Hello! So here is the next chapter for you to read, review, and critique! Thanks again to all the readers. You're support is what keeps me going...hehe, hopefully you'll like this one!

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its characters.

Rummaging through his kitchen, Ren had hopes that he would find something decent to eat for dinner, but to no avail. All that was left were a few bags of chips, some wine, and left-over chicken from last week's Chinese take-out that was already starting to smell. Exasperated, he decided to go sit in the living room and watch some TV, hoping that it will take his mind off of his rumbling stomach.

Ren would have ordered in some food, but it was already 11:40. No restaurant would answer his call now and even if it did, he didn't have the heart to make some poor soul come all the way out here just to feed him when he should have been more responsible and make something for himself.

Once he plopped down onto the couch, Ren flipped on the television and began to surf through the channels. Nothing was on, except for a countless number of infomericals from kitchen appliances to a new dating website for the lonely.

When Ren finally reached the 500s, he decided to stop at a news channel, listening to a blonde woman talk about the latest celebrity gossip with a voice that would have driven anyone insane.

"According to an exclusive insider, her baby may not actually be hers. Coincidence? I THINK NOT!" she cried loudly as she wagged her finger in front of the camera, laughing hysterically.

Ren shook his head. He was never one to listen to these stories. They were always either completely made up or partially made up. Truth was an absolute rarity.

But just as he was about to turn the channel to something of more substance, the newscaster said the one name that stopped him dead in his tracks:

"Well, in other news, I'm sure we all know that Mya Beaumont has finally arrived in Japan and will be staying for what seems to be a month before she goes back to America. Although reporters tried to get a few minutes with her at the airport, it seems that Mya was instantly rushed to famous entertainment company LME where we all know is the haven of none other than Tsuruga Ren, the heart-throb of our generation!"

The woman giggled in glee and clapped her hands together. "But ladies, I feel I must warn you. Rumors have it that there MIGHT be something fishy between Mya and Ren. Apparently, she came all the way to Japan just to see him…Coincidence? I THINK NOT!"

Instantly, Ren shut off the television and dropped the remote on the couch, running his hand through his hair. He could feel his heart beating in his chest, thumping in nervousness as his hands unconsciously started to clench and unclench in agitation.

"This is ridiculous," he murmured to himself. "It was just a stupid rumor. Nothing more…"

But Ren wasn't fooling anyone. No matter how hard he tried to persuade himself, it just wasn't working. Even now, he could easily recall the warmth of her embrace when he met her this morning, the gleeful smile upon her face when she looked up at him. Ren would be lying if he said a part of him didn't like the fact that she was here…that she still remembered him even after all this time. But, Mya's purpose for coming to Japan was something that he just wasn't quite ready for yet…In fact, he highly doubted if he ever would be.

Feeling more confused than ever, Ren was just about to get off of his couch and lie down for some rest, until he was suddenly interrupted with—

RRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNG!

Jumping in surprise, Ren turned his head to the side and realized that somebody was calling him on his home phone. Curious as to whom it was, he glanced at the caller I.D and saw that it read PRIVATE CALLER. Slowly, he reached for the phone and removed it from the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Hi there."

Ren froze. "That voice …"

"Surprised? I thought you would be," she said in glee. "Did you think I would never call you?"

"How did you get my number?" he blurted out without thinking.

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out, Ren," she giggled.

Ren had no idea what to say. He was absolutely speechless. His hands started to get clammy as he listened to her familiar voice, ringing in his ears. It brought back so many memories, just like it did when he first saw her at LME.

"Mya," he was able to say after a while, "What are you—?"

"Doing here?" she interrupted.

Ren didn't reply.

"I thought it was obvious."

He shook his head. "Mya, don't do—"

"How long has it been since we last talked?" she asked, ignoring his comment.

Ren remained quiet.

"I feel the same way," Mya murmured gently after she realized he wasn't responding. "It's been so long that I completely forgot."

He could imagine seeing her smile drop in his eyes. How she would look down at her feet whenever she said something that made her sad…how she would refuse to meet his gaze whenever she let something slip that shouldn't have been said. "She's still the same…" he thought tenderly.

"Mya," Ren began in a soft tone. "I'm glad that you're here."

"Are you?" she asked quietly.

"Of course I am. I will always be happy to see you."

Mya laughed. "Thank you. I am too."

