![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
FIC: Unexpected Opportunities
Title: Unexpected Opportunities
Rating: R, mainly for language
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/OMC
Word count: ~5,500
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Prequel to: Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2)
Summary: While living in America, Kikuchi has to choose between his lover and the chance to make a comeback in Japan. (With apologies to Keanu Reeves--see afterword for details.)
Note: A "salaryman" is a white-collar office worker in Japan.
***
Kikuchi stormed into the apartment and slammed the door behind him, causing his boyfriend Daniel to look up with a start from the script that he was reading.
"Hey babe, what's wrong?" Daniel asked, setting the script aside. "Did the audition not go well?"
"I didn't get the part," Kikuchi growled through gritted teeth.
"But I thought that the audition was only a formality, that the director wanted you for the role."
"He did," Kikuchi snarled. "That is, until Keanu fucking Reeves decided that he wanted to play at being a samurai."
"Ouch," Daniel said, wincing. "I'm sure that's gotta hurt."
"The director apologized, but said that the producers want some 'star power' to bring in the box office numbers," Kikuchi said disgustedly. "A critically acclaimed actor known mainly for supporting roles and foreign films isn't good enough for the lead role. It wouldn't be so bad if I was losing out to another Asian actor, but to lose the role of a samurai to some white boy? Give me a break!"
"Well, at least Keanu's part-Asian, right?" Daniel said placatingly. "Isn't he like half-Chinese or something?"
"More like a quarter, or maybe an eighth; I don't know the exact percentage," Kikuchi snapped. "I don't care what he is--the point is that he doesn't look Japanese, and whose side are you on, anyway?!"
"Hey, take it easy," Daniel said, throwing his hands up in defense. "I'm not the enemy. I know you deserved that role, and it sucks that it was taken away from you."
"Sorry," Kikuchi said gruffly, his anger deflating--at least towards his lover; he was still pissed off at Keanu, the director, the producers, and the entire movie industry in general. "I shouldn't take it out on you, but don't even try to defend those bastards."
"I was just trying to make the unbearable a little more bearable, but I guess that's not really possible, is it?" Daniel commiserated. "Why don't you sit down and relax, and I'll get you something to drink."
"Thanks," Kikuchi said, sinking down onto the couch as he watched Daniel pour out a small glass of Scotch. He actually preferred sake, but he was touched by the gesture since Daniel was pouring the whiskey out from his treasured, outrageously expensive bottle of 40-year-old Scotch that had been a gift from some big-shot director. Daniel hoarded that bottle like a miser hoarding gold, doling it out sparingly on special occasions.
Maybe that was the difference between dating an actor and a crew member, Kikuchi mused, not for the first time. Daniel was a cameraman that he'd met on the set of a movie, and they'd been dating for about a year. He was handsome enough, with blue eyes and brown hair that was getting a little too long and starting to fall into his eyes (he was always too busy to get a haircut), but he certainly wasn't as pretty as most of the actors Kikuchi had dated in the past. However, Kikuchi figured that he was good-looking enough for the both of them, and actors--himself included--tended to be vain, temperamental, and selfish. In contrast, there was a refreshing lack of drama with Daniel, who was always calm and supportive. The past ten years had been mostly a string of one night stands and brief tempestuous affairs, and it was a little strange but nice to have someone to come home to who would ask him about his day and listen sympathetically to his complaints.
Daniel came up behind him and handed him the glass of Scotch, and Kikuchi took a sip, feeling the liquor burn a pleasantly warm path down his throat and into his belly. "Feel better?" Daniel asked as he began to massage Kikuchi's shoulders, loosening knots of tension, and Kikuchi sighed with pleasure, leaning back into his lover's touch.
"Yes," he replied, his eyes half-closed, and raised his glass in salute for a moment before taking another sip. "And thanks for this; I appreciate you breaking into your special stash for me."
"Well, you looked like you could use a stiff drink," Daniel chuckled.
Kikuchi grinned and said, "I could use something else stiff to help me relax," pulling one of Daniel's hands down to run across his chest suggestively, hissing in pleasure as it rubbed across one of his nipples.
"You're very bad, Katsuya," Daniel scolded, but he leaned forward to brush his lips against Kikuchi's neck. "You know that I have to go over that script because I have a meeting with the director tomorrow."
"Aw, come on, it doesn't have to take that long," Kikuchi coaxed. "I thought you wanted to cheer me up and help me relax?"
