[25] All the World's a Stage

"Don't forget your umbrella," I call out, glancing at the gray sky outside our window. "Looks like rain all day."

Marin pauses, her backpack half-zipped. "Ugh, really? But I just straightened my hair!"

"Better frizzy than soaked, right?"

She pouts, but grabs her clear bubble umbrella from the stand by the door. "Fine, fine. You're probably right."

"Probably? I'm always right," I tease, earning me a playful swat on the arm.

"Oh, Mr. Big Shot Actor thinks he knows everything now, huh?" Marin sticks out her tongue.

I shrug, trying to keep a straight face. "Well, I did play a weather forecaster in that one commercial..."

Marin bursts out laughing. "That was for allergy medicine!"

"Same difference," I say, waving my hand dismissively. "Sneezing, rain... it's all about predicting the future."

She shakes her head, still giggling. "You're ridiculous."

"You love it," I counter, pulling her in for a quick kiss.

Marin melts into it for a moment before pulling away. "I do, but I also love not being late for class. I gotta go!"

She grabs her bag and heads for the door. I call out after her, "Have a good day! Try not to fall asleep in math this time!"

"No promises!" Marin yells back, her laughter echoing down the hallway.

As the door clicks shut, I'm left alone with my thoughts. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Time to focus on my own work.

I settle onto the couch with my laptop, opening a browser to start my apartment hunt. The clock reads 8:15 AM - plenty of time before I need to head to the set.

"Alright, let's see what's out there," I mutter, cracking my knuckles.

I type "luxury apartments Tokyo security" into the search bar. A flood of results pops up, and I start clicking through listings.

"Too small... too far... way too expensive," I mumble, scrolling past overpriced penthouses and cramped studios.

After an hour, I've got a shortlist of five potential places. I grab a notebook and jot down the details:

Roppongi Hills Residence - 2 bedroom, 24/7 security, huge closets

Mori Living Toranomon - Great location, doorman, gym included

Arasaka Hinokicho Tower - Amazing views, top-notch security system

Proud Tower Shibuya - Close to our school, modern amenities

The Parkhouse Gran Minami-Aoyama - Spacious, private elevator, concierge service

I lean back, tapping my pen against the paper. "Not bad options..."

I pull out my phone and start making calls, using the name "Kai Tanaka" to set up tours. The first two places are a bust - fully booked for the next few months. But the third...

"Certainly, Mr. Tanaka. We have an opening this Friday at 2 PM for the Arasaka Hinokicho Tower. Would that work for you?"

I glance at my schedule. "Perfect. I'll be there."

Two more quick calls and I've got appointments lined up for all three places over the next week. I jot down the details in my notebook, a grin spreading across my face. Marin's gonna flip when she sees these places.

My phone buzzes with a text from Kana: "Hey, you ready for today's scene? It's gonna be intense."

I type back: "Born ready. See you on set."

As I grab my jacket and head for the door, my mind drifts to Marin. I wonder what she'd think of the Roppongi Hills place. Those closets would be perfect for her cosplay stuff.

I shake my head, refocusing. Can't get distracted now. I've got a stalker to confront on camera.

I step into the abandoned warehouse, the smell of rust and damp concrete hitting me as I push open the heavy metal door. Puddles scatter the floor, reflecting the gray light filtering through holes in the ceiling. Despite the gloomy atmosphere, I can't help but grin as I spot familiar faces setting up equipment.

"Morning, everyone!" I call out, waving as I navigate around a particularly large puddle.

"Akira! My man!" Toshi, our burly sound guy, bellows. He's fiddling with a boom mic, his usual scowl replaced by a warm smile. "How's it hanging?"

I laugh, clasping his shoulder. "Can't complain. How about you? Did that parlay hit?"

Toshi's face lights up. "You bet your ass it did! The wife's gonna flip when she sees the new TV I'm bringing home."

"Nice! Just don't let her know where the money came from," I wink, earning a hearty chuckle from Toshi.

