed or should be seen as more, or nothing at all, on the contrary. Gossip was gossip. You never knew what the truth was and what was a lie in this industry. So, normally, he just took the habit of not presuming and ignoring gossip until proved in front of him. But here, bits were shoved right in front of his eyes, so he had to admit he was a tad curious. He had his guesses on how famous Ren would become and his celibate was known by many. So, knowing who would be able to capture his difficult heart was one rare time he'd like to know more about someone he was not close to. It was not healthy. But he couldn't help himself.
Speaking of the devil, his main model was coming right to him, holding the white thing the woman had given him and which, looking close, appeared to be some lunch box of some sort. Ah, right. It looked like a Japanese style one. A bento, if he remembered well. He hadn't visited Japan in a while, it was bad, his memory was becoming fuzzy.
"Hello director Shaw, my deepest apologies for the delay, I hope I'm not too late."Ren said and greeted Murasame too-making the director realize that indeed they knew each other – , and Clover had to smile. He didn't know any other man who would apologize even when they arrived one minute late.
"It's quite alright. Plus, you had warned us and even told us you could be late by ten to a quarter."
His model smiled.
"True. I was able to fix that, thanks to a great friend who accepted to drive me here and took some amazing shortcuts."He said with such a glowing smile Clover couldn't help but question aloud again.
"Girlfriend?"
Heavens above, he could not believe it. Ren, the ever-so-composed man, coloured. Not by much. But he had been looking closely so he wouldn't have missed it.
"No," the man said, however, "Best friend."
To hell with that. He didn't believe a word of it. Or, at least, even if they weren't going out, the director would have bet his two hands his main model felt more. He was in no position to say that, so he stayed shut on what his loud thoughts were saying.
"Anyway, you are not late. And in all honesty, even if you were, you wouldn't. We have some circumstances here."
"Circumstances?"Ren asked
"We will probably only be able to shoot your solo shots today," He said, making a worried frown appear on Ren's face which brought some remembrances to the surface of Clover mind, as he started explaining what happened with the missing models. Ren agency had precised he would do everything today, even if he had to work late. That had been his condition to participate to this shoot. As he was apparently not available the following days. The director pale at the prospects concerning the future of this shoot darkened even more. Still, the famous actor and model was faithful to himself and remained polite and understanding. He did reaffirm he was not available the following days but he proposed his help in whatever way could be useful to push forward the shoot, besides the shots itself.
"Thank you, Ren. That's very kind of you. We are going to shoot the individual shots for now."Clover said.
"Is there no way to rearrange the shoot and combine the models more?"Ren asked. "I'm sure the models here would be willing to do so if asked and it would give them more exposure."
The director nodded.
"We envisioned that, and already combined all we could but doing more would mean giving up nearly eighty percent of the concept of the shoot."The director said reluctantly and apologetically under the increasing frown of his model, quite regretting the theme of the shoot chosen by the magazine at this moment. "Now, if you know any model in Japan that could come right away, or in the local vicinity that would be free, please throw them all at me because we are a little desperate."
Ren had been about to say something when he paused in pondering silence, clearly an idea has just sprouted. Clover felt a spark of hope blossom.
"You don't think – " Started Murasame who was looking at Ren like an eagle.
"Well, she just left but considering yesterday – …"He let his phrase drop, looking torn.
"Is she free today?"Murasame asked.
"I don't know… Maybe. But I won't promise anything unless I get to explain everything to her and she is genuinely interested."His main model said, appearing angry but also thinking.
"Am I to understand we are talking about the young woman whom just left?"Clover asked, hope growing more, even before being sure it was possible.
Ren nodded.
"Is she a model?"
He nodded again, with a proud smile as he detailed.
"She is an international model."
"Can you make her come back and convince her to participate?!"The director rushed out with excitement. "If you are proposing we use her, you must be sure."
"I am. But I won't make her do anything."
A snort was heard from Murasame's side, receiving a glare from Ren's.
"Whatever the reason of that laugh, can you deny she is a great model?"
Murasame sobered and shook his head.
"Ren, we are in a dire situation here, why don't you want to – ?"The director pleaded, not wanting his chance at salvaging his shoot to escape him, just as a miracle was about to happen.
