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For miko chan: A Touch of Femininity [Skip Beat]
Title: A Touch of Femininity
Series: Skip Beat
A/N: Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Miko-chan! Apologies for the lateness and roughness. I didn't have much time to edit but still hope you enjoy this small gift. This was the first time I read this series, so I must say I really enjoyed it!
This fic has some spoilers for the recent chapters of Skip Beat but not much.
The rumors abounded at LME. Whispers ran through the halls about a particularly tall new actress roaming, or rather, gracefully stumbling through the studio on her way to a top secret photoshoot. Her heels clicked against the tiled floor while the sound of her numerous bracelets and necklaces tinkled as she passed. It was hard to look at her face directly. The most onlookers could make out amidst the glittering of her jewelry was her large aviator shades and bubblegum pink lipstick.
The man alongside her was easier on the eyes though no less noticeable. His aqua hair crested towards his forehead in a glossy 6” wave. A quiver of arrows was strapped to his back while he gripped a giant bow in his right hand. He strutted with the casualness of one going for a stroll despite the obvious awkwardness the large weapon compared to his considerable short stature.
They were a mismatched pair to say the least: he a roughly dressed warrior, she a sunflower nibbling daintily on a nutella crepe. There was no question that they would draw attention. The real catch was: would they be recognized among their closest peers?
“A new challenge.” LME’s president declared from the throne in his office after Ren and Kyoko had gotten back from Ren’s successful debut as Cain Heel. “After playing such an intriguing masculine character, it’s now time to get in touch with your feminine side. The avenue? Japan’s #1 cosplay magazine, Cosmode!”
Several issues of the magazine began to shower Ren and Kyoko from seemingly nowhere.
“Oh how cute!” Kyoko she flipped through page after page of costumed people. “This will be such a change after our last role.”
Ren was less enthusiastic. “I don’t see how this will work.” He tossed aside the magazines in his lap. “These outfits are certainly more outrageous than what we normally wear, but it’s not much of a stretch.”
“That is where you misunderstand,” Lory Takarada stood dramatically and brandished a sword. “You will not simply dress as a fantastical character - you will transform yourself into a beautiful maiden for Cosmode’s photo shoot.”
Ren’s jaw almost dropped. “Dress as a woman?” He asked coolly. Inside, his mind was spinning. He had played many roles but a cross-dresser had never occurred to him before. Acting it out would indeed be a challenge, but the more difficult part was disguising his tall build. Would he be able to pull it off?
“Yes! It will be a true test.” Takarada pointed the sword towards him. It gleamed sharply in the sunlight. “Don’t take this challenge lightly. The photo shoot will be held within LME offices where you will have to walk in among your peers. No one must recognize you nor guess your true gender. Will you accept my quest?”
Ren was still uncertain how it would all play out, but he stood without hesitation, and nodded. “I accept.”
Takarada was in high spirits. “Excellent.” He ushered them out of the office. “By the way, the photo shoot is in two days. Good luck!” With that, he shut the door and left Ren to ponder.
“Two days...” Ren murmured. There was not much time to get in character, especially into one so contradicting to Cain Heel. It would be a complete change, from dark and violent to light and gentle. How could he begin to go about this?
Ren turned and began walking quickly while he made plans in his head. There wasn’t much time to people watch, so he would have to review DVDs for mannerisms, but even then, he would still have to heavily rely on his memory. He would also need to get his clothes specially tailored to fit his build and disguise his lack of curves.
Ren flipped open his phone and began to dial his manager’s number, already having his afternoon planned out. That was when Kyoko cleared her thought. Ren looked back and saw she had stayed behind. For a moment he was puzzled why she hadn’t followed, but then he remembered that they were back to their real selves now. It was strange to not have his little sister Setsu-chan automatically in tow.
It was also a little liberating, he realized, to have Kyoko back as Kyoko.
“Tsuruga-san,” Kyoko began, unaware of his change of perspective. “Two days is not a lot of time to prepare but I strongly believe that you can do it. If there is anything I can do to help... ah... I will be, that is-”
Ren saved her from further stutterings. “Mogami-san, as you have 17 years experience as a woman, I do require your assistance. Your next Love Me assignment is to assist me with my disguise.”
Ren allowed himself to smile after she beamed at him and together they began making plans.
And now the two of them walked down the hallways they had been through at least a hundred times, hoping that no one would recognize them.
And then a child playing on his PSP did. Almost.
“That’s Kado from my video game!” he exclaimed as they passed by.
Kado the archer glanced at the child but paid him no further heed when he noticed his companion misplace a step. It was an ever so subtle interruption in her stride, but he observed it nonetheless and offered her his arm. The woman at first refused but then had another more noticeable stumble. Kado was quick to take hold of her elbow yet still make it appear as if he had startled her.
Now that they were so close, they held a hushed conversation.
