Title: Missing Beat
Chapter: One
Wordcount: 4186
Fanfic warnings: possible adultry
Chapter warnings: none
Summary: Future fic. Kyoko/Ren, Kyoko/Sho, love triangle. Kyoko Hiziru is a twenty-three year old actress beginning the best time of her life and career. She seems to have it all...except that her marriage with Kuon Hiziru is falling apart. What will happen when Sho and Kyoko have to stay together in Kyoto to sort out their inheritance from the Fuwas?
Kanae couldn't help but wonder how her best friend could still get her into these crazy situations. The girl must have put a curse on her!
Kanae was sitting with Maria and President Lory in his outrageously decorated office, waiting for Kyoko to get back from the set of her new movie so they could all have lunch together. She would have preferred for it just to be her and Kyoko—though she would have rather been flogged than admit it—but Kyoko had insisted that everyone come to her "Welcome Back Luncheon."
Due to everyone being away on location or busy during lunch, the only people who were attending were the President, Maria, Hiou, Kyoko, and Kanae.
"Onee-chan must have been delayed by traffic," said Maria, looking up from the laptop that she had in her lap. "The news says it's backed up due to a wreck."
The reason that Maria was looking up traffic was that Kyoko was already ten minutes late, a nearly unheard of scenario. Kanae didn't care about her being late so much as she dreaded the fuss she would ensue.
The President laughed. "I doubt that Mogami-kun will allow that to delay—"
They all stopped and looked towards the door when they heard a voice getting louder, yelling "MOOOOOOOOOOKKOOOOO-!" The door burst open, and she came in like a whirlwind of tears.
"MOKO-SAN!" Kyoko cried, hugging the tense actress as she cried with big eyes that hadn't changed at all since she had been sixteen. "I am so sorry for being late! This is terrible! I am not worth of being called your best friend, Moko-san!"
"Mo! Calm down, you're embarrassing yourself!" Kanae replied, putting a hand on Kyoko's forehead in a futile attempt to keep from being strangled.
"But-But you've been away for so long! We only got to talk every other day on the phone!" Kyoko said, pulling back and giving Kanae a watery and pleading stare. "And then I am so selfish as to be ten minutes late! I knew I should have used my demons to move the other cars out of the way—"
Kanae shivered involuntarily at the memory of the last time that had happened.
"—but instead I merely borrowed a nice man's bicycle to get here, and yet I was still late!" Kyoko continued, not noticing Kanae being caught up in a horrible memory. She started to cry again, getting Kanae's silk shirt wet. She wasn't sure to be more upset at her shirt being ruined or her very famous friend to be riding around the streets of Tokyo practically begging to be mobbed by fans.
"Onee-chan, it's okay. If we leave now we can still get to the restaurant on time for our reservation," said Maria, more than used to her psuedo-sister's mood swings.
Kyoko looked up at Maria with tears still in the corners of her eyes, and then broke out into a happy and determined smile. "Hai!" she said, letting go of Kanae. "Off to the President's limo."
Kanae sighed and walked out of the office beside Kyoko, not even bothering to acknowledge the President's barely restrained giggles and Maria's smile at Kyoko's happiness. She had been in the industry for seven years now, and if she could stand Kyoko's craziness for that long then she could put up with anything.
As they walked towards the parking garage, Kyoko cheerfully asked Kanae questions about the movie she had just finished shooting. She had been on location in Hokkaido as the lead in a new dramatic romance, and had been gone for about a month. Maria chirped in that her classmates were excited about the movie coming out soon.
"Of course, how could they not?" exclaimed the President. "What is better than a story about love blossoming in the bosom of a rich and apathetic young man for a young country girl determined to keep her family's land? Ah, how pleased I am that I managed to make you both messengers of love for all of Japan—!"
Past that point, Kanae tuned out the President's usual drawl about love conquering all and blah blah blah. She had graduated from LoveMe four years ago along with Kyoko in a friendship movie that was their major debut, but that didn't mean she believed in the President' crazy rants.
