I do not own Skip Beat! or any related characters. The only thing I own is Satoshi-kun. There may also be some minor spoilers for those of you not quite past manga chapter 133.

Mirage

A Skip Beat! Fanfiction

In the conference room, sitting in one of the plush chairs was a boy, perhaps just slightly older than Kyouko herself, reading a novel that he closed and set gently on the table at the sound of their footsteps. He flashed a friendly smile at both Sawara and Kyouko. Sawara introduced the two, "Satoshi-kun, this is Mogami Kyouko," he flashed another polite smile in her direction as the introductions continued, "Mogami-kun, this is Izawa Satoshi; your newest 'Love Me' project." The world seemed to stand still; everything frozen in that very moment, Kyouko was left clueless, staring at the boy now before her.

"Eh?"

"This is Izawa Satoshi, he'll be your latest 'Love Me' project," Sawara just parroted what he had said moments ago.

Satoshi meanwhile stood from his chair with more grace than expected. His longish brown hair fell into silvery blue eyes as he politely offered his hand to Kyouko, she guessed he couldn't be older than a couple of years to her sixteen, perhaps eighteen or nineteen. "A pleasure, Mogami-san," his voice held just the slightest hint of an accent, something foreign that Kyouko couldn't quite place. Immediately she recognized that he was rather good looking, but in showbiz, that had become almost a necessity. He stood several inches taller than her, not quite head and shoulders, but she still had to look up to meet his gaze. "I'm sure you must be very confused," his voice had a nice quality to it, soft and sure at the same time. For a moment Kyouko stood frozen with shock before she mechanically raised her hand to shake his, unsure of what was going on.

Sawara-san watched the two silently for a moment. Kyouko let go of the boy's hand as quickly as possible, pulling her arms stiffly to her sides, betraying yet again her confusion at the entire situation. She felt Satoshi's eyes study her, not inappropriately, just taking her in, like he was taking a photograph. She stood very still, very quiet, and very nervous. No one spoke for a long time, and during that eternity, Kyouko took a moment to study him as well. His mouth naturally curled at the corners, giving the impression that he was constantly up to mischief. Brown hair had been teased and styled into a messy, slightly spiky hairdo giving the impression that he had just woken up. His clothes looked like they had been picked and chosen at random, but Kyouko knew for a fact that it was really some sort of designer trend. Artistically ripped jeans splattered with bleach gave him a worn look, while a light blue t-shirt fit tightly over his chest showing off his slight build. A silver chain around his neck and a wristband accompanied various accessories completed the ensemble

When the silence finally was broken, Kyouko jumped at the sound, even though it was only Satoshi's soft, musical voice, "I think you'll be okay, will you accept the offer?"

Kyouko started at the question. "What offer would that be?" she asked, guarded.

Satoshi's face lit up with a grin that was friendly enough, but his blue eyes danced with mischief. It was the only response she needed for a dead weight to fall into her stomach. She dreaded finding out what this boy wanted from her enough to ask for her by name.

Chapter 2

Same Old Story, Brand New Scene

"Good, now tilt your head away from the camera, that's it!" a click and several flashes followed on the heels of those directions. Yashiro watched silently with mildly curious disinterest the happenings of the photo shoot. Same old story, just a new scene. Every photo shoot went the same way, especially with Tsuruga Ren as the model. It became mundane after so many times; the same routine, the camera crews, the head photographer who was trying to create what he perceived to be art, and of course, the designer labels. Then, as always, there was Tsuruga Ren, the center of all the hustle and bustle, the object of everyone's attention in some form or another. Calm and involved, or at least that's how the idol appeared to those outside "the know"; those that knew how lately he was becoming increasingly attached to one such Mogami Kyouko in a relationship that was headed nowhere fast. Last night had been yet another prime example of that. "Good! Let's get it wrapped up!" the call knocked the manager out of his thoughts.

Yashiro's eyes focused on Ren, amiably chatting with a few of the cast and some of the other models involved in the shoot. Several of the women shot him suggestive glances that Ren didn't seem to even notice. As it were, several of the younger, less experienced crew shot envious glances in the direction of the "Casanova". The manager sighed, at least two days at an on location shoot should clear Ren's head over what had happened with Kyouko; whatever it may be. Perhaps even Kyouko would calm down enough to hold a peaceful conversation. Yashiro sighed, now he was just wishing for the impossible. For some reason that girl had some sort of idea that no matter what she does, Ren still hates her; if only she knew how wrong that was. Although he couldn't really blame her after the Karuizawa incident, never before had he seen Ren so angry or hurt.

The night before though was almost a rival to that unspeakable incident, however. Ren had walked in followed from a distance by a distraught Kyouko. To the untrained eye, nothing would have been out of the ordinary in terms of the idol. Yashiro, however, was no amateur at reading his charge's moods. The tell sign was Ren's too friendly smile, an attribute Kyouko already knew, but also a slight curl in the fingers of his left hand. This was something only the manager had ever noticed. When Ren was secretly battling immense anger, his left hand began to curl into a fist, as if he was willing to resort to violence. Yashiro sighed again; the man really was a lot of work.

