Chapter 2

Soon the newspapers were flooded with the news: Hizuri Kuu was coming back to Japan to work. He had made a press statement saying that since his wife was to come here more often (due to marketing Swan fashion across Japan), he wanted to work in Japan again so that he could be with her when she travelled. Naturally, he would take only short jobs: modelling and TV adverts and the like, else Julie would return to America without him, and that would defeat the point of them trying to stay together.

It was a hot topic, and the new Swan fashion range was on the lips of over half of Japan. Ren could not get away from it, although Yashiro learned very early on that it was a touchy subject, and tried to shield him from the worst of it - for his own wellbeing more than Ren's: he had never been so scared of Ren as the moment they first heard the rumour.

It worried him enough that he even admitted his concerns to Kyouko in the hopes that she knew more than him about what upset his charge. The pain in her expression and lack of a comprehensive reply made him come to the only logical explanation: Julie Hizuri had done something to one of them when they visited her in America. He resolved to dislike the woman who had so clearly hurt his charge (whether directly or not, it did not matter).

Kyouko was sitting opposite the president, trying not to let him see through her excuse for coming to see him. She had mentioned Yashiro's request only briefly and brushed over Ren's reaction. She left out the gaping hole in her story of "I care about him and am worried that he is not ready to let the world know".

She was fighting a losing battle, and was relieved when the doors banged open to distract Lory.

Ren burst through the double doors to the office and marched directly up to the president's desk.

"Ah, Ren." Lory said pleasantly. "Just who I wanted to see. I have a love me task for the two of you" he said gesturing at Kyouko.

Ren barely glanced at her. She averted her eyes as soon as Lory included her, and in that moment, they nearly missed the full implications of what Lory said.

Ren cleared his throat nervously "ehem… did you say 'Love Me' task? " he murmured, dreading the answer.

"Of course" Lory said brightly, passing them each a folder with the information for a modelling job in it.

Lory's input into the plan was to help arrange for them to get some family photos done - under the public eye as modelling for Swan fashion.

Lory had created a reason for the choice of models in case the point was pushed: since it was Julie's husband's home country, he should model for it. She loved modelling alongside him, and would eagerly take the opportunity to do so, even though it meant that she did everything from modelling to directing for the new range. Since Julie rarely pushed her position in the company to overrule everyone else's judgement, Lory correctly thought that her colleagues would forgive this one time quirk, especially since it was good business sense: she was after all almost as famous as Kuu in Japan. Two younger models would also be chosen for the shoot: the most popular bachelor in Japan, Tsuruga Ren, and the up and coming young actress, Kyoko, who reportedly had strong chemistry with him both on and off screen.

The two actors read the information sombrely, both trying to fight their emotions. Tears tried to form in Kyouko's determinedly dry eyes as she fought to compress the hope sprouting inside her. Was it possible that the Hizuris actually wanted her around because they really did like her? They weren't just being polite? It had been really nice playing father and son, but she had convinced herself that it was just a game: if the Hizuris kept being this nice to her, then she would let her guard down and love them. Ultimately she would lose them if she let that happen, so she quickly trampled those hopeful thoughts.

At that moment, Yashiro panted towards them, having finally caught up with his charge. "President" he greeted.

"Ren, Kyouko, good eveni…"

Noticing the tension in the room, he frowned. Kyouko's hands were shaking, and Ren looked conflicted. Over their shoulders, he read the contents of the file they were both holding, and his anger spilled out.

"President! You can't make them do this. Can't you see how upset that woman makes them? How can you let them near someone who has clearly done something so wrong to them? I thought you …", but he was interrupted by Kyouko's sob.

"Excuse me." She trembled and ran out.

Ren had blinked out of his stupor when Yashiro had started yelling, and stared shocked at Kyouko's retreating back. This wasn't a reaction caused by fear of him. This was something more. He desperately wanted to go to Kyouko, however there was something he had to put right first. Yashiro was his best friend, and even though he did not think he was ready to tell him the whole truth, he could not stand that man badmouthing his mother.

"Yukihito, " he said, using Yashiro's first name for emphasis. " she is my Mother. She did nothing wrong." He took a deep breath. "Please excuse me too." He placed the folder into Yashiro's arms and ran after the girl he loved.

The president sat down heavily, not remembering when he had stood up, and looked at the only person left in the room.

Unexpectedly, he burst out laughing. It was a strained sort of laugh, but it was, undeniably, a laugh. Yashiro had been stopped mid rant, and he was still poised with one finger pointing angrily where Lory had previously stood. Now with a folder rested in his arms, he still stood comically frozen.