Even Kyoko, who had been married for three years and had gotten a reputation of unintentionally being a co-star killer as bad as her husband, was sharing a skeptical look with Maria. Maria just gave a very American shrug, and pressed the down button for the elevator.
"How is your new role going?" Kanae asked Kyoko as they waited for the elevator.
The next thing she knew, Kyoko was huddled up in a corner in her ultimate depressed mode. If this kept up, she would probably get out her Tsuruga Ren voodoo doll to scold her (she had been very disturbed to find out she still used this, even after her marriage to him).
"But onee-chan, the director hasn't even given you an NG yet! I don't understand why you are so upset!" said Maria, though she was still holding out a voodoo doll to try to comfort her big sister. Maria attended the filmings with Kyoko as a pseudo-internship in learning about the world of show business. For all Maria knew about the business side of things, she didn't know what really happened on set so she had requested to join her big sister during filming.
The elevator doors opened, and before Kyoko could protest Kanae hauled up her best friend by the arm and took her to the elevator.
"Yes, Mogmi-kun, the director has done nothing but talk about how your performance has done nothing but exceed his expectations," said the President, pushing the button for the basement parking garage.
"But I just can't seem to grasp all of Kaori's feelings completely," she said, leaning on Kanae's arm. "I can understand her disorientation at coming home after being locked away in an institution so long, and I understand her feelings for Takumi. But her ability to be able to put her horrible past behind her…I just can't understand how she does it."
Kanae glanced at the President and Maria, noting that they both understood Kyoko's predicament all too well. Kyoko was being hindered by her own hang-ups of the past.
No matter what she accomplished—winning two best actress awards before the age of twenty-five, being named one of the top twenty most beautiful actresses of Japan, marrying Japan's top actor Tsuruga Ren, getting top marks earning a degree in film studies in Europe while filming the most internationally acclaimed movie of the decade—she had yet to get over being abandoned by her mother and Fuwa Sho.
Kanae would have said something embarrassingly comforting if the elevator had not opened up just then, immediately revealing the masked and costumed personal assistant to the president. Everyone jumped in surprise except for Lory.
"Sir, the limo is ready," he said, giving a bow while the golden limo stalled behind him. The President boomed out a loud thank you to his assistant as the three women walked towards the limo. Like children, Maria and Kyoko were hand-in-hand discussing occult topics that Kanae did not want to have explained to her. However, she did feel slightly jealous of Kyoko's "little sister" getting to hold her hand. 'At least Kyoko seems more cheerful,' thought Kanae as she slid into the limo behind the two girls. The drive over was made up of the usual strange topics of discussion that seemed to follow Maria and Kyoko around, and Kanae responded when asked but mostly just watched the two girls.
"We're here," said Sebastian quietly as the car came to a halt in front of a bistro decorated like a country villa surrounded by a vineyard. Kanae was not surprised by Kyoko's choice of setting or the gathering crowd, but was by the young man who came and opened the door for them.
"Hiou-kun!" said Kyoko cheerfully, waving as she indiscreetly pushed Kanae towards the opened door. He caught her as she stumbled out, and she gave him a grateful smile before turning around and giving her friend a molten glare. Kyoko meeped in response as the rest of the occupants exited the limo.
"The demon twins decided to come today as well, huh?" said Hiou quietly to Kanae, referring to Kyoko and Maria as they walked to the entrance of the restaurant, still keeping his hand on her shoulder.
Distracted by Hiou's hand on her shoulder, she gave a goofy response. "A-Ah, yeah. How did your hair get so long so fast?"
As Kyoko talked with the hostess and had them led to the second floor of the restaurant, completely reserved for them so as to give them some peace and privacy, Hiou removed his sunglasses and held up a piece of his ponytail that trailed down his back. "This? It's just hair extensions. I have to head back to the set after lunch, and it would have taken too long to have them removed and put back in again."
"Thank you for coming. I hope this didn't mess up your work schedule."
He looked away, blushing as he always did around her even though he was nineteen now. "If it was an inconvenience, I wouldn't have come," he said, sounding grumpy.
