Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or it's characters.
Kyoko was walking through the LME hallway spaced out with everything her mother explained. Questions after questions floated through her head… How would I feel being in that person's shoes? Being single, losing the firm and co-workers' trust then discovering I was pregnant with a man who betrayed me.. Sho's face flash by her eyes. URGH! No! It wasn't him …
Kyoko was so lost in thoughts of her mother's past. She wasn't paying attention to all the chatter until she heard loud screams of "KYAAA!" and "Fuwa Sho!" As women and LME agents rushed by asking, "WHAT?!" "FUWA!" "Why is he here?" "Who do you think he is waiting for?" "Isn't he with Akatoki Agency?" "Is he here to change agency?"
She scanned the area and there, at receptionist's desk, stood the guy she wanted to see least. SHOUTARO! Kyoko throws a fist in the air and shakes it in frustration. URGH! Why is HE here? A memory of Sho giving her a kiss in the Darumaya alley flashed by.. ARGHH! That jerk! Of course, HE would take any opportunity to take advantage of me.. I need to ignore him! She made her way to the elevator and avoided looking towards Sho's direction.
Sho stood waiting then approached the receptionist, "Hi cutie," as the reception blushed, "Would you know when is this 'Sawara-san' going to get here? I have another important meeting and I need to hurry." He realized people were gathering and looking at him so he conveyed a disconnected, calm, cool and collect look except he is boiling inside. Impatience is getting the best of him. "Is it possible to page him?" I don't have to wait! I am Japan's #1 Musician. An important person like me should be catered to, immediately upon arrival!
Standing next to him, an irritated Shoko asked, "Sho, why are we here?" This could be disastrous if the executives found out we are here at LME. I need to get us out of here as soon as possible.
Sho didn't answer. Instead, he looked around for a chair to lounge. He spotted a bench and walked over, leaving Shoko to wait in his place. As he got closer to the bench, he saw her and exclaimed, "I've been looking for you!"
Everyone shocked by the loud tone then looked towards the girl waiting for an elevator, expecting her to turn around instead the girl stood there. Whispers went around the lobby, "Is Fuwa-san looking for that girl?" "Who is she?" "It must be the wrong person." "She isn't turning around."
Meanwhile, Kyoko was freaking out and mentally repeating over and over again, 'I don't know him. Go away! I don't know him. Go away! I DON'T KNOW HIM! GO AWAY BAKA!' She heard him shout, "I've been looking for you!" A questioned look appeared, looking for me, why? You saw me a few days ago.. Ehh.. Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? I DID tell you to leave me alone! She furrows her eyebrows, anger slowly creeping in. What are you trying to do? Expose our past to my world? She wanted to yell at him with all her might instead she stood her ground and continued to face the elevator. Hurry up elevator. Hurry up! Hurry UP! HURRY UP!
As Kyoko waited for the elevator, she felt a hand touch her shoulder, she turned around and shouted, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" Her eyes settled on an unexpected person. Oh no! She was shocked then dropped to the ground to start apologizing except a hand stopped her.
Ren was surprised by the sudden outburst and saw her heading to the ground. He quickly reached forward to stop her. He greeted, "Good morning, Mogami-san" with a heavenly smile. He hasn't seen her since the mistaken Corn cry-athon and they have only communicated through text messages. I really miss this voice and this face.
Kyoko greeted back, "Good morning, Tsuruga-san" while looking over Ren's shoulder, she saw Sho stalking over. HURRY UP ELEVATOR! URGH! HURRY UP ELEVATOR! PLEASE! PLEASE! I need to ignore THAT and act like everything is fine. She continued through clenched teeth, "I apologize for not calling you yesterday. I had a lot on my mind."
What is with this expression… and this tone? Ren thought then notice Kyoko was talking to him but not looking at him. He followed her line of sight and saw HIM walking towards them. What? What is he doing here? He tried to focus on Kyoko and said, "I understand. Well, if you need someone to talk to or if I can be of someone you would like to share what is on your mi-"
Kyoko interrupted him, "Oh! No. No. I can't. You can't. You are way too busy, way too important and besides, it isn't related to work."
