Disclaimer: I don't own Kyoko, Ren, any other SB characters or Skip Beat itself….

Chapter 1: Feelings….

A young almost-20-year-old girl wearing white turtleneck, a long red coat, with big black buttons, long black pants, black boots, and a black knit hat, was sitting outside, on a bench, in the park, with her face in her hands, sighing. What could be the cause of this? Well let's back track…

It had been the most wonderful two years for Kyoko so far. Being 17-19 was a blast! Gaining roles she thought she would never get, becoming one of Japan's top actresses (which she denies), having 'girl's night' with Moko-san, baking with Maria, receiving the news she could skip a grade, meeting new people, 'upgrading' to 'close friends' with Ren-san, finding out Ren-san was Corn (which earned him a huge hug), but her last three years weren't just great. It was also a look into herself. She finally realized that, although she still hated the baka, Shotaro was not worth her time, and she had forgotten about revenge without knowing it. Yet that's not all. As days went by she noticed she seemed to be enjoying Ren-san's company more. Yeah, she knew deep down he was special, but something was happening within her, this ache to see him when he wasn't around, the feeling she got when he complimented her on her acting, and the way he moved made her burn inside. Her walls were crumbling and her locks being unlocked.

So…this is how we get here, a girl lost in the world of love, wishing cupid's arrow had missed. Kyoko wasn't sure what to do. There was no way Ren felt the same way, and even if by the slightest chance he did, what was Kyoko supposed to do? Just randomly tell him? No, she was too embarrassed by it. Not that Ren embarrassed her, but everyone fell in love with Ren. He was just that kind of guy, and Kyoko was afraid as soon as she said 'I love you' he would turn her down. Kyoko wanted Ren to know she didn't love him for being Ren Tsuruga, with amazing manners and acting skills, she wanted him to know she loved him for being, Corn, her close childhood friend, who was there for her then and now, the man who she cooked for and always complemented her on it, the man who knew how to make her truly smile, the man who needed her when times were rough, but never took advantage of her like Shotaro did, , and lastly for always treating her like she was more.(Ironically she can see that, but not his feelings.)

Kyoko ran her hand through her hair and sadly smiled, as she tried to hold back tears. She stood up and began to walk to her apartment. (suspiciously it was put right next to Ren's) As she passed under the gate for the park, she noticed tiny white flakes drifting to the ground.

"Well, at least this year will be a white Christmas." She looked up into the sky and smiled.

Hopefully Moko-san was having better luck with her feelings lately. Yes. She finally fell in love about 6 months ago, but refused to admit it.

The scene of Kyoko looking into the sky fades away as we leave her to check on Kanae.

Kanae turned over in her covers and looked at her clock. Only 9:30. She knew it was much earlier than she usually went to sleep, but she needed all the sleep she could get, not to mention she was trying to forget about her 'problem'. She closed her eyes again. Why did she have to fall in love? Why couldn't she just be a single and independent woman? Most of all, why did she have to fall in love with the person she did? She had always thought that if on the off chance she did fall in love it would be with someone like that kid (now a teen) Hiou, that seemed to have a crush on her. But no, she fell in love with a man who is much older than her, a man who wears a suit every day, but makes it look sexy, a man who is kind, a man who has a ridiculous obsession with getting her best friend with Tsuruga, and the man who is the manager of Tsuruga. And who was to blame for all of this? Kyoko …wait, no she couldn't say that, after all it wasn't her plan. It was the president's fault. If he hadn't assigned that man as her manager for a week none of this would have happened. She would have never seen how smart, sexy, clumsy, and kind this man was. Kanae sat up in her bed, switched her lamp on, and then put her legs to the side to get up. She was wearing long dark blue cotton pants, and a dark blue camisole. Kanae walked over to a box, sitting on her dresser, and opened it. Inside was a dark blue tie with snowflakes on it, a small bottle of cologne, and (what Kyoko convinced/forced her to do.) a small bag of homemade peppermint treats. Kanae blushed and closed the box. She couldn't believe she was actually going to give it to him. She looked over to another box that Kyoko had handed her the other day. Inside, she knew, was an assortment of dolls that look like different people from LME. Kanae reached into the box and grabbed the one that looked like the president and the one of him. She then grabbed the needle (provided by Kyoko) and went back, to sit on her bed. She took the Lory doll and stuck the needle through it.

