The hallway bustled with actors and staff members as each studio prepared for their days work. Wondering eyes followed us as they found a strange sight. Glancing over my shoulder, I caught my nephew falling behind us in a sluggish pace.

　　"Pouting won't lift your grounding any sooner, Charles Junior. Now hurry up!"

　　C.J glared behind me, as if to burn holes in the back of my head.

　　Shin's eyes pierced the one of the on-lookers' and asked, "What are you gawking at? Get back to work!"

　　"Ooshiro, leave them be. They're probably taking this as a bad omen."

　　"What is so ominous about walking through the halls?"

　　"It isn't that you're walking through the halls. What's ominous is that we're walking the halls together, not fighting and trying to ring the other's throat.

　　We came to work together, we're walking side by side and, personally, I think they believe you, the man with a heart of ice, being seen with a child is a horrible sign that should be feared."

　　Turning into the open door a force pushed me aback a step.

　　"Oh, Hello, Mr. Abe. How are you today?"

　　"Finally you're here, Mr. Ooshiro! When you said you didn't need a ride this morning, I was so worried! How did you get here?"

　　"Hayashi."

　　"You can't possibly mean you rode with someone so below yourself?"

　　"Yes, he did. And I apologize for being so lowly compared to great Shin Ooshiro. All hail Ooshiro!" mockingly, I bowed to him.

　　"No need to be so vulgar, Miss Hayashi."

　　"Pardon me, Mr. Abe, however, you are showing poor mannerism to an impressionable child."

　　"A child?" Mr. Abe's gaze fell to the smaller figure which had hidden himself away behind me.

　　"Who's child is this? Is it your's, Mr. Ooshiro? Please, tell me it's a lie! This can not be your love child with Miss Hayashi! Think of the scandal!"

　　"He is my nephew, Mr. Abe. And he's nine, much too old to be a love child with this creature."

　　"Oh, thank goodness!"

　　"C.J, I would like you to meet Mr. Abe. Mr. Abe, my nephew C.J. Mr. Abe, is Ooshiro's manager."

　　"Hello, Mr. Abe." C.J mumbled still pouting.

　　"Hello, young man. Where are you from?"

　　"The mountains."

　　"The mountains?"

　　"C.J, lives in the Okayama Prefecture with his mother. They live in Nagi Town at the base of Mount Nagi."

　　"What's he doing so far from home?"

　　"He's spending his vacation with me. You'll be seeing him around for the next two weeks."

　　"Hmm, well keep him out of my way and far from Mr. Ooshiro. He doesn't need distracted by a child."

　　"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. C.J is a very well behaved boy."

　　Stepping around the man, I lead C.J toward the set.

　　"Honestly, that girl! Bringing a child to the studio of all places!"

　　"I would not mess with her, Abe."

　　"Why, Mr. Ooshiro?"

　　"She forcefully dressed him when he refused to get ready this morning."

　　"Oh my! How would you know this?"

　　Leaving his manager to ponder the idea, Shin motioned toward wardrobe to prepare for his scene.

　　Director Fujioka rested in his canvas seat, bellowing orders to the staff as they prepared for the day's scenes.

　　Pressing my finger to my lips, I winked to C.J and, cautiously, I tiptoed to the Director's back.

　　A soft, soothing whisper trickled passed my lips, "Good morning, Director."

　　Chills rippled down his spine as he jolted to his feet, "Midori Hayashi!"

　　A clatter of laughter rumbled from C.J's chest and, chuckling, I joined him.

　　"I'm sorry, Director. I just needed to get him laughing. He's been a sour puss all morning."

　　"You took away Godzilla!"

　　"Well, you did things you shouldn't have and got into trouble. You can have Godzilla back in a week."

　　"So not fair!"

　　"Deal with it."

　　"I take it this is the infamous C.J?"

　　"Yes, Sir. C.J, this is Director Fujioka."

　　Straightening his back, Fujioka extended his hand to the boy, "It's a pleasure to meet you, young man! I've heard quite a lot about you from your aunt."

　　Meeting his hand, C.J condensed his strength into his grip, "Nice to meet you, Sir."

　　"I've heard quite a lot about you from your aunt. I've been looking forward to having you on the set."

　　"I should hope so! The boy is free labor!"

　　Fujioka chuckled heartily and, patting C.J's shoulder, said, "Don't worry, Son. She is just joking."

　　"No, Sir. She isn't."

　　"He's right. As part of his punishment for this mornings 'incident', I was hoping you would find some work for him to do around here. Instead of just having him sit around doing nothing."

　　Fujioka thought a moment, examining the boy.

　　Scratching at the stubble which coated his chin he agreed, "Alright. You can be my personal assistant for the time being."

　　"What's a 'personal assisdent'?"

　　"C.J-Honey, a personal assistant is someone who helps their boss with their work and they do tasks requested of them by their boss, like paperwork. For you, being a personal assistant means you'll fetch things like coffee or various things for the Director."

　　"Things like what?"

　　"Well, like my script if I need you to."

　　"Sounds easy enough."

　　"It is and you'll like it."

　　"Midori, why don't you go get ready. We're almost ready to start shooting."

　　"Yes, Sir! Then I'll leave C.J in your care. C.J, listen to Director Fujioka. I'll be back in a bit."

　　Ruffling the boy's hair, I turned and made my way to make up.

　　Glancing down, Fujioka watched as the boy fidgeted, following his aunt's every move.

　　"What's wrong, Son? Aren't you looking forward to working with Midori?"

　　"Sir, what does Aunt Dori do here?"

　　"Well, you've seen her on television haven't you? She's an actor. And she plays a very important role in the show."

　　"Yes, but I don't know how the show is made. Or if she even likes it."

　　"Well, I would hope she likes it. Otherwise she wouldn't be an actor now would she?"

　　"I guess."

　　"Come on. There is still some work to finish before we get filming. Why don't you help prepare?"

　　"Yes, Sir!"

　　"Are you deaf? I told you damn cops I don't know nothin'!"

　　Leaning back in his seat, Ueno grew comfortable. Turning open the file that rested upon the table, he retrieved a photo from inside.

　　"Do you know this little girl? She's adorable. She's what? Ten?"

　　"I don't know her."

　　Ueno passed the photo to his partner.

　　"Now isn't she just precious?' she paused a moment glancing up to the man across from her, 'You know, Ichiro, you aren't a bad looking guy yourself. I'd really hate to be in your shoes right now."

　　"Say, don't they let the inmates watch television in Sishou Prison, Koizumi?"

　　"Yeah, they do. And they don't exactly take to child rapists. Especially ones who hurt sweet little girls like Akio here."

　　"I didn't do nothin! I've never seen that brat a day in my life! You have the wrong guy!"

　　Rising from her seat, Koizumi slammed her palms to the metallic surface, "Bullshit! We found a condom with yours and the girl's DNA in your house! Her DNA is in your bed sheets! Now where the hell is the girl!"

　　"I told ya I don't know!"

　　Handing Fujioka his coffee, C.J watched a moment, his heart racing with excitement.

　　'I've never seen her have so much fun before.' he thought as his beloved Aunt forced the days criminal against the wall.

　　Thunder rang through the set, pricking eardrums over and over.

　　"Head him off, Ueno!" she ordered, rounding the makeshift corner.

　　Chasing his freedom, the culprit spilled an overflowing garbage bin across the way.

　　Pursuing the young man, Koizumi lunged herself over the obstacle. Her heel, caught by a poorly placed wine bottle, slid out from beneath her. And, with a thud, her world fell into darkness.