A/N: Hey, everyone! This is my second Skip Beat! fanfiction, this one centering around Reino and Kyouko. (don't worry; I'll get to a RenxKyouko-fic...eventually) This will probably end up being a considerable bit longer than my other fanfic, so please bear with me. Well, without any further ado, here is the first chapter of my new fanfic: "Aka-chan". The title will be explained in a few chapters, though I'm willing to hear any guesses. Please, enjoy. :)
It was 5:30 AM, and the halls of LME were quiet. Not an idol or employee was to be seen. The smell of distant coffee brewing was the only thing present in the dark corridors at this early hour. The only people around were the night janitors, who were departing at the end of their shift, and a few secretaries who were virtually silent, holed up in their offices and cubicles. For a few moments, all of Tokyo stood still, the only time that the city calmed down enough to actually call it quiet.
Despite the silence of the moment, you could hardly call it peaceful. There was a nearly tangible tension in the air. It permeated everything, the very walls reverberating with anxiety for the day. Within a few hours, LME would spring alive, filled with starlets, idols, managers, stage hands and everyone else that was necessary for LME to survive. President Takarada himself was nearly ready to leave his penthouse, a few miles away from the agency. The busyness would overcome the tension that hung in the building, but it wouldn't wholly eradicate it. And if you could halt your work for a few minutes in the midst of that energy, you might even be able to convince yourself it was a normal day at the agency, no different than the many others LME faced. But that deception could only last a moment before a man hurried around a corner, his arms filled with white lilies or a jewelry box. Because there would be quite a number of such men in the building today, all trying to repay a single debt.
For today was a day that was rivaled by only three days as the most hectic and hellish days at LME. Those three days were, in descending order of craziness: Christmas, Valentine's Day, and the President's birthday. The fourth in that list, this day, was, according to the calendar, March 14, or White Day. This was the day, a month since Valentine's Day, was the day that every man who had received chocolates on February 14 was now obligated to buy every one of those girls some sort of gift. It was a thoroughly depressing day all around, for the men as their wallets were emptied and the girls as they realized they weren't getting a gift in return for their affections.
And so the very earth that LME rested on knew that today it would soak up many tears.
A few blocks and alleys away from the entertainment district, a small, unassuming restaurant presented itself to the street. During business hours it served strong alcohol and traditional food, but now it just stood in silent strength, resting before the day began.
Leaning against the opposite wall from this restaurant was a lavishly dressed young man, observing the quiet signs of life that flickered in and around the restaurant. His gray hair obscured his eyes and leaning at the wall next to him was a long, rectangular box covered in brown paper. Together they waited, watching as lights were turned on in the upper floors of the restaurant and a girl bustled around, getting ready for the day. A small smirk crossed his features as the girl passed in front of the window, her eyes scanning, not the street below, but the Tokyo skyline in the distance. A pity she didn't look down and meet his gaze. If she had done that, she might have had more time to prepare. She couldn't have run, there were no escape routes, but she could have at least prepared her mind for the battle of wills that would occur the moment she stepped out of her sanctuary.
One month ago, Mogami Kyouko had regained her grudge demon after having it stolen by the Beagle Reino of the band Vie Ghoul. She had considered it a victory, and had closed the matter. To Reino, however, the real interest began today, on White Day.
At precisely 6:17 AM, Kyouko smiled over her shoulder at the couple that ran the Darumaya, and closed the door behind her. As she was walking to her bicycle, Reino moved away from the shadows, the sun hitting him for the first time.
"Hey, Kyouko," he said, the smirk back on his face again.
She jumped as she turned to face him, her face shifting from surprise to shock to annoyance. Her eyes narrowed as she turned back to her bicycle, determined to ignore him, undoing the locks and chains that kept the bike from being stolen.
"Yes, Beagle?" asked Kyouko from over her shoulder as she straightened.
"Just wanted to see you again," Reino said as he took another step closer to her, "It's been so long."
"It's only been a month," Kyouko snapped as she checked to make sure all of her grudges were safely locked away inside her, "And you never come 'just to see me'."
