LU Chapter 4

# Chapter Four - "Hide and Sleep"

### Dam-Bi

    "Ohh she looks great! You're really good at this. And you're just an intern? That's really impressive!"

   "Ahaaha, thanks. I've been doing my mom's hair, skin, and makeup for years, so I guess I just have a natural talent for it. I'm very happy that you approve though. Now just the final cherry on top of all this sugar, and then… Here she is. Say hello to my latest masterpiece!"

    "Wow! Chiyo, you're even cuter than normal! Kanon, don't you think Chiyo looks really… Kanon? Where did she go?"

    Our first official order of business once we'd gone through orientation was to split up and get all of our tests, fittings, and other necessary preparations out of the way. I had been sent to have a makeup test, so that when we actually start filming they'll know exactly what to do to make us look fabulous. Accompanying me were my two little buddies, Chiyo and Kanon, but now that Chiyo's turn is done, Kanon seems to be…

    Well, we don't know where Kanon is at the moment, but she's supposed to be here with us.

    That's the whole problem!

    "K-Kanon?" Chiyo stuttered, looking around the studio, trying to find her friend tucked into a corner or using some unusual object as a blanket like she's been found so many times before. There wasn't really anywhere she could be hiding though. The room was fairly small and almost entirely open. Each side, left and right, was lined with tall mirrors, shelving, and a trio of adjustable chairs. The back of the room was full of cabinets and hooks, upon which were hanging thick black bibs. Basically, there was nowhere Kanon could have stashed herself unless she was hanging on one of the hooks or stuffed into one of the cabinets, and there's no way that…

    Well…

    Nope. Nothing in the cabinet except makeup…

    "It must be a case of first-day jitters. I'm sure she didn't go far. Maybe she just got bored waiting and went to explore the studio?" The boy who had done our makeup tried to be helpful. He was a little short but very cute, and super friendly. If his white hair had an azure splash in it then he would look a little bit like Kanon, except he seems to be full of tons of energy, so in that respect he isn't really like Kanon at all.

    "W-We need to find her! What if she gets in trouble for not being where she's supposed to?!"

    Chiyo started to get a bit flustered. Yuu - the boy I mentioned, who's here helping out as an I MY ME makeup artist - whipped off his apron and quickly folded it into a small square, tucking it gingerly into one of the shelves lining the station, revealing a cute light gray turtleneck sweater and stylish black dress pants. Very professional, this one.

    "We'd better find your friend before a producer does. Does she sneak off like this often?"

    "N-No! W-Well, not really a *lot*…"

    "Kanon gets tired when she's bored, so sometimes she'll sneak off for a nap. She *loves* napping…"

    "But she can sleep anywhere, so there's no telling where she may be!"

    "So that's why you checked the cabinets. Good idea! Maybe we should make sure she wasn't called off to a costume fitting or something else. It did take a while to finish your tests, but perfection takes time." The boy laughed at his own boast, but he did do a really great job! Especially for someone so young.

    "That's a good idea! The fittings are at the end of the hall, so we can check there first, then I guess we'll need to check the actual set…"

    I poked my head out the door and surveyed both directions of the hallway. The coast was clear. Quietly, we snuck from the makeup studio all the way to the end of the hall, stopping once we were outside the costume shop.

    "Y-You look… I'm t-too nervous…" My Chi-Bi bun buddy was playing with the ends of her hair, glancing around frantically for anyone who might see us. It felt exactly like sneaking out of class at school. At least, I assume that's what it feels like. I've actually *never* skipped class. Not even once. Because I'm a good girl, and good girls don't do things like that.

    "Yuu, will you look? They won't think it's weird if you do it."

    "Sure…" He gently opened the door and stuck his head inside, looking around for a moment before closing it again.

    "I-Is she in there?"

    "That depends…" Yuu chuckled softly, looking rather embarrassed. "What does your friend look like again?"

    "She's really small and cute…"

    "And her hair is white kind of like yours."