"It's not that I don't want to, director," Ren said, "But I don't want to abuse my position to force her hand. As a matter of fact, a friend of her just did that yesterday and she truly deserves the rest. I won't push it, but – "
§§§
He ended his phrased to give his director an insistent stare. This photoshoot was not worth hurting her or making her push her limits. He had kind of noticed she had had an argument with her friend, and even if he didn't know everything, he got from Kyoko yesterday that it was related to Kayla not telling her everything before making her accept to give a hand at the booth. And while she might not have talked much about it, he knew she had been upset. Yes, the situation for this shooting was bad but he would rather be fired than overuse his relationships with her to make her agree. He already knew there was a risk she would accept, just because he would be asking. So, he felt even reluctant to call her at all, and not give her peace of mind. He had already invaded her personal space, her flat, and her time in the last couple of days. She seemed somewhat happy to see him but he knew he was doing it for his own selfish reasons and even if he had terribly missed her, he knew he was already pushing it. And while he hung to the hopes of getting closer to her through those days, he knew she needed some alone time sometimes.
Yet, he understood how this industry worked too well, and how one bad word from a director could close many doors. And in reverse, he knew it could also be an opportunity for her. Oh, she had built some fan base of her own so it wasn't the kind of opportunity that would be as such a terrible miss as in the past. But exposure was exposure and a job for RMandy was always good if they were happy. And they would be if she participated. That, he had no doubt.
He pulled out his phone from his back pocket and turned back to his director.
"I will go as far as explaining to her the opening that now exist, and what would entail the job for her," He told him, "but I won't guilt trip her or tell her how precarious the situation is."He warned director Shaw.
She was too kind and self-sacrificing as it was, no way he was adding to her plate and taking advantage of that.
The director nodded with a tight smile.
"I understand. Thank you."
He pressed the green button on her number.
The call connected after the second ringing, and her soft sensual voice echoed in the little device as she greeted him.
"Aren't you supposed to be under the intense camera flashes right now?"She asked, a smile in the voice but clearly confused as to why he was calling her.
"I should be, yes. Are you driving?" he inquired, worried he could be bothering her focus on the road.
"No, I stopped by the pump to fill up at the gas station."She said. "So, what's the matter?"
She knew too well he wouldn't call her just like that for nothing when he was supposed to be working.
"We are short on models for different reasons and I said I'd asked an acquaintance if they were available."He explained and stopped there.
"Oh. Are you asking me to – "
"No," He cut her, knowing if he were personally asking her, she wouldn't feel free to refuse and he straight her told her so. "So, I'm just sharing the info and proposing it to you on behalf on my director in case you would be interested. If you could be, I'll tell you the details on the job. Then you can decide if you want to accept and come back or not."He said in a concise phrasing before insisting once more on her possibility to decline. "Please, feel free to refuse and don't accept on my account. I know you are tired from yesterday and that you probably would appreciate the break."
He heard the light teasing as she mumbled the word worrywart again but then she thanked him.
"Thank you," she said, "for phrasing it this way. It's like I can't hide anything from you."
He wished it was the case and he understood her better.
"I would hope so."He said, however.
"Can you give me five to think about it?"She asked.
"Absolutely. Call me back when you are decided." He cut the line right afterwards, just to be sure she would even have some extra time to think about it, and wouldn't feel pressured by him waiting on the phone.
He even ignored it when a call arrived from barely three minutes after the precedent one. They were already late, they could wait a few minutes more.
Ten minutes later, his phone rang again and he picked it up.
"I'm interested."
He filled her with the details of the photoshoot he already knew about, and after some more quick thinking, she confirmed him she was willing to participate. Phone still in hand, Ren returned to director Shaw and informed him of the news. The man asked when Kyoko could be back.
"I'll be there in ten."She replied before he could ask her, having heard the question through the device apparently. Ren smiled. Always so efficient. He heard her bike roar to life again and she cut the line.
"Ten minutes."He told him.
His director nodded and smiled with a small amount of relief, though Ren could see he was still balancing a mess and stress hadn't left him fully yet.
"Go to makeup and dressing, I'll follow you to ask some about your friend," He told Ren but the actor shook his head.
"I'll go," Ren agreed, "But if you would rather look her up, it will be easier. I'm too biased and wouldn't know what exactly you'd want or not without more discussion. And we are already late."
His director crossed his arms.
