The War is On!

A week later in a rowdy coffee shop. The door opens, as Yuzuki enters the frame of the shop, filled with the smell of roasted coffee, bustling of conversations, and the tapping of the keys of the keyboard from people and their laptops.

The waitress smiles at her then bows, "Welcome to StarCash! Table for one?"

Yuzuki smiles at her, "Ah no. My friend is already here. Her name is Saho."

The waitress recognizes the name, "Ah, you're with Miss. Saho. Right this way, Miss."

The waitress guides her where Producer Saho is sitting. Once they saw Producer Saho, Ms. Yuzuki's eyes is giving... a rather, happy expression.

"Saho!! It's been so long! I miss you!" as she hugs Producer Saho with excitement.

Producer Saho hugs her back and smiles at her, "It's been long! We haven't seen for months. How have you been, bestie?"

Yuzuki sulks in front of Producer Saho, "Been busy since the awards. A lot of media stuff and interviews. I just want to get this over with. I miss lazing around Saho."

Producer Saho pats her like a little kid, "There. There. Unfortunately, we need to work to get money. Sit over there Yuzuki. Something important we need to talk about."

Yuzuki lets go of Producer Saho and sat on to the table, intrigued about what they are going to talk about, "What is it? You have a boyfriend? Maybe...you're going to get married?!"

Producer Saho looks at her with a problematic face, "Unfortunately, it's work related."

Yuzuki look like the soul in her, just left her body, "Oh... I see."

A sad expression on a warm lighted cafe, Producer Saho apologized, "I'm sorry Yuzuki but I think you would wanna hear this. It's really big."

Yuzuki got intrigued by what she meant and kept listening.

Producer Saho continued, "Director Tsukasa got an offer from Ms. Yukina about doing a show in Chillflix. An offer he can't refuse. He brought me in and we want you as scriptwriter."

Yuzuki points at her with confusion, "Me? Scriptwriter for a show? What's the theme of the show, or that depends on me?"

Producer Saho answered her, "We're doing a romance drama series. We did a little bit of research in other streaming services and they don't really offer consistent romance drama series. Most of them are one-episode wonder."

Yuzuki, still not confident about the idea, "But that's not even the point. I've only written for films but not for shows. Why pick me?"

Producer Saho seems to be taken aback about what she said and seems to lose confident on convincing her but earnestly trying to convince her, "No, Yuzuki. I've seen your stuff before. You can do it."

Yuzuki looks at her, thinking she's just saying some nonsense into her face, "Saho. I'm not that stupid. It looks like you're trying hard to get me."

Producer Saho has no option but to tell her all of it. Well, not all of it. She lets out a deep sigh and answered her, "Ms. Yukina wants you on the project. If we don't get you, the project is off."

Yuzuki was stunned by what she said. Producer Saho added, "She's probably convinced because of your recent award and winning the award four consecutive times despite not knowing you haven't written a script for a show. She knows well that you're good."

Yuzuki seems to be pressured about the idea of the project won't be happening without her. She thinks about it and having second doubts.

Producer Saho leaned on the table and hold both of her hands, this completely spooked Yuzuki and once again, pleaded her case, "Please, Yuzuki."

After some thinking, she uttered some unfamiliar words.

"strawberry...cheesecake."

Producer Saho, somewhat confused, "eh?"

Yuzuki answered her, "I'll do the deal if you treat me right now with some strawberry cheesecake."

Producer Saho calls a waitress and orders a strawberry cheesecake for Yuzuki. Minutes later, her the cake arrived, and Yuzuki's eyes started gazing like am excited kid. She eats a bite and her eyes just smiled out of enjoyment, like a cat being fed.

Producer Saho interrupts her enjoyment for a bit, "So, are you in?" and offers her hand. Yuzuki looks at her while cake still stuffed in her mouth, "You ghot yourshelf a dheal." and shakes her head as Producer Saho smiles.

-

Meanwhile on the other side of the spectrum. Frowned eyes with an intimidation gazing through the door, as Director Tsukasa keeps tapping his right foot, like his patience is running out looking at a door that says "Ishikawa" in the nameplate, in a big condominium building. 

He pressed the doorbell. No one answered. He spammed it multiple times, like a kid losing in a arcade game, "C'mon Takeru! I've been here for ten minutes!"

And still. No one answered.

Director Tsukasa stopped spamming the button, "Okay I had enough."

He backs up from the door. And started leaps as high as he can with both feet in the front.

Takeru opened the door, "Sorry. I was taking a sh-" and looks at what's in front of him and his gaze and mouth just went wide opened as he saw Director Tsukasa performing a dropkick in his face.

"-it.."

The dropkick landed and launched Takeru far back as he his knocked out cold, that you can see his soul barely hanging in his mouth.

Director Tsukasa just realized what happened, "Whoops. My bad. Teehee."

A few minutes later, Takeru is sitting on the couch, holding a ice pack, as his right cheek swollen with Director Tsukasa's footprint planted on his cheek while Director Tsukasa is kneeling down, head down in front of him.

"I'm sorry, Takeru."

Takeru responded to him, "Yeah. You better be."

Director Tsukasa looked at him, and his gazed went to the right cheek instantly. He immediately looked down, trying to hold back his own laughter.

Takeru noticed it and gets mad once again, "You old head! I thought your sorry?!"