"So cruel, Kyouko," he said as he closed the last remaining bit of distance between them and they stood nearly touching, "But you are right. I didn't come merely to see you--"
"I knew it," said Kyouko, already judging how quickly she could get away before he reached her. Despite their proximity, she was pretty damn quick on a bike, so it was a toss-up.
"--I also came to give you your present."
Kyouko blinked, having been caught off-guard. What demonic gift could he possibly want to give her?
"What?" she asked, the disbelief evident in her eyes, "Whatever present you brought back with you from Hell, I don't want. Now, could you remove yourself from this place?"
"I wanted to be the first to give you a White Day gift," he said, bending close to her face, "And I think you'll like it. It's over by that wall," he gestured in the direction of the brown box. When her eyes left his face to look at the package, having been sufficiently distracted, he bent even closer, his lips brushing her cheek in a kiss. Her eyes widened as she snapped back to look at him, her mouth already opening in a scowl.
But then he was gone, casually walking away. Kyouko blinked at his sudden absence, dazed by the speed Reino had moved at. Before she could realize what she was doing, unconscious curiosity overcoming her, she was walking across the small street to the brown box, picking it up and taking it into the restaurant. Nodding to the couple that ran the Darumaya, Kyouko went up the stairs to her room and left the cursed package there. I'll open it when I get home, she thought as she went back downstairs and wished the Darumaya couple a good day for the second time.
For Yashiro Yukihito, White Day was one of the worst days of the year.
Sure, he had to be the manager to one of the most popular men in show business who just so happened to have a birthday so damn close to Valentine's Day. Because of Ren's birthday's closeness to the dreaded February 14, those days were spent in a constant influx of presents and chocolates, and Yashiro had to take extra migraine medicine in the morning to make it to the night. He never complained, though, because complaining set against Ren's gentlemanly aura would make him appear to be a child incapable of doing the job he has been given. But every year after Valentine's, Yashiro breathed a bit easier, happy to be free of the burden called love on Valentine's.
And yet it was White Day that always threatened to undo the man.
Ren took it like he took everything else; as a gentleman's honor. He was happy to give out his gifts to all the girls who gave him chocolates, the girls who he knew their names anyway, and smiled at each of them as if they were each the most important to him, and that he had treasured their chocolate above that of all the others. Ren's popularity shot up after White Day, everyone praising his good nature and gentleness. Somehow Ren was able to guess exactly where he would meet each girl, and so he could usually make it appear that he was only carrying that girl's present when he approached her. Watching as Ren thanked yet another talent who had nervously given Ren chocolates a month ago, Yashiro had to respect that. The patience it must have taken to prepare all these gifts, not to mention the dent it made on Ren's bank account, was all done with a grace most men would never have the strength for.
And maybe he had accepted that he couldn't give Kyouko-chan a present for White Day, because she had neglected to give him chocolates for Valentine's. Maybe he took the hit and had recovered by now. Maybe he was no longer upset over it.
And maybe pigs fly.
To not receive chocolates from the girl he likes on Valentine's was a hit on Ren that he had covered up quick enough, but still festered underneath. To then learn she had given chocolates, albeit blackmailed chocolates, to one of the men Ren had tried to protect her from had rubbed salt in the unhealing wound. To then be treated like no more than a sempai and have to smile as he received her belated birthday gift was like asking him to stand up and take another hit for her again. And, fool that he was, fool that all men are in love, Ren did it. With aplomb.
"Another gift, another smile, another lie," said Yashiro as he watched the talent walk away, talking excitedly to her friends, "And yet another girl."
Ren looked at the bespectacled man curiously. It wasn't like Yashiro to criticize about the fangirls in Ren's life. He usually considered them to be a sign of Ren's fame and was encouraged by them. For him to show this cynicism was out of character and unwelcome.
"I would appreciate it," said Ren slowly as they both walked to the parking garage, "if you would keep your complaints to yourself until the two of us are alone, Yashiro-san."
"Of course, of course," waved Yashiro, "It's just that it gets depressing when all these girls are so happy to get a sliver of your affection, yet Kyouko-chan's not even here today."
