Fanmeet.
"You have a meet and greet later around 2 pm, sponsored by Adidas, since we've signed a contract with them."
Sayaka takes a seat beside the blonde. Mary gestures for her friend to hand the schedules, which Sayaka had obliged with no utter. A slight smile left Mary's face to see the rest of her day almost empty, excluding the next schedule.
After a month of shooting with public announcement of her return, the social media bombarded with the Saotome herself, life have been stricter than before. Not that Mary is in wreck because of it, she had never felt even more alive. It is what she wanted.
"This would be the first fan meeting you'll have with your beloved fans ever since disappearing, though I wouldn't be surprised if reporters would be there to ask plenty of questions regarding your hiatus."
"Yeah, I know, let them." Indeed, Mary radiated the excitement that she had with her very first interaction with her fans, back when she just had her debut. Sayaka stares adoringly, happy for her friend.
"Okay, get your asses back on set!" Midari claps to have everyone's attention. Returning the schedule, Mary gives Sayaka a light tap on the shoulder before strutting to the set, feeling more pumped up than ever.
Ririka joins her sooner than later, dismissing her own stylist that held a portable electric fan for her. She sensed the joy inside Mary, contagious enough to break her into a smile.
"You seem delighted, Mary."
Mary is too enthusiastic that she unconsciously dropped her supposed to be hostility towards Ririka, beaming a cheeky grin. "Hell yeah! I can't wait to see my lovely fans!"
"They certainly reciprocate that as well. You should celebrate."
"Really? How about we have a glass or two before I leave, then? Sounds good?" Thankfully, Mary is no lightweight drinker. It would have been a lost cause for her career to suddenly appear while intoxicated in front of her fans. Besides, she wouldn't pass up the opportunity for Ririka booze.
"Ah, no, sorry, I have to decline." Ririka scratches her nape, chuckling wryly. "I already have my afternoon planned out and as much as possible I don't want to be caught up with a long queue later."
"Oh, okay." Mary shrugs. She partly forgot that both of them are busy artists, not just herself. She shouldn't have expected much from her deemed fan. Long queue, huh? I wonder where she's going.
"Get in your characters, both of you!" Midari scolds.
After hours of rolls, retaking some of it for a better play, their work has been put to rest today. Mary had already changed her outfit for the meeting, with Sayaka escorting her out to the waiting transportation.
"Where's Ririka?"
"She already left while you were changing." Sayaka turns to her with a playful smirk. "Miss her already?"
"What? No. In fact, I'm glad we're not seeing each other for the rest of the day." Mary states with haste, though deep down, she wondered why the latter didn't bid farewell before going, like how Ririka used to.
"That's right, you're spending it with your—"
"Fans." Mary interrupts.
A couple of turns and intersections, they have arrived at the mall where the event is going to be held. Just outside is already packed with crowds for Mary (only), who couldn't be patient enough to get out and wave.
"Oh my god! It's Mary!"
"Holy—fuck!"
"Let's get you inside, we're five minutes behind." Sayaka pulls a jolly blonde by the collar. Mary lets her, nevertheless. But she still smiled and waved. (Might have shed a tear or two as well.)
The introduction of the star proceeded smoothly. The chant of her name rang in her ears endlessly, and even if it made her dead, she wouldn't mind having the call of her fans be the last thing she'd hear.
Settling at the middle of the elevated platform, Mary takes a seat on the lonely chair and grabbed the mic, as the host tells them that it is time for the questions.
"Ms. Saotome, how does it feel like to be back in the business?"
Mary smiles kindly, before answering it with pure honesty. A couple of questions have been thrown at her regarding about her break, and thankfully none had brought up her past issue, so far.
Though at the back of her mind, doubt crept up to her, that it won't be called for. It was her scandal, for goodness' sake, who wouldn't be paid highly for a report about it?
"Regarding your upcoming project with one of the rising stars, any thoughts about working with Momobami Ririka herself?"
"Ah, well.." Mary visualized. From the constant irk she had grown in her blood to boil, to those moments she rarely find the latter's presence to be comfortable with. A month of trying to be closer to Ririka didn't really make a wide gap on the progress, so how should she answer? "Ririka is.. a cunning woman. She doesn't fail to deliver the act quite flawlessly, so.. I admire her for it."
