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Kyoko Mogami was certain she was dreaming. She pinched herself just to make sure. Ow.
“Seriously? I seriously get the main role?!!” She squealed and tossed the script she’d been looking at up into the air in celebration, “YES!!!! This is going to be so awesome!!”
Sawara sweat-dropped, “Mogami-san, will you please listen? This is a very new thing LME is doing. We don’t normally do adaptations of foreign novels, so this is very new. We have to be very serious about it. We don’t even know if it’ll get good ratings.”
Kyoko floated back down to earth, “I’m sure we can handle it! After all, Kyoko, actress extraordinaire is on the job!!” She grinned.
That’s what I’m afraid of, Sawara groaned under his breath, “Listen closely Kyoko, we’ve been working incredibly hard on this, to make it just right for good reviews and for a good response from the viewers. Meaning, we have a lot of high up actors and actresses working on this.”
Kyoko blushed, “Why Sawara-san, I didn’t know I was such a good actress.”
Sawara’s face landed in his palm, “No I meant Kyoko, that since you aren’t a high up actress and you have the lead female role, you need to take it more seriously!”
Kyoko faltered, “Ah, but, um, surely I was chosen for this role for a reason.”
Sawara nodded, “You were chosen because the director is Director Ogata.”
“Er…so I know him, what’s that got to do with my being chosen for the role?”
“Director Ogata chose you because the lead male role is Ren Tsuruga. And, after seeing you two work together in Dark Moon, the director immediately felt that you two would be perfect for these two roles,” Sawara cleared his throat, Must not let her know that Ogata practically had to beg Ren to even look at the script, “Therefore, you were chosen.” He clapped a hand on her shoulder, “I advise, since Ren is your opposite, that you think very, very hard on what exactly you can do to live up to these very high expectations.” He smiled and waved good-bye, “Good luck!”
Kyoko, pale-faced, sunk to floor and wept at her bad luck.
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Two days earlier
Ren stared at the effeminate man in front of him, “You want me to do what? With who?”
Ogata clasped his hands together and outright pleaded, “Pretty, pretty please??? I know that we can do it! You and Kyoko have excellent chemistry together!!! And your personalities are a perfect fit for Daisy and Matthew!” Yashiro smirked and nudged Ren. Ren shot him a dark look
He sighed and pressed two fingers to the bridge of his nose, “You honestly want Kyoko and I to star in a foreign romance?”
“Well, it’s more like an adaptation for a foreign romance novel, but it has an excellent plot and wonderful characterizations. I was asked to do this by a dear friend of mine and then Lory jumped at the chance to do something completely different and I know we can do it!!! Please!!” The young director begged. Yashiro began to snicker.
Ren ground his heel into his manger’s foot as he gave a suspicious and knowing look to Ogata, “And it wasn’t something your father ever did, right?”
Ogata dropped his hands and glared, “ So what? It’s a wonderful chance and LME will get critical acclaim if this is a big hit.”
Yashiro nodded, uncharacteristically serious, “That’s very true. Your popularity would also shoot up. Probably more so than it did for Dark Moon.”
Ren expelled another sigh, “Well, I can at least look at the script.”
Ogata’s face lightened immediately, ‘Thank you Ren!! This means a lot to me!! I really appreciate it!”
Ren shot him a dark look, “It’s a romance. A foreign romance. I’ll let you know when you can return the favor.” He stomped off with the script in hand as Yashiro trailed after him.
Ogata laughed nervously as rubbed the back of his head and called after him, “Thanks again Ren!”
Ren muttered something foul under his breath as he heard the man. He eyed the script and thought back. A romance with Kyoko…he stifled a blush.
“A romance with Kyoko, eh?” Yashiro nudged him.
“Shut up,” Ren’s hidden blush returned.
“Aw…it’ll be adorable watching you two!!” Yashiro gave him an evil grin.
Ren glared, “Yes, because this isn’t Kyoko we’re talking about!”
Yashiro sighed, “Well, she is acting you know, wouldn’t you enjoy that?”
Ren muttered some more as they reached his car, “Shut up. I need to think.”
Yashiro shot him a dirty look, “Fine, we don’t have anymore work today. You might want to get home to look the script over.”
Ren nodded. He dropped his manager off and collapsed on his couch as soon as he reached his home. Exactly two hours later, after he finished reading the script, with the help of his online dictionary to look up the floral meaning of Daisy, he knew that he’d take the job.
