Part 1: Preparation, 9:00am
Kyoko waited patiently inside the President's office. She had worn her best outfit today – a new blouse, dark jeans with a stylish belt, and her favorite shoes from the Okami-san. She had even styled her hair back in a fashion reminiscent of Natsu. Her look was completed with the delicate chain of Princess Rosa. Considering her company for the day, she hoped it would be enough.
"Kyoko-chan!" a voice called from the adjoined room, "Your turn!"
"Eh?" she turned to face Jelly, "I thought Tsu–"
Jelly waved her off, "Ren-chan is just rinsing off. We can start now."
Rinsing off? Kyoko wondered what she meant by that.
"Kyoko-chan?"
"H-Hai!" she followed the older woman into the private space.
"Here," Jelly thrust a handful of clothes to her, "Wear that, and then I can start on your hair." At Kyoko's confused look, she explained, "What you're wearing is fine, but to match Ren-chan today, we're going with the super-kawaii look!"
"Super kawaii?" Kyoko repeated to herself as she left to change. That was not a phrase she had ever expected someone to say regarding 'matching with Tsuruga Ren.'
She slipped on the simple t-shirt and denim overalls that ended in loose shorts, and exchanged her heels for a pair of comfortable sandals. Though the clothes had been selected by the magical Muse-sama, she still felt too plain. Yet … she touched Princess Rosa at her neck and smiled. With Princess Rosa's magic, it would be enough.
When she returned to the office, she was quickly sat down as Jelly set to work on her hair.
"Muse-sama?" she asked, "Do you know what Tsuruga-san is planning?"
Jelly smiled widely, "Hmm! That kid, always doing unexpected things!"
"Eh?"
"All done!" she announced, holding up a mirror for Kyoko to see.
"But," Kyoko frowned at her reflection. Her hair had been tied back into two short pigtails. Together, with Jelly's chosen outfit, she felt very … normal. "I still look like myself!"
"And super-kawaii, ne?"
"But –"
"That kid was very specific. You should still be yourself, and wear comfortable clothes."
Just then, a door opened to their right, and a figure stepped out of the connected bathroom.
"Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko exclaimed as he walked in, rubbing at his head with a towel.
His face peeked out from beneath the cloth and he grinned at her. "What do you think of my disguise?" he asked as he approached them.
Kyoko's eyes widened as she took in his appearance. He wore a plain shirt with jeans under an oversized zip-up hoodie. It was very … casual, and Kyoko understood why Jelly had chosen different clothes for her.
"Also," he said, setting down the towel, "Surprise."
"Corn!" Kyoko's face lit up as he revealed his golden hair, and she noticed for the first time that his eyes were also a bright green. She shot in his direction.
He laughed as he caught her in his arms. "I'm glad you like it," he whispered in her ear, "But you know Miss Woods is still here?"
Kyoko froze in place, arms still wrapped around his neck. Slowly, she pulled away to face Jelly and – to her horror – the President. Her face turned bright red. She made to bow and apologize, but was stopped as Ren's hand clamped on her shoulder.
"President," he said with a bright smile, "We won't bother you any longer. Thanks, for the use of your office."
Kyoko cringed at his rude behavior. She murmured an apology to the President and Jelly as Ren steered her out the door by her shoulders.
"Wait a moment."
They paused, halfway out the door.
"Something is off about this scene," Lory said suspiciously.
"Ah! That's right!" Jelly exclaimed. "Kyoko-chan, you weren't surprised by Ren-chan's appearance? It's almost as though –" Her eyes widened in realization. "Guam!"
"Guam?" Lory echoed.
"Guam," Jelly nodded, hands fisted at her waist. "Ren-chan said he didn't run into Kyoko-chan, but I'm not convinced anymore. He was late to our appointment!"
"Eh?! Really?" Kyoko looked up at Ren with a stricken look. "Was that – "
"Yes, really?" Lory narrowed his eyes at Ren. "Does she – "
"Boss."
They stared each other down for a long moment. Finally, Lory gave in and sighed, "Fine. We'll talk later. Only in the name of love am I letting this go." He smirked, "And if you tell me where you're going."
"No," he snapped, "We're leaving now." He pulled Kyoko along with him out the door.
"Is it really alright?" Kyoko asked once they were outside the office, "Leaving like that?"
Ren grimaced, "I'll probably get an earful next time I meet with him. But," he nudged her playfully, "He was being nosy."
Kyoko giggled at that, "Where are we going though?"
"You'll see," he said, grabbing her hand.
She snatched her hand back, looking scandalized. "Tsuruga-san!" she hissed, "We're still at LME!"
He glanced around in mock confusion, "Tsuruga? Who's that?"
Kyoko huffed at his behavior. "Fine," she said, "Kuon. We're still at LME!"
"So?" he asked petulantly. "Nobody knows who I am. And without your LoveMe outfit, people won't look twice."
"Won't look twice?!" Kyoko asked incredulously. "Is that a joke?"
He shot her an amused look, "Not everyone knows my physical data down to the millimeter."
"You – you really don't realize?" She shook her head in despair. "Tsuruga Ren is already very tall for a Japanese man. With Corn's hair and eyes, don't you think people will stare?"
Kuon pouted, "Do you dislike my appearance that much?"
"Of course not!" she exclaimed immediately. "You are very – " she stopped herself, blushing lightly.
"Yes?" he smirked at her.
"Never mind!" she announced, tugging on his arm, "We'll use the back stairs." Kyoko marched them out of the building and towards the parking garage.
"Wait a minute," Kuon stopped her outside the garage, and she turned to him in question. "I was thinking of trying something." He leaned down to whisper in her ear.
"EH!?" Kyoko pushed away to face him, "Now I know you must be joking!"
"Why?" he asked, grinning in anticipation, "It'll be fun. Think of it as acting practice."
A/N: Thanks for reading and please review!
I've imagined what kind of 'first date' Kyoko and Kuon would have one day, and nothing ever seemed totally right. So, this is 'A Little Bit of Everything' in my imagination, and to satisfy myself from the lack of progress in the manga ... :(
This is meant to take place some time after they've confessed their feelings, so there are no more secrets between them and they've at least partially explored what it means for them to change from senpai/kouhai and childhood friends to boyfriend/girlfriend. However, with their busy schedules and fame, they wouldn't get the chance to go out in public, so this is their first 'official' date.