I am squeezing some more creative juice out of my brain as I wrote this chapter 1 down... don't expect I will update again tomorrow. That won't happen, seriously.

Now... how the heck I start writing the damned report ;_; hic hic hic...

Never mind, ignore my woes and enjoy the show.


Chapter 01: Nostalgic Feeling

She was a young girl four years younger than him, and yet she left lasting impression his heart more than any girl ever did. She was a cry baby, who always cried because of her mother. She was also the strongest girl he knew who could stand up again, and smiled as brilliantly as the sun as she got over her grief before you could blink. No matter how hard her life was, she never let it keeping her down.

She always tried her hardest in everything she did, even at something she was bad at or hated.

For all seriousness she had for studying, and wisdom beyond her years, she could be so pure and innocent. She believed in fairy tales and never doubted his carefully spun stories, her honey colored eyes were bright in wonder when he looked at him.

Since then, the image of ideal Japanese girl of his became her.

"Ne! Ne! Corn… today in school I learn Temari song and sensei praised me because I can memorize it perfectly!" She beamed at him with beautiful smile, holding on a ball shaped toy he recognized as temari.

"Temari song?"

"Yes, Sensei said this song is to help us to remember streets in Kyouto!" She chirped.

He smiled at her adorable expression, "Oh, a mnemonic?"

"Mne-?"

"Uhm… never mind Kyouko-chan! Can you sing it for me? I would love to listen to your song." She nodded enthusiastically and feel relieved Kyouko-chan didn't notice his slip. A fairy wouldn't know what a mnemonic was, at least he didn't think so.

She took a deep breath before started to dribble the ball, slowly, following the rhythm of her song.

"Maru take ebisu ni oshi oike…
Ane san Rokkaku tako nishiki
Shi aya buttaka matsu man gojô
Setta charachara uo no tana

Rokujô Hicchô tôrisugi
Hacchô koereba tôjimichi
Kujô ôji de todomesasu"

It was a short song, the melody was far from colorful, simple and yet in Kyouko's voice it sounded like the most beautiful song he ever heard.

Such a nostalgic dream, and when Hizuri Kuon or rather Tsuruga Ren woke up he couldn't help but wondered when was the last time he was dreaming of Kyouko-chan.

Looking at his bedside table, where an R'Mandy calendar and digital clock rested. "She should be fifteen this year." He couldn't help but recalled her birthday was in December. "I wonder… what would you think if you see me now, Kyouko-chan?"

It was unlike him to be so sentimental, and imagining someone like Kyouko-chan to see the man he was reduced into from her fairy prince Corn pained him. Still, he couldn't help but thinking of her, wondering if she still remembered the song she sang for him years ago.


In another side of Tokyo, Touya's Residence

The traditional garden was beautiful, with neatly pruned pine trees by the side of stone pathways, and sound of nature Deer chaser provided in the background that gave the space a sense of serenity and fulfillment. The serenity was broken by laugher of a boy, but for the couple who was watching their two years old son playing with the girl they took two years ago, it was more preferable than nature symphony designed by their garden.

"Again! Again! Nee-chan! Again!"

The girl in deep green kimono that almost blended with the lush green of summer foliage indulged their son's request. Dribbling the ball, following the rhythm of song she learned in her hometown.

"Maru take ebisu ni oshi oike…
Ane san Rokkaku tako nishiki
Shi aya buttaka matsu man gojô
Setta charachara uo no tana

Rokujô Hicchô tôrisugi
Hacchô koereba tôjimichi
Kujô ôji de todomesasu"

Sometimes they felt a little jealous their well behaved son was so fond and spoiled around her, while he behaved like a perfect little angel in their presence.

"Kyouko-chan... " Touya Akiko called out, feeling a little guilty to interrupt her son's playdate. "It's Akira's nap time, can you tuck him in for me?" It was so adorable how quickly her little Akira's pout turned to full blown smile.

"Hai… of course, Akiko-basan. Come on Aki-kun… nap time." She led the toddler back to the traditional house.

