Valentine's Morning
Kyoko took a deep breath before ringing doorbell announcing her arrival. She had once again agreed to come over and cook dinner for Tsuruga-san. For Ren. Waiting with grocery bags on her hands Kyoko thought back that same day.
They had run to each other this morning at LME when she was on her way to see President. It had been several days since they had seen each other. 'That must be it. That must have been the reason for her to suggest this herself.' Kyoko had no idea that she was playing straight to Yashiro's (and President's) hand. Yashiro informed that this was rare evening off-work and he only had work after noon the following day. Then she said it. That she would like to cook for him. As soon as she realized what she had said, she hurried and used the same old mantra. A blush started to color her cheeks she tried to reason "I-it must have been long from the last time R-Tsurug-san ate healthy home-made food!". Looking up to Tsuruga-san, she thought she saw something in his eyes, but it was gone as quickly, so she wasn't sure what to thi-
"gami-san? ...Kyoko?" Ren could see when Kyoko came back to Earth and her eyes focused on him. 'And she's gonna flip out in three, two..'. "I'm so sorry Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko cried and tried to perform her dogeza apologizing. Ren was prepared and had grabbed her shoulder before she could lower herself outside his apartment. "Mogami-san, there is no reason for you to apologize. But is everything okay? I tried to call you but you were deep in your thoughts." 'Damn, I said her name. But maybe she didn't hear that. Her face didn't have her usual expression like when she is dreaming again something. So there is something that's bothering her.' Ren made a mental note to ask that later. "I'm so sorry sempai for my rude behavior! I came all the way here for selfish reasons and I'm bothering you when you finally have time to rest and-". This time she was quicker than Ren and now she was doing dogeza on the floor. 'She said she had selfish reasons, right? What is that supposed to mean?' Ren thought while kneeling down and helped her from the floor. "Mogami-san first let us go inside. You came all the way here to cook for me and even did all the shopping beforehand. You aren't disturbing me at all. You are always welcome here, I hope you know it" he tried to assure her. He took the groceries from girls hands and carried bags to the kitchen. Turning his back to her, he didn't notice small blush on her face.
Kyoko soon followed after him, took her shoes off and put on guest slippers she had used many times before. 'That's right. I've been here many times before. This doesn't differ from other times,' she thought. Except for this time she had feelings for him. And she was aware of those feelings that were getting bigger every moment being with him. Kyoko gave a sigh and walked to Ren's kitchen.
This while Ren had started to unpack the grocery bags and tried to put everything where they might belong. Kyoko walked to the kitchen and giggled to what he guessed was his expression right now. Kyoko took the other bag from his hand and started preparing dinner. Clearing his voice little embarrassed he asked "So how was your week Mogami-san? It has been little time that we last met". "Oh, yeah I think you haven't heard it yet" Kyoko stopped for a second her work and continued on smaller voice. Ren noticed the changed atmosphere. "You know I was going to meet President today when we met earlier" "Yeah, I was assuming that." "Well, last week he asked me to visit him when I had time on my schedule. I was a little surprised about that. If he had something to tell me he usually calls me. Or if it's about work he lets me know about it by Sawara-san.." Kyoko continued cooking and Ren wasn't getting his answer. He asked carefully. "Kyoko, what did President say this time?" "Well... He gave me a LoveMe job." "Okay, that isn't the first time. What kind of job it is?" Ren was getting more uneasy more she told. 'Wasn't one of her LoveMe job to accompany me and play Setsu? He wouldn't dare to do something like that again. Or would he? You never know what that old man is planning.' Kyoko sighed and told Ren what had happened that day while making his dinner.
