Kaorin71: Another story from yours truly. I keep thinking of stories to write but I just can't end them! Most of my stories are oneshots – if anyone even noticed – because I suck at making endings. Well, back to the topic. This one is something I just wrote randomly and I don't think I'll be updating often (I lost all my ideas for the story after the fifth chapter). But if anyone would read this, you have to be patient…

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat (I wish I really did!)

P.S: Reviews are welcome! (If you want) Criticisms also! But not so harsh!

Another P.S: This story was inspired by One Liter of Tears and I also do not own that.

Chapter 1: Return

Noon time. The peak of work at LME. Almost everyone seems busy. Even the Love-Me members themselves are having a hard time keeping up with the hectic schedule. Kanae had a guest appearance to do. Chiori had her shooting. And Kyoko had her, well, normal job being Bo.

The newbie actress now sat on a chair in the far corner of the set. It was a really lively day seeing the crew move around in the speed of light. Unfortunately, Kyoko wasn't feeling very jolly that day as she watched the men in her chicken suit. She had been contemplating about why she has no new offers when her two beloved best friends are going crazy over the tons of jobs given to them.

I am not that good, she sighed. She was, after all, only good at acting bully roles which she didn't like one bit. But she can't complain as she was told by Kuu. He had helped her a lot and advised her to take all jobs given to her no matter how much she hates it. He said that this was the key to becoming a good actress though Kyoko isn't sure anymore.

"Kyoko-chan," Hikaru Ishibashi, one of the hosts of the show, asked as he came up to her. "Do you want to go out for lunch?"

Shaking her head wildly, she smiled in apology. "I don't think I can eat yet. Besides, you're going to order that anpan. I'm still on diet."

"Okay," Hikaru sighed, bowing his head a little.

Kyoko turned to glance at the opposite direction as Hikaru was approached by the other two Ishibashi. They smiled at their leader.

"I was rejected again." Sighing yet another time, he groaned. "My fault for being short."

Yusei Ishibashi laughed. "I doubt that it's the reason. Don't compare yourself with Tsuruga-san."

Shinichi shrugged. "They are the same age, I think. The problem lies with your genes, leader. Try taking up aerobics."

While these three were talking about this, Kyoko decided to walk along the corridors for a few moments. Of course being in that God damn chicken suit didn't help her walk faster. It also made her sweat a lot. Though she did not notice.

She sighed. If she doesn't stop doing that, Maria might scold her again. But nothing can be done now. Kyoko was too down to even care for luck.

Thinking about her jobs, Kyoko stopped short. Her role in Dark Moon gave her a good image to the public, opposite to what she had expected. And Natsu was starting to look good for her. Bo was alright yet Kyoko would find herself wondering why she even bothers with a mascot role on a reality show. As far as she was concerned, she had already gotten a lot of good jobs.

Kyoko smiled at the mere thought. She nodded in approval. Yes, that's right. She did all her roles perfectly and she had succeeded. Another opportunity might knock at her door anytime.

Yet, it was Tsuruga who helped her with her characters which means…

Realizing this, the seventeen year old sunk into deep despair. She does deserve to be ignored. She had no talent at all. Those roles, the ones she had perfectly portrayed, were all because of her beloved sempai, Ren Tsuruga. Surely, if Ren hadn't decided to help her, she would've failed in her job. In other words, she only got the role right because Ren had taken time to teach her some acting skills.

"Damn it," Kyoko grumbled as she fell to the ground. She conveniently took out a small sewing kit which she had placed in the rooster's pocket. Opening the case, a Sho voodoo doll immediately came stumbling out. It was wearing an ordinary school boy's uniform. This Kyoko made to make her remember why the hell she was suffering so much. And, of course, for a purpose that only she would know.

A needle and a thread came popping out. In one smooth motion, this girl had slipped the thread through the hole on the needle and began sewing shirts for her favorite doll. The Sho-pleading-for-mercy-to-his-beloved-master one. If one were to see this, he would think that a rooster sewing would be a weird sight.

"Why am I such a failure anyway?" She continued grumbling. "I can't even make my own role. It's like this everytime. There would be a problem and I would ask Tsuruga-san for help. I'm never going to rise in this business if I continue holding unto him."

A few thudding sounds echoed through the hall. She didn't mind this; she thought it was just another crew man looking for materials. What she didn't expect was for this man to arrive.

"Hey."

Kyoko instantly froze at the voice. Looking up, she saw Ren glancing down at her with an amused expression. Not knowing that it was really her, of course. Her grip on the doll tightened, as if she wanted to choke it. After a few moments, she quickly hid the doll behind her. No luck though, as Ren has already seen it.

"I didn't know that you were a Fuwa fan," he chuckled. Kyoko thought she sensed a tone of disliking in the actor's voice.

Fumbling with the Sho doll, she laughed insecurely. "No. I'm just doing a, um, favor for a close friend." She made sure that she disguised her voice when she spoke.