* DING * the elevator door opens. They proceed into the elevator. Sho arrives and walk into the elevator with them.
The door closes. Silence…. No one moved.
Kyoko freaking out.. What should I say? Should I do anything? Tsuruga-san and Shoutaro in the same elevator! I don't know what to do? "Umm…" she breaks the silence.
Ren and Sho look over at her and waits.. for something.. anything.. except nothing.. They returned to their position and faced the door. The silence continues..
* DING * the elevator door opens to a group of people looking in. They gasp at the menacing dark aura coming out of the elevator and stood in silent stunned observation of the three until the elevator door closed.
The silence returns….
* DING * the elevator door opens to the same group of people, who are now rooted in place, staring and shivering at them as the elevator door closes again.
WHAT?! The elevator hasn't moved! They all thought.
"Umm.." Kyoko asked in a really small shaky voice, "What floor?" while pushing the button for her floor.
Ren spoke up, "Top floor, please? I have to see President Lory." I need to talk to boss about this fellow. What is HE doing here? There is no way we are working on anything with HIM and if we are, HE isn't working with Kyoko, not without my approval.
Sho stood quietly.
The elevator arrived on Kyoko's floor and she steps out first. Sho follows her. Ren noticed and follow suit.
The three of them walk down the hallway along each other...
'I don't know what to do. Is Sho following me? Why is he following me? What does he want? Why did Tsuruga-san step out? Wasn't he going to see the President? Is he following too? No, no, that's not possible. Should I talk to Tsuruga-san and ignore Sho? If I say something, Sho will intrude with his baka comments and that would make Tsuruga-san upset.' Kyoko thought.
They walked in awkward silence.
"Good morning Kyoko-chan!" a voice greeted her.
They all looked over to the voice of a young man. "Good morning Hikaru-onii-san!" Kyoko greeted back.
Who is this? And why is he calling her so casually? Onii-san? Sho and Ren pondered as their eyes met accidentally, the tension rises as lightning shot back and forth, and the aura darkens around them.
Kyoko rush toward Hikaru and pulls him along with her. Kyoko whispers, in a low voice, hoping only Hikaru could hear her, "I heard from Sawara-san. And yes, I will be there Friday night. It is so exciting!" What am I saying? I shouldn't be talking about this now. If Tsuruga-san and Shoutaro finds out that.. Wait. Did they hear me? Oh no. She looks to them and sees the questions written on their faces. They heard me! What should I tell them?
Hikaru said, "It is very exciting! I'm looking forward to it. Well, if you have time after, maybe we can have dinner to celebrate?" He shivered. Where did this chill come from?
Ren tensed up and smile his a gentlemanly smile as he and Sho contemplated who Hikaru was to Kyoko. Did he just ask Mogami-san/Kyoko out? What do they have planned for Friday? Why is she excited? Celebrate what exactly?
Hikaru spot the men, "Good morning Tsuruga-san. Good morning Fuwa-san. Are you two… together? I didn't know you two knew each other." The two men glanced at each other, sending fake smiles and half-nods in acknowledgment then faced Hikaru once more. At this moment, the theory of 'the enemy of your enemy is your friend' is in play.
Ren return the greeting politely, "Good morning. I'm sorry, I don't recall your name."
Tsuruga-san is angry. Kyoko picked up on the smile. She overheard his comment so she introduced them quickly, "Tsuruga-san, my sincere apology." Ren brushed off the apology. Is that why he is angry? "This is Ishibashi Hikaru. I've worked with Hikaru-onii-san on a LoveME job."
Ren casually followed, "Well, nice to meet you Ishibashi-kun." LoveME job? I need to see what LoveME job this fellow asked of Mogami-san. She also called him Onii-san, it isn't the same brother-type job as Cain, is it? Ren thought. "LoveME job? What did - -"
Sho chimed in, "Good morning Ishibashi-kun," intentionally cutting Ren off. I remember him; He is one of the hosts on that chicken show. She must have met him then. Did she keep contact with him after they fired her? Maybe he kept in contact with her. That just means, this guy must have a thing for her and she is clueless. How dense and sad. She is calling you Onii-san. Wake up fool! You are nothing but a brother in her eye. Sho smirked then laughed through closed lips, "PFFFT.."