"You're very bad," Daniel repeated, but he was grinning back at Kikuchi. "Okay, but just a quickie because I really do have to get some work done."
"Yeah, one of us needs to bring home the rent this month and it looks like it's not going to be me," Kikuchi said bitterly.
"Don't be like that," Daniel gently chided, his hands caressing Kikuchi's body soothingly. "We've both got a good savings set aside, and I know that you'll get another part soon. Forget about those idiots; something better will come along."
Kikuchi doubted that, but he let Daniel kiss him without objection. It infuriated him to lose the role, but there was nothing he could do about it now except to drown himself in his lover's body and forget about the injustices of Hollywood for a little while.
Just then, the phone rang, and Kikuchi groaned as Daniel pulled away from him. "Let the machine get it!" he said impatiently.
"Sorry, but it might be the director," Daniel apologized. "Just hold that thought; I'll be right back."
"Hold that thought?" Kikuchi grumbled under his breath as Daniel ran over to pick up the phone. "Hold my dick is more like it." He sighed and leaned back against the couch. With the way his luck was going today, the director would be wanting Daniel to come in for an emergency meeting, and Kikuchi would be left to get drunk and jerk off by himself tonight.
"Hello?" Daniel was saying. "Excuse me, I don't understand...oh. Yes, he's here; just a moment, please." He covered the mouthpiece and said, "Katsuya, it's for you; a call from Japan."
"What?" Kikuchi asked anxiously, jumping to his feet. "Is it my folks?" He couldn't think why anyone would be calling him from Japan unless one of his parents had fallen ill. They'd both been in good health the last time he'd seen them, but they weren't getting any younger.
"It doesn't sound like your dad," Daniel said, holding out the phone. Kikuchi took it, answering in Japanese.
"This is Kikuchi." He listened to the caller's reply with skepticism, and then increasing excitement. "Are you serious? This isn't a joke?" Daniel's eyes brightened with curiosity as he watched Kikuchi, unable to follow either end of the conversation, but picking up on Kikuchi's tone of voice. "What about my old scandal? Nothing about me has changed from ten years ago, except that I'm no longer interested in hiding my true self. What? Yes, I'd heard a little about that series, but I haven't been following the entertainment news in Japan. I see...how interesting. I've also been offered a project in America, but I'll consider your proposal. Please fax me the details and I will give the matter some serious thought. Yes, thank you; I'll get back to you soon."
"What is it?" Daniel asked as soon as Kikuchi hung up the phone.
"I've been offered a co-starring role in a movie being produced by one of the major studios in Japan," Kikuchi said, grinning widely. "I didn't want to sound too eager on the phone, and I still have to look over the script and the proposal, but it sounds like a great role, even better than the one that I lost today."
"That's great, Katsuya!" Daniel said, giving him a hug and a kiss. "I'm really happy for you, but...I thought you said that no studio in Japan would touch you after the scandal?"
"It seems that times have changed," Kikuchi said, going over to their computer and logging onto the internet as Daniel peered curiously over his shoulder. "It seems that there was a very popular movie and TV series about two male porn stars who fall in love with each other."
"You're kidding," Daniel said.
Kikuchi shook his head as he typed "Haru wo Daiteita" into the search engine. "I know it sounds outrageous, but it's true. It was very controversial, but apparently that only increased publicity and made the show even more popular. What's more, the two leads in the TV series used to be actual porn stars--straight porn stars, I should add--and they supposedly became lovers for real during filming."
"No way!"
"It sounds like a publicity stunt to me, but the public ate it up," Kikuchi said, clicking on the link to the show's homepage. "These are the actors, Iwaki Kyosuke and Katou Youji."
"Wow, they're cute," Daniel said with a grin. "I can see why they'd be popular. Is there actual nudity on the show, and can you get me a copy?"
"Try not to drool so obviously over other guys in front of me, would you?" Kikuchi said dryly, giving him a playful swat on the rump; Daniel just laughed.
"Aw, you know that I'm just kidding, love," Daniel said, twining his arms around Kikuchi's neck and kissing his cheek. "I don't want anyone but you."
"Yeah, yeah, now you flatter me," Kikuchi complained good-naturedly. "I'd heard that there was a show about gay lovers in Japan, but I haven't really kept up with the entertainment industry there, so I had no idea how popular it was. There are literally hundreds of fan sites for the show and for these actors." He clicked on a few more of the links, reviews and fan sites, and quickly skimmed over the contents. "It seems that the fans really like the idea of a true love so deep that it transcends gender."