He let her go up the narrow staircase first, and they found the rest of the group already sitting at the table. Kanae was sitting across from Kyoko, and Hiou was sitting on her right. Maria was on the other side of the table across from Hiou, next to Kyoko. The President was at one of the end seats, looking like a king giving a feast in his royal dining hall. Tsuruga-san probably would have been sitting in Maria's seat if he were there, being chided by Kyoko to eat as Maria laughed at them from the other end seat. As he wasn't, it was empty.
"How are you liking doing action films?" Kanae asked Hiou after they ordered their drinks. The one he was filming right now was his second, though he had been given many more offers after his first movie was a box office hit.
"Hmm, they're okay," he said. "I enjoy learning about the stunt work and doing some of them, but the range of acting for action movie parts usually isn't enough to interest me as an actor. I'm thinking about doing a historical film next, playing the little brother of the heroine, if this movie doesn't throw off my schedule." There had been some problems with the actress getting injured in a car accident, and shooting had been forced back.
"Alone in Kyoto?" asked Kyoko, and Hiou nodded."I hope you get to participate, Hiou-kun! I'd love to work with you," said Kyoko. "I'll being playing the jealous cousin of the heroine."
After hearing that, Hiou didn't look so sure about doing the film. He had never come around completely about Kyoko, though he seemed to put up with her because of her friendship with Kanae.
"Ah, I didn't know that you were selected as Kaya," said Kanae. "I got the role of Haruki."
Both Kyoko and Hiou started in shock.
"Moko-san, I am so happy to be working with you again-!"
"Eh, I'll be playing your little brother again-?"
"Sounds like there will be some great chemistry on set, considering the relationship of the cast members!" said the President, interrupting them both. "I look forward to seeing your work."
"Thank you, we will do our best to live up to your expectations!" said Kyoko, bowing and nearly hitting her head on the table.
"I will do my best," said Kanae, determined to go through with it even more now that she knew Kyoko had a major part as her antagonist. Kyoko may be her best friend, but she was also her biggest rival.
Hiou sighed. "It looks like I have no choice. Sumi-san and Davis-san will probably let us pull out all the stops and finish on time without breaks if I explain to her about a new project," he said, referencing his costar and director of the movie he was doing now.
Kanae couldn't help but smile to herself just a bit. She was not only the lead actress in another movie, but she would be acting with two of the best acting talents she had ever met.
Kanae looked up and saw that her best friend was in La-la Land, mumbling "Moko-san" every couple of seconds and occasionally giggling. Kanae knew she had very stereotypical daydreams of best friendship, and she could see those flitting around in Kyoko's large eyes as if they were television screens.
"Hello, are you ready to order?" asked the waitress politely, setting down their drinks. She briefly looked startled to see so many famous people at one table, but it was only momentary before she became professional again.
Kyoko returned to the real world as everyone started to order, much to Kanae's relief.
"Onee-chan," said Maria when the waitress left. "I want to ask you a professional question."
"Of course, Maria-chan! But wouldn't it be better to ask the president? He has more experience then I do," Kyoko said, turning to the President questioningly.
The President frowned, looking like a kicked puppy. "I already gave her my advice, but she insists on not making a decision until she's discussed this with you." He rubbed his finger along the wood table, looking like a sulking child.
Maria ignored him. "You're my sempai, and it's always good to get a second opinion. Besides, Grandfather has no experience with modeling."
"Modeling?" asked Kyoko.
"Yes. Jeanne de Arc is starting a new young adult line next year. I really like their brand, so I went to the main store to ask about it. When I went, the owner asked if I would like to model for them!" She blushed. "I've never modeled before, and I'm nervous to accept. Do you think I should take the offer?"
Kyoko smiled down at her adopted sister. "Maria, you really love the clothes they make?"
"Yes! It's my favorite brand."
"Then you'll be perfect for the job," she said. "Just put all the love you have for the designs and clothes into your modeling and listen to the photographer, and you'll be fine. Besides, my onee-san is so beautiful that it's no surprise they'd ask you to model."
Maria blushed and laughed, hugging her sister's arm. "Thank you! I feel so much better."
