Skip Beat Vol. 15

Synopsis:

Kyouko decided to take a bath (Japanese have public baths, especially at tourist hotels) and bump into Shouko (Shou's manager). They discussed about Shou's problems, where a spy in the group keep stealing his works to pass it on to the Beagles. Outside of the bath, Shou was waiting impatiently for Shouko, when the Beagle's themselves pass by. Of course, true to shoujo manga, Kyouko just have to walk out from the bath at this time. It's a 3-way showdown!! Reino (Yes! I finally got his name!), the leader shows great interest in "capturing" Kyouko!

Back in her room with Momose, Kyouko felt great fear, as she is reminded by the scene where Reino touch her. Momose told her that her phone had been ringing previously. It was Ren. Kyouko called back unconciously, and although she did not reveal her fear, Ren could felt that something is wrong.

The next day, Shou suddenly appeared to stay next to Kyouko (seems like you can be a good guy too, eh Shou!) throughout breakfast, only leaving when Kyouko prepares for her shooting. Momose got curious and wonders if they're a couple. Elsewhere, a co-worker of Ren commented that he has been working non-stop without any breaks. Ren suspected something wrong and has arrange his schedule so that he can go off to his main work (Dark Moon) sooner.

Later on, Kyouko (in full Mio getup) came looking for Shou (who's been missing since breakfast), scolding him for leaving his work behind. Shou said that he's just working on a new song (ah, someone's taking precautions to not let the Beagle's steal his stuff) and warns her to not simply leave her film unit and wander around by herself.

Both of them parted ways, and Shou walk back with his crew, when one of them mentioned that they saw Reino. Back at the film unit, a DM crew inform Kyouko that she has a visitor, which turns out to be non other than Reino! She quickly escapes to the nearby woods but Reino was able to follow her. Reino admitted to stealing Shou's songs and the only reason why he is doing all this stuff (stalking, stealing, copying etc) is because it is fun to see the look on Shou's face. This angered Kyouko! She can't forgive Shou! Yep, that's right. She can't forgive him for losing to such rotten musicians such as Beagles. She announced that the only one to defeat Shou would be her. At this moment, Shou manages to find them and overhears what Kyouko said.

Reino than announce that he will now stop harrasing Shou, and instead, concentrate on her. He asks if he did much worse things than Shou to her, would she put all her anger on him instead? At this point, Shou steps in and stops Reino. Director Ogata arrives as well. Reino then threatened that if this news gets out, Kyouko's image would be stained. Kyouko agrees that "Mio's image would be stained" (get it? Kyouko is worried about Mio, not Kyouko herself) and therefore decided to keep this in wraps. Reino started to walk off and said that "it is better for me to publicise this, since it would make her think of me" (does all the guys in the world think that anger & hatred = love????)

Back at DM film unit, Yashiro has arrived and announced that Ren would be coming himself the next day, much to everyone surprise. Turns out that no matter how Ren tries, he couldn't finish his work in 1 day, and had pleaded Yashiro to come to Karuizawa first so that he can check out the situation. Ren is very sure that something is going on.

Back in the woods, Shou went after Reino & they continued fighting over who will get Kyouko (stupid guys!). Both thinks that with Kyouko's amount of anger and malice, the guy she hates the most will be the one to fill up all her heart (with anger, not love), but she will still be "his" (the one to obtain her). MCP!!!! Why do guys think that girls are objects to be obtain?

The entire DM cast had done no progress on the shooting because of Kyouko's condition. As agreed by all, Kyouko's stalker would not be revealed for security purposes. A van was prepared for those who are going back to the hotel (which just so happens to be all girls, since the actors had gone drinking, the the crew had more work to do). This made Kyouko very worried, but one sentence from Director Ogata put all her fears to rest, "It'll be ok for you to go back, because for sure the whole time he will be with you."

Back in front of the hotel room, Kyouko smile at a man at the door, Ren.

They started chatting in the room (with Yashiro as well, of course...hehehe). Of course, the discussion turn serious, and Kyouko was on the brink of revealing everything, when Shou have to come knocking!!!! Baka-Shou!


Review:

Wow....no acting done here in this volume, but plenty of character development. We finally got to see Shou worrying over Kyouko, but men are just so chavunistic! Look at both Shou and Reino! It's a good thing Ren is not part of these MCP gang!

Poor Kyouko. I'm sure she is glad to see Ren. I know I will. This scene which shows her relief at his appearance is very much significant. It is the sense of security that he has given her, whether she realizes it or not, and for a relationship, it is a big progress, as compared to previously when she couldn't stand him. Ren is also very clear in his feelings (at least in front of Yashiro, whereby he couldn't stop himself from trying to reach out and help Kyouko eventhough is he far away.

Labels: Skip Beat

Posted at 1:41 PM