"Read me a story, please? Kyou-neechan…"

Mogami Kyouko, fifteen years old smiled at the boy she adopted as her little brother, scooping him to her arms. "Anything for Aki-kun… once upon a time…"

The couple watched the two with fond smile on their face, Akiko, the wide turned to her husband. "It feels just like yesterday we thought we would never get a child we want and Kyouko-chan come to our life."

"And look, now we're proud parents of two children." Touya Kouyo mused fondly. "She is very good with our Akira…"

Akiko nodded hesitantly, her eyes clouded with worry. "Although I would like to believe Kyouko-chan is happy with our family sometimes I can't help but worried…"

"Hm?"

"Worried if I haven't done the same mistake Yayoi did…" She murmured softly, cupping her cheek. "She is easily a master by the time she came to us, and she absorbed everything we taught her like sponge… is this really what she want for herself?"

"Akiko"

"I can never forget the little girl in vivid colored kimono Yayoi proudly presented to me back then, she was smiling, her pose and grace were perfect… she was like the daughter I dreamed of come to live. Yet… there is something in her eyes, clouding those warm orbs… like… she has been through so much hardship in her life…"

Touya Kouyo inhaled softly, "I understand what you mean… after all when I first offered to teach her to play Go, instead of thinking whether or not the game would interest her… Kyouko was looking at me, as if searching what would make me happy, what I want from her."

"So I have made the same mistake?" Akiko wondered fretfully.

Kouyo shook his head, "It's just the way she is, if Kyouko don't want to change.. And start living for herself, there is nothing we can do but hope she will."

"I hope so… Kouyou, she deserve to be happy."

The sound of light and familiar footsteps towards their living room and their conversation ceased in instant. A soft voice requested permission to enter and Akiko quickly granted it. "Enter."

"Excuse me." Kyouko slid the door open, still in seiza position. "Aki-kun is asleep before I can finish my story, it seems I tire him out with playing temari today."

Akiko nodded, smiling at her surrogate daughter. "You did… by the way today you're requested by Takarada-Sachou… ne? He wants you to arrange flowers for his late wife's altar again."

Kyouko blushed demurely, "Ah yes, I am embarrassed he give me such an honor…. Even though my skill in Ikebana is barely adequate."

Akiko huffed, "Kyouko-chan, I believe otherwise because if you're barely adequate Tachibana-sensei our neighbor wouldn't keep trying to steal my favorite apprentice… to be honest I'm more than a little peeved she guilt-tripped you to learn Ikebana from her."

"My apologize, it's not my intention to overste-"

'Kyouko-chan…" Akiko sighed, "I am just joking… even though I am your teacher and guardian, I believe it's your choice to learn anything you want to improve yourself…"

"Hai, I am really sorry to assume that-"

Here we go again, Akiko and her husband sighed in unison.


LME Office

He had seen her walking or rather gliding through the hallway of LME office, carrying a large bucket of flower that almost hide half of her upper body. However in spite of her baggage, her stride was as as smooth as flowing river. He knew she was not a celebrity,but she still drew his eyes with her poise and natural grace. However unlike celebrity that attracted attention like a bright star, she was more like graceful and humble daffodil blooming in midst of snowfield.

He didn't know what possessed him to stop his stride when their eyes met and his manager was already three steps away before realizing he was staring at her honey like eyes. She stopped too, almost losing hold of iris flowers she was carrying. Then she just smiled at him, almost sheepish as if she didn't know what else to do when she caught the eye of Tsuruga Ren.

She bowed beautifully, just like how one expect of a epitome of yamato nadeshiko she appeared to be. Sakura colored kimono with red obi wrapped her slim frame, long ebony hair that reached past her shoulder and side locks that cut neatly to frame her face.

In his daze, Ren couldn't help but thought the image of a little girl bowing cutely like a princess from fairy tale was more fitting for her in his mind.

But before he could return her bow she had walked past him, and not even once looking back at him. "Kyouko-ch" His lips breathed out before he could stop himself.

