When Kyoko woke, she was disoriented. Everything was so unfamiliar.
I remember the party... Tsuruga Ren and Yukihito Yashiro had thrown her a surprise party for her eighteenth birthday. I remember Moko–chan and the presents... but I don't remember going home.
Then she realized in embarrassment that she had fallen asleep in Tsuruga–san's house, and that she was in his guest bed. I guess I was more tired than I thought. She threw off the covers and yelped when her feet hit the cold floor. Shivering slightly, she pulled on a pair of socks, presumably Tsuruga Ren's, which had been left on the bedside table.
Once she felt warm enough, she locked the door and pulled her spare clothes from her bag. A t–shirt and some shorts went in place of her rumpled party dress, and she put on her own shoes.
Kyoko opened the door and peeked down the hallway; Ren, it seemed, was up and cooking.
She walked towards the kitchen, preparing to grovel. "Good morning, Tsuruga–san," she said apologetically.
He looked up from his preparation with a smile. "Good morning, Mogami–san. Did you sleep well?"
She nodded. Then she swept into a deep bow, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Tsuruga–san, I've imposed on you, especially after you threw me a surprise party and everything!" She was shaking slightly.
He stopped cooking and tilted her head up. "Mogami–san, it's fine. You were tired after the party, and everyone else had gone home." He smiled at her, the natural smile that let her know it was okay. "Do you want some lunch?"
Mogami Kyoko straightened up and wiped her tears. "Yes, please."
She watched him attempting to cook for a minute, and then started to giggle at his poor food preparation skills. Then she walked up and slid her hands over his, gently taking the pot handles from him.
Ren's eyes widened as she took control of the food, his face betraying shock as she started to cook real food. "Like this, Tsuruga–san. Do you see?" He nodded, smiling slightly, and went to set the table.
She had finished the food in a few minutes, and he helped her to serve it. It wasn't long before they were sitting down together, with cooked vegetables, steamed rice and grilled meat.
The meal was quiet, both of them hungry.
When it was over, and Kyoko had insisted on helping to clean up, Ren asked her about her plans for the day. "Nothing, really," she said, drying a bowl, "I might get some shopping done later and get a New Year's gift for Okami–san and Taishou, the couple who run the darumaya. Why do you ask?"
Ren put away some of the dishes that were dried. "I was wondering if you would help me with a script of mine. I've been having a hard time getting into this character; I don't know how to be the 'Kazou' it describes."
Kyoko's eyebrows went up. "But you never have trouble with that," she argued, her face a picture of shining admiration.
He sweat-dropped as they finished up. "Mogami–san, just because I'm your senior doesn't mean that I'm perfect. There are roles that I have problems with."
She caught his eye and nodded, determined; if Tsuruga–san asked it of her, she would help him.
Kyoko sat on the couch, reading through the script as Ren practiced his lines in his head. Finally, she nodded and placed the script on the table.
"So basically," she said as he sat next to her, "the script is about an engaged man with an arranged marriage, who falls in love with his childhood friend, right?" He nodded unconsciously, focusing on not putting his arm around her.
Kyoko sat up straighter and pulled a necklace out of her purse. Tsuruga knew it well; he had given her the jewel it held without her knowledge. The 'Queen of Rosa' necklace, which held Mogami–san to fit into any role.
She closed her eyes just before putting on the necklace. "Should we start in Act 3?"
Ren nodded again, more focused on her face than her words. "Yes."
She flipped the catch; her eyes flew open.
"Kazou–kun, when did you say Hitomi–san would be back?" At the sound of Michiko's voice, he immediately went into his role.
He was no longer Tsuruga Ren; he was Kojima Kazou, who was engaged by arrangement.
"I didn't. Hitomi will be back from America in two days, Michiko–chan. Do you need something from her?" His voice was slightly curious, and his body language nearly possessive of Michiko. He put an arm over the edge of the couch. "We could always call."
She was slightly confused; there was nothing wrong with his acting now. He was the perfect Kazou.
Kyoko/Michiko shook her head. "I was just wondering." Her eyes fixed on Ren and he blinked for a moment, trying to get back into character. "Why don't you tell her you love her?"
It took him a minute, but he became the character again. It surprised him that he had lapsed, especially with Mogami–san's top notch acting. He shook the doubt from his mind and immersed himself in the script–world.
Kazou raised an eyebrow and looked at Michiko. "Who says I don't?"
Those unflinching eyes seemed sad in Ren's vision. "I do. And she talks about you like she hates you." She glanced away.
Such a strong character! Kyoko thought, feeling tears gather in her eyes. It's just like that first time, with Mio! She was aware of her chest tightening under the stress of Michiko's pain. She crossed her arms over her torso.
"Michiko!" He pulled her chin up with soft fingers. "What do you want from me?" His free hand touched her arm and she shook a little under his fingertips.
At that soft brushing, she pulled back a little, then looked into his eyes.
"Kazou, you don't love each other." She was crying freely now, and Ren could feel the tears slipping over his palm. "Why don't you love each other?" She began to tremble.
This is it, Kyoko thought. The kiss scene.
In the past year with LME, she had been in plenty of kiss scenes, but this seemed different. It's probably just Tsuruga–san; I've never acted with someone of his caliber.
Ren's hand cupped her jaw as they drew closer together. Kyoko reached up and ran her fingers through his silky brown hair.
Are we really gonna kiss?
Tsuruga hesitated for a moment, his heart rate jumping. Their faces were barely an inch apart, and her hair was brushing his cheeks.
Knowing Mogami–san, she'll be so far into character that it won't register as me. This is why I normally don't want to stay alone with her.
Ren tilted his head slightly, brushing his thumb over her cheek.
They were both hyperaware of the other's presence, and neither wanted to admit that it might be something more than acting.
Then Kyoko's lips brushed over his own, and their mouths pressed together firmly.
It was like magic, that moment when they were breathing in each other's breath, their heartbeats keeping perfect time.
Kyoko pulled back first, gulping air, Tsuruga's eyes on her. She bit her lip nervously.
"Could you show me that again? I don't think I got it–" He kissed her again and she wrapped her arms around him, pulling herself into his tight embrace.