"Excluding the work related duties, are you and Momobami-san good friends?"
Is Ririka shooting me admiring looks while I glare at her in return considered a gesture in friendship? "You could say that, I guess. It's only been a month of us socializing, so I am willing to get to know her more personally." Not really, but alright.
"How would you describe her?"
What's with these questions.. The blonde glances at her manager. Sayaka gives her a thumbs up on the side, should it relieve Mary for not making a mistake with her responses.
"She.. makes sure I am comfortable, and would often praise me for my hard work. But.. I don't know. I haven't been reciprocating that, but Ririka.. she's a great actress. A.. pretty one, at that. I fully understand why a lot adores that girl, not only from her talent, and her physical features—well, she is definitely a beautiful woman. A humanly version of a goddess, b-but other than that, I was attempting to pertain about her personality. She's.. timid, but successfully does her deeds. A dependable lady. A.."
Fuck. Mary had a pang of realization that she herself is mumbling words. Like an influence from Ririka, she rambles, and seriously, she had no fucking idea what she's trying to say.
Her heart raced, though the source is unknown. She clenches her jaw, heat pooling both of her cheeks.
"What a detailed answer for Momobami-san." The host laughs, along with the audience. "Alright then! I know you're all pumped up to talk to Saotome-san, then here's your chance!"
Thankfully, the host knew how to read the mood. Quite obvious when it is written all over Mary's face. She heaves a relieved sigh, grabbing the black marker on the side for signing autographs.
She missed this. All of it. It didn't matter if she went home with no energy left—it was worth it. To see those smiles, it flattered her.
"H-Hi.."
"Hello.." Mary looks up at the next person she was to interact. Eyes widening, in a more accusing look as a gasp left her lips. "Ririka?!"
"Aah, shh! Let's not get caught now, shall we?" A nervous chuckle came after from the latter, eyes twinkling to see the blonde still in daze because of her. Her presence having such impact—an achievement for Ririka.
"This? This is your afternoon plan?" It made sense now. The long queue she referred to had Mary glancing behind Ririka, seeing a line of people waiting for their turn to meet her. "I.. I don't know what to say."
"Tell me what you tell your fans."
Mary nibbles her lips, uttering a praise proved to be difficult at the moment. She looks at those delicate eyes pleading at her to speak, mirroring the slight blush of her cheeks.
"T-Thank.. gah! It's hard, you're not just a fan." Mary looks away. Ririka looked different today, a hoodie on her head, hiding her whole self on a large coat. It seemed to not raise suspicions, when no one noticed her. "I mean.. we're co-workers too.. so.."
"Mary.."
"Fine! Fine, don't give me that look." She clears her throat. "Thank you.. for supporting me."
Mary didn't know a simple gratification could make someone's day. Especially to the person she is supposed to hate. But Ririka stood in front of her, like a dog being petted, squealing from hype.
The blonde signed the poster Ririka had with much haste, rolling it as soon as she finishes illustrating the last curve of her signature. Shoving it onto Ririka's hands, she shoos her. "There, go away now."
"Thank you, Mary! I know we see each other everyday but this means a lot to me."
Ririka takes a step back, in an attempt to bow as a farewell. Unfortunately, she may have forgotten that they stood on a podium, so as she lands her right foot backwards, she lost her balance at the lack of firm ground, almost stumbling if she didn't had quick reflex.
"Woah!" However, her hoodie fell down, her shiny waves of silver hair catching everyone's attention. Instantly, Mary knew Ririka is caught.
"It's Ririka!"
"What? No, it could be Kirari, you know!"
"Why would she even attend? It's definitely Ririka!"
"You better get a head start now, Riri." Mary smiles. Ririka returns the favor, waving briefly before wearing her hoodie over her head again as a few guards assist her to exit the area, a few reporters following suit.
Just when she thought she's making everyone's day, Mary realized that Ririka partly made hers. She frowns, watching the back of a retreating Ririka with a panic thought. Did I just.. call her Riri? What the fuck..
This will absolutely trend. Sayaka thought, grinning.
And it did.
Mary grunts under the pillow, the faint volume of the television that flashed the news of her return, her recent fanmeet and of course, Ririka attending that.