Director Tsukasa replied, "My bad..pfftt." as he chuckles


Takeru still annoyed at him, lets out an exhale, "*Sigh* Why do you need me for that you rang the doorbell a lot, and kick me in the face?"

Director Tsukasa stands up and dusting off his jeans from kneeling down, "I need you to write for a show."

Takeru gave him a look, "Let me guess. Did you get a big offer?"

Director Tsukasa nodded at him, "You're damn right. Offer from Chillflix."

Takeru nods back at him, looking in a different direction. Director Tsukasa continued, "Ms. Yukina wants you on board with this project."

Takeru looks back at him, widened gaze, "And if I don't?"

Director Tsukasa crossed his arms, "Then the project is off."

Takeru leaned back in the couch, left hand on his chin, deep in thought. He asked, "What's the budget? I assume it's big."

Director Tsukasa shooked his head, "Budget isn't big. It's unlimited."

Takeru's eyes woken up, mouth surprised, and nodded, "Unlimited you say? That's like an ultimate dream for a production team."

Director Tsukasa offer his hand, "So, are you in?"

Takeru shooked his hand, "I'm in."

Director Tsukasa smiled at him, "I'm surprised that you're in that fast. I didn't have to heavily convinced you."

Takeru's vibe suddenly changed, eyes turned crimson, the energy that surrounded him is hatred, that made Director Tsukasa became terrified, as Takeru replied, "I lost to that bitch four times in a row and mocked me after. I'm out for blood, especially on that woman."

Director Tsukasa's spine just tingled. As he talks on his own thoughts.

"Crap. His gonna lose it, once he knows."

-

Back to the present time. Takeru and Yuzuki both looking at Director Tsukasa, after Director Tsukasa revealed that they are working together.

Takeru slams the table with both hands, as he stands up from his seat, "What do you mean working together? Are you serious?!"

Director Tsukasa just nodded at them. Yuzuki also stands up on her seat but looks at Produce Saho, "But why? Why both of us?!"

Producer Saho answered her question, "Ms. Yukina wanted both of you for this show. It's not happening if either one of you is out."

Takeru's face went ballistic, eyes frowned, and his tone went mad, "Huh?! What do you mean both of us?! I ain't working with this evil witch!" as she points at Yuzuki.

Yuzuki looks at him. Her eyes frowned as well, as she reacted to what he said with a strong tone, "Witch?! Yeah I'm that witch! The witch that won against you, four times in a row, loser!"

Takeru blood started boiling, "Loser huh? Let me remind you that I won that award first, three straight times before you. Just to give you a clear reminder, I was winning against you before both of us are even relevant!"

Director Tsukasa looks at Producer Saho and asked, "What does he mean by that?"
Producer Saho answered him, "They were already rivals since college. They constantly headbutting each other on film contests during university."

Yuzuki claps back against him, "OH! WE'RE GOING ON THAT ROUTE HUH?! GOING BACK TO UNIVERSITY STUFF, I SEE! LET ME REMIND YOU THAT YOU TRIED TO FLIRT WITH MY GIRLS DURING COLLEGE BUT YOU GET REJECTED EVERY SINGLE TIME!"

Yuzuki's words went homerun. It was super effective against Takeru.

Producer Saho whispers that only Director Tsukasa can hear, "But Yuzuki, your also single."

Director Tsukasa finally butted in between the two, "Can the two of you stop your couples argument?"

Yuzuki and Takeru just blown their angered towards Director Tsukasa, "WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!"

Director Tsukasa continued, "Just work together. You know what's at stake here. It's a big project and it's off without the both of you."

Yuzuki and Takeru, angry and all, responded "I DON'T CARE. I'M NOT WORKING WITH THIS JERK!" while pointing at each other like they are holding a knife at each others' neck.

Producer Saho butted in with a more calming yet begging tone, "Guys, c'mon. Can we atleast work on this project? I know you guys don't like each other but this kind of opportunity doesn't come across."

The two scriptwriters just went silent. Director Tsukasa had enough and let out a sigh, while fluffing the back of his own head with his hand, "I already had enough of this! I have an idea for both of you."

Everyone's eyes went to Director Tsukasa, as he continued, "You guys want war at each other. Fine! How about both of you settle this against each other at the show itself."

Everyone had a question mark pop out of their speech bubbles. Producer Saho asks him, "What do you mean by that Director?"

Director Tsukasa smirked, "Yuzuki, you will write for the female lead. Takeru, you write for the male lead. You guys settle this through lines and actors in the show. You guys will direct the fate of the show."

Producer Saho eyes went panic mode, "Huh?! Director! What do you mean by that! That's a horrible idea!"

As Producer Saho try to plead her case, the devilish smiles between Takeru and Yuzuki is echoing through the whole room.

Takeru, with a tone of an evil man, spoked, "Hehehe. I like this idea better. This way, you will know how superior I am to you.

Yuzuki laughed like an evil witch, "Hahahaha. You think you're better than me?! With this, I'll make you a fool of yourself.

Both of them continued laughing like maniacs, as Director Tsukasa has this evil smile as well. The only one with good conscience at this point is Producer Saho. As Producer Saho talks within her thoughts.

"Lord. God. Buddha. Any God who exist, please help me in this catastrophe."