I discovered a brand new me!
Plus, I let everyone know the extent of my feelings for you!
Stop talking like that, you're creeping me out.
But aren't we best friends?
Geez!
And just thinking of you parting ways with me was what allowed me to pull off the video shoot!
What the hell are you talking about?
Big sis!
Maria!
Mr. Tsuruga?
I leap out from my dusty room
and start running down the block
I'll hurry it up until I'm faster than anyone
because I want to reach my dazzling future!
A come-from-behind story
I believe it'll go my way
I'll speed off into the distance!
Beating and taking on any chance I get
even if my heart to skip a beat
Rather than pray for a miracle, I'll lay footsteps towards my goal!
Across the horizon, past a yet-unseen future,
lays my true freedom and confidence.
Invitation to the Moon
Hey, it's nice to see you again, Kyoko.
And you, too, Ms. Kotonami.
Nice to see you, too.
G-Good afternoon.
Good afternoon.
Huh?
There it is, there it is!
That oddly sweet, yet dark scent towards you.
Found it!
Here it is! Here!
Why is Tsuruga mad at me?
Did I do something to anger him?
When? Where? I don't remember doing...
Oh crap, I did!
There you have it. Today's good event report over.
The rude way that phone call ended!
And that follow-up apology I left on his voicemail wasn't enough after all!
I-I'm so sorry for that phone call before...
Oh, yeah. I heard your voicemail.
But, it's that guy you call a show-off's fault, not yours.
I'm not mad.
You're lying. You're beaming and rubbing it in right now.
So? The job with that show-off boy went well?
Or, did you utterly destroy the shoot,
for your revenge plot?
Revenge?
What now?
You did appear in Sho Fuwa's shoot, right?
How do you know that?
He told me himself.
H-H-H-How did you know that?
Because we've met.
Bubble: Because we've met.
Oh, I remember that.
He's the only one in showbiz with the guts to pick a fight with you.
T-That idiot Shotaro!
Meeting Tsuruga without my permission!
I'll kill him!
So? Did you get revenge on him?
D-Don't get the wrong idea! I didn't sabotage a thing!
The job with him went...
Well, I did set out for revenge at first, so I'd be lying...
But I don't want him to know... that I was going to use acting as a weapon for revenge.
I didn't accept that job for...
It wasn't for revenge?
Exactly! No desire at all!
I took that job purely because it looked like fun, and...
R-Ren?
Oh?
Well, that's good... Looks like you had fun.
S-So why are you angry?! I said it wasn't for revenge!
That's surprising... Seeing Tsuruga change moods suddenly like that.
And not just his voice, but his whole aura... Like he was stepping away...
That was so scary! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
I said it wasn't for revenge!
I said I was really into my work... I figured he could understand such an excuse...
Hey, what's this "revenge on Sho Fuwa" business?
It looks like Tsuruga knows a thing or two about it.
W-Well...
You can't tell me?!
Aren't you my "number one friend"?!
O-Of course, but...
Oh, I see. Then our friendship ends here.
Farewell.
Ah! Wait, Moko!
Don't say farewell!
Umm, I can't really say.
No, you're going to tell me. I can't have that happen again.
It's bad for business.
He's so mean! And I heard Mr. Tsuruga was as warm as a spring sunset!
Your gaze is as cold as the icicles at the Kegon Waterfall.
Huh?
As your manager, I have a duty to know the truth and manage the risks.
No, I'm back to my normal self. It's fine.
I don't trust you.
There's no guarantee your true feelings won't seep through unconsciously.
True feelings?
I know exactly why you got so upset.
It's because Kyoko said she accepted the role with Sho Fuwa,
and that she said it wasn't for revenge.
You mentioned something about revenge with her before.
From what I've seen thus far, you know everything.
What is it about Kyoko and Fuwa's relationship that makes you so angry?
Thank you for today.
Reference Library
Thank you. See you again.
All right...
Only those authorized may enter.
M-Moko!
Didn't you go to your TV shoot?
Okay! Spit it out now!
Tell me your secret!
M-Moko, your shoot...
Done.
You broke my cell phone again?
You're really bad with gadgets, Yashiro.
No, no. I was just in a hurry and answered the phone with my bare hands...
Sorry, I'll borrow yours.
Are you really human? Are you sure you didn't come from another planet?
I'm not sure myself.
With my bare hands, I break the phone in ten seconds. It's a problem.
Ten seconds, Ren.
Yes, that's amazing.
Why are you repeating yourself?
Ah! Yashiro, what are you doing?!
If you break my phone, I'll...
If you don't want me to break it, you'll be honest with me.