I make my way through the warehouse, exchanging greetings with the crew. Yumi, our petite but fierce makeup artist, ambushes me with a powder puff.

"Hold still, you menace," she scolds, dabbing at my face. "How do you always manage to look so shiny?"

I strike a pose. "It's called star power, Yumi. You can't contain it."

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the smile she's trying to hide. "How's Ryoko doing with her science project?" I ask, remembering her daughter's upcoming fair.

Yumi's eyes soften. "She's over the moon. Won't stop talking about volcanoes and baking soda. Thanks for that tip about the food coloring, by the way. It really made the 'lava' pop."

I beam, glad I could help. "Anytime. I expect an autograph when she wins the Nobel Prize."

As Yumi finishes touching up my makeup, I notice Kenji, our assistant director, approaching with an apologetic look.

"Akira, I'm really sorry about this location," he starts, gesturing to the leaky roof. "We tried to find somewhere better, but with the tight schedule-"

I cut him off with a wave. "Don't sweat it, Kenji. This place is perfect."

He blinks, surprised. "It is?"

I nod, sweeping my arm around dramatically. "Think about it. We're shooting a tense confrontation between Miyu and her stalker, right? All these shadows, the eerie reflections in the puddles - it's atmospheric gold. We couldn't have planned it better if we tried."

Kenji's face breaks into a relieved grin. "You're right. Man, I don't know what we'd do without you, Akira."

I wink. "Probably make a much more boring show."

As Kenji hurries off to relay my thoughts to the director, I scan the warehouse. My eyes land on a familiar figure standing near the center of the room. Kana's talking animatedly to someone I don't recognize - a guy with blonde hair who's a bit shorter than me.

I make my way over, curious about the newcomer. Kana spots me approaching and her face lights up.

"Akira! Hi!" she calls out, waving me over. "This is my friend Aqua. He'll be playing the stalker today."

The blonde guy - Aqua - leans forward, starting to bow. "I'm Aqua, I look forwar-"

I reach out, gently stopping his bow with a hand on his shoulder. "No need to bow, man. We're the same age, and any friend of Kana's is a friend of mine."

Aqua straightens up, looking a bit surprised. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I feel a strange sense of... recognition? But that's impossible. I've never met this guy before.

I push the feeling aside, focusing on being welcoming. "So, Aqua, first time on set?"

He nods. "For this show, yes. But I've done some acting before."

"Oh yeah?" I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Anything I might have seen?"

A shadow passes over Aqua's face, so quick I almost miss it. "Probably not. It was a while ago."

Before I can probe further, Kana jumps in. "Aqua's actually more interested in working behind the scenes these days. But when I told him about this role, he couldn't resist."

I grin, nudging Aqua playfully. "What can I say? Our show's irresistible. Though I gotta warn you, playing a stalker isn't exactly a glamorous comeback."

Aqua's eyes lock onto mine, and I'm struck by the intensity in them. "Sometimes the most interesting roles are the ones that make us uncomfortable."

His words hang in the air between us, charged with a meaning I can't quite grasp. Before I can respond, a voice booms across the warehouse. "Akira!"

I turn as I hear a familiar voice call my name. "Oh, Producer Kaburagi! Here for the finale?"

Kaburagi approaches, a smile spreading across his face. "Yeah, wanted to be here to see the final episode get made."

Before I can respond, Aqua steps forward and bows. "Nice to meet you. I'm Aqua Hoshino with Strawberry Productions. I look forward to working with you today."

Kaburagi gives a short wave. "Yeah, nice to meet you," he says before heading off to talk with the director.

As Kaburagi walks away, I catch a glimpse of Aqua's face. His eyes follow Kaburagi, and there's something in his gaze - a hardness, a focus. It's gone in an instant, but it sticks with me. I file it away, a little detail to ponder later.

"Alright, people! Let's get this show on the road. Akira, Kana - you're up first. Let's run through the confrontation scene."

