Wanderers of Sorceria 

Tranquil Snow 7

Shizuka is approached for a guest spot on 'Chaotic Love!', but what seemed like a simple cameo takes a life of its own.

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## Fame Is Not Always Glamorous

In the Moon River Talent Agency break room, Shizuka sat with her tea, flipping through a magazine absentmindedly. The break room was quiet, a brief moment of peace amid the usual hustle of meetings, shoots, and events. She heard the door open and glanced up, seeing Seira stumble in, looking absolutely drained. Her normally bright and confident aura seemed to sag under the weight of exhaustion. 

"Seira, you look beat," Shizuka said, setting the magazine aside. "Rough day on set?"

Seira collapsed onto the couch with a groan, rubbing her temples. "You don't know the half of it," she muttered. "We just wrapped filming the most ridiculous episode of 'Chaotic Love!' yet."

Shizuka raised an eyebrow. She was well aware of the show-- a romantic comedy Seira starred in as a maid, Sana, constantly playing the "straight man" to the chaos around her. The show thrived on absurd situations, and Shizuka could only imagine what today's filming had been like. "What happened this time?"

Seira sighed and pulled out her phone. "We had to run this crazy obstacle course today, like one of those game shows, right? But the gimmick was... we were all in ridiculous costumes."

Shizuka immediately chuckled, already picturing the absurdity of it all. "What were you dressed as?"

Seira's face contorted in embarrassment as she tapped her phone and held it up, showing Shizuka a selfie. In the photo, Seira was dressed in a massive, poofy baby costume-- complete with a bonnet, bib, and an oversized diaper.

For a moment, Shizuka just stared, her brain processing the sight of the typically cool, confident Seira dressed like an oversized infant. A loud burst of laughter escaped from her, doubling her over in her seat. She could barely breathe as she laughed, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. 

"No way!" Shizuka gasped between laughs, clutching her stomach. "You-- dressed like *that*-- running an obstacle course? That's too good!" She leaned back, covering her mouth as more laughter spilled out.

Seira rolled her eyes but couldn't help a slight smirk creeping onto her lips. "Sure, go ahead and laugh. I know how ridiculous it was." She glanced at her selfie with a sigh. "I looked ridiculous, and it felt even worse trying to run in that thing. Do you have any idea how heavy that stupid diaper was, especially after it soaks everything? It was actually sagging by the end of the day."

Shizuka wiped away a tear from her eye, still grinning. "You're telling me you had to do a whole obstacle course in that? I would've paid to see it."

Seira groaned. "It was exhausting! I had to climb a foam wall, dodge swinging bags, and crawl through mud pits. And the worst part is, I was supposed to keep my cool going the entire time. Everyone else is playing it up, being goofy, and I'm just there, deadpan, like it's another day at the office. Except, you know, dressed like this."

Shizuka snorted, shaking her head. "I can only imagine how many takes you had to do without breaking character."

"Too many," Seira muttered. "And then there were the wipeouts. I fell into the mud pit at least three times and I faceplanted into this giant foam donut. The crew couldn't stop laughing, and I couldn't blame them. But after watching contestants on those real game shows all these years, I have a new respect for them. Running those obstacle courses is no joke! Honestly, I wonder if a fleeting shot at fame is really worth all the humiliation."

Shizuka tilted her head thoughtfully before smirking. "You're talking about fleeting fame like you're some random contestant. You're already famous, Seira. You're *in* the game, and they still made you dress up like that."

Seira sighed, leaning back on the couch and rubbing her eyes. "Yeah, I guess that's true. I mean, I've done some weird stuff for roles before, but this... this was next level."

Shizuka chuckled, taking a sip of her tea. "Well, at least you'll make everyone laugh. People love seeing their favorite actors doing ridiculous things. You'll probably be the highlight of the episode."

Seira smiled tiredly. "I hope so. I mean, if I'm going to embarrass myself like that, I might as well make it memorable, right?"

Shizuka chuckled and sat back, her eyes still twinkling with amusement as she took another sip of her tea. Seira might have been exhausted, but at least she could take solace in the fact that she had just lived through one of the most ridiculous moments of her career.

----

## Playing Against the Type

Shizuka stood outside the studio where the romantic comedy TV series, 'Chaotic Love!', was filmed, feeling curios. She had been invited for a guest spot on the show at the request of Seira, who had passed along the message from the production team. Shizuka wasn't sure why they wanted her, but Seira had seemed excited, so she had agreed to come to the casting call.

As she entered the studio, a young production assistant greeted her and led her to the casting room. Inside, she was met by a small group of people, including the producer, who rose to greet her warmly.

"Shizuka Minazuki! It's such a pleasure to have you here," the producer said with a smile. "We've been following your career and thought you'd be perfect for a guest role in an upcoming episode of 'Chaotic Love!'"

Shizuka smiled politely, though inwardly, she wasn't entirely sure. Guest roles on light-hearted comedies weren't exactly offered to her frequently, especially when her main focus lately had been more serious acting. But she didn't want to seem ungrateful for the opportunity, particularly not on a specific invitation like this. She was more than certain they learned that Seira and her were connected through the same agent and, in an attempt to raise the profile of the new TV drama, wanted to leverage Shizuka's star power to generate interest.

"So," the producer continued, "we've got a role in mind for you. It's a 'cool beauty' character. You know, sophisticated, elegant, calm under pressure. We think it would suit you perfectly. What do you think?"

Shizuka blinked, considering the offer. It wasn't exactly challenging. While she knew she could pull it off, she felt uninspired. It was too close to the serious roles she often played. 

"Hmm," Shizuka said, glancing down at the casting sheet on the table. As she scanned the different roles listed for the episode, one role caught her eye: Yuna, an 'airheaded bimbo cheerleader.' The description was exactly what she imagined-- an over-the-top, ditzy, valley girl type. Someone who had no concept of reality and played up her airheadedness for comedic effect. It was the complete opposite of the 'cool beauty' they wanted her to play.

Her interest piqued, Shizuka looked up at the producer, a small smile forming on her lips. "Actually, I was wondering... could I audition for the cheerleader role?"

The producer blinked, clearly surprised by the request. "The cheerleader?" He exchanged a glance with the casting director, who was sitting beside him. "I mean, we thought you'd be perfect for the cool beauty role. The cheerleader is... well, it's more of a comedic part. A little... uh, silly."

"I know," Shizuka replied, her eyes twinkling. "That's why I want to try it."

The producer seemed taken aback. "You want to audition for Yuna?" he repeated.

Shizuka nodded confidently. "Yep."

The casting director leaned forward, clearly intrigued. "Well... if you're sure. Let's see what you've got." He gestured toward the script, handing it over.

Shizuka took the script and glanced at the lines. She hadn't prepared for this role, but she had an idea in mind. Recalling Seira's old gyaru phase-- complete with the valley girl accent she used to throw around-- Shizuka decided to channel that energy. She cleared her throat, straightened her posture, and then, in a voice dripping with exaggerated airheadedness, she began reading her lines.

"Oh my gawd, like, seriously? You think you can beat *me*? Puh-lease!" Shizuka tossed her hair over her shoulder, her tone light and bubbly, eyes wide in mock confusion. "I'm, like, totally smarter than you because, duh, I've watched, like, *every* season of 'Total Reality House!'"

Shizuka adopted the persona of the airheaded cheerleader, playing up the exaggerated mannerisms with perfect comedic timing. Her voice, her posture, even the vacant expression she wore-- it was as if she had transformed into a completely different person.

The casting director stared at her in awe, trying to hide his impressed reaction, while the producer seemed more uncertain. 

"Well... I wasn't expecting *that*," the producer admitted, glancing over at the casting director, who was now scribbling notes excitedly. "But I have to say, Miss Minazuki, that was... really good."

The casting director nodded vigorously. "That's exactly what we're looking for in the character-- someone who can play up the comedy with just the right amount of cluelessness."

The producer, however, looked a bit conflicted. "I mean, I'm not saying it wasn't great, but this isn't what we originally had in mind for you. We invited you to play a more... serious role. This cheerleader character is pretty silly. Are you sure you'd want to go in this direction for your guest spot? What about your reputation?"

Shizuka smiled and shrugged. "It's just a guest spot, right? It's not like I'm going to be a recurring character. Besides, I think it'll be fun to play something so different from what I usually do."

The producer sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well, I can't argue with that. And you certainly have the talent for it. If you're sure, then... we'll offer you the cheerleader role."

The casting director grinned, clearly delighted with the unexpected turn of events. "I'm excited to see how this plays out on screen."

Shizuka nodded confidently. "I'll do my best."

As she left the casting room, Shizuka felt a sense of satisfaction. Sure, she could have played the 'cool beauty,' but where was the fun in that? She was looking forward to showing off her comedic side-- and, in a way, it felt like a tribute to Seira's past, something light-hearted and fun.

As she walked out of the studio, she sent a quick message to Seira: "Guess who's playing an airheaded cheerleader?"

Seira's reply was immediate: "You're kidding. You?!"

Shizuka smiled to herself, feeling a little bit of mischief bubbling up. "You'll just have to wait and see."

----

Shizuka stood on the grass of the sports field of Sunshine Academy, the set for today's on-location filming of 'Chaotic Love!' The sun was shining down, casting a perfect spotlight on the exaggerated world of comedy she was about to step into. As part of an unusual agreement between Arisa and the production committee, Shizuka was playing two roles in this episode: the sophisticated "cool beauty" under her real name and, for a particularly silly cheerleader, under a pseudonym to protect her reputation. It had taken careful negotiation to secure this arrangement since the production committee had not planned for a star of Shizuka's caliber to take on a role that was seen as beneath her. 

Standing in front of the visitor school bleacher section, Shizuka adjusted her blonde bob wig in the mirror. The wig, along with her ridiculously showy cheerleader outfit, made her almost unrecognizable. The costume itself was a loud and flashy ensemble-- bright red and white with sparkly trim, a cropped top that left her midriff exposed, and a pleated skirt that barely grazed her thighs. Completing the look were comically oversized fake boobs strapped to her chest, bouncing dramatically with even the slightest movement. She couldn't help but grin at the sight. If someone had told her she'd be dressed like this for a comedy show, she wouldn't have believed it.

Yuki, camera in hand for some behind-the-scenes shots, was laughing her head off nearby, barely able to keep her composure as she snapped a few photos. "Shizuka, you make the cutest 'bimbo cheerleader' ever! I swear, I almost didn't recognize you! You look like you stepped out of a parody magazine."

Shizuka rolled her eyes. "Go on; enjoy it, Yuki. At least no one's going to know it's me." She straightened her wig again, glancing over to where Seira stood, watching the scene unfold with amusement. 

Seira shook her head, trying to stifle her own laughter. "I have to admit, Shizuka, this is a *far* cry from your usual roles. But you're right, I barely recognize you like this. You look like a completely different person."

"That's the whole point," Shizuka replied, smoothing down the glittery top that emphasized her new, exaggerated curves. "People who follow my career will know it's me, but for everyone else, they'll think my credit's for the cameo. No one's going to connect me to *this*," she said, motioning to her outlandish getup. 

Yuki snorted. "Unless they recognize you when you're face-down in that pit of mud later."

Shizuka groaned at the reminder. Of course, this being 'Chaotic Love!', there was no way her character, the airheaded cheerleader Yuna, would escape the slapstick antics. The writers had already planned a particularly humiliating gag for her-- a fanservice-laden mud wrestling scene against the show's lead girl, Akari, also dressed as a cheerleader, albeit wearing a uniform less showy than Yuna's, one borrowed from Sunshine Academy's own cheer squad. She was well aware of the comedic demands, but it didn't make it any less daunting. 

Seira, who played Akari's maid and confidant, Sana, wasn't filming her scenes today but had come to support Shizuka, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "You really got yourself into this, huh? I thought the whole point of being a guest star was to do something glamorous."

Shizuka smirked, winking playfully. "This *is* glamorous, in its own way. Besides, I've never played a part like this before. It'll be fun to lead a troupe of airheads for comedy's sake. If I'm going to get muddy, I might as well do it with some flair." She gave a mock twirl, making her fake chest bounce dramatically, which only made Yuki laugh harder.

"You're going to slay it," Seira said, shaking her head. "But seriously, be careful. Those cheerleader routines aren't easy, especially with *that*," she added, pointing at Shizuka's chest.

"I'll manage," Shizuka replied, stretching her arms out in preparation. "It's only for a day. I've done much crazier things."

"Yeah, like wearing *that* in public," Yuki teased, pointing her camera at Shizuka once again. "Smile for the camera, Miss Cheerleader!"

Shizuka threw a playful glare in Yuki's direction before posing dramatically, leaning into the exaggerated personality of the character she was about to embody. "Like, oh-em-gee, I'm, like, *totally* gonna win the cheerleading competition, right?! I'm so cute, like, duh!"

Yuki burst into a fit of giggles while snapping the shot, and even Seira couldn't hold back her laughter this time.

The director called for Shizuka to head toward the field for the next scene, the pit of mud looming ominously near the edge of the grass. The other actresses playing her fellow cheerleaders gathered behind her, also dressed in matching flashy red and white costumes, their over-the-top enthusiasm already bringing energy to the set. She knew many of the extras were pulled from the ranks of actual high school cheerleaders, some from Sunshine Academy itself, and Shizuka hoped she came off authentic in the same scenes as them.

Shizuka glanced over at the star of 'Chaotic Love!', Moegi, the actress playing Akari, the eccentric rich girl pining for Ryo, the show's male lead. Dressed in her pristine cheerleading uniform for this episode, the same uniform used by Sunshine Academy's cheerleaders, Moegi was clearly not thrilled about the sudden re-arrangement of the filming schedule to accommodate Shizuka's availability. Her frustration was written all over her face as she paced near the sidelines, her fingers fidgeting with her pom-poms. 

Shizuka, putting on a professional face, approached her with a calm smile. "I know this hasn't been easy, having to reshuffle everything for today," she began, her voice even. "But how about we use that frustration for the scene? Akari's supposed to be jealous of Yuna over Ryo. Let's channel all that into the rivalry-- it'll make our characters' rivalry feel real on camera."

The actress paused, narrowing her eyes at Shizuka. Though her annoyance didn't completely fade, Moegi seemed to mull over the suggestion. After a tense silence, she nodded reluctantly. "I guess that could work."

"Good," Shizuka replied, her smile unwavering. "You've got great energy. Let's use it." 

With that, the two of them moved to their marks, and the director called for action. The scene began like any other-- a cheerleading competition between the rival schools, with the prize being Ryo, much to his chagrin. Shizuka played Yuna with an exaggerated valley girl accent, giggling and twirling her pom-poms as her squad fawned over Ryo. Akari, meanwhile, huffed and puffed with jealousy, her eccentric character pouring all her energy into sabotaging Yuna's chances.

During this scene, the rivalry between the two characters escalated with all the melodrama 'Chaotic Love!' was known for. Shizuka pranced around the field, tossing empty-headed compliments at Ryo while Akari's jealousy bubbled over into an increasingly over-the-top performance. The tension built up until the scripted climax-- the inevitable fight in the mud pit, something that would not normally be there on the field, but was made especially for the comedy value.

