Skip Beat Fic+

~~Spellbound for Twenty-Four Hours~~

Ren's POV

My back was facing the wall. I had one of my hands inside my pant pocket. I could feel his glare trying to penetrate through me. I inwardly sigh to myself. 'Fuwa just can't give up, can he?'

'He made himself look like a fool in today's morning shoot.'

'Fuwa clearly thinks that acting is a cinch. He doesn't even understand the basics. I'll have to ask Yashiro-san if he's heard something. Why did Director Akira choose Fuwa for the role of Albert Ashton? Fuwa's not even an actor.'

"Hey,"

I opened my eyes to stare straight at Fuwa Shou.

Shou glared at the talented actor, his rival. "My acting may not be keen to yours, but I'll definitely enjoy filming this film. 'At least, I get to kick his ass in that big fight scene… for the most part.'

I stared apathetically at Fuwa's smug smile. 'This spoiled brat doesn't scare me.'

"Hn,"

A crew member approached the talented singer and actor. "I hope I am not disturbing. Um, Tsuruga-san, Director Akira sent me to call for you. He wants you and Mogami-san to do a rehearsal on scene 68. We have the stage ready for you. So, if you'll just follow me."

"Yes, of course." I nodded. I walked off trying to make small talk with the amiable woman.
'Grr... Did he just-' Shou glared angrily at Tsuruga Ren. 'Wait, isn't scene 68 a kissing scene?! Damn it!'

0000
The following day (Kyoko's POV)

I watched my reflection in the mirror. I was actually waltzing. My dance moves were fluid and in sync with my dancing partner. The images of beautiful dresses, carriages, gloves, and long flowing hair made me feel giddy.

My new role in this movie made me feel like I was really becoming a princess out of the fairy tale books. Even though, it was hard for me to be playing a romantic role, but I was managing just fine and it was all thanks to Mouko-san's support.

Truthfully, I was actually having fun acting as Olivia O'Connor, but sometimes it was hard to get into character, especially when Shotarou, the baka, was around. Just seeing his eyes and his smirk really brought bad vibes from me. A part of me wanted to strangle him.
"Kyoko," Kanae called out annoyed. She snapped her fingers in front of me bringing me out of my pensive daydream.

"Ah, Mouko-san," I replied embarrassed. Mouko had agreed to help me practice my dance scene for the ballroom party we would be shooting in three days, for the in-production movie, 'Spellbound for twenty-four hours'. We had decided to use the dance studio to rehearse.  

"Seriously, where were you? Cloud nine? It's already seven o'clock, how about we end it here. I think this is sufficient practice, besides I think you'll do just fine." Kanae said as she picked up the water bottle and took a couple of sips from it.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with a hand towel. "Mm, okay,"

We both grab our duffel sport bags and head back to the LoveMe section lounge. I rummage around inside my locker room taking out my Princess Rosa necklace.

"Mouko-san, how is the other production movie going for you?" I asked with curiosity. Mouko never really starts our conversations; I usually have to think about what topic we should talk about.

"It's a great movie in production, but complication with other co-actors can get agitating. Enough of that, how about you, how is school going for you?" Kanae wrapped her scarf around her neck.

"It's so much fun! I enjoy learning, but the tests are so hard! We don't get to hang out with each other anymore, because of our time consuming schedules." I said whining a little at the end. I clutch myself to Mouko-san's arm.

"Eh!" Kanae exclaimed. She tried breaking my grip from her arm, but found it impossible. She made an annoyed face before sighing in defeat. "Fine, fine…"

"Let's go." Kanae said patting my head.

My eyes glimmer in happiness as I contain myself from jumping up and down in joy. I follow Mouko-san outside the building.

That is when I realize that I don't know where we are going. This is the first time Mouko-san was taking the lead on where we would be going.

"Mouko-san, where are we going?" I asked, pushing strands of hair behind my ear.

"We're having ice cream. Any objections?" Kanae said in a convinced tone.

"N-No of course not," I said, happy to oblige.

We both took a taxi from the LME building and headed uptown to the center of the town. I rambled about things that had happened to me when I was young giving an in depth to Mouko-san about why I didn't have many friends. How Shotarou ruined many possibilities and accomplishments in my life as I grew up besides him.

When we both got outside the taxi we found ourselves standing in front of a moderate café. I opened my mouth to say something, but that is when I spotted Tsuruga-san and Maria-chan eating ice cream cones. Tsuruga's black jacket obscured him from the crowd.

Mouko-san saw my gaze intent on them. "Kyoko, come on!"

I felt Mouko-san tug the sleeve of my vest. "Ah, o-okay!"

I ignored the way my heart stuttered excitedly.

"Big sis!" Maria sounded excited to see me. She ran to stand in front of me.

"Maria-chan!" I greeted the young girl.

Mouko-san huffed to the side. I wondered if Mouko-san was jealous. Maybe, she really did want to spend with me, uninterrupted by others. Or maybe, she didn't like Maria-chan. The latter was unlikely though.

"Mogami-san, kotonami-san, it's nice to see you. I see that you two are done rehearsing. I heard from Yashiro-san about how Kotonami-san is helping Mogami-san with the waltzing scene." Ren said in a courteous voice. He had approached us a few seconds after Maria had spotted me standing in the crowd.

Somehow, we all ended up walking to the center of the plaza, nearby an ice-cream stand. We all ate our share of ice cream, and then Mouko-san talked with Tsuraga-san about work related situations, while I played with Maria-chan.

"Big sis, I noticed that you keep staring back at them. Is something bothering you?" Maria whispered in my ear. I took notice of Maria's grin. "Nothing at all.  Was just thinking it is getting late. Besides, isn't it past your bedtime?"

"Nope, I'm not tired." Maria tried hiding her yawn. I poked her cheeks, before pinching her. "Nice try kid! How about I take you back home?"

"That won't be necessary," Mouko-san interrupted. "Tsuruga-san, make sure Kyoko gets home safely." Kanae demanded with authority. She then picked up Maria-chan, who protested repeatedly that she was too old to be carried, as they both walked off arguing amongst themselves.

"Mogami-san, do you feel much better, now? Or does it really shame you that you kept getting NG by the director during the kissing scenes', we tried taking during yesterday's afternoon shoot." His eyes glimmered in amusement.

I cleared my throat ignoring the feeling I was feeling about him at this moment. "No, of course not! I can handle a little challenge like that."

"Then, would you like to rehearse the scene with me right now?" His lips curved up at the corner.

"Eh?" I said bewildered. 'Was he playing around with me or was he really serious?'