"Why is it such a big deal that Ririka came? Is it wrong for an artist to be in love—er.. idolize other artist..?"
Sayaka, with a wine bottle on hand, laughs with the hint of smugness. "You really haven't been updated with Ririka-san for all these years, no?"
"What do you mean?" Mary removes the pillow on her face, accepting the glass of wine her best friend had offered. "Is there something I should know?"
"It isn't anything essential.. but Ririka is a huge fan of yours. And to starr with you? On a girls' love movie? A romance between two women? You have no idea what Ririka feels, don't you?"
Sayaka sips, inspecting the look of confusion on Mary's. "Imagine you being on her shoes. Imagine being paired with the idol you are extremely in love with."
"Hey, I wouldn't say Ririka's extremely in love with me!"
"I didn't know you're blind, Mary." Sayaka coos with pity, slightly pouting to tease the older. "Do you want me to search a few interviews of Ririka-san? She mentioned you in most of it—"
"She must be obsessed with me." Mary states, gulping down her drink and placed it on the table with a clank of the glass.
"She looks up to you, alright? Try to get to know her more, then you'll know." Flicking Mary's forwhead, Sayaka stands up. "Now go to bed. You have a shooting tomorrow. It's going to be the first kissing scene with Ririka."
Wait, what?
Kissing scene?
Mary forgot about that.
The very next day, as much as Mary begged whoever is in charge of time to make it slower, or at least stop it from reaching today's shoot, she finds herself cluelessly standing in front of the same mirror inside the prep room.
Ririka is outside, doing a scene without her. Mary looks at her script, skimming through. It couldn't process in her mind, but why is she getting nerve wrecked? It's just a kiss.
Her orbs caught only a few words in the script. Pinned on the wall, use of tongue, intimate body language. Mary slaps her forehead. "I can't believe I'm getting worked up for this. Fucking hell.."
Just a kiss. Just.. a make out. For the movie. Nothing too special about it. Yet Sayaka's words seemed to stir her thoughts. Because it's not just a kiss. At least, not for Ririka.
"Mary~" Yumeko slides inside the room, smiling widely. Mary avoids her gaze, placing the script down. Now is definitely not the time to relent, but the raven would have done anything and Mary would still do it. "You're up soon. Are you ready?"
"Honestly, no." Mary replies as short as she can.
"Eh? I see.." Yumeko giggles, the low sound still heard, Mary becomes aware her friend is clinging onto her by then, a smirk of mischief painting her lips. "Do you want to practice, then? We kissed once in a film.. we're practically kissing buddies now!"
"N-No need," Mary brushes her off, forcing her mind to block any images of their former interaction on set, at a different shooting. The lewdness it had.. Mary could shiver at that. "I'll be fine, Yumeko. Let me go."
"If you say so." Yumeko plants a kiss on the blonde's cheek, before moving out of the room. Still.. Yumeko keeps on surprising her. Nothing new about that, but it always catches her off guard.
With hopes of leaving her cold feet in this room, Mary strides outside, taking deep breaths. At the corner of her eye sits the director in a informal matter, Sayaka sitting beside her. But it wasn't just them two. Kirari sits on the other side of Sayaka, keeping her best friend busy.
Kirari joined them today, no cameos whatsoever. She simply reasoned out that she wanted to watch her twin sister on action, which made Mary hysterically laugh—because Kirari had her attention on none other than Sayaka. Watch my twin sister, my ass.
It is as clear as a daylight that Kirari had some kind of interest towards Mary's manager. She still hasn't placed a finger on what, but she didn't have the time to figure out those meaningful looks Kirari throws at the rambling, red as tomato, Sayaka.
"Alright, short recap of the next scene, Ririka here would run after the stripper, as cliché as it sounds, confesses her love for Mary, who hated her due to seeing her with someone else. So.. uh, well I hope you two know how to work those mouth and tongue of yours. Are we all set? Mary?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm good." Mary answers quickly, fidgeting under Ririka's gaze. The character suited her so much, having the same hatred for the love interest, so it wouldn't be much of a hassle to actually act out that part. Still.. she worries for the upcoming kiss more than she should be.
"Ririka?"
"I'm ready.."
"I want the kiss to be as realistic as it can be, okay? Action!"