She stopped at her track and turned around to face him, her eyes wide in confusion. How do you- Her lips formed silently at him. Then much to his shock her eyes hardened with something he couldn't name and she turned her back at him in slow motion, business smile firmly in place before continuing her march to opposite direction.

He stared at her retreating back in disbelief, wondering what just transpired in the last three seconds.

"So… your type is Yamato Nadeshiko." Masculine voice beside him commented, "No wonder I didn't see you getting interested in girls before, that type is rare nowadays while there is plenty of stereotypical feminine girl in showbiz…" His manager of two years commented, his lips quivered as if he was trying very hard to not grin like a fool. "Rather than blushing like a schoolgirl when you're looking at her, she was bowing at you in greeting and brushed off the awkwardness like a pro… then went on on her way without looking back."

Tsuruga Ren chuckled softly, his own gentleman smile firmly in place. "It's not like that Yashiro-san… I don't really have a type."

Following closely by his side, Yashiro narrowed his eyes. "Oh really? Then why you're making an eye contact with a stranger at all? You didn't make it a habit, especially not if they're a girl because their imagination can run wild if you as much as looking at their direction."

"I am not that good Yashiro-shan, as you saw just now I have been splendidly rejected." The wide eyed look that reminded Ren of his fangirls on Yashiro had shattered the image of cool and professional man he had for his manager. "Before you misunderstood, let me explain… indeed she is an unusual sight especially in a place like LME." She would be more at home in zen garden and other traditional Japanese setting.

"But what made me looking at her is simply because she is carrying that large bouquet and wondered if she need help to carry it." Which was a very typical line of thought for Tsuruga Ren. "She is very perceptive, somehow she managed to translate my body language and replied 'No, but thank you for your offer' with her own."

Yashiro frowned, "Now you explained it… it shouldn't make sense and yet it did." He could almost imagine the scene from just now in silent movie format.

"Because it does."

Yashiro looked disappointed, muttering under his breath. "And here I thought spring have come for you… President would be ecstatic if that's the case."

That Lovemon would, Ren agreed. "My apologize for disappointing you… Yashiro-san." He said without a trace of guilt

His made upon the spot reason aside, he had to wonder why a girl would carry such a large bouquet by herself. It didn't seem like it was a gift as the iris flowers were wrapped in rice paper, and no man would drown a girl with such a massive gift and left her on her own device. So the only logical conclusion would be, she bought them herself and most likely intending to use them for Ikebana.

'That's very likely but…'

Shouldn't a girl like that have her own chauffeur? And here she carried that bouquet herself, not to mention projecting aura that subtly pushed people away from her path. In service industry office like this she intimidated people around her to not even offer her some help. It was even more amazing how much she could convey through body language alone, even better than some actress he worked with could.

Still…

Ebony hair, honey colored eyes, warm and gentle smile.

Vivid image from the past he had cherished as Kuon. Could it be the girl just now was really Kyouko-chan? It had been nine years, no matter how clear his memory of her was, he was not arrogant enough to think he could recognize her at the first glance.

Not to mention… Kyouko-chan he remembered loved people, even those who treated her horribly like her mother. While he wouldn't quick to assume the kimono wearing girl from just now hates people, someone whose body language made people scooted away just didn't fit Kyouko-chan.

But still, this was the first girl he met in Japan after four years that triggered his old memory. How strange…

"Ren." Yashiro thankfully didn't notice his charge was spacing out for the last three minutes, eyes locked on his schedule. "There is an accident on the usual route to TBM so we should hurry because we have to take longer route."

"Roger, Yashiro-san."

This was not the time to feel nostalgic though, he had his life as Tsuruga Ren to live.


Lory's Room

If there was one thing she learned from socialite clients, it was their need for ridiculously large room even though the space they needed should be around half and even less than that. It as if they loved wasting space indoor, even though in her opinion a large open garden was more charming. Takarada Lory in her opinion was the worst offender, even though the eccentric man was a pleasant person in her book.

