Chapter 16
I do not own skip beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.
I hope you liked the precedent chapter. Here is the new one. A few more of that type and things should accelerate. Though a few could be very vague. I learned from the best after all. Nakamura-san is the ultimate sensei for aspiring writers in torturing readers. This manga shaped me all the way from teenager into adulthood. It altered and brightened my view of things and of the world. I could also never write a fast path story because of her.
Let's just say, you have been warned.
PS: Italic+ Quotation marks x2= mails in the past.
Two steps at a time
Let me pull you in
Kyoko was thinking she broke him staring at the "I" letter on the last message she received from him.
She had received an answer to her first message just a few days before the incident wishing her well and asking if they could keep communicate by mails all along which she quickly agreed to.
Then, just a few hours ago, to the one she had send about the role, he had thought she was joking, she had confirmed it was a serious proposition and was ready to explain the situation leading to it when he had just stopped replying all together.
…
Three hours before.
Ren was going back to his flat at the end of an exhausting day when distinctive chip he had set in case of messages from Kyoko had pulled him out of his thoughts.
Reaching his flat, he had taken his phone and opened the mail.
" "Would you like to play the role of the main villain in Moko-san's movie?"
Ren had stayed stunned and puzzled before concluding she was surely joking.
"Is the person playing is that bad?"
"You have no idea"
"And I'm not talking about his acting which is decent, no, it's humanly it's bad"
Now that was worrying him.
"Be careful. You worry me. Keep your distance if you feel he's even just a bit threatening"
"You worry all the time. But don't bother, he's fired. It's kind of my fault by the way."
What does she mean? She wouldn't ever do that.
"why?"
"He was worse than trash with everyone and especially women and he tried his dirty tricks on moko-san. In short."
"Then you did good"
"I suppose. Anyway, I was serious. As he was fired. The director needs someone quickly and have no one available at the moment."
"Kyoko, stop joking"
"I'm not. The director was desperate and I didn't know how to help but I kind of felt guilty because the movie was even more delayed because of my interventions. Then I thought about you, I'm sure you could do it.
Ren blushed a bit faced at her unbreakable confidence in his skills.
As the director didn't know you I showed him a bit of your work and he was convinced. Sorry if it bother you, I hope I didn't step out of line with you and by doing, it's just I thought you could do it. Though I would completely understand if you don't want to or don't have the time to. But this is completely serious"
"I" "
He had stopped functioning after that. Thinking in circles for a while.
She is serious.
This is serious. This an opportunity to work in States again under Ren name served on a silver plate by his dear Kyoko.
Why was he not surprised?
She always saving me…Always giving me so much…
And without knowing it.
Always.
Was he ready? He didn't know but did he want to take it? Absolutely.
But could he? He had work here, it would mean lot of managing from Yashiro-san and even then he wasn't sure it could be possible.
He had acquired a double passport, thanks to some strings pulled by the boss, he could now travel under the name and appearance of Ren. So that wasn't even an issue anymore.
But did he feel ready. Ren wasn't sure. No, he knew the answer. He wasn't. At least, he wasn't ready to make his big return, he had started to see another path than self-loathing. One that would lead to forgiveness and he was moving forward to it. But Ren knew he had still a long way to go. Most of the time, unconsciously, he would still fear to hurt someone one day and he still didn't think he had make amends enough to be allowed to relax, to feel joy. Even when he now knew he wouldn't be the same if he didn't go through all this, that he wouldn't have met her again. He still couldn't accept Rick's death as something inevitable. As something that had to happen. He just couldn't agree to that. His friend didn't deserve that.
He could understand his rash violent ways as a process of growing, something he needed to evolve. But nothing, nothing justified death.
And a death he still thought he caused and still had to make amends for.
But does this mean he couldn't do it?
It couldn't be his return, of that he was sure.
But maybe, maybe…
Maybe it could be another step.
A step forward. A little step. A shaky flawed step but still a step to his redemption.
A step he could still make.
If I'm interested by the script anyway…
He called Lory and talked for a while. Then he called Yashiro-san.
…
Back to present.
Kyoko was starting to worry and was contemplating calling him when her phone finally biped.
"Send me a copy of the script please. Then I will make my decision"
"Okay".
She asked the director the permission and saw Moko-san animatedly talking about something in English. She was very proud of her friend, Moko-san had made lot of progress in the language. She honestly didn't really need her anymore. She was just a bit slower than the average American but that's was mostly that.
She sent the script to Ren as soon as she received the okay and impatiently wait for the reply.
It was quick to come. Only about half an hour had past when her phone biped again.
"I'll take it. You can say it to the director."
"Great!"
Director! Kyoko called out.
He turned around from the cameraman he was talking to at the other side of the set.
Kyoko shook her phone in front of her.
-He'll take it he replied she said loudly with an incredible smile plastered on the face.
-Really?! Asked the director excitably
-Yup Kyoko grinned wildly, eyes closed with joy and relief.
The director cheered and everyone laughed.
-We are saved. I'm preparing the contract right away.
He phone biped.
"Kyoko?"
"Yes?"
"You can tell him I will be there as soon as Yashiro-san manage to make room for it."
"I will."
"And Kyoko?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you. For the opportunity."
Kyoko blushed, imagining his beautiful genuine smile on his face.
"You're welcome"
"I hope to see you soon, then." Added Kyoko.
"I'm your debt. I can't wait to see you again" was his syrupy sweet reply.
Kyoko turned crimson in front of her phone. Speechless, she looked at it with glowing annoyed eyes in her reddening face.
Damn sweet-talking man. Don't phrase it that way…idiotic fairy!
PS: Two chapters in one day, wow. I'm on a roll.
Thanks to ktoll9, Kaname671 that reviewed on most of them. Thanks to enolaisa, lulilafly, Persephone and all the others and the guests. Really thank you for all the sweet reviews.