Kyoko heard Sho laugh and glare at him. She wanted to knock him aside the head for his actions. SO RUDE! She looked over at Ren, as if, saying, 'I'm so sorry Tsuraga-san for the rudeness of this Shoutaro-baka!' through her eyes and expression. Ren shook his head gently from side-to-side as to express there is no need for her to apologize. It's a good thing he interrupted Tsuruga-san when he did but the way he did it! ARGHHH! Kyoko turned back to Hikaru and try to change subjects, "Hikaru-onii-san, where are Shinichi-onii-san and Yuusei-onii-san?"
Hikaru replies but it is lost on deaf ears. Kyoko smiles and nods aimlessly while looking around. Kyoko spots what she was looking for and jets towards the only person that could save her. "MOOOOKOOOO-SAAAAN!" Help! Help! Help!
Kanae dodges Kyoko's missile hug attack. "Good morning. What is going on with you?" She takes a closer look at Kyoko's face and sees distress in her eyes. She continues, "Why do you look like the world is coming to an end?" Kanae looks to the area Kyoko was coming from. Hmm, Tsuruga-san and Fuwa-san, interesting.. And Ishibashi-san?
Kyoko ignored her questions and asked, "Moko-san, are you free right now?" with an eager look while nodding her head to signal her friend to say 'yes.' "I need to talk to you about a LoveME job. While I was away, someone contacted Sawara-san about a job for me on a historic drama and a movie…" Kyoko rambled on and on to avoid the topic about the men walking towards them. She pulls Kanae by the arm toward the direction of the LoveME locker room. Having Moko-san around would keep them quiet. Yes. Yes! Please, Moko-san, save me.
Hikaru caught up to the girls and said, "Kyoko-chan, I'm sorry to interrupt but I have to get going. Well, if you are interested in dinner Friday night, let me know." Kyoko nods and they bid each other farewell with a bow as the dark aura of Ren and Sho slowly approach.
Kanae was curious of the two men following them. She stopped and hesitated to move further. She eyes her friend then the men, 'Why are Tsuruga-san and Fuwa-san walking together?' What Kyoko said finally sunk in, "Hold up! What are you telling me? Did you receive another offer without auditioning?" Kanae asked angrily.
Kyoko looked at her, puzzled, "Eh? Err, no."
"But didn't you say Sawara-san contacted you about a movie and a historic drama?" Kanae asked.
"Oh. Yes. But no, it's a LoveME job." Kyoko returned.
"If it is a LoveME job, why did Sawara-san give it to you?" Kanae inquired.
"I don't know. Maybe I did another job similar to it?" Kyoko explained.
During their discussion, Ren and Sho were completely ignored. Ren spoke up to get into the conversation, "Mogami-san, did you get another LoveME job concerning another movie or drama? I hope it isn't like that last one."
Kyoko replied, "Err.. Well.. it isn't exactly like that last one, this one concerns an actress.. On a wandering samurai historic drama and a mov - -"
Like that last one.. Kanae wondered. Does Tsuruga-san know her LoveME jobs? She peered at him, aren't you too famous and extremely busy to be concerned over Kyoko and her LoveME jobs? You must like her. Why else would you care about what is going on with her? Hmm.. I need to test the water here.
Kanae interrupts Kyoko's ramblings, "So.. Kyoko, you said that you wanted to tell me all the details of your first kiss last week. Who was it with? How did it happen?"
Kyoko's eyes popped out, Ren blushed, and Sho glared at Kyoko.
'What in the world is going on here?'Kanae thought.
They arrived at the LoveME locker room and continue walking in. Ren and Sho shadowed the girls in, as if, they were suppose to be there.
AN: I have no idea where I'm going with it. I'm not sure if I'll have an update.. maybe when the next SB chapter comes out, I will add to it based on the story line. Please review or comment, or even give me some pointer on my first Fan Fiction, it would be great to see what I'm doing right or wrong.