Disclaimer: I don't own skip beat or any of its characters.
English is not my first language so please be kind.
A/N: This is a short story, There will only be 7 to 8 chapters but will be extended if the readers want it to be, and I'll update really quick because I have a research paper to submit in two months so I don't want to leave the story for so long. One of my friends requested me to write this story about Ren's nightmares of his past and Kyoko consoling him and helping him to get over his fear. So I decided to write! I hope you all like it.
Living for You Only
Chapter-1
Kyoko and Ren were having dinner in Ren's apartment.
She was asked by Yashiro-san, if she could visit Ren and fix something for him to eat.
She wasn't sure if it was a good idea because of Ren's avoiding behavior towards her, but she reluctantly agreed.
Poor Ren hadn't eaten proper food for days. Yashiro was beginning to feel worried, because he had drowned himself in work.
He went to all of his jobs without any delay, then after he was finished, he went straight home.
The thing that alarmed Yashiro very much was that, Ren didn't talk to anyone like he usually did, when he was shooting on locations.
Ren seemed a bit frustrated to everyone, especially to Kyoko. He avoided talking to her as politely as he could.
He didn't offer her ride home. He didn't even tease her. Whenever Kyoko tried to talk to him or greet him. He replied distantly and then excused himself.
Everyone noticed that sudden and surprising change in his behavior. President, Yashiro, Kanae, Maria even Kyoko herself noticed it. Everyone was worried about him. Ren had bags under his eyes.
Ren was caught lost in thoughts many times by Yashiro and President, making them panicked about his well-being. He seemed absent-minded.
President Takarada tried to talk to Ren personally but he refused to open up to him and brushed off every question of president by saying that, it was nothing and he was just tired. But it was not easy to convince The Great Lory Takarada.
Lory knew something was definitely wrong with his boy, but he had to find it out himself and do something about it without Ren knowing it.
Lory was worried because, his sixth sense was alarming him that Ren's behavior change was related to his painful past. The boy wasn't acting himself. The mask of Tsuruga Ren was slightly slipping away and Ren was becoming more serious and quiet than usual day by day.
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"Tsuruga-san, The food is getting cold" Kyoko said.
Ren looked up at her and nodded then without saying a word he resumed eating.
"Tsuruga-san,Are you feeling alright? Are you sick? Is the food not up to your taste?" Kyoko asked worriedly.
The older man looked very tired as if he hadn't slept for many days.
Kyoko made vegetable soup and rice along with some grilled chicken since Ren didn't like to eat much at night.
"Ah! I am fine Mogami-san, food is delicious. I am just tired because I had a very packed work schedule since last two weeks" Ren replied without looking at her.
Kyoko was not convinced but nodded. She ate her meal silently but her gaze never left Ren.
She cast a glance at him every now and then worriedly.
He was sitting down at the other side of table in a respectable manner with his legs folded as he took small amount of rice and ate. He was very quiet.
After they were done eating, Kyoko carried the dishes to the kitchen to wash them. Ren didn't offer his help, like he always did to wash the dishes with her. He just remained sitting there.
After a while, she returned and saw that Ren was still sitting there, in the same position, lost in thoughts, both hands on his forehead, with eyes closed.
Kyoko panicked and rushed to his side to check on him.
She placed a hand on his shoulder gently.
"Tsuruga-san are you OK?" Kyoko asked worriedly.
Ren snapped out of his thoughts and gulped.
Kyoko noticed how his body tensed at her touch.
"Are you sick?" She asked again.
"I am fine Mogami-san, Please don't worry about me" He replied.
"You don't look fine to me Tsuruga-san" Kyoko said.
"No really, I am fine" He looked up at her and then immediately looked away.
"Tsuruga-san, Please tell me what's wrong, Do you have a fever?" she asked
She moved her hand to feel his forehead for any temperature but Ren's action shocked her.
Ren smacked her hand away and backed away from her closeness.
Kyoko was startled. She felt hurt at his action but knowing his condition and the situation, she brushed the thought off of her mind.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you" Kyoko whispered.
Ren shook his head and said that it was fine, then he stood up and turned his back on her, but still didn't walk away to his room.
Kyoko felt hurt, being ignored by him like that.
"Tsuruga-san, did I do something?" Kyoko asked slowly.
"Are you angry with me about something? I've noticed that you've been avoiding me lately. Did I do something to make you upset?" She said and looked down feeling embarrassed and sad.
She was met with silence but she noticed that Ren was trembling.
She panicked.
"Tsuruga-san, Please tell me what's wrong. I am worried about you." Kyoko now pleaded.
"Please look at me Tsuruga-san" Kyoko begged softly.
Ren turned to her and for a moment looked into her eyes. They were filled with worry for him.
"It's nothing Mogami-san, I told you that I'm tired that's why I am not much into talk" He lied again, trying desperately to convince her, without hurting her more than he already had.
Kyoko was now feeling annoyed at his behavior.
"You don't have to pretend every time like you are fine Tsuruga-san, I know that I am just your lowly Kohai but I think you can trust me enough to share your problem even if just a little bit" She pleaded.
"That's not it Mogami-san, I ... I ... Just...!" He hesitated to say anything.
"If you can't tell me then please talk to someone else, whom you can trust, may be President or Yashiro-san? Everyone one is worried about you. You really need someone to talk to-" Kyoko said.
"Mogami-san I am fine!" Ren said darkly, but he was feeling guilty inside for making her worried about him that much.
"No, you are not. You know, you aren't a very good liar Tusurga-san" Kyoko accused him.