I clap Aqua on the back, pushing aside my lingering curiosity. "Ready to get creepy?"

"More than you know."

As we move into position, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to Aqua than meets the eye. But right now, I've got a scene to nail. I take a deep breath, letting Akira fade away as Kanata takes over.

"Ready! Action!" the director calls out.

Kana, fully immersed in her role as Miyu, screams, "Leave me alone! Why are you following me?"

I channel Kanata's frustration, rolling my eyes. "Are you dense or something?"

"But-" Miyu starts, her voice quavering.

I cut her off, my tone softening. "I... I won't let you be alone, Miyu. I can't lose..."

The splash of footsteps in nearby puddles interrupts us. The stalker approaches.

I glance at Aqua, noticing his calculated movements. Clever. I adjust my stance to match his energy.

My eyes narrow as I take three deliberate steps to the left, placing myself between Miyu and the hooded figure.

Aqua looks up, his face a mask of eerie blankness. "That girl with you isn't who you think she is. She's not compatible with a shameful playboy like you."

I feel Kanata's anger rising, a dangerous aura surrounding me. "What did you say?" I growl.

As Aqua moves towards Miyu, I lunge forward, grabbing his hoodie. "Say that shit again," I snarl.

Aqua grins, his voice rising. "Are you deaf or something? I said THAT DUMB GIRL ISN'T WORTH THE EFFORT OF PROTECTING!"

"How dare you," I shoot back. "This girl is a precious friend to me!"

Aqua slaps my hand away. I shift into a protective stance. "Nothing you say will change how I feel about her!"

A manic grin spreads across Aqua's face as he pulls out a fake knife, running his tongue along the blade. He charges at Miyu with a feral yell. "It's time for you to be gone!"

I swing at him, missing by inches. Instinct takes over as I tackle him mid-lunge. A sharp pain explodes in my shoulder - the blade found its mark.

"Kanata!" Miyu cries out.

I'm breathing hard, but manage to yell, "Stay back!"

Aqua laughs maniacally from the ground, slowly rising to his feet. "Can't you see, Miyu? No one needs you. You have no purpose, no future! Your life is meant to be pitch black darkness!"

Tears stream down Miyu's face. "Even so, there is still light," she whispers.

I stand over Aqua, my voice filled with conviction. "You're wrong. I need Miyu. She brings color to a world that would otherwise be gray. Her kindness, her strength - they inspire me to be better. Miyu isn't just my friend. She's my hope."

Aqua lunges again, but I'm ready this time. I dodge his attack, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back. "It's over," I growl. "You'll never hurt her again."

As Aqua struggles in my grip, I lock eyes with Miyu. The fear in her eyes slowly gives way to something else - trust, maybe even admiration.

"Miyu," I say softly, "you're not alone. Not anymore. I promise."

A single tear rolls down her cheek as she nods, a small smile forming on her lips.

"Cut!" the director yells. "That was incredible, people!"

I release Aqua, both of us dropping character instantly. He grins at me, giving a thumbs up. "Nice work, man. That tackle looked so real!"

I laugh, rubbing my shoulder where the fake knife 'stabbed' me. "Thanks! Your creepy stalker vibe was spot on. I almost believed it myself."

Kana rushes over. "Akira, are you okay? That fall looked rough!"

I wave off her worry with a smile. "I'm fine, just a bit sore. Nothing a hot shower won't fix."

As the crew buzzes around us, breaking down equipment and chattering excitedly about the scene, I can't help but feel a surge of pride. We nailed it. The emotion, the tension - it all felt so real.

I catch Aqua's eye across the set. There's something in his gaze, a intensity that goes beyond mere acting. For a moment, I wonder if there's more to his performance than just following a script.

But before I can dwell on it, Kaburagi approaches, clapping me on the back. "Fantastic work, Akira. You really brought Kanata to life in that scene."

I beam at the praise, pushing my curiosity about Aqua to the back of my mind. Right now, it's time to celebrate a job well done.