Hey everyone! Thank you so much for those reviews and Ren isn't going to come in yet since he is still techincally in Guam but he will appear eventually so don't worry.
At work that morning Kanae had been having a very hard time keeping what she discovered yesterday a secret, she wondered how can Kyouko's father be an actor yet she never knew so she decided to ask her.
''Hey Kyouko, what did your father do for work?'' Kyouko froze up for a second.
''Uhhm i'm not sure, my mother never told me much about him the only thing i know is that he's dead. But hey why are we talking about this when you got the dream job.'' She suddenly got reminded of Kyouko's mother.
''Yeah.. it's great.'' Kyouko was really confused.
''What's wrong? You don't seem happy at all.'' Kanae could see that her best friend was really worried about her so she plastered a fake smile on her face.
''Of course i am, i'm just a little nervous that's all. See you later.'' Kyouko could tell that something was definitely bothering her so she reminded herself to check on her later.
in his office
Lory was sitting on his chair gazing outside of the window, part of him still couldn't believe that Kyouko is Mishima Keito's daughter, or the fact that 20 years later Kuu and Keito's children are working here together. He could actually still remember that conversation he had 22 years ago.
flashback
''So Mishima kun you're asking me to hire a complete stranger to work at the bar downstairs?''
''With all do respect boss but she's not a complete stranger, me and Kuu know her.''
''Does she have any experience?''
''No but she's a quick learner i assure you.''
''Hmm..'' Kuu could see that Keito wasn't doing the greatest job convincing him so he stepped in.
''Look boss she really needs this, plus Keito has got a crush on her.''
''So this is about love.''
''Not exactly...more like friend.''
''Don't worry then she can work here and all the best with your love endeavors.''
''Thank you so much boss.''
Outside of the office Keito patted Kuu's shoulder.
''Great going with that 'Keito has got a crush on her' thing, how did you know that it would have worked?''
''I didn't, i just said the truth.''
''Wait what...''
''I've known you long enough to know that if you have a crush on someone you'll be the last one to find out.''
end of flashback
Lory got startled when he heard the knock on the door, he re adjusted himself and told them to come in, to his surprise it was Mogami san.
''I'm sorry to disturb you sir but i wanted to discuss something with you, it's about Ren..''
''Have you decided to tell him your feelings for him.'' She blushed.
''No it's not about that it's about his name.''
''His name?''
''Yes i wanted to ask you if you could please tell me his real name.'' He was surprised that she had known about it.
''How long have you known about this?''
''Since we left Karuizawa.''
''Well as you already may know, his name is a reminder of a painful part of his past so i think that he should be the one to tell you when he is ready.''
''I see thank you sir.'' Kyouko was a bit disappointed but this made her even more intent to help him.
at the studio
Kanae was at the studio talking to the other actors waiting for the rest of the cast to show up, the supervisors weren't here yet, after a few minutes they came, as soon as Saena came in Kanae recognised her instantly. She looked almost exactly like her, exept for her eyes and she looked more mature than her. The table read went pretty well, everyone seemed satisfied, unintenionally Kanae started staring at Saena who noticed her. She was heading out but Takano san came to her, unbeknownst to them Kanae was actually watching them
''Mogami san would you join me for a coffee outside?'' She turned around and smiled at him sweetly, he was surprised to see this kind of expression because it was the first time he saw it.
''You really don't give up do you?''
''I guess i'm just stubborn but i don't want to give up on you, i like you.'' Saena was really surprised but soon after a very sad expression came on her face.
''I'm honoured but there are so many women in the office that would love to go out with you, why me?''
''Because everyone thinks that you are a cold person but i don't think that's who you really are. I think that someone hurt you and since then you created a wall around your heart to keep people from hurting you again. But i know that you can go back to being that person you were before, a few months ago i saw you smile when that actress came on tv, Kyoko, she's your daughter right?''
''Yes she is, are you going to tell everyone?''
''No, i can see that you're trying to keep your distance from her. But why? From that look on your face it's clear that you love her.'' Saena walked towards the exit but stopped midway.
''She's better off without me.'' After saying that she left, Takano san went back to talk to the other cast while Kanae was left standing there not exactly aware of what she was going to do now. Back at LME the president had called for her so she went to his office.
in his office
''You wanted to see me sir?''
''Yes, Moko san please come in. I know that my grandaughter told you about Kyouko's father.''