Moegi was still visibly frustrated from earlier in the day, but now it seemed she was channeling that frustration directly into the scene, her character's jealousy and rivalry over Ryo's affections bubbling over as she clenched her pom-poms tighter. The cameras rolled, capturing every exaggerated sneer and over-the-top performance.

Shizuka bounced on her heels, waving her pom-poms in an exaggerated fashion. "Oh my gawd, Ryo!" she squealed in her perfect valley girl accent, flashing her too-bright smile, her fake boobs bouncing comically with every movement. "Like, you should totally come cheer for us! We're, like, way more fun than, like, those stuck-up losers!"

Moegi, with a glare that could cut glass, stormed forward, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "What makes you think he would ever choose someone as dumb as you over me?" she spat, her words biting and dripping with jealousy.

Shizuka blinked, feigning confusion. She placed a manicured finger on her lips, tilting her head dramatically as she looked between Ryo and Akari. "Um, like, duh. Because I'm, like, totally adorable, and we're, like, the best cheerleaders ever!" she chirped, twirling her pom-poms again.

The tension between the two characters reached a boiling point as Moegi closed the distance between them. Shizuka stood her ground, fully immersed in Yuna's airheaded persona, even adding a clueless grin as Akari's fury grew.

"That's it!" Moegi snapped, the line marking the transition into the slapstick climax of the scene. "I'm not letting you get away with this!"

With a swift, exaggerated motion, Moegi "accidentally" shoved Shizuka. The push wasn't hard, but it was enough to send Shizuka stumbling backward with a dramatic squeal. Her arms flailed as she tumbled, her sneakers skidding on the grass until she hit the edge of the muddy pit. The cameras zoomed in just in time to catch Shizuka's wide-eyed expression before she toppled backward into the mud.

SPLAT.

The entire set echoed with the sound of Shizuka landing in the thick, sticky mud. She played up the shock of her ungraceful fall with deliberate squirming, floundering and rolling around in the mud as if she were grasping for something to hold on to that simply wasn't there. The mud covered her from head to toe almost instantly, soaking into her blonde wig, smearing her midriff-baring cheerleader top, and splattering up her legs and skirt. The oversized fake boobs she wore jiggled ridiculously as she sat up in the pit, mud dripping down her face. She wiped at her eyes, blinking through the muck, and let out a high-pitched, exaggerated wail.

"Oh my gawd! My hair is, like, totally ruined!" she cried, still in character, waving her hands in helpless distress as more mud dripped off her. The cameras were rolling, capturing every ridiculous moment.

Moegi, following the script, was playing Akari as if the right of her mind was shoved aside, only seeing red. With a determined huff, she strode forward and, with a smirk of superiority, dove into the mud pit herself, intending to tackle Shizuka, but Shizuka rolled out of the way. Moegi landed next to her with another wet splat, frozen for a moment with her face down in the mud for dramatic effect. The crowd of extras gasped in mock surprise as the two cheerleaders engaged in the scripted mud fight.

Shizuka, still playing up the clueless bimbo Yuna, scrambled to her knees. She tried to throw a handful of mud at Moegi, but her movements were deliberately clumsy, and the mud slipped through her fingers.

"Like, seriously! You're, like, sooo mean!" Shizuka whined, her voice filled with exaggerated exasperation as she threw another handful of mud, this time managing to hit Moegi in the face.

Moegi retaliated, scooping up a large glob of mud and flinging it directly at Shizuka's face. The mud hit Shizuka squarely, and she sputtered, wiping the mud off with a dramatic flourish, her valley girl accent never faltering.

"Eww! You're, like, so gonna pay for that!" Shizuka squealed, launching herself at Moegi, causing the two of them to topple over into the mud again.

They rolled around in the muck, wrestling in the most ridiculous fashion, with Moegi maintaining her smug superiority while Shizuka played up her airheaded incompetence. The cameras zoomed in on their faces as they struggled for "dominance," mud splattering everywhere. Moegi pinned Shizuka down in the pit, pushing Shizuka's face into the mud repeatedly, her character basking in the satisfaction of humiliating her rival.

"Looks like you're all washed up," Moegi taunted, lifting her chin in triumph, letting go of Shizuka's head. "Wallow in the mud where you belong!"

Shizuka, still in full bimbo mode, looked up at her with wide, innocent eyes, mud dripping from her fake blonde hair. "Like, whatever! You're, like, just jealous 'cause I'm cuter!"

The camera panned out as Moegi stood up, pulling herself out of the pit and brushing off some of the mud. Shizuka remained sprawled in the mud, her character defeated and humiliated, but still chirpy and oblivious, feeling no true shame from her loss.

The director called "cut," and the set erupted in applause, cheers, and wolf whistles. The mud fight had been played to expectations, with both actresses delivering the slapstick comedy the show was known for. Both Shizuka and Moegi were covered head to toe in mud, their once-clean cheerleading outfits now unrecognizable beneath the layer of grime.

Moegi smiled, wiping some of the mud from her face, panting slightly from the physical exertion of the fight. She glanced at Shizuka with newfound respect. "Thanks for being a good sport. And for letting me win, even though you probably could've crushed me."

Shizuka laughed, brushing some mud off her arms. "Hey, I follow the script. Besides, it's all in good fun. You did great. It's not easy wrestling in this stuff."

The actress looked at her for a moment, then gave a small, respectful nod. "I didn't get it at first, but you were right. Channeling that frustration helped. And... thanks for being a pro. I wasn't exactly the easiest to work with today."

Shizuka chuckled, brushing off some of the mud. "You did great. We all have tough days on set. You kept it professional when it mattered. That's what counts."

Moegi hesitated before offering her hand, still covered in mud. Shizuka, laughing, took it without hesitation, sealing a newfound respect between the two. 

----

The break room at Moon River Talent Agency was alive with laughter and chatter as Shizuka, Yuki, Seira, Hana, and Riko gathered around the small table. A vending machine hummed in the background, and the comforting scent of fresh coffee filled the air. Shizuka leaned back in her chair, tapping her fingers thoughtfully against her cup of tea. She had just finished telling her friends about the surprising news she had received earlier that day.

"So," Shizuka said, glancing up at the others, "I got a message from the production committee of 'Chaotic Love!' earlier. Apparently, they loved my cheerleader performance so much they want to use Yuna again in future episodes."

Yuki's eyes widened as she scrolled through her phone. "Wait, what? They want you to play that airheaded bimbo cheerleader *again*?"

Shizuka nodded, a small, bemused smile on her lips. "Yeah, but I never intended to become a recurring character. I've got too many other commitments-- movies, voice acting, you know the drill. It was supposed to be a one-time thing."

Seira, lounging on the couch nearby, snickered. "That's what happens when you do *too* good of a job, Shizuka. You've set the bar too high. They can't let you go now."

"I can't wait to see this episode when it airs," Riko added with a mischievous grin. "I mean, you as an airheaded bimbo cheerleader? That's gotta be priceless. I just can't picture it."

Yuki, still scrolling through her phone, suddenly stopped and her eyes lit up. "Oh, you *don't* have to wait for the episode to air. I've got something better!" She spun the phone around, showing Hana and Riko some candid photos she had snapped behind the scenes of the 'Chaotic Love!' shoot.

One photo in particular caught Riko's attention. It was of Shizuka, mid-mud fight, covered from head to toe in thick, sloppy mud, her blonde wig caked and her cheerleader uniform a complete mess. Her usual dignified aura was completely gone, replaced by the goofy, exaggerated expression of a character who had just been thoroughly humiliated in the name of comedy.

Riko burst out laughing. "Oh my *god*! That's even more ridiculous than I imagined! Shizuka, you should've gone into *comedy* instead of modeling!"

Shizuka shook her head, smiling but firmly declining. "No, thank you. I'm not cut out for that kind of thing."

Hana, who had been quietly sipping her tea and taking in the conversation, glanced at the photos on Yuki's phone, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "I admire that you actually did it, though," she said softly. "I couldn't have done something like that... not a chance."

Riko turned to Hana with a playful grin. "Oh, really? Maybe what you need is a little... *makeover* then!"

Hana blinked, looking immediately wary. "Wait, what?"

Seira perked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she exchanged a knowing look with Yuki. "You know, Riko might be onto something," Seira chimed in. "A new look could bring out a *whole* new side of you, Hana. Maybe something a little more... fun?"

"We have some cute cheerleader outfits in the wardrobe," Yuki offered, becoming excited with the idea. "I'm sure we can find one that can fit since you have a similar body type to Shizuka."

Hana shook her head quickly, holding up her hands in protest. "No, no, no. I'm fine the way I am! You don't need to change anything about me."

But it was too late. Yuki, Seira, and Riko were already exchanging excited glances, the gears turning in their minds. Yuki stood up, cracking her knuckles with a dramatic flourish. "Oh, don't worry, Hana. This is going to be *fun*."

Hana's eyes widened in panic when she realized what was happening. "Wait, no! I said I'm fine!" She tried to stand up and make a quick escape, but Seira and Riko were already on their feet, grabbing her arms with matching grins.

"You've got to let us have some fun, Hana," Riko teased, pulling Hana toward the door. "Besides, you might look cute as a cheerleader."

Shizuka, still seated, watched the scene unfold with an amused smile. "Don't worry, Hana. You'll come out looking fabulous."

Hana shot her a pleading look over her shoulder as Yuki, Seira, and Riko dragged her out of the room. "Shizuka, *help*! This wasn't part of the deal!"

Shizuka simply waved, still smiling. "You'll be fine, Hana. Just think of it as a fun new experience."

The door closed behind them, and the muffled sounds of Hana's protests mixed with Yuki's and Seira's laughter as they whisked her away for a makeover she clearly wasn't prepared for.

----

## Recurring Role

Shizuka sat in the break room at the Moon River Talent Agency, sipping on a cup of green tea as she flipped through the latest script for 'Chaotic Love!'. She had been asked to reprise her role as Yuna, the airheaded bimbo cheerleader. It was a role she had played under a pseudonym, and while she hadn't expected to return to it, the production team had loved her performance so much that they had reached out again. With her movie schedule and modeling commitments, Shizuka was busy, but she managed to squeeze in time to film another episode.

The episode premise was simple enough: a school festival maid cafe, where Akari-- the haughty, eccentric rich girl-- would go head-to-head with Yuna, once again, for Ryo's attention. But this time, the stakes were higher. The rivalry would escalate into a slapstick food fight with enough whipped cream and cake to rival a comedy skit.

Shizuka laughed softly when she read through the scene where Yuna walks into the cafe in a sultry, over-the-top maid outfit, completely clueless about the effect it would have on everyone around her. The contrast between her and Akari's more modest, school-approved uniform was meant to add an extra layer of ridiculousness to the scene, and Shizuka could already picture the chaos that would ensue. 

She carefully wrote down notes in the margins to note how she should handle the scene, keeping the character of Yuna in mind. While she had no idea what the scandalous maid outfit would look like, Shizuka already knew how her character would behave: by flaunting her assets as many times as she could get away with it, with no shame crossing her mind in her attempts to win Ryo's attention. She knew Yuna was a far cry from her actual self, but Shizuka reminded herself she was playing a character, and if she could sell the character to herself, the audience would buy it, too.

----

Arriving at the set, Shizuka was greeted by the crew and led to wardrobe, where the infamous maid outfit awaited her. It was even more scandalous than she had imagined: a skin-tight black corset dress that left little to the imagination, paired with thigh-high stockings and garter belt, complete with a frilly lace apron that somehow made the whole ensemble even more absurd. The outfit was completed with fake breasts that looked comically ridiculous on her modest frame, a prosthetic more elaborate and sprayed to match her skin tone since it was now in full view compared to her previous outing. Her lilac hair was tucked under a blonde bob wig, and her makeup was bold, with an exaggerated blush and bright, flirty eyeshadow. Finally, the stylist made it a point to give her black panties to wear. Shizuka knew, thanks to the length of the outfit's skirt and the script calling attention to it, the panties would be visible at points. She looked every bit the over-the-top airhead she was supposed to portray-- Yuna, the bimbo cheerleader who had no idea just how much she stood out. 

Shizuka smiled wryly at her reflection in the mirror. She had played all kinds of roles throughout her acting career, but Yuna was a special brand of ridiculous that she found oddly charming.

She was sitting in front of the vanity mirror when the door to her dressing room creaked open, and in walked Seira, dressed in her own costume as Sana-- Akari's maid and confidant. While Shizuka's outfit was all about revealing as much skin as possible and over-the-top sultriness, Seira's maid outfit was much more traditional: modest, frilly, and covering. It was clear the two characters couldn't have been more different in appearance, and Seira, always quick to notice the contrast, couldn't resist poking fun at Shizuka's more revealing attire.

"Well, well, well," Seira grinned, leaning against the doorframe with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Look at you, Yuna! Trying to steal the spotlight, huh?"

Shizuka turned toward her, flashing a playful smile. "What do you think? Is it too much?" she asked, adjusting the fake breasts with a dramatic flair. "I feel like I'm about to knock someone out with these."

Seira covered her mouth, clearly trying not to burst out laughing. "I don't know, Shizuka. You might want to keep a safe distance from the camera crew. They might just *fall* for you." She made a show of eyeing Shizuka's outfit, taking in the low-cut dress, the exaggerated curves, and the suggestive pose Shizuka was striking. "I mean, if anyone's going to break character in this scene, it's gonna be you, right?"

Shizuka laughed at Seira's teasing, her hand resting on her hip as she struck a deliberately ridiculous pose. "Don't laugh! We have *many* takes to get through, and I'm counting on you not to ruin them with that smile of yours," she warned, pointing a finger at Seira as if giving a playful reprimand. "Seriously, you've got to resist it. I'm trying my best to make you crack up."

"I'm not gonna break character that easily," she said, her voice betraying a hint of amusement. But despite her tough words, her lips were twitching, and her gaze was flickering with suppressed laughter.

Shizuka leaned forward, her exaggerated mannerisms only adding to the effect. "You *have* to admit, I'm a sight for sore eyes. Don't you want to laugh at this ridiculousness?"

Seira shook her head, though it was clear she was already fighting an uphill battle. "It's not that I don't want to laugh, it's that I *can't* laugh. I'm the *serious* maid, remember?" she said, her tone light and teasing as she tapped her own modestly clad outfit. "But you, Yuna, with your big... *everything*... I don't know how much longer I can keep a straight face."

Shizuka grinned and sauntered toward Seira, dramatically flipping her hair as she moved. "You know, Seira," she said in a playful, exaggerated voice, "I think you're right. This outfit is just so... distracting. I might have to tone it down for our scenes." She winked, knowing full well that her character was meant to be over-the-top and hilarious. "But then again, *you* have to keep it together, right? This is a serious *competition* for a guy's heart!" To drive the point home, she slapped her fake breasts, allowing them to bounce in a comically unnatural way.

