Let's Keep It Professional

“Cut!” Midari groans on her megaphone, before jumping off of her chair. She casually throws the device to a staff, whom caught it with relief, and directly strutted towards the two actresses that awkwardly stood beside each other. 

It had been, what, 24? 24 times they redid this scene and take note, they’re not even done on the first scenario of the film. With retakes as much as that, Midari now stood before them, hands on her hips, alternating confused looks on Mary and Ririka. “Is there something going on between you two?”

“No, nothing.” Mary abruptly answers, with a shake of her head. Patience is one thing she hoped to achieve during growing up but it never actually came. At least not yet, and Ririka is making it harder than it already is. Though admittedly, she makes mistakes along with it as well. 

“Then why the hell are you so awkward with Momobami?”

“Why am I the one being scolded? She does it wrong too.”

“You did most of the mistakes, Saotome. Get your head in the game or I’ll find your replacement myself. What did you do for the past two years of your hiatus?"

Talk about being a straight up asshole. Mary had her fist balled unconsciously. Her ears flared red with anger, mentally boring a hole onto the back of the director as Midari walks away from them. Sayaka watches them closely with sympathetic eyes, and that didn’t seem to ease the blonde.

“Uh, Saotome-san,”

Mary glares at Ririka, yanking her arm away when the latter decided to place her palm on her skin. “Let’s just get this over with.”

“Okay, again! Lights, camera, and.. action!” Midari lowers her megaphone and leaned back. Sayaka gives her worried glances, yet paid no mind into it as she intently watched Mary and Ririka do their part.

“You didn’t have to be so harsh on Mary, you know.”

“Oi, Sayaka,” Midari shifts her body, using her elbow to rest on her chair’s arm, smugly grinning from ear to ear. “This scene is where they argue, no? Ririka says stripping is a degrading job, Mary is offended. What I did helped. Look, Saotome is really mad right now. Perfect for the scenario.”

Sayaka is unimpressed. Though the method Midari used is successful, it still bothered the manager when Mary is not just angry, but furiously mad. Being the blonde’s friend for years now, she always had a difficult time taming Mary. “Yeah but I never told you that Mary doesn’t cool down that quick. Could you at least think of a different approach?” 

“Let’s handle that later. Look,” Midari gestures in front of her. Mary slapped Ririka on the cheek. The sound it made was painful enough, that it had others gasp whether the slap did hurt or was it fake? They’re acting, aren’t they?

But Mary did hit Ririka. Her palm stings from it, eyes filled with brief horror to see the silver haired woman lightly squirmed in pain, and regret coming right after. She did not meant for the slap to actually hit her! Did she calculate it wrong?

Yet Ririka carried on with the act. 

“Cut! That’s a good one! Let’s take a five minute break then proceed to the next!” 

Ririka went out of sight as soon as the camera stopped rolling. Mary was about to apologize, saying she did not do that on purpose, however the stylists swarmed over her, fixing her make up, clothes and almost everything. 

“Mary,” Sayaka comes up to her with a bottle of water. Mouth parted, the first syllable just about to go when Mary grabbed the bottle.

“Could you check on Ririka? Please."

"Why?"

Too much guilt. There was an unexplainable feeling beneath her, and Mary did not like it at all. She bites her lower lip, fingers clenching around the water bottle, it's plastic squeaking, and shakes her head. "Forget it."

"Um, okay." Sayaka had a thought or two. The slap far on being fake, though it still could come out as acting, like how everyone is convinced it is, but she is an exception, and Mary has the answer. "That was real.. right?"

The unspecified question came vivid to the blonde. They could only be pertaining to one thing and only that. How should Mary respond? With a yes, and to ask once again to pass a double check to her partner, a yes and nothing more, or just no?

There was no point on keeping the topic on roll anyway. She will just have to apologize to Ririka when she had the chance to do so. "No, we were acting. Did you find it cool?"

"I find it surprising.. but.. I guess that's the power Saotome holds."

"Yeah.." Mary trails off, leaving her best friend to shrug dismissively before walking away, back to her rightful place; out of the set. 

Ririka comes back, and in a snap, the tension rises. Mainly because Mary chose to see it that way. Like there is something in between them that she couldn't quite comprehend just yet. And the slap? It wouldn't leave her mind. 

They continued on with the shooting, leaving it as normal as they could, but Mary sensed it is not the same as it was awhile ago. 

A few hours had gone by, they had a couple of retakes on a few scenes but that is not avoidable at all. Everyone started packing their shit up like Mary is doing. She wore layers of coat around her body, as Sayaka held her sunglasses and cap for sneaking away from her fans. 

"I'll have the car ready. Wait for me here." Sayaka speaks, holding the script. She did not await for any sort of response and walked out of the room, leaving Mary sitting alone on a couch, head thrown back as she felt drowsy. 

"Saotome-san." She peeks with one eye, to meet the oceanic ones of Ririka's, looking down and right back at her. Mary is tired enough to do anything other than talk.