"How will I know everything I need to just by looking her up?" he asked and Ren smiled.
"Trust me. You will."He said, walking away to prepping, "Kyoko Mogami is the name. I'm sure you heard that name before." And seeing the director's eyes growing in size in recognition, he had.
"But she is an actress."Shouted the director but Ren just pointed at his phone as he was ushered away to a chair.
§§§
Clover wanted to frown at the bold attitude of his main model but knew better. The young man was never boasting. Never rude. Never trying to take the reins and act as a diva. He was only bold when he was doing his jobs. And in the talents he displayed.
Him being this unafraid and trustful about someone else sure was a rare sign. Which could only mean one thing.
He typed the young woman name in the search bar. Her name did ring a bell. And he was proud for that. But it was blurry. He had a vague remembrance of seeing some magazines with that name scripted under. But as the main director for RMandy – a famously masculine labelled brand for the most part, he worked more with male models. They had slowly begun to broaden, starting their first feminine section and clothes line two years ago. But it was still a niche, and he hadn't had the occasion to work for it so far. Therefore – as he did for many years – , he mostly kept in mind either men, he worked with in the past, or male models he might be interested to work with in the future. The feminine models being often featuring only as the support team for the male ones in his shootings, he had had no need to remember or seek names especially so far.
That's another reason he was so bummed this shooting was risking being in limbo. Since it was a recreational project, he had been given free lead, and had actually an accentuated amount of freedom on making more room for feminine models in a shooting theoretically focused on men's clothing. Oh, obviously the women would be wearing the few articles in the shamble thin line of feminine clothes already created by the brand. And a few new created for the occasion. Because you didn't miss a chance to strike if you had one. But even on the excuse of a recreational project the brand hadn't bet much on, in case it failed, it was technically still the first shoot and PV sharing the spotlight in terms of gender representation for the label.
And while the high-ups didn't expect much of it, it was still why he had been made in charge of the project.
He had accepted gladly at what Clover considered to be a golden opportunity if turned into a success, and had nearly instantly begun the process of catching up on his lack of feminine models knowledge. But he was well aware he would take him some time. Thus, he was fumbling with unknown names for now. It made him more neutral too, though the feeling of being ignorant after so many years in the industry was not pleasant, and very humbling. In any case, it was even more remarkable her name hadn't been totally unknown to him, even though he hadn't been able to place a face on it.
Countless pictures and images, all very singular from the other, popped up as his phone showed the results he had searched for, and he was confused at first.
It was as if he was looking at dozens of different women. The more images came to view, however, the more apparent it became, it was always the same girl. Barely recognizable most times, some details spoke out after a while. The eyes for once, that were often kept natural, he guessed. If that light caramel hue they were. Being able to morph into one appearance to another like a totally new person was one part of what made her a good actress, surely. But it was a clear asset as a model too. Then, he found pictures of magazines and runaways.
He had finished perusing over said pictures when the same sound they heard earlier reached their ears again, and the motorbike pulled aside. He would have liked to know more about the relationship she shared with his main model now. Out of curiosity but not only. He would need to get the gist of their vibe. At least the minimum to work around their dynamic during the shoot, since they knew each other. It could be done in some quick try-outs, hopefully. So, he would worry about it after he resolved the last concerning issues.
The tall feminine figure cut the motor and stepped down swiftly, and he saw her looking around. Most likely seeking Ren or the person in charge – meaning him – , she could speak to.
He saw some of his assistants going to her and her expression changing to an awkward one – , and he could bet she was being questioned for her presence back here right about now – , Clover hurried in joining them.
The closer he came to where she had parked, the bigger his eyes grew as he took in the young woman smiling politely at his flustered assistant. She was gorgeous. That much was obvious. A high svelte feminine figure smoothed by lively golden locks. A form sculpted by lean muscles used not for show. And that independence atmosphere he felt she had… It was most likely only because she was riding a bike and it made her appear ten times hotter, he thought. But it was still a sight to behold. Whether it was just for appearances or not. He straightened himself. Starting to make positive assumptions on her when his shooting might depend on how well it would go with her, would do him no good. He'd better stay factual and judge her on acts and capabilities only. No matter how great Ren thought of her. Her talents would shine themselves if they were there.