Seira tried, and failed, to suppress a snicker. "Alright, alright," she said, shaking her head with a soft laugh. "You've already got me. But don't think I'll break so easily on camera. I'll stay in character, no matter how ridiculous you look."

"Oh, we'll see about that," Shizuka teased, winking as she moved to check her appearance one more time in the mirror. "I'm going to make it my *mission* to make you laugh. You might not crack, but I bet I'll get a few giggles out of you by the end of this scene."

"Fine, fine. But don't think I'm going to give in that easily. I've been doing this long enough to keep a straight face even when things get... chaotic."

"Chaotic? Oh, that's my middle name," Shizuka quipped, making her way to the door as she gave Seira one last look. "Let's go out there and give the audience the most ridiculous food fight they've ever seen. Maybe I'll end up *tripping* over these," she said, gesturing to her exaggerated fake chest with a dramatic, teasing flourish.

Seira laughed, fully giving in to the joke now. "Okay, okay. But don't expect me to *really* laugh on set. I'm gonna *stay* in character!"

As the two actresses made their way to the set, Shizuka was already making mental notes of how to push Seira's buttons without breaking character herself. She had been around long enough to know that the best way to keep a comedy scene rolling was to keep things light, exaggerated, and full of surprises. And in this case, a little harmless teasing and over-the-top antics might just be the key to getting the most laughs out of her co-star. The cameras were ready, and Shizuka was more than ready to bring her version of Yuna to life in the most hilarious, absurd way possible.

After all, it wasn't just about the acting-- it was about the fun.

----

Shizuka headed to the maid cafe set, where the bulk of her scenes were to take place. The atmosphere was lively, with extras dressed as maids and student guests, all milling about. Shizuka spotted Moegi, who was already in her modest, school-appropriate maid uniform-- a stark contrast to Shizuka's sultry look. Moegi gave Shizuka a sidelong glance, clearly annoyed, eyeing Shizuka's fake breasts, but staying in character.

"Ready for round two?" Shizuka asked with a playful smirk, already slipping into Yuna's ditzy, carefree persona.

Moegi laughed, her lips curving into a sharp smile. "Let's just get this over with. I've got *other* things to focus on besides Ryo's 'airheaded admirer.'"

The cameras rolled, and the scene began with Akari's homeroom class opening their maid cafe, a perfectly proper setup with female students dressed in neat, frilly uniforms, serving food and drinks to customers. Akari, determined to capture Ryo's attention, was fluttering around the cafe, making sure everything was perfect when Yuna made her grand entrance.

"Hellooo~!" Yuna's voice sang out as she sashayed into the cafe, oblivious to the stares her outfit garnered. The cafe went silent for a moment as everyone turned to look at the new arrival. Shizuka, in full character, struck a provocative pose; Yuna was completely unaware of how inappropriate her attire was for a school event. She bounced over to Ryo, batting her eyelashes and giving him an exaggerated wink.

"Ryo~! I'm here to serve youuu~!" Yuna purred, leaning in far too close.

Akari, watching from across the room, nearly dropped the tray she was holding. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of Yuna's scandalous outfit and the way she was fawning over Ryo. She rushed over, her polite smile strained. "Yuna, what *are* you wearing? This is a school festival, not... not..." Akari sputtered, unable to find the words.

Yuna blinked, feigning innocence. "Huh? Isn't this what all the maids wear?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion, her chest unintentionally (or perhaps very intentionally) pushing forward as she did so.

Akari grit her teeth, clearly trying to maintain her composure. "You're... distracting the customers," she said through a forced smile.

With that, the competition began. Both girls vied for Ryo's attention in their own ways-- Akari, through her meticulous service, offering him tea with a graceful flourish, and Yuna, by practically draping herself over Ryo's shoulder, whispering flirtatious nothings in his ear as she "accidentally" knocked a spoon off the table, bending over to pick it up in a way that drew every eye in the room.

The tension reached a fever point when Yuna seemed to finally recognize what Akari was wearing.

"Oh my gosh, Akari! You look, like, soooo cute in that maid outfit!" Yuna said, her tone genuinely friendly but somewhat patronizing. "But, um, you know, I think you need a little more *oomph* to really stand out in a cafe like this! Maybe you should, like, try shedding a layer or, I dunno, something that really pops?" Yuna's voice was so cheerful and carefree, it made Akari's blood boil.

Akari blinked, trying her best to smile through her teeth. "I-- uh, I think this outfit is fine," she managed, though she could feel her pulse racing.

Yuna tilted her head, oblivious to the growing tension. "I mean, it's cute and all," she said, her hand hovering over her... bouncing chest. "But mine is, like, way more eye-catching, don't you think?" 

Akari's hands clenched at her sides. The words were innocent, but they stung. Yuna was *deliberately* rubbing it in, comparing her scandalous outfit to Akari's more reserved one, clearly implying that Akari wasn't doing enough to impress.

The jealousy that Akari had been holding back finally surged to the surface. She could feel her cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and rage.

In a moment of pure impulse, Akari's hand reached for the nearest object-- a pie-- one that had been prepared for the upcoming dessert rush. She took a deep breath, her anger clouding her judgment, and without thinking, she hurled it straight at Yuna's face.

"Take this!" Akari shouted, the pie flying through the air.

The pie hit Yuna with a satisfying splat, covering her face in whipped cream and filling, and the crowd went silent for a moment. Yuna stood frozen, pie dripping from her cheeks, before slowly wiping it off with her hand. Then, she started to laugh.

"Oh my gosh, Akari!" Yuna giggled, completely unfazed. "You really got me good! I didn't think you were so... *feisty*! Haha!" 

Akari's face flushed with embarrassment, but it only fueled her anger even more. Yuna wasn't taking her seriously, and that made it worse. It was as if she was completely oblivious to the fact that Akari was *actually angry*.

Before anyone could stop her, Yuna grabbed a nearby cream-filled pastry and, with a dramatic flourish, launched it right back at Akari. "So, you want a food fight? Let's do it, Akari!" Yuna shouted, her cheerleader spirit completely unleashed.

What started as a simple rivalry over Ryo quickly devolved into a full-on food fight. Plates clattered, forks and spoons went flying, and soon both girls were covered in whipped cream, pies, chocolate syrup, and more, picking up and throwing any foodstuff they could get their hands on. Innocent bystanders, maids and student guests alike hit by stray food, decided they wanted in on the action as well. The orderly maid cafe descended into chaos-- a free-for-all where nobody could be the winner.

Ryo, trying to keep his composure, got up from his seat. In a misguided attempt to get the girls to stop fighting, both of them threw a pie at his face, ending the scene on a humorous, if unresolved, note.

By the time the director yelled "Cut!" Shizuka and Moegi were both laughing, despite the mess. By now both actresses were used to the crazy situations 'Chaotic Love!' called for.

"I'll give you this-- you stayed in character the whole time," Moegi admitted, wiping some whipped cream from her hair. "I was hoping you'd break character when I hit you with the pie so I would be allowed to keep doing it!"

Shizuka laughed softly, wiping her own face. "It's all part of the job. You were great too-- seriously, your timing was perfect."

The two shared a brief but genuine moment of camaraderie, despite the the desserts that covered them. Even in the most ridiculous of roles, professionalism and dedication always shined through.

----

## The Proper Sendoff

Shizuka sat in her dressing room, adjusting the hem of the tight red qipao that hugged her figure. The dress barely covered her thighs, the high slit revealing even more when she crossed one leg over the other, her black high heels clicking against the floor. She smirked as she caught sight of herself in the mirror, knowing fans of the show were eager to dissect the meaning behind the color of her panties or something equally absurd. It was ridiculous, she knew, but that was exactly the point. Yuna, her character on 'Chaotic Love!', was all about being over-the-top, and this final episode would be no different.

For the past few weeks, when her schedule allowed it, Shizuka had been filming a limited recurring role as Yuna, the airheaded, larger-than-life cheerleader who caused chaos for the show's main trio-- Akari, Sana, and Ryo. Yuna was always one step away from stealing the spotlight, with her outrageous outfits and attention-seeking behavior, but Shizuka knew it was time to give her a fitting sendoff. She didn't want Yuna to simply fade out of the story; Yuna had to go out in style-- something so absurd and memorable that the audience would laugh and remember her fondly.

To that end, she had requested one final, outrageous scene.

The plot of the episode was simple: Akari, determined to win Ryo's affection once and for all, had entered a pie-eating contest at the local autumn festival. Sana, as usual, had been dragged into the competition, agreeing to participate more out of obligation than enthusiasm. And then there was Yuna-- the wildcard. She showed up uninvited, dressed in a flashy qipao that had no business being worn at such a messy event. But that was Yuna in a nutshell-- always inappropriate, always ridiculous, and always drawing attention.

The door to Shizuka's dressing room opened, and Seira walked in, already in her Sana costume: the modest maid outfit that had become synonymous with her character, with her accessory low-rimmed glasses hanging from a chain around her neck. Seira grinned when she saw Shizuka in the qipao, shaking her head in disbelief.

"That dress is *something else,*" Seira said, eyeing the outfit with a mix of amusement and awe. "You're really going all-out for Yuna's last hurrah, huh?"

Shizuka smiled and stood up, giving a little twirl to show off the scandalous outfit. "I told the producers Yuna needs to go out with a bang. Besides, Yuna *never* does anything by the book."

Seira laughed, adjusting her maid apron. "You're going to make a mess of that dress, you know that, right? This whole thing is going to be chaotic."

"That's the plan!" Shizuka replied, reveling in the thought. "Yuna is consistently the eye-candy on this show, so what better way than the 'reward' that by taking it away from her in such a ridiculous way?"

Seira shook her head again, still grinning. "I'll give you credit. You know how to make an exit."

"Wait till you see me in action. I'm going to make this episode unforgettable."

----

On set, the atmosphere was light and playful. The pie-eating contest was set up with three long tables, each holding a row of pies, and the actresses were taking their places. Akari, the show's lead, was dressed in a cute autumn dress, her determination to win the contest-- and Ryo's attention-- clear on her face. Sana, composed, stood beside her, looking slightly uncomfortable but ready to play her part, having stowed her low-rimmed glasses to keep them from getting dirty.

And then there was Yuna-- Shizuka, in her tight red qipao and heels, sashaying up to the table with a dramatic flair, turning heads as she went. Her jiggling fake breasts bounced as she went, almost seemingly wanting to burst the dress at the seams, and Shizuka milked it for all it was worth. The hem of her dress was short enough the extras who made up the audience down below the stage could see everything, just as Yuna intended.

Akari was already glaring, but Shizuka could see the barely-contained laughter in Moegi's eyes. Yuna's over-the-top entrance was just the beginning, but Shizuka knew what she was doing. She wasn't going to make this easy on any of them.

"All this for a date with Ryo, huh?" Shizuka-as-Yuna teased, her voice dripping with exaggerated sultriness as she adjusted the slit of her dress for maximum effect. "Well, if I'm going to win, I might as well look good doing it!"

Akari, staying in character, scoffed. "You can't even eat a pie properly in that dress. This is a contest of skill, not... whatever *that* is."

The cheerleader smiled sweetly, as if completely oblivious to the tension. "Oh, I'm not worried," she purred, taking her place at the table. "I'll just do what I always do-- impress everyone without even trying!"

The scene began, and the signal was given for the contest to start. The rules were simple: no hands, just faces in pies. Akari immediately dug in, eating the pie with gusto, clearly determined to win. Sana, true to character, approached the task with careful precision, taking small, neat bites despite the messy nature of the contest.

Yuna, on the other hand, went all out, in the most ridiculous, showy way possible. Shizuka made a point of slowly, sensually leaning forward, letting her character's over-the-top vanity shine through. She dipped her face into the pie with exaggerated care, emerging with whipped cream and filling smeared all over her face, posing dramatically for Ryo-- who, of course, had no idea why this was happening.

"Ryo~!" Yuna called out, her sing-song voice carrying through the air. "Am I doing this right?" She wiggled her shoulders provocatively, her antics clearly designed to annoy Akari and make the whole scene even more absurd.

Akari shot her a furious look, her face already covered in pie. "This isn't about *how* you look! It's about winning!"

Sana, on the other hand, tried to remain focused on her pie, though Shizuka could see Seira suppressing a grin as she watched the madness unfold.

The contest continued, with Akari growing more and more frustrated as Yuna made a show of every bite, posing, smiling, and flirting with Ryo-- who wasn't even in the scene, his reaction shots to be filmed separately, but whose mere mention was enough to drive Akari into a frenzy. 

Yuna stood in the middle of the stage, licking remnants of her first pie from around her lips, the top of her qipao a sticky mess. Her dramatic, over-the-top antics had been the center of attention since the pie-eating contest started, and she had relished every moment. But now, Akari's eyes gleamed with jealousy, and Yuna couldn't resist rubbing it in.

"Yum! You guys are sooo slow," Yuna teased, her tone dripping with condescension. She turned to Akari with a devilish grin. "I bet you wish you were as awesome as me, huh?"

That was it. Akari's patience snapped like a thread pulled too tight. Yuna's innocent yet insensitive comment had pushed her too far. Without a second thought, Akari seized a pie from the table and, with all the pent-up frustration she could muster, hurled it straight at Yuna.

The pie hit its target with an exaggerated *splat*, exploding across Yuna's face in a mess of whipped cream and filling. Yuna gasped, eyes wide in shock as she wiped the creamy goo from her eyes. "*OH-EM-GEE, Akari! What the heck?!*" she shrieked, her voice filled with mock horror, as if the pie attack was the most scandalous thing that had ever happened to her.

But Akari wasn't done.

Grabbing another pie, her movements fueled by adrenaline, Akari flung it at Yuna. This one hit squarely in the chest, covering Yuna's once-glamorous red qipao in a thick layer of sticky pie filling. The crowd on set erupted into laughter, and even Sana-- standing off to the side-- could barely suppress a grin as she watched the chaos unfold.

Yuna, clearly flustered, staggered backward, flailing as she tried to keep her balance on her ill-advised high heels. "Akari, you're gonna--" she started, but the words barely left her mouth before she collided with the giant pie on display behind her-- a prop that existed for no logical purpose other than to facilitate this scene, as was typical of the humor of 'Chaotic Love!'.

With a dramatic crash, Yuna fell backward into the massive pie. The sheer size of it swallowed her up, sending a wave of gooey filling cascading over her like a tidal wave. The pie, at Shizuka's request, was made to be as sticky as possible to achieve the desired effect. The crowd gasped in shock before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. Shizuka-as-Yuna committed fully to the slapstick, thrashing about in the giant pie, her arms and legs flailing helplessly as she tried to extract herself from the sticky mess.

"*A-Akariiiii!*" Yuna screeched, her voice high-pitched and desperate, but completely muffled under the layers of sticky cream and filling that now covered her from head to toe. Yuna, once the self-assured queen of the contest, was now reduced to a ridiculous, floundering mess, trapped in a comically oversized pie.

From the sidelines, Akari stood, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling with the adrenaline of her triumph. The pie splattered across Yuna's face and body had been satisfying enough, but watching Yuna squirm and flail in the giant pie like a fish out of water was even better.