"What are you so depressed about?" Tsuruga Ren looked at his manager as he gulped down the ice cold water. All day Yashiro had been standing around, sighing like the whole weight of the world was on his shoulders. Ren had a pretty good idea that whatever the reason it had something to do with Kyouko. Every problem in his life lately, Yashiro had somehow managed to connect with that girl. Although, he would admit, if only to himself, that that theory was partly correct, Ren had no desire to make that fact known to Yashiro.

Predictably, the manager turned his full attention on Ren. His eyes stared like piercing daggers, as if trying to read the poor idol's very soul. At least, that's how Ren had come to see it lately. "Last night, what happened between you and Mogami-san?"

For a moment, Ren struggled to keep his composure. He had been unsuccessfully trying to block that whole period of his life from memory. It was his turn to sigh; only Yashiro would pour salt on such fresh wounds. "Why does everything in my life have to somehow be related to her?" he asked his manager with only the barest hint of irritation.

"For a man in love, every problem is related to a woman," Yashiro gave a knowing nod at this, seeming to consider himself Ren's mentor on such issues as romance. "Especially," he added "when that love is unrequited."

Ren almost spit out the water he had just drank. That diagnosis was a little too spot on for his liking. Yashiro's face split into a grin. He knew victory when he had it. "You seem to be lost too much in fantasy." Ren congratulated himself on his cool demeanor as he put up with this interrogation.

Yashiro just gave him a pointed look. "I may not be an expert on love, but I do know a hopeless case when I see one."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Excuse me, Tsuruga-san," a young crew member made his way timidly towards the two men. Ren flashed his winning gentlemanly smile at the poor boy, whose heart skipped a beat. "Uh, well, you see" the boy tried to stutter out unsuccessfully.

"Yes?"

"Enomoto-sama asked me to tell you that he wants to start shooting the next scene in twenty and that your clothes are ready, if you would just follow me," Yashiro marveled at Ren's ability to charm and dazzle anyone who came in contact with him. Well, everyone but Kyouko, then again, if he could charm her then it wouldn't be so fun. Yashiro laughed to himself.

Ren glanced back from following the young intern, his manager had cracked. The poor guy was convinced Ren was madly in love with Kyouko. How was that for crazy?

Ren followed Yashiro's example and let out a deep sigh the moment the intern was out of earshot. Sitting down on a chair situated in the corner of the small room, Ren actually thought seriously about Yashiro's accusation. Was it really bad enough that even Yashiro had begun to notice? And if so, how long before other people caught on to his secret emotions. He buried his head in his hands, and then the disaster of last night happened. He had never meant to do that, but-

Kyouko had been avoiding him the whole night, ever since he dropped her off. Then again, he really couldn't blame her, after the way he had reacted when she sat in the car. But really, who could blame him? He had seen her standing dangerously close to another boy, whispering secrets into his ear. The wave of jealousy was still enough to make him pause. It had taken all his self control not to get out of the car. Then he heard Kyouko's voice "Remember, Hikaru-kun, it's our little secret." There had been a slightly seductive tone in that voice that sent a shiver down Ren's spine. He remembered irrationally thinking that he would give anything to have her speak to him like that.

Fast forwarding past that rather embarrassing moment, though, and you come to the end of the party. Director Ogata had been set to take Kyouko home, but no, Ren had stepped in.

"It's okay, Director, I'm heading that direction anyway," Ren interjected between the two, smooth as could be. "After all, we wouldn't want to inconvenience you," Kyouko opened her mouth, presumably to protest, but Ren cut her off. "After all, the director lives in the opposite direction of Daruma-ya."

Kyouko stood there sulkily while Ren continued to reassure Ogata that Kyouko was safe in his care. She had then followed him silently to the car. He had not thought much of it, just that she was being herself and overreacting to his mood swings. However, he wasn't quite over the shock of earlier, "So, Mogami-san, have you taken up the practice of hiding things from me?"

She started at his accusation, her eyes met his with just the slightest bit of hesitation. "N-no, I wouldn't," her hands shook slightly.

His first reaction was fear that she had taken him too seriously and was actually afraid that he was actually angry at her. They stood in a slightly awkward silence as he carefully planned his next statement, "Then what was the meaning of 'our little secret'?" he tried to insert a joking lilt into his voice, to make the question seem innocent, but instead it poured out cold and accusing. That's when the world had turned upside down.

Kyouko's head snapped up, she stared him in the eye, her shy demeanor completely gone, and in its place, that of a confident young woman. Ren noticed instantly that she had slipped into character; this wasn't the Mogami Kyouko he knew."Is it really any of your concern?" she asked, her voice slipping into that dangerously seductive 'Natsu' tone. As for what happened next-

A knock, followed by a shout, "Tsuruga-san, you're needed on set!" Ren sighed, pulled out of his reverie; he would have to deal with this problem later. For now he just set the whole thing in the back corner of his mind and stepped out of the makeshift dressing room his calm and collected demeanor firmly in place.

