CHAPTER 62

I do not own skip beat. Yoshiki Nakamura does.

Quest of the living.

Part one.

Kyoko was driving.

A couple of weeks had passed and in meantime,she had met with the director Shingai-san, in the purpose explaining what he had in mind for her role. She had listened and had been very interested with his view on her future character, and had taken a good time building her role in the weeks that followed.

And finally, the filming was about to begin and she now was heading there.

She was using her rented car because it would have been too much of a hassle to go by train with her luggage, and her cat- as the residence they would be staying allowed small pets-, so she had been overjoyed to be able to take Snow with her.

So, she was making the trip by car. To Hakone.

And it was pretty damn amazing. She hadn't imagine the landscapes to blow her to that extend. She knew her homeland was pretty but those mountains, and these roads wandering and rounding the coast-the ocean- in tortuous curves and twists were far better than what she had expected.

Though at this time of the year, the leaves had barely grown back. Some areas keeping the morose dead-lands look still, despite it being the beginning of March already.

It was also pretty desert. Most of the travel was driving alongside the ocean and she had left the highway soon after leaving to embark on smaller roads. Passing by more villages than she was crossing cars, it was a peaceful -and slow- drive. It made her smile. It wasn't she was impatient, but she realized she was just so used of the fast pace of either the big roads in America or simply the rhythm of life in Tokyo.

For that reason only- and knowing she wasn't expected before noon- she decided to drive even more leisurely.

It wasn't she couldn't have taken the national road but staying on smaller roads only cost her twenty minutes more, and it would have kept farther away from the view of the ocean. And there had been some road works at the beginning of the N1.

So she enjoyed the wandering and wondered if she could find a way to do some motorbike while she would be there. It could be fun riding along these beautiful sights. The sea, the lakes, the beautiful mountains, and Mr Fuji Mount.

When she stopped the car, an hour later, she felt the weight of the S-shape residence towering above her with a crushing feeling of vertigo. And heights didn't make her dizzy normally. She felt puzzled but also impressed. The hotel-inn the production had decided they would stay in was really modern in structure, yet they had managed to conserve some of the more traditional vibe inns usually have. The sides of the roof tipping lower were one factor, and the wood all around and in vertical wooden beams made it cozier and less cold.

Grabbing Snow, her guitar and her stuff, she stepped on the grayish-brown parqueted ground and into the generous and luminous hallway.

She thought she might cross part of the team and looked around but she had forgotten she hadn't met any besides the director and Ren. She wouldn't recognize them even if she were to find them.

She hesitated. The grandiose lounging area in a niche by the side of the hall did have several people in there. Maybe she could ask if some were part of the filming crew. Even for the actors, she didn't know all of them and wouldn't have known better.

But she quickly dismissed the thought.

People,especially Japanese ones didn't like to be bothered, unless it was for a good reason- she included herself in that type of person- and it was a pressing matter. The meeting time was not close yet, and she knew where the filming area were, anyway. She could just go there at the planned hour and meet everyone there.

She retrieved her room's key at the reception, and brought Snow and her luggage to the elevators.

She could already guess how huge and labyrinth-like by the number of elevators there was, and long it took her to find them.

She studied the plate explaining all the facilities this place proposed with interest. There were quite a few of them. Pools, reading area,two gym areas- she appreciated that one-, open baths,saunas, hot springs- she felt nostalgic about this one-, a self 24h cafeteria,a bar, a garden,the regular restaurant where she guessed they would eat most time and many more things.

The prod really didn't skimp on the expenses. As one of the main leads, she even had her own room for herself. She could have bet the reputation of Shingai-san and the participation of Ren Tsuruga were part of the reasons behind it.

If the director's credit had grown as much as she could fathom in the last years, she could easily picture it.

But it could also means the production she just signed for was bigger she imagined. She had studied her contract and read her script but she hadn't been informed where the film would be broad-casted and which audience they had in mind. She would have to ask the director. It would make better sense if they were planning for a global airing rather than secluded to a Japan-only public.

The elevator dinged as she noticed there were even some facilities like recording studios and filming material to rent. It was not the regular lodging, that much was clear, it look like it was specially axed for filming teams and professional artists.

