Author's Note: I do not own Skip Beat! So fair warning, this is where the characters begin to get a little OOC.

Ren was taking a ten minute break for "lunch", which consisted of an entire rice ball bought at the nearest convenient store, when he received the call. At first he thought he was dreaming. Was Kyoko really calling him? Then he realized what time of day it was. For a split second, Ren contemplated letting it go to voice mail. Then he quickly remembered that hearing her lecture him about his eating habits was better than not getting to hear her at all, and maybe if he played his cards right, he might be able to have a "normal" conversation with her. Ren took a deep breath in and mentally prepared himself then he tapped the screen permitting the phone to receive Kyoko's call.

"Mogami-san?" Ren enquired with the most innocent voice he could muster.

"Oh! Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko managed to croak out.

Ren could almost see the surprised look on her face. Kyoko was probably wide-eyed with a pale face. She clearly had not expected him to actually pick up. Ren pondered whether or not he should say something to her before he lost her, but ultimately he decided to wait and hear her out.

"I am so, so, so, so, so sorry Tsuruga-san! I did not mean to interrupt your work. It's not even that important… I just… I'm sorry I'll just…" Ren immediately regretted his decision.

"Mogami-san, it's okay, you're not interrupting anything. Do you need help with anything?" Ren soothed, trying to keep her from flying off the handle.

"Ummm… Actually… Tsuruga-san, I was wondering…" she paused for a minute gasped as if making a sudden realization. "Tsuruga-san are you eating your lunch?!"

Ren sighed, the inevitable had just occured. "Yes Mogami-san. I am eating, so there is no need to scold your sempai today." Ren smirked as he heard her breath hitch, but the smirk quickly faded as guilt crept its way in. He knew that she was about to deliver a tirade of apologies for being so disrespectful to her superior. He didn't like hearing her lectures, but it was better than reinforcing the distance between sempai and kohai. He wanted her to see him as an equal. To his surprise, Kyoko did not begin her rampage. Instead, he heard her take a deep breath, as if she were getting into character.

"But Tsuruga-san, your health is very important to me. I would die if my sempai became sick because I failed at getting him to eat. I don't think it's a good idea to lose your kohai's respect by eating a mere rice ball for lunch. If you want to keep my respect, you will let me cook dinner for you at your apartment tonight and you will do everything I ask you to do."

Ren's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. He was shocked. Kyoko's voice was smooth and silvery, but firm and demanding all at once. Where did that come from? That didn't sound like Kyoko at all. Instead it sounded like a mix of Natsu, Setsu, and just a small dash of kohai. Ren thought to himself. Then he gulped as his mind started to ponder her demands. It almost sounded like… Ren immediately stopped thinking along those lines. There was no way that Kyoko wanted to spend time with him like that.

"Tsuruga-san?"

The voice sounded hesitant, almost remorseful. Ren knew he had to say something and fast before he lost her.

"Of course Mogami-san. Whatever I need to do to make it up to you, I will gladly do." The words somehow managed to make it out in a comprehensible sentence. What was that? Did Kyoko just man-handle me again? Ren asked himself.

"Good!" her voice immediately perked up. "I'll be over at eight tonight. Make sure you wear a nylon shirt that is easy to slip on and off. Maybe nylon pants too, but that's entirely up to you. Definitely wear socks. Your apartment will need to be cold. Hmmm… I think that will do it."

Ren had to remind himself to breathe again. What the heck is going on?! What is she up to? He was beyond confused. It took every fiber in his trembling body to deliver an affirmative in a clear, calm voice. Then Kyoko hung up. Ren internally sighed. This is going to be a long night. He would have to talk to Yashiro about the change in schedule. Ren was not worried about rearranging his plans. He was much more worried about the teasing he would get from his manager,but even that paled in comparison to how much he was dreading whatever the gods had planned for his evening with the object of his affections.

Mogami Kyoko hung up the phone and immediately went into frenzy mode. She could not believe the things that she had said to her sempai. She berated herself for such bold and indecent behavior. This went on for a good hour, and then she steeled herself for what was to come. Yes she had used acting to manipulate her sempai. Yes she had been terribly forward. Yes she would be putting herself in a compromising position with the man that she had recently realized she … loved. Perhaps she had ruined the relationship that she had formed with the actor known as Tsuruga Ren, but it was too late now. There was no going back. Kyoko would have this one night to accomplish her goal. She would accomplish her task and bask in the presence of her crush one last time, all in the name of science. It was probably for the better. It would be much easier to get over her disease for him if Ren went back to hating her.

Poor Ren, he hasn't even been given boyfriend status and he is already being whipped...

So... what do you think? Comments, criticisms, imaginary cookies...I'll take 'em all.

Thanks for reading!