Outside the Spotlight (Fanfic) Part 2
"It's her. Horikita Maki"
Toma is debating himself whether he should greet her or not. He's convinced that she didn't notice him so not saying a word will not cause him anything. Or what if she knew, will she think she's arrogant?
"It's definitely her."
Toma first saw Maki in a filming set. She was wearing a thick jacket over her drama outfit. She was talking with the director and some drama crew. They are watching a scene, which Toma guessed is her's. She was so focused on what the director is saying. He saw her replaying the scene a few times, as if examining her performance. Toma was so astounded back by her focus. She's so young yet very invested in her craft.
And Yamapi was wrong. It is in the filming set of Nobuta wo Produce that he first saw her.
"Oh Toma!" Yamapi said upon seeing his best friend. "You're here!"
"Ah yup. I was shooting for a magazine nearby so I thought I should come and say hi." Toma said flustered by the sudden interruption of his observance.
"Oh, good timing. We're almost done. Let's have a drink after...
"Sumimasen, Yamashita-san, you're on."
"..ops sorry. I'm on. I'll tell Kame. I think he's done for today already." Yamapi said as he took off the jacket.
"Go ahead, I'll go tell Kame." Toma said.
Yamapi run back and started working on his scene.
Toma gazed back to Maki's direction but she was nowhere to be found. He scanned the place with his eyes, looking for the girl in a school uniform.
"He's in the comfort room."
He looked back, there she is. Smiling at her, a little.
Toma was, again, taken aback by this sudden conversation that he was lost for words.
"Ah, gomen. I am Maki Horikita. I am working with Yamashita-san and Kamenashi-san in this drama. I overheard that you are looking for Kamenashi-san."
Toma was still stunned.
"Oh sorry. Not that I am eavesdropping. I just happen to pass by since all of my scenes are done today. Gomen" she said very shyly. He noticed that she turned a little red in embarassment.
"Ah no, no. It's okay. I'm Ikuta Toma. I'm friends with your co-actors. I was just checking on them." Toma said, still not fully composing himself.
"Nice meeting you. I"ll go ahead." Maki bowed a little and went to start packing her things.
Toma thought he's blushing. It was very cold that day.
"Ikuta-san?"
Toma was suprised that she acknowleged him first.
"Hi, Horikita-san. So you're going to study tonight too?" Toma said sheepishly while looking at the books the cashier employee is wrapping for her.
Maki laughed a little and realized that they are buying the same thing, " Yeah, I guess."
The cashier employee handed Maki her books. "I'll be going first. Enjoy your books." She smiled a little. Toma smiled back and nodded.