She walked in the big room she would residing in the duration of the stay, and open Snow's crate right after setting the litter on the tiles in the corridor of the room. She installed her cat's bowls of water and kibbles in the little kitchenette provided, Snow's basket-though she rarely used it as she preferred sleeping with Kyoko most of the time-, and then, started to unpack herself.

Once done, she checked her watch and decided she would make a little detour to get a view on the environs before heading to the set, and discarded the idea of taking back the car to go there.

She changed to trainers shoes but kept her jacket before walking out. It was only the beginning of spring, and though it was a bit warmer than a month ago, it was still only around 10 degrees.

Her perambulation led her on a pathway following the woods on the side and going toward the remaining habitations of the tiny town she was in, as well as some other villages she could see. The residence was situated on the occasional and intermediate plateau the nearest mountain had formed. It happened sometimes, and several tiny and bigger dwellings could be seen on the slopes if you lifted your nose or looked to the nearby mounts all around.

But like or not, it also meant all residents had to either take some vehicle to the town or walk down one of the paths leading to it, as you were far out-centered from it. She had read this when she made some researches about the location they would be filming and the weather over there. Kyoko didn't mind the extra walk however, she liked walking in the nature. It kind of made her nostalgic too.

She watched the shy streams of sun waving through the fresh new verdant leaves, and making billions droplets of light on the dusty track. As her eyes followed the sparse of ray, she was filled with the urge to spread it around like a blanket until it would cover the whole path. Yet, it was in those discreet rays she could see the fairies hiding and scattering spring and life once more. Here, daffodils and crocus she could see. Burgeoning only but vigorous.

A bubbly tune began to play in her head and she breathed in the mist-filled woody scent, gorging her lungs with life and freedom. It's with a brisk spring in her steps she reached the town, fully reinvigorated.

She found the set easily, seeing they had already primed for some of the outdoors scenes they would do-and in substance, it was at the foot of the pathway. They were starting with those because the weather despite planning to be cold in the next days, would still be sunny enough. It was a set with both a part inside and a part outside, and it was incredibly handy for every production coming here. She didn't have many scenes outside, but it was the first day of filming and the director had asked everyone to come.

She walked down the three steps of stairs leading into the filming yard and in-between tech-guys installing the cameras, she finally found the director.

She went to see him and greeted him.

Eventually, she came around to ask him about what he really had in mind for the broadcasting and he grinned at her.

"You are pretty ", Shingai-san admitted, "we are planning for an international release. With the subjects broached over, it has the potential to reach a world-wide public and we decided to just go for it a little after we settled on the main leads."

"But we were keeping it a surprise until we had everything figured out and had at least a few days of filming being us", he told her with an apologetic smile, "so, could you keep that for yourself at least up until first week is behind us?"

She nodded and smile easily.

"Sure."

"Oga-san is already here but Ren won't be there before the middle of noon", He added. "Honestly, you are most likely free to roam around until then. All your scenes will be inside in the following days. Just head inside for make up and dressing an hour before it's time. We are going to do some minor scenes that need to happen outside right now, to test things out. And because it's a pain in the ass taking it has to be assemble and disassemble every morning and evening, as we can't let it take humidity."

She nodded and was ready to find a corner where she wouldn't be in the feet of the rest of crew to rehearse her script once more when the director called her back.

"Wait a minute."

She turned back to him.

"She drove from Tokyo to here, right?"

"Yes, I did."

"How good are you in a car?" he inquired.

She tilted her head before it downed on her.

"You mean about the car scene."

He nodded and tapped some of his papers in hand.

"When we set out the contract, you said you were willing to do your own stunts, are you still on if it's a car stunt?" Shingai-san demanded her.

She nodded.

"I'm up for any stunt, director. I did some in the past and it went well. I'm used to them and I think drive good enough to control things the minimum needed."

"That's right. I saw some of your past works in America, and you did a fair amount over there. I had forgot." He mumbled for himself while thinking.

He asked if she was absolutely sure once more, and she confirmed once again.

He pondered some more then grinned with excitement.

"Great."

She amusedly smiled at his enthusiasm showing.

He waved a hand at her.

"You are dismissed."

Sitting on the concrete block serving as a low wall surrounding the outside courtyard, she had been reviewing her lines for a good while under a sun that struggled to warm up yet when a fresh enticing ocean aqua fragrance, but slightly wooded tickled her nose. She engulfed the masculine air in her lungs like some junkie and her shoulders relaxed. God, did she love that scent.