"This... this is for all the times you tried to steal Ryo away from me," Akari muttered under her breath, her lips curling into a small smile of victory. For once, it wasn't Yuna soaking up all the attention. This time, it was Akari in the spotlight, the crowd cheering her on.

Yuna, meanwhile, was still trying-- and failing-- to escape the pie's sticky clutches. She wiped her face with a pie-covered hand, only succeeding in smearing more whipped cream into her hair and over her cheeks. 

"*Like, what is even happening right now?*" she spluttered, her voice a mix of disbelief and outrage as she struggled to free herself from the gooey trap.

The sight was nothing short of absurd. Yuna now looked like a dessert herself. Her glossy, styled hair was matted down with cream, her red qipao no longer visible under the layers of filling, and her heels had long since disappeared into the mushy pie. She flailed helplessly, her dignity thoroughly destroyed.

The crew and the extras on set couldn't contain their laughter. Even Seira, standing off to the side as Sana, was shaking with silent giggles, her hand covering her mouth as she tried to stay in character.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of floundering, Yuna managed to roll out of the giant pie, dripping with cream and filling. She stood there, completely humiliated, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath, appearing less like the confident cheerleader than a dripping, gooey pie monster.

Akari, still savoring her victory, gave her a smug grin. "Looks like you got what you deserved, Yuna," she said, her tone laced with sweet satisfaction.

The director yelled "Cut!" and the entire set erupted into applause. Shizuka, still dripping with pie, let out a laugh, wiping some of the cream off her face as she turned to Seira, who was still giggling uncontrollably.

"So," Shizuka said, her voice full of humor, "I think that qualifies as an over-the-top sendoff, don't you?"

Seira nodded, trying to catch her breath. "You definitely went out with a bang," she said, eyes gleaming with amusement. 

Shizuka grinned, feeling triumphant despite her utterly ridiculous state. Yuna had gotten her ultimate comeuppance, and the audience was sure to love every messy second of it.

----

## Utterly Shameless

In the cozy confines of their home studio, Shizuka stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting her blonde bob wig with a hint of amusement in her eyes. The transformation into Yuna was always a fun escape-- especially when she had Yuki behind the camera, urging her to go all-out. Today's private photoshoot was no exception, and the moment Shizuka caught sight of her reflection, she could already feel herself slipping into the boisterous, exaggerated character of the airheaded cheerleader.

Yuna's outfit, as expected, was anything but subtle. The bright red and white cheerleader uniform shimmered with glittery trim, each movement making it flash under the studio lights. The cropped top left her midriff bare, showing off her bare belly, while the pleated skirt barely skimmed mid-thigh, revealing just enough leg to make the outfit bold but still playful. And even when the skirt floated from all the movement, she had red spankies covering her for modesty. White socks and sneakers completed the look, though the most striking part was her overly stuffed chest that bounced with every step she took. Shizuka had to admit that Yuki pulled no stops in replicating the costume for their personal use.

Yuki, adjusting the lighting and checking her camera, flashed Shizuka a wide grin. "You look perfect, Shizuka! It's as if Yuna is right here in our home." Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she gestured for Shizuka to step onto the shooting area, already imagining the playful poses and the mischief Yuna was known for.

Shizuka laughed, slipping fully into character with an exaggerated twirl, her skirt flaring up briefly before settling back in place. "Like, oh my gosh, Yuki! I am, like, totally ready to slay this shoot!" she said in Yuna's high-pitched, peppy voice, throwing in an exaggerated wink for good measure.

Yuki chuckled, motioning for her to get into the first pose. "That's what I'm talking about! Now, let's get some classic cheer poses. Channel that over-the-top Yuna energy-- she's got no shame, no filter, and you're completely aware of how attention-grabbing she is, but totally innocent at the same time."

Shizuka immediately struck a pose, raising her arms above her head in a "V" shape, her pom-poms-- red and white to match her outfit-- flashing in the light as she leaned on one leg, her hip cocked to the side. "Gimme a Y! Gimme a U! Gimme a...um, what's next? Oh, who cares! We're fabulous!" she shouted, her voice a mix of clueless enthusiasm and playful mockery, playing up Yuna's character to the fullest. She shook her pom-poms with a grin that radiated confidence, her eyes twinkling with the self-awareness that made Yuna both bold and hilariously oblivious.

"Perfect! Now, let's get you in a jump-- like you're celebrating a win, but totally caught off guard by your own enthusiasm," Yuki directed, her camera clicking as she went.

Shizuka nodded, launching herself into a high, energetic leap, her skirt flying up with the movement. When she landed, she feigned surprise, flailing her arms as if Yuna hadn't quite expected to jump so high. "Oh-em-gee! I didn't think I could jump that high!" she squealed, giggling as she stumbled forward a step, playing into Yuna's bubbly, somewhat clueless charm.

Yuki burst out laughing behind the camera. "That's great! I love how Yuna is in her own world, but also knows exactly what she's doing, even if she'd never admit it."

Shizuka struck another pose, this time standing with one hand on her hip and the other twirling a pom-pom lazily at her side. She tilted her head, giving the camera a playful pout. "Yuna is, like, the star of the show, duh!" she said with a wink, then added, "But, like, do you think anyone noticed how short my skirt is? Not that it's, like, a big deal or anything..."

Yuki raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, Yuna knows people are looking-- she just acts like she doesn't. Now let's play into that a bit. Give me something coy, like she's pretending to be surprised by all the attention, but secretly loves it."

Shizuka smirked, turning her back to the camera slightly and looking over her shoulder with a mock-surprised expression. "Oh! Were you, like, looking at *me*?" she said in a faux-innocent voice, lifting one leg up behind her as if she were about to do a cheer kick, her skirt bouncing just enough to tease. She brought a finger to her lips, feigning a thoughtful pose. "I mean, like, I get it, but I'm just here to cheer, ya know?"

Yuki snapped the photo at the perfect moment, capturing the essence of Yuna-- bold, flashy, and undeniably aware of her own appeal, even if she played it off as unintentional.

"That's gold, Shizuka!" Yuki praised, lowering her camera for a moment. "You've really got Yuna down to an art. It's hilarious how she's this attention magnet but still acts like she's completely oblivious. It's like she knows exactly what she's doing, but in the most innocent way."

Shizuka twirled her pom-poms again, her playful grin never leaving her face. "Well, like, duh! Yuna always knows how to steal the show." Then, with a more genuine smile, she added, "I have to admit, it's kinda fun letting loose like this."

Yuki nodded, stepping closer to review the shots with her. "I can tell. You owned it. I think it's cool that you're comfortable enough to switch things up like this-- it shows how versatile you are."

Shizuka laughed, bouncing back into her cheerleader stance with renewed energy. "Like, totally! Let's make it even more fabulous!"

"Alright," Yuki said, stepping back with her camera and checking the lighting. "Round two is where we take things up a notch. I want to push the boundaries of Yuna's boldness. She's not just flashy; she's the kind of girl who owns every room she steps into. I want poses that scream confidence, like she knows she's the center of attention."

Shizuka smirked, fully embracing the playful challenge. "You got it. What did you have in mind?"

Yuki grinned and motioned for Shizuka to stand near the studio's white backdrop. "Let's go for some bolder poses-- think cheerleader stunts, but with that self-aware Yuna twist. I want you to do a high kick, like you're showing off your moves, but do it with a little wink. Make it obvious that Yuna knows everyone's watching."

Shizuka nodded, stepping into position. She lifted one leg high, performing a cheerleader's kick, her pleated skirt flaring up enough to reveal the spankies underneath. She leaned into the boldness of the pose, throwing a teasing wink at the camera as she balanced perfectly on one foot, her arms raised high in the air.

Yuki snapped the shot, the camera clicking rapidly. "Yes! That's the energy I'm talking about! Yuna is totally fearless. She knows her moves grab attention, but she's having too much fun to care."

Shizuka grinned, landing from the kick and bouncing on her feet. "Let's make it even more fun," she said, getting into another pose-- a classic cheerleader jump, legs wide, pom-poms in the air. This time, as she came down, she exaggerated the landing, bending forward with a laugh, as if Yuna had overdone it and was pretending to be embarrassed.

"Oh, no! Did, like, *everyone* see that?" Shizuka said in Yuna's high-pitched voice, putting one hand to her face dramatically, though the mischievous smile said otherwise. "Guess I'm just too good at this!"

"Next," Yuki directed, "I want something more relaxed but still confident. Sit down, cross your legs, and give me that 'Yuna knows she's got this' look. Like she's pretending not to notice how much attention she's getting."

Shizuka sat down on a large block, crossing her legs casually, her short skirt riding up just a little as she leaned back on her hands, twisting her torso slightly, making the cropped top ride up just a bit more to reveal the full expanse of her toned midriff. She tilted her head and gave the camera a lazy, half-smile-- completely nonchalant, but with that undercurrent of self-assuredness that Yuki was looking for.

"Like this?" Shizuka asked, holding the pose, her eyes glimmering with playful mischief.

Yuki stepped closer, adjusting the angle slightly. "Perfect. It's got that 'Yuna's comfortable in her own skin' vibe. Now, let's make it a bit more dynamic-- lean forward slightly, as if Yuna's about to share a secret with the camera."

Shizuka followed Yuki's direction, leaning forward enough so that her cropped top shifted, showing a generous view of her bouncing padded chest. She placed her elbows on her knees, resting her chin in her hands, and gave the camera a knowing look, as if Yuna was letting the viewer in on a joke that only she understood.

"You know," Shizuka said in a playful whisper, still in character, "I think everyone's, like, totally in love with me. But, like, can you blame them? I'm so adorable!"

Yuki burst out laughing, catching the moment on camera. "Alright, Shizuka, for the next one, I want you to lie down on the floor-- on your stomach-- like you're lounging, but with that confident Yuna energy. Rest your chin in your hands and kick your legs up behind you, like you're waiting for someone to tell you how amazing you are."

Shizuka obliged, lying down on the soft floor of the studio, resting her chin in her palms as she kicked her legs up, the skirt flaring playfully as she wiggled her feet in the air. Her expression was one of total ease, a slight smirk on her lips as she gazed into the camera.

"How's this?" Shizuka asked, feeling fully in the role.

"Perfect! Now, play it up-- swing your legs side to side, like Yuna's too cool to care about what anyone thinks, but she knows everyone's watching her."

Shizuka did just that, her legs swinging back and forth in the air, her carefree attitude perfectly captured in the shots. Yuki snapped away, capturing every angle, her excitement growing with each click of the camera.

"I'm too cute to ignore, aren't I?" she said in a sing-song voice.

Shizuka rolled onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow, and gave the camera a teasing smile. "Yuna's, like, the best cheerleader ever, right? No contest!" she declared, puffing out her chest with a playful sense of pride.

Yuki lowered her camera for a moment, grinning. "Okay, last round. I want you to finish strong with something big-- a full cheer pose, arms in the air, legs spread wide in a stance that says, 'I'm in charge here!' Like Yuna's claiming the spotlight and she knows no one can look away."

Shizuka jumped to her feet, bouncing in place for a moment before settling into a powerful cheer stance. She spread her legs in a wide stance, raised her pom-poms high, and tilted her head back with a triumphant grin, fully embodying the energetic and confident Yuna. "Gimme an *A*! Gimme an *M*! Gimme an *A*... what's that spell? Amaaaazing!"

Yuki captured the final shots, the camera clicking away as Shizuka struck the boldest pose of the day. When the flashlights faded and the camera was set down, Yuki walked over with a beaming smile.

"That was incredible! You really brought Yuna to life in a way that's daring, but still fun and totally in character. You nailed the balance between playful and bold."

Shizuka, her cheeks flushed from the excitement, took off the blonde wig and ran a hand through her lilac hair. "That was fun! Yuna's such a blast to play. Thanks for pushing me to take it further."

Yuki gave her a playful nudge. "You know me-- I always love a good challenge. And you rose to it perfectly."

Shizuka caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, still in the vibrant cheerleader outfit, and smiled. It wasn't every day she got to channel such an outrageous character in such a bold way, but with Yuki by her side, it always felt natural. 

----

## The Public's View

Late at night, Erika sat at her small desk, the only light in the room coming from her laptop's screen. She had finished her maid duties at the Suzuki family mansion for the evening and, after a long day, had finally found a moment to indulge in her hobby-- checking Shizuka's fan page. It was a comforting ritual for her, a way to feel connected to her idol, especially when she couldn't interact with her on a regular basis. Shizuka came regularly to have tea with Lady Kanna, and Erika did her best to pull duty for that task whenever it happened.

Erika smiled to herself, checking the forum on the fan page. The community was excited over the latest episode of 'Chaotic Love!' The show had an unexpectedly huge following, but what drew the most attention tonight was Shizuka's brief cameo appearance as a cool and beautiful character, poised and elegant, just as everyone expected from her. Erika read through the usual compliments about Shizuka's grace and beauty. 

"She was stunning in that dress."

"Her acting was flawless as always."

"Why does she even bother with the rest of the cast? She outshines everyone!"

Erika nodded to herself, scrolling through the pages of praise. It was exactly what she'd expect from Shizuka's fanbase. But further into the thread, she noticed the conversation took a strange turn. The focus shifted from Shizuka's cameo to another character in the same episode-- a cheerleader named Yuna. Erika furrowed her brow. 

[Yuna?] she thought, trying to recall the character. Then it hit her-- Yuna was the loud, obnoxious, airheaded cheerleader who had been in a cheer-off with Akari, the show's main protagonist, and the two got into an obvious fanservice-induced mud wrestling match with each other. 

The fans' opinions were mixed. Some praised Yuna's ridiculous antics, saying she added a comedic touch to the episode, while others found her completely over-the-top even for the show. But what really caught Erika's attention was the theory a few passionate fans were proposing: that Yuna, despite being credited to an unknown actress with no other credits to her name, was actually played by *Shizuka.*

Erika stared at the screen, dumbfounded. [Shizuka... playing Yuna?]

She clicked on the posts where the fans were laying out their arguments. They had screengrabs of Yuna from the episode, side-by-side comparisons with Shizuka's publicity stills, and long paragraphs of analysis.

One fan wrote, "Look at Yuna's face-- her bone structure is almost identical to Shizuka's. You can tell, especially from the side profile!"

Another chimed in, "Yuna is about the same height as Shizuka. If you compare the scenes of Yuna standing next to Akari, and then compare Akari's actress's height to Shizuka's published stats, it's almost a perfect match."

There were even accusations about Yuna's figure. "Yuna's chest is totally padded. You can see it doesn't move naturally, that Yuna doesn't feel the gravity of the weight it would have if they were real. It's obvious that it's some kind of costume, and that Shizuka is playing the role incognito!"

Erika leaned in closer, fascinated by the level of detail these fans were putting into their theory. They were dissecting every frame of the episode, every movement, every angle, trying to prove that Shizuka had secretly taken on the role of Yuna. 