Ren looked startled. "Oh? A rooster has a close friend?"

Shrugging, Kyoko answered, "I'm not a rooster all the time. It's just my job."

Still not taking his eyes off the miniature Sho, Ren grinned. "Why would a rooster like you sew dolls at an area like this? Wouldn't it seem suspicious?"

AHHH! I'm not a rooster I told you! Growing irritated, Kyoko smiled at him. Why was he treating her so badly? Ren was always so nice to her as Bo but why now? Did Sawara tell him? "I'm waiting for the show to start so I went here to sew quietly," she answered with caution. She will get revenge on Sawara if he did so.

"Isn't it hot in that suit?" He asked her. "Why don't you take it off?"

HE KNOWS! Kyoko thought in disdain. He was stalling her and making her experience torture by verbal means. He planned this all along.

Grabbing her rooster head, Kyoko backed away a bit. "No need. I'm definitely fine. Don't take it off. It's really not a big deal. I don't sweat much. It practically feels very cool in here. Not a single sweat. I swear!" She might as well be a turkey mascot if she keeps on babbling like that.

Amusement once again covered his face. "Why not? Are you hiding something inside that suit? Probably you look horrendous in person."

"Who says I look horrendous? I might be plain and boring but I'm not that. My face is nothing you would be interested in." Yeah. Something he shouldn't be interested in would've fit the statement better. If he finds out she was inside that chicken/rooster all along, she'd die.

"Even so, I'd like to see who's in that suit. I do owe you a lot. I'd like to see the person who has helped me a lot of times already."

Still holding the head, Kyoko dodged Ren's hand. Surprised, he glanced at the chicken who was shaking uncontrollably. It really struck him hard because he started laughing at her.

Kyoko, her face growing red, growled at Ren. "What's so funny?"

Ren answered, still laughing, "You sound like someone I know."

Someone he knows? Kyoko thought about this.

Suddenly, Ren grabbed the chicken's head. Kyoko yelped, gripping it tighter. It seemed like a battle between a chicken and an abnormally tall person. Like the Sho incident, Kyoko tried pecking Ren to make him let go. He wouldn't budge however which made Kyoko anxious.

"Ren," a voice called.

Both glanced up and saw Yashiro, Ren's manager. Seeing the situation between the two, Yashiro hesitantly asked, "Ren, why are you harassing the chicken?"

Putting his fake smile on, Ren replied, "I think that it would be better if he took that costume off for a moment since it's hot. But for some unexplained reason, he won't."

Kyoko sighed in relief. Ren didn't know. Proof was the fact that he used the pronoun 'he'.

"Leave the chicken," Yashiro frowned. "I thought you never harass anyone except Kyoko-chan."

Ren threw a sideways glance at him. "I wasn't harassing the chicken. Besides, Mogami-san isn't included in this matter."

Oh, Yashiro-san and Tsuruga-san are arguing, Kyoko thought as she watched them. She didn't think that Ren would be childish enough to pick on a mascot, though.

Someone from the set came up. "Bo, you can take your leave now. The show's cancelled for tonight because of the band's conference."

"Alright." Extra time was on her hands now. But she needs to change first. "Well, Tsuruga Ren, see you later."

Ren and Yashiro watched as she left them in the hall. The actor found the way she ran funny.

Yashiro gave him a disapproving look. "Ren, no wonder Kyoko-chan still thinks of you as a sempai."

Turning away, he mused, "I was just suggesting something to the chicken. He did remind me of Mogami-san."

"Really?"

"His attitude is somewhat like hers," Ren said. "It really seemed like her. That chicken, I wonder who's in that suit."

Maybe I'll find out some other time, he thought.

Kyoko took the suit off. Talk about having a close call. Ren almost pulled the head off. If he had, he would've seen her face. And he would probably be angry because she never told him.

She quickly slipped on her Love-Me uniform, much to her dismay. The president made her, Kanae and Chiori wear that as punishment for 'lack of inspiration', he says.

After putting on the overalls, she arranged her costume at the corner of the room. She placed the suit on top of the chair and left a note to the producer. Opening the door, she merrily skipped out to the hall.

That's when her phone rang.

Startled, she picked up. "Konnichiwa. Mogami Kyoko speaking."

"Kyoko-chan."

It was Takenori Sawara. Kyoko's face brightened. "What is it?"

Clearing his throat, he said, "Someone's looking for you."

Her? Who could be looking for her? "Who is it?"

"She says you know her back in Kyoto."

Kyoto. Was she one of those girls who always bullied her? "I can't remember anyone. What's her name?"

Sawara told her the name over the phone. In shock, she had dropped the phone to the floor. At normal times, she would be crying over spilt milk but not today. That person really asked for her? It can't be.

She tried processing what Sawara said. That name. What did she want from her? That woman…

Saena Mogami.