Disclaimer: I don't own Ren, Kyoko, any other SB characters, or Skip Beat….

Author's Notes:So let's just clarify in case anyone is wondering….Kyoko is 19 about to be 20, Ren is 24 (his birthday is February 10th), Kanae is 21 (since she is a year older than Kyoko and Kyoko's birthday is in December), Yashiro is 28….., Maria is 11 about to turn 12, and then our mystery guest….won't be in this chapter :P Oh and I wasn't sure if Hiou was a part of LME so I just did whatever where he comes in. Ittalics=Thoughts or Song Lyrics

Chapter 2: Ren's Plans, and Maria's Confusion

(It is December 22)

Ren had had a long day at work and was exhausted. To top that off he hadn't seen Kyoko in a week, since they got home and left at different times, ….Ren was starting to grow rather lonely without his love. He crashed on his black leather couch and slid his phone out of his pocket. "Better get this done before it's too late." Ren flipped his phone open and dialed a number he hadn't in so long.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end asked.

Ren took a deep breath and smiled. "Dad, it's me, Kuon." He said.

"Kuon?! It's really you! You finally decided to call your old man! How are you? Is anything wrong? Is my other son ok? Why did you call? Do you-"

"Father!" Kuon interrupted."Take a breath. I was calling to see how you and mom are and if you would be free Christmas."

"If you're wondering if you can come home for Christmas, OF COURSE! You shouldn't have to ask that. Oh and I have some amazing news!" Kuu stated.

"That's not what I was asking, but what's the news?" asked a curious Ren.

"Your mother has recovered!" Kuu almost shouted.

Ren almost dropped the phone in surprise. His mother had been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor a while back and had somehow been living far past her death date of 3 months.

"What?"

"Oh you should sound happier, son! They figured out how to shrink the tumor, till it was small enough to remove! She is still recovering a bit, but a lot faster than most! Your mother really knows how to pull through!" Kuu proclaimed.

"Father, I am tremendously happy for the both of you."

Kuu could hear the sincerity in his son's voice and his eyes became teary.

"What I wanted to say was, if mother is well enough, would you come to Japan, as a birthday surprise for Kyoko-chan? She hasn't met mother yet, and I'm sure she would love to see the two of you." Ren held back a chuckle at the thought of Kyoko's face, after meeting his mother.

"…" It took Kuu a moment to process what his son was asking. "YES! There is no way we will miss it! I haven't seen my other son in so long. I mean I've talked to her and e-mailed her, but I've been such a bad father, missing all those other birthdays!" Kuu exclaimed.

"I doubt she will see you as a bad father, she really looks up to you. I'm sure she will be ecstatic to meet mother too." Ren said.

Kuu knew what his son said was true and then realized something he found interesting.

"Wait right there son, Kyoko-chan? Since when have you two been on a first name basis or is that just what you call her when no one is around?" Kuu teased.

Ren closed his eyes and sighed. "We had known each other for 3 years then and just thought it was about time." Ren explained.

"Don't you mean, YOU thought it was about time?" Kuu teased.

He knew his son had a fondness for the girl and that ,if anyone, she would be the one to help Kuon put his past behind him.

"Father, I need to go now." Ren said.

Kuu sighed, he could hear the sleepiness in his son's voice. "Alright, but Kuon….Does she know?" he asked.

"Not yet, but I think I'm going to tell her that night." Ren answered.

"Don't worry son, knowing her, if she does get upset, she will soon forgive you. In fact I can see her being happy." Kuu assured Kuon.

"Thanks Dad, see you soon." Kuon then flipped his phone shut.

"I hope you're right."

Ren stood up and went to his room. He slipped on his silk pajamas and collapsed on his bed, dreaming of things to come.


(December 24)

Kyoko quickly got up and dressed herself in black jeans, and a red turtle neck, with her almost-shoulder length auburn hair brushed neatly. She slipped on her red coat, slipped on her shoes, and grabbed two very large bags. The elevator was very close to her room and she jumped on it, as if it was the last train home. As the elevator began to descend (note: The elevator has see through doors.) she caught a glimpse of her tall, handsome, kind, sexy….(Kyoko gets carried away)…..sempai leaving his own apartment. These thoughts took her back, back to that day, that hour, that minute, that second; it hit her that she was in love.

(June 3rd, last year…)

Kyoko had been chosen "randomly" to be in three music videos with Ren, being made as a birthday present to Lory from LME members, for the songs Kiss the Girl, Ever Ever After, and Brighter than the Sun. At first Kyoko had tried to decline thinking she simply could not do that, especially since it was for the President, but everyone insisted she do it, knowing that the president loved the thought of Ren and Kyoko being together.