[But why would she do that?] Erika wondered, scrolling through the endless debate. [Shizuka's already in the episode. Why would she play two different characters?]

Some fans agreed with her unposted question. Many dismissed the idea as wishful thinking. "It's not her," one fan wrote. "Shizuka's too busy with her movie and modeling work. She wouldn't take on a role like Yuna, not when she's got bigger things going on."

Another comment echoed Erika's own thoughts. "Why would Shizuka play some silly, airheaded cheerleader? She has a reputation to uphold. This 'Yuna is Shizuka' theory is ridiculous."

Erika nodded in agreement as she scrolled down, reassured by the more reasonable voices. It was absurd to think Shizuka would take on such a role-- especially one that involved something as undignified as a cheerleader mud fight. Erika snorted softly at the memory of the scene. Yuna and Akari, both in cheerleader uniforms, rolling around in the mud, yelling and flailing in what was clearly meant to be a comedic, slapstick moment.

[Shizuka would never do that,] Erika thought. [She's too graceful. Too professional. She has standards, after all. Only desperate actresses needing money would do that on television.]

Erika leaned back in her chair, her earlier curiosity fading into mild amusement. It wasn't the first time fans had come up with wild theories about Shizuka, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. Erika decided that these fans were just overthinking it, probably driven by their wish to see Shizuka in a different kind of role. 

[I mean, who wouldn't want Shizuka to play a fun character like Yuna?] Erika thought, chuckling softly. [She could pull it off if she wanted. But no way she'd stoop to something like that. She's got too much class.]

Feeling satisfied with her conclusion, Erika logged off, stretching her arms above her head. She glanced at the clock-- it was late, and she still had work to do in the morning. As she stood up and got ready for bed, the thought lingered in her mind. 

[Shizuka playing Yuna...] Erika shook her head. [That's just too crazy.]

----

A week had passed since the cheerleader episode of 'Chaotic Love!'. Erika found herself once again sitting in front of her laptop, eager to check out Shizuka's fan page. After a long day of maid duties at the mansion, this was her favorite way to unwind-- reading up on all the latest talk surrounding her idol. 

The fan page was active as usual, but Erika immediately noticed something unusual. The fan theory that had surfaced last week-- that Shizuka was secretly playing the obnoxious cheerleader Yuna under a pseudonym-- had only gained more traction. Erika clicked into the discussion thread, wondering how this absurd idea had survived another week.

[Seriously?] she thought, surprised. [They're still going on about this?]

Scrolling through the posts, she quickly learned why the theory was getting new life. On the latest episode of 'Chaotic Love!', Yuna had appeared again. But this time, it wasn't just another scene-stealing comedy bit. The episode revolved around a school festival maid cafe, where Akari, the show's main character, donned a cute and modest maid outfit to serve customers. It was a lighthearted, charming setup-- until Yuna entered the scene.

Erika shook her head as she read the descriptions of Yuna's appearance. Instead of the demure, wholesome maid look Akari had sported, Yuna had shown up in a scandalous maid outfit that left little to the imagination-- complete with a black corset, thigh-high stockings held up by a garter belt, and a skirt that barely reached her thighs. The episode had culminated in a chaotic food fight between Akari and Yuna, which, from what Erika gathered, had been played for laughs.

The fan page was dominated by reactions to the episode, and, as expected, the "Yuna is Shizuka" theory was front and center. The fans who had been insistent that Yuna was being played by Shizuka were back at it, dissecting every detail of Yuna's latest appearance to prove their point. They pointed to Yuna's body language, her comedic timing, and even the way she threw food during the fight as signs that Shizuka was hiding behind the pseudonym.

One post caught Erika's eye, and she clicked on it:

"Look, guys, I'm telling you, the 'padded chest' from last week was *definitely* a costume. But this time? That's some good makeup work. Shizuka's team must've really nailed it!"

Erika snorted in disbelief. [Good makeup work? Seriously?] What followed the post was a screenshot of Yuna from the chest up, framed in such a way it almost appeared she was naked, and sure enough, her ridiculous chest seemed to blend seemlessly on her body. She had to hand it to these fans-- they were nothing if not persistent.

But not everyone was on board with the theory this time around. Plenty of fans were poking holes in the argument.

"I don't know, this Yuna seems way too... *real* now. If it's Shizuka, they really went all out, but I doubt it."

"I mean, come on, why would Shizuka play a character like Yuna?"

"Even if it was her, wouldn't she just tell us? Shizuka never hid her most questionable roles from us. This one doesn't compare to what she's done already."

Erika found herself agreeing with the skeptics. She wasn't entirely convinced last week, and now the whole idea seemed even more far-fetched. [Why would Shizuka go out of her way to play two different characters in the same episode? And then she isn't even in this one.] Shizuka was a busy woman-- she had her movie projects, modeling gigs, and voice acting work. There was no way she had the time or the reason to sneak in a role like Yuna, especially one so completely unlike the refined image she'd built over the years.

Erika admired the fans' passion, but she couldn't take the theory seriously. Sure, Shizuka was talented-- one of the most versatile actresses she had ever seen-- but the idea of her playing a role like Yuna, who was loud, airheaded, and dressed in a scandalous maid outfit, was just too much to believe.

Despite her amusement, Erika had to admit she was a little curious. The episode sounded wild, especially the food fight between Akari and Yuna. She wasn't following 'Chaotic Love!' since she worked most of the day, and only caught the previous week's episode because Shizuka was on it. Maybe she would check it out later, just for fun-- but with her busy schedule at the Suzuki mansion, finding the time was a long shot. She barely had time to keep up with her own life, let alone sit down to watch a TV drama.

"Maybe over the weekend," she said with a shrug. "If I get the chance."

For now, Erika was content to leave the fan page behind. She logged off, shaking her head at the sheer absurdity of the "Yuna is Shizuka" theory. As far as she was concerned, it was just another wild fan idea-- one that would blow over soon enough, once people moved on to the next big thing. After all, Shizuka had better things to do than play a character like Yuna. 

----

## The Special of the Series

The Moon River Talent Agency break room was quiet, except for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the droning hum of the refrigerator. Seira sat at a small table, flipping through casting calls Arisa provided her on her tablet, her expression focused but with a growing edge of frustration. Finding the right role after wrapping up a successful run on 'Chaotic Love!' wasn't easy, and the pressure was starting to get to her. She needed something big, something that would take her career to the next level.

The door creaked open, and Seira glanced up to see Shizuka step in. Dressed in her usual laid-back style, Shizuka looked unbothered as ever. Seira straightened up, half-expecting a casual greeting, but Shizuka's face held something more serious.

"Hey, Seira," Shizuka said, her voice soft but tinged with hesitation.

"What's up?" Seira asked, her tone still friendly but distracted. She looked back at her tablet, scrolling through more casting notices.

Shizuka hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I wanted to let you know something before you hear it from anyone else."

Seira perked up, glancing over with more interest. "Oh? What's going on?"

"You know how 'Chaotic Love!' has been doing really well, right? It's getting more attention than anyone expected." Shizuka sat down across from her.

Seira smiled, lighting up. "Yeah, it's been great! I mean, the whole cast had really clicked, and the fans are loving it. So, what about it?"

Shizuka's gaze shifted uncomfortably. "I found out from the production committee that they're planning a special episode."

"A TV special?" Seira's eyes widened, excitement bubbling up. "That's amazing! Why didn't they tell me yet?" But as her mind raced, she caught the way Shizuka was looking at her. The confusion turned into a frown. "Wait... why do you know this before I do?"

Shizuka gave her a tentative look, bracing herself for the reaction to come. "Because the special episode they're planning revolves around Yuna and Mai."

Seira blinked, the realization hitting her hard. Her smile vanished, and the spark of excitement turned into something sharper, more bitter. "Yuna? *Yuna*?! That-- that ridiculous cheerleader character you've been playing in secret? They're making a whole special about her? And Mai? She's not a regular character!" Her voice rose with each word, her frustration boiling over.

Seira slammed her tablet down on the table, making a sharp noise that echoed in the small room. "Are you kidding me, Shizuka?! I'm the regular cast member here, and you're the one getting this kind of attention? On *my* show? You've already got your hands full with modeling and films, and now you're upstaging me even here?!" Her voice cracked with anger, her eyes blazing with a mixture of frustration and hurt.

"Seira, I *know* how this sounds, but just listen-- I'm not taking the offer. I was going to decline."

Seira's outburst faltered. Her anger dimmed slightly, but confusion took its place. "Decline? Why would you turn it down? You've already played Yuna a few times. Why stop now?"

Shizuka exhaled, her expression softening as she leaned forward, her tone calm and sincere. "It was never my intention for Yuna to become a recurring character. She was supposed to be a one-off-- a fun little role that would disappear after an episode. And now, with the public mostly unaware that I'm even playing her, I'd rather keep it that way. I don't want to keep playing Yuna. It's not a role I want to get stuck in."

Seira blinked, her anger gradually giving way to understanding. She slumped back in her chair, the weight of the situation sinking in. "So, you're really turning it down?"

Shizuka nodded. "Yes. I know how hard you've worked on this show, and I don't want to take away from that. It's your role that's important, not mine."

Seira's expression softened, the frustration draining from her. "I'm sorry, Shizuka," she said after a moment, her voice quieter now. "I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just... it's frustrating. You're not even trying, and you just *do* it. You get these opportunities, these roles, without even having to hustle for them. And I'm busting my butt every day, trying to get noticed, and it still feels like I'm running in place."

Shizuka smiled gently, her eyes understanding. "I don't want you to feel like I'm stepping on your toes. If you need help finding your next gig, I can talk to some people, put in a good word--"

"No," Seira interrupted, shaking her head. "I don't want to ride on your coattails. I've got to make it on my own terms. I want my success to be *mine,* not because you helped me get it."

Shizuka nodded, respecting Seira's decision. "I understand. And for what it's worth, I know you'll get there. You've got the drive and the talent."

Seira managed a small smile, though the lingering frustration was still there. "Thanks. I just... need to figure it out."

The room grew quiet again, the air between them settling. Seira felt a bit lighter, though the pang of envy remained. Still, she knew Shizuka meant well, and the fact that she was turning down the role spoke volumes.

"I guess I should be thankful you're not taking that part again," Seira said with a wry smile. 

Shizuka laughed softly. "Yuna's not coming back. At least, not with me."

Seira nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Good."

With that, the tension eased, and Seira returned to her tablet, the weight on her shoulders feeling just a bit lighter. Shizuka stood up, giving her one last reassuring nod before heading out.

----

## The Final Nail in the Coffin

Two weeks had passed since the last 'Chaotic Love!' episode featuring Yuna had aired, and Erika once again found herself checking Shizuka's fan page late at night. She had made a habit of skimming the discussions lately, mostly because they were still obsessing over the same ridiculous theory: that Shizuka was secretly playing the role of Yuna, the obnoxious, airheaded cheerleader. Erika had long stopped entertaining the idea, finding it absurd and even a little irritating.

But tonight, things had escalated.

The latest episode of 'Chaotic Love!' had aired, and to no one's surprise, Yuna made another appearance-- this time wearing a short, red qipao paired with black high heels. Erika had seen fans describe Yuna's outfit in detail, calling it both "scandalous" and "distracting." The episode's centerpiece, however, was a pie-eating contest, with Yuna as one of the contestants.

What seemed like a harmless comedic setup quickly turned into the fan page's latest battleground. According to the fans, Yuna had slowly and teasingly eaten her pie during the contest, drawing attention to her exaggerated expressions and playful demeanor. But that wasn't what sparked the fan debate-- it was what came next.

In the climactic moment, Yuna had "accidentally" fallen into a giant pie-- comically flailing around in it, her elegant qipao completely ruined. It was meant to be slapstick humor, to give Yuna a 'proper sendoff' from the show: those who loved her got to see her over-the-top personality one more time, and those who hated her got to see her squirm like a spoiled child, her punishment for disrupting the main dynamic in the show. But for the "Yuna is Shizuka" theorists, it was something else entirely. They claimed that this scene was the final piece of evidence proving Yuna's true identity.

Erika sighed, shaking her head as she read through the comments.

"Look at this! Shizuka did the *exact* same thing when she played Madame Black in 'Agent Zero!' She's done it before, and she did it again! Yuna falling into the pie, in a qipao no less, is a dead giveaway!"

[Seriously?] Erika grew more irritated reading that comment. She had to admit, she had seen the 'Agent Zero' films where Shizuka played the iconic villainess Madame Black. There *was* a scene where Madame Black, in all her dignified villainy, had fallen into a giant pie, albeit in her case it was in her underwear, having lost her black qipao just before this. It had been a memorable moment, for sure-- one that fans still talked about years later. But to Erika, comparing Yuna's slapstick tumble to Madame Black's graceful fall seemed like a stretch even with the surface similarities.

She clicked through more posts, many of which were adamant that this was the final, irrefutable proof of the theory. Some fans even pulled out screengrabs from both the 'Agent Zero' films and the latest 'Chaotic Love!' episode.

But as always, there was pushback.

"You can't be serious! Madame Black fell into that pie with grace and *resignation,* like she knew it was coming but accepted her fate. Yuna is nothing like that-- she was flailing around like a spoiled kid! There's no way Shizuka would repeat the same gag, especially not in such a ridiculous way."

"I agree! Shizuka already *did* the pie thing. Why would she do it again in a role like Yuna's? It doesn't make sense!"

"Someone on the production team must be a fan of Shizuka. I mean, she was just on the show a few weeks ago."

Erika found herself agreeing with the skeptics on this. Sure, there were similarities-- she couldn't deny that. But the differences were just as glaring. Madame Black's fall into the pie had been, in true Shizuka fashion, dignified and restrained, even as the slapstick humor played out around her. It had been a moment of subtle comedy, with Shizuka's talent shining through the absurdity.

Yuna, on the other hand, based on the descriptions, had flailed, shrieked, and rolled around in the pie like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. It was the complete opposite of the cool, composed presence that Shizuka was known for. As much as the fans wanted to see a connection between the two scenes, Erika just couldn't buy it. The styles were too different. At best, Erika could only conclude it was a sort of homage.

"This isn't Shizuka," Erika said aloud, her frustration creeping into her voice. "It *can't* be."

Despite her growing irritation, Erika had to acknowledge one thing. For an actress who had seemingly come out of nowhere, Yuna's portrayer was getting an impressive amount of attention. To be compared to Shizuka Minazuki, one of the most talented and versatile actresses in the industry, was no small feat. Whoever Yuna's actress was, she clearly had potential-- and if people were this obsessed with her, she was bound to have a bright future ahead of her.

"I'll give her that much," Erika muttered, clicking away from the fan page. "She's getting people talking."

Still, the theory was beyond absurd, Erika decided. Shizuka was far too busy with her movie roles and modeling to sneak in a silly part like Yuna's. And besides, Shizuka had already paid her dues with Madame Black. Why would she revisit the same gag in a lesser role? It just didn't add up.

Erika logged off with a sigh, convinced more than ever that the "Yuna is Shizuka" fans were chasing a wild fantasy. But, ironically, she couldn't shake the thought that Yuna's actress-- whoever she was-- might just be the next big thing.