    "Oh! That's great!" Chiyo's eyes lit up at the indication that our search would be a short one. "Then no, sorry. There were two brunettes and a kind of… flamingo colored one? But white hair will be easy for me to remember! Should we try the stage next?"

    Striking out on our first swing, we now had to go all the way back down to the other end of the hallway. Yuu took the lead, followed by Chiyo, then finally myself, so I could give Chiyo a little nudge when she starts to freeze up. We got really lucky! Since everyone was busy we made it almost all the way to the other end of the hall before we encountered a single other person. Three of the project's staff rounded the corner and came almost directly face to face with us. Chiyo let out a small squeak of astonishment, surprising them greatly. I clasped my hands onto her shoulders - both for support and to make sure she didn't bolt on us - and the three women just stepped around us and kept on their way.

    "Th-That was close!"

    "I have an idea… Wait here for a second. We're going to need something from the studio." Before either of us could protest, Yuu speed-walked back to the makeup studio - only about twenty feet - and popped back out a moment later wearing his apron. "Here, put these back on." Chiyo and I both stood there perplexed as Yuu held out a pair of long black makeup capes. "If anyone asks, we'll just say that I'm trying to find Ms. Koyama to get her opinion on the blending. She's in a meeting right now so we won't run into her accidentally, and I even grabbed a third for when we find your friend."

    The boy beamed with pride at the idea. I wasn't entirely convinced it was necessary, but Chiyo immediately threw on the protective garment like it was a cloak of invisibility.

    "That's a great idea! Where do we check next?!"

    I guess if Chiyo thinks it's a good idea…

    I put on the cover and we headed around the bend in the hallway. Yuu waved us to one side and we were able to sneak into the actual soundstage, sticking to the back wall to try to remain unseen. The long black coverings actually turned out to be really helpful - almost like camouflage - and we were able to blend in with the darkness. Under the bright lights several of our friends were practicing their marks as the choreographers and director were giving them notes.

    "Are any of those girls her?"

    "N-No… Where else could she be though…" Chiyo started fretting extra hard, clinging onto my makeup cape with one hand.

    "I still think she probably just snuck off somewhere for a nap… Are there any beds or couches around?"

    "There's all kinds of stuff backstage. I'm sure there's at least a comfortable chair or some throw pillows back there from a prior production. Does that sound like the kind of place your friend would wander off to?"

    "It does! It really does! Kanon loves poking around for the best places to sneak a nap!"

    "Then we'd better give it a look… Okay, follow me, but be really stealthy."

    As we followed Yuu around the back wall of the soundstage in a slow, half crouch, I could clearly see Yume and Akira watching us from the side of the set with puzzled kinks in their necks. Is this kind of sneakiness really necessary? Or even effective? I guess, if nothing else, it is keeping Chiyo calm and focused…

    Yuu continued to lead us all the way back behind the set to a large hinged wire gate the height of an entire wall. It was made out of the sort of fencing you see all over the city and ran off into the distance, cordoning off the area the studio used to store props and set dressings. A set of heavy chains hung off to the side, probably used to lock the storage area when it isn't in use. Right now though it was closed but unlocked, and opened with a single pull, granting us access to its treasures.

    "Th-This is k-kinda like a video game too, isn't it? It's like we're on our own quest to find Kanon…" My bun buddy looked around in awe at the gigantic wooden shelves lining both sides of the walls, nearly every alcove full of objects that may as well have been placed there at random. Furniture, bins full of knickknacks and set decorations, entire shelves full of nothing but fake flowers and greenery… I don't think I would have been that surprised to see anything at all back here…

    "I guess that makes me the white knight in shining armor, here to help rescue the missing damsel. Hehe, the pressure is really on now." Our guide turned back and gave us a little wink and a smile showcasing his perfectly gleaming teeth. If this were a less serious situation, I have a feeling a minor amount of swooning may have occurred from Chiyo and I, but since we were so focused I just gave a nice polite smile back. "Never fear, ladies. Sir Yuu will ensure your missing princess is located safely."