At the sound of laughter, Yashiro jumped, caught the folder and stood awkwardly looking at his president, not really knowing how to react. Lory gestured to the seat opposite him.

As Yashiro sat down, Lory rested his elbows against his desk, massaging his temples and grumbling softly to himself.

Suddenly he looked up and almost yelled "Why do those two never do as expected?" which made Yashiro jump again.

The silence after that hung in the air for several minutes before Yashiro got the courage to ask "So, Ren is Hizuri Julie's son?"

"… Yes"

"And… Hizuri Kuu..?"

"Is his Father"

Silence fell again.

"Why…", he paused, grimacing "No, I will ask him when he is ready." Yashiro pouted at his own values: he really wanted to know more.

Lory smiled weakly at the manager's efforts, and said sadly "He needed to become someone else and has only recently been able to admit who he is to close friends. He may not be able to tell you everything just yet: his reactions to the last few days prove that much. I'm sorry."

"You … you think you pushed them too much?" Yashiro asked in surprise. After all the meddling Yashiro had seen Lory do, this was the first time that he looked so uncertain.

When Lory made no reply for several minutes, Yashiro bowed and excused himself to catch up with his charge, still pondering the two bombs that had just been dropped on him.

Ren caught up with Kyouko as she fled down the second flight of stairs. He leapt down the last five steps to overtake her and block her path. His feet thumped on the landing, echoing in the empty stairwell.

Kyouko flinched at the loud sound and paused. She knew that she could not escape Ren when he was determined, so it would be foolish to try.

Keeping her head lowered to prevent him seeing her tear stained face, she just stood still. When Ren carefully enveloped her in a hug, she sobbed harder. What was happening? Did Ren not hate her? Did the Hizuri's actually care for her? How could she forgive herself for thinking so poorly of such generous people, and how could she prevent herself giving into her feelings which would cause them to abandon her like everyone else she could use the dreaded 'L' word on?

"Shhhh, Kyouko, shhhhh. It's Ok."

She mumbled something incoherent into his chest, but Ren correctly interpreted it.

"It is Ok." He said pulling Kyouko off his chest so he could look into her eyes. Then softly he added "I told Yashiro about mother. He won't misunderstand again."

Kyouko frowned a little, "Does he understand?" She wondered how he had caught her so fast if he had explained things to Yashiro before coming.

"Ah,…" Ren hesitated, "I didn't wait to let him ask questions."

Their eyes met over a strained sort of mutual amusement. "He will have a lot of questions." Kyouko commented.

There was a comfortable sort of silence between them as they unconsciously took comfort from each other. Kyouko reached up, cupping his cheek softly. "Are you Ok?"

His phone rang, interrupting the moment. "Yashiro.. " he answered the call. "WHERE ARE YOU?" Yashiro's voice rang out so that even Kyouko could hear what he said. "I will meet you by the car." Ren responded calmly as if his manager was not unusually angry at not being able to easily find his charge, and as if he had not been interrupted from what had clearly been a sign of affection from Kyouko. Even Yashiro would not have called it insignificant progress if he had seen. Ren was glad he had not.

Kyouko could not hear anything else Yashiro said, but from Ren's side of the conversation, she could tell that Yashiro was nagging Ren about keeping secrets. As Ren spoke, he gently guided Kyouko down the rest of the steps, though it was only once they had reached Ren's car that she realised she had been moving at all.

At Kyouko's questioning look, Ren smiled at her and said "You have Kimagure rock now. I am driving you there". It was a statement and not an invitation. Kyouko didn't hesitate, though she did get in the back seat before either of the men could argue. She wasn't sure of her reasoning for that: to allow herself more space to sort her feelings out, to let Yashiro have the opportunity to ask questions, or merely as a statement to Ren that he would not always get his way. It was probably a bit of each.

Having dropped his manager off at home, Ren glanced in the rear mirror at Kyouko, who was clearly still upset. He helped Kyouko into her chicken suit and watched the show from backstage. He used the time to process what had happened. His parents were coming to visit, and had decided to openly meet with him and flaunt their presence until he could not escape from the idea. It had made him frustrated and angry and scared, and then Kyouko was there and as always everything in his life became about her. Kyouko needed his parents, and if he focussed on that, suddenly there was no issue.

He smiled at his lucky charm as she pranced off stage to loud applause and laugher. As she removed her chicken head, however, he jumped up to help her. She was pale and shaky and he wondered when the last time she had eaten was. Seeing that she wasn´t in any immediate danger, he helped her remove the heavy costume and let her go to change. By the time she came out, he had stowed the costume away with the help of some awed stage hands, and was leaning against the wall trying not to look smug.

