#tad daito

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O-scale EM-1 on "Cosmetic Curve" by Tad Daito in Japan 1/48 scale.   Long train. 

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Beauty is a beast ch.1

“You're playing Belle, huh?”

“hmn.” Maya nodded meek. “What.. did you think of it?”

He sighed. “It's no good yet. All I'm seeing is Kitajima Maya. You haven't grasped the role.”

Maya swallowed. 'It hits rather close to home' is what Ayumi-san had said. Did Hayami-san think so too?

“Actually.... Hayami-san, there's something I want to ask of you.”

(Glass Mask Hayami x Maya on Beauty and the Beast. Spoilers to episode 51 of the 2005 anime from the very first line, so under the Read More)

It's been 3 months since Tsukikage sensei passed away.

And 3 months since Maya found the identity of 'mr. Purple Rose'.

She hadn't seen Hayami-san ever since.

Well, of course. He's an important man. And Maya guessed he must be busy-... arranging things for his marriage.

That's right, even if Hayami-san was the one who had always supported her from the shadows and was the one who she cared for deeply, it wasn't like it was anything more then that.

A fan.

But Maya knew she felt something different. Different from Satomi. Different from Sakurakouji.

Deeper. And more.

“The role of Belle will be played by... Kitajima Maya.”

This wasn't a production connected to Daito. It wasn't anything big either.

But Maya was itching to get on stage, even if the performing season was over. Not in a movie or on tv, but a role which she could drown in for 2 hours straight. A role she could really sink her teeth in.

A role that could make her grow...

“nnnnnn.” Maya's brows were furrowed as she was reading the script for the 6th time in row.

“Well?” her friend Rei asked. “Looking like a role you could work with? It's a really famous piece, so there's plenty of versions. But if it's you, I'm sure you can give a new twist to it.”

Maya stayed quiet for a bit, gliding her eyes over the lines once more, then sighed apologetic.

“it's just... something feels sort of different about this role. In a way, it clicks with me. Almost too well. But...”

Maya didn't quite know how to finish those words.

A standoffish girl, who lives in a dreamworld. She loved stories and wanted to explore the world with her eyes wide open.

But instead, she was trapped by a dangerous beast who kept her locked in his castle.

Despite the bad start, he tries to treat her well and she finds acceptance, freedom and beauty between the castle walls that she had never found outside of it.

They grow to each other and she breaks the magic spell cast on the beast by declaring her love to him.

Maya looked off from the script with a blush on her cheeks as she read about the enchanted rose once more.

It sounded.... really familiar. TOO familiar.

“you okay?” Rei asked, staring at Maya's fingers patting both the word 'rose' and the handmade bookmarker she always carried with her.

“Yes, I'm fine!” Maya jolted and got up quickly, throwing the entire content of her bag over the pavement.

Geez, being this clumsy never leaves, no matter how poised she can act on stage.

Would things like this happen to Belle too?

“This role might prove hard on you.” A familiar voice spoke behind her as someone took the dropped script.

“a-Ayumi-san!”

The young rival actress browsed fondly through the pages. She had played in this piece before as well. It was the first time she took a minor part upon herself, as a challenge. It was her first step outside her comfort zone to gain a 1000 masks, in order to one day play the role of 'Crimson Goddess'.

“uhm... why would it, Ayumi-san?” Maya asked.

Ayumi's piercing eyes crossed Maya's. “Why, well... It hits rather close to home, don't you think? I wonder if you can make the distinguish as you are now.” She handed the script back. Ayumi's words sounded a tad snobbish, but by now Maya knew she meant well.

Ayumi was perhaps the person who understood her best. So it wasn't empty provocation as she spoke her concern.

She was one of the few people who knew of Maya's involvement with Hayami-san. Though, she didn't know that he was the one who had send Maya roses so often.

Maya hadn't told Rei or Sakurakouji. But it had somehow felt right to tell Ayumi. Someone who was a friend, but also an outsider.

“That will be a painful path to pursue.” is what she had replied, simply. But there was no disapproval in her voice. As an actress, she'd hold nothing back to surpass Maya, personal problems or not. But as a person, someone she had been through a lot with, Ayumi did wish happiness for Maya.

“I will look forward to this, Kitajima Maya. Don't disappoint me.” and the girl stepped off.

“Ah, Ayumi-san! Will you be in any plays soon too?”

Ayumi stuck her hand up and waved, not turning back as she replied: “Evita.”

“Okay! I'll be sure to come and see!” There was absolutely no malice in Maya's voice. Ayumi always found it remarkable.

“Belle, is it.... I hope this will work out for her..”

Practicing the first few scenes was a cinch. The director of the play didn't call on her even once. Her acting was smooth and perfectly in character.

But still, it didn't feel right to Maya.

She was sure that.... if Tsukikage sensei would be in charge, she'd be called out a few dozen times by now. Without that guidance, it didn't feel like she could grasp her 'Belle' as she wanted to.

No, more exactly: She couldn't become Belle.

Even if the director gave his okay, Maya asked, almost pleaded, to please give the scene one more go.

But no matter what she tried, she couldn't find the difference between 'Kitajima Maya' and 'Belle'.

“Excuse the intrusion.” She heard a soft voice say. Maya was in the middle of practicing a scene. Until the director would tell her to stop, she wouldn't look up to see who it was.

