CHAPITRE 15
I DO NOT OWN SKIP BEAT. Nakamura-sensei does.
Two steps in the world
America? What? When?
Ren was at a photoshoot, on a break and had turned back on his phone just a few minutes ago. He was in a backroom, hiding from Yashiro who had been stalking him in the absolute intention to make him swallow damn food while had surreptitiously disappeared.
He was trying to eat. Really. For her.
But the food they proposed here was really cheap and just the smell of it had make him nauseous so he had give up for today.
He was sipping bad coffee and grimacing at the taste when a chipping sound had resonated in the quiet empty room.
Ren had jumped a good inch in the air. Only once person could have sent it. Possibly. He had send her a message just one quarter ago and wasn't talking with anyone regularly. Nor Kijima and even her it hadn't been often this last month as he had been really busy.
He took his phone. It WAS from her.
He opened it with trepidation. Ren was hoping he would be able to see her soon. He has greatly missed her. But before that, he just wanted to hear from her. How was she? What was she doing? Really, any details would do. Anything from her would bring him joy. Always.
And recently just when they were able to close up…
But no, he had to be too busy for them to be even able to see each other. For the whole damn month.
They were even on first name bases, for heaven miraculous sake!
They weren't even able to keep contact by phones.
Worse. Since she literally saved him, since the moments in his bathroom; he couldn't forget. He couldn't help it. Every instant of intimacy was ghosting him, clinging to him with something simple. He was becoming greedier. He wanted more. Every contact was like droplet of water to a thirsty man. Every smile, every moment in her company were stirring his desire for more of it, for closeness, for her love, for her touch; for the deep yearning of every next moments of his life being spent in her embrace.
The perspectives. These tiny little moments of closeness lightened his world and eyes on the numerous "what could be" hiding in the future.
What if it was real?
What could it be to be that friendly all the time? What could it be to be that close all the time?
More.
What could it be to interact with her so freely?
Ren's eyes closed on a bright and warm but blurry clouded imaginary picture of a future he dreamt about that his invisible fingers could in his head, grasped.
To never let go.
For the first time since this deep sickness, since those feelings had clawed at his very being, at his heart until he wasn't his own anymore one question was plaguing his mind day and night reverberating with insane urge in his head.
What could They be?
…If we were together…
…
What could we be?
…
The eyes still closed, Ren smiled, amused.
He was doomed.
Doomed to invisible endless torture.
-Just because of some droplets of sweet closeness.
He erupted in a short fractured laugh.
-What a flame to be burned He whispered.
Ren cracked open his eyes to his phone.
-Let's hit the nail in my coffin.
He started to read.
…
He was waiting on the side, talking to one of the dudes he was hanging on with recently and getting seriously impatient with pretty much everything. First of all, the staffs had once again forgot to bring him his special smoked peppery cinnamon paprika chocolate cream coffee, some babbling excuse about the thing being out of it.
He didn't care. It was inacceptable and it put a damper on his mood right at the morning.
Second, He was getting frustrated. He hadn't had sex in a few weeks now. Last time was when he used his recent female make up staff for this movie and though it was enjoyable, the female was not really into it and tried to fight nature all along. Hollowly trying to scream while he was giving her backside the honour to be revered and roughened up thoroughfully by the brutal thrusts of his shalf. There was a bit of blood but good sex had always some if you asked him and she seemed to have liked it alright, she couldn't even get up after, she was nearly unconscious. And anyway, beside sex women were a pain in the ass; they were just good to open their legs from his point of view. So they just should be happy to receive attention from men.
Well no matter, it wasn't the first time he had his fun with females staffs at movies. She could go babbling lies all around, everyone knew it was better they didn't mess with him and try to deny him anything. The ones who couldn't play the game with this rules would just be replaced and that was it.
But then he had saw the Asian girls that came up and recently became obsessed with the long dark hair beauty that was working on this movie with him.
He wanted her. But she was like really cold and didn't seem to speak clearly English, though it could be an advantage latter but right now it was making hard to make an advance.
Then he had thought he could try to woe the other, the translator girl, she was rather plain and didn't have much curves but still had elegance and well, an hole was an hole. And he wanted a taste from the exotic.
But every single time their eyes had crossed and he had tried to smile, he would have chills run up his back. Though she would keep the polite smile up, her eyes would always turned a murderous icy rage when they looked at him. And he would always take a step back.
Cedric wondered. It was not often such an animosity was expressed at him, it was interesting but chilling.
No, not often. Actually, he knew only once other occurrence of such murderous intention.
That guy. The night they fight without reason.
That was the only other time he crossed such a raging eyes directed at him.
