Reprieve [Open]

[Kaoru Yotsuba]

Perhaps it was unfavored that Kaoru took the first opportunity that arose to leave the country temporarily, yes? Regardless of the answer that was indeed what the young idol had decided to do. It was only for a week of course as the idol went globetrotting but still a week away from the studio in Japan. It was not for her own personal reasons that Kaoru left. Far from it. There were still obligations to her family to keep in mind before running off on her own leisure. No. This was work related. Aside from singing the idol "MiYU" was known for her beauty so it had seemed that her agency suggested for her to go model for a photo book to increase revenue and spread her name like a brand. As a member of Afternoon Delight it was of no surprise that MiYU was expected to do more than sing and prance about on a stage. It was more than could be said for the competitor idol industries but that was none of her own concern.

The photo book required Kaoru to travel to significant fashion cities of the world and take glorified pictures with the landscape. Therefore the first location of interest would be Italy's Milan. The details of the ordeal would likely bore most as it had for Kaoru when she began the shoot. At the end of the day however it always came down to the model and her pictures. As the sun would set on Milan it would signal the end of the day for MiYU and the start of her time as Kaoru. Taking the opportunity Kaoru left her suite after dressing in her casual attire to explore the streets of Milan.

Tonight the idol found herself at a quaint outdoor cafe with a cup of warm latte in one hand and an open laptop on the table in front of her. The laptop screen gave a display of several photos from the day’s work ranging from lofty dresses on the canals to edgy styles on fancy foreign cars. None of this interested Kaoru in the slightest yet her eyes were lazily stuck upon the screen. It was technically a part of her job although she halfheartedly hoped that someone would come along and steal her attention.

WORDS 383
TAGS Open
NOTES

LAIKA OF GS!

[Kaoru Yotsuba]

Not subtle in the slightest. The instant the idol felt eyes targeting her she looked up to see who had taken notice of her. When her eyes met with the careless glance of another female Kaoru paused only for the other to look away and take a seat elsewhere. For that the idol was silently thankful as she did not wish to deal with any fans on her time off, or really anyone that might have known her as the soloist of Afternoon Delight. Still there was a lingering sensation of foreboding as if the idol should have recognized her. Once the contact was broken though Kaoru felt no obligation to figure out or have a second thought of it as she returned to her laptop screen and sipping her latte.

The photographers for her shooting clearly did fantastic work making her stand out and using the background to flatter her image. As each photo passed that was what Kaoru thought. Incidentally there was a bit of talking near her that appeared to be causing a fuss of some sort. Just as most people Kaoru unintentionally listened though her focus was away from it. In only a moments notice though people around them began to perk up and gather about a table only a few feet from her. It was the first time that Kaoru had witness a group react and crowd around in such a manner that did not involve herself. Even before being an idol herself when her mother took Kaoru out it happened if her mother was accidentally discovered. Being uninvolved caught Kaoru off guard and given her a bit of a different perspective. For a moment, if only for a moment, Kaoru glanced away from her laptop screen and towards the large commotion ensuing nearby. The person in question's back was to her but she remembered enough of her face when they made eye contact before.

"Ririka Morinaka hm?" Kaoru repeated the name as if to jog some memory of the person. Before anyone could catch her as well the idol closed her laptop and closed her eyes to take another sip of the latte. She knew the most distinguishing feature she had to outsiders of Japan as MiYU were her stark red irises and the winged tattoo on the back of her neck that her hair currently hid. Taking these precautions she doubted anyone would notice her over the other celebrity behind her.

It was then that Kaoru recalled among the chatter of fans who Ririka was. It was a female that was a bit older than herself but met with distinguishing popularity in the film industry. This happened before Kaoru herself gained notoriety in the film industry as well and since afterwards Kaoru was dragged into the idol world she had hardly kept notice of other actresses. When in the industry one had to watch for competition and while Kaoru continued to participate in some films she attention was more to other idols. Once she realized who Ririka was however Kaoru had some interest. With the formation of the lines and what have you however Kaoru had no intention of waiting and appearing as a fan herself. It was not as if she was going to reveal herself either.

Instead once the crowd stopped pushing and shoving Kaoru stood up from her seat. Considering she had paid a sizable amount to be seated at such a quaint cafe it was a bit disappointing to be leaving so soon. Still she did not dwell on the matter. With a few movements she placed her laptop into a somewhat large tote bag she brought along and took a final sip of the latte. Before Kaoru left however she made sure to make the same expressionless eye contact with Ririka as the celebrity had done to her previously as if returning it and saying she was leaving if she wished to find her. Since Ririka had acknowledged her appearance to the public it was impossible just to have a waiter pass her a message or anything now so Kaoru left it at that.

Whatever waiter that had not flocked over and was available had gone to Kaoru now to check on her to which the idol shook her head. She had paid for her seat and latte already so there was no need to stay further. "Grazie per il caffè," where the only words Kaoru spoke as she retrieved the slightly blue tinted rectangle framed glasses in her tote and placed them on just in case. She knew italian from school just like she knew french when she needed it which helped in these types of situations. Usually Kaoru liked blending into crowds and not being noticed but when people were riled up and focused it was a different story. To make life easier for Ririka in case she pursued the idol Kaoru entered a nearby boutique. Considering that Kaoru was in town for a photobook it wasn't off to assume that she had entered just because she wanted to find something for it or just to treat herself.

WORDS 852
TAGS Open
NOTESNo trouble. Whatever you wish to do I implore you to do so.

LAIKA OF GS!

[Kaoru Yotsuba]

No surprise there. There was still commotion outside the walls of the store but they had settled down after some time and the celebrity in question made her way into the boutique. "I see modesty is not your strong suit." The teen idol stated this not in her usual tone when someone recognized her as the idol MiYU which was upbeat and sociable. Rather it was her natural tone, one that was serious yet still somehow sounded laid back and relaxed. Despite appreciating her fans, Kaoru knew she had to keep up appearances which separated herself as Kaoru and the idol the public loved as MiYU. Right now she felt no need or desire to recast her tone and sugarcoat it. It did not appear this Ririka cared for it much either way. While Kaoru could not tell what exactly Ririka wanted, she did see that the celebrity made no indication of attempting to converse with her. In fact it was as if she had no desire to do so to begin with. Kaoru personally did not care but after witnessing the commotion outside, she felt the need to say something.

Kaoru had no disdain for celebrities that were not idols, just as she had no disdain for the common person. Before being an idol Kaoru was admittedly led a commoner lifestyle going to a commoner school but had true friends. Similarly her mother was an actress and a well known one for that matter so by extension she could not dislike other actresses on principle. What she could dislike was individual tendencies and personalities. Could she be attack by the Gossip Goddess because of this? Likely. In fact Kaoru knew it could but as a person Kaoru could not stand idly by and let someone ride their own high horse. No matter what Kaoru believed however she still maintained some reputation so starting something here was not something she wished to do.

Either way her tone persisted as she shrugged, the teen behind the idol face skimming through clothes hung daintily on lines of clothes racks. "I'm sure you realized who I'm supposed to be. So to what do I owe the pleasure of being in the presence of Ririka Morinaka?" Sarcasm laced every other word she spoke and Kaoru made no eye contact after the fact as if she did not care. No matter who someone thought they were, no one had a right to be full of themselves. If her mother had taught her anything about the industry it was that. The way Kaoru dressed and acted while not on stage or in front of a camera was a homage to that. Kaoru did not want to fuel that fire. So much for having an off evening after a long day of work. Then again perhaps this was her curse for having wished for something as silly as something to steal her attention.

WORDS 486
TAGS Ririka
NOTES Lovely.

LAIKA OF GS!