But for a split second, her eyes crossed with the man behind Mizuki-san, who had introduced their arrival: He was here. Hayami Masumi...

Maya quickly focused on the actor across of her again.

“Please give him a chance? He's not all that bad if you get to know him.”

“I will not!” Maya replied. “I want absolutely nothing to do with him!”

“I'm sure it'd be easier on you too? Please just try to get along?”

“Forget it! I'm never going to forgive him after what he did to my mother--”

STOP!

The director had called on them and Maya gasped in realization.

“Maya-chan, it's supposed to be Belle's father, right?”

“y-yes...” She stuttered and looked shocked at Hayami-san.

He looked awfully composed, despite those words. But both she and he knew what was on the other's mind.

Really.... it was too alike...

Maya rushed out of the building, looking around. He didn't leave, did he? He must have a ton of work he has to do, so... And after what she had said during rehearsal...

Maya bit her lip.

-tonk-

softly, something metal hit the back of her head. “Looking for someone, little one?”

Even without turning, she knew that patronizing voice from anywhere. Despite her feelings, she turned and pouted.

“Ki-ta-ji-ma Ma-ya!” she emphasized.

“Li-ttle-o-ne.” He taunted. Hayami Masumi, ladies and gentleman. Age: 28. hobbies: stargazing and bullying little girls.

Maya breathed, trying to compose herself. This fox of a man always knew to drag her in his pace, relentlessly.

“What are you here for? It's not a Daito production or anything.” she ultimately decided to ask.

“Even if it's not, as a play with potential, I'd have to keep my eyes on matters.” and he handed her the metal thing that had hit her head: a can of orange juice.

“And that's why you're loitering around outside? You sure have a lot of time. Don't get Mizuki-san in trouble, will you?” She snapped back at him.

Here they were again, going at each other like a big bully dog and a tiny feisty cat. It was a relieve in a way, nothing much had changed between them ever since that summer night in the hometown of the Crimson Goddess. But it made her feel sort of sad and guilty too.

“I came to see you.” He replied plainly. It made Maya gulp.

“....f... for what?” she asked, suspicious. She shouldn't, really! But something inside her was boiling, getting her hopes up.

“No reason...” His voice was more docile as he gazed at her.

Despite his harsh act, those eyes betrayed a lot of fondness in them. Why hadn't Maya realized the meaning behind that kind of look before? No, maybe she had always just tried to ignore it...

“You're playing Belle, huh?”

“hmn.” Maya nodded meek. “What.. did you think of it?”

He sighed. “It's no good yet. All I'm seeing is Kitajima Maya. You haven't grasped the role.”

Maya swallowed. 'It hits rather close to home' is what Ayumi-san had said. Did Hayami-san think so too?

Before, Maya had been able to sympathize with a lot of characters she got to play. And pretending to be someone else then herself was something she absolutely loved.

But she never had a role this close to herself before...

and there was something even scarier, because of that:

Belle fell in love. She had to portray someone so close to herself, falling in love with someone who... reminded her of Hayami-san.

The only role where her character had really experienced love was Catherine. And to Maya, it was more like a child wanting to hold on to her favorite toy then it was pure love.

Jane's love for Steward was naive and childish aswell.

But Belle fell deeply in love. Deep enough to break the magic spell.

Could Maya's love be powerful enough to break the spell?

“Actually.... Hayami-san, there's something I want to ask of you.” Maya cast her eyes down. The idea crossed her mind, but saying it out loud was a lot harder then she had expected.

“What is it?” He replied to her attentively. Despite his patronizing ways, he always did take her seriously. By now, he knew she wasn't the type to ask things easily. Much less ask for a favor.

Maya gulped and muttered something.

In response, Hayami cupped her chin with his thumb and index. “If you want a favor done, you need to ask it clearly and politely.”

Clenching her teeth, Maya grabbed her courage and looked up to him. “Will you please do a script reading with me?”

Hayami's eyebrows shot up for a second and he quietly stared back at her.

“... I'm not an actor, you know?”

“I know that. But I feel like I could grasp something if it's with you!”

It were words like this that pierced into Hayami's heart. Pure and straightforward. Without any pretense or defenses.

The only one who could steer him like this was her. A little girl, over a decade younger...

He backed away and considered.

“Even if the theater season ended, I still have a lot of work scheduled out for me.”

“It doesn't have to be long! 20, no- 15 minutes! If you have time now, I can grab the script for you?” she was already turning off to dash back to the rehearsal room.

“Now won't work either, little one. I'm already late for my next appointment, really...”

Maya turned back and cast her eyes down. “I see... Sorry to hold you up..” she spoke demoted.

“.....” sigh. “I have time early in the morning. Until 7 AM.”

“Really??” Maya's eyes sparkled hopefully. “When? How late can we meet??”

To Hayami, it almost sounded like she wanted to see him, rather then practice her script. But he pushed the thought away.

“5AM, tomorrow.” He replied.

Still with the same tinkle in her eyes, Maya nodded. “5AM, sharp! I'll be there! Thank you!”

Hayami was silent, even when she waved and sprinted off.

She had thanked him before, but not as enthusiastically as this.

Maybe.... things had started to change since that summer, afterall...