"She has work. That's normal for a talent. She shouldn't make a trip out of her way just to see me when I don't even have a gift for her," Ren said in what Yashiro started privately referring to as his "sempai-voice". In other words, Ren was slipping into the role of Kyouko-chan's sempai, never her suitor.
"I know, and you're right," conceded Yashiro, "But it still gets a bit lonely without her here. She's a happy presence to have around."
Ren smiled, an unconscious reaction to the images those words provoked. He could practically see her walking beside him, talking of interesting things and smiling the whole way. He had seen her yesterday, at the Dark Moon goodbye party, yet he still missed her. Why was that? Last night he had even called her after the party and talked to her for nearly twenty minutes. He had no right to miss her now, so soon. She was a busy starlet, after all, nowhere near as busy as he was, but still busy in her own right. She was in high school while keeping up a career in show business, after all. Her having a spare moment should be spent studying textbooks or scripts, not looking up men who would call her that night anyway.
Yet he still missed her.
"She has her own life now," Ren said softly, as much to Yashiro as it was to himself, "We should be grateful for the time we have with her. Wishing for more would be selfish."
Yashiro smiled at him, his star who was also a complete relationship idiot. Honestly, didn't he realize just how desirable Kyouko-chan would be by the time Ren would make a move on her? How many men would be in line for a moment with her?
"Love is selfish. Love is irrational. That doesn't stop it from also being true."
Ren scowled at his manager, rolling his eyes at yet another reference to his feelings for Mogami-san. Why did he always have to mention that, hiding behind veiled phrases? Wasn't Ren's own inner torment enough without Yashiro also adding his commentary? She was so young, after all. She deserved a man with no hidden secrets, no ugly past. After the way her heart shattered over Fuwa, she needed a man who was strong and steady, someone able to smile just as innocently back at her. An honest relationship would heal her better than Ren ever would be able to. Her happiness was more important than his own. He should let her be, and be glad for the scraps of attention he did receive. He could watch over her while they both waited for her prince to come. That much he could do for her. But have her? Never. She deserved so much more.
"Well, I guess now isn't the time for philosophy," said Yashiro, sensing that his star was slipping into a worse mood, "Oh, the President called while you were on set. He wants to see you sometime tonight. He said to just drop by whenever you wanted."
"All right. Will do," Ren replied as they both climbed into the car for what would be one uncomfortably silent ride.
"Moko-san!" cried out Kyouko as Kanae held out a white box towards her friend, "I can't believe you got me something! Thank you so much!"
"Why wouldn't I get you something?" snapped Kanae, "You gave me chocolates for Valentine's Day, so I'm giving you something for White Day. And you haven't even opened it, so don't thank me yet!"
"Moko-san…" said Kyouko, teary-eyed as she took the box from Kanae's hands. Sitting down on one of the chairs in the Love Me room, she undid the cream-colored ribbon and opened the box.
Resting inside was a journal, spiral bound and blue-black, with a matching pen. On the front cover there was a fairy, purple-green wings stretched out behind her as her red hair blew in the wind. She looked mischevious and yet friendly and approachable. Her stocking feet rested against a piece of inlaid parchment that read I DO Believe In Faeries!!
It was, quite possibly, the greatest gift anyone could ever give Mogami Kyouko.
"Moko-san," Kyouko said quietly as she lifted the journal from the box, marveling at the quality and workmanship that had gone into it.
"You don't have to make a big deal out of it," said Kanae dismissively, "I just saw it in a vintage shop I was passing and thought it would be perfect for you. Do you like it?" The thought was ludicrous; anything remotely related to fairies was usually received with enthusiasm and obsession. Hence her continued belief in the existence of a fairy she met once when she was six years old. So why wasn't she bouncing off the walls and shouting the journal's praises like she had the cosmetics Kanae had gave her at her birthday?
"If you don't like it, I can take it back and get something different," said Kanae, getting a bit desperate at Kyouko's continued silence, "Just say the word."
Silence. All Kanae had to go on was a look of disbelief. The moment stretched on and she wondered if maybe this was the wrong gift to give. In all honesty, any other person would probably give this to a child, someone below age ten who still believed in all the crazy little magical beings. To give it to a seventeen year old was probably over-the-top, even if she did still believe in fairies.
