Co-Stars
The Problem With Promotions
October, 2009: The Now
*It’s dark in here ,*Inoue Mao thought, tugging on her blue blouse uncomfortably as she waited on the cue for her big reveal. And really warm . She didn’t want to be here. She absolutely, positively, beyond a shadow of a doubt, *almost feeding Hug-chan Panky chocolate but realizing sacrificing the health of her precious puppy just to avoid being here was just wrong* didn’t want to be here. The things she did for her career...
“Let’s start Arashi no Shukudaikun!”
She could hear the Ogura-san’s voice. “One of our guests today once called Sho big brother.”
Sakurai Sho-kun replied, “Right, right. But she grew up to marry both MatsuJun and Nino...”
Mao’s heart skipped a bit but she refused to acknowledge her heart after all the trouble it had caused her.
*Ooo....why why why?* Why was this happening to her?
She had somehow successfully avoided this fate last month, which was not easy. Why? Because of all the damn expectations. From her management, to the studio, to her friends, family and cast members. Everyone expected her to guest on an Arashi variety show. After all, she played the wife of Ninomiya Kazunari, aka Nino, in the SP they did together. Shouldn’t she have been a guest on his band’s variety show? Well, one of them at least. He and his friends had three of them at last count... but with all the touring and coverage they’ve been getting this past few months with their 10th year anniversary- really, did every single magazine at the combini have to feature *them* - she wouldn’t be surprised if Arashi did get a fourth show…maybe a fifth. Maybe a drama about five men realizing they’re all in love with each other…
*Focus, Mao…*
Anyway…how could she not be a guest for at least one show? Her fans reeeaaaally expected it...scratch that...they demanded her appearance. Even Nino had begged her to come and ‘play’ with Dog Papa and his boys. Even though she thought he understood how awkward that would be. Luckily other obligations and conflicting schedules combined with the fact that she was really only in the special for all of 6 minutes had successfully hindered any chances of making any appearances.
But all the begging in the world to her manager couldn’t stall the inevitable. It was movie promotion time. Opening night was in less than 2 weeks and she and her co-star were making numerous appearances. She was feeling exhausted, but it was worth it. "Boku no Hatsukoi wo Kimi ni Sasagu" was her first real starring role in a movie where she didn’t have to rely on anything besides a well-written story and her own name to promote it. No cash cows being milked, only one pretty boy co-star to deal with, and no suspected romances with a certain sadistic idol with screaming girly fans fawning over his stylish hair, cool stances, his bare, glistening chest, adorable boyish smiles, and eyes that smolder when... *Gah* .
Where was she? This movie was probably one of the most important of her career. Her transition from cute television sweetheart to credible dramatic leading lady. She wanted people to see it. And since it was a tear jerking romance, she knew that women would want to see it. Probably the same women screaming in the studio audience at this very moment.
“I know you feel it’s awkward,” her agent had apologized, “but Arashi is still hot in the industry. And with your history…well think of the publicity!” Mao knew she was trapped. Literally, trapped in a dark, stuffy box.
“Mao-chan? Daijoubou? Are you ok? You’re making funny mewing sounds under your breath.” In her stress, she forgot she wasn’t the only one sitting in this dark, stuffy box. She gave Masaki-kun a cheerful smile, only to realize he probably couldn’t see it.
“Ah…sumimasen…sorry. I’m goo-...” The box had started to open. Shoot, it was already starting.
“Today's guests are Inoue Mao-chan and Okada Masaki-kun!”
Standing to bow to the audience, she mentally prepared herself to be full of smiles and laughter and cool composure. However, fate proved to be an unreasonable foe and the chair she had been sitting on had somehow managed to tangle itself up in Mao’s 3-inch heels.
Rest assured she went flying backward off the platform. And probably would’ve fallen flat on her bottom if a pair of strong arms and a solid chest hadn’t broken her fall. She was scared to look up.
*Please be Ohno. Please be Ohno…* she begged silently.
“You haven’t changed much, ne, Mao-chan?” her landing pad chuckled.
Just her luck.
Rescued on national television by the sadistic idol with the screaming girly fans, boyish smiles and smoldering eyes.
The sounds of swooning females with a collective, ‘Awwwww!’ echoed throughout the studio.
That’s right...the sadistic idol she was suspected of having a romance with.
*Arienattsuno…* Honestly, the things she did for her career.
(I know this is HnA not AnS, but I like that's she's wearing a blue dress in this. I totally wrote that first XP)
Next
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G-Notes: I started this story before it was announced Mao was going to be on any Arashi show. Actually, I started this story because I wanted to see her on one of their shows. And then there she was XD I also wrote this before her drama with Nino aired. Originally I wrote she would be on for only 15 minutes. But in reality she was on for less than half that time!! Grr.