She knew the tiny bit of spiced wood was coming from the cologne he wore and she actually would have preferred if he hadn't put any. He didn't need it, of that she was sure.

A long time ago, she had wondered if it was his soap or shampoo that had this fresh iodized scent in it, but she had learned it wasn't the case along the filming period of Tragic Marker when she had shared a room- and thus a bathroom-with him. He used some pretty much neutral bar soaps.

She had learned during her time oversea that is was classical for models, and even actors sometimes, to do so- to not interfere with whatever products were used on set or shootings. As perfumes could mingle, even with remains of soap odors.

At least, she had heard it was especially the case when you were shooting a lot of ads for cosmetics products, perfumes, food goods or anything that could deteriorate or cost more time to remove if not suited with the cosmetics advertised. And it was also professional courtesy to be as clean and neutral as possible before any modeling.

She knew Ren mostly did clothes brands and running shows nowadays-besides acting-so she could only guessed he had got used to utilize no-scent-only sanitary products.

And it was true colognes washed off easier so she supposed he had more freedom on this.

Useless freedom…

It's not it didn't mesh well with him, but it hided a tiny his wonderful fresh musky marine odor, so she thought it was a pity. How he was able to produce naturally such a scent would stay a mystery. Maybe it was his dormant fairy blood- she was still persuaded there must have been some magic transmitted into his family at some point. Or it was because he had spent all his teenage years in LA, near the ocean. She didn't know. She didn't care.

What was terrible was she didn't need more reason to be hooked. As if she didn't adore the ocean enough, he had to remind her of it too.

Or maybe it was backward. She loved the ocean and him so his scent had some sea odors to her. Yup, it was definitively her mind that was conspiring against her, to make him smell like that. There was just no way a human being could smell that good naturally. Damn fucked-up mind.

He bumped his shoulder against hers in a little tap to attract her attention and whispered a soft discreet 'hi' to her- though she had guessed from first sniff who it was.

"Hi", She replied in the same tone as him.

"You got here early?" He mouthed, still speaking low to not disrupt the scene in the middle of filming.

"Just a couple of hours."

Sitting by her side, he looked around the area buzzing with energy and the tension of intense focus.

"You were not required?"

"My scenes are all planned for early evening. Much like yours if I remember correctly" She responded.

He nodded.

"I still have a couple of them before our common ones" He said and checked his new watch with a tilt of the lips in her direction as she admired how exquisite her gift now looked at his wrist. She grinned back non-committing, and just happy he liked it.

"First one should be in a half" he said then and she approved, it shouldn't be much longer now.

They chatted quietly for a bit before getting absorbed in the filming taking place just a few meters from them. But soon, Shingai-san shouted cut and Ren was called to start his first scene.

Kyoko took in the scene as the new character, Toga Shun, bloomed to life. Toga Shun was a 24 carefree young man, enjoying his life to its fullest, having fun with friends and participating in car races as an amateur regularly. A simple man. Despite having graduated from university, he was a man still searching himself sometimes; though deep down he knew already, what he wanted to do. He was well-put, sound and not too exuberant; the last part more for his parents' sake than out of taste. He was someone that cared deeply for his family even though he didn't understand them.

The scene was one where he was hanging out with his friends, chatting about their respective family and the growing difficulties Shun is beginning to have in following his parents' view of life. As those two had just announced him he was to form an union with the daughter of another family he knew barely.

It's an important scene where Ren's character is mostly shell-shocked by the news. And more than anything his character is shocked his parents didn't even bother asking him his opinion. For them, it's a concluded matter, something that shouldn't be discussed. As always. His parents do not bother talking to him. Even less if it's important. And that is what hurts. Not the fact to be married to an unknown girl.

And that is what is supposed to be transmitted in the scene. The deep delusion, miscommunication and hurt his character feels when he has the impression his parents don't care even enough to bother talking, caring what he would desire in life.

This is also the scene from which all the story will ensue.

The moment Toga Shun will decide to act on what he desires, what he needs in his life rather than keeping things he cares about the most side things of his life while he obey his parents wishes.

Her eyes kept glued to the scene by the sheer amount of emotion shared by Ren's acting at this moment, it's all too much suddenly. The somehow passive shock, the wounded face, the incomprehension in his eyes, and then; the rise of rage and new drive and tenacity to pursue something as Toga Shun rocked free of his shackles.