So they had already shot Ever Ever After, and were doing the ending of Brighter than the Sun. Kyoko was supposed to be a girl realizing she was in love and accepting it. Well she had the first part down….

Kyoko was standing on a large rock by the sea shore wearing a white, spaghetti strap, sundress, which had little purple flowers at the bottom. Her shoes were white sandals, with a wooden heel, her hair was long, wavy and brown, while she was wearing a nice white hat, that had a purple ribbon around it. Ren is off camera at the moment. He is wearing a white shirt, with the top two buttons undone, and long loose, tan pants. His hair looks a bit messy and around his neck is a silver chain.

Kyoko hears the word "ACTION"

Oh this is how it starts, lightning strikes the heart,

Kyoko is looking at the sunset, holding her hat in place. Suddenly a hand takes her free one and she looks up.

It goes off like a gun,

Ren's smile is glowing with the sunset. She squeezes his hand and they both look into the sunset, smiling. Kyoko can't help but think to herself "I can't believe this has happened!"

Brighter than the sun…

"CUT" …..

*Ding* (back to present)

The elevator dings, waking Kyoko from her trance. She steps out and chuckles to herself. She wouldn't accept that fact until the next video, but more on that later. Kyoko headed towards the exit, when she heard her name coming from a voice that made her shiver.

"Kyoko-chan." She spun around to see Ren standing there.

He was wearing long black dress pants, a long sleeve dark blue shirt, a long black jacket, his usual shoes, and his hair was brushed so that some of it almost covered his eyes.

"Would you like a ride again this morning?" he asked.

They had had long standing deal that if they were going to the same place they would carpool.

"I would appreciate that." Kyoko accepted.

Ren smiled and breezed by her, taking one of her bags. He knew she would refuse the help, so he quickly made his was outside and to his car. Kyoko met him, put the remaining bag in the back, with the other one, and then slid into the passenger's seat.

On the way to LME Ren and Kyoko talked of recent job offers.

"I'm not too sure about the modeling, but I think I could give it a try." Kyoko said.

"What will you be modeling for if you take the job?" asked Ren.

"I think it's a magazine called 'Violet Night'. I find that to be a strange name for a magazine, but it is American. I'm not sure about it since some of the photos they take are a bit…"

"Mature…" Ren finished.

He knew what kinds of poses that magazine did, and had gotten an offer from them too.

"Yeah…..I probably will do it, since it will help me in case there are any scenes like that in any future dramas or movies I do. I think I'll just be a bit nervous at first." explained Kyoko.

Ren's actor side was proud of Kyoko and wanted to cheer her on, while the part of him that loved her wanted to lock her away. He hated the thought of another guy having their arms around Kyoko or posing without a shirt with her. Then Ren wanted to slap himself for not seeing the solution.

"Well I did get the same modeling offer from them. If it makes you feel any better I will accept it, so you won't be posing with some stranger." Ren suggested.

Kyoko blushed at the thought of modeling with Ren, for that magazine. Her mind and body screamed YES! Her mind because she honestly didn't want to do it with a stranger and she wanted to spend more time with Ren, her body because….well… Ren is damn sexy.

"Um, that would work, I guess. But if you weren't going to accept the offer in the first place you don't have to." Kyoko said.

"The only reason I was going to tell them no, was because I didn't want to work with some slut, or girl who wouldn't take the job seriously. If it's you I'm working with, then I have confidence in you and look forward to it." Ren said honestly.

Kyoko blushed again and nodded. "Then as long as you accept it I will." Kyoko smiled.

Ren nodded. Soon they arrived at LME. Kyoko got out and grabbed her bags from the back, then turned to Ren, who was standing next to her.

"Thank you for the ride Ren-san. I have to go and meet Maria now. The president is taking us from here over to his mansion, to finish decorating for tonight. I hope you will come!" Kyoko smiled up at Ren.

"I wouldn't miss it." Ren replied.

Kyoko went on her way and Ren watched her go. When she was out of sight Ren slipped back into his car. To tell you the truth he was supposed to be at a shoot in a half hour, but he had really missed Kyoko. He sped down the road knowing he would barely make the shoot.


Kyoko made her way to the LOVEME room, where she had agreed to meet Maria. As soon as she opened the door she was greeted with a hug that almost knocked her down. When she steadied she heard sobs coming from the girl latched onto her.

"Maria, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" she asked.

"Onee-sama, I don't know what to do. It's all so confusing." Maria said.

Kyoko lead Maria over to a couple of chairs and sat down with the sobbing girl. Kyoko was sitting in a chair facing Maria and took the girl's hands.