Kyoko was having a great day. Moko had agreed to have lunch with her today. Kyoko still had some time before her friend would arrive at LME, from where they would go together to some new coffeehouse close by. Waiting Moko in their LoveMe locker room she was reading a magazine and her phone started ringing. Kyoko answered. "Mogami-kun! I have new LoveMe job for you. Can you come up here now?" "Yes sir, I will come" With that, she made her way to elevators and to Presidents office. "Good day Mogami-kun. Have a seat." "Good day President" President was sitting on his large comfy sofa and Kyoko took the seat across from it. "You know, I got quite surprising news from your director today" "From my director? You mean Director Anna? From Box-R" "From Anna, yes. He kindly told me about the cast gathering after the filming was done last week. Apparently, some of the cast decided to go to karaoke. But he wasn't available to go, unfortunately." "Yes sir, but what that has to do with anything?" Kyoko asked puzzled. "Since he wasn't present there himself, he wasn't aware of this either until the next day. Someone from the karaoke had sent this video for him the following day." President handed Kyoko an iPad and she was shown a clip of a video. In that video, she saw herself singing. "I wasn't aware that someone filmed this," she said little embarrassed. "Sir, is there something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" Kyoko was now worried she had messed something. The Presiden himself had asked her to come up and see this video. "Something wrong? No, you certainly didn't do anything wrong" President laughed. "I didn't know you sing" "I don't, on the public at least," Kyoko said. Sure, she enjoyed music as everybody else did but thanks to the certain person she might have learned something about music and singing. "But still, I don't understand what this got to do with a Love Me." "As I said, I was surprised when I received this and found out you have such a lovely voice" Kyoko blushed and President continued smiling "I went and showed this video to our head of Music Department and he from one look he was already planning your debut there." "What?! But I am an actress. I'm not a singer. I-I love acting.." Kyoko said shocked. There was no way President was transferring her there. She was enjoying her life as an actress. "I know Mogami-kun, and that is what I told him also." He assured her. "You belong to Talent Section and I am not changing that. But with the Music Department, we planned your new Love Me job". President's smile grew which made Kyoko's face pale. "You are to perform a song in LME's annual Valentines Day Party. I am looking forward to hearing your singing on the live audience."
Ren was stunned. Why he didn't know about Kyoko's singing ability? If President himself said Kyoko was that good it must be true. On the other hand, he wasn't that surprised at all. She mastered everything, whenever she just made her mind about it. Got her 100%. It was admirable and also sad how her childhood still haunted her. Even if in this case she probably was unaware of it. In his thoughts, Ren didn't notice Kyoko finishing her cooking. "Tsuruga-san, please help yourself. I hope this is to your liking" "Oh thank you Mogami-san" Ren seated himself to table and Kyoko took her seat across from him. "Itadakimasu," they said and enjoyed eating in silence. Ren broke it after finishing his plate of delicious food. "About that party.. Have you decided what you are going to perform?" he asked curiously. Kyoko stopped eating and looked sadly at Ren. "That's where I am having problems now. I was allowed to choose whatever I liked was best, and today the President wanted to know my chosen piece. That was why I went there today. But... I still havn't decided." She moved her food on her plate and continued. "Because I have not decided, President gave me some suggestions and I can choose from those. But I don't know what would be good for that party. So, I was wondering if I can ask for your opinion?" she asked. "I would love to help you to choose". He rose from the table and took plates to the kitchen so they could start choosing right away.
Kyoko had given Ren her song pieces to choose from and had asked to quickly use his bathroom. She had locked herself there and was safe from Ren's deadly bright smile. Earlier when Ren had agreed to help her she was sure she was melting under that smile. Kyoko put her hand to her chest and sank to the floor. She felt so many emotions. She was happy that she got to spend time with Ren again. Glad to see him healthy and seeing him eating her food. She was really nervous about this new job. Nervous to be here at his apartment alone with him. But now what was emerging to the surface more and more often was the pain. How long it would be until Ren would date someone? Until he would confess to that high school girl of his? She wouldn't have these nights with him again. She would always be his kouhai to him. She would be his friend if he needed. Kyoko stood up and looked herself on a mirror. She needed to wipe sad that expression away. She slapped her cheeks and headed back to the living room.
Ren had gone through all suggestions Kyoko had gotten from President by the time she came back. He made room for her to sit next to him on the couch and she slowly made her way there. Just making sure, he turned to Kyoko. "You know these are all love songs?" He was waiting for her face to darken for the forbidden word but she had a small smile on her face when she replied "You know President, right? It's always about love and I'm performing on Valentines Day for god's sake." She took one paper from his hand and scrolled her eyes over it. "From what President said, that he thinks I can sing well enough to perform in front of whole LME, and probably some media knowing him, that doesn't scare me. But what does is my lack of ability to sing ABOUT love. I don't have that much experience of it. Let alone good ones I could use as a reference." 'Especially when I wasn't supposed to fall again' she added in her mind.
Ren was in shock. She didn't sound angry or upset when she was talking about love like usually. Wasn't she that broken than he had thought? He looked at her when she was reading. She looked somewhat calm. Maybe little sad but like she just said she didn't have experience of real happy love. Could she be slowly healing without him noticing? Did President know about this? Is it why he had put her in this task. Or was it only her ability to sing? Was it too bad to feel hopeful? He heard her humming one of the songs with a small smile on her lips. She looked so beautiful right now. He wanted to pull her into his arms and just hold her. To show her how much she has been missing on.
