A/N Sorry everyone for the delay on the chapter. I just recently moved, so I didn't have internet until today. (well, apparently I had it yesterday, but no one told me.) Hope you enjoy. Thanks again to Mystic Sorceror for helping out with editing and stuff. You're awesome!
Lory looked questioningly at Tomiko who seemed to take it in stride. "Do I look like your mother?" she asked with a tilt of her head.
"Yes." Kyoko admitted, still looking at Tomiko as if she had seen a ghost and wanted to run away screaming. "Her hair was black, and yours is light brown though. Also, she didn't have as many wrinkles..." Kyoko's eyes widened and she bowed, "I'm deeply sorry!"
Tomiko smiled and patted Kyoko's head. "It's quite alright. Everyone cannot have as fresh as an appearance as you Kyoko. Just make sure you don't say that again because some people may take some offense."
"I'm sorry Seto-san." Kyoko said meekly, still not sure if this was her mother or not. Tomiko smiled and gave Kyoko a comforting hug. Kyoko stiffened at the sudden contact, but, when she wasn't pushed away after a few seconds, she relaxed.
"Do you still think I'm your mother?" Tomiko whispered in her ear.
"No..." Kyoko answered carefully. Her own mother would have pushed her away, and wouldn't have even initiated the hug. She wouldn't even be in this room if she really was my mother.
Lory watched the woman and girl together. If you looked closely they did have similar features. "Ms. Mogami, Mrs. Seto, can we get back to the interview?"
"Of course." Tomiko said smoothly, stepping away from Kyoko. She brushed off her suit casually before saying, "Do you have any questions for me, Mogami-san?"
"Well, um, the questions I have I'm sure Takarada-san can answer." Kyoko replied awkwardly. "I don't want to waste your time."
"But you want to waste mine?" Lory asked jokingly. Kyoko's eyes widened and she shook her head.
"No...I..." she started, but Lory interrupted her by raising a hand.
"Mogami-san, this is an interview. Tomiko is trying to get a job as your manager. She can only get that if you're satisfied. How do you know if you're satisfied unless you ask questions?"
"Well if you put it that way." Kyoko said thoughtfully before addressing Tomiko, "Seto-san, why do you want to be my manager?"
"I believe that I can help you become the best actress you can be. You have so much potentional that even my husband has stated you are a force to be reckoned with," Tomiko answered, causing Kyoko to blush and start waving her hands in protest.
"I'm just an amatuer. I don't deserve such compliments," she started, but went silent when Tomiko put her hand up.
"That's something you have to work on as well." Tomiko said sternly, yet kindly. "Instead of denying people's compliments you should just humbly thank them. Even if you don't believe them."
"I'm sorry for my mistakes!" Kyoko shouted passionately, and would have gone into a dogeza if Tomiko didn't grab on to her arm just then.
"Don't bow and apologize at everything. You're not a commoner under a king." Tomiko instructed. "Do you see girls your age bowing at everything? No. So keep an eye on your surroundings and see what other people bow at."
Kyoko looked at Tomiko, startled; she almost said exactly what Father had said before, except he was referring to it would help your acting. If Tomiko gave the same advice as Kuu, [Yay Kuu-sama!!!!!] she would definitely be a great manager. Kyoko bowed deeply, "Please take care of me Seto-san."
Tomiko sighed. This girl just doesn't learn. She looked at Lory with a smile. "Does that mean I get the job."
He smiled and nodded. "Yes. You can start tomorrow."
Tomiko bowed slightly at the hip, not failing to notice that Kyoko was watching her actions very carefully. "Thank you for this opportunity. I won't fail." Tomiko responded confidently."
"I don't believe you will Mrs. Seto. Mogami-san," Lory said, getting Kyoko's attention, "Have you had any Love Me assignments recently?"
Kyoko shook her head. "No. I haven't received any. If there are any, they seem to be giving them to Moko-chan and Chiori-san." Kyoko felt bad for not getting any assignments and leaving all the work to her friends. It was just that people seemed to understand that she barely had time to sleep, let alone work on loving people.
"You can set aside your Love Me responsibilities until your workload slows down. If anyone can teach you love, it's Seto-san." Lory said with a smile, causing Tomiko to stare at him in surprise.
"Oh, I don't mind doing Love Me assignments. I don't want Moko-chan and Chiori-san to do all the work." Kyoko said, feeling really bad now. She may have been the first one to join the Love Me section, but Moko-chan wasn't that far behind. They should have been able to leave close together.
Lory waved her worries away. "The Love Me section wasn't about the work, it was about learning to love. I believe that you can learn that more with Seto-san." Lory responded firmly, ending the discussion.
Tomiko bowed, closely copied by Kyoko. She didn't bow any lower then Tomiko, but her bow seemed more formal, more polite. Lory chuckled under his breath. You can teach her much, but she still ends up being her own person, achieving more than anyone expected her to.
The women left, leaving Lory to his own thoughts. When Kyoko thought that Tomiko was her mother, she didn't looked relieved. Her face showed fear and sadness. It reminded him of when Maria had stumbled on that landmine at the parking lot. He didn't think that Tomiko was telling the complete truth. Kyoko hadn't seemed to believe her until Tomiko had hugged her. It saddened his heart that Kyoko only believed someone wasn't her mother when she received personal contact.
He'd watch over them from a distance, he decided. Kyoko has many people watching over her, if Tomiko Seto was a bad choice, someone would speak up. If anyone can help her succeed in overcoming childhood troubles, it'd be Tomiko Seto. Until then... Lory picked up the latest of Tomiko's books and flipped to his favourite part, where the lovers have their final goodbye, just before the murder. He grinned at how well the story was written, despite the gruesome end. This women will teach Kyoko to love, even if she intends to or not.
A/N Not really a cliff hanger like the last chapter, but whatever, can't do it for all of them. Lol. Like all authors, I love reviews and makes me write faster. Even if it's a word, or a letter.
