| Heel Chic | |
|---|---|
| ACT.175 | |
| |
| Character/s in the cover | N/A (Cain Heel (Ren Tsuruga) |
| Volume | 29 |
| Arc | Dark Breath arc |
| Chapter Guide | |
| Previous | Next |
| ACT.174 | ACT.176 |
Heel Chic is the 175th chapter of the Skip Beat! manga series.
Plot[]
The Heel Siblings arrive on the set of Tragic Marker. The rest of the cast and crew don't know what to think of them yet. Co-star Taira Murasame appears to be a potential source of tension.
Chapter Summary[]
In the year 1986 a series of murders occurred in England, altogether there were five victims of varying age and gender. A certain message was left written in the victim's blood, the perpetrator, who committed his murders out of bloodthirstiness and for public attention is said to take the hearts of his victims. Those familiar with his story or involved often referred to him as 'the Reincarnation of Jack the Ripper[1].'
His real name was Jack Darell, aged 25 at the time. Using his natural cunning and intelligence, Darell escaped from the police and was able to continue committing crimes. 8 people in France, 15 people in Germany. The crimes extended to other countries and were so severe that he became 'A Most Wanted' criminal internationally. He was registered in Interpol's Blacklist for extreme felons. His number was 21. For this reason the police forces in charge... began calling him 'Black Jack[1]'
And yet, even after that, Darell didn't stop. He murdered 20 people in Italy and in 1991, in America, as if to provoke the police, he killed 50 people in a violent bloodbath in broad daylight. In the end, he was shot to death, then and there by the cops who came to the scene yet Jack's name was not taken off the Blacklist because...
His corpse disappeared[1].
And then in the year 2021 the leading figures of a certain country were killed one after another. The hearts were gouged out and a message written in blood next to the corpses. The perpetrator was Darell. Darell was shot dead a second time, his corpse remained in that country's custody but once again it disappeared. And then time went on...
In the year 2031, once again, the devil appeared accompanied by a message in blood
'Jack is still here'[1]
One of the actresses in the lounge flips the script of Tragic Marker closed, Manaka arches a brow that they're going to announce who is playing the role of the devil at 10am. She fumes that its been over an since that time. The other actress sitting across from her muses that foreigners don't really think a lot of Japanese movies. Manaka says this annoys her even more! Manaka wonders if he really is such a popular actor? As she's never heard of a Cain Heel. They are joined by one of the film's stars, an actor named Taira Murasame. Murasame is convinced that Cain Heel isn't famous, because he verses himself in foreign movies as his goal is to reach Kuu Hizuri and hasn't heard of him any more than the two actresses have. Manaka and the other actress are impressed by his dedication to his craft by memorising all the supporting actors too, Murasame is serious when states that these people could be his rivals one day. Manaka is awed by his goal, she's aiming to be a successful actress but Hollywood that feels to much to aim for. Murasame encourages to set her goals high otherwise she might get washed away in this industry. The topic turns back to Cain Heel, how apparently he has a gig in another country thus was going to be late. The others are sceptical. Manaka wants to just say to the man to 'get it together', they all worry that the Director, who is quite softly spoken was ignored by the foreigner.
A production assistant comes rushing in to announce Cain Heel's arrival and request everyone head into Studio S. Manaka and Murasame are glad they can start shooting scenes with BJ now. Manaka comments how even though its a suspense/horror there's no tension without the antagonist on set. On the way there Manaka and Murasame discuss the difficulties of acting with CGI which Tragic Marker requires a bit of due to it being set in the future (2031). They are directed where to sit at the assembled circle of chairs. Director Konoe comes in looking pale and encourages everyone to take some time for this first get together now that Cain Heel is finally here. He motions for Cain to take a seat.
Makana's and Murasame's gazes are focused on the backlit silhouette of Cain Heel. Murasame feels some jealousy that Cain is taller than him. Cain is non-emotive and eventually takes his seat. Konoe advises everybody that now the villain scenes are going to be shot, the film shooting will become more intense. Murasame listens, but has eyes only for analysing Cain. Cain's attitude feels so off that Murasame finally decides he's method-acting, and remaining in character as BJ all the time. If Cain really looked like that normally, he'd be too scary and possibly a killer.
A leather-gloved hand appears on Cain's shoulder and a girl with a chain connecting her lip ring to her ear whispers to Cain in English. Murasame figures she's translating for him. Everyone else at the table seems to be coming to a similar conclusion: that Cain doesn't speak Japanese. This is somewhat offensive because despite living in the UK he is of Japanese descent. They are also uneasy for how complicated this will make shooting.
Setsuka looks up, directly at Murasame who has been staring. Rather than being shamed, Murasame is struck by the fact that she's actually cute despite all the weird clothes. He thinks to himself that if she's going to be Cain's go-between, then he no longer minds that Cain doesn't speak Japanese. Murasame is then startled when Cain sends him an evil look.
Eating in the cafeteria later, Manaka tells her fellow female castmate how scared Cain made her feel. All the costars and crew are muttering about it, and a suspicion arises that even Director Konoe might have only met Cain Heel today—perhaps that's why he looked so pale. Everyone is uneasy until a woman named Mitsui hands out chestnuts. Manaka takes the bag from her and offers some to Murasame, who's kind of in a daze. Familiar with his prep routines, she reminds him that he hasn't had any of his "staple of Murasame" yet. Still sluggish, Murasame stands and agrees to go get some "blood of Murasame" which turns out to be cola.
Alone in the hallway, Murasame can't get the evil look Cain sent him out of his head. He's ashamed that he flinched at it, when he was fairly well-known as a hoodlum in his teenage years. He wonders if he's lost his guts ("have my balls frozen up?"). Murasame's idol is Kuu, and he has another routine of cheering himself up by pretending to write Kuu on his palm five times and eating each time.
His routine is interrupted when he reaches the vending machine and sees that Setsuka is already there, bent over to pick up the water bottles she'd just purchased. He still doesn't know her name, and he definitely wants to get to know her better. He tries to figure out the best way to approach her, but he can only think of the juvenile way he used to approach girls and comes up with something more mature... only he feels that's too much effort to pull off naturally. Remembering that Director Konoe asked him to pick a fight with Cain in order to test the dynamics. Murasame gets some confidence back as he is suddenly certain how he wants to approach this.
"So which street corner does Cain Heel perform on?" he calls to Setsuka's back as she walks away with her water bottles. Setsu turns and stares at him over her shoulder, and Murasame stares back belligerently.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
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