This is an Intermission

“Akimoto you know the buffet is out for the whole crew, please try and show some self control.”

“Hey! Who’s the star and who’s the assistant director!? Huh!?” Akimoto finished loading up another plate of the studio’s buffet—pointing an accusatory chicken wing at the assistant director.

“It’s not you. It’s Kiyotaka. We’re not having this argument again.”

“We’re not having this argument again.” The supposed blonde star of the show repeated back in a high pitched voice. I could never help wondering why they kept her on despite her constant bullying of the staff.

“You know you only got this role because of your dad! One more chicken wing and you’re off the set!”

“That’s it—!”

Akimoto threw her plate at the assistant director and charged him. Fujioka as well as a few other staff members held her back and tried mediating the fight.

Why does it always end up this way? We had such a smooth ending to filming for the first three episodes—the dock scene was one take! And now she’s right back at the assistant director…

“Makoto,” A voice said from behind me. “You know it’s probably not best to hang around while she’s like this, you’ll probably catch a stray.” I turned towards the source and before me was a familiar head of brown hair—Ohashi. “Come on, let’s get a coffee.”

As we walked I felt an irresistible urge to comment on her recent introduction in the latest episode. It still felt off. “Ohashi, I’m glad you agreed to do this show, it’s good to get some big names for credibility and all, but your introduction was a bit…”

I know big-name actors like to do some unconventional stuff, but this was a bit too much. This series, at least in the eyes of the original creator, was supposed to be very trope-y. So for her introduction into the show to be suddenly joining the club mid-scene? I don’t know…

“Ah— hahaha yeah, I know. It’s not my fault. The writers insisted it be like that.”

“For real?”

“Mhm. Their thoughts were: Suddenly introducing a big name like that was unconventional and would drum-up attention online.”

“Has it worked?”

“We’ll find out when the episode’s out. Haha—” She trailed off her sentence with a laugh.

Each of us ordered a simple caramel latte at the coffee-truck on site and returned to a side-door of the main filming-warehouses. Just as we settled against the wall Akimoto burst out of the door—”Yeah I’m leaving! I’m leaving! You can’t run this show without me! I am the show!”

She stomped off somewhere to smoke a cigarette probably. Something she promised she’d quit before filming began, but the whole crew knew she didn’t.

Shortly after Akimoto, Fujioka came out. “Are you gonna deal with this, this time?” She asked.

“I don’t wanna.” I glanced over at Ohashi and she shook her head no. “Let’s just get her a cake and call it a day.”

“Her waist won’t like that plan even though she might,” Fujioka commented.

“All that food goes to her chest, it’s more of a curse than anything!”

“Yeah that’s right!” Fujioka pretended to get upset. “I’m the big-breasted heroine! Who does she think she is!”

After sharing a few more comments and laughs the director poked his head out the side-door. He used to ask one of us to get Akimoto but lately he’s just accepted she’d show up when she’s ready.

“Alright,” He said. “Next scene we can film is either— A beach trip, or Fujioka deciding on a plan for who’s going to model for illustrations.”

“We should probably move to any bikini-involved scene later…” Fujioka rubbed her stomach with a smile. “Ya’ know, give Akimoto a bit of time.”

“That damn buffet…” The director turned his head back inside and shouted. “Who’s damn idea was that!?... What? Mine!?... Oh yeah… right…” He closed the door in a hurry and left the three of us alone again.

“Well… Haa—” I’ll get Akimoto. We gotta get these scenes filmed.” The blonde's tall counterpart shook her head and reluctantly set off.

“...”

“...”

“Makoto.”

“Y-yes!”

Ohashi looked straight into my eyes with one of the softest, warmest expressions I’ve ever seen. I’m excited to film scenes with her, she’s so talented and pretty.

“Makoto you have a bit of chicken I think—” She put her finger to her upper-lip. “It’s been there almost all day.”

“What!? Are you serious!?” I scrambled to rub it off. In the short time it took me to, Ohashi disappeared and the side-door was slowly closing itself. That woman…