Kyouko walked over to him cautiously.

"Let´s eat dinner." he said happily.

She eyed him suspiciously. He had clearly been upset earlier, and Ren never offered to eat. "Why?" She asked curiously. She flinched as soon as she said it. Since when was she that bold, and what would his response be? She did not want to deal with him being nice right now. "Ok, let's get Onigiri on the way home. They are okay to have on occasion." She rushed through both sentences, not leaving room for argument. Onigiri meant she did not have to sit through dinner with him, although it also meant allowing him to have convenience food which she mostly disapproved of.

He smiled happily as he followed her to his car. He knew that she had let him have his way to void proper conversation, but she was letting him help her. When she did not argue that he had paid for the food, he started really looking forward to the photo shoot where he would be able to spend intimate time with her without having to worry about gossip or reporters.

The day of the shoot came, and Ren and Kyouko hesitated outside the studio. Yashiro frowned in frustration. Their behaviour around this woman was even less predictable than usual.

"What is it about this woman that makes you so worked up?" he growled.

"She is smothering" Ren murmured.

"I..I love her" Kyouko whispered barely audibly.

Yashiro was about to ask more when he saw Ren's hand wrap around Kyouko's in comfort, and he decided not to break the moment.

As soon as they stepped in, Julie swept Kyouko up in a bear hug exclaiming how much she had missed her daughter. Her eyes however, never left her son's face as she said the words that were meant for him too.

Ren bowed politely and uttered the only word that would make Julie release Kyouko from her enthusiasm.

"Mom".

It was only Ren's quick reflexes which prevented himself getting bowled over by Julie.

"Kuon, is that you?"

Maddy, one of Julie's oldest friends had come over, a camera in her hands. She looked like she had seen a ghost. Although she had known from the start that Kuon was fine, it seemed a little unbelievable that Tsuruga Ren had been in such a spot light, without anyone knowing or noticing his likeness to the missing son of one of the most famous couples in the world.

Ren saw the concern in Kyouko's eyes as she watched the reactions of everyone in the room and decided it was time to make the introductions that his mother had been too distracted to make.

Smiling an affirmation to Maddy, he extracted himself from his mother to stand by Kyouko.

"Kyouko, Yashiro, this is Maddy Taylor, an old family friend and the best photographer that Swan Industries has to offer. He ignored Maddy's pretended blush, and continued.

"Maddy, Mom, this is Mogami Kyuoko, the most talented new actress in Japan, and this is Yashiro Yukihito, my meddlesome manager." He had to hold on to Kyouko carefully as she tried to squirm away from the praise.

"Yashiro, I know you already know who she is, but this is my mother, Julie Hizuri. " He had slipped an arm around her shoulder as he said it, and with slightly shaking fingers he wiped her watering eyes, speaking quietly into her ear about not messing up her makeup.

She nodded and stood straight, suddenly becoming a force of nature that no-one could refuse.

"Kuu is at an audition so will be coming in about two hours. We will do some single shots and some light hearted ones to get to know each other before he arrives. Maddy can do Ren's make-up, and I will do Kyouko's. Yashiro, the clothes are on that rack there. We will need items 34, 56, 72, 12 and 47"

It had surprised no-one in America when the perfectionist Julie had insisted that she do everything for the new shoot herself: clothes, makeup and directing. Of course, she had others she trusted to do these things in America, but she always did a large part of the first shoot of each new project herself.

The five of them got on well. Once the single shots were finished, they moved some sofas onto the set and made a cosy living room environment. Yashiro mostly kept out of the way, except when they moved the set around.

Once they had changed into the next collection of outfits, he threw them a balloon he had found. They laughed and patted it up, trying not to let it touch the ground. When they all tumbled to the floor, trying to reach it at the same time, Ren scooped Maddy into the fray, grabbed her camera from her hands, and took a great 'selfie' style photo. They all laughed at Maddy's shocked expression, until she glared at them for endangering her camera, and they sobered instantly, deciding it was probably time to act more professional.

It was clear very quickly once they were stood next to each other just how similar Kyouko and Julie's Model stance was.

"Kyouko, did Julie teach you to model?" Maddy asked slightly surprised. She had not heard Julie mention it in all her ramblings about trying to get her 'daughter' to wear her clothes.

"Nope. Kuon taught her." Julie said flippantly, ignoring the sudden strained silence that was coming from Ren. Maddy looked at Ren, one eyebrow raised.