"What?"

"Today went well, I'd like to thank you for the cooperation."

The way Ririka spoke is merely between two workers. It had gotten them both distant, the events of escalating whatever they had to the lowest form of friendships seemed to have gone away. Mary could not choose whether she wanted that or not. 

"Don't speak like that. It's creeping me out."

"Sorry." Ririka shifts her weight from one leg to another, fixing her coat with a swish of a hand. 

Mary assumes it is the right moment to properly make an apology. Not that Ririka did not deserve it, she couldn't just feel all too well with her consciousness giving her stomach a churn. She pats the vacant space on the couch, ushering the latter to sit down. 

"Look, I'm sorry for the slap, really. The director is getting on my nerves and I took it out on you. That was a shitty move, I know. So I am sincerely sorry."

"Oh." Oh? Mary glanced at her with a raised brow. Not the answer she was expecting but that was better than having Ririka lash out, right? Does Ririka ever lash out anyway? 

"I forgive you."

Mary breathes out in relief.

"On one condition."

And shit. Mary frowns, but with a purse of her lips and a few deep thoughts, she nodded as defeat. "Spill, what do you want?"

"I.. want to call you by your first name, no honorifics, whatsoever."

"That's it? Deal then." Friends use that, don't they? They aren't, but she is not complaining. A vibrate came on her phone, as a text from Sayaka pops on the screen, telling her that the car is out and ready.

"Well, I'm gonna go now so.. I'll see you tomorrow." 

"Yes, goodbye for now.. Mary." Huh. Her name actually sound good. Mary gives her a pleased look, before exiting the room. 

"Mary.." She mumbles her own name. 

Getting inside the back of the car, with Sayaka riding shotgun, Mary leans her head by the window, as the car started to accelerate. Passing through the parking lot, she caught a glimpse of the silver haired girl entering her vehicle. 

Mary.

"Ugh." Mary couldn't believe it, but the way Ririka had pronounced it got her rambling thoughts become wilder. It was like how she felt with Yumeko, but less flirtatiousness and more genuineness. 

Which might be bad.

"So, how is the first day? Good? Bad? Both?"

A bit of both, perhaps. If it wasn't for Midari, she might have leaned on the good answer a little more. "I hate her."

"Yes, I know." Sayaka sighs. Until now, she hates Ririka? Even Sayaka brought herself to love Kirari, and upon meeting the idol of hers, she loves her even more. It was a representation that our feelings change from when we only see them, to actually getting to know them. 

"Yeah, I hate her." Mary, hates Midari.

"By the way, Midari had a proposal. Sort of like a way of helping, I'll text you the details later."

"What's it about?"

"You and Ririka going out and getting to know each other."

"What? Like a date?"

"Is that what you want? We were pertaining it as.. meeting up as co-workers but a date will do. I do think she has a little crush on you or whatever that is."

And that might be just how her next day is scheduled as is. Around 6 in the evening, Mary finds herself inside the cab, passing by different restaurants from left to right. The area she is in is quite known for having the best cuisines, which is actually where idols and actors do go out to eat. 

They stopped in front of one of the establishments, chosen by Sayaka herself. She pays the driver, and got out. It better be worth it, when her friend had to force and beg her to come. Mary even dressed the part just to show how willing she is, though shouldn't have bothered when it is a chilly night, and she had to wear a coat.

Ten minutes late. Mary is not apologetic for it. She made it happen on purpose, while waiting for anyone to cancel it. None did, to inform you. She looks around. The street is not as busy as always—usually paparazzi roamed around the area for any possible issues, but today must be a rain check for them. 

"Mary!" That voice again. Mary looks forward, seeing Ririka wearing a sleeveless dress and a sling bag. 

Isn't it cold to wear such attire? Mary shouldn't pay that much attention but there was no help when the latter is visibly shivering from the damn cold. "Idiot."

"Erm, Ikishima-san and Igarashi still haven't arrived.." Ririka says. Sayaka is not one to be late, Mary knew that. Something is definitely up.

A text message came from the said person. Upon reading the message, Mary grows a grumble and smiled forcibly. "Yeah, I just got a text saying they're not attending. But they already reserved a table and the food so.. let's not waste that."

"The two of us?" Ririka points at herself and the blonde, in disbelief. Was it a dream come true to have dinner with your favorite idol? Yes, of course it is. Mary hums, pushing the door open, she holds it, until Ririka comes in. 

That was purely out of her mannerism. To hold a door for someone—truthfully, someone holds the door for her. Specifically Sayaka when the two aren't separable. Mary holding it now, is completely normal. Nothing unusual. Nothing at all. 

To Ririka, it meant something. She genuinely smiles in return, clutching on her bag with nervousness. A date with Saotome rings in her mind, and honestly, it sounded delightful. 

"Reservation for Igarashi Sayaka." 

"Would it be just you two?" 

"Yes." Mary and Ririka walked side by side, as they are being led to a more exclusive room. They took a seat, both of them on one side, and almost immediately a waiter came up to them.