What's Kyoko and Fuwa's relationship?
You're still on that?
I told you, I can't tell you...
10... 9... 8...
Yashiro!
7... 6... 5... 4... 3...
Because I don't want to blab, please ask her yourself!
2... 1...
I never thought there'd come a day where I was being threatened by someone.
Oh, no... Thank you.
She's still a rookie, so she might have some areas of inadequacy, but please.
Yes, thank you.
Caller ID: Queen Record
Goodbye.
This is wild. Almost like a Cinderella story.
Are you serious, Mr. Sawara?
Ow-ow...
Are you all right, Kyoko?!
I'll survive...
Thank you, Mr. Sawara! Okay, I'll get the details tomorrow.
Thank you so much!
Goodbye!
Did something happen?
Ma'am, sir, I'm going to be in a TV drama!
I've been granted a role in a TV drama!
A TV drama? Really?
Yes! And since it's a remake of a show that was really popular twenty years ago,
it looks like the first story I'll be in shouldn't have any problems!
It's like a dream! A rookie like me being in such an amazing show...
That's incredible! I'm so happy for you, Kyoko.
Isn't that wonderful, honey?
Don't ever give up.
I won't!
I have to tell Moko! And Mr. Tsuruga!
That's a bad idea, huh? I mean, he was so angry...
I've been waiting for you.
Please, let me escort you in.
Oh, you're here, Ren.
Good morning.
My apologies for calling you so early, sir.
Oh, no need to apologize. I've been waking up at 4:30 in the morning lately.
Are you having trouble sleeping?
No. They are showing re-runs of "Tempest of Love," the sordid love drama!
Here, I'm much obliged.
Thank you so much, sir.
You're usually so careful with your belongings.
So how did you break your phone?
I was just a bit careless.
What? I find that hard to believe.
Does it involve a woman?
I guess not.
You're such a boring guy, no gossip about you at all.
Please excuse me, sir. I've got work, so...
Ren.
You're far too faultless.
You have countless women throwing themselves at you, and yet not one gossip article about you.
It's because you put off an aura that doesn't even make gossip plausible.
Excuse me.
I'm not telling you to just go out on the prowl,
but you need to stop putting up this barrier between yourself and others, and don't be so shallow.
Otherwise, you won't see the good in others,
and your heart will never be moved by them.
I'm worried about your future as an actor.
Right now, your skills still cover it up,
but eventually, your weakness will make its way through.
What are you talking about, sir?
You can fool all of Japan but you can't fool me, Ren.
Your "love" acting is terrible!
Eh? Haruki Asami?
Yes, she showed the director, Mr. Hiroaki Ogata, a clip from the Sho Fuwa video,
and he was very impressed.
Ms. Asami... You must mean Sho Fuwa's producer...
Why does this girl become bloodthirsty whenever Sho Fuwa's involved?
Excuse me.
Ms. Asami and the director, Mr. Ogata, have known each other for a long time.
He couldn't find an actor who fit his image, so he asked Ms. Asami for advice.
Upon viewing the promo video, he fell in love with your acting.
Eh?
He really wants you to play the part.
It's quite the honor for a rookie actor.
W-Well, I don't like how I landed the role,
but the director did praise my acting abilities...
I want to experience lots of different roles.
I want to keep expanding my boundaries.
Sir...
Oh, I forgot to mention something important.
Ren's playing the main role in this show.
Ren Tsuruga - Evil Himself
Umm...
Yes?
Let me think about it.
I've noticed it every time I've seen you in a TV drama.
Up until now, you've played parts with very light amounts of romance, so you've been safe.
But the offer this time is going to be very difficult and full of romance.
You understand, don't you, Ren?
Ren, is everything all right?
Did they say something to you?
Kyoko, that is.
"I hate you, Ren Tsuruga!"
"I'm never talking to you again!"
Perhaps?
Yashiro, will you stop trying to make her the reason for everything?
Do you really want the two of us to get together that badly?
No, I don't particularly want to force you two to get together...
But then, what's with that depressed look?
I know work never makes you feel that way.
So, thinking about it, only Kyoko can elicit that from you.
See what I mean? Why her?
You make it sound like I'm looking at her as a potential love interest.
"Sound like".
You didn't need to get your cell phone broken to keep that a secret,
not if you really don't have feelings for her.
Okay.
I really want to be in the TV drama,
but I'm going to have to be with Tsuruga...
I'm shocked. I had no idea you and Sho Fuwa had such a past.
You're not mad at me, Moko?
Why would I be?
Because I only entered showbiz to get revenge on him...