But what else was she supposed to get? A bouquet of flowers could be given by any old Joe off the streets, the fact that Kanae got her this should show Kyouko that Kanae knew her friend very well. She couldn't just get flowers to someone after this perfect little gift had caught her eye! Maybe it was supposed to be white. Eyeing the dark color, Kanae wondered if maybe romantic Kyouko wanted something traditionally white, and didn't want anything else for White Day. Faced with this thought, Kanae had no choice but to think that it could very well be that.
Kyouko hugged her.
Kanae could only stand in shock. Half her mind still thinking about white on White Day, the other half was trying to catch up. One moment, Kyouko had been sitting there with an expressionless face, and the next her arms were around Kanae, her face buried in her black hair. There was no movement between the two moments. Without even thinking about it, Kanae's arms came up reflexively, automatically returning the embrace.
"Thank you," Kyouko said simply, and Kanae was surprised that she wasn't crying. She pulled back from Kanae and smiled, eyes closed and head tilted. The innocence of the gesture made Kanae's own mouth quirk up in a small return smile.
Both girls' cell phones rang simultaneously, and the moment broke with the jarring rings. Disentangling themselves from each other, they reached for their phones.
"Mogami-kun!" came the booming voice over Kyouko's phone.
"Kotonami-san," said the business-like voice over Kanae's cell.
"Yes?" asked both girls together.
"There's something I need you for," said the President.
"A job offer's just come in," explained Sawara.
As both were explaining to the Love Me members, Chiori also came in, exclaiming "Have you guys heard yet?"
And as both President of LME and Head of the Talent Section wound to the end of their tale, the two girls looked at each other with only one thing to say:
"EH?!?!"
"Sho-chan!" sang Mimori.
"Hey, Pocchiri," he said as he looked down to his arm to see the black-haired girl clinging to it.
"You have a new song, right?" she said excitedly, and her eyes gave out the same light as Kyouko's had done, about a year ago when she was still his friend, "It's coming out today, right?"
"Yeah," he said nonchalantly, trying to walk normally with a hundred ten extra pounds suddenly added to his right arm, "We'll see how good it does."
"It'll be great, Sho-chan!" she exclaimed, "They'll love it, you'll see!"
Sho made a noncommittal noise in response. Though he had put more of himself in his music since Vie Ghoul, he still maintained an outwardly blasé attitude towards the songs. No use letting everyone see just how much those songs meant to him when he wasn't performing.
"I'm right, you know," she continued excitedly, not needing anymore encouragement to keep up the one-sided conversation, "This'll hit the top of the charts and beat down your other great songs, and the pattern of you beating out your own songs on the charts will keep repeating! You're going to become a legend, Sho-chan!"
He made another noncommittal noise and kept walking, hoping to find Shouko-san and rid himself of Pocchiri.
"Ah!" she said, freeing one of her arms to point to one of the TV's that were on in the lobby of Akatoki Agency, "There you are now!"
Sho looked up to find himself, on the set of one of the interviews he had given last week about his new song. He noted coolly that the outfit he had worn fit him well, but fit the song even more.
"So, Fuwa-san," said the interviewer, leaning forward, "is this song for any girl you know? No need to be shy here."
The TV-Sho rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No. I just thought that White Day always inspires songs of girls getting presents and guys giving them. So I thought about a guy who didn't give a White Day gift to a girl, even though he wanted to."
"And it's not inspired by any personal experience at all?" pouted the interviewer.
"No. Sorry," said Sho, not looking 'sorry' in the least, "I'm a free man and I intend to stay that way."
"Well," said the interviewer, turning to the camera, "I guess the girls at home will just have to keep dreaming, huh? Here's Fuwa Sho's new song, "Black Lily". Enjoy."
The video cut to the performance he gave on set of that interview about half an hour before that interview was taped. He stood with the guys from the studio, the guitar part handed over to one of the other musicians. Sho himself had only a microphone on a stand, and the pianist behind him began the first chords of the familiar song.
"Sho-chan?" blinked Mimori. She had let go of his arm to clasp her hands together while watching the interview, and he had moved on without her. "Sho-chan?" Silence all around. A few workers chatted around her, but as she craned her neck around them, she still couldn't see her favorite bad boy anywhere. "SHO-CHAN?!?!"