He started avoiding her after this epiphany.
Really, this movie was becoming such a pain. Most of all, he was bored, he was already doing a favour to the director by acting in this movie, he wasn't even interested in the role. It was too dark, blood, death and all. Not his knack.
He had already managed to make some changes to accommodate him here and there but it was still too dark.
And damn, those other actors were so incompetents; this curly blond teenager girl here was such a pain from what he could tell. Though, all things considered, he wouldn't mind put her around him.
Cedric was nonchalantly observing the backside of said girl when his scene with her came. Less than thrilled he still pulled himself away from the wall and advanced with aggravation. Already thinking about a way to get her out of this role and on him on the side.
…
Here he goes again…
Kyoko didn't know how much longer she could tolerate it. She knew very well she had no power at all in the studio, in this stranger country. Plus rules were rules and directors were usually the ones to take decisions. She wasn't even an actress here, just a support for her friend. Still, he was constantly abusing his position for anything and the atmosphere on set was so dire than several people already quit with some excuses.
Plus it was the fifth. In the last weeks. Well, mostly since they were there.
It was the fifth person he got fired. And just for absurd whims.
Well, Kyoko had to admit she was most certainly not neutral on his case, knowing what he did to her innocent Ren. She wanted to annihilate him most of the time even when he was doing absolutely nothing. So when he Was actually doing something bad which was not a rarity; she was fantasying on planning his gore murder then to bring him back then kill him again then bring him back then torture him and kill in a new fun way. She had never felt such a murderous calculative rage for anyone and Kyoko didn't even know she could be like that.
Still, it shouldn't have surprised her. He had hurt the person she loved. Deeply. She won't ever be able to be friend or look at him in a favourable eye. To know he had bullied him most of his teenage years and that whatever the reason he hadn't defend himself until the point of no return when he had just exploded. Well, she supposed anyway.
All those thoughts, those images of him hurting, tortured, discriminated were making her see bloody red pain and death and getting out the worse side of her out. The enraged side of her anyway.
She was trying to stay calm and managed most of the times but-…
Without even taking into account the terrible rumours she heard about him and that though wouldn't surprise her if true but she still couldn't base her judgement on, she had still plenty to see right in front of her eyes those last weeks.
He was very forceful with most of the females on set, other would say he clearly was harassing them.
And if rumours are true…
No, that was a line Kyoko refused to cross. She had already judge someone just on assumptions and it had cost her dearly and nearly stretched to an end the friendship she had with Ren when nothing had been true. She was not about to repeat it. Ever. Not matter how bad the case sound or how likely it seems. Or even, on how much she hated the person in question.
That was she had told herself repeatedly until one week ago when she had witnessed it herself. Enough to make him go to jail if her knowledges in US rules on abuse were accurate. She had the good sense of taking a picture and was now determinate to act and was just waiting for the opportunity. She felt sick in her to have witness this. Felt sick for not being able to help, prevent it, something so that the haunted look the girl gave her before leaving would disappear from her eyes. She thought she might had at least cut the poor girl torture short by laughing falsely and talking about needing to enter the room they were so that she won't have been up for another round. But she would have nightmares about getting there sooner for a while.
Poor poor girl
Still the issue persisted. The actress he just got fired was just some unimportant secondary character and wouldn't delay the movie but it wasn't an excuse. He had tried to flirt with her the second she was fired and even forcefully grabbed her and felt her up she try to leave. Compared to what she saw, it was nothing. Not enough to get rid of him.
She suspiciously watched him go to Moko-san and talk to her and kept an eye on them while pondering.
All in all, Kyoko was sure it would delay the movie even more it had already been.
She sighed. She really felt helpless.
Moko-san had to feel such a pain with this movie…
She was torturing herself with a how to alleviate, even just a little the burden her friend had to endure when a loud arguing echoed on the set.
Damn! I stopped looking.
And indeed, the argument was between Moko-san and the trash dude.
She approached them and her eyes jumped out of their saucers.
What?! Oh no! You won't.
Suddenly the quarrel got louder enough and everyone was able to hear the remarks trash-man was throwing at Moko-san.
-I think I'm gonna take as an insult, you know. For a newbie actress like you who got her roles because of her looks, you could put a bit of an effort and not be trashy to the veterans-how do you say that in Japanese-ah yeah- to your sempai, don't you think?
-I didn't insult you. I just said I wasn't interested.
He started to speak even louder and Kyoko quickly made her way to her friend.
-For a population claiming to be very polite, to the verge of being stuck up, I'm feeling really offended by this sort of behaviour. After all, we hired you to represent this Japanese traditional spirit so if you don't have it how could you be of any use for us, right guys?