"Maria what's so confusing?" Kyoko wondered.

Maria wiped her eyes and sniffled. "I know it's kind of silly, but the thing is that I really like these two guys. I can't decide who I like better, and to add onto that they're both already in love." explained Maria.

Kyoko sadly smiled. She knew how Maria felt. Well not the liking two people, but Kyoko wasn't sure if Ren was still in love with that girl he told Bo about. and at times she felt herself growing jealous. "Do you mind telling me who these lucky boys are?" Kyoko asked.

Maria blushed. "Well I still love Ren-sama, but the other guy is …" Maria looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Uesugi Hiou." She whispered.

Kyoko sighed; she now knew why Maria was upset. "I understand Maria, you know Hiou likes Moko-san, and you're old enough to see that Ren is too old for you." Kyoko stated.

Maria crossed her arms and huffed. "Onee-sama, you're right about Hiou, but Ren-sama is not too old for me!"

Kyoko was shocked. "So then you know for sure that Ren-san is in love with someone? Who?" Kyoko's eyes were flaring with jealousy.

All signs of Maria crying were gone as she began to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Kyoko wondered.

"This whole thing is one messed up love …..shape! It can't be called a triangle!" Maria continued to laugh.

Kyoko just continued to look at Maria.

"I'll explain, but let me finish before you say anything." said Maria.

Kyoko nodded.

"Ok so, I like Hiou, who likes Kanae-chan, who loves Yashiro-san, who loves Kanae-chan back and is the manager of Ren-sama, who I also like, but he loves Onee-sama, who loves him back and also knows Jelly-san, who loves grandfather, who refuses to admit he loves her back, even though they call each other sweetie, because he is too depressed over the fact that Ren-sama and Onee-sama are not together yet, and that makes him wonder if he can love Jelly-san as much as she deserves." Maria finished and took a deep breath.

"Maria, that's a good theory, but I'm afraid that part of it is wrong." Kyoko said.

Maria looked at Kyoko curiously. "So you don't love Ren-sama?" Maria asked.

Kyoko blushed "I-I do, but he doesn't love me back." Kyoko explained.

"You really think so, Onee-sama? Well I'm not going to try to convince you, but whatever." Maria shrugged. She knew that no matter what she said Kyoko would deny it.

Kyoko only wondered how the almost-12-year-old, figured out so many people's feelings.

"So Maria, why don't you help get Yashiro-san and Moko-san together? Then you have more of a chance with Uesugi-kun." Kyoko suggested.

Maria frowned. "Because I'm only turning 12, and Hiou-kun is 15! No way would a teenager date me, unless they were only 13!" Maria exclaimed.

Kyoko understood Maria and agreed. Most teens wouldn't date a non-teen unless it were someone older.

"I'm not sure what to say Maria. Maybe you can wait till your older, and if you still like him you can try things out." said Kyoko.

Maria sighed. "I guess so….Well Onee-sama, I think grandfather should be ready." Kyoko agreed and the two left to meet the President by his Limo.


Hiou had been walking through LME, after agreeing with the President that he would transfer to LME, since he does a lot of work with them anyways. Hiou was now as tall as Kanae, his face had matured to look more like his age, and his dark hair plus dark green eyes gave him a sense of mystery. In fact he was often swarmed by girls these days. He heard sobbing as he was about to pass the LOVEME room. He thought about entering, but didn't when he saw Kyoko enter, who didn't see him because she was looking down, blushing. When she entered he saw Maria tackle Kyoko with a hug. He figured that this was something Kyoko could handle but he was wondering what had the girl upset. He put his ear to the door. After hearing the girl's troubles, he chuckled.

"So I have an admirer?"

He was fond of the girl, although they did fight a lot. Yes the girl forgot to mention that. They didn't agree on most things, but he liked the girl's strength, and he found it annoying, yet funny when she would continue a fight from their last meeting. He remembered be that hot-headed, which he still was, but not as much as before. While the girl was right about most of that 'love shape' , she was wrong about him still liking Kanae. After a while his crush had died down, and after seeing how Kanae looked at Yashiro, it was dead. He had to agree with both the girls though, he was a bit old for the girl, and it would look strange for a 15 year old to date a 12 year old. Hiou had heard enough and walked off. He exited the building and looked up into the sky.

"Maybe when your older, kid."


Author's Notes: PLEASE REVIEW! I live off them and they encourage me to update faster :) So I think you know the couples by now…..but just in case….. RenxKyoko, YashiroxKanae, HiouxMaria, and then there will be other side couples later also, that you will spot. Hope this was another awesome chapter XD See you next time!