It never cease to surprise Kyouko that for some reason Takarada Lory had two altars- one at home and another in his office- dedicated to his late wife. Not to mention it was ridiculously large so if she arranged something small it would look puny and unbalanced next to large photo of Takarada Lory's wide, which was why she had to haul large bouquet of flowers whenever she came to arrange flower for this job.

As if hiring someone to arrange flower for the dead was not unusual enough, though the president of LME just asked for her service of special dates. Like anniversary of their first date, first kiss, first candle dinner, the date she told him she was pregnant with their first son and so on. Whenever she came here, Kyouko couldn't help but a little jealous of Takarada Mariko, such a lucky woman.

She was not interested in love and marriage though, but any woman should envy Takarada Mariko who was cherished even after she passed away by her beloved husband.

"Ooh!" Takarada Lory gushing voice almost made her jump, but she managed to stay still as the president admired her work, a flower arrangement that made up only of iris flower and bamboo. She had tried her best to make them symmetrical but not so much so they could look natural, iris flowers fanning open like wings, with bamboo to provide contrast and structure for the flower.

"What a choice… Iris, blessing of the believers." He sighed wistfully, and Kyouko as a professional pointedly ignore his choice of wardrobe, some sort of tropical country's costume judging from the lack of cloth. The jewelry, especially the crown was blinding, but it didn't make up for mostly bare chest and his bottom that looked like a very pricy, ornate towel.

Kyouko didn't feel guilty at all to imagine the president as a drunk customer. After all she was not the only one, because all ikebana artist Tachibana-sensei send for Takarada-Sachou had been instructed to ignore his antics

"My Mariko cheers me up today, thirty years ago when LME faced our first crisis… as long we believe in love there would always be a way…" He was lost in memory, gazing at his wife's photo with a smile on his face.

If she was the old Kyouko from three years ago she would agree enthusiastically with him, but with her current self all she would do was nod and smile. She supposed that line of thinking works in Takarada Lory's life, but not in hers.

Nope

Never~

"By the way Mogami-kun…"

Mogami, her mother's surname. Even though she had a chance to discard it, she clung on it stubbornly. Why she was such a fool?

"Yes, Takarada-san?"

Lory gave her an exasperated look she was very familiar with, "Sebastian told me you didn't let our staff to help you carrying the flowers again, I know you're a very independent girl but there is nothing wrong letting people to help you. Not to mention I paid them to." He grunted, "You could have let me pay a courier to send it to my place."

"Out of question." She smiled her okami-san's smile Yayoi-basan taught her. "Tachibana-sensei would never forgive me if flower her gardeners cared for is handled carelessly by people we didn't know." In Tachibana's Ikebana school they cultivate the flower they used themselves, which was why the quality of their flower was guaranteed by the master herself.

Lory sighed, reluctantly agreeing that the strict Ikebana teacher would be furious if even one petals of her flower arrived in client's hand less than perfect. "Aah… whatever, next time just bring a trolley or something." At skeptical look the girl gave him Lory shook his head, "Never mind… your teachers would be even more furious if they know I make their favorite student in my office looks like a housewife in supermarket."

Sometimes Lory wondered why her Yamato Nadeshiko image was worshipped so much by the old folks in traditional art field, it was not like they had shortage of traditionally raised girls. Then again as a president of LME, he reasoned Kyouko-chan was the closest thing to an idol for those old folks. Like how Ren was not the only gentleman in Japan, but his fans loved him like he was an endangered species.

"By the way Takarada-san… did you mention me to one of your…" She trailed off, "Employees?"

Lory blinked in confusion, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "Aside from Sebastian I don't think so… some of them gossiped about you, wondering if you're one of our new talents… but that's simply because you stand out as kimono wearing girl who carried flower bouquet half her own size." He pointed out, "But that's it… why?"

"Iee…" She shook her head demurely, "I think I misheard that someone called me by my first name this morning when I was walking in the hallway."

He perked up at that, "Hee… what kind of person?" He asked curiously.

