Chapter Text
Kyoko Mogami had a reputation for falling for every love interest she got cast with.
It had really all begun when LME's eccentric president threw an elaborate party to celebrate the graduation of his number one Love Me member. At the end of the night he'd announced her debut movie would be something anyone who knew her personally would pin as right up her alley: a Cinderella story. Though many were skeptic given her reputation as a villain, Kyoko managed to film with the same passion she'd brought to her earlier characters. Anyone could see the chemistry between her and her Prince. After the movie was released, rumors spread for weeks about the relationship. But after many pink faced denials from the actress herself and no real proof that Kyoko had ever seen the man outside of filming, the rumors were put to rest.
Until her next romance.
Now twenty one, Kyoko had done many well received projects, rumored to never turn down anything she could fit into her schedule. She had, supposedly, triumphed over her repulsion of love (though she refused to tell anyone how exactly) and made a dramatic entry into the world of entertainment. But every time her manger handed her the script to a new romance she had been cast in, Kyoko Mogami's despair could be heard far and wide.
"Mo! What is it this time?" Kanae threw her keys on the counter and walked further into the apartment the two shared, taking a seat across from Kyoko. Glancing up at her friend with wide eyes, Kyoko looked like a truly tormented soul.
"Moko, it's terrible! I got cast with Fujioka again!" Kanae tried to recall the actor.
"From Midnight Kiss? What's the problem with that, he's pretty famous himself. I'm sure the drama will be a success."
"But I turned him down at the cast party! How will I face him again?" Kanae remembered that. Luckily Kyoko's manager, Wakahisa, had intervened before the man could make a scene. It had been up to Kanae to drag the shell-shocked and apologetic Kyoko back home. Not their best night.
"He seemed professional enough when we met last. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"But Moko! What if it's like... LAST time." Kanae knew exactly what "last time" referred to. The only other time Kyoko had ever had the same actor play her love interest; his name was now banned from their apartment. He was the main reason Kyoko lamented when she got romance roles. While her modesty still reached incredible heights, the thought of another confession like THAT haunted Kyoko every time she read those flowery lines of love. The man had all but stalked her, insisting she must feel something for him since she could act so tenderly on camera. If it hadn't been for Tsuruga's "chat" with him, who knows how far he would have gone. Several costars had asked her out with the same reasoning since then, though none had been as forceful as Him. Kanae sighed, irritated she couldn't do anything to help her friend's obvious distress.
"Sawara was the one who approved the offer right?"
"I think so."
"Then I'm sure it's fine. If Fujioka does start acting up, I'll deal with him." Kyoko burst into a fresh set of tears, throwing herself on Kanae with exaggerated relief. "Mo!" Kanae huffed but didn't try to escape her friend's grasp. "What's the story anyways?" Kyoko brightened considerably, chatting happily about the fairytale for the rest of the night.
* * *
Kanae bristled as soon as she saw Kyoko at the cafe. They had agreed to meet for lunch so Kanae could make sure Fujioka wasn't trying anything and the girls could catch up between filming. If Kyoko's mood was anything to go on, she had her work cut out for her.
"What happened?" Kanae didn't bother sitting down, crossing her arms in a menacing fashion.
"Hm?"
"With Fujioka. What did he do?" Kyoko shook her head profusely.
"Oh no, he was very professional about everything!"
"Then why do you look like that?" Kyoko plastered on a perfect smile.
"Like what, Moko?"
"Oh no you don't." Kanae finally pulled out her chair and sat down. "Talk." Kyoko deflated again.
"It's really nothing..."
"You can't even tell your best friend?"
"It's not that, I swear! It's just silly. It's my fault really. I wasn't reading the casting list clearly. After I saw Fujioka's name I didn't pay attention to anything else and-"
"Mo! Just tell me what's wrong." Kyoko was quiet for a moment before she finally answered.
"Remember how I told you this one was a love triangle? So I had two love interests?"
"Yeah."
"Well one of them is Fujioka..."
"Yeah, he plays the Lord, you don't get together in the end, I know."
"Well today I found out who our other costar is." Kanae waited for her to continue. "It's Tsuraga." Kanae raised her eyebrows at her friend's quiet confession.
"I thought Wakahisa was filtering any romance roles with him out?"
"I thought she was too, but..." Kanae bit her lip impatiently. Kyoko had been very secretive on how exactly she'd graduated from Love Me status but being the best friend did come with certain perks- most importantly the truth. After President Lory had found out about Kyoko's love for Tsuraga, seen her grow and accept that love for him as well as let go of her past, he had happily debuted her. Kyoko's standing condition with him was that Lory did not tell her senior about her feelings for him.
Kyoko had grown beautifully in the world of acting and even managed to grow past just a kohai-sempai relationship, becoming friends with Tsuraga. But despite Lory's careful hints, Kyoko refused to confess. And even though she usually loved every chance she got to act with him, she meticulously weeded out romance roles- afraid she would inadvertently reveal her true feelings to the man. As it was, everyone already suspected her of falling in love with her costars, and that was when she was just imagining them as Tsuraga. Kyoko shuddered to think of how she would hide her feelings in front of the real thing. Their relationship would crumble in an instant. Tsuraga would know everything and be disgusted with her.
For her part, Kanae didn't think Kyoko had anything to worry about. She had long suspected the man had feelings for her friend. However, she understood Kyoko's hesitation and respected her wishes to keep the relationship in the same, safe zone it had always (mostly) been.
"Well, what are you going to do? Will you quit?" Kyoko looked horrified.
"Of course not!"
"Then you'll just have to act good enough to fool Tsuraga." Kyoko fumbled.
"I could never! Tsuraga is-"
"Mo! You're as good an actor as he is! Besides, you're character is pretty emotionless anyways right? It's not a passionate romance, use it to your advantage. You've fooled him for what, four years now? Are you really going to lose this easily?"
"No way! My relationship with Tsuraga hinges on this."
"Right. So just do what you usually do and you'll be fine." Kyoko smiled a real, reassured smile.
"Thank you, Moko."
"Now hurry up and order, I have to be back on set soon."