"It's all your fault I fell in love with Yukito Yashiro, you love obsessed idiot." She mumbled and threw the doll back into the box.

She took the doll of Yashiro and placed it on her nightstand, by her lamp, so it was sitting. Kanae then switched her lamp off and snuggled into bed.

"I guess this was bound to happen one day." She thought grumpily, as she drifted off to sleep.

Ren was sitting on his couch watching old re-runs of Dark Moon, while sipping on a beer. The show brought him back to the times when he had just realized his feelings for Kyoko. He couldn't believe it was almost 4 years! He sighed. Lately his manager had been getting upset with him for not making a move, since Ren could no longer use the excuse "She's still in high school." He had honestly thought about hinting to Kyoko, and decided he better step up his game, when the other day he saw her looking as if someone had already stolen her heart. Her cheeks had been red and she was looking down, her eyes all dreamy. He only wished she would look like that for him. After all these years, he thought, she only saw him as 'Corn', her fairy prince and as Ren-san, her friend and mentor. He thought about what he should do for Kyoko on her birthday. Of course he already had a present, but this year had to be the best yet. Suddenly an idea popped into Ren's mind. He was ready for it, even if he wasn't he could do anything for her. Ren imagined Kyoko's face smiling brightly, and her eyes filled with tears. He smiled, clicked off his TV, threw away his can, and headed to bed, knowing that Kyoko would absolutely love his surprise.

Yashiro was sitting in bed, lamp on, glasses still on, looking over Ren's schedule. Well he was supposed to be looking over Ren's schedule, but instead was looking over ideas to get Ren and Kyoko together. Why hadn't that idiot made a move yet? Sure Kyoko had sworn off love a few years ago, but no one knew now. She was around Ren almost all the time, so who was to say she wasn't developing feeling for the actor. Yashiro just didn't get it, why didn't the guy at least try to see if Kyoko had feelings for him. Then it hit him. He had no right in saying anything about his client not making a move, since he himself was guilty of the same crime. At one point in time Yukito Yashiro was assigned to be Kanae Kotami's manager for two weeks so that Kyoko could be with Ren. During that period of time Yashiro got to know the hard headed actress, who was proud of her career. He began to notice the little things at first, like how her features suited her. Her long silky black hair, her deep purple eyes, and the way she walked, acting as if she didn't give a damn what people thought. Next he began to notice her personality. Her harsh words, in fact they often fought during the first week, her bravery, her confidence, she was such a strong woman, and it turned him on. Yet Yashiro wasn't going to ever let anyone know these feelings he had. His client would torture him for all his previous teasing, the president would give him the same treatment as Ren and Kyoko *shiver*, but he was most worried about Kanae knowing how he felt. She was, after all, the second LOVEME girl. She would be repulsed at the thought of such an older man having those feeling for her, and he knew if she ever did get with someone she would settle for no less than someone in show business. He would have to get over her somehow. Maybe he would convince Shoko to be Kyoko's manager and he could try things with her. For now though he had to try to forget Kanae. Yashiro put the papers on his nightstand, removed his glasses, switched off his lamp, and lied down in bed. It was going to be a long night for Yashiro, as he drifted to sleep, thinking of how to get out of his situation.

Author's Notes: I know I started out with feelings instead of showing how they developed them, but there will be flashbacks later ;) Ren's is shorter because he has known his feelings for a while….. I adore reviews and look forward to them! (They also help me a lot…) See you next time!