He cringed, and she finally spotted him, nearly about to round a corner before she screamed out his name. The employees milling around the lobby looked at Mimori as her demeanor changed from desperate and shrieking to happy and content. He sighed and, rolling his eyes, inclined his head, an invitation to join him. She laughed as she ran up to him, clinging to his arm again. And so when Shouko finally came out of her meeting she found Sho and Mimori walking around Akatoki, her chattering the whole way like some hyperactive squirrel and him nodding every once in a while.
After a long day of work, Kyouko was glad to be back at the Darumaya.
She loved working at there, despite the contradiction between the on-the-edge entertainment industry and the traditional pace of the Darumaya. Or maybe that contradiction was the reason why she loved it. Even though she was acting to recreate herself, the similarities between the Darumaya and the Fuwa's inn and who she used to be was comforting. In spite of the time and distance she had put between the present her and the girl she was in Kyoto, to step back into the yukata and serve guests again relieved some of the pressure the industry put on her. The thought of one day becoming too popular to continue working in the Darumaya was something she didn't like to think about, though she thought maybe a wig would conceal her idol identity well enough. In any event, when Kyouko slipped on her working yukata that night after her meeting with Sawara-san, the familiar fabric settling around her skin, she smiled. It was good to be back.
"Kyouko-chan!" called the okami-san, "Table Six needs service!"
"Coming!" she called back, and so began the frantic energy of food service. She spent the evening in a constant stream of services, smiles and orders. Every once in a while someone, usually younger guests on dates, recognized her as Natsu or, more rarely, Mio, and asked for an autograph or picture. She laughed as she signed napkins and posed for camera phones, happy to do it. One young boy even asked for a date. She smiled indulgently and said, regretfully, that she didn't have time to date, though that was no loss for the girls in his junior high class. Eventually, she slipped in the back to wash the dishes, grateful for the respite. At closing time, she bid the last customer goodbye with the Darumaya couple and helped clean up before the okami-san gently ordered her to go upstairs and get some sleep.
Climbing the stairs, she kept the waitress-smile on her face until she opened the door of her room and saw the box. She had completely forgotten about Reino's present during the day. Narrowing her eyes at the innocuous-seeming present, she wondered if it was cursed. Maybe the moment she opened it, the gateways to Hell would open and she'd be sucked down to be tortured by Reino for all eternity. Maybe he had rigged it so this time her entire demon army would be taken by him, and she'd have to do him a favor (God only knows what favor) just to get the poor orphans back. Muttering as she got out a few candles and incense, she drew a magic circle around the box and began incantations, trying to rid it of any curses the damn Beagle may have put on it.
Cleanse us from evil, keep us from doing wrong, safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma, purify our souls…cleanse us from evil, keep us from doing wrong, safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma, purify our souls…cleanse us from evil, keep us from doing wrong, safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma, purify our souls…cleanse us from evil, keep us from doing wrong, safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma…
Honestly, what was in there? What did he deem appropriate to give someone for a White Day gift? Maybe it was a talisman or amulet or something like that. If that was the case, maybe it wouldn't be so bad, after all.
No, no, no, what was she thinking? …safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma, purify our souls…Just keep chanting, Kyouko…cleanse us from evil, keep us from doing wrong…You shouldn't let him get to you…safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma, purify our souls…He wants you to be curious about this…cleanse us from evil…But what would he give me?…keep us from doing wrong, safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma…What damn curse does he have on here? It's impossible to remove!…purify our souls…cleanse us from evil, keep us from doing wrong…Maybe there's nothing there. After all, I wouldn't be able to remove something that isn't there…safeguard the walls that keep out the miasma, purify our souls…
Without even thinking about it, the chants broke off and she was breaking the circle, reaching for the box. She tore off the paper, the entire box laid bare within seconds. Mentally preparing herself for a supernatural struggle, she lifted the lid off the box, and blinked in surprise.