Kyouko tilted her head to the side, recalling the man she met few hours ago. "A man… in his early twenties, but then again his appearance is very mature so he might be younger. He has a muscular build and is very tall… around 188 cms I guess?

Actually by the last description alone Lory could guess who Mogami-kun was referring too.

"He has a light skin tone with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Which is not strange for a Japanese, but his skin tone is a little off, so mixed blood perhaps?" Lory had a cold sweat, he couldn't believe someone would notice that. "I think he is a model from the way he walks, and maybe he has training in martial arts too since his footsteps is very soft." She added thoughtfully, "Like a cat."

What a terrifying girl, she got all of it right and she didn't seem surprised.

He laughed sheepishly, "As observant as always Mogami-kun." He complimented sincerely. "Though it confuse how you don't recognize our Ren, he is easily the most well known actors in Japan now." Especially since you could describe him so vividly as if you burned his image to your mind.

Could it be… she had a crush?

"I only watch TV when Touya-sensei's game is broadcasted…. I watch morning news on occasion but usually I just read newspaper, and lately I accompany Aki-kun to watch those kids shows with funny looking mascot… and I think Aki-kun is not very interested in them anyway…"

In short, she barely watch television. Not to mention Lory could tell Kyouko described Ren in monotone, she might as well described a trout in the same manner.

Lory sweat-dropped, 'And here I thought she is another victim of Ren's..' Then again since the first time he met the girl he sensed something was off with her but they didn't interact that much for him to pinpoint it yet. "So you really never met our Tsuruga Ren before?"

"No, I don't think so…. Which is why I ask how he know my name… then again most likely I misheard." She nodded to herself.

Beside, why a superstar like that guy would even know someone like her? Nah, he was just being polite, as expected of a star Takarada-san picked himself.

Lory didn't know why he had this strange urge to confirm Kyouko's opinion on Ren, even though he is a messenger of love, with how dry her reaction so far the possibility was close to nonexistent. "He is a very attractive man, don't you think? Mogami-kun? One of our best." There, he sounded casual enough that it didn't sound like he tried to dig for something else.

"Ah yes, in my amateur opinion he does have looks that sells." She replied with sagely nod.

Eh?

"Excuse me?" If he asked a girl about how much they appreciate Ren's good looks, Mogami-kun's answer was as far as possible from what he predicted.

She blinked at him, "Ah pardon me, I mean I am not part of entertainment industry so of course my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt." Mogami-kun drawled on. "Just a few days ago Tachibana-sensei and Akiko-sensei brought me to see modern Japanese pottery exhibition, I don't really understand pottery but I can imagine in some flower pot they exhibited we can arrange flower in unthinkable way than in traditional one…"

How did she go from Ren's looks to pottery again?

"I am not sure but I think Tsuruga-san have a good proportion… like balanced flower arrangement, or greek architecture with their golden proportion…"

"...I see…"

While he was getting bored of nonexistent love life of Ren, first spark of not, for Ren's own good he hoped the poor boy wasn't going to fall in love with this Yamato Nadeshiko before him. After all, whoever unfortunate enough to be in love with her was in for gruelling battle in hell.


On the way back to Touya Residence

She had just exited the train station when her cellphone rang, rummaging the knot bag, she fished out the device and brightened up when she read the caller id. "Moshi-moshi… Yayoi-basan? It's been a while." She didn't want to walk when talking to the Fuwa matriarch so she quickly took a seat on nearest bench.

"Yes, I am well… Akiko-basan is doing well too, so is her husband." She nodded to herself, "I am glad you love the photo of Aki-kun I sent you, he is growing up very quickly and it feels it's just yesterday he scared me to death when he thought go stones are food… now he can sit in seiza and holding stone with his chubby fingers."

"..."

"...Shoutarou-kun left Fuwa inn two weeks ago?" Neither Kyouko nor Yayoi sounded surprised about it, after all the boy was pretty vocal about it. If there was anything Kyouko was surprised of, was that Sho had enough patience to wait until graduation to run away. It took Yayoi two weeks to inform Kyouko about it, which meant most likely the Okami wanted to be completely sure Shoutaro was running away for real or just throwing tantrum.