"So being gay is cool now, is it?" Daniel asked cynically. "Sounds a bit shallow, but at least it works to your advantage."
"Yes, thanks to these gay lovebirds, it seems that there's renewed interest in me and my old movies," Kikuchi replied. "I'm supposed to be co-starring with blondie here." He pointed at a picture on the computer screen of Katou, posing provocatively in an ad for Gigolo Perfume.
"Lucky you," Daniel said in a tone of mock-envy. "Should I be jealous?"
"Hmm?" Kikuchi asked, only half-paying attention to what his lover was saying; his mind was already jumping ahead to Japan. Despite his tactic of playing coy on the phone, he had every intention of accepting the role. "Oh, don't worry; we're not playing lovers, and I have no interest in some kid who's posing as bisexual to keep his name in the tabloids. But I'll use him, if that's what it takes to make my comeback in Japan. If this movie is a success, there will be other offers--commercials, more movies, maybe a TV series..."
"Wait a minute!" Daniel cried in alarm, causing Kikuchi to look up from the computer. "I thought you were only going to Japan for this one film, but it sounds like you're thinking about moving back there for good! In that case, what happens to us?!"
"I guess I wasn't thinking that far ahead," Kikuchi said sheepishly; he had been so wrapped up in the fantasy of his comeback that the question of what would happen to their relationship hadn't crossed his mind at all. "I was just so excited about the possibilities that I, well..."
"Forgot about me," Daniel finished for him in a flat voice, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring down at Kikuchi. "That's not very flattering, you know." He smiled mirthlessly and said with a touch of bitterness, "I guess your work is always going to be your first love, isn't it?"
"Hey, you know that all us actors are self-centered," Kikuchi joked, flashing a charming smile at Daniel, the one that usually made him laugh and forgive whatever offense Kikuchi had committed. But it seemed that this time he wasn't going to be let off the hook so easily.
"So you're only going to Japan temporarily, to make this one movie," Daniel said, still glaring at him. It was worded as more of a command than a question, but when Kikuchi didn't answer right away, Daniel added pointedly, "Right?"
"Well, it's kind of early to say," Kikuchi hedged. "I mean, first I have to accept the role, and then it depends on how well the movie does..."
"Katsuya!" Daniel shouted, his face turning red with anger, and it took a lot to make the quiet cameraman lose his temper. "If you plan to work in Japan full-time, you know that effectively means that our relationship is over, don't you?"
"Well, what do you want me to do?" Kikuchi retorted. "When I go to audition for a part that's not specifically labeled 'Asian,' they tell me thanks but no thanks; we'll call you if we have an 'ethnic' role available later. And then finally, there's a lead role open that's perfect for me, a Japanese samurai--you can't get any more ethnic than that, can you? The director even wanted me specifically for the role, but as soon as some big-name California surfer-dude actor decides that he wants the role, it's gone, just like that!" Kikuchi snapped his fingers.
"You ran away from Japan because the press found out you were gay!" Daniel shouted. "And now you're going to run away from America just because you lost out on one role? You're not the first actor to lose a role, Katsuya! Hell, even I've lost work because someone with a better reputation wanted the job! It may not be fair, but that's life. You get over it and move on; you don't run away every time something doesn't go according to plan!"
"You may have lost jobs, but I'll bet you've never lost one because of the color of your skin!" Kikuchi retorted. "I'll bet that you've never been told that your accent is too heavy, or after I learned to speak perfect English, that it wasn't heavy enough! I'm not running away this time, Daniel--I'm running to something! I mean, look at my U.S. resume: ninja; yakuza; karate teacher; Chinese mafia boss; Japanese diplomat; Chinese emperor; kamikaze pilot. All stereotypes, and all supporting roles! The only real lead roles I've done are the indie films I made with my friends and my old movies back in Japan! I'm sick of playing second banana to some pretty white boy with half my talent and experience!" He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled and spoke more calmly. "Try to understand. I've built up a fairly good reputation here, but I'll never be anything more than a supporting actor."
"Not everyone can be Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt," Daniel said quietly. "Can't it be enough for you to be a respected supporting actor with steady work?"
Kikuchi's temper flared up again and he snapped, "If I'd wanted a safe, steady job, then I would have become a salaryman, not an actor! And just for your information, back in Japan I was Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt! My movies broke box-office records!"