Miles away, back in the headquarters of LME, one Kyouko Mogami was blissfully unaware of the discomfort and worry she had caused the poor male icon. Instead she watched as a slightly mischievous boy interrogated her best friend in the Love Me Headquarters. "Ne, Kanae-chan, how did you become a Love Me member too?"

Moko-san took in the boy coldly. "What are you doing here? No boys are allowed here. It's our locker room!" Kyouko had long since given up trying to act as a mediator between the two parties. They were both desperate to start a fight.

A corner of Satoshi's mouth twitched with victory. "I never saw a sign posted."

"That's because it's obvious!" Moko's voice rose almost to a yell by the end of the accusation, "Are you that stupid?" She threw her pink Love Me jumpsuit into her locker, slamming the door shut with more force than strictly necessary.

Kyouko flinched at her friend's anger, somehow feeling responsible for Satoshi's behavior; he had proven to enjoy antagonizing her close friend. "Izawa-san, maybe would you please wait outside till we're ready to go?" she asked in a small voice, hoping to divert Moko's anger.

For a moment, it looked like he would refuse, until a sincere, angelic smile spread across his face. "As you wish, Mogami-san," he muttered dramatically. In moments he had left the room without another sound.

Kanae stared at Kyouko. "How the hell did you do that?" she asked voice tinged with disbelief.

Kyouko shrugged, almost as surprised as her friend. Kanae tried to needle her for more info, "Why is he with you? How is it that he qualifies as a 'Love Me' project?"

Once again, all Kyouko could do was shrug. After introducing them, Sawara had said little else other than that Satoshi would be shadowing her for a while in order to see firsthand how the business worked. She sighed; there was no way she could take another day of him and Moko arguing pointlessly. "I'm not too sure; all Sawara-san said was that he was a 'problem child'."

"Aren't we the problem children of LME?" Kanae asked, meaning the Love Me section.

"Sawara-san said that that wasn't true, that Izawa-san is different," Kyouko shifted nervously, feeling Kanae's agitation towards her.

"How is he your problem then?"

"Uh, well, I have to go meet the president; Sawara-san said that he would tell me more about it."

Kanae sighed, "If you ask me, the whole thing seems rather suspicious."

Kyouko started at that, everything involving the president was usually suspicious, just not always in a bad way. "Yeah," she agreed listlessly.

Scrutinizing her friend, Kanae decided that, for the moment, it was better to let the matter drop, Kyouko seemed like she was too preoccupied with other things to really put her heart into this one. "So, what about the thing that happened with Tsuruga-san?" A split second after the question had left her mouth, Kanae regretted it. Kyouko seemed to fall into despair. Kanae even swore that the room turned darker.

"Don't say his name!" Kyouko ordered in that dark, demonic tone she sometimes used to speak of Fuwa Sho. "I have disappointed him!" she wailed. Kanae just stood there, unsure.

"Have you even tried t o call to apologize?"

Instantly, Kyouko sobered up, "Huh?" She shook her head pathetically as if the thought had never occurred to her.

Briefly, Kanae wondered if Kyouko was really that dense. Then again, it was Kyouko she was talking about, not necessarily the brightest when it came to social graces. "Wasn't it you who said he would forgive anyone who truly meant it?"

Kyouko paused, "Although, I wouldn't mean it."

At that moment, the PA system decided to kick it, and Lory's voice was projected throughout the entire building. "Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," his voice echoed down the halls, "I am looking for Mogami Kyouko-san of the Love Me section. I wish that both her and her new project report to my office by the time I finish this next song." Following the sound of the president clearing his throat, then a booming baritone overtook the speakers as he launched into his own rendition of a popular song, one Kyouko had heard several times before.

Satoshi burst into the room. "We better hurry!" he shouted over the racket. Next thing Kyouko was aware of was being pulled quite forcefully from the room, still in her bright pink jumpsuit. Satoshi's fist was buried in the material at her neck as he forcefully dragged her, running full speed to the elevator.

"I'll call youuuuuuuu!" Kyouko shouted desperately to Kanae as she struggled not to fall.

Kanae just sighed. Why couldn't one day just be normal around here? If it wasn't Tsuruga Ren, there was always someone else. And what was with that president? Is it really necessary to sing so loudly just to get someone's attention? Kanae ran her hand calmly through her hair and took a deep breath. For today, it was no longer her problem. Without a backwards glance she left the building, grateful to be away from the president's try at karaoke, leaving Kyouko to try and deal with her own problems alone. Smiling to herself, Kanae decided that she would take a nice, calming, relaxing bubble bath and wait patiently for Kyouko's call.

Author's Note: Wow, this chapter took forever to write. For those of you wondering, real life got in the way. Life gets kind of hectic, but over the summer, I'll do my best to update often. Once again, no one else but me reads these before they are posted, so any and all errors are mine alone. However, I might start thinking about finding a beta soon, but does anyone know how to go about that? I'm not too sure how. Anyway, as always, thanks for reading. ~