As he closed the last metres in to be face to face with her, though, what caught him were her eyes, as kindness and care glowed in an amber even brighter than actual gold. The pictures hadn't done her justice. Neither the blurry images he had of, seeing her in magazines.
"H-hi."He said dumbly, clearing his throat and holding in the hue that threatened to erupt on his face. He couldn't believe it. How long had it been since the last time he was flustered? "I'm director Clover Shawn, and you are Miss Kyoko, right?"
She nodded and bowed lightly to him, a remnant of her Japanese customs, he was sure.
"Hello director. Yes, I'm Kyoko Mogami. If I'm not wrong, you'd like me to participate in your current project, right?"
So polite. He smiled.
"That is exact. I assume Ren told you about it already?"
"Yes. But only about as far as he knew."She replied.
He pondered.
"He told you it would take place on the beach, right?"
She confirmed.
"He also told me he didn't know which angle you would take yet, as you are one to decide once you saw the models interact with one another."She added.
"That is correct. And this time won't escape it."He said. "So, I would like to do a mock test with the both of you and explain a little more about it once we joined Ren whom he is currently in makeup. Would that be alright with you?"
"Of course."She said and after putting the helmet under her arm, she retrieved the bike's keys and followed him on the prompt of his hand.
"So," He started as they reached the area where models were being prepped, "I got the understanding you know Ren"? He asked in confirmation. Obviously, he was pretty sure Ren wouldn't have ridden behind an unknown woman. He was fishing for information if he was genuine. He was really curious to know what sort of relationship they had. And he wondered if the Japanese media had heard of her. He would have bet they had, and he felt like he had been missing on juicy gossip by not checking what was happening on the other end of the globe recently.
Clover also wondered if their own media had heard of their relationships here in the US. Granted, on the brief peek he had had online, it had seemed she was working mostly here – besides some jobs from when she had just started in Japan – , and after looking a little closely at her, she did appear to have a familiar face to him – as if he had seen her in some movies or something – , though he couldn't pinpoint from where exactly.
But if she had been tremendously famous, he would have known.
On the other hand, the fame of Ren had been steadily rising and he knew from afar the actor was accepting more and more international jobs. Despite what Clover thought was a clear intent to avoid working too much in the States – modelling asides – , and so far. He loved Ren's acting so he was trying to catch up on the roles he was taking when he could, and had noticed the young man had landed minor to major international roles nearly everywhere in the last couples of years, but the US. Reason why he had started to wonder if it had been intentional. Not that it was his business. But colleagues of him that were working in the acting industry never cease to ask him if they could pass a word about a role or a project to Tsuruga Ren, knowing that Clover was at the very least a good acquaintance of the actor, if not a friend.
Everything combined, the odds of US media being curious and aware of their relationships, were not high yet.
"Yes, we are good friends," The woman replied by his side.
Good friends, huh?
Ah. He just remembered about one potentially problematic hurdle.
"Miss Kyoko, before we talked further about the shooting and do the test, I have a few things I'd like confirmation on…" He said and questioned how to approach it. He didn't want to vex her, and he knew how dear proper behaviour was held in her birth country, though she was technically used to work here even more so it should not be a problem. But considering they had been the ones mostly begging her to come save them and participate – though Ren might not have told her that – , it would be quite rude to be petty toward her. And she might reconsider working with them if they were too much of a pain in the ass after all that, no matter how good of an opportunity it could be for her. However, since this whole project was compromised, it was all just theory, and he couldn't push that forward anymore.
Legally, he still had to ask, though. Or it would make more troubles later. He crossed fingers, hoping she was as professional and good as Ren vouched for, and she wouldn't have come if she could not engage herself.
"Yes?"She asked and he stopped his thoughts to look back at her, realizing he had remained silent since his last words.
"That is, uh… You don't work exclusively, do you?"He inquired.
She tilted her head cutely and he cleared his throat, all too aware he was unclear in his words.
"I meant, you don't have an exclusive contract with a brand that prevents you to do shoots with other ones?"
Understanding lighted her eyes and she smiled reassuringly before shaking her head.
"No. I don't have a brand monopoly for shootings. I only model in small to medium size brands for shootings and magazines, and those exclusive contracts are more current with big names ones, since it is costing." She told him and he nodded – knowing this – , and relief already seeping in, no bad surprise awaited ahead. "I have an exclusivity contract for international runaways with a medium brand, though."She added. "But none of any sorts with national ones."