Though they didn't dare to tell to his face, Kyoko heard irritated and tired whispers directed at Cedric and his behaviour, some even wondering if they would any one left on the set at the end of it if they let him go rampage and throw away people on caprices.
She could only empathised with them, they were afraid to lose their jobs if they open their mouths, they knew the director was the one to pick and bring him for this movie. And he was really favoured in the industry. Most of the directors and producers would crawl in front of him and would always take his side.
Still, all of this gave her an idea.
She snatched Moko-san on the side while mister trash was parading and whispered urgently.
-How much do you care about this movie, Moko-san?
Her friend looked at her tiredly and pondered a second.
-A bit. It's still an open in the US field but-…
Kyoko waited patiently she developed.
Her friend frowned.
-A lot less than at the beginning. It's turning in such a headache. I'm not sure it's worth it anymore.
Kyoko nodded.
-Why?
Kyoko smiled.
-Because I've got an idea. And it could represent a risk for you so I had to ask you first.
Kanae arched a brow.
-Could you trust me on this?
Her friend briefly thought about it.
-Do as you please. It will be easier for you to explain than if I do it myself anyway.
-I'm going try to save your role, you know?
-I know Kanae smiled.
-Wait. You are not going to go up against him, right?
-I'm going to do exactly that Kyoko said with feral smile.
-You are crazy. You know what could happen in this setting?
-And? He can't get me fired; I'm not in the movie. I just didn't realize it before. I'm not even an official staff. I'm like a free electron. He has nothing to trap me.
Her friend's eyes grow exponentially.
-In other words Kyoko continued, I'm the only one free to do something without consequences for me. His influence is not big enough to impact my jobs in Japan so-
Kyoko shrugged her shoulders in conclusion but the next second she was blushing viciously. This move, it was his. His damn not well-mannered shrug he did in front of Bô and other times in front herself. He was totally rubbing off on her.
It wasn't a good rub off to get. Then why couldn't she help to be pleased with the idea of getting mannerisms from him.
Kyoko shook her head when her friend suddenly burst out laughing.
-You're right. Then go for it.
Giggling again Kanae said that Chiori would have loved this.
-She would even have brought pop-corn added Kyoko.
They laughed blissfully for a few moments.
When a commotion erupted they finally calmed and turned to the instigator of it. Cedric Bennet was rudely pointing at them with fury.
-See director, they don't even have the decency to apologize for their bad behaviours. I don't know how you picked them but obviously it was not a good choice, the actress even try to win a more important role by make advances on me.
The director listened to him quietly.
Her friend gasped in outrage to the blatant lie and Kyoko was sure she saw a perfidious smile crossed the face of the dude for a second.
-Seriously director, can we not fire them? Replace them with some decent actresses or something but these ones are no good.
Doubts and conflicts were disputing the face of the director and Kyoko chose to step in that little breach quickly before he made his mind.
-Excuse-me director but before you make a decision I would like to try to defend the case of the actress. It would only be fair to have both sides of the story don't you think Kyoko said approaching with predatory grace and false innocence to a shocked Cedric Bennet who evidently didn't thought much farther and didn't think anyone would speak up.
-We don't really have time for this argued Cedric. The movie already got delayed a lot and-
-You're right. The movie is already very late agreed Kyoko. That's why, excuse-me director if I'm presumptuous but Kanae Kotonami's role isn't some side character that could easily be replaced. It's an important character to the story and the movie being really behind schedule we don't really have the luxury of firing actresses on whims.
Some people chucked in the studio.
-So director, I, of course, don't want to be rude but before delaying your movie even more maybe you could check if the actress really deserve to be fired. I think t's very important to not make rash decisions in the stretched setting that the movie is already facing.
-You are just trying to defend your friend attempted Cedric.
A cold but firm glared was shot to him.
-Yes, she's my friend but that doesn't mean my point isn't valid. And while we are at it maybe what we should really look upon is your own behaviour Bennet-san.
-How dare you! What did I even do?! Director we should fire her for her arrogance. It would be less useless weight on the movie.
Kyoko smiled with satisfaction, ice in her pupils.
-Unfortunately for you Bennet-san. The director can't fire me as he never hired me. I'm even in the staff.
-You are Kanae's translator, you are obviously staff.
-No. I'm not. Unless you consider staff as people working for free. I'm her support, yes but I'm not winning anything material in the task.
Bennet trash-san turned to the director with barely controlled fury.
-Is it true?
-Yes. It is the director confirmed. I can't fire her. And unless I do dispose of Kanae Kotonami, it would like shooting in your own damn foot to make her expulse the studio he added when he saw Cedric ready to protest further.