"Yes, in Japan," Daniel said, in a reasonable and placating voice that only made Kikuchi even angrier. "But even though your roles here are smaller, you're reaching a wider audience, so doesn't that count for something?"
"Don't patronize me," Kikuchi snarled. "You Americans think that you're the center of the fucking universe! Well, let me tell you something--I was not just a star in Japan, which by the way, has a very large population even though the country itself is physically small. I was an international star--my movies were hits in Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China, Korea, even Indonesia! I may not have been a big star in the West, but that doesn't mean that I wasn't a star, or that my films didn't earn millions of dollars!"
"Fine, you were a big star!" Daniel retorted. "Do you crave stardom so much that you'd sacrifice us to get it back?" His eyes filled with tears and he added, "I love you, Katsuya, and I thought you loved me, too. But I wonder if you ever really loved me, if you could leave me behind so easily."
"That's not fair," Kikuchi sighed, running his fingers through his hair. The truth was that he wasn't really sure anymore if he did love Daniel. They had hit it off on the movie set and continued to see each other after filming was over. The commute between their apartments had eaten up a lot of their limited amount of free time, so eventually Daniel had suggested that they move in together, and Kikuchi had reluctantly agreed to try it. He liked his freedom, and most of his relationships had never gotten to the living-together stage, but he found that he liked living with Daniel. Having a regular bed-partner was nice, of course, but more than that, he found that he liked having someone to come home to instead of an empty apartment, someone who would sympathize with him when he was depressed, or share in his excitement when he won a good role. He liked having someone to wake up beside, instead of an empty bed or some stranger he had picked up in a bar or at a party the night before. He had even introduced Daniel to his parents when they'd come to visit him when they were vacationing in L.A.
He had thought that he loved Daniel, too, but his yearning to return home was much stronger than his desire to stay with his lover, and now he wondered if what he really loved was the sense of security and comfortable familiarity, rather than Daniel himself.
"It's not just the stardom, although I admit I want that, too," Kikuchi finally said. "I want the challenge of a good role, and a variety of good roles, instead of these stupid ninja stereotypes that I could play in my sleep. The only way that I'm going to get those kinds of parts is if I move back to Japan. I'm sorry. I know that I've sprung this on you out of the blue, but I never expected to get a second chance in Japan." He hesitated, then said, "You...you could come with me, if you want."
"And what would I do there?" Daniel demanded. "Be your house-husband? I love my work just as much as you love yours, and I wouldn't be able to work in a country where I can't speak the language. Do you really expect me to give up my career for you?"
"Well, you're asking me to do the same thing, aren't you?" Kikuchi snapped.
"You already have a career here," Daniel pointed out. "You can get work here in the U.S., but I can't get work in Japan."
"Right, because you can't speak Japanese," Kikuchi said sharply. "You say that you love me, but you've never bothered to even try to learn Japanese when you know that I'm from Japan and English is my second language."
"I know a little bit," Daniel said defensively.
"Sushi, sayonara, karaoke, and arigato don't count," Kikuchi said sarcastically.
"That's not fair, Katsuya!" Daniel shouted in exasperation. "You speak fluent English and you've never mentioned anything before about wanting me to learn Japanese! And even if I had started learning it the moment I met you, I still wouldn't be fluent enough to work in Japan! Do you know how hard it is to try to learn a foreign language as an adult?!"
"Yes, I do!" Kikuchi snapped. "I had to learn English when I moved here, remember? I had to start over from scratch in a foreign country, so don't whine to me about how hard it is to learn a new language!"
Daniel flushed and fell silent, and Kikuchi felt a little guilty, because he had exaggerated a bit for effect. He'd been able to speak passable though broken English when he first moved to the U.S., learned mostly by watching subtitled American films ever since he was a kid. And he had studied English in middle school and high school, although he really hadn't remembered much of those lessons after he'd graduated, any more than most Americans remembered their high school Spanish or French lessons.
After a long silence, Daniel finally said, "Fair enough. That last bit was stupid and thoughtless of me, and I apologize for that. But not for the rest. If I'd known it was that important to you, I would have tried to learn Japanese even though I probably wouldn't be very good at it. I'm not good with languages; I nearly failed Spanish in high school. But still, I would have tried my best for your sake. Just tell me one thing, Katsuya...are you really angry with me because I'm a self-centered American, or are you just looking for an excuse to break up with me so that you can run off to Japan with a clear conscience?"