He nodded.
"That won't be an issue. This shoot is a recreative one," He said. "This might display the brand clothes but it won't make it to those sorts of events, that is not the point."
"Then, you don't have to worry about any infringement on a former potential contract."She reassured, as they got to the area his main model was, and Clover called him out.
He turned back, all professional until his eyes crossed the young woman by his side, and Clover was shocked to see the infinite softening of his face as he grinned.
"Hi again."He told her and she smiled in return before he gave him a professional nod. "Director."
"So," Clover started, "Since you know each other, I'd like to know how comfortable you are with each other and if anything in particular is off-limits."
They looked at each other in silence for a stretched second but didn't get a chance to reply before he added, as an afterthought.
"Ah! Miss Kyoko, a contract is being redacted as we speak so you would be able to peruse it and give your approval, and tell us if you'd like anything modified."
She nodded and thanked him before speaking.
"I don't know the brand as well as Ren and have only an afar look on it, so, could you precise what you imply by off-limits?" She asked before explaining further. "I know each brand has their own mind on these kinds of things."
The director nodded, ready to launch himself into an explanation but Ren beat him to him.
"It is mostly the generals you know about, with some more specifics, as RMandy is the very careful type."He told her before lifting a hand and rising fingers to cite. "Nudity, remote skin exposure, suggested sex or sensuality, enhanced salary depending on those, physical contacts with another model, and the precise type of contacts you allow in shootings."
The director saw her nodding and pondering at this as Ren continued.
"Full nudity is scripted as off-limits in my contract for example but as long as we don't see the sensible section, I'm good with any other skin exposure, and I don't ask a bigger pay based on those."Clover saw her nod again but thought there was a light hue colouring her face. "You should take a look at the contract before deciding anything, though," and Clover agreed with Ren as the latter pulled a chair toward her so she could sit down.
She thanked him and sat against the vanity table while the assistant Clover asked to bring back the quick version of her future contract, so she could read through it.
She opened the folder, turning a few pages after some fast reading, and looking up in search of something, and Ren gave her a pen before she could voice her demand.
"Thanks."
"What remote skin exposure entail for a feminine model?"She asked, looking up to the director.
"Everything but genitals, backside and bust sensitives, unless you have a special part to add you'd like to not be exposed."Clover told her, and she nodded as if she had expected as much.
She looked through some more paragraphs before looking up again.
"And concerning what you expect for this shoot, can you specify me anything of what it could entail for now?"
He nodded.
"You will be Ren partner, for the most part. But there will be a couple of promotional group pictures." She nodded and let him continued.
"For the shooting and small PV themselves, you can imagine we would be silly to not take advantage to suggest a romance," – smiled in understanding at that – , "so it was the original plan. The type of it was up to me once I would have seen how it would have gone between Ren and the model originally booked."
She nodded again.
"I also planned on going heavily on sensuality," He added and he was sure she saw her blush a little this time, "But that is something I will decide if I keep after the mock tests. I'd like to test your chemistry with Ren first."
"You are allowed to say if you are not comfortable with it."His main model intervened, and Clover was both shocked because it was not the kind of things the ever-so-professional Ren usually would let out, and because if he convinced her otherwise, they might be missing out on an opportunity, if she had been up to it, and great for it. Ren was clearly looking out for her first, rather than the job. And Clover didn't think he had ever seen or heard of him doing or entertaining this sort of action before.
The young woman turned soft eyes at Ren, grinning knowingly, and bumping her shoulder against his model's.
"I know, I know. But it's you." She said easily. "And I trust you."
The director had to hold his jaw as Ren Tsuruga shuffled a little to the side while the woman returned to her contract. His model racked his hand in his hair until he was dishevelled, looking pleased yet troubled.
Would you look at that…
Was he seriously seeing what he was seeing, right now?
"You still didn't reply about your relationship with each other, and if it should impact the shoot."
It took him a while to think about the good way to ask without sounding like he was just being nosy.
"… She is my closest friend."Ren said at last, and as the soft words died out, odd tension filled the air as his model looked rigidly to the side while the woman's face bent down to read ever-so-seriously the contract, not removing her gaze from it one instant and her hair partially dissimulating her frown.