Trying to break the silence, Kyouko said "Yes, it was Kuon who showed me how female models walk."

"Oh. So he showed you videos of Julie to copy?"

"N.."

"Yes!" Ren interrupted, finally coming to his senses.

Kyouko looked at him oddly. Kuon had shown him videos of Julie modelling, but that was not how he had taught her.

Julie smiled at the confirmation of what her husband had said. Yashiro, however, grinned mischievously. There was not much that he could do to get back at Ren for all the lies, but this at least was fair payback… sort of.

Ren looked at his manager in alarm.

"Ren?" Kyouko asked innocently, wondering why he was acting like this.

"Yes, Ren," Yashiro emphasised his name, to point out Kyouko's lack of honorifics. "You don't want to let Kyouko-chan think that you lied about thing other than your identity, do you?" He spoke in a too sweet voice, which made everyone in the room cringe.

Ren glanced at Kyouko, who's eyes were flickering between the two men nervously. What did she have to do with anything?

"Ren, you should just man up and tell the truth about how you showed Kyouko yourself how female models walk."

Julie was grinning openly now. She had known from what Kuu had told her, and from her son's reaction that he had not used the videos. She knew that if she played her cards right, she could get some blackmail material photographs out of this. Maybe if this went well, she would not have to threaten to die so often to get her way.

Maddy, being a quick study and good at reading people, decided to chip in. She casually mentioned that it would make a really good photo if all four of the models (including Kuu) were to model in the same way. Julie agreed and Yashiro perked up at the unlikely support he had suddenly gained for his scheme.

Ren was cornered when Kyouko took this to heart, and asked Ren why he didn't want to make the best possible photos. He could not explain without being truthful about his feelings for her, and he knew that she was not ready for that. He tried childish refusal, but it was not successful.

Kuu walked in to see Ren trying very hard to deny Kyouko and Julie's puppy eyes. He was about to interrupt, when the girls' sparkle filled eyes fell on him. "Of course. Anything for my girls" he said without thinking. Ren closed his eyes with a shudder. Kuu would drag him into this, just to not be alone, and he knew he would not be able to resist the pleas of all three of his most loved people.

Without speaking, he moved into position in front of the camera.

There was a loud "NOOOOOOOOO! KUON, WHY DID YOU NOT WARN ME?!" as Kuu found out what he had agreed to do. All he got in return was a glare from Ren, and a very confused Kyouko. Ren had modelled for her with no complaints, and Kuu had been the one to explain to her that playing the role of another gender was an experience to relish. Why were he and Kuu hesitating now?

As soon as they were in front of the camera, however, both men were professional. Perhaps Kuu did relish the experience after all. As for Ren… well she could only think of one reason why a man might do something for a girl in private that he did not want to do in public, and that was impossible. Not only was it impossible, but it was a scary idea. She had already let his parents into her heart and was terrified that they would hate her for it. They were going to leave her alone again and she could not deal with losing them and Ren.

It was then that a though occurred to her. A hopeful thought that she would hang on to with all her heart. She had loved Kanae for some time now, and she was still her best friend. Maria, her little sister also still loved her. Maybe, just maybe … sibling love was not an evil emotion. After all, Setsu and Cain were siblings, and Setsu loves Cain like she loves Ren… Uh-oh. She had not meant to ever say that she loved Ren, even in her head, because that made it real.

It didn't matter, she decided. She loved Ren like a sibling and he likewise cared for her. She suppressed the thought that told her that she liked him before he was her brother, and she suppressed the knowledge that the Heel siblings' relationship was incestuous. It was comforting to think that she could love her 'Nii-san' without repercussions.

After the shoot was finished, the six of them went out to dinner. Kuu was still pouting when his seventh helping arrived, but Ren had cheered up as soon as he had realised that Kyouko was treating him like a close friend instead of a Sempai. Perhaps he would not have been so quick to cheer up if he had realised that she had convinced herself that he was her brother, or that Yashiro had acquired copies of every photo and video they had taken today.

Having had an enjoyable morning together, Kuu and Julie were content that their children were alright. It would have caused inconveniences for many people if they stayed any longer. They both knew without having to talk that if they had needed to stay, they would have done, but it was time to go home.

After seeing the three Americans off at the airport, Ren drove Kyouko to school. It had been over a month since she had last found the time to attend, and for people like Mimori, who thought that time spend at school is inversely proportional to a person's popularity as an actress, this did not go down well. It did not help that she arrived in Ren's car, wearing head to toe Swan Fashion.

She spent the rest of the day trying to ignore snide comments, and various pencils and erasers which flew her way.