"Eh? He brought a girl Ba-san hired after she graduated from my old school? Ah I remember her…" One of Shoutaro's fans, not the prettiest but good at home ec and shyer than most admirers of his.

"Did he contact you at all, of course not… he brought his saving with him but I don't know how long it will last. We see this coming but I can't believe he bring a girl with him! Thankfully or not she is an orphan so no one report him to authority yet…"

She sounded distressed and Kyouko wished she could comfort the Okami. Inwardly she was cursing her ex-friend, if that guy wanted to go chase after his dream, fine, but didn't he had to involve a poor girl for his own convenience?!

"Don't worry Oba-san… if you don't mind I will hire a detective to track Shoutarou-kun down."

"Thank you Kyouko, I will send you the money-"

"It's fine Oba-san, I am not going to hire an expensive detective… after all Shoutarou-kun is just a boy who run away from home not a top class criminal. I doubt it very much it will take a long time to track him down…"

"But Kyouko-chan…"

"Yayaoi-basan… It's alright, Touya family cated all my needs so other than saving my teaching fee I don't know what else to do with it." Not to mention Akiko gave all of her old kimono for Kyouko, and not to mention other friends of Akiko seemed to be eager to shower her with gifts for some reason. "Beside, the detective I have in mind is still in high school but he is gaining reputation, the young lady of Suzuki family I teach is a friend of his."

One of the most difficult student of hers because Suzuki ojou-sama couldn't sit still, and destroyed Kyouko's image of Ojou-sama forever.

"At least I will call my brother too." Kyouko tensed at the implication. "I can't leave our inn at this of the year, so if there is anything you need please contact Kenichi-niisan. At least if Shotarou get himself in trouble his uncle is there to help him though… at the rate that boy is going I am very tempted to leave him be to teach him a lesson."

Kyouko had to agree with Yayoi-basan. "Let's just hope he hasn't done anything unrepairable yet." After long separation with her former friend, both Kyouko and Yayoi-basan decided there was nothing they could hold back when Shoutaro was concerned.


For Yayoi-basan's sake, Kyouko had to endure embarrassment explaining the circumstances of Shoutaro's escape from home to detective she hired. Kudou-san looked like he was on the verge of bursting with laughter when he heard the complete story, which could be summarized as spoiled brat who thought himself to be too cool to run an inn was running away from home, however since he couldn't take care of himself, he seduced a girl from his family inn to be his maid in Tokyo.

What Shotarou didn't realize, no one had hope in him continuing family business for the last few years, so in the first place he didn't have to run away because no one was going to stop him, not even his parents who had given up on him to follow their footsteps. The only reason they wanted to look for him was, because they had no faith he could be independent, and they were worried about the poor girl he whisked away. The fact he had to bring someone from family inn spoke how much faith Shoutaro had in himself to take care of himself.

None whatsoever, and Kyouko was glad to know at least the idiot realized that much.

"Ha ha ha…. I am sorry Mogami-san but you have to admit…"

"It's alright Kudou-san… feel free to laugh, I would think it's funny too if I have no relation to him." If it was up to her, she would deny any relation to a boy named Fuwa Shoutaro. She thought he couldn't sink any lower, but obviously, she was wrong.

She almost regretted asking help from detective, even though Kudou-san was just one year her senior, the high school detective looked very disappointed the case she requested as he aptly put it was easier than catching cookie monster because with exact date of departure and destination was no mystery, and they had complete description of the person they were looking for, Kudou-san predicted it would take less than a few days.


He was right, and on the third day after she spoke to Detective Kudou, the teen called Kyouko in a very bored tone informing he found their missing young master. Apparently it was not hard for night shift staff of train station to remember a suspicious looking punk with blond hair travelling with a girl his age, and it was even easier to ask taxi company about the trip that night from said expensive apartment complex.