Kikuchi flinched and glanced away for a moment, because Daniel's words had struck uncomfortably close to the truth. It had never bothered him before that Daniel had not tried to learn any Japanese, and while he was genuinely irritated now, it was probably because he was upset about losing the role, and frustrated with his career in general.
"A little of both, but mostly the latter," he admitted. "I'm sorry, Daniel. I care about you and I don't want to lose you, but my career has gone as far as it's going to go in America. If I want to keep growing as an actor, then I need to go back to Japan."
"I thought you were happy here," Daniel said sadly. "I mean, I know that you've had to face racism, and it's frustrating when you get passed over for roles like you did today, but you've had a more successful career than most actors, who never get beyond waiting tables and the occasional walk-on part. You've had great reviews even for your small roles, and you have the respect of the critics and your fellow actors even if those idiot bigwigs in charge of the studios don't get it."
"I had resolved to spend the rest of my life here, because I never thought that I'd get a second chance in Japan," Kikuchi said quietly. "I was happy enough, I guess."
He'd been fed up with Japan's prejudices when he had left his homeland, and he had welcomed the freedom from the rigid rules and etiquette of Japanese society, although it had taken some time to get used to being greeted with handshakes and air-kisses instead of bows, and he'd had to constantly remind himself not to take offense when total strangers addressed him by his given name with no honorifics. And he'd missed the Japanese food, although L.A. was a big enough city that it was relatively easy to find Japanese restaurants and Asian grocery stores.
In time, the homesickness had faded, and he'd grown used to life in America. He'd made a good living and gotten critical acclaim for his supporting roles, and though it bothered him that he would never reach the same level of stardom here that he'd achieved in Japan, he had thought that he had resigned himself to his fate. At least no one here cared that he was gay, although he knew that was mainly because he was a supporting actor and not a leading man, so the press didn't care whether he fucked men, women, or sheep. (Well, okay, maybe the sheep would have garnered a tabloid mention.) And even if his career was frustrating at times, he'd certainly been happy with Daniel. After spending ten years in the U.S., it had grown to feel like home and he didn't really miss Japan anymore.
At least until this opportunity had fallen unexpectedly into his lap. And suddenly, the knowledge that he could return to Japan if he wanted had awakened a desperate longing for his homeland. He ached for the sights and smells and sounds of Japan, even the noise and traffic and pollution of Tokyo. He wanted to see the cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, and to soak in the waters of an onsen. He wanted to be able to stop by a ramen stand for a quick snack on the way home after a late night of shooting. He wanted to be able to drive on the proper side of the road--which was, of course, the left. It had taken him years to get used to having the steering wheel on the "wrong" side of the car when he'd moved to the U.S.
And most of all, he wanted not to be the outsider any longer, to be surrounded by people who looked like him and who spoke his language. It was tiring at times to have to think in English, or to have to translate his thoughts from Japanese into English when he spoke.
"I guess that I didn't know how much I missed home until I had the opportunity to go back," Kikuchi told Daniel. "I like it here, and I've been happy with you, but...Japan is my home. Try to think how you'd feel if you'd been living in exile for ten years and suddenly had the chance to go back home again."
"It was a self-imposed exile," Daniel reminded him quietly. "There was nothing stopping you from going back home at any time, except maybe your pride."
"And the fact that I couldn't make a living there," Kikuchi said curtly, stung by Daniel's words. "Until now."
"But is that really true?" Daniel asked. "Would it really have been harder to overcome the scandal and work your way back up from the bottom in Japan than it was to move to a foreign country and start over as an unknown? Maybe your pride wouldn't let you accept being anything less than a star in Japan, so you preferred to start over in the U.S. where nobody knew you or how far you'd fallen."
"I could not have gotten hired in Japan ten years ago, not even for the smallest role!" Kikuchi insisted. "There's a saying in my country, that the nail that sticks up gets hammered down. But times have changed and I'm not the only gay nail sticking up now. Anyway, I can't change the past, so it doesn't matter what might have happened ten years ago. I have a job offer now, and I intend to accept the role and go back to Japan, with or without you."
"Then I guess that's that," Daniel said flatly, and he walked into the bedroom and made a show of very carefully and quietly closing the door behind him, which only emphasized his anger more than if he had slammed it. Kikuchi figured that meant he'd be sleeping on the couch tonight, but a few minutes later, Daniel emerged with a small suitcase.
"I'm going to stay with a friend for a few days," he said, pausing only to pick up his script on the way out. "Sayonara, Katsuya," he said, and this time he did slam the door behind him as he left.
