Chapter Text
Kujou Sara once had this to say about frequent co-actress Sangonomiya Kokomi:
“Sangonomiya Kokomi, actress, started off in TV as a child, grew surprisingly into a confident, stable and well rounded individual in terms of personality both in front of cameras and behind. How do I know that so surely? Well obviously I've spoken with her often enough. Have you seen our IMDB lists? Half our film credits are the same. She’s quite lovely to collaborate with despite our sometimes differing opinions on acting. I’d quite happily work with her on any project we are given.”
Sara wouldn’t usually be concerned about the script sent to her by her boss and agency CEO Raiden Ei, but receiving the message of
“Sangonomiya Kokomi has expressed interest in having you as her deuteragonist. Read the script over, get back to me.”
Then
“Be at my office at 0900 Thursday. Sharp.”
Doesn’t particularly give her the best thoughts about the role.
While yes Sara agreed almost immediately to Sangonomiya’s suggestion of deuteragonist and in all honesty was simply jumping at the idea of getting to tower over her (but in a totally loving way this time) just… seriously? What is with that message?
Thursday morning arrives and just to spite whatever dastardly scheme that’s been put into Raiden’s mind, Sara shows up 5 minutes early, and then is promptly made to stand outside and wait.
The truly arduous wait of 5 exact minutes is relieved shortly later when Sara hears the padding of shoes down the hall. She’s heard that walk in those exact sneakers enough to immediately recognise who it belongs to. The lady of the hour, Sangonomiya Kokomi, who is dressed way too street for this early in the morning.
It's almost embarrassing when Sara remembers her casual slacks and shirt combo. This embarrassment is exacerbated when the two of them finally get invited into Raiden’s office and Sara gets a look of the pristine suit the woman dons, even her marketing lead Yae is better dressed than Sara, in a crisp ironed blouse and tight skirt.
To say Sara feels out of place is an understatement, however the only one to pay her fashion struggles any mind is Yae who snickers minutely before returning her attention back to Raiden.
“I am sure you have an inkling as to what this meeting concerns. Ms Sangonomiya far greater than Ms Kujou, you would rightly assume this is regarding the script you both agreed to. Yae when being informed of the projects greenlight has come up with a sort of publicity stunt to go ahead with before the film releases.” Raiden starts after both women are seated.
Sara and Kokomi both share a look of ‘This can’t be good.’ but still wait for Raiden to continue.
“Yae will go over the details and i’d like the both of you to remain open to the concept.”
Yae Miko is known for being cunning in the world of advertising, revered worldwide for her creativity and the lengths she goes to ensure a product sells. To say they were apprehensive about what the hell Yae’s come up with this time would be the understatement of the century.
Ignoring the tense atmosphere entirely, Yae began with “So. As far as i've read, the plot concerns a will they won't they with a celebrity and her bodyguard?”
“Right..” Sangonomiya mumbles between Yae’s pauses.
“The work hasn’t got any star power in the writing team alone, hence we haven’t started any marketing yet. Because of the crew being mostly unknown apart from you two, I'd like to propose a strategy of using your existing fan bases for some mystery.”
“Where are you going with this?” Sara pipes up with, sick of the woman's dancing around the subject.
“To put it succinctly, between the period starting from table reads until the film's release in January, whenever she makes appearances, Sara will act as Kokomi’s personal bodyguard. This would include any event where the both of you are invited as guests, Sara would be attending not as herself but as a bodyguard.”
There was a few seconds of silence, just to process the request being made.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WHAT? You have got to be joking. This is an elaborate prank. It has to be. Why the hell should Sara be my bodyguard? I already have Gorou. He does a great job. Why does Sara have to give up her own presence just to replace someone already doing a fine job?” Kokomi quickly exclaims.
She’s quite right actually. Gorou is fantastic at his job and amazingly loyal in doing it. There's no reason to go through with this other than to get them at the top of trending at major events. Which is exactly why Raiden thinks this must be a genius idea.
“It’s not a joke. This plan aims not only to increase your combined fanbases, but to make the film better. This film needs to be acted straight. There needs to be realism. So for Ms Kujou to get experience acting the part in real circumstances will give a better performance. This film is predicted to sell incredibly well. We need acting that can stand up to the expectations I have for you both.” Raiden responds, relaying what Yae must have said to convince her.
Neither girl could argue at that. Realism is what the script demands, in any usual circumstance, Sara would just be informed of the duties of the role and given some of their usual training to accustom herself to the position. However the real experience of this profession is done in the public eye, so it does seem almost sensible to have Sara integrate herself truly into the role.
Sara and Kokomi both give each other a few looks, from just her expression alone, Sara can tell that Sangonomiya is having a similar thought process. They both reach the same conclusion so they turn back to Raiden and Yae and give their approval.
“Wonderful! Girls, you can go ahead and head home for today! Sara dearest~ I’m gonna need you back here again tomorrow to run through basic protocols!” Yae spoke excitedly, as if she’s just captured her prey.
“So~ what are your plans for the rest of the day Kujou?”
The second Sara closed the office door behind the both of them Sangonomiya turned back around with her hands behind her back.
“Ah. If my memory serves me right I had cleared my schedule today since I believed that meeting would have lasted longer than…” she checked her watch “eighteen minutes.”
Her smile noticeably widened.
“Then come over!”
This really can’t be good.
“Sure.”