Ren looked at Kyoko, and pretended not to feel that pull in his stomach the second he met those golden eyes he had lost himself in many times before. As their eyes met, he saw something for the briefest second that made him become curious. He mentally shook it off and smiled his gentlemanly smile. But before he could speak, a soft, melodic voice sounded from behind. He saw confusion cloud Kyoko's eyes as a small, delicate hand placed itself on his arm. He mentally cursed himself for briefly forgetting.
"Mogami-san, Maria-chan. May I introduce you to my date, Utsukushī Megami."
Kyoko's heart dropped at the beautiful woman standing before her, holding onto the arm of the only man she truly desired. Out of the corner of her eye, she had a vague awareness of Maria putting on a face that was extraordinarily similar to Ren's gentleman face. A slight shiver ran down her back as she felt an extremely black aura surround the young woman, and knew that bad things were to come for the beautiful woman on Ren's arm. Kyoko gently reached out a hand and put it on Maria's arm. As she did so, the black aura receded ever so slightly.
Maria stepped up to Megami. Ren thought her facial expression looked vaguely familiar, but couldn't quite place it.
"How very nice to meet you, Oba-chan." Kyoko stifled her gasp as she choked on a breath she had been taking. Ren's eyes widened and look at Maria in surprise, then had to stifle the slightest grin from popping up his face. It was just like Maria to dislike any woman he went out with or showed interest in.
"Now, Maria-chan, that's not very polite", admonished Kyoko. "It's lovely to make your acquaintance, Utsukushī-san."
Kyoko gracefully shook the woman's hand, despite having a strong urge to scream at her to take her filthy paws off of Ren. Did she just call him Rem? Oh Lord, she was in way too deep.
Ren noticed a flash of emotion in Kyoko's eyes, the same one he had seen earlier when they first made eye contact, only this time, she didn't hide it and he could definitely recognize pain. His first instinct was to reach out and hold her in his arms until she no longer felt that pain, whatever was causing it, but the small hand encircling his arm reminded him of the restraint he needed to have. He was dating another woman. He had shut himself off from Kyoko. He couldn't give in to those feelings now.
"Megami, if you don't mind. When I hear Utsukushī-san, I look for my mother." Megami smiled beautifully, though, deep down, wondering where all this tension was coming from. She noticed the changes in the faces of the three people in front of her and she especially didn't like the change she saw in Ren's eyes. She would have to do something about this.
"Megami-chan it is." Kyoko smiled graciously as Ren's eyes belied his shock.
'Kyoko is addressing someone she just met informally?! Why? Why can't she do that with me?' Ren felt frustrated at the marked distinction she placed on him compared to other people.
"Kyoko, my dear. My darling, talented, beautiful, magnificent granddaughter. Ren." The President approached them all, feeling a sick sort of satisfaction at the uncomfortable vibe emanating off this group. He noticed with marked amusement and joy the look in Kyoko's eyes. He began to start thinking of ways he could have a lot of fun with the new knowledge this group was presenting to him.
"Please introduce me to your companion for the evening, Ren."
"Ah, yes, of course. Utsukushī Megami, Lory Takarada, the president of L.M.E." Ren present his date to his boss, hoping that, for once in his life, the man would not do something to make things complicated or embarrass him.
Megami's eyes widened.
'That little brat that called me a grandma is the granddaughter of L.M.E.'s president?! It would be unwise at this point to attempt to put her in her place.' Megami smiled at the President and offered him her hand. The President took it with much aplomb.
"I do hope that you will enjoy our little soiree this evening, Megami-san. Maria, let us go settle ourselves in. Ren, be sure to escort both of these wonderful young ladies to their seats, as I do believe, Kyoko, you chose to come without a date tonight?" Kyoko and Ren had stiffened slightly at the President's suggestion, and Kyoko nodded with an awkward smile. The three watched has the President sauntered away in his jungle tux, with Maria on his arm, and the lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!) following close behind.
Ren shook his head. Megami looked at him with an inquisitive look. When Ren just smiled with no other explanation, Megami turned to address Kyoko.
"Kyoko-chan, please do let us take you to your seat. It is such a waste that a young woman be alone at an event like this." Kyoko started at the emphasis on alone, and took notice of the slight hostility that accompanied the loaded statement.