"I'm sorry," Kikuchi said to the closed door, but there was no reply.
***
The next day, Kikuchi called to accept the role, then packed his bags and put the rest of his things into storage; he could arrange to have them shipped over once he had a permanent place to stay in Japan. By the day after that, he had vacated the apartment and was boarding a flight back home to Japan. There was already a sense of familiarity setting in as he listened to the boarding instructions being given in both English and Japanese, and he automatically replied in Japanese when greeted by a flight attendant.
He gazed out the window as the plane took off, feeling guilty about the fact that he didn't feel more guilty about leaving Daniel behind, if that made any sense. He missed Daniel a little, but not nearly as much as he should for someone that he'd been seeing for over a year.
Kikuchi supposed that must mean that he hadn't really loved Daniel, after all. He felt bad about that, because he knew that Daniel had sincerely cared about him, and he felt bad about the way they had parted, with angry words and slammed doors. He knew that he had unfairly taken out a lot of his pent-up frustration and resentment on his lover--ex-lover now--simply because he'd been a convenient target.
Kikuchi sighed; maybe he ought to stick to dating actors in the future, despite the drama and clashing egos. An actor would never have sacrificed his career to run off to a foreign country with Kikuchi, either, but an actor would have understood why Kikuchi needed to leave, and they would have parted regretfully but amicably, maybe with one last night of passionate lovemaking to say goodbye.
Well, one thing was certain--regardless of what happened with the movie, there was no turning back. His pride wouldn't allow him to go crawling back to America with his tail between his legs after his big fight with Daniel. And Daniel's cutting remarks about his pride and giving up too easily still stung. He had always believed that leaving Japan had been his only option, but now he wondered if that was really true, and if he'd given up too easily.
But as he'd told Daniel, he couldn't change the past; he could only look ahead to the future. It was a chance for a fresh start, both in his career and his personal life. And at least he didn't have to worry about being in the closet anymore--there was a certain freedom in having no secrets to hide. Maybe the damn paparazzi had done him a favor by outing him, in a roundabout way.
Although any actor that he dated would likely still be in the closet, which meant that he'd still have secrets to hide, unless the two little gay porn star lovebirds started a new trend and made coming out cool. Kikuchi's lip curled slightly in contempt at the thought. Why was the public so eager to embrace those two, when it had recoiled in disgust from him?
He finally became aware that a woman sitting across the aisle from him kept glancing in his direction with a "Is that really him?" look on her face, and he smiled at her. It was a nice boost to his ego to still be recognized after being absent from Japan for a decade. Encouraged, the woman smiled back at him and asked, "Excuse me, but aren't you the actor Kikuchi Katsuya?"
"Yes, I am," he replied.
"Oh, I'm such a big fan!" the woman exclaimed excitedly. "I've seen all your movies! I was so sad when you went to America."
"Oh, surely you're much too young to remember my old movies," he laughed, and the woman blushed with pleasure at the flattery.
"Not that young, but it's kind of you to say so," she giggled. "Forgive me for prying, but are you going back to Japan for business, or are you just on vacation?"
"As a matter of fact, I'll be co-starring in a new film, along with a young actor named Katou Youji."
"Ooh, I'm a big fan of 'Embracing Love'!" the woman squealed. "I'm so excited to know that the two of you will be working together!"
It took a huge effort for Kikuchi to keep the pleasant smile on his face after that, but he was an actor, after all. He even managed to turn the charm up a few notches, and the woman beamed at him in response.
"I've been away from Japan for a long time," Kikuchi said. "Will you please tell me a little more about that series, and about Katou-san and Iwaki-san?" After all, he had to understand his rivals and what made them so popular if he was going to overcome them.
The woman was more than happy to oblige, and Kikuchi listened attentively, plotting the strategy for his comeback, and the two porn stars' comeuppance.
THE END.
Next story in the series: Comeback, Part 1
Side story Valentine's Day Surprise doesn't feature Kikuchi, but takes place chronologically between "Unexpected Opportunities" and "Comeback".
***
Afterword: This story was inspired by a news article I read about Keanu Reeves being cast in an American remake of the 47 Ronin. (See the rant on my journal about the Avatar movie casting and Keanu for more details. They don't actually call it a "remake" in the article, but since it's been done before in Japan, I'm considering it a remake.) So anyway, it made me think about what I'd written in Comeback about Kikuchi being frustrated with having to play supporting roles, which made me think further, what if a similar incident was the straw that broke the camel's back and sent Kikuchi off to Japan to make his comeback? He comes home from an audition pissed off that Keanu (or whomever) got the role that should have been his, and then he gets a call from a movie studio in Japan offering him the role in Katou's movie.