----

## The Special of the Series, Redux

On the first day of the 'Chaotic Love!' special episode shoot, Seira stood in front of the set with her script in hand. She had been elated when the producer told her the focus of the TV special had shifted from Yuna and Mai to Sana and Mai, allowing Seira's character to take the spotlight instead. The new script had been hastily rewritten, but Seira was ready for the challenge. She was determined to prove herself, both to the crew and to herself, that she was more than capable of being a star capable of carrying a show instead of just a supporting character.

The episode's title, "Maid to Mess Up: Sana and Mai's Slapstick Showdown!", promised plenty of chaos-- and from what Seira could tell, it wouldn't disappoint. She had a feeling the kitchen scene, where Sana and Mai would end up in a messy food fight, was going to be the highlight of the day, and set the tone for the rest of filming.

Seira glanced over at Mai's actress, Tsukiko, a dark-haired girl with her hair styled a homely hime-cut for her character, who was busy talking to one of the makeup artists. The two had always gotten along well enough, but this was the first time they would be working so closely together-- their previous interactions on 'Chaotic Love!' always used Moegi-as-Akari as an intermediary. The dynamic between their characters-- a composed maid and a good-hearted and well-mannered rival-- was already fun to play, but today's shoot was going to push that to its limits. Both Sana and Mai were more composed and disciplined characters against the eccentric Akari, so the true test was the humor coming from characters along the same alignment.

"Alright, everyone, places!" the director called out, signaling the start of the scene.

Seira straightened her apron and stepped into position, taking on Sana's calm, composed demeanor. Tsukiko followed, her face setting into the look of determined helpfulness that defined her character, Mai.

The scene started smoothly enough. They stood side by side, working in the mansion's kitchen, exchanging a few lines about how peaceful things had been lately-- though anyone familiar with 'Chaotic Love!' knew that peace never lasted long. It was when Mai crouched down to search for a stored mixing bowl that everything began to spiral out of control.

Just as scripted, the first egg slid off the counter and splattered onto Tsukiko's head.

*Splat.*

Seira had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing as Tsukiko's expression shifted from confusion to frustration. Tsukiko was always so good at playing Mai's comically bad luck, and the way the egg yolk slowly dripped down her bangs made the whole thing even funnier.

The second egg followed soon after.

*Splat.*

To the character Mai's unfortunate luck, and the actress Tsukiko's dismay, the third one came.

*Splat.*

After the third egg smashed on her head, Tsukiko let out a perfectly timed sigh, looking up at Seira with a deadpan expression. "Sana..." she muttered, exactly as the script dictated.

But Seira could already feel her composure slipping. There was something about the way Tsukiko looked, standing there with egg yolk glistening on her dark hair, that made it so hard not to crack up. Still, she powered through, grabbing the towel and stammering out her apologies, only for Tsukiko to grab an egg and break it right on top of Seira's head.

*Splat.*

That was the moment things started to fall apart.

Seira's eyes widened as she felt the sticky yolk trickling down her scalp. The sensation was too ridiculous, and before she could stop herself, a laugh bubbled up from her chest. Tsukiko caught her eye, and that was it-- they both burst out laughing, breaking character completely.

"Cut!" the director called, sounding exasperated but not entirely surprised. "Take it from the top."

They reset the scene, and soon enough, the eggs were back in place, the counters wiped clean for another take, and the actress' hair was cleaned up. Seira steeled herself, determined to get through this without laughing this time. But as soon as second egg cracked onto Tsukiko's head, the laughter returned, and they had to cut again.

By the fourth take, the entire crew was starting to chuckle along with them. Each time, Seira and Tsukiko tried their hardest to stay serious, but something about the absurdity of the situation kept making them break. If it wasn't the egg in this part, it was the flour in the next, or the milk in the one after that-- neither of them could keep a straight face for long.

Finally, they reached the pie-in-the-face moment. Seira stood there, pie in hand, her lips twitching as she tried to maintain Sana's calm demeanor, milk dripping off her face. Tsukiko, now thoroughly coated in flour and egg, was already on the verge of cracking up again.

"I always get the last word," Seira said, her voice shaking with barely contained laughter.

She brought the pie up to Tsukiko's face, aiming for a clean *splat*, but as soon as the whipped cream hit Tsukiko's face, the sight of it-- cream splattering everywhere, Tsukiko's shocked expression peeking out from under the mess-- was too much. Seira doubled over in laughter, dropping the pie tin onto the floor with a clatter.

Tsukiko wiped the cream from her eyes, trying and failing to stay in character. "You're impossible," she said, but the line came out in between giggles.

They had to reset again, and then again, each take going off the rails as soon as the pie landed.

"Alright," the director finally said, laughing despite himself, "let's just get through one clean take. One. Please."

Seira and Tsukiko exchanged a look, both of them still smiling, but they nodded in agreement; they were wasting a lot of the special's budget on getting this one scene right. On the final take, they managed to keep it together just long enough to get through the scene. Seira planted the pie in Tsukiko's face, Tsukiko retaliated with her own, and they both stood there, covered in whipped cream and remnants of their food fight, barely holding in their laughter as the camera captured the final moment.

"Cut!" the director called, sounding relieved. "That's a wrap."

The two actresses made their way to the dressing room, still laughing as they wiped the last remnants of whipped cream from their faces. The food fight scene from the 'Chaotic Love!' special had left them both covered in an absurd mixture of egg, flour, and pie, but the shoot was finally over. Seira felt a sense of relief mixed with lingering excitement as she opened the door and stepped inside, eager to clean up.

Tsukiko followed close behind, tugging at the whipped cream-covered apron she still wore. "I can't believe I let you get away with pieing me in the face so many times," she said with a mock scowl. "You've been gunning for me this whole episode, huh?"

Seira laughed, brushing off her apron and grabbing a towel. "Come on, it's just part of the job, right? Showbiz," she said, flashing Tsukiko a mischievous grin. "And hey, you got me back with that egg in the hair. Pretty sure the stylist will be finding bits of shell in my hair even after the shower."

Tsukiko chuckled, shaking her head as she wiped the pie filling from her bangs. "Yeah, but I think I lost count of how many eggs hit me in the head by the end. I swear they kept adding more to the scene just to mess with me."

Seira grinned, tossing the towel aside. "I'd say it was all in good fun. Besides, you gave as good as you got in the end. That pie to the face was *perfect*."

Tsukiko's eyes twinkled with amusement as she glanced at Seira, her messy hair slicked with egg and cream from the chaos of the shoot. "True. Still, I'll be keeping my eye on you in the future. No more surprises like today."

"Deal," Seira said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "No more surprise pies. Scout's honor."

As the two started to clean up, Seira turned to Tsukiko, curiosity getting the better of her. "So, now that 'Chaotic Love!' is over, do you have any other projects lined up? You know, something that doesn't involve food fights?"

Tsukiko smiled as she rinsed off a washcloth. "Actually, I made it onto a short list for another TV drama. It's still in the casting phase, but they want me to come in for an audition soon."

Seira raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "That's awesome! What kind of drama is it?"

Tsukiko shrugged casually but there was a glint of excitement in her eyes. "It's more of a serious role this time-- no slapstick comedy, I promise. But hey, maybe I'll drag you along to the casting call. You never know, we might end up working on something together again."

Seira smirked, teasing her friend. "As long as there aren't any more pies or flying eggs, sure! Although, you have to admit, we've gotten pretty good at making the audience laugh."

"Yeah," Tsukiko said with a grin. "It's not a big deal as long as we can keep them entertained, right?"

Seira mulled it over for a second, then met Tsukiko's gaze with a warm smile. "You know what? I'll take you up on that offer. Maybe we'll end up being the next big comedy duo."

Tsukiko's eyes lit up, clearly pleased with Seira's response. "I'd like that. It could be fun."

Seira looked at Tsukiko-- both of them standing there, dripping in mess, but somehow still smiling-- and felt a sense of camaraderie. Without thinking, she reached out and took Tsukiko's hand, shaking it warmly.

"Let's make it happen," Seira said with a determined smile. "But first... I think a shower is in order."

Tsukiko laughed, looking down at the sticky remains of the food fight still clinging to her clothes. "Agreed. Definitely agreed." 

With that, they both headed to the showers, laughing as they imagined the next adventure they might take on together.

----

## Casting Call

Seira and Tsukiko sat in the waiting room of the casting office, flipping through old magazines, trying to distract themselves. The audition for Tsukiko's next big TV drama was supposed to be simple, or so she thought. It was Seira who first broke the silence between them.

"You nervous?" she asked, a slight smirk tugging at her lips.

Tsukiko shrugged, though her fingers fidgeted with the strap of her bag. "Not really. I mean, it's just a typical audition, right? No pies involved this time, so I think I'm safe."

Seira laughed. "Yeah, you're safe. No whipped cream ambushes today."

Just then, the casting director's assistant popped her head into the room. "Tsukiko Kisaragi? You're up."

Tsukiko stood up, straightening her blouse, but before she could head inside alone, the assistant added, "Oh, and Seira Ichijo? Why don't you come in, too?"

Seira blinked in surprise and exchanged a quick glance with Tsukiko. "Wait, both of us?"

"Yep," the assistant said with a smile, motioning for them to follow her.

They walked into the brightly lit room where the casting director sat behind a desk, a stack of papers in front of him. He looked up and smiled warmly when he saw the two actresses.

"Ah, Seira and Tsukiko," he said, flipping through a few papers. "You two were on 'Chaotic Love!' together, right?"

"Yes, we were," Tsukiko answered, her tone polite.

"Great, great. I remember seeing the both of you. You two clearly have chemistry on-screen," he said, leaning forward with interest. "I think it would be interesting to see how that carries over here. This next show is a little different, of course, but I'd like to see if you two can play off each other in a different dynamic."

Seira raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so we're auditioning together? I thought this was just for Tsukiko."

The casting director waved it off casually. "Well, Tsukiko's on the shortlist, but I think it'd be fun to see the both of you try out for these roles. We're reading for a pair of characters-- two young women who have a close bond, but there's... more under the surface."

Tsukiko shot Seira a confused glance but nodded slowly. "Okay. Sure, we can try it."

Seira shrugged, trying to keep things light. "It'll be fine. We've done more ridiculous stuff together."

The assistant handed them each a copy of the script, and as Seira and Tsukiko skimmed through it, they realized the characters they'd be reading for were written as a classic "tomboy and girly girl" duo. Seira glanced at Tsukiko.

"Alright, I guess I'll read for the tomboy, and you can be the girly girl," Seira suggested, her lips quirking up into a smile.

Tsukiko rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course you get the cool character."

As they flipped through the lines, though, the playful banter between the characters quickly took on a tone that was far more intimate than either of them had anticipated. Their shared moments of vulnerability, the soft way the characters spoke to each other-- it all felt... sapphic. Seira furrowed her brow, feeling the tension in the air shift as she continued reading.

"Um..." Seira cleared her throat and looked up at the casting director. "Are these characters... like, you know... together? Romantically?"

The director leaned back in his chair, smiling. "You catch on quick. Yes, these two are an item, but in a way that's subtle. We're aiming for a 'wink-wink, nudge-nudge' approach, given some of the restrictions on television. They're in the closet, so to speak."

Seira felt the weight of the situation sink in. This wasn't just some playful, quirky friendship. They were being asked to read as a closeted couple, with all the complexity and hidden emotions that came with it. She glanced over at Tsukiko, her expression uncertain, seeking reassurance. Tsukiko, to her surprise, looked calm, collected. She nodded, offering Seira a small but encouraging smile.

"We've got this," Tsukiko whispered softly, giving her a reassuring squeeze on the arm.

Seira took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Alright," she said, her voice more confident now. "Let's do this."

They began the scene, their voices tentative at first. The lines required them to navigate moments of unspoken tension, lingering glances, and hints of affection disguised as playful teasing. Seira, playing the tomboy, spoke with a cool, casual air, while Tsukiko, the girly girl, infused her lines with warmth and vulnerability. But it was awkward at first. They stumbled over their words, their timing off, and they exchanged nervous glances throughout.

The casting director leaned forward, nodding slowly. "Not bad," he said. "But try again, and this time... really lean into it. Don't hold back. Let's see that chemistry I know you two have."

Seira and Tsukiko looked at each other, their nerves bubbling under the surface. But this time, Seira felt a new determination rise within her. If they were going to do this, they were going to do it right.

They started again, this time more sure of themselves. Seira slipped into her role as the confident tomboy, her voice steady, eyes locked onto Tsukiko. Tsukiko responded with soft, genuine emotion, her words laced with a mix of admiration and quiet yearning. The playful banter between their characters became layered with an undeniable undercurrent of affection, the subtext of their relationship simmering just below the surface.

By the time they finished the scene, the room was silent. The casting director sat back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Much better," he said, nodding approvingly. "You two have great chemistry. We'll be in touch soon."

After they left the room, Seira felt a wave of relief wash over her. She glanced at Tsukiko, who looked equally pleased with how it had gone.

"Looks like we might have another project together after all," Seira said with a grin, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Tsukiko smiled back, the playful glint in her eyes returning. "Let's just hope there aren't any pies involved this time."

Seira laughed, but deep down, she knew that whatever came next-- whether it was slapstick or something more serious-- she was ready for it. Especially with Tsukiko by her side.

----

## Observational Research

Seira strolled through the halls of the Moon River Talent Agency, her casual confidence making her blend right in despite the hectic activity buzzing around her. She was here to meet Hana and Riko of Moonlight Prism-- not for a formal meeting, but for what she was calling "research" for her next TV drama role.

As she approached the room where she knew the band members often hung out, Seira rehearsed what she was going to say in her head, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. When she finally pushed the door open, she was greeted by the sound of Hana softly sawing her violin while Riko lazily sprawled on a couch, her guitar resting on her lap.

"Hey, guys!" Seira greeted with her usual energy.

Hana looked up, smiling warmly. "Oh, hey, Seira. What brings you here?"

"Yeah," Riko chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be practicing for some drama or something? Why drop by on us?"

Seira leaned casually against the doorframe. "Oh, I *am* doing research for my next role. I thought maybe I could tail you two for a bit. Y'know, get some inspiration."

Hana blinked in confusion, her fingers pausing over the violin strings. "Inspiration? What kind of research are you doing?"

Before Seira could answer, Riko sat up, her curiosity piqued. "Yeah, what exactly are you 'researching'? What kind of role are we talking about here?"

Seira grinned. "So, my character in this new drama is a tomboy. And I'm acting opposite Tsukiko-- she's playing this super girly girl."

Hana, who had been nodding along absentmindedly, suddenly froze. Riko, on the other hand, burst into laughter, clearly amused.

"Oh man," Riko snickered. "Tomboy and girly girl? So, what? I'm the tomboy and Hana's the girly girl in this little analogy of yours?"

Seira chuckled, enjoying the joke. "Pretty much. You two are like the perfect example of that dynamic. Totally platonic though, right?" She winked teasingly.