'What on earth…' Kyoko thought.
"If I may, Kyoko-chan," Ren said as he held out his arm. He took pleasure in seeing the slightest bit of astonishment register on Kyoko's face as a small blush crept its way up her cheeks. What he missed was the slightly sour turn his date's face took at the use of Kyoko's first name.
"Ah, it's really not necessary, Tsuruga-san…"
"Ren" he corrected firmly. "And it would be the greatest fallacy of my career to allow a young woman to be unescorted."
Kyoko nervously took his arm.
"I would disagree that it would be the greatest fallacy of your career, Tsuru-Ren." Ren was surprised at the banter she had initiated. He knew she had developed some confidence over the years, but he had never once had her talk back to him in such a flippant manner.
'But then again, you have exiled yourself from her life for the past three years.' Ren thought bitterly.
"There are many other mistakes you could make that would be far greater than not helping me to a seat that I am perfectly capable of getting to myself." Kyoko continued.
"Oh, so you think that I would make an egregious mistake, do you?" Ren said, smirking.
"Oh no! What I meant was…" Kyoko noticed the teasing look on Ren's face and batted him playfully on the arm. "You are so mean Ren!"
Ren laughed feeling satisfied that she used his name without stuttering.
"Well, you two seem quite comfortable with each other. You must be great friends." Ren and Kyoko both registered a bit of shock, and Ren looked at his date sheepishly, berating himself for, yet again, forgetting about his date.
"Ren was my sempai when I started out in the business 8 years ago. He helped me a great deal and I learned so much of what I know from him." Kyoko stated, attempting to diffuse the uncomfortable atmosphere surrounding the three of them.
"I see."
The three of them proceeded to make their way inside to the awards ceremony where, to Ren and Kyoko's secret delight and Megami's dismay, Kyoko was sitting at the same table as Ren and Megami. In fact she was sitting right next to him. The rest of the group included Maria who was sitting next to Megami, the President, Yashiro, Kanae, and the Ishibashi brothers. Ren narrowed his eyes at the card indicating that Hikaru was sitting next to Kyoko. For you see, he was the reason Ren had distanced himself from Kyoko three years ago. The President looked ready to giggle in glee like a school girl at the possibilities this seating arrangement presented.
As the awards ceremony started, the group sat down. Kyoko notice small strange movements coming from Maria. As drinks were brought to them, Maria chose a grape juice instead of wine, as she was still underage. Her grandfather raised his eyebrow questioningly, as Maria hated grape juice. Right as the music ended and the first presenter made it to the podium to speak, Maria's hand twitched ever so slightly, knocking the glass of grape juice over…right into Megami's lap.
Megami shrieked and jumped up. As she did, a deafening rip was heard. Ren and Kyoko looked down at the chair and saw half of the back of Megami's dress stuck to the detail work on the chair.
Considering the timing of each of these events, it had been completely silent when Megami had screamed. So everyone had heard and was now looking at either a reddish purple stain on her dress with a face to match, or they were looking at the interesting ensemble of underwear the Megami had chosen for that night. And interesting it was. It wasn't often that you saw a grown woman wearing strawberry print granny panties…
Megami's face changed colors very rapidly, before she rounded on Maria.
"YOU!" she screeched. "YOU DID THIS! YOU RIDICULOUS, SPOILED, EVIL, LITTLE NOBODY! YOU RUINED MY DRESS, YOU BRAT!" She moved as though she were going to slap Maria.
Before anyone else could react, a glass of champagne was thrown into Megami's face.
"I suggest you cool off, Utsukushī-san", Kyoko spoke in a calm, yet deadly voice. "You would not want to cause yourself anymore embarrassment than you already have."
Megami's eyes bulged in their sockets as she made to lunge for Kyoko, but was stopped by a large hand.
"I think it's time for you to leave."
A/N: Thank to those who gave me reviews! I know it's the same day as the first chapter, but I have no kids tonight and I am on a roll. Who knows, I may crank out a few more chapters. I'm so excited at the response my story has had thus far. A few comments inspired certain parts of this chapter. And yes, Maria called Megami a grandma. Don't you just love her? Well until next time, keep reviewing and keep reading!