She let out a quiet sigh into the large quiet room all of sudden and released the tension from her shoulders. Ren visibly relaxed by her side, twisting to turn back to her – and making the director jumps a little – , to watch in which part of the contract she was in.
Just now… Scary.
His model had looked, no, felt – … attuned to her.
Now they were mumbling together softly, him replying a few questions here and there, before she could even finish enunciating sometimes. And he watched them. And watched them.
Eyes ablaze with life when they looked and talked to each other.
If he hadn't heard what Ren had just said…
"What does entail the types of contacts?"A voice asked, pulling Clover back to the present to see the young woman and his model looking back at him.
"All type of touches. With hands, on calves, thighs, arms, back, stomach, neck, face and hair. Suggested kisses and real ones on lips. Kisses on skin from your partner during a shoot. If suggested sex is okay, then there is also, intertwined legs and some risky positions. If we end up going with my original plan after the try-outs, I was only planning suggested kisses,"-he added – , "not real ones, for the record. But for the rest, it will depend on after I've seen you interacted."
She nodded, deep in thoughts, and took a few notes before looking back up at him.
"I'm pretty much in the same thought as Ren for skin exposure. No nudity but otherwise, it is fine."She told him.
"What about enhanced payment depending on those?"
"Not necessary."She said and the director saw Ren frown.
"You could ask for it, you know."
She turned to him, arching a brow. "You don't ask for it either."
His model shook his head.
"It isn't the same. People don't put the same weight on it. You can totally ask for more if you are going to be exposed."
She crossed her arms, not backing down, and Clover held back a smile.
"Even so. It makes it totally unfair compared to male models if I'm taking advantage of that different weight decided arbitrarily by people that objectify women. I never asked for it with the other brands I work with."
Clover snorted but neither of them paid him mind, his male model attention focused on the woman in a fond even more aggravated gaze.
"Taking into account the number of cases where woman salaries are unfair compared to men's, I find it totally fair if you take advantage of it. Especially knowing it's based on the sexualization men tend to impose on women."
"Taking advantage of something because another person does it in another situation is not a good reason." She protested hotly.
"True."Ren admitted but his grin promised a confident counterpart and Kyoko narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously, making the director shake even more. And they were both proved right when his model lifted his index.
"But society being what it is, in the present, you'd do a disservice to all women if you don't take it."He said and she opened her lips, ready to fire back a response before stopping abruptly, groaning in defeat. She grumbled to the side before saying she'd take the enhanced salary to him, and the director could not help himself, looking at the very satisfied but also tired-from-the-argument Ren, he laughed. They were funny.
She turned away from his model to look at Clover and pointed down at the contract.
"For the touches, I have one question. If I'm agreeing for this shoot, it doesn't foreshadow on any potential job I might do with the brand in the future, right?"
The director nodded.
"Of course. Ren here, has a pre-done contract because he has an exclusive contract with us – minus the little brands – , and we know by heart the usuals for him but it would only be one time setup for you – ," he stopped as he saw the frown of the young woman.
"Little brands?"
"He means that I'm allowed to model for brands small enough to not make competition for them. Or that are in a completely different area."Ren cut in.
"So, you would be able to model for another brand?"She asked him and he gave her a sheepish smile.
"Tiny ones, in theory, yes. Or, for example if I modelled for a hiking brand specifically, as long as it's not a major one, then I could."He added. "But the minute RMandy would do it, I would fall into the contract settlements, and couldn't anymore."
"In any case," the director said, "what you might refuse or allow for this photoshoot would only apply for this one only. I think that was your question, right?"
"Yes, thank you."
"I know Ren enough to be comfortable with most things during a job but I think I would have more reservations with a perfect stranger." She explained politely.
"Understandable."Clover said as he eyed his model grabbing a bottle of water and gulping down the liquid until there was not a drop left.
"Then, I don't have any restrictions for this shoot." She said.
A loud cough echoed as his male model strangled himself, and desperately tried to bring out the water that had gone into the wrong air pipe. Clover pinched his lips, eyes dancing with joy. Of course, he could be reading things wrong. He could but he didn't believe in those thoughts. He would be absolutely sure during the mock tests. But it was already pretty obvious.
"Ren, you okay?"
"Cough, cough… I'm okay. I'm – … Just a second."
The young woman rubbed his model's back, which produced another interesting expression on his model's face. This was pretty promising.
