Love Action!

13: Dark Moon

Who puts the world on pause?

I don't want to admit I'm obsessed with you

My heart is out of control

Always pushes me to you...

Shen Yue, 我好喜歡你

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"REN!"

Kyoko called him at the top of her lungs. The joy in her heart overflowed when she saw Ren waiting on the other side of the road. He didn't leave. He was still there like what he promised.

As soon as he waved back, excitement filled her that she couldn't help but ran towards him and hugged him tightly.

Everything has been resolved. Though there's tension at first earlier at home, she just poured her heart until her parents saw the sincerity of her desires. She didn't oppose them or talk back just like what Ren advised. And they finally granted her wish to pursue acting but made her promise to continue her studies along the way.

"Thank you..." She hugged him tighter. Deep inside her, she wanted to stay like this for long. She's never been in a much safer place like in his arms.

But to her dismayed, Ren gently moved away from her embrace. And when she looked up at him, he just smiled awkwardly and patted her head. Without any words, he abruptly went into his car and started the engine.

She stood there alone in confusion. Before Kyoko could process his sudden change of mood, the car drove away.

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Days later, it was a busy day for Kyoko. She was one step away from her first major project through today's casting call. The said drama was a remake of a legendary series 20 years ago, the Dark Moon. Ever since the director saw her feature at James Kim's music video, he had her in mind for the lead role.

But after an hour of waiting, Ava dropped the news. "Sorry, Kyoko, but that the panels didn't pick you for the role."

"Why?" She was stumped at the result. As far as she remembered, she was praised by the director when she did the script reading earlier.

"Though the director was impressed by your acting, the producers won't allow you as the main lead." Ava hesitated but continue nonetheless. "Their vision for the character didn't match your appearance."

Before this casting call, she watched the Dark Moon. She admitted that there was some difference between her and the main lead in terms of appearance. But she carefully analyzed the character's personality and interpreted it as believable as possible. Is that not enough?

"Sorry Kyoko... Don't worry, I will check other proposals for you." Ava put her hand on her shoulders and gave her an assurance look. "Let's head back to the company."

Unable to think straight, Kyoko shook her head. "I think I would just go somewhere else."

"Are you sure?"

She just nodded and walked off to the nearby coffee shop. As frustration and regrets riled her, she looked at her phone to see who she could vent out to. No one came to her mind except the name she's been missing.

Ren

It's been days since that night happened. Everything went to normal, but that awkward smile of him was still boggling her. Ren just left without saying anything.

She hadn't heard from him since. And whenever she saw Will at the company, Ren was not with him. There were times she thought of calling him, but she didn't know what to say. She was trying to find any excuse to call him...

With a deep breath, she pressed Ren's name on her phone.

After some rings, it was picked up. She heard a groan before his usual deep voice answered. "Hello?"

"Sorry to bother you~"

There was a pause, but he eventually replied, "Not at all, I'm on break."

"I... I just want to have someone to talk to..." She didn't how to start, but proceeded anyway. "I got a casting call today, but I was not picked for the role."

She heard him sigh on the other line, "Things like that happened. If you're too attached to a job you lost, you'll never make it big."

There was an unbearable awkward silence between them. It was true that it could not be the only failure she would have, and she should be ready for it. She became embarrassed about the way she felt when she didn't get the role. She realized that she was just wasting time to be at lost this moment.

When she was about to speak, Ren spoke. "Jia you... Take your time... Don't worry~ If... if it doesn't work for you, I am still here by your side."

She tingled in delight. Those warm words made her mood a hundred times better. "Thank you!" She ended the call with a smile that no one could erase on her face.

A sudden thought came to her mind, and she immediately dialed Ava's number.

As soon as Ava picked up the call, she immediately asked. "Hello, Ava? Could you set me up another audition for Dark Moon?"

"But---"

"Like what you said, they only don't see me as the lead character. I'll give it one more shot and convince them with my acting."

After hesitation sighs on the other end, Ava replied, "Ah... Alright then! I'll do what I can. I'll get back to you for any news."

When the call dropped, she took a deep breath. That's right! She has to try again! Never say never! How can she get what she wants if she won't do that? If she let this opportunity slip away, how can she face future projects with confidence? She will just gain nothing.

Her appearance would not be the one to decide on the project she would make. She would prove that her appearance won't hinder her craft.

"Project after project. E.M. entertainment announces another lead project for Ren this summer."

She couldn't help but look at the screen at the cafe as the familiar name caught her attention. Does Ren have another project? She's excited to hear about it!

"Ren and Wenxi to star with a new drama that is currently in the works. Still shots were released to kick off the promotion of the said series."

"Aye! That's why they were seen together lately!" Kyoko tried to find where the voice was coming from. Same with her, everyone's eyes were glued on the screen. The two ladies at the table behind her were talking about it. "I thought he's dating her!"

She hasn't heard of it. Curious, she got her phone and searched for it on Twitter. She was so busy nowadays that she rarely browsed SNS.

Ren. Wenxi. Upon entering the names, all sorts of gossips racked up. There were also different candid photos of them together and the majority of the tweets were all shipped them together.

Something pricked inside her. As she browsed and browsed, pictures of their smiling faces came forward. Every picture, tweet, and the continuous gossip behind her clouded her mind, and it brought her a sudden roller coaster ride. She felt her head was about to explode. Immediately, she gathered her things and went outside.

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Writer's note:

I couldn't attach the OST MV because YoYo restricted it. 🙄