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Kyoko wasn’t entirely sure if she was the only new actress among the group in the meeting, but as she only recognized Momose-san and Tsuruga-san, she was inclined to believe Sawara-san’s words. She groaned inwardly. If these people were anything like one’s she was working with in Box’R, she was going be in for some trouble, she knew that much. Well, maybe not a lot, seeing as how she did know Momose-san and Tsuruga-san, as well as the Director and some people that worked on the behind the scenes stuff.
She snapped to attention as Director Ogata began the meeting, “Now, we all know that is a very different work than what we are used to. The novel’s titled Scandal in Spring and the TV movie’s going to start it’s differences by being titled A Scandalous Spring. However, that might also change depending on what the producers decide.
“For now, that basic story line is that Daisy Bowman, a rich American girl of the 19th century and her family have arrived in England, her sister has married a wealthy peer, one Duke of Westcliff. They are spending the spring at Westcliff’s residence, Stony Cross Park. Daisy’s father, Thomas Bowman, has ordered Daisy to find a husband by the end of May or she will be married to Matthew Swift, a younger business associate of his. Coincidentally, Matthew will be arriving at Stony Cross Park for business with Thomas and while there, Daisy falls in love with him and as they say, the rest is history.
“Obviously, as this time period is in the middle of the 19th century, how the characters all act will have to be in accordance to how the English nobility acted during that time. That also means that the costumes will also have to be set during that era. Any questions so far?” Ogata peered around the table. One blonde actress raised a hand; Kyoko didn’t recognize her.
Ogata apparently did, however, “Yes Takahashi-san?”
The blonde, Kyoko now knew as Maki Takahashi, famous for her singing and acting in a famous drama that had been second to Dark Moon in the ratings last month, spoke up, “My character is a bit confusing. I play Lily, and I’m supposed to be pregnant, and apparently a, er, nonconformist. What exactly is that supposed to mean?”
Another man spoke up, “I was a bit confused about that too, I play her husband, Westcliff, how do you act like a Duke?”
Ogata winced, “Hmmm…I think we all need a crash course in British mannerisms actually, I’m sure we can also get lessons on how a Duke and his nonconforming Duchess are supposed to act. At least to the extent that we can pull off British nobility…elegance or something like it.”
Kyoko looked thoughtful, “Actually, has anybody ever grown up in an old traditional Japanese family? I’m pretty sure that the traditional ways of Japan are similar to 19th century English nobility, if you look at it like you have to have good posture, polite ways of speaking, and be able to put on that air of superiority, right? While I was reading the script last night I noticed those similarities, especially in Westcliff’s character.” She looked around the room, “They are kind of similar right? In the basics as least?”
Ogata looked hopeful, “That’s an excellent idea! Do you think you’d be able to work with it like that Tsutsumi-san?”
Jun Tsutsumi, Kyoko now recognized him as the leading actor of a famous college drama of four friends, nodded thoughtfully, “I came from a really strict family, I’m sure I can work out the basics that way, most likely.”
Maki was nodding as well, “And if I’m being a nonconformist Duchess, I have to be sort of the opposite right? I could definitely work something out.”
Ogata sigh, relieved, “That’s a wonderful way to look at it. Anything else?”
Momose-san spoke up, “This seems to be a very close knit group of people. The script says that there are four main couples at the root of it, with Daisy and Matthew at the center for the fourth, and possibly the Bowman elders too, should we do some group work to get more comfortable with each other? Would that help?”
Ren hummed thoughtfully, “Like a dinner? And some on scene, er, bonding? That would probably be best. If this is that last of the series of novels, then there should be some really close ties among the group to show all the characterization.”
An older male nodded, he looked vaguely familiar to Kyoko, “I can definitely see the benefits of that. We should probably take a couple days to get to know each other. Maybe a couple of days at an onsen or something? And that could also help us get into our roles better. We definitely need to make this a hit for LME. I say we pull out all the stops to do our best.”
Another vaguely familiar older female giggled and slapped his arm lightly, “I know you better than that Kichiyose-chan! You just want a vacation!”
Kyoko, somewhat thunderstruck at that casualness now recognized the two actors, Takashi Kichiyose and Mina Yuki were a famous couple from an older drama series that still aired reruns because it was so popular. She whimpered under her breath, I’m dead, I’m so dead. There are all these famous people and then there’s me. She blew out a breath. Calm down girl, you were picked for a reason. ]
“Kyoko-san?” Momose looked at her, “Did you hear me?”
“I’m sorry!! I was lost in thought!” Kyoko waved her arms, “I’m sorry!”
Momose-san giggled, “Don’t worry. I was wondering if you agreed. Did you want to do the onsen thing?”
Kyoko put down her arms real quick and nodded thoughtfully, “That would probably be a really good thing to do. It was also give the people hear time for the setting and costume work.”