"What about the enhanced pay on this part?"Clover asked once Ren had stopped coughing.
She seemed to think for only a second.
"Well, I don't think that – "
"No way." Ren said. "You're taking it. Nudity is one thing. But touches with other partner models is another."
"Not this again."She protested. "It seems odd to – "
"Even I have it in my usual contract. Each time. It is only normal. You can't tell me you haven't been encouraged to do the same for other magazines and shoots?"He asked, looking worried for her.
"Of course I know, and I usually accept it for other brands too. It's not that."
The director was tempted to cut in to help but after hearing her say this, he wasn't sure.
"But then why – "
"It just feels odd accepting this knowing it will be with you. It is just weird!"She grumbled, crossing back her arms and looking distressed. That shut his model up so firmly the director heard his jaw snapped down lightly. She pulled at her hair, annoyed.
She shot an apologetic look at the director's side and leaned back against the table behind after having stood.
"I know, work-wise it would be better, but I can't shake the feeling it is weird. And I know it is special circumstances. Even if you ask me…" She frowned at herself, looking frustrated.
Clover could have had a guess about it, though.
It looked like she couldn't bear the thought to be paid extra to touch and be touched by him.
On the side, his main model looked shell shook. He gazed at the young woman in an agonizing face, his eyes begging to ask something but was mourning over the impossibility of doing so.
Lord…
Had he ever seen such a raw pure feeling?
Clover was unsure.
He was also wondering if the tests would be any necessary at all. Still. He agreed with his model.
"I would push you to accept the extra pay for this part especially. Both for your own good and for the brand reputation."He said, and after another reluctant second, she nodded, seeming to gather herself.
She bowed a little.
"Sorry. It was unprofessional of me."
Clover shook a hand in dismiss.
"Not at all. This is precisely why I asked to talk to the both of you and about your relationship before the test. To be in the clear on all this. And I can understand it can be harder to ask for money for time spent with someone you know."Clover said. "It isn't the first time it happens, so please don't worry."
It was the first time the emotion seemed to run so deep, however. But neither needed to know that thought of his.
She nodded numbly, not looking at the man by her side, and his model remained silent all-through.
"I would propose you both to pass on one of the clothes for the day before the tests, even if we end up using others."The director said. "We have made adjustments for the outfits you might wear today, too." He added and his eyes landed back on the contract still in the woman's hands.
"Is there anything else you wanted to discuss about the contract?"
He saw her look down at the papers still clutched in her hands and shook her head.
"I think it is mostly all. I'd like a couple more minutes to give one last look but I think it was all."
"Alright," He said with a smile. "Then, I'll let you to it and to prepare yourself. If you have any more questions about it, feel free to ask for me or my assistant. And if not, you can keep the second copy and bring back the first one to my tent."
He pointed at the couple of people waiting on the side, just out of the room left ajar.
"The stylists will show you to your changing room and do your makeup, and all that."
"Thank you director."
"Ren needs to change clothes but otherwise is ready to go. But if I give you half an hour to finish reading the contract, then makeup and dressing, do you think one hour is enough time for you to be ready?"He asked.
"I won't need more than ten minutes to finish reading it, so I could be ready in forty minutes."She told him and Cover felt his expectations rise even more, even knowing he should still refrain from doing so. She waved at a pretty silent Ren and he gave a curt smile as the director guided her to the changing room.
PS: Hello everyone. Yes, I know. It has been a while. Madness happened at home as my grandma broke her hip bone and we are the one doing the full time job nurse for her in the meanwhile. And with my health, it took its toll on me.
I'm not forgetting any of you, of course. But it took me a while to write this and moving forward in my writing with everything going on. I'm pretty worn-out. So, i'm not just a little proud to already be able to present you with a new chapter, despite everything.
I know, for you all, that are totally unconcerned by all of this, it was still long and boring, and i'm sorry for that.
I cannot tell you when the next chapter will be out. It is a tricky one and I'm even slower than usual. Also, please be patient with me if it is a little less polished than usual. I'm doing my best. Again, sorry for taking so long.
Kisses to you all. I hope you are having a blast, a fun Summer, holidays, and sunbathing a lot, in spite of everything going into madness through the world.
See you soon, hopefully, and i send you all love and wishes of health and happiness.
Mimagfan.
AUTHOR OUT.