''Yes, i haven't told anyone if that's what you're worried about.''
''No i wasn't worried but Mogami san is, she said that you were acting strangely this morning.''
''It's because of her mother.''
''What about her?'' Kanae told him the truth about how she didn't want to hurt Kyouko plus the conversation she overheard before, Lory wasn't suprised at all about what Saena said.
''I know that you don't want to hurt Kyouko but i think that you should tell her about it, she's stronger than you think.''
''You're right, i'll tell her when i see her but one last thing, what happened between Saena and this man?''
''Unfortunately i don't know very much about this either but there's someone who does, Hizuri Kuu.''
''Hizuri Kuu? Why would he know something like this?''
''He was that man's best friend and he knew Saena well too, he's the only one who knows exactly what happened between those two. He lives in America now but he'll come back soon with his wife.''
''Thank you sir.''
''Ah Moko san, that man's name is Mishima Keito.''
Downstairs near the exit she found Kyouko pacing around and she ran towards her.
''Moko san, why did the president call you?''
''I need talk to you, can we go somewhere alone.''
''Sure.'' They sat down and after explaining everything that she knew there was a deep silence and Kanae was getting worried.
''Kyouko i'm really sorry that i kept this from you.''
''It's okay, i understand why you did it and i forgive you. I'm still kind of surprised that my father was an actor or that Kuu san was his best friend.''
''What are you going to do now?''
''I don't know i need to think for a while, i'll see you here tomorrow.''
At the Darumaya Kyouko went straight to her room after greeting the owners, reflecting on her mother's word Kyouko thought that maybe her mother didn't mean that he was dead when she said that he was gone.
at her apartment
Saena was on her couch watching tv while drinking some burboun, it had been a while since she had a drink but after today she desperatly needed one. For the first time ever someone saw through her mask, he was a really sweet guy but she didn't want to fall in love, she changed the channel and saw that there was an old tv show on tv, after a few seconds Keito appeared, it felt like her day could not get worse than this.
flashback
Saena had been working at the LME cafe for a few months now, she grew closer to Keito and Kuu who were gradually becoming more popular. While she was cleaning a few cups Keito came over.
''Hey Saena!''
''Hey Keito you're back already?''
''Yeah i couldn't wait to come back to...your amazing coffee.''
Saena smiled and nodded, he was very relieved that she bought it, the truth was that he really liked her but couldn't find the right moment to ask her out so instead he kept visiting her at the cafe. Though the other workers at the cafe were getting a bit suspicious of his frequent visits during her shifts Saena was just happy to see him again, everyone seemed to know that he liked her exept Saena who just explained his common visits with 'i guess he just really likes coffee'.
''Are you sure it's healthy to drink this much coffee?''
''Actually i came here today for a different reason.''
''Really? What's up?''
''Since your shift's over now, do you want to go get a drink that's not coffee?''
''Sure i'll just get changed and meet you back here.'' As soon as she was out of sight he jumped of joy, Kuu came over to him and clapped his hands.
''Congratulations! It took you 196 coffees to ask her on a date, but you did it.''
''I regret nothing.''
''I'm proud of you man.'' Saena came back and smiled at them.
''Are you coming too Kuu?''
''Oh no i'm busy but enjoy yourselves.''
Outside they walked to this place that made great smoothies, they talked a bit about their jobs and about themselves, when they finished their smoothies they walked to a park nearby and sat down on a bench.
''Feel free not to answer but why couldn't your parents send you money?''
''I cut off ties with the rest of my family.''
''What happened?''
''Not long after i was born my father died in a car accident, after that my mother re married to a man that didn't like children. They both pretty much ignored me most of the time so when i finished high school i moved here.''
''I'm sorry it must have been tough.''
''Yeah but i don't regret it.''
''Why?''
''Because if that bad stuff didn't happen i wouldn't have moved here and i would never have met you or Kuu.''
''You're really amazing you know that? To be able to find a positive side to everything.''
''Enough about me. Why don't you tell me about your family?''
''My father owns a very succesful company which he wants me to be an heir to, i told him about my dream of becoming an actor but he never listens to me, so i moved into Kuu's place and followed my dream.''
''Wow that's really brave! To go against your father and follow your dream, i'm really proud of you.''
''Thanks, even though it will get harder. I will never go back to my father's side.''
end of flashback
Saena wiped a stray tear from her cheek.
''Liar..''