“Feel free to lean on me.” The archer murmured while he surveyed the passerbys with a cool air.
The woman did not say anything.
“It would please me to help such a lovely lady.” Kado continued. He met her eyes for maximum effect. “Especially one so affectionate.”
This seemed to trigger some life into the actress. She giggled shyly while taking his arm with such a firm grip that Kado inwardly grimaced. Well, at least she was back in character after that false alarm.
“Why, thank you.” The woman said with a suspiciously hoarse voice. She cleared her throat and spoke again much more gently. “I mean, thank you. I must be tired. I was up very late last night.” Here a pointed look at Kado, who couldn’t help flinching at those dagger-like eyes.
Ren and Kyoko had been up late sewing Ren’s outfit together after Kyoko had accidentally ripped his tailor-made costume during their dress rehearsal. He had not been happy about that and Kyoko had been extremely apologetic.
But that was Ren and Kyoko. Ren recovered and threw himself back into his role, turning his glare into an apologetic smile.
Kado too gathered himself, determined to play his part. “It was all for you, Umeko-san.” He began. He paused as if something occurred to him. Umeko felt her stomach drop for an unknown reason.
In a deeper voice, Kado told her, “You know that I would do anything for your kiss.” He looked up at her with a devilish grin suitable of his playboy reputation. Umeko’s heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly, Kado whisked her into a side corridor where Umeko backed against the wall while Kado advanced. Kado leaned one hand on the wall beside her while his other tilted her chin lower. “Care to grant me one now?”
This time it was Umeko who was taken aback, unable to look away from Kado’s lips. An unbidden memory surfaced in her mind.
“The rule of the heart - what we believe is what it is.”
Kado was leaning in, his breath already touching Umeko’s pale skin.
Ren tried to get ahold of himself, to not feel as if it was Kyoko’s lips almost upon his, Kyoko’s hand caressing his face, Kyoko’s tongue...
Kyoko’s tongue?!
She slowly licked the side of Ren’s mouth where some Nutella from his crepe had smeared. Ren/Umeko inhaled sharply at the contact, their character one at the moment.
Kado drew back with a smirk. “You had something there.” He pulled back completely and made to go back to the main hall. “I was joking about the kiss, you know.” He offered his hand. “It’s your heart that I desire.”
Ren smiled inwardly to himself at Kyoko’s little trick. Yes, it would be a lot more interesting now that they weren’t siblings anymore.
Blushing, Umeko took Kado’s hand and walked to the photo shoot where they modelled without incident.
End.
Series: Skip Beat
A/N: Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Miko-chan! Apologies for the lateness and roughness. I didn't have much time to edit but still hope you enjoy this small gift. This was the first time I read this series, so I must say I really enjoyed it!
This fic has some spoilers for the recent chapters of Skip Beat but not much.
The rumors abounded at LME. Whispers ran through the halls about a particularly tall new actress roaming, or rather, gracefully stumbling through the studio on her way to a top secret photoshoot. Her heels clicked against the tiled floor while the sound of her numerous bracelets and necklaces tinkled as she passed. It was hard to look at her face directly. The most onlookers could make out amidst the glittering of her jewelry was her large aviator shades and bubblegum pink lipstick.
The man alongside her was easier on the eyes though no less noticeable. His aqua hair crested towards his forehead in a glossy 6” wave. A quiver of arrows was strapped to his back while he gripped a giant bow in his right hand. He strutted with the casualness of one going for a stroll despite the obvious awkwardness the large weapon compared to his considerable short stature.
They were a mismatched pair to say the least: he a roughly dressed warrior, she a sunflower nibbling daintily on a nutella crepe. There was no question that they would draw attention. The real catch was: would they be recognized among their closest peers?
“A new challenge.” LME’s president declared from the throne in his office after Ren and Kyoko had gotten back from Ren’s successful debut as Cain Heel. “After playing such an intriguing masculine character, it’s now time to get in touch with your feminine side. The avenue? Japan’s #1 cosplay magazine, Cosmode!”
Several issues of the magazine began to shower Ren and Kyoko from seemingly nowhere.
“Oh how cute!” Kyoko she flipped through page after page of costumed people. “This will be such a change after our last role.”
Ren was less enthusiastic. “I don’t see how this will work.” He tossed aside the magazines in his lap. “These outfits are certainly more outrageous than what we normally wear, but it’s not much of a stretch.”
“That is where you misunderstand,” Lory Takarada stood dramatically and brandished a sword. “You will not simply dress as a fantastical character - you will transform yourself into a beautiful maiden for Cosmode’s photo shoot.”
Ren’s jaw almost dropped. “Dress as a woman?” He asked coolly. Inside, his mind was spinning. He had played many roles but a cross-dresser had never occurred to him before. Acting it out would indeed be a challenge, but the more difficult part was disguising his tall build. Would he be able to pull it off?