Kyoko took a breath. Shaky. Anxiousness hidden behind her mask.
First point for her. In for the true fight.
-Again I apologize director but I think I'm going to use the excess of freedom I have at disposal.
Slightly amused the director nodded, understanding.
-You see director. Bennet-san right here emitted hurtful allegations about Kotonami-san on her behaviour toward him but he's only one complaining about her. And her version of the story is clearly the opposite, him making advances on her and her not responding positively which turned in aggressivity from him. And not the other way around. I clearly heard her say" I'm not interested". Now I can understand his frustration at being turned down, Mo-hum, Kotonami-san is a beauty indeed.
Bennet-san was ready to pounce her, she felt it and Kyoko was freaking out inside, his eyes promised violence and pain but she kept her cool outside. She was putting her best mature side out, mixing Natsu's sharp analyse skills and Setsu's cool and don't care attitude to put that front. Deep down though, Kyoko hope that one day she would be able to as mature and stand for her and her friends while staying herself.
-Now Bennet-san, director before concluding anything, I want you to know that my point right here is directed at something else than proving the obvious innocence of my friend. I won't blame Bennet-san to have lied to preserve his pride and if it was only that I wouldn't have said anything. I'm just a nobody. But there is a matter. There are serious issues.
She turned to the director.
-On your set, for this movie; there are far more serious issue in this studio director. Do you know that just a moment ago Kotonami-san herself told me she didn't care anymore about this movie if it wasn't for the fact it's an opportunity to work in America.
Kanae gasped in horror in the back with several others and Cedric smirked thinking they were done.
The director confused and slightly annoyed face looked at her intently.
-Now, don't get me wrong director, I'm sure she was and is still interested in the role and the plot of the movie. But in her words, it's beginning to be "not worth it anymore" director.
-And why is that, young lady, if can ask? Is she looking down on this movie, on America even?
Kyoko smiled sadly.
-No director. I can even say from being the first to have witnessed it that she was very excited to work in this movie. No director. Director, do you really don't know what's the issue? She's clearly not the only one you know.
-No I don't. I didn't know this movie was upsetting all of you so much.
-It's the movie director. It's the atmosphere. It's rotten. From what I grasped people are worried to get fired all the time and that's the only reason no one else spoke about it to you.
-I wouldn't fire them for reason protested the director, it's absurd.
-You did though. Or you let it happen. Five no with the last girl it makes it six Kyoko corrected herself. Six people were fired these last weeks. Since we came pretty much.
-It can't be that much.
-Yes it is. Every single time it was a girl. And every single time it happened because of one person.
Dread started to pool at the bottom of Cedric's stomach.
-My point wasn't to prove Kanae innocence but to point out the illness spreading on this set and cursing this movie even before its shoot.
The director's eyes frightened in the perspective of his condemned movie and wait heart to the lips to hear her talk.
She had bewitched her. Trap was set. Now she just had to make the realisation significant enough.
-It's a gangrene director. And this gangrene has a name.
Cedric took a few steps back, searching for an out.
-What name.
-Every time a girl director. Do you even know why they were fired or because they were side characters you didn't even bother checking why they disappeared? Every times because of whims director. Unavailable reasons. Every person afraid to be fired if they speak up or go against that person. I'm taking that risk because one I have nothing to lose, nothing to be afraid of, I have that chance in a way; and I asked permission to Kotonami-san first in the case she get fired because of me.
She continued:
Director, if you knew, I have witnessed things. I've been only here for a few weeks and of course I heard the rumours but I refused to believe it without proofs. But since last week I have them, I saw them with my own eyes. I've even got a picture.
The director command echoed in the studio.
-What name?
Then before she could answer; turning to the crowd with fury:
Is it true? Is there someone like that on my set? Martyrizing my actors and staff.
Silent answered his question. Shame for the males ones. Mostly pain for the females.
Another sad smile.
-Who? he shouted.
-The closest to you the hardest to see director Kyoko humbly whispered before answering his demand.
-Cedric.
The director paled and turned around with fury on a farther Cedric whose retreat just failed miserably. Some people caught him quickly.
Is it true? The director asked again to the cast. Did Cedric really is guilty of what this girl is accusing him of?
Slowly, with the certitude of truth being exposed and pressure reaching its peak, tongues started to untied and director's ears were suddenly submerged in so much atrocity he wanted to become deaf. The young man had been his friend. He was like a nephew to him.
Kyoko had to admit her plan could have backfired or at least would have needed lot more convincing until he saw the picture if the trash-idiot hadn't sold himself so quickly.
Director's hand flew in her direction.