    "Why do you think they keep so much stuff back here?" I asked, deciding to change the subject for the sake of our search.

    "It looks like they shoot a lot of different things on this soundstage. Look up there. See those fu dog statues near the ceiling? I bet that means they've shot a period piece set in China. The shelf with what looks like Halloween decorations? Pretty sure that entire area is stuff from *Psychic Detective Kawasaki*. There's some posters for that show hung around the building. It's probably cheaper to store stuff they can use over instead of making it new each time as long as they have the space. Hey, did you know the Vampire Princess' spirit staff was originally part of a bedpost from a western style period drama? Places like this reuse stuff all the time."

    "Wow. You're really knowledgeable about stuff like this." Cute *and* smart…

    "I'm a big fan of my craft, so I pay a lot of attention to details in the stuff I watch. It's the best way to learn what makeup techniques the stars are using."

    "Ohh, that makes sense. I'd better start paying more attention when I watch television then…"

    We turned a corner in the storage area and Chiyo stopped suddenly dead in her tracks, causing me to bump into her. We had reached the other end of the gated area - the one closest to the stage - where the newest things were being kept, including many of the sets and props for our production. However, none of them were more attention grabbing than the humongous fluffy rodent lying in the center of the room. A giant peach-colored hamster at least eight feet long and nearly as wide.

    "M-M-Momo?! Th-There's a giant Momo!"

    "Aww Chiyo, it looks just like the real thing. Only ginormous! I wish we had our cameras. I want a picture of you with it. You'd look just like a little hamster in comparison."

    My friend ran up to the enormous plush recreation of her best friend and gave it a hug as big as her arms could spread. It was love at first sight, as much as one can love a gigantic plush hamster. As she did so a tiny, muffled voice came forth from somewhere in the giant pile of fluff.

    "Chiyo… Is that you…?"

    Chiyo looked utterly shocked. Can this Momo talk? That would be a very impressive upgrade over the original model.

    "Y-Yes, Momo! It's me, Chiyo! Are you in there?"

    As soon as Chiyo asked there was a ruffling sound, then a familiar orange cap popped up out of the fluff on top of Mega-Momo's head. Kanon yawned widely before rolling herself sleepily off of the hamster and standing next to us.

    "Sorry… I got bored and decided to take a look around, but when I discovered this it looked really comfy, so I climbed on to test it out and fell asleep…"

    "I hate to interrupt your nap, but I really have to get you back in the makeup chair or all of our bosses are going to get mad."

    "And you need to wear a cape! That way nobody will notice we're sneaking around!"

    Yuu led us again as we retraced our steps in reverse. Once more I'm pretty sure we were noticed by some of our friends, though thankfully this time we had a distraction. Rinko and Akira were at the side of the stage with prop swords, swinging them around and making sound effects while Eimi barked orders about lighting from the center of the stage. Maybe it was because we had found Kanon - and because Chiyo was making sure to hold onto her makeup bib tightly so she didn't wander off again - but the trip back to the makeup studio felt like it only took a minute or two compared to the nerve-wracking search. Once we returned Kanon got planted sleepily into the center chair and Chiyo sat dutifully in the chair between her and the door, continuing to make sure that her best friend didn't somehow slip loose and wander off again.

    As Yuu worked his cosmetic magic on my cute little friend, I grabbed my bag from the empty station I had left it on to check for any messages. It's too bad we can't have cameras. I bet Tae-Tae would be super jealous at how cute I look right now! Before I could locate my phone though, I noticed something amiss. A black, western-style envelope was tucked in between my phone and my wallet. I hurriedly checked to make sure I hadn't been robbed!

    *Whew, everything seems normal…*

*Except for that envelope.*

    If not for the color, it would be like any other envelope of the same style. Sized to hold a folded sheet of paper, it was fully sealed and blank except for my full name written on it in silvery ink. Maybe it's from a secret admirer! Yuu did run back in here to grab the makeup capes…

    "Hey, Yuu… You don't know anything about this envelope in my purse, do you? It wasn't here before we left to find Kanon."