The warmth in his chest kept rising. He couldn't imagine ever living without her. This night was a good example. He had been working long days for a long time and didn't have time to see her barely at all. Just seeing her this morning lifted his spirit. And then she had suggested coming over! It was the first time for her to do it without being tricked by Yashiro. And now he got to spend this evening with his loved one.
When Kyoko stopped humming her song, Ren said "I don't know that much about singing. But performing to live audience doesn't differ that much from acting. And that is what I know you can do. You are choosing your piece and at the party, you are going to shine like always you do when you are on the stage." Kyoko blushed hard from his praise. They continued talking about the songs and which would be the best choice for her.
Kyoko woke up feeling warm. Her bed felt softer than what she was used to. When she opened her eyes she thought she was still dreaming. She wasn't in her room back in Darumaya. It took her moment to take all in. She was laying on the couch in Ren's living room. Kyoko turned her head and was face to face with Ren. She was leaning on him this whole time.
Trying not to panic and causing him to wake up she laid there completely still. She watched Ren's sleeping face. Sun could be seen from between curtains and it made him shine a little bit. At least in her eyes. He looked so beautiful. She carefully moved his hair from his face. And that woke Ren up. Kyoko quickly closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. She didn't know how she was supposed to behave! She could feel his breath on her skin. He was carefully moving not to wake her. She felt his hand touching her hand and slowly moving to her face. "Good morning my love" he whispered so quietly she barely heard what he said. He carefully got up and Kyoko needed to really concentrate to listen to his quiet voice "I wish I could wake up every morning like this with you". Only when she heard bathroom door to get closed Kyoko released her breath she was holding.
Ren was right guessing the rest of the morning would be spent in awkward silence. Waking up next to Kyoko was like dream come true to him and he had to pinch himself a couple of times so he would believe that it wasn't. Ren knew Kyoko was acting all shy because they had fallen asleep together on his couch but he was happy that he was first to wake up. If he hadn't Kyoko might have fled the building before he even realized. Now he was driving her back to LME. Stealing glances of her time to time and he saw her looking her notes from last night they made together. And if she could she would soon burn a hole in those papers just by staring at them so firmly. "Have you yet decided which one you are going to perform?" Ren asked her. She turned her eyes to him and gave a small smile. "Yes. I decided. I am going to see President today and tell him." That was all she said.
Soon after Kyoko was standing in President office. She handed him her choice and waited for his reply. Lory read the lyrics and was amazed. "Are you sure you are going to do this? This is-" "I am certain. I need to do this". Lory saw resolution in Kyoko's eyes. 'Something has happened after I gave her this task. What did that boy do this time? I need to remember to ask if Yashiro knows anything..' "Well Mogami-kun, if you have made up your mind about this, I am glad." President smiled at her. "Here is your schedule. You are going to be busy practicing and working. I hope you are ready" he challenged her. Kyoko smiled back to him. If he needed to describe, he'd say she had matured over one night. "You are going to start right now. Everything will be ready for the party. Break a leg".
Kyoko had not seen Ren for almost two weeks now since she went to cook for him. She had been practicing hard with LMEs Music Department alongside her other jobs. It meant long days and everybody around her could see she was getting more and more tired but it was worth it. And tonight was the night. Tonight she would first time for her to sing in front of a live audience. In front of all of her friends and coworkers. In front of Ren. So it would be underestimated to say she was nervous. The party was held in the President's villa. It was grand enough to fit all of the guests and working staff. To Kyoko's surprise, there weren't that much media present that night. That made her feel a little bit more comfortable.
Kyoko was chatting and laughing with her friends when she noticed the commotion close to the door of the grand hall. She then saw that the commotion was, of course, the caused by Ren arriving at the party. He was wearing a custom suit that fitted to him like a glove. It was currant shade of red jacket with matching bottom, with a black shirt underneath along with a dark grey tie. His hair was neatly styled back. Kyoko's breath caught to her throat just by sawing a glimpse of him. Her friend Kotonami Kanae noticed her reaction and snickered, "It was about time, you know. Though I am surprised YOU are going to do this." Turning her attention back to her friend Kyoko replied blushing "I am here only because President pushed me here." "Yeah right. But however this night is going to end Kyoko, I want you to know I am proud of you," Kanae said gently to her. Kyoko's eyes got teary and she jumped to Moko, hugging her so tight her friend was already regretting what she had just said.