"Good evening, I was informed that Igarashi-san will pay for the food, so please order to your extent. We also have a couple meal which has a discount—"

"We'll take that!" Mary is quick to answer. The business itself looked expensive it could have her wallet crying, and most certainly she did not want Sayaka's to be on the same state. The least she could do is to get the discount.

"Yes, it will arrive shortly, please excuse me." The waiter walks away. Mary leans back on her chair, bringing her phone out to kill time. 

Ririka is nerve wrecked. Her palms begin to sweat, which she clasped together on her lap, fiddling with her own fingers. She appreciated the blonde for making this a little less awkward, but isn't one using a phone meant boredom?

"Um, Mary."

"Hm?" Mary hums, without having to raise her attention away from the gadget.

"What's your favorite color?" Ririka actually know the answer. As a woman whom admire an actress even before she had her own career, Ririka knew the basics about the blonde. And it's blue. 

"From someone who declared herself as my fan, you sure do ask something you should know."

"Sorry, just trying to make a conversation."

"You know," Mary lowers her phone on the table, the game on pause. "You have got to stop apologizing for everything you do. It makes me guilty, ya know?"

"Oh.. sor—"

"Ah-ah," Mary presses her finger onto the latter's lip, preventing her from speaking. It moves, now resting on her cheek that was once slapped, gently caressing the skin. "I said not to apologize. Now let's drop the topic, and start anew."

Ririka nods. Mary does have a weird way of getting what she wants. It reminds her of her own younger sister. "I'm really happy."

Mary didn't ask why. For some reason, she had a motive that she knew the answer. She lick her lips, inhaling a huge breath before sinking, "Tell me more about yourself."

"Is there anything in particular that you want to hear?"

"Other than having a sister, your debut, let's do off-work. What are your hobbies?"

"Reading novels."

"You don't like movies?"

"I like your movies."

Mary opens her mouth, only coming to close it again when there were no words to form. The bluntness Ririka holds was unstoppable, and the oblivious state she had just adds how annoying Mary finds her—for bringing such emotions inside her. 

"What else do you do?"

"Hmm.." Ririka quirks her eyebrows. "I stroll around the garden. I liked bluebells, but upon having a realization just moments ago, I change my mind."

"Specifically what, now?"

"Dandelions."

"Why so?"

"You smell like one."

Not just the color, but the flower itself represents overcoming hardships by standing strong and proud—it was like Mary is a human form of it. 

"If you continue that, I might think you're obsessed with me or something." Mary chuckles, though it died down almost immediately as she scratches her nape, looking away from the intent gaze she keeps receiving. 

There were no signs of humor inside Ririka's eyes. This proves she is definitely serious, and Mary couldn't help but to feel.. weird.

"I have thought of that, but I don't think I am. But anyway.. enough about me, how about you?"

"Ah, well I'm certain you already knew I was a child actress so I was too busy to entertain myself with other hobbies I could have picked up. But I don't regret my decision, I dedicate my life for acting, because I love it. I won't let anything ruin it for me."

She did, though. Mary grips on the table cloth, images of her past haunts her. "It happened once, but I won't let it happen again. So please, as much as I.. dislike, you, don't destroy my career."

The food came. Mary is sure the message has been delivered. She made it clear—clearer, how much this work meant to her. Two years of hiding is more than enough and she will not let it stay as it is any longer. The way they have been for the first shooting is something she will never forget, but she will learn from it. 

Ririka didn't seem to mind. In fact, she's not bothered by it at all. She loves this side of the blonde, the determination she gives off is what encourages Ririka to do better as well. Other than that, she finds Mary looking incredible for tonight, another thing that distracts her from communicating with the said woman. 

The dinner had been cut short. They didn't have dessert or anything after the meal, since it was not their own budget to spend. There was no progress, in all honesty. Mary came to find Ririka at least 'not bad', but that does not fully meant she now likes the older. 

As they stand outside, waiting for a cab, Ririka slowly caresses her arms, the warmth of her palm serving as a heat pack. Mary, being someone who cannot take guilt, quickly removes her coat and practically shoved it onto the latter' hands, ushering her to wear it without declining. 

Of course, Ririka felt tingles.

"Here's the cab."

"Do you wanna ride home together then?" Mary asks. 

Ririka is in glee. Like an excited dog wagging it's tail, she was about to agree, when she had remembered her driver. Her mood made a 360 degree turn, slightly pouting. "Ah, no, someone will pick me up."

"Oh, okay." Mary shrugs. She opens the door and lowered her head, entering the vehicle. But before she shuts it close, she takes one last look, in a mix of impressed and amused. 

"You're not that bad, Momobami. But I still don't like you that much.. take care, I guess."

"Thank you, me too, you're not that bad—you're great, actually? I.. stay safe. You stay safe, not me. But I should too."

"You and your ramblings." Mary shakes her head, finally closing the door. Without Ririka's awareness, or even hers, she's already smiling because of it.