Loveless (Book 1) [Completed]

Chapter 23.

BEST FRIENDS.

"Ready?" The casting director held out his stopwatch and asked the Love Me duo before starting the countdown.

"Pardon me," Kyoko gritted her teeth. "Could we also borrow some Kyurara? We'll need it in our performance." Even her voice sounded a little deeper than usual. Akin to her eyes, it had the same burning intensity and the vibe of veritable determination radiated off her.

"Sure," the casting director said. There were no more fresh bottles present so Kyoko followed him outside to fetch some.

When they returned, the contestants were whispering about how they were so very unfortunate to have the same idea as Erika.

"Sorry for the wait," Kyoko's icy tone cut through the voices and once again total silence consumed the air.

She joined Moko, who frowned at her hands which were occupied by a bottle as well as a can of Kyurara. "You brought two of them? What are we gonna do with those?" She wondered aloud.

At first, Moko had concluded they were going to do the same routine despite the fact that Erika stole it, but her eyes popped in confusion when she saw Kyoko bringing two drinks instead of one. How were they supposed to share two of those? She wished she could ask these things directly from Kyoko and for the first time ever, regretted agreeing to this performing-without-rehearsing thing.

"Take this," Kyoko handed her the bottle and kept the can for herself.

The confusion Moko felt was apparently visible on her face because when she took the bottle, Kyoko gave her an assuring smile. "Hey, Moko. Just follow my lead. Trust me, 'kay?"

And she did. She realised it was her trust in Kyoko that fueled her with determination. She had no idea when she started trusting her in the first place, but now it was strong enough for her to believe that Kyoko will somehow safely pull out both of them through this.

"The timer is set for one minute," the casting director reminded them. He touched the button of the stopwatch and asked once again. "Ready?"

Kyoko nodded before taking her position as she stood facing the wall and placing her back to her partner. Before Moko could think what to do, the scene started.

The casting director shouted, "and... go!"

Kyoko whirled immediately and pointed the Kyurara can at Moko like a gun. She snapped it open and it's contents sprayed out like a fountain drenching Moko in the process.

For a moment, Moko looked even more confused like she couldn't comprehend what was happening, but soon her jaw clenched in irritation when she looked at Kyoko staring daggers at her.

"They're still fighting?" A murmur came from the general direction of the contestants' seats. "I thought they were supposed to make up."

"Me too," a reply can soon in an equally confused tone.

"A little payback," Kyoko spat, anger dripping from her voice.

The fire in her eyes, it's real. I had no idea, she could act this way, Moko tried her best to hide her surprise and reflect the hatred which she received from Kyoko's glare.

She clashed her gaze with an equally detestable look and they glared at each other for a few moments more. She didn't know what else to do. After all she was supposed to follow Kyoko's lead. Her grip tightened around the bottle of Kyurara. Maybe she was supposed to drench Kyoko in return but how would have that helped them make up? She decided to go with her instinct and wait.

All of a sudden Kyoko's frenzy of rage was dissolved and it was replaced by a playful smirk. "Just kidding!" She squealed.

"Huh?" Moko was confused again.