"Oh no, you don't need to thank me. I feel honored that you would think of asking me a professional question!" Kyoko tried to wave off her sister's thanks, but then her expression changed to a thoughtful one. "Why don't you call Kuon and ask him for advice too? He has a lot more modeling experience than I do. He would love to help you out."
"I don't want to bother Ren-sama! I know that he is busy in America right now," said Maria. "When you call him, could you ask him for me?"
Kanae did not expect Kyoko's smile to suddenly fade before it was quickly put back on again. However, this smile was definitely a forced one and did not have any of the glow of the previous one. She tensed, and was quickly anxious for lunch to be over so she could drag Kyoko away and ask her what was wrong.
Maria seemed to notice too, and looked down at her lap and was about to open her mouth to apologize when Kyoko interrupted. "Don't worry Maria-chan, I'll definitely ask him the next time we talk."
Maria looked like she was about to pursue the topic, worrying about her sister, when Kyoko cheerfully cried out that lunch had arrived as the waiter came up the staircase. Maria looked to Kanae.
Kanae didn't understand Maria and never had. But she knew she loved Kyoko probably as much as she did. She nodded to Maria, letting her know she'd talk to Kyoko about it. Maria looked away from her, thanking the waiter and smiling as she took her plate of food.
Hiou-kun, who was the only person at the table who didn't know Kyoko very well, was the only one who didn't notice the excellent acting going on at the table. Kanae talked about her finished movie, putting in references to things Kyoko liked like oujo-samas and frilly things to make her happy. However, she was just eating to pass the time before she and Kyoko were dropped off at Kyoko and Tsuruga-san's shared apartment for "a best friend's night in." Maria brought up the subject about what everyone would wear to the premier, sending Kyoko into a twirling fantasy of princess dresses that she had every time she went to a movie premier.
Between Maria and Kanae, they kept Kyoko happily in La-la Land throughout lunch.
Kanae also noticed that Hiou-kun was unusually silent. She tried to hold a conversation with him, but he was rather distracted. He seemed rather fidgety and nervous, but Kanae couldn't figure out why. The President seemed to understand, and was grinning from ear to ear as he looked over at her and Hiou-kun, but she doubted she'd get an answer from him.
After lunch was eaten and the tab was paid, Maria dragged Kyoko to the car, saying something about a present, and I sent both of the girls hurrying down the stairs.
"Mo!" said Kanae, "You'll trip in those stiletto heels if you run like that!" She was about to go after them when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Hiou asked, blushing again. Kanae glanced at the President as he made a cheerfully quick exit.
"Sure," she said, worrying about Kyoko but knowing he had to leave soon and she had all night to talk with her friend. Or pull it out of her, whatever it took. "Is something the matter?"
"Ah, no," there was a momentary pause, then he gave her a determined frown that hadn't changed at all since he was twelve. "Do you have a date for the premier?"
"Not yet. I've been avoiding my costar like plague. He's determined that we should go together," she said, glaring at the memory of her idiot costar.
It suddenly occurred to her that she was looking directly in Hiou's face, as he was as tall as she was now. With this realization, it was as if she was seeing him for the first time all over again. He was wearing a loose, black button down shirt with a pair of dark jeans. A few strands of his extensions were out of the loose ponytail and hanging lazily around his face. The round face from his childhood was gone and replaced with a much more mature one, though he still looked only about sixteen or seventeen rather than nineteen.
'I've known this guy for seven years. Why am I suddenly feeling awkward?'
Hiou sighed, and then smirked a little bit down at her. How dare he! She remembered when he looked like an elementary school student. He wasn't allowed to use the few inches he had grown taller than her against her! "You have a tendency to attract idiots, you know that?"
She blushed with indignation. "Mo! I do not! That idiot Kyoko doesn't count, and…!"
He laughed. "I know, I know, I was just teasing. Thank goodness you haven't changed in all these years, even your temper."
"My temper has gotten better," she mumbled, knowing even as she said it that it wasn't true.
He glared a trademark Hiou Usegi glare, though it was belied by the twitch on the side of his face that she might dare call a smile. "Anyway, I wanted to ask if you would like to go to the premier with me."