Inside was a guitar case. The black vinyl was absolutely ordinary. Testing her senses, she couldn't pick up any nefarious intent in the gift, and so she cautiously opened the zipper. Resting there was an electric guitar, no spells detected on it. On the body swirled dark purple, dark blue, and black streaks, the strings being an unnatural silver. On the neck of the guitar, worked into the wood, were flying silver bats, scattered laterally across the neck. At the point of the headstock was a bat wing charm, hanging on a small silver chain from the instrument.
Kyouko's forehead creased in confusion. He gave her…a guitar? Why? Sho had let her play around on his acoustic when they were still living together, and she understood enough to play a few chords. But this was…unexpected. She doubted anyone but Shotaro knew she could half-play the guitar. Did he expect her to learn?
She wrapped her fingers around the neck of the guitar, testing its weight. It fit perfectly into her cupped hand. As she lifted it out of the case, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. A folded note fluttered to the ground, and she picked it up. Slipped in between the folded note was a business card for a music supply shop, apparently catering to those of the underground scene. In the corner, a handwritten annotation was added, Tell them I sent you.
Frowning in confusion, she turned her attention to the note. In the same handwriting, there were five lines:
The boys and I have talked,
And we'll let you join the band.
If you're good enough, that is.
-with all the love in my heart,
Reino.
Are you…challenging me, you damn Beagle? thought Kyouko as she noticed that he had included guitar picks and cords as well in her gift, Do you doubt my musical ability? Do you think I am studying acting because I can't get into the music side of entertainment? Are you just trying to get close to me with the excuse being work? She chuckled at the thought, half-plans already swirling in her mind.
This guitar, not to mention the invitation, could very well be her revenge. Shotaro would never see this coming. He probably thought the reason she wasn't in the music industry was because it would remind her too much of him or some other hare-brained theory. He was probably so self-centered that it never occurred to him that her reason was that she fell in love with acting. And so he thought he was safe in the music world. But he could find out very soon he wasn't at all safe…
Wait a minute here. Back up a bit, Mogami! thought Kyouko desperately, This is the Beagles we're talking about! They'll consume me alive! Even if I could get enough popularity, I'll never make it out of their den alive! Not to mention my bad-girl image will be permanently cemented. And Tsuruga-san's face when I tell him…no, no, no. I better return this.
But…he really is challenging me, isn't he? chewing her bottom lip as she reread Reino's short note, she thought more about it, I would be a coward to run away from him like this, just as much as Shotaro was a coward when they first came around for him…and I might be able to stand against Reino if I had a shield…
Shield.
Kyouko rocked back on her heels, taken by the idea. A shield. A shield that could hide her from both Reino's hungry maw and from the world. She didn't have to go up there as "Mogami Kyouko". Really, it would be insane to go up there as herself. The entire band was probably operating under stage names, why couldn't she also have one? And if her "stage name" was actually a "stage personality", then she would have a shield against Reino, against the entire band. If she could project a bad-girl image, almost like Natsu but different, and fit it seamlessly into the band's image, then she wouldn't have to worry about being rejected by the Beagle's fans, all while being someone other than "Kyouko". She wasn't an actress for nothing. But what could fit with them? What would a girl who wanted to join the band Vie Ghoul be like?
Unbidden, words from nearly a year ago came back to mind. She was no longer kneeling in her room at the Darumaya anymore, but standing in work uniform, hearing the words like it was the very first time.
"…as if that's something to be proud of, coming from her!"
"…it's been like this since we were kids…"
"…it's only natural she works for me…"
"…okay, I'll send her back to Kyoto…"
"…that plain girl with no sex appeal whatsoever."
Could the things Shotaro said so long ago fit the image of someone in Vie Ghoul? Could someone who never complimented, never served, never took orders, and was brimming with sex appeal be her shield against Reino? Wha if Shotaro had hit the nail on the head, a year early? But Kyouko refused to end up owing him her existence in music, if that's what she ended up deciding on doing. She would make her own image. She would just be using those proud words to her own advantage.
"Well, Shotaro," Kyouko said quietly as she stood up, stepping over the guitar to her bag, where she pulled out the journal Kanae had given her that afternoon, "We'll just have to see who's plain at the end of this, shall we?"