“Yes! It will be a true test.” Takarada pointed the sword towards him. It gleamed sharply in the sunlight. “Don’t take this challenge lightly. The photo shoot will be held within LME offices where you will have to walk in among your peers. No one must recognize you nor guess your true gender. Will you accept my quest?”
Ren was still uncertain how it would all play out, but he stood without hesitation, and nodded. “I accept.”
Takarada was in high spirits. “Excellent.” He ushered them out of the office. “By the way, the photo shoot is in two days. Good luck!” With that, he shut the door and left Ren to ponder.
“Two days...” Ren murmured. There was not much time to get in character, especially into one so contradicting to Cain Heel. It would be a complete change, from dark and violent to light and gentle. How could he begin to go about this?
Ren turned and began walking quickly while he made plans in his head. There wasn’t much time to people watch, so he would have to review DVDs for mannerisms, but even then, he would still have to heavily rely on his memory. He would also need to get his clothes specially tailored to fit his build and disguise his lack of curves.
Ren flipped open his phone and began to dial his manager’s number, already having his afternoon planned out. That was when Kyoko cleared her thought. Ren looked back and saw she had stayed behind. For a moment he was puzzled why she hadn’t followed, but then he remembered that they were back to their real selves now. It was strange to not have his little sister Setsu-chan automatically in tow.
It was also a little liberating, he realized, to have Kyoko back as Kyoko.
“Tsuruga-san,” Kyoko began, unaware of his change of perspective. “Two days is not a lot of time to prepare but I strongly believe that you can do it. If there is anything I can do to help... ah... I will be, that is-”
Ren saved her from further stutterings. “Mogami-san, as you have 17 years experience as a woman, I do require your assistance. Your next Love Me assignment is to assist me with my disguise.”
Ren allowed himself to smile after she beamed at him and together they began making plans.
And now the two of them walked down the hallways they had been through at least a hundred times, hoping that no one would recognize them.
And then a child playing on his PSP did. Almost.
“That’s Kado from my video game!” he exclaimed as they passed by.
Kado the archer glanced at the child but paid him no further heed when he noticed his companion misplace a step. It was an ever so subtle interruption in her stride, but he observed it nonetheless and offered her his arm. The woman at first refused but then had another more noticeable stumble. Kado was quick to take hold of her elbow yet still make it appear as if he had startled her.
Now that they were so close, they held a hushed conversation.
“Feel free to lean on me.” The archer murmured while he surveyed the passerbys with a cool air.
The woman did not say anything.
“It would please me to help such a lovely lady.” Kado continued. He met her eyes for maximum effect. “Especially one so affectionate.”
This seemed to trigger some life into the actress. She giggled shyly while taking his arm with such a firm grip that Kado inwardly grimaced. Well, at least she was back in character after that false alarm.
“Why, thank you.” The woman said with a suspiciously hoarse voice. She cleared her throat and spoke again much more gently. “I mean, thank you. I must be tired. I was up very late last night.” Here a pointed look at Kado, who couldn’t help flinching at those dagger-like eyes.
Ren and Kyoko had been up late sewing Ren’s outfit together after Kyoko had accidentally ripped his tailor-made costume during their dress rehearsal. He had not been happy about that and Kyoko had been extremely apologetic.
But that was Ren and Kyoko. Ren recovered and threw himself back into his role, turning his glare into an apologetic smile.
Kado too gathered himself, determined to play his part. “It was all for you, Umeko-san.” He began. He paused as if something occurred to him. Umeko felt her stomach drop for an unknown reason.
In a deeper voice, Kado told her, “You know that I would do anything for your kiss.” He looked up at her with a devilish grin suitable of his playboy reputation. Umeko’s heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly, Kado whisked her into a side corridor where Umeko backed against the wall while Kado advanced. Kado leaned one hand on the wall beside her while his other tilted her chin lower. “Care to grant me one now?”
This time it was Umeko who was taken aback, unable to look away from Kado’s lips. An unbidden memory surfaced in her mind.
“The rule of the heart - what we believe is what it is.”
Kado was leaning in, his breath already touching Umeko’s pale skin.
Ren tried to get ahold of himself, to not feel as if it was Kyoko’s lips almost upon his, Kyoko’s hand caressing his face, Kyoko’s tongue...
Kyoko’s tongue?!
She slowly licked the side of Ren’s mouth where some Nutella from his crepe had smeared. Ren/Umeko inhaled sharply at the contact, their character one at the moment.
Kado drew back with a smirk. “You had something there.” He pulled back completely and made to go back to the main hall. “I was joking about the kiss, you know.” He offered his hand. “It’s your heart that I desire.”
Ren smiled inwardly to himself at Kyoko’s little trick. Yes, it would be a lot more interesting now that they weren’t siblings anymore.
Blushing, Umeko took Kado’s hand and walked to the photo shoot where they modelled without incident.
End.