-The picture he simply said with an aghast look.
-I'm sorry director.
-You won't show it to me?! he asked with fury.
-I will director. But right now, I still don't know if I can trust you and furthermore I want to respect the privacy of the victim, could we do that in your desk? Or a private room.
They went inside some side empty room followed closely by Kanae who was worried about the look that the man had when he looked at her friend.
Kyoko showed him the picture and the director's face fade so much he looked like a ghost or about to past out. The only sign of life from him for a while was his raspy breath and his sweating.
Then he burst open the door and shouted.
-Cedric you are fired and I don't want to ever see you again close to one of my set, my family or anyone I know. Someone contact all the girls or people fired since the movie started, ask them if they want to take back their roles or works. Specify that Cedric won't be here anymore. Ah, also, ask them if they want to sue him and that we would help in any ways we can.
-You can't do that shouted Cedric while being forcefully escorted to the get out.
-I can and I will fiercely said the director.
-You! Howled again Cedric. Kyoko Mogami! You will regret this, it's a promise! We are not done!
The director closed the door on the screams of Cedric.
-I'm afraid you just made yourself a sworn enemy.
Kyoko shrugged a bit, blushed then answered.
-I'm used to it.
The director impressed, looked at the petite girl with incandescent golden eyes. Then suddenly depressed he plopped down on an armchair in despair.
-though I'm very glad for you to have made me realized the truth and getting rid of such a dangerous person on my set, I'm afraid it will put another time lapse on the schedule and the movie. Maybe this movie is really cursed after all.
Pitying him a bit Kyoko apologized.
-I'm sorry director, I don't want to ruin your movie and I certainly hope it will go well but it seemed more important to me to protect the cast and let you know this.
-I know and you are absolutely right but with that I'm feeling short on lot of secondary characters and on the villain of the movie. I don't know if we can find someone in time.
Kyoko scratched her head. Now that the hardest was done, she was feeling out of her league. She didn't know this country enough to be able to help him. He was a famous director, he should have no problem finding other actors though.
-Hum, I don't know much about here but I still have the knowledge that you are an esteemed director that most people fight to work with. You shouldn't have any issue to find replacements, right?
The director heaved a breath.
-It's true but most people are too busy at this time to be able to add on their plate at any time and the only actors I think that could replace him are already overbooked or not interested in villain. It's they wouldn't want, it's just they won't have time and most of the ones who will came right away will be complete newbie or worse incompetents.
Kyoko felt a bit vexed, she knew she was a newbie too but not every newbie were incompetents. Some could do some things with just a bit of leading.
-Director, excuse me but you know I'm an actress newbie and I can assure you that not all new actors are incapable of acting just because they don't have much experience. Some can act and just need a chance.
-Are you suggesting I'll take you as the villain?
-Ah, no-no. That was not was I meant. Though I would to love to work one day for international productions and for example with you but no that was not what I meant. Besides, the villain is a male. Just to not look down on newbies directors.
-I feel like you are lecturing me the director smiled.
-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be presumptuous or anything like that.
-But you are right, the character villain is a male and it would be nearly impossible at this point to change something that important. Reshoot the scenes will delay the movie but change the characters itself would mean rewrite the all scenario, costumes and I don't know what else.
The director fell back in a ball of despair and Kyoko stood in front of him, helpless to say or do anything that could cheer him up. She didn't know any actors here, she really had not a clue how to salvage him from his depression.
Until-
-Director, I just got an idea.
The man looked up to watched at the positively bright smile of the girl, already feeling better from her smile alone. He grinned a bit unconsciously.
-What it is?
-I might have an idea about an actor.
Sceptical, he frowned.
-I'm not sure, miss. He would need to be very competent.
-Director, you will judge after you'll have seen some of his work.
He grudgingly nodded.
-I assure you, it's the perfect actor for you. Though I'm not sure he will accept.
Kyoko helped him browsed some of the work of the actor and soon the director raised sparkling excited eyes to her.
She lifted her phone in the air in interrogation and the man nodded.
She sent a message.
PS: I hope you will like it. Reviews are appreciated. Damn, the word numbers keep growing, I have no control on this thing, it's maddening. Five thousands and two hundreds words. What the hell?!
I wasn't expecting to have to raise the rating so soon, some have to start wondering if I know what I want but I felt like in a adults world and considering the mind-set of the dude, I didn't have much choice of I wanted to be realistic. Plus after this chapter, it's done, done. But well, unless everyone tell me it can stay rated T with what I wrote in this chapter, I think it was necessary. Oh well, at least I won't have to torture myself over it anymore.
See you soon, hopefully. Kisses.