    "I'm sorry, I don't." He answered quickly and with little elaboration, focused as he was on highlighting Kanon's cheekbones.

    "Oh, okay. I wonder who put it in here then…"

    We left the door open when we went searching, didn't we? In that case, I guess it could be pretty much anyone in the building.

    Knowing that the only clue I'd get would be by opening the envelope and seeing what's inside, I carefully did exactly that, using a nail file as a letter opener in case it was something I wanted to save. Inside was a letter, obviously. It appeared to be some sort of fan letter, though it wasn't the most encouraging, but maybe that's just because Japanese isn't my first language?

    After some praise for Intergalactic Disco, the letter concluded like this:

    *I think it's wonderful that you've made this decision. Your solo music was so squeaky and you were trying too hard to be cute. This way you can just be yourself and blend with an ensemble. You're an amazing contrast member! I'm eager to see what you all do next.*

*An Adoring Fan*

    That doesn't sound very "adoring"...

    "Wh-What is it, Dam-Bi? You look upset…"

    "I'm just confused. It's a fan letter, but it isn't very nice… At least, I don't think it is…"

    "Maybe it's someone playing a prank…? You know, like what Anette did to Akira's bra overnight…?"

    "Maybe… I must just not be reading it right… Neither of you had your stuff messed with while we were gone, did you?"

    Chiyo noisily went through her bag for a moment before making a loud chirrup of surprise. "My bag has t-two envelopes! One for me and one for Kanon."

    "Probably because I left my bag in my locker…"

    "What does yours say?"

    After a few moments of fumbling around with the seal of the envelope, Chiyo gave up and tore it open down the side with her teeth, just like Momo would do. She shook the paper out and opened it, mouthing along as she read the words on the page. Slowly her expression turned shocked, then sad, then she started making quiet little sniffles. Her "fan letter" appeared to be even worse than mine.

    "Chiyo, what does it say?" She crumpled the paper in her hand as she wiped at her eyes, ruining the makeup that had been applied to them, though at least it's just a test and we aren't actually filming today. Kanon got out of the makeup chair, pushing past Yuu - who was trying to apply her own eye makeup - and took the letter from Chiyo, scanning it quickly before crumpling it up into a tiny ball and shoving it in her pocket.

    "Don't listen to dumb stuff like that. They don't know what they're talking about… Your hair is really pretty…"

    "Is that what it said?! Chiyo, Kanon's right! Your hair is super cute! You're my little bun buddy! Anyone who doesn't think it suits you super well doesn't know what they're talking about!"

    "That sounds like an awful fan letter. You shouldn't pay any attention to it. It's probably just one of the other girls jealous that you're getting a big break trying to rile up your nerves. Besides, your hair is way cooler than Kanon's and mine. Imagine, going white at our age."

    "Yeah, Chiyo… Green is much cooler… People mistake me for a little old lady sometimes…"

    "Oh my, that happens to you too? I get mistaken for someone's grandmother all the time!"

    Kanon had to have been lying to make Chiyo feel better, but it seemed to be working. Her tears stopped and she even giggled a tiny bit at Kanon and Yuu's joke.

    "Kanon, do you want to read yours too?"

    "No… There's no point if it's just a dumb prank…" Kanon took the remaining envelope from Chiyo and folded it in half twice, shoving it into another of her many pockets.

    "Chiyo, I know you're not feeling great right now, but would it be okay if Kanon got back in the chair? I don't want you all to be late for your costume fitting."

    "Y-Yeah. I'll be okay…" Kanon squeezed Chiyo's shoulder tightly before moving quietly back to the center chair. It was then that I had a wonderful idea!

    "Chiyo, can I touch up your makeup? Yuu, would that be okay?! I need my bun buddy looking fabulous for our first big day, because we're going to make whoever wrote these dumb letters eat their words!"

\_\_\_\_

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