Look, does Sho Fuwa even cross your mind when you're acting?
See? I can see it in you when you're practicing in acting class.
Even if you land all sorts of TV drama roles, get famous, and show up Sho Fuwa,
that'll only be one fruit of your success.
I mean, even without revenge as motivation,
you've got the talent to make it.
I just want to see you genuinely enjoy acting.
Moko...
But Mr. Tsuruga was upset even though you said it wasn't for revenge, huh?
It sounds like he wasn't too happy with the fact that you went to see the guy you were in love with,
and that it wasn't for "revenge".
It rather sounds like
jealousy, don't you think?
Huh?
Maybe Mr. Tsuruga has feelings for you.
Say what?!
What's with that face?!
B-B-Because it's ludicrous! No matter how you look at it!
I guess normally speaking,
if it's not jealousy, it can only be one thing.
W-What is it?
Maybe he saw through your lie.
I mean, isn't she still in high school?
So?
"So"? A twenty-year-old man can't date a high school girl.
Ren... girls grow up fast.
Even regular girls at her age.
So, even more so for the ones in showbiz.
Even without realizing it, they become polished so quickly,
and become beautiful before your very eyes.
Do you understand?
If you keep looking away, someone else will snatch her up.
Maybe Moko is right.
Maybe Tsuruga saw through my lie.
No, maybe he was upset that I tried to deceive him.
But he knows it's not like me to deceive him.
Hey! You in the pink!
Here you go.
I brought back the papers you forgot.
Y-You're a life-saver! Without these, I'd get sacked for sure!
Thank you!
Don't mention it.
Yes, he was angry at my blatant lie.
So, I have to apologize to him
if I want to be in the drama... On top of that, I want to minimize the bad blood between us.
I'm sure he'll forgive me
if I honestly admit my mistake and apologize for it.
I know he will.
I don't believe there's any need to be mad at someone who's sincerely apologized.
That's the kind of man he is.
The first thing I'll do when I see him next is apologize.
And, I'll tell him the truth.
Oh, Kyoko!
So lucky to see you.
No, it's fate.
N...No!
Th-That shocked the heck out of me! He just appeared out of nowhere!
I said I made up my mind to speak to him when I see him,
but I didn't have time to brace myself for it!
Wait... Was he trying to board the elevator?
And I closed the door on him?!
What have I done?!
Was it something I said?
She's really scared of you.
It's because you let your true feelings out yesterday.
She might react that way to you from now on.
What are you gonna do?
Why should I care?
Mr. Tsuruga!
I lied to you!
How do you do. I'm Ogata.
Welcome. Come, have a seat.
Thank you.
So, getting down to business, what brings you here?
I think you may already know... Regarding Tsuruga...
Wow, I'm amazed.
I had no idea you and Sho Fuwa were childhood friends.
Nor that he's such a jerk! No wonder you hate him!
I wanted to use his promo clip as a stepping stone, just like he used me as one, that jerk.
I was using my acting as a weapon to stand out as much as he does,
and I didn't want you to know that, Mr. Tsuruga.
So I lied to you and said it wasn't for revenge.
I apologize.
No reaction? Or is he giving me the silent treatment?
Maybe I was naive to think he'd forgive me if I sincerely apologized.
Right, does this mean I'm someone that he just can't stand?
Silly me. I knew that already, so why did I expect otherwise?
Oh, wonderful. You can't see a single star in the sky tonight.
Somehow feels comfortable.
Why?
Why didn't you want me to know?
Eh?
I already knew your secret. Why lie to me now?
Well, that's... Umm...
No, I understand.
I didn't want to lose your trust after you trusted my reasons for studying acting.
I see.
What?! That's it?! All you have to say is "I see"?!
She's pouring out her heart, saying she didn't want you to hate her!
Umm, I wasn't acting with my heart full of vengeance.
What? She's gonna keep talking?
You probably won't believe me,
but I wasn't even thinking about him when I was acting.
I believe you.
Eh?
If you successfully completed the shoot with Fuwa, without any visible problems,
then that means you did a good job.
Right!
He smiled! And he said that he believes me.
He might just be letting me off the hook this time,
but, just by doing that,
I think I can really enjoy shooting this drama with him!
Ren, do you understand?
You aren't fit for this part.
You said you're not crying,
but your voice was trembling.
So I just held you there, without saying a word.
There's not a even a hint that we'll be able to promise a future for one another.
So why me?
I'm sure... I'm sure there's no answer to that.
You said you're not scared,
but your voice was trembling.
You're defenseless, so I will protect you.
And though we lack a future, we held onto eternity.