But Riko's laughter stopped abruptly when Seira added, "Except the characters in my show are totally in the closet about it. But like, come on, everyone knows, right?"

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Hana turned a deep shade of red, her mouth opening as if to protest, but no words came out. Riko, however, immediately narrowed her eyes, sitting up straighter.

"Wait a minute," Riko said slowly, her amusement evaporating. "What are you trying to say here?"

Seira raised her hands in a mock surrender. "I mean, come on, it's kind of obvious. You two are so close, it's like you've got to be a couple, right? That's why I figured you'd be the perfect research material. You're like... inspirational lesbians or something."

Hana gasped softly, clearly caught off guard by the implication. "Seira! We're not--"

But Riko cut her off, her temper rising. "We are *not* a couple, Seira. Don't spread baseless rumors like that."

Seira shrugged, entirely unbothered by the pushback. "Whatever, everyone can see it. You two are like the *definition* of a closet couple. Just saying."

Hana looked mortified, but Riko's frustration was palpable. She stood up, her expression hardening as she stepped toward Seira. "Okay, seriously, knock it off. We are not a couple. We're close, sure, but that doesn't mean you can go around saying stuff like that."

Seira blinked at her, clearly unfazed by the intensity in Riko's voice. "Jeez, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. I just figured you two were, like, close enough to know what it's like for my character. It's not that deep."

Riko clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing. "You think this is funny? We're not some 'inspirational lesbian couple' for you to use as research."

"Well," Seira said, her grin widening mischievously, "you kinda are."

That was the final straw for Riko.

"Oh, that's it!" Riko snapped, her temper flaring as she lunged toward Seira.

Seira yelped and dashed out of the room, laughing as Riko chased after her. "I was just joking! Come on, Riko!"

"Get back here, you little-- !" Riko yelled, sprinting after her down the hallway.

Hana, left behind in the room, put her hands to her face, her cheeks still red with embarrassment. She let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. 

Seira, meanwhile, was laughing hysterically as she darted through the agency's halls, narrowly avoiding Riko's grasp. "Okay, okay! I take it back!"

"Too late!" Riko shouted back, determined to catch her. "You're not getting away with this one!"

As Seira rounded a corner, her heart pounding from both the excitement and the adrenaline, she couldn't help but smile. Even if she had pushed a few buttons, she figured it was worth it. If anything, it had made her feel more in touch with her new character than ever.

----

## Yuna's True Identity

Tsukiko sat at her desk, staring at the email notification on her phone. The subject line read, "Chaotic Love!-- Recasting Yuna", a quiet notification sent by her agent. She had heard the rumors about the production committee wanting to continue using Yuna's character, but she hadn't expected this. Shizuka had declined to reprise the role, but since Yuna is credited under a pseudonym the production committee had an opportunity to 'recast' Yuna-- or rather, 'reveal' that another actress had played Yuna the entire time.

It wouldn't be easy. Shizuka *was* Yuna. The character's airheaded, innocently insensitive nature, paired with Shizuka's exaggerated valley girl accent, had turned Yuna into a fan favorite, a character both loved and hated by the fans of the show. Replacing that would be no small task. But something stirred within Tsukiko, a sense of determination she hadn't felt in a while. 

[Why not throw my hat in the ring?]

The idea had come almost immediately, but her mind wrestled with the thought of it. She had already played Mai, a supporting character on 'Chaotic Love!', and recasting her as Yuna seemed like a ridiculous idea. Still, the more she thought about it, the more confident she became. Mai and Yuna had never shared any scenes, or even been in the same episodes. They were two completely different characters, in two completely different arcs. It could work-- if she gave it her all.

That evening, Tsukiko dug out the three episodes featuring Yuna and meticulously rewatched Shizuka's performances. She studied every subtle head tilt, the way Yuna's wide-eyed innocence seemed almost otherworldly, and how her cluelessness bordered on charm. She practiced mimicking the thick valley girl accent that had become Yuna's signature, over and over again, until she felt the character seep into her own speech patterns.

Shizuka was the complete opposite of Yuna, Tsukiko knew. In many ways, the same was also true for herself. But if someone like Shizuka could make people believe she was an airheaded bimbo, Tsukiko knew it was possible, and could prove to demonstrate her own range and versatility.

----

The morning of the casting call, she found herself walking into the familiar casting office. This time, though, her heart pounded a little harder than usual; the casting call was a quiet affair, made by invitation only, to keep the identity of the actress behind Yuna anonymous. Tsukiko approached the receptionist and gave her name. To her surprise, the receptionist's eyebrows lifted slightly in recognition, clearly aware of Tsukiko's previous role as Mai on 'Chaotic Love!'.

"Just a moment," the receptionist said, making a call to the casting director inside. After a brief conversation, she nodded and gestured toward the door. "They'll see you now."

Tsukiko took a deep breath and entered.

Inside, the casting director sat at a large table, flipping through a stack of papers. He glanced up at her, clearly surprised.

"Tsukiko? Weren't you... Mai on 'Chaotic Love!'?"

Tsukiko nodded, her hands clasped together in front of her. "I was. But I'm here to audition for Yuna."

The casting director raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "Tsukiko, you know Yuna and Mai are from the same show, right? The audience might not buy you playing both characters."

Tsukiko stood firm, her soft-spoken voice steady. "Mai and Yuna were never in the same episodes. Their character arcs never overlapped. I've studied how Shizuka played Yuna-- I think I can give it a shot, if you're willing to let me try."

The casting director sighed, leaning back in his chair. "It's not an easy role to fill. Shizuka's take on Yuna is... very particular. We need someone who can replicate her speech and mannerisms as if they were Yuna's actress the entire time."

"I understand," Tsukiko said, her confidence unwavering. "But I really believe I can capture Yuna's essence. All I'm asking for is a chance."

The casting director hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright, fine. Let's see what you've got."

Tsukiko breathed in deeply, centering herself as she stepped forward. She had spent the past several days immersing herself in Shizuka's version of Yuna, and now it was time to put all that preparation to the test. She closed her eyes, taking one final moment to gather her thoughts, before slipping into character.

When Tsukiko opened her eyes again, she was no longer herself. She was Yuna-- the airheaded, sweet, and wildly oblivious character everyone adored. She tilted her head, her eyes wide with exaggerated innocence, and spoke in the thick, nasally valley girl accent Shizuka had perfected.

"Oh. My. Gawd!" Tsukiko shouted, her voice high-pitched and saccharine. "Like, I totes forgot what I was supposed to say, but it's fine, right? 'Cause, like, everything works out in the end! I think... maybe?"

The casting director's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Tsukiko felt her heart racing, but she didn't stop there. She leaned into the clueless demeanor, adopting Yuna's signature awkward hand movements as she rambled on in that same carefree tone.

"Wait, wait, wait... am I in the wrong place? 'Cause this doesn't look like the mall. Is there, like, *another* casting for, like... ugh, I dunno, something with shoes?"

She continued on her impromptu tirade; she could see the casting director nodding along, his initial skepticism fading away. Tsukiko hadn't just mimicked Shizuka's performance; she had *absorbed* it, embodying Yuna so completely that it felt as if the character had never left.

When she finally finished her adlib performance, she looked up, her heart thudding in her chest. The casting director was silent for a moment, then he leaned forward, a smile breaking across his face.

"You've been studying Shizuka, haven't you?" he asked, impressed. "That was spot-on. It's uncanny."

Tsukiko let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I've always admired how Shizuka played Yuna. I wanted to do her justice."

"Well," the casting director said, flipping through his papers again, "you certainly caught my attention. Why don't you run through this scene? Let's see how you handle some more dialogue."

With renewed confidence, Tsukiko dove into the lines offered her, fully embracing Yuna's character. As she delivered her performance with more conviction and ease, she began to feel the momentum shift in her favor. The casting director was nodding, clearly liking what he was seeing.

By the time she finished, Tsukiko was smiling, her nerves giving way to a quiet, victorious satisfaction. She had proven herself capable of stepping into the role of Yuna. Whether she would get the part or not was still uncertain, but she knew that she had given everything she had.

The casting director looked at her thoughtfully. "You've definitely got potential. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure at first, but... well, you're making a strong case."

Tsukiko nodded, the rush of adrenaline still coursing through her. "Thank you. I'd love the chance to take on the role."

The casting director stood, extending his hand. "We'll see what happens, but I have to say, you've got my attention. We'll be in touch."

As Tsukiko shook his hand, a smile crept across her face. She had followed in Shizuka's footsteps and, maybe, carved out a space for herself in the process.

----

Shizuka stepped off the elevator onto her floor of Moon River Talent Agency's office building. The air was crisp with the scent of fresh coffee, and soft murmurings of phone calls and quiet conversations filled the halls. She adjusted the collar of her simple white blouse and made her way to Arisa's office. 

Arisa had messaged her earlier that day, telling her there was someone who specifically requested to meet with her-- a young actress named Tsukiko Kisaragi. Shizuka hadn't recognized the name at first, but after a few moments of thinking, she realized Tsukiko had been part of the cast of 'Chaotic Love!', playing the serious, reliable character, Mai. Though the show was behind her now, 'Chaotic Love!' still held a strange place in her heart. Shizuka had portrayed Yuna, the airheaded cheerleader, under a pseudonym to keep her identity concealed.

Knocking lightly on Arisa's door, Shizuka heard a muffled "Come in!" and pushed the door open. Arisa sat behind her desk, her usual mischievous smile in place, her eyes bright with energy. She was scrolling through her tablet, but immediately looked up when Shizuka entered. 

"There you are, Shizuka," Arisa said, standing up. "I'm so glad you could make it. Tsukiko Kisaragi is waiting for you in the conference room."

Shizuka gave a small nod, her curiosity piqued. "So, what's this all about? I don't remember crossing paths with Tsukiko before. Why does she want to meet with me?"

Arisa tilted her head, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Well, you'll find out soon enough. But I think you might find it interesting." She gestured toward the hallway. "She's been quite eager to speak with you."

Shizuka nodded slowly, but said nothing more as she walked down the corridor, her footsteps light on the hard carpet. She knew Arisa would never pull her chain for a laugh, and if meeting Tsukiko was important, the young agent made sure to underline it many times over. After all, having an esper as her trusted agent was a huge boon for her career.

She reached the door to the conference room and stepped inside. She found Tsukiko Kisaragi standing by the window, nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other. The young actress had long black hair that shimmered under the conference room's bright lights. She was wearing a modest white blouse tucked into a neat skirt, her hands folded in front of her as she turned to face Shizuka.

Shizuka smiled warmly and stepped into the room. "Tsukiko Kisaragi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Shizuka Minazuki."

Tsukiko bowed deeply, her voice quiet but respectful. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Minazuki. I've been looking forward to this for a long time."

Shizuka's smile softened, appreciating the formality. "Please, just call me Shizuka. There's no need to be so formal."

Tsukiko straightened up, though her nervousness was still evident in her posture. "Of course... Shizuka."

They exchanged a few pleasantries, and Shizuka could tell that Tsukiko was making a conscious effort to be respectful, aware that this was their first proper meeting. But there was a certain tension in the air, an unspoken purpose behind this visit. Shizuka knew Tsukiko wasn't here just to introduce herself.

Curious, Shizuka leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms lightly. "So, Tsukiko... Arisa said you specifically asked to meet me. What's this about?"

Tsukiko took a deep breath, looking down at the table for a moment as if gathering her thoughts. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady, though there was a hint of hesitation. "It's about 'Chaotic Love!'... specifically, Yuna."

Shizuka nodded slightly, but she didn't speak yet. She simply waited for Tsukiko to continue.

"The production committee behind the show," Tsukiko explained, "they've decided they want to continue using the Yuna character in future projects. Since you declined to reprise the role, they've been looking for a way to keep Yuna in play while... maintaining her image." She paused, glancing at Shizuka cautiously. "They've invited actresses to audition for the part, but quietly. They wanted to recast Yuna without drawing too much attention to the fact that the role was originally portrayed by you under a pseudonym."

"So they want to replace Yuna with a new actress, but act like she was always that actress?" Shizuka guessed.

Tsukiko nodded slowly, looking a little sheepish. "Yes. They want to reveal that the 'real' Yuna was someone else all along-- someone they can show to the public, without revealing your connection to the character."

Shizuka leaned back, processing this information. It was a bold plan, but it made sense from a production standpoint. She had distanced herself from the role of Yuna after the show ended, and keeping her involvement secret had been intentional. Still, the thought of someone else stepping into that role stirred something in her. She had put a lot into Yuna, more than most people realized.

"I take it you're on that short list of potential replacements?" Shizuka asked, her voice even.

Tsukiko nodded again, her expression more serious now. "Yes. In fact... I've been chosen. They want me to be the 'new' Yuna." She hesitated again, then quickly added, "But that's why I'm here. I didn't want to just take on the role without coming to you first. I wanted to get your permission... or at least your blessing. I respect what you did with Yuna, and I've studied your portrayal closely. I think I can do it justice."

For a moment, there was silence in the room as Shizuka considered Tsukiko's words. Then, much to Tsukiko's surprise, Shizuka laughed softly.

"You don't need my permission," Shizuka said, shaking her head with a smile. "Yuna is just a character. If the producers think you're the right fit, then you should go for it. But..." She leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp. "I am curious. How do you plan to portray her? Show me."

Tsukiko blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. She hadn't expected this request, but she quickly composed herself. Taking a deep breath, she stood up straight, her demeanor shifting as she channeled the bubbly, flirty energy of Yuna. With a bright smile, Tsukiko put one hand on her hip, tilting her head to the side playfully.

"Oh, come on!" Tsukiko-as-Yuna said, her voice light and teasing, taking on the thick accent Yuna was known for. "You know you can't resist me! Like, I'm way too cute for that!" She twirled on the spot, her imaginary cheerleader skirt spinning as she gave Shizuka a playful wink. "But, like, don't stare for *too* long. I know I'm irresistible, but let's keep it professional!"

Shizuka watched carefully, her expression unreadable, but her eyes focused intently on Tsukiko's performance. The younger actress had clearly studied Yuna's mannerisms, the way she moved and spoke with a kind of bold innocence. 

After a moment, Tsukiko finished her little act, her expression still in character as she gave a final flirty pose. Then, as quickly as she had slipped into Yuna's persona, Tsukiko dropped the act and stood there, nervously waiting for Shizuka's reaction.

For a long moment, Shizuka didn't say anything. Then, a small smile tugged at her lips.

"You've definitely got the energy," Shizuka said. "And the spirit. You might be able to pull this off."

Tsukiko let out a relieved breath, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank you, Shizuka. That means a lot coming from you."

Shizuka stood up, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Just remember one thing. Yuna's confidence comes from her innocence. She's bold, but never malicious. Play up that innocence, and you'll have her down."

Tsukiko nodded, her respect for Shizuka deepening. "I'll do my best. I won't let you down."

"You'll do fine," Shizuka assured her. "Just make sure Yuna stays true to herself."

