Chapter 2


"Gah! It's been two and a half months since her birthday! They're like a pair of snails... No, snails are quicker." Yashiro groused to Lory as he sat before the man.

Lory sighed. "You would have thought that something would have happened by now. Are you sure they drank the right champagne on her birthday?" He questioned.

Yashiro shot him an irritated look. "I gave it to them myself... By the way... What was in it?"

Lory waved him off. "Oh, just a little truth serum type of thing."

Yashiro shook his head. "You would have thought they confessed to each other that night. Especially after that kiss they shared under the mistletoe." Yashiro's eyes went all gooey at the memory.

Lory sat back in his seat and took a long drag off his cigar. "Well, at least they're going on a date this afternoon."

"If that's what it is." Yashiro grumbled. "You know how those two are. It could be grocery shopping for all we know."

Lory chuckled. "I suppose you're right. Well, the more time they spend together, the better. Never know what can happen."


The atmosphere in his car was thick and uncomfortable as he focused on the road and her attentions were firmly planted on the passing scenery.

Should I ask or, would that be too prying? He groaned inwardly. Was she the one? Oh god! I didn't... did I? Shit! She probably hates me right now and the way I dragged her out of the office probably didn't help.

"Tsu-Tsuruga-san? Why are we at your apartment?" She asked in a timid voice.

Crap! I've scared her. "I thought we should talk... privately..." He answered quietly. "I couldn't think of anywhere better." He explained. He placed his hand gently on her shoulder. "Mogami-san... It's alright. I... I... Uh, think we just need to clear some things up." He reassured her.

She nodded stiffly. "Okay." She whispered and gathered her things.

The ride up to his apartment was deathly silent as was the walk down the hall to his door. As soon as he opened his door, her shoes were off, belongings were stored and she was off to his kitchen. She had already had the ingredients for Miso Soup pulled out by the time his shoes were off and keys were properly placed.

He entered the kitchen and sat at the counter, watching her bustle around preparing their small meal. "Moga..." He shook his head. No. "Kyoko... we need to talk." He insisted.

She stiffened at the way he said her name. It was so tender and intimate. She didn't even notice the tears that started to trickle down her cheeks. Yes, he's really going to hate me and what about his girl? Her shoulders slumped and her head hung at the thought. What have I done?

He stood and walked around the counter to the stove where she stood stirring the soup. He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her. She was crying. What have I done? "Kyoko... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He whispered to her as he pulled her into his arms. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Please don't hate me. I couldn't bear it." He murmured into her hair, holding her closely.

She looked up at the grief-stricken man with confusion. "Tsuruga... san...? Why do you think that?" She asked in a small voice.

He pulled away slightly and looked into her golden orbs. "I upset you. I... I..." He couldn't say it. How could he say, I got you pregnant when he wasn't 100% certain yet?

She sighed and turned off the stove. "I'm sorry Tsuruga-san." She needed to tell him right now. Damn the consequences. If he hates me... It's my own fault for not protecting my chastity. For... For falling in love with him. "I... I'm sorry I took advantage of you." Once the dam broke it all came out. "I should have kept myself from falling in love with you, but I just didn't catch it in time and then you kissed me and I remember that much, but then I woke up in your bed all naked and I didn't know what to do so I got dressed and found the butt print (she blushed at the thought) and I cleaned the apartment and I went home. I never thought I could be pregnant and then I started getting tired and sore then I started getting sick and I just didn't want to think about it and you told Bo a long time ago that you had a girl you liked and you didn't want to fall in love but, I did... I am so sorry." She fell into a dogeza before the stunned man when she finished her long rant.

He stood silent for a moment just staring at the small woman that had prostrated herself before him.

She slowly stood and turned to walk out and accept her fate of the unloved and unrequited. He took one large step to the retreating female and quickly wrapped his arms around her after turning her to face him.

He was shaking. "You idiot..." He whispered. "How could you think I could love anyone but you?... I love you Kyoko." He told her in a teary broken tone with a little bit of a laugh thrown in. "I love you so damn much it hurts sometimes." He gently guided her to look at him. "I love you Kyoko. Whatever that chicken guy told you. It was you I was talking about. No one else." He smiled lovingly.

"Tsuruga-san?" She asked with a small voice and a tiny smile crossed her lips.

He pulled her into a chaste kiss that slowly turned to something a bit more passionate as he savored her sweet taste. "Kuon... Call me Kuon, Kyoko."

Her eyes went wide. "Kuon?..." She thought she had heard him say Corn at first and things started to fall into place.

He nodded. "Kuon..."

"Are you... my... Kuon?" She asked remembering his words in Guam. "You said you loved me?"

He nodded with a apprehensive smile. "I love you."

She gasped. "You... You." She stammered and he started to worry. "You never left me!" She jumped into his arms and clung tightly. "You never left! You were here all along! And you love me!"

He chuckled. "And you love me?"

She nodded shyly and sighed in relief. "Oh thank goodness. I was worried I had fallen for two different men and when I found out I was pregnant..."

"I'm sorry Love." He stroked her hair. "I didn't mean to put you through that." He kissed her softly.

"Why have you been hiding?" She asked as she pulled away a bit.

He sighed deeply. "Can I tell you after dinner? You still need to eat something and take your medicine."

"Oh! Yes, of course." She quickly went back to making the soup while he filled a glass and retrieved her pills. I have to tell him I'm Bo.

He handed her the pill for nausea, the vitamin and the glass of cold water. "Here, take this before you finish there."

"Thank you. I almost forgot." She did as she was told.


"Maybe it will help things along if we have them co-star in a couple of romantic dramas together." Lory pondered while picking at his vegetables.

Yashiro looked up at him. "It might work. I'll have to check their schedules to see if either of them have any openings for it." He told him before taking another bite of his steak.

Lory sighed. "Yeah, but if that kiss didn't do it... I'm not sure if their working together again would get them any further in their relationship."

Yashiro took a sip of wine. "Never know until you try and frankly... I am just tired of waiting for those two to make use of the opportunities we've been giving them."

Lory chuckled and shook his head remembering his two stars declaration on being determined to not tell the other of their feelings. "Maybe we should just lock them in a dark room and hope for the best."

Yashiro looked at him as if the sun just came up. "That's genius! Why not?!"

Lory raised an eyebrow. "It might work." He smirked. At this point he was willing to try anything to get Kuon and Kyoko to confess to each other naturally. "Here's what we're going to do." He whispered conspiratorially and a demonic chibi Yashiro made his appearance.


"Thank you for telling me and understanding about Bo." She leaned up from her seat on the sofa next to him as they cuddled and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"I have to admit... I was a little scared you would hate me for it." He told her quietly. "So does this mean that you're okay with what I want to do tomorrow?"

She nodded shyly. "Although everything is a bit out of order... My answer is definitely yes." She whispered.

He smiled brightly. "You call Kotonami-san... I'm sure this is something that you want to share with her."

She looked at him curiously. "Didn't you want to tell Yashiro-san?" She asked when he didn't pull out his phone.

He shook his head. "No... I don't want him and the Boss taking control of everything and making a big production out of it. You know how Takarada-san is about stuff like this." He explained.

She shivered at the thought. "Yeah... I can just see show ponies, elephants and a chorus line already."

He laughed and patted her on the bottom. "Go make your call."