The incisive way he weaved his passion, the life inhabiting him through his act and drove it to the core of anyone witnessing grated at her heart. She wanted to challenge that passion with her own but also be engulfed in this scorching energy he has when he was acting. She wanted to feel alive, fighting, driven, through the act.

She humidified her lips, her tongue parched and she had to focused as to not breath even faster. She had to look away. She felt mortified by her new discovery.

She took her water bottle and vacated the set in a fast rushed gait. Being as fast as she could without running but staying discreet to not disturb the shooting.

As if it wasn't enough to not being able to stay indifferent to the man itself. She was excited by his acting.

And not just a little. It was just such a turn-on to see him act with such a burning life through his characters. She wanted to touch that passion, bath in it, gorge herself her eyes and all her being of it. Paint it, sing it, do whatever it takes to capture it.

For fuck's sake! She thought once she was back on the beginning of the little path, just meters away from the set.

Either it was pure witchery or her hormones were really being a pain. As if heartache wasn't enough troubles like that. And it wasn't like she could get herself off in the middle of the woods. She cursed again and leaning against a tree, she emptied her bottle in three fair gulps. She recognized she had dropped the metallic bottle when the rough bark tickled the digits of both of her hands. She bumped her head back against the trunk, ignoring the pain and slowly breathing in. Very slowly. She shoved back her instinct to purr in this energy of his, to rub herself against him, to caress him to see if she could stroke further the fire; and more literally, to palpate the pulp of his naked skin, everywhere, every lines. Imagining what he would look like if he was overcome by his pleasure, in the throe of passion, hoping she would catch shudders and sighs from him in the confines of her fantasy. Yearning to see droplets of sweat run down the column of his neck, at the back of his thighs, on his blade bones, at the hips; from the temples to the crook of his upper lip. Provoked by pure rapture. Sex.

She tapped her head against the tree a second time, harder, setting her thoughts straight.

She couldn't let herself be rattled by every little thing he did. She didn't have time for that. Worse, it was increasing the risk of him understanding. She needed to get her shit together. They were about to act against each other for the first time in years. She wouldn't be defeated. She wouldn't let him see how he affected her. She wanted to impress him. To capture him.

Even though it was impossible.

She could still give her best and act to the most of her capabilities.

Rise further than her feelings. For a moment. As a character. As another. As Jen Kagio.

She remained where she was for a couple of minutes more before grabbing her bottle and climbing back the small wood soil-bank to rejoin the path she had left earlier. She was revisiting the end of the track and heading back to the set- she could already see the angle of the primer low wall of the yard at the corner on the left- when she heard feminines voices roundly behind her.

She carried her merry way, thinking it might be visitors or people from the village itself but she was just a dozen of feet away from set's entrance and they were still at her back. Kyoko didn't want to be presumptuous but it didn't seem they were part of the cast or staff, just by the sound of it.

She hesitated to turn around and communicate it was an off-zone- the director didn't like people barging on his set, unless you could pretend to be furniture and even then. But just because she wasn't aware of them didn't designated them as outsiders. it could be guests or extras.

Deciding it was less jeopardous to let enter someone unauthorized here in Japan than in the US-no risk of loaded guns blazing- she chose to let the staff or director treat with it and forced her body to relax.

They roughly hadn't film anything beside 2-3 scenes, they couldn't gather much info yet, regardless.

She was about to step on the little stairs she laid foot on earlier, and that led down to the courtyard when one of the girls hailed her.

PS: Hello everyone. I hope you are all well and kicking. For once, it's not been that long, lol. Are you all impatient to be in summer? (I'am,well, as long as it's not the tropical kind where the weather is just heavy all the time. It's been like that for several years now and i'm dreaming about ocean and beaches ^^...Not rainy warm season.)

Here is the new chapter introducing to new horizons. But most of all, delving deeper into Kyoko's more mature psyche. I hope you will like it.

Next chapter is already written so you will have it in 10 days at most after this one. Well, if i don't decide to modify anything at least.

Also; quick question: Do you love drama a lot? I love it so there is a scene i thought about adding. But it's a bit over-the-top and dramatic. So, i let you decide.

Love you all. Lot of kisses. Xoxo.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.