She blushed, feeling embarrassed that he still felt the need to fend off annoying male celebrities who took an interest in her. She looked up at him to tell him she didn't need protection, and stopped.
His face was dead serious.
She remembered all those times that Kyoko had teased her about Hiou having a crush on her, and had dismissed her as being silly. She also remembered all those times she had suspected that Tsuruga-san had been interested in her best friend, but Kyoko had dismissed her theories just as easily.
'Damn it, I did deserve to be put in LoveMe after all.'
Kanae was not an impulsive person. Never had been and never would be. The closest thing she had ever come to it was buying her best friend gifts while her pride and her desire to see Kyoko happy dueled to the death in her mind.
But the answer came so easily, and she didn't regret it at all. "Sure, I'd like that. Thank you."
Hiou sighed, and seemed to straighten up. Had he been so nervous he had been slouching? She felt a little guilty, but mostly embarrassed.
"I'll see you then. I need to head back to the set. Take care. I'll call you, and we can plan out everything when there's some more free time," he said, heading towards the stairs. She followed him, making noises in agreement but not really all there.
Apparently her girl's night in with Kyoko would be boy talk after all.
They waved to each other as she got into the outrageous limo, already hearing Maria and Kyoko jabbering away happily. The President smiled at her and gestured to the seat next to him. Unable to refuse but slightly nervous around this powerful but rather flamboyant man, she sat down anyway.
"What happened between you and Hiou-kun?" asked Kyoko, grinning from ear to ear.
Kanae sighed. "I'll tell you when we get to your place, okay?" She didn't feel like spilling it right now—it was too soon. She was still kind of dizzy from it all.
"Hai!" she replied cheerfully, stars briefly twinkling in her eyes as she daydreamed of her and her best friend sharing their deepest feelings with each other. However, her attention was distracted when Maria asked her an occult question.
After Maria and Kyoko were thoroughly into their discussion, Lory turned to Kanae. "Congratulations, Kotonami-san," he said, looking happy but not ecstatically crazy as she expected.
"Thank you," she said, unsure of how to reply.
He sighed, and his expression turned serious. He glanced quickly over at Maria and Kyoko to make sure they were distracted. "Also…will you talk to Mogami-kun tonight? I'm concerned about what happened at lunch."
Kanae nodded. "Yes, but I won't break her trust even for you, President."
He suddenly looked rueful. "I know, and I wouldn't want you to. I trust you to take care of her. Kuu will kill me for sure if something has happened between his Kuons, though."
She nodded. She had met Hiziru Kuu, who had adopted her best friend as his "son" (which still made no sense to her) and was also now Kyoko's father-in-law (which made the former relationship even more confusing). The world had found out about Kuon Hiziru's true identity about six months after his marriage to Kyoko, after the release of an internationally acclaimed American movie in which he had been the star.
"What do you want me to do if it's more than I can help her with?"
He turned to look out the window. "Then call me, and then I'll call Kuu and let him know there's something wrong."
"Is it really all right to inform him of his son and daughter-in-law's marriage?"
"It's bigger than that, Kotonami-san," he said. "Kuu and Julie literally think of Kyoko as their daughter, and Ren is their only and rather doted on son. If something is really wrong, then not only will they need to prepare to deal with the emotional rifts in their family but we'll also have to prepare for the media crisis this will be. Kyoko and Ren are known all over the world now."
Kanae did not feel good about this. She knew everything the president said was true—if Japan's most beautiful couple might be in danger of splitting up, the President needed to prepare PR to deal with the impact. It would affect everything—their work, their friends, and most certainly the Hizirus over in America.
However, she also felt a fierce loyalty that demanded that her best friend's pain should remain private until she wished to talk about it.
She didn't get any more time to dwell on it, however, because she heard Maria exclaim that she had a great time that afternoon and couldn't wait to see her onee-san on Monday at the movie set again! Kyoko smiled and told everyone bye as they got out of the limo, the President's mysterious personal assistant handing Kanae her overnight bag, and Kyoko a bright blue gift bag.
It was probably going to be a long night for Kanae.