"And so… apparently the girl is working part-time all the time and looked bone tired according to the security staff, and they saw Fuwa-kun occasionally going to nearest convenience store."

"I see…"

"You know, Mogami-san… it's none of my business but are you sure his parents won't take him back to Kyoto because in my opinion this guy shouldn't be left out of his parent's watch yet."

She was so glad she was the one who talked to Kudou-san because she didn't have a heart to let Yayoi-basan to bear this embarrassment. "It's alright Kudou-san, by the end of the day we will send the poor girl back to Kyoto, and we will get Shotarou-kun under control. I am really sorry for all trouble you went through, are you sure we don't have to pay you?"

"Nah… I didn't even use more than detective skill I have in my pinky." Kudou-san said smugly, "I don't need the money and beside I get a good laugh out of it so I think it's fair."

Kyouko couldn't even get angry at Kudou-san for laughing, it would be funny to her too if she was not involved, especially because she had troubled a detective of his caliber to track down a brat who ran away from home for free.

"Thank you so much for your help, Kudou-san. Have a nice day."


Fuji TV

"Wow… they really bring him in for this interview, living national treasure of Japan's go world… Touya Kouyo-sensei." Yashiro breathed out in awe.

Ren chuckled softly, "You never strike me as someone who plays go, Yashiro-san."

"I don't, my mother is his big fan." Yashiro harrumphed, "It's said he is the first player who have four titles, that's half than eight titles in Go world."

They just finished his schedule for the day, CM shooting in studio next to this talk show. Since he had nothing to do for the next two hours which would be interview in TBM, Yashiro suggested to visit the backstage of studio next door because he wanted to get Touya Kouyou's signature as a present for his mother. Ren couldn't help but smiled at how nervous and polite Yashiro asked the go player to sign a card for his mother, and noted the middle aged man had commanding presence.

Touya Kouyou was a man in his late forties, dressed in traditional attire befitting his profession. He had greying hair and hawk like eyes. He aged well with wrinkles under his eyes and cheeks, giving glimpse of handsome young man he used to be.

"Thank you very much, Touya-sensei! My mother would be overjoyed." Yashiro thanked the go player with respectful bow.

"You're welcome…" He returned cordially, his steel like eyes suddenly shifted and Ren suddenly found himself on the receiving end of Touya Kouyou's intimidating gaze.

"!" Ren was sure, the older man was not picking a fight with him like some men back in US but it was still unnerving to be subjected of curiosity he didn't know the cause was. "Good morning, Touya-sensei…" He greeted the intimidating man amicably for the lack of better respond and ended the awkward silence. "It's an honor to meet you…. My name is Tsuruga Ren." Then ended his introduction with a respectful bow.

"Touya Kouyou." The man returned stiffly, "Hm?"

Ren followed his gaze, relieved he was not the focus of Touya-sensei's attention any longer.

There she was the golden eyed girl in deep blue kimono walking towards their direction, holding on a bento box wrapped in green cloth. "Sensei, I bring your lunch from Akiko-basan for you… I know they serve you lunch but someone send us summer salmon this morning and we couldn't resist to cook yuan yaki for your lunch." She spoke in melodious voice, with smile so bright the men thought they were hallucinating blooming sunflowers in her background.

"Thank you…" He responded, accepting the warm meal from the young girl.

"Am I interrupting something?" She asked in guilty tone.

"No, you aren't." The go player assured her. "I believe you have an appointment you don't want to miss…"

"Ah about that… there is no need to send Ashiwara-san and Ogata-san with me, sensei." She protested. "I would be fine."

"Doesn't matter, they are going with you for my peace of mind and Akiko's…" He refuted firmly. "You should let Katagiri-sensei to see the boy instead of going personality on behalf of Yayoi. That Fuwa boy is a troublemaker."

She seemed to be upset but convinced. "I understand… I shall take my leave… sensei." The girl excused herself politely to the go player and the two strangers she didn't know out of courtesy before rushing out of the studio. Ren was surprised when once again their eyes met, but neither acknowledge it as the girl disappeared from their sight.