Ren smiled, “Then I think we’re all set for today. Unless, does anyone else have any ideas?”
Ogata gave them all a brilliant smile as they shook their heads in the negative, “Wonderful! I’m sure we can pull this off!! Let’s do our best you guys!”
The actors and actresses gave a rousing cheer. Kyoko smiled, perhaps, she thought; it won’t be too bad after all. She giggled as she got up with her stuff.
“Kyoko-chan!” She looked around and found Momose-san.
“Yes?” She smiled.
Momose-san gave her a quick hug, “I’m so excited!! Imagine us working together again! And this time I’m in the supporting role! I can’t wait to see what happens!”
Kyoko gave a nervous laugh, “I’m not too sure actually. However did you survive being the opposite of Tsuruga-san?”
Momose-san smiled wickedly, “How? I simply enjoyed the attention.”
Kyoko blushed to her roots, “Momose-san!” She nearly collided with the door as they stepped out of the meeting room, “How scandalous!” Her blush intensified as the words flew out of her mouth, “I mean, um, er, help?”
Momose-san gave her a gentle smile, “Call me Itsumi, please. Anyways, it’s not nearly as bad as you might think.” They walked down the hallway, “He can be very intimidating, but it’s nice to have a challenge as a professional actress. I’m sure you’ve heard that Ren Tsuruga can always make his co-stars fall in love with him? That will help since this is a romance, but remember your lines and you role! And also, this is just a movie, and you are a very good actress Kyoko-chan. You live your role, no matter what it is, I have no doubt that while Tsuruga-san might make you fall in love with him, you can most likely do the same.” She smiled again and waved, “I got to get going to my next job, but good luck! I have no doubt that you’ll get this!”
Kyoko waved back and sighed. She had no doubt that she’d fail miserably. She muttered under breath as she kicked at the road. She should probably have been getting back to LME for her next job with Bridge Rock but she didn’t have the enthusiasm to get moving.
“Mogami-san?” She squeaked and whirled around as the man that was giving her such a hard time appeared practically out of thin air.
“Yes?” She was proud of the fact that it was an audible squeak this time.
Ren chuckled, “You seemed deep in thought. Anything I can do to help?”
Disappear? She thought helplessly, “Um, not really. I’m just really nervous about this role. It’s supposed to be such a good thing for LME so there’s all these really famous actors and actresses and then there’s me. I’m so afraid that I’ll mess something up.”
Ren frowned, “I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. You were chosen for this role for a reason. And you already know Momose-san and me. It can’t be all that bad.”
Kyoko gave a wry laugh, “Like I said, there’s all these famous people and then there’s me.”
Ren let out an explosive sigh, “You know Mogami-san, if you really don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. I’m sure I have excellent chemistry with other actresses that we can use.”
Kyoko’s head shot up, “That’s not what I meant! I’m sure that you and I can work very well together! We did in Dark Moon. I just meant that, I thought I would just be a burden for everyone else…” she trailed off at Ren’s knowing look.
“You know Mogami-san, you should think more highly of yourself. As a newcomer you were chosen for Dark Moon. That means something. And now you were chosen for this role. You and Daisy are very similar and this role is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Why don’t you relax? You can do this alright” He chucked her under the chin, “Don’t be such a worrywart, you can do this.” He smiled down at her.
Kyoko’s blush magnified by ten. She squeaked out, “Okay.”
“There’s a good girl.” Ren turned at the sound of Yashiro, “I have to get going. Yashiro and I need to get to my next job. Relax and look over your lines again.” He waved good-bye as he and Yashiro walked to his car, “Don’t forget that we’re all meeting up at LME a week from now to get to the onsen!” He called back to her, “I’m sure Momose-san can give you all the details on that!”
“Thanks Tsuruga-san!” She called back. She smiled and shook her head. Pheromones much. She gave a soft laugh as she started back to LME.
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“Flirt much?” Yashiro nudged Ren as they headed back to the modeling shoot in Ren’s car.
Ren glared over at him, “Shut up. I was just trying to get her to relax.”
“Oh, is that what they’re calling it these days?” Ren hit him.
“Just, stop talking. I’m trying to concentrate,” Ren muttered as a light blush covered his cheeks.
Yashiro held up a hand, “Fine, fine! Don’t listen to the manager, who knows more than you do.” Ren ignored him.
Ren sighed as Yashiro continued to dramatically exclaim the unfairness of it all. How much you wanna bet by the time it’s all said and done, anyone with eyes will be able to tell that I’m in love with Kyoko. Actually, a smile came over his face, that would be perfect.
contemplative