lavender; nishimura riki

one.

3/2 12:05pm - meeting with the director.

Your hands are shaking in anticipation. In the past, you've had small acting roles in big movies but this is your very first time playing a major role, playing the main character. It may not be a hit but at least you'll feel special. No one can premeditate how the public reacts to the movie after all. You tap your fingers anxiously on the arm of your chair, waiting for your manager and the director of the movie to call you into his office. Your manager, Felice, peeks her head out the door and glanced around before waving you in with a smile. You stand up quickly, fixing your clothes and straightening your posture.

Felice reaches for your hand and gives it a quick reassuring squeeze as you enter the room. You've been with the same manager since you started in this industry when you were almost twelve and although she's about fifteen years older than you, she's your best friend. You both take seats in front of the director's desk, crossing your hands in your laps and wearing polite smiles. The director holds out a hand to shake, which you accept with a bowed head. "So." He says. He glances at your manager. "We've discussed a couple things already, and I'm sure you're already aware that you'll be playing a leading role."

The director pushes some papers in your direction. "You're character's name is Tara. She's fifteen years old, almost sixteen and her best friend is a boy who's name is Leo, he's just turned seventeen. Leo will be played by Riki Nishimura, if you're aware of who he is. You can read the script on your own."

"Wait what?" You jerk your head up from the papers. "Riki?"

The director squints at you. "Yes. Are there any issues? You should feel honoured you're being offered a role like this." You feel a sting in your heart at his tone. "Oh." You fix a smile. "No, this is perfect! I'll take the role."

"Then we're done here!" The director stands up and motions the two of you out of the room. You hold back a heavy sigh, exiting the room with your manager's hand on the small of your back. You finally let out that breath after the door shuts behind you. "Did you know about this?" You ask Felice. She smiles at you. "You have to let go of your hostility towards him, he hasn't done anything to you."

That's true. He's a good person, you know it, and he's never done anything unseemly. Even so, you can't help but feel a sense of enmity towards Riki. He's more well known in the industry and overall so very infuriating, his personality, everything. You met him once when playing a small role wherein he played a larger side role of the dead son of a grieving mother. During your time on that set, the two of you had developed an annoyance with each other so much so that it felt like needles and pins whenever he came near you.

As your eyes dash over the script, you can't help but groan. "I have to pretend I love this dude?" You shuffle your papers as you walk. Your manager chuckles. "That's where your spectacular acting comes into play."

"Was that an intentional pun?"

"You know it." Your manager bumps you with her shoulder and you giggle slightly. "Okay, okay. It can't be that bad, right?"

"Of course not." Your manager smiles. "Oh! First day on set is next month, april seventeenth, i'll send you more information, alright? I can help you pack for the flight if you need me to."

"Yes! Thank you so much, Felice, I love you." You wrap your manager in a quick hug and she squeezes you comfortably.

———

4/17 9:00pm - first day on set.

"Y/n, I would like you to meet Riki." The director introduces the two of you. After catching Felice giving you a strange look in the distance you sigh, holding out a hand. Riki grimaces, taking your hand and firmly shaking it. He doesn't hold on any longer than he needs to. You chew the inside of your cheek. You've noticed that his nails are painted. Must be for the character. He scratches at a bandaid on his thumb. Both of you stare at the director expectantly. He smiles thinly. "We start filming today. Both of you are prepared as I asked, right?"