Ren once again found himself on receiving end of Touya-sensei's eyes. "Do you know our Kyouko?"

Ren felt like slapping himself for staring at the girl openly in front of someone who might be her father figure, he might have sending the wrong message to Touya-sensei. "Ah… no, I have seen her in LME before though."

"Takarada-san is a client of hers… he loves her flower arrangement." Touya-sensei mused. "My eyes must be getting old because from the way you look at our Kyouko, you looks like you know her."

He was unsure what to say in response to that. "Iee… it's just a misunderstanding."

"I see…"

The awkward atmosphere didn't leave until Touya Kouyou excused himself as the backstand hand called him, and Yashiro wondered if his charge had done something that draw attention of a man like Toya Kouyou.

"Are you honestly sure you don't have a crush on that girl?!" Yashiro was almost shrieking.

"I don't even know her!" Ren denied, wondering what the heck he had done to deserve this.


On another side of Tokyo

"Uhm… Ogata-san, Ashiwara-san…" Kyouko began, addressing two of Touya Kouyo's students who accompanied her under their teacher's order. "I think-"

Ogata, a young player in his late twenties and the driver for the day interjected. "Don't even think about going alone."

Ashiwara the younger student, just three years older than Kyouko nodded sagely. "I know it will be awkward since we don't know the guy, but I will take awkward any day rather than getting killed." He sang with a cheer. "And Akira-kun would never forgive me is something happen to his Nee-chan."

"I can take care of myself, and I would like to explain the misunderstanding that… the idiot son of Yayoi-basan is not a dangerous person. At worse he would just throw insults at me." For all carelessness he displayed towards her, Sho was not a violent boy. At least for his parents' sake, Kyouko hoped he had not degraded to that level.

Not to mention Kyouko was not coming to pick a fight, she was merely a messenger.


It had crossed his mind that coming to Tokyo would mean running into to his childhood friend, maybe on the street or in public transportation. He was also sure if that happened Kyouko was going to act all high and mighty like she did on the last days of her stay in Kyouto. All of a sudden, his approachable friend who was always by his side became so distant, as if she couldn't see him.

He didn't care about her, and he was as sure as hell not going to apologize like everyone back home wanted him to do.

He knew better, Kyouko had been in love with him since they were kids and once he became a super star he knew Kyouko would look at him with thee same eyes again, warm and full of adoration. Nothing like pretty doll with stern and resolute eyes she had been when she was about to leave Fuwa inn.

His musing was cut short when he heard the bell ringing, and he cursed why the girl he brought was out to work in convenience store so he had to get the door himself. If it was another salesman offering water filter again, he swore he would-

"I already said, I don't need-" He trailed off only to be stopped by a sight that felt like a deja vu.

A girl with ebony hair and honey colored eyes stood in front of his door. Her posture was as stiff as ever, back straight, hand clasped, sickeningly reminded him of home. There was no adoring smile or gaze, just resolute eyes gazing back at his.

"Good afternoon, Shotarou-kun… it's been a while."

It took a moment for him to regain his bearing and whispered a name that had always been in mind but never escaped his lips for the last few years. "Kyouko."


As for why Ren feel like he know here, obviously because she didn't dye her hair and she has a very stereotype Japanese girl look. Not to be superficial but in Ren's head, Kyouko was always his 'ideal Japanese girl' it doesn't really matter she is a typical Yamato Nadeshiko or not to him in the first place. And nope they're not falling with each other yet, just feeling like I have seen this person somewhere.

Yes, Kyouko is very skilled in typical Japanese art like Ikebana in addition of canonical Sadou. It's not because I want to mold her to be a Yamato Nadeshiko, if anything her effort in reinforcing that image on herself can be perceived as something negative because it's something she did to please people around her while ignoring her own feeling. And yes, this Kyouko is still stuck if not even deeper than canon Kyouko on pleasing other people and throw her well being to the wind.

As for will she become an actress? Eeh... this is skip beat so, she will be.

Does it strange I start the timeline one year before canon?