When I was writing Comeback, I hadn't really envisioned Kikuchi being in a serious relationship before he returned to Japan, but once the plot bunny bit me, the character of Daniel popped into my head, and I thought it would be nice to have the additional conflict of Kikuchi having to decide between his career and his lover. Unfortunately for poor Daniel, there was no question in my mind which he would choose.
Since the story was inspired by the Keanu article, I worked the idea into the story without naming the specific film, not wanting to contradict anything in the Harudaki timeline. (Keanu never made a samurai movie during the time that the manga was written, but the project could easily have fallen through or perhaps have been postponed.) I have nothing personal against Mr. Reeves, except maybe his wooden performance in Johnny Mneumonic. ~_^ I've seen him on talk shows, and he seems like a very nice, intelligent guy--but playing a samurai convincingly? Nope; I just can't picture it.
I've been getting all kinds of Kikuchi plot bunnies--ideas for his and Onozuka's first date and continuing relationship; ideas for two movie plots that he and Onozuka will star in together--one with Director Kitamura and the next with Mochimune; and Kikuchi's family. Originally I thought they might disapprove of his lifestyle, but that seemed too similar to Iwaki, so I decided instead that his family would be loving and supportive of him. His father was upset when the scandal broke, but more because Kikuchi didn't trust his family enough to confide in them than because they found out he was gay. (Mom and little brother had already guessed at the truth without being told, though, since Kikuchi never had any steady girlfriends.) I've decided that Mom is a housewife, Dad is a retired cop, and little brother is a prosecutor. (Hm, so how come Dad wasn't able to deduce that his son was gay? Maybe it's just that sometimes it's hard to be objective about the people closest to us.) I have to figure out a way to work them into the story; maybe he'll introduce Onozuka to them eventually.
One other thing that amused me while I was writing this was that I usually don't use much profanity in my stories--not because it offends me, but I don't use it much in real life, so it doesn't come naturally. But occasionally, it just feels right for certain characters to swear a lot. Aric in my Always series and Kikuchi seem to be the potty-mouths in my stable of characters, for some reason. ^_^
no subject
although iwaki understand the reason of his action but this fic provide a very valid reason for him to do that..
A star fell into the gutter after being discovered that he is gay and fled to a foreign country, facing racism and have to gain everything again in those helpless situation is depressing .. how can he think straight after all the difficulty and hardship he has gone through in those years hearing that his own country that had once despised him because of his sexual preference is totally in love and act all supportive towards a gay couple..jealousy and the urge of revenge cloud his eyes.
i think i understand his feeling, though i'm still dislike him a little after what he done to iwaki-san.. XD
no subject
Thanks for reading!
no subject
One other thing that amused me while I was writing this was that I usually don't use much profanity in my stories--not because it offends me, but I don't use it much in real life, so it doesn't come naturally. Hehe! Not surprisingly, being Australian, a filthy mouth just comes naturally. That's not to say that I cannot speak without swearing - I'd have to be pretty upset to swear in a conversation where it might not be acceptable. But I have yet to write a character who swears as often as I might! And when a character I'm writing does swear, even a little, I enjoy it immensely.
no subject
And hee hee, it is kind of fun to write a character who swears. ^_^
no subject
i'm swiss, and one of my best mates is ozzie too.. well when we speak together, in english naturally, i'm actually the one who can't use a sentence without at least a "f**k" or "s**t" in it *LOL*!! and he always scolds me, because he has a 6 y.o. kid, and doesn't want him to follow my bad example XDDD. the only one who beats me at this is his london-living scottish friend, who says sentences like ONLY "the f**king.." XDD
no subject
i really like the way you go into the private sphere of the charas.. it's quite HWD style anyway, so domestic and full of little private struggles..
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
Keanu...I feel a little bit guilty for picking on the poor guy, but just hearing his name is enough to make me giggle now. ^_^
no subject
As for Keanu, he's a crap actor (or one of the not so good good ones, and I'm sure he knows where his strenghts lie (6 different expressions, 1 qualified glare - he's a bit like a manga character). Giggling's okay. *grins*
no subject
no subject