Ren was slowly losing his composure but he took a deep breath to hold himself back from shouting at her.
He didn't want to hurt her, not the one he loved so dearly.
"Mogami-san, you can't do anything about it" he sighed and scratched the back of his head.
"I want to do whatever I can. I want to help you if you let me Tsuruga-san" She pleaded again.
"Please Tsuruga-san"
"Mogami-san!" Ren said in a warning tone.
"Please,Tsuruga-san, You need to release you tension. It'll drastically affect your health, I can't see you like this. I know you are suffering. You can't lie to me. I can see right through your mask. I know you are hiding something, please tell me. I-I-I- consider you my friend, so please, I want to do everything in my power to help-" but she was cut off by Ren's deadly shout
"I said I am fine! Didn't I?"
"Tsuruga-san-!" Kyoko looked at him with wide eyes.
"I told you that I am fine so please don't, just drop it already. Leave me alone. Don't say as if you know everything about me. You don't know anything!" Ren yelled at her.
Kyoko was surprised. Ren never yelled at her like that before. Not even, when Sho was involved in any case.
She knew Ren could lose his temper easily, but he never spoke to her like that before.
Ren leaned against the wall of his living room and closed his eyes.
He ran his hands through his hair roughly.
Kyoko looked down at her feet feeling hurt, embarrassed and ashamed simultaneously.
She blamed herself for his outburst. She pushed him too much when he didn't want to talk about it.
She forced him to the point of losing his temper.
It was her fault.
She needed to apologize and leave.
"I-I a-m s-sorry" She stammered with shaking voice, surprising Ren.
"I guess I crossed my limits. I shouldn't have forced you when you didn't want to talk about it, I am sorry" She apologized while her eyes got teary.
Ren cursed himself under his breath. He felt like kicking himself for his outburst. She did nothing to deserve his anger. She was just being considerate about him. She was trying to be a friend. He felt guilty.
He looked up at her but she was looking down at the floor. He felt more guiltier.
Ren tried to say something, still reluctant, but then Kyoko walked towards the couch.
Ren walked towards her slowly.
She picked up her purse and started walking away, ready to leave.
She bowed down very low before him and apologized again. She walked away to the exit door of his apartment.
Ren was caught off guard. He called her from behind.
"Wait, Mogami-san! I am sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I am sorry." Ren repeated his apology with guilt in his eyes.
Ren practically ran to block her escape and caught her arm in mid way.
Kyoko stopped but didn't look at him.
"I am sorry Mogami-san, I don't know what happened to me. I really didn't mean what I said" Ren said softly.
"It's alright Tsuruga-san, You have nothing to apologize for. I am the one who forced you out of my limit. You have every right, not to share anything you don't want to" Kyoko answered.
"It's not like that Mogami-san" Ren assured her.
"I have to go. I won't disturb you ever again. I'm sorry. Please forgive me" She said as she tried to get her arm out of his grip, but his grip on her only tightened.
"Please Mogami-san, don't go. It's late. You can stay here in the guest room for tonight. I am sorry I won't be able to drop you tonight because I am not feeling well so I won't be able to drive but I can't let you go home alone either because it's about midnight that's why I insist you to stay" Ren said softly.
"I'll be fine Tsuruga-san, don't worry. I can go home by myself. I can either walk home or catch a cab. Don't worry, you don't have to drop me" Kyoko replied.
Ren sighed heavily. He felt ashamed of himself for behaving like that.
"Mogami-san, Please try to understand, I insist you to stay" Ren said more gently this time.
Kyoko kept quiet. She bit her lower lip because she didn't know what to say or do right now.
Ren sighed again.
"I-I am sorry Mogami-san, you were right when you said something was off about me. I am not feeling well for quite a while" He sighed again.
"Please stay, I insist please" He begged.
"It's not safe for you to be out at this time of night and besides its already so late and Taisho and Okami-san would probably be asleep" Ren said again.
Kyoko thought for a moment then nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to disturb the Daruma-ya couple, they must be so tired after working non-stop all day.
She thought it was best if she stayed here for the night. She wasn't sure if it was the good idea to stay, when Ren was in such a rough mood but she didn't have any other choice as Kanae was out of town for shooting. So she agreed, hoping that she won't regret her decision later.
Ren let go of her arm and led her to the couch of his living room.
They both sat there for a while, in a pin drop silence until Ren spoke.
"I am sorry for behaving like that. That was so rude of me. I was just in a bad mood and a bit frustrated. Sorry for letting it out on you!" He apologized again.
"It's OK, I understand" Kyoko said with a smile.
Ren returned the smile.
"You were right when you said, you can see right through me. You really can!" He smiled nervously at her.
Kyoko looked at him with concern in her eyes.
"What happened to you Tsuruga-san? I promise I won't tell a soul. I'll keep it to myself" Kyoko asked with concern.
Ren smiled at her and nodded.
"I know Mogami-san, I know that I can trust you." He said softly.
Kyoko smiled back.
To Kyoko, Ren looked sad, lost and scared. She didn't ask any further questions. She patiently waited for him until he was ready to speak.
After few moments of silence Ren spoke softly.
"Mogami-san, Can we please talk about it later, in the morning? I am very tired so I need some sleep"
"Oh sure, Sorry for keeping you up so late" Kyoko replied hesitantly. She felt bad for him.
"Good Night Tsuruga-san!" She greeted with a slight bow, before going to the guest room.
"Good Night, Mogami-san!" Ren returned her greeting as he went up to his room for another sleepless night.
He knew that if he fell asleep, he would be haunted by the same nightmare again.
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