With that, the two actresses exchanged one last smile before Shizuka turned to leave, feeling a sense of closure about Yuna's future. Whatever happened next, it was in good hands.

----

Tsukiko Kisaragi stood in front of the studio mirror, tilting her head to the side as she examined her transformation. Her long, silky black hair was completely hidden beneath a bouncy blonde bob wig, held in place with a blend of pins and clips that somehow managed to keep her natural hair tucked away. It amazed her how effective the costume was, but it felt foreign, like wearing a mask. Her usual graceful, understated elegance was nowhere to be found today.

Instead, she was Yuna-- the airheaded bimbo cheerleader from 'Chaotic Love!'

The costume was vibrant, almost blinding under the studio lights. A loud, sparkly red-and-white cheerleading outfit with a cropped top showing off her midriff and a pleated skirt that swayed whenever she moved. The matching white socks and sneakers completed the ensemble, making her feel like she was ready to lead a high school pep rally. The sparkly trim caught the light every time she shifted, glittering with a playful charm.

But despite her best efforts, Tsukiko couldn't shake the awkwardness. She wasn't a model by trade. As an actress, she was used to becoming someone else in front of the camera-- but posing, smiling, and *selling* that persona for a photoshoot was a completely different skill set. Yuki, who was directing the shoot, seemed to sense that.

"Alright, Tsukiko, let's try something fun," Yuki said, adjusting her camera. "Think of this as an extension of acting. You're Yuna now. How would Yuna stand? How would she smile? Give me something energetic, bright. Don't think of it as posing-- think of it as *being* her."

Tsukiko nodded slowly. She was used to losing herself in a role on set, but modeling was new territory. However, Yuki's suggestion made sense. If she could think of this as playing Yuna instead of just standing there awkwardly, she could bring the character to life in front of the camera.

Taking a deep breath, Tsukiko decided to commit fully. She let her posture relax and allowed a cheerful, bubbly energy to fill her as if she were stepping into Yuna's shoes.

"Like, oh my gosh! Time to show some *spirit!*" she chirped in Yuna's accented voice, flipping her hands to her hips and flashing a wide, dazzling grin at Yuki. Tsukiko swung her hips playfully, mimicking a classic cheerleader stance, one hand throwing up a mock cheerleading pose while the other rested confidently on her hip.

Yuki's camera snapped in rapid succession, capturing every movement.

"Perfect, Tsukiko! Keep it up!" Yuki called out. "More energy! Yuna's all about enthusiasm, right?"

Tsukiko found herself getting into the flow, her initial stiffness fading away. She moved through the poses with more confidence, twirling around in the pleated skirt, pumping her fists into the air as if leading an invisible squad in a cheer. She smiled wide and bright, imagining herself as the bubbly, high-spirited Yuna, not Tsukiko, who was more reserved and methodical by nature. The more she embodied Yuna's persona, the more natural it felt.

"Give me a victory pose!" Yuki said excitedly.

Tsukiko raised both hands high above her head in a victorious cheer, her blonde bob bouncing with the movement. She gave the brightest smile she could muster, channeling Yuna's endless energy and positivity. 

"Awesome!" Yuki exclaimed. "You're doing great! Just keep channeling Yuna."

Further into the shoot, Tsukiko found herself having fun. She fully committed to the character, throwing in playful winks, twirls, and even a little jump with a clap above her head-- something Yuna might do to pump up a crowd. It felt more like acting on set than anything, and Tsukiko realized that treating the photoshoot as a performance had made all the difference.

"Wow, you're really getting into character," Yuki said with a grin, snapping one final shot. "I think we've got plenty of great ones. I'll take a look, but you really brought Yuna to life."

Tsukiko let out a small sigh of relief as she finally relaxed her pose. "I've never done anything like this before. But thinking of it like acting helped."

Yuki smiled, lowering her camera. "That's what modeling is, really. It's about selling a character or mood. You just brought Yuna to life in a different way than on set. You were great!"

Tsukiko smiled softly, feeling the weight of the wig and costume now that she was stepping out of Yuna's persona. Even though it had been a challenging experience, she was glad she had pushed herself to try something new. She felt proud-- not just as an actress but as someone capable of adapting to anything thrown her way.

"Thanks, Yuki," Tsukiko said quietly, brushing a stray blonde strand from her face. "You helped make this easy for me."

Yuki gave her a playful wink. "Now, let's see those shots. I think you're going to love them."

Tsukiko let out a goofy smile, following Yuki to take a look at the photos. She knew this was only the first step to pulling off Yuna, but knew it was a strong step forward.

----

The conference hall was filled with anticipation, reporters crowding in with cameras ready to capture the moment that fans of 'Chaotic Love!' had been waiting for. The identity of the mysterious actress behind Yuna, the airheaded cheerleader who had taken the fanbase by storm, was about to be revealed at long last. Speculation had reached a fever pitch online, with fans trading theories about who could possibly be behind the pseudonym. And today, they would finally get their answer.

Tsukiko Kisaragi stood quietly to the side of the podium, wearing Yuna's red-and-white cheerleader uniform. The outfit sparkled under the lights, catching the attention of the press, and the blonde bob wig-- hiding her own long black hair-- completed the look. She wore Yuna's signature bright smile, the one she had practiced over and over in the mirror, hoping to capture the carefree spirit of the character.

This was her moment, but Tsukiko couldn't ignore the subtle weight on her shoulders. She knew this wasn't entirely her role. Yuna had originally been played by Shizuka Minazuki, acting under a pseudonym, but now the production committee had decided to move forward with her as the face of Yuna. It was a bold decision, especially since the fans had grown attached to the mystery. Tsukiko had to be "close enough" to pass as the real deal. She was here to do just that.

The producer stepped up to the podium, his voice echoing across the hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today. We know there's been a lot of speculation about the true identity of the actress behind Yuna. Today, we're finally ready to reveal the truth. The talented actress who has portrayed Yuna with such energy and charm is none other than Tsukiko Kisaragi!"

A wave of camera flashes went off, and Tsukiko stepped forward, still wearing Yuna's signature smile. Her heart raced as she stood before the crowd. This was the moment where she would fully assume the mantle of Yuna in the eyes of the public. She had to be convincing-- not just as Yuna, but as the *only* Yuna from this point forward.

Tsukiko waved cheerfully, playing up Yuna's bubbly personality. "Like, oh my gosh! I'm so excited to finally introduce myself to everyone! I hope you'll, like, cheer me on!" she said in her best impression of Yuna's high-pitched voice, projecting the same carefree tone that had made the character so beloved.

The audience ate it up, cameras clicking furiously. On the outside, it all seemed to be going well, but Tsukiko felt the weight of the truth beneath the performance. Her features were similar enough to Shizuka's, but not identical-- her facial structure was softer, her height slightly different, and her three sizes weren't an exact match either. The voice was close, but it wasn't perfect. Still, she had been chosen to carry on the role.

The producer continued, detailing how the pseudonym had been used to keep the mystery alive for the fans, and how they were excited to finally reveal the actress behind Yuna. Tsukiko stood silently by the podium, holding Yuna's smile, thinking about how they were presenting this as if it had been her all along. The fans would accept it-- at least, that was the hope. The makeup team had worked hard to refine her look, tweaking her appearance to be "close enough" to Shizuka's portrayal. The differences would be smoothed over by careful framing, lighting, and fan goodwill.

This was technically a form of deception, and Tsukiko was keenly aware of it. She was taking credit for someone else's work, stepping into a role that had already been crafted by Shizuka. But she had Shizuka's blessing. The two had met in private, and Shizuka had given her the go-ahead, telling her that she trusted Tsukiko to handle the role with care. That had been enough for Tsukiko. She would honor Shizuka's portrayal while bringing her own spin to Yuna in future projects.

She reasoned that this presentation was no different from the social contract between an idol and her fans. While Yuna was not an idol, nor marketed as one, Tsukiko and the production committee felt, if the fans loved the character enough, the social contract would apply, and any faults or misgivings be attributed to sour grapes. Tsukiko had no intention of becoming an idol, but if this was how the fans would accept her, she would not complain.

Tsukiko kept smiling, fielding a few easy questions from reporters. They asked about her experience portraying Yuna, and she responded with carefully rehearsed lines, staying in character the entire time. She made sure to sound confident and enthusiastic, channeling Yuna's boundless energy even though her mind was racing.

Would the fans accept her? Would they notice the differences?

As the conference wound down, Tsukiko found herself reflecting on what this moment meant. She knew, deep down, that she was stepping into someone else's shoes. She was taking credit for the groundwork Shizuka had laid, carrying forward a character that fans had grown to both love and hate. But she also knew that Shizuka had trusted her to do it, to keep Yuna alive for the future. Someone who she only met for a few minutes. That was what excited Tsukiko the most.

Tsukiko smiled, her Yuna persona still in full force as she posed for the final round of photographs. [I hope the fans will accept me,] she thought. [No matter what form Yuna takes...]

----

## Beating a Dead Horse

Late that night, Erika sat in her cozy bedroom, wrapped in a soft blanket with her laptop balanced on her knees. She had just finished a long day of work at the Suzuki mansion, and was ready to wind down with her usual evening routine-- checking in on her favorite fan pages and forums. Naturally, one of the first tabs she opened was Shizuka Minazuki's fan page. She was a devoted follower, always eager to keep up with the latest news and rumors about the actress and model she admired so much.

Erika's eyes were immediately drawn to the bolded thread title: "The 'Yuna is Shizuka' Conspiracy Theory Lives On!" She grinned and clicked on the thread, knowing full well it was probably active again because of the day's big news.

Scrolling through the posts, Erika caught up on the flurry of discussions that had erupted after the press conference earlier that day. She hadn't watched it live, but she had read about the big reveal during one of her breaks. Tsukiko Kisaragi, the actress who had openly played Mai on 'Chaotic Love!', had been unveiled as Yuna's true identity. The production committee had even staged the event with Tsukiko dressed as Yuna-- complete with the blonde bob wig and cheerleader uniform. It was meant to put the endless speculation to rest once and for all, and from the sounds of it, it had stirred up quite the furor.

She scrolled deeper into the thread, pausing to read posts from other fans. The "Yuna is Shizuka" crowd was still going strong, with some users pointing out that Tsukiko didn't look exactly like the Yuna seen in the show. Side-by-side images were posted, comparing Tsukiko from the press conference to old screencaps of Yuna from 'Chaotic Love!': the angles of their faces weren't identical, the height seemed off, and even their voices had some differences. The theorists were picking it all apart, claiming the production team was just covering up Shizuka's involvement.

Erika, however, found herself nodding sagely as she read through their arguments. [It makes sense now,] she thought. [Of course Tsukiko was Yuna all along.] After all, Tsukiko had played Mai, the character who appeared in the episodes immediately following Yuna's exit from the show. It only made sense that the production team had been impressed by Tsukiko and decided to keep her on in a different role. They probably liked her versatility enough to let her switch between two wildly different characters without worrying about it being too noticeable.

She didn't always like Yuna as a character, but her acting was extremely good that it was hard not to be impressed. Now, knowing the actress behind Yuna had a known name-- Tsukiko Kisaragi-- gave her someone new to follow. Yuna had been a standout character, regardless of opinion on the character herself, and if Tsukiko had been the one to bring her to life, then Erika was excited to see what she would do next in her career. She made a mental note to start tracking Tsukiko's projects going forward.

But the real entertainment in the thread was watching the debate unfold. The theorists, still clinging to their belief that Shizuka had played Yuna, were now in a steep minority. Most of Shizuka's die-hard fans were pushing back hard, telling them to stop nitpicking and accept the truth: Tsukiko was Yuna. Some fans were accusing the theorists of unfairly harassing Tsukiko, who had just done a great job stepping into the role. 

One user wrote, "Come on, guys, let it go! Tsukiko nailed it today at the press conference. She's clearly been Yuna this whole time. It's not the same performing live as opposed to on a set. You're being way too picky!"

Another post followed quickly: "The production team wouldn't lie about this. Tsukiko's a fantastic actress, and she deserves the credit. Stop dragging her down just because you're obsessed with this old theory."

Erika loved how passionate fans could be, even when they were arguing. The "Yuna is Shizuka" theorists had been a thorn in the fan community for weeks, but tonight, it seemed they were finally losing ground. And as amusing as their theories were, Erika was firmly on the side of the Shizuka fans defending Tsukiko. After all, it *did* make sense. Tsukiko had the right energy for Yuna, and the timeline fit perfectly.

Satisfied with the drama playing out in the comments, Erika decided she had enough for the night. She logged out of the forum and stretched, feeling more at ease. This whole press conference had turned out to be more exciting than she expected, and she couldn't wait to see how Tsukiko's career would evolve now that she was in the spotlight.

Before shutting her laptop, Erika opened a new tab and typed in Tsukiko Kisaragi's name. She quickly bookmarked a few of Tsukiko's social media profiles and fan pages. [Better start following her now,] she thought. [After all, Yuna may not have been Shizuka, but Tsukiko's got real potential.] 

With that, Erika closed her laptop, already anticipating the next chapter in Tsukiko Kisaragi's rise to stardom.




===========================================================================

This story is written with heavy AI assistance.

This story deals with 'Chaotic Love!' and how, now that Seira is playing the maid, Shizuka is 'free' to guest star on it. So for this... she kind of has a role-reversal with Seira-- Seira is now acting like the serious straight man, while Shizuka is playing up the ditzy valley girl. This comes off from an earlier scene where Yuki had Shizuka 'act' like Seira, which was a funny moment I wanted to go back to. The brief scene of Shizuka as an airheaded bimbo was a concept I toyed around with in an unpublished story where Shizuka and Seira were acting like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie and getting into shenanigans (but to be honest, the only reason it was funny was because Shizuka acting like an airheaded bimbo; Seira was already 'that' so she wasn't nearly as funny). 

'Chaotic Love!' isn't based on any one particular show, but Akari and Sana are very loosely based off Kaguya-sama: Love is War; any similarity after that is coincidental.

A key aspect of Japanese society is 'saving face', so there is a set of comedy that pokes fun at it. The exaggeration which Shizuka wallows in as Yuna is an example of this-- that the situation she is in is completely absurd and demonstrates a lack of awareness, but it's also part of the joke. So while Shizuka professes she doesn't want to be known as a comedic actress, it's because she possesses the comedic timing and savvy to become a successful one. It's just her preference to be known as a series actress/model, but probably more importantly, a versatile one.

The perception that Shizuka's fans, as represented through Erika, don't actually believe Shizuka played Yuna, is basically having a certain real life phenomena played for laughs, where an actor/actress trying to stand out end up not standing out at all.

Tsukiko is a new character; she played Mai, a recurring character on 'Chaotic Love!', and while she isn't focused on a whole lot here, in my separate story treatment for 'Chaotic Love!' she is a decent part of it. But now that she's here Tsukiko seems to have quickly found her place, so we'll see where she goes. She is named after the Sousai Shojo Teien character Yue Kisaragi (who is an idol singer) while changing her name to a different reading for 'moon'.



~ Razorclaw X