Ren smiled in response, listening to her breath come and go with ease.

"You know," she said after a while, "I have to say, you changed quite a bit since the last time I saw you. I almost didn't recognize you there."

He chuckled. "I couldn't tell it was you either…until you rushed at me."

"What, me calling your name didn't give it away?" she teased.

"Just a little bit," Ren replied with a small smile on his lips.

Mya laughed. "I miss that."

"What?"

"Your sense of humor. That has to be one of my favorite qualities of yours," she confessed gently. "You always know how to cheer me up."

Ren suddenly froze again. He didn't understand why Mya had such control over him. She could make his heart beat erratically one second and then stop altogether in another. Ren had never felt so perplexed in his life.

"Ren," she murmured gently. "I miss you."

"Mya…"

"Don't you miss me?" she whispered.

Ren gulped. "You know I do Mya, but—"

"Then will you see me soon?" she asked in an almost eager tone, even though the sadness was still evident in her small voice.

"Why wouldn't I—?"

"Take me to LME tomorrow morning, Ren?" Mya asked abruptly. "It would mean a lot to me."

"Um…sure, I guess I can—"

"Great," she said with a smile smile. "Then I'll see you at 9. Well, I have to go to sleep, Ren. A girl needs her rest right?" She giggled quitely. "Good night."

And like a switch, the line went dead, leaving Ren staring dumbfounded at the phone. Slowly, he placed it back onto the receiver and slumped on the couch.

"What am I getting myself into?" he groaned with his head in his hands.

Slamming the locker door, Kanae spun around and asked angrily, "I should what!"

Kyoko whimpered and took a step back. "Be nicer," she mumbled pathetically.

"I SHOULD BE NICER! ME! Do I need to remind you that she's the one who insulted me!"

Feeling smaller by the second, Kyoko nodded and replied quietly, "But you sort of initiated it, Moko-san."

"MO!"

In a huff, she stalked over to the door and was about to turn the door knob, when Kyoko quickly flung herself onto Kanae and held her from the back.

"No! Don't leave! Please don't be mad!" Kyoko cried desperately.

"LET GO!"

Kanae tried her best to shake her off, but Kyoko had a grip of a bear. It was impossible. She hung on with the jaws of life. And Kanae could already feel her strength quickly draining. Kyoko was a lot stronger than she thought. Surrendering after what felt like forever, Kanae finally took in a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders.

"You can let go now," she said quietly. "I won't leave."

"Promise?" Kyoko mumbled into her back.

Kanae sighed heavily in response.

Reluctantly, she released her grip and slowly took a step back, but not too far just in case Kanae tried to make a break for it again.

Sighing, Kanae turned around and looked at her fearful friend with her arms crossed. "I might have been a little rude, but you can't deny the fact that she's not exactly Miss Ray of Sunshine."

Kyoko smiled at her comment. "You're right about that. But, you weren't either…"

Kanae flicked her dark hair back, ignoring the last bit. "Look Kyoko, you just need to watch out for her, okay?"

Kyoko furrowed her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly that. Just promise me?"

Seeing her unsure expression, Kanae immediately turned on her puppy-dog eyes that she knew Kyoko had no chance of refusing. She was a sucker for those. And right on cue, Kyoko nodded helplessly and wrapped her arms around Kanae in a hug.

"MO!" Kanae cried out as she untangled herself from her arms. "Enough of that!"

Still, she couldn't help but smile at Kyoko's innocence. It was always so easy to please her.

"Come on," Kanae said in a mock tone of annoyance. "Let's get you to the Dark Moon set."

Kyoko nodded happily and followed her out the door.

As the two were walking through the halls and the main floor of LME, with Kyoko constantly talking about the latest episode coming up in the popular drama, a familiar voice suddenly called out to Kyoko in glee:

"KYOKO! Over here!"

Turning her head, Kyoko was surprised to see Mya waving to her from across the floor. But when her eyes wandered to the person beside her, she felt the heat rush straight to her cheeks as she stared into the smiling face of Tsuruga-san.

"Good morning," Mya said with a smile as she approached the two.

"Good—"

But Kyoko suddenly lost her voice. She felt as if the whole world had suddenly frozen in time as she looked at the scene in front of her: Mya and Ren standing next to each other, with Mya's arm wrapped around his own.