The party was lovely, even Kyoko had to admit it. Although she still wasn't accustomed thought about romantic love she still admitted that the President had once again made a good job planning all this. The grand hall was decorated with soft glowing lights, beautiful flowers on the walls and tables and sweet background music, but not too loud. You could still be able to talk with your partner. Kyoko was now surrounded by her friends from Bridge Rock, the Ishibashi brothers when Ren walked to her. "Good evening Mogami-san. I hope you are having a lovely night." "G-Good evening Tsuruga-san. I am enjoying this party a lot, thank you for asking," Kyoko answered not quite looking at him. 'She is still nervous around me it seems', Ren sight in his mind. He saw one of her friends looking Kyoko the way that made Ren feel restless. "You look beautiful tonight," he said to her. Kyoko's eyes wide and face screaming red, she didn't have her reply before the President's personal assistant, better known as Sebastian, came behind her and whispered something to her ear. Kyoko's blush quickly subdued tho there could still be seen some of the blush Ren's words had caused, and she turned to her friends. "I am sorry, but the President has asked me to accompany him. Have a good evening" she said. Then she turned to Ren and said quick goodbyes to him also and went away with Sebastian.
Watching her walk away Ren could only look at her retreating back. He had told her she looked beautiful tonight, but for real, she looked beyond beautiful, utterly breathtaking. She was wearing a rose shade mermaid dress which was hugging her figure from just right places. The top of the dress was boat neck top and on the left side of her hem was deep split where you could see her long leg when she was walking. Her hair had on half updo with some braiding on it and couple cute loose curls rounded her face. She was the princess of the night. And he wasn't the only one to notice that. He could see many of the men looking at her passing by and that only made him feel more jealous than he already was. He watched how she made her way to the President's side and how the President said something to her and she nodded. They then continued to move closer to the back of the room where Lory had made some room to be staged area. 'It seems now is Kyoko's turn'.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I hope you have had a wonderful evening full of love and affection on this beautiful night," Lory spoke to his quests. "Tonight I am proud to present our own hidden talent! She is going to sing to you today for the first time! Let me introduce you to our lovely Love Me girl, Kyoko!". Kyoko walked to the stage and smiled at the audience that had gathered closer. The President hugged her and handed her microphone. She thanked and took it and said still smiling beautifully "Hey everybody! The President asked me to sing a song to you all in honor of this Valentine's Day party. I hope you enjoy this".
Kyoko closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she turned her face to the band behind her and nodded. Light of the hall dimmed and piano started playing softly.
When I get my eyes opened and see you there so close to me
You're so warm leaning to my side
I stay there
You bring your hand to my hand so slowly
You say "darling, let's just be here"
Ren felt his world slowing down. She sounded like an angel. She had never looked so beautiful like she did now standing on the stage her eyes closed. He could only see her and hear her voice.
Searching for my lips you mess up my hair and melt to the kiss
I can only feel the silent joy in my veins
I'm just waiting
You take me silently, as if you were afraid of something
And I conform and just want to be there
Her voice now got stronger and guitar and drums were now joining making the perfect melody. But Ren didn't notice that. He was watching her. She opened her eyes and he saw her emotions clear right there. She knew what she was singing, she wasn't just acting it out for the sake of the show.
This feeling can only be reached in the morning
This is exactly how I want to start my day
And lighten up with you to the morning slowly
Saxophone now echoed in the grand hall and brightened up the song. Kyoko closed her eyes again and swayed on the slow beat of the interlude.
This feeling can only be reached in the morning
This is exactly how I want to start my day
And lighten up with you to the morning slowly
Kyoko opened her eyes and looked straight to Ren's eyes. And there it was. He then saw it clearly.
When I get my eyes opened and see you there so close to me
You're so warm leaning to my side
I stay there
You bring your hand to my hand so slowly
You say "darling, let's just be here"
You say "darling, let's just be here"
You say "darling, let's just be here"
The song ended and everything was quiet. Nobody dared to break the spell. Then Lory started to applause and everybody joined him. Kyoko smiled brightly and thanked everybody for listening and she moved down from the stage. Ren was still standing still where he was during the song. He was trying to understand what had just happened with the eye contact with Kyoko and was he just reflecting his own feelings there. He didn't notice Kyoko to walking to his way until she was standing right before him. "I heard what you said. That morning," she said blushing and not right looking to his eyes. "If there is even a small chance, I would want to do it again. I want to fall asleep and wake up next to you every morning." Ren was speechless. He hadn't imagined it. "Kyoko-" Ren said and took her to his arms. Kyoko stiffed but slowly she relaxed and put her arms around his torso. "Kyoko, I love you," he said to her ear. "I love you too, Ren" she whispered.
The song used in this story: Evelina - Aamu