Episode 03: Capturing The Fairy

"Why did you hire my daughter? Making her go through that audition no less?"

Lorry knew a lot of formidable women in industry, but Touya Akiko, the authority of Ikebana art was one most people underestimated because she was constantly under her husband's dominating shadow. However Lorry was sure she could tear less influenced people apart if she so choose. And this woman was not happy with what he did with her precious adopted daughter.

"Akiko-chan… you do have faith in me right?"

"Brother in law… please don't play a game with me. Just get to the point, this is not what expect you to do when I come to you to help me with Kyouko-chan!"

She was also his sister in law, Mariko's most beloved little sister.

He sighed, "Yes… yes, about the girl who loves too much, keep giving and asking nothing in return. As I said before your concern is not unfounded, sooner or later that girl will burn out with constant pressure she put upon herself…"

And he didn't like that at all, he had seen Kuu's broken son and he would be appalled if he let Akiko's daughter to break apart. From what he had seen the girl was already doing laps around the pool of brokenness Kuon jumped on five years ago. Though their problems weren't exactly the same, it broke them in the same way.

Akiko frowned, her lips pulled to a tight line. "When Yayoi brought her to us… I was overjoyed, Kyouko-chan is everything I wanted in a daughter I never had." She recalled the young girl with sweet smile dressed in scarlet kimono, bowing beautifully to her and Kouyo. "I thought… teaching her Ikebana, Go… our arts are like giving a piece of ourselves, making her our real daughter. She… looked happy when we taught them to her. I thought…"

"She was happy because you taught her something that would give her a way to make you happy, Akiko-chan." Lorry corrected. "And you can't blame yourself for misunderstanding Kyouko-chan's feeling, she is hard to read even for me… that girl has been using mask for most of her life. She could be one scary actress…"

"Is that way to take her in? Because she can be a good actress?!" Akiko sounded indignant.

He sighed, "Calm down Akiko-chan, I am not using your daughter for my own gain… what that girl needs is learning to love herself and let herself be loved without burdening herself with thinking she have to earn it. Opening her eyes to simple fact, there are people who loves her simply because she is Kyouko-chan."

"And bringing her to Showbiz world can teach her that?" She asked unsurely.

"Part of being a celebrity is looking at yourself and know you have it in you to love and be loved in return." He exhaled a trail of smoke to air purifier his butler set on the table. "As strange as this sounds, her modelling job is a perfect baby step to teach her that."

Akiko sighed in defeat, "If you say so, brother in law… I just hope you really know what you're doing with Kyouko-chan."

"I have to know, if not you and your scary husband will have my hide." He said pointedly.

Looking at the man who was wearing fake bear's fur and viking armor, Akiko added. "If this doesn't work, it's not going to be that furry one but your real hide, understood?" She was sure Kouyo keep Touya family's heirloom, a katana, somewhere in their closet.

"Crystal clear, Akiko-chan!"


Touya Residence

Kyouko was watching a show called Top Model on her laptop and absorbing everything she could from the show, she was still puzzling over the 'no neck' and 'long neck' lecture the supermodel was teaching to the participants. She underestimated modelling, it was not simply posing and looked good. There was a lot of theory on how to pose nicely and showing off clothes they wore.

She couldn't help but admire these girls, pouring their hearts out for their job just like…

WHY she was feeling like this when looking at these people from showbiz world?! As if they had something she did not and, she longed for this unknown something.

"Nee-chan!" Kyouko almost jumped in shock when she saw Akira slid the door open with his chubby hands. "I am hungry…"

"Oh, of course you're!" She laughed sheepishly, "What would you li-"

"Akira-bochama!" Sakura-san, the maid of Touya family and former Fuwa Ryokan's girl called him. "You could ask me to prepare something for you…"

Akira pouted, toddling to his sister. "I want Nee-chan's cooking."

Kyouko pulled the toddler to a bear hug , "It's alright… I have time to cook something simple for Aki-chan."

"Nooo! I'm a big boy now so no chan!"

She sighed inwardly, 'Ah… the wonder of growing up, now Aki-chan thinks he is a big boy already. In a few years he would be Akira-kun.' Noticing Sakura fidgeting by the door. "Please help me in the kitchen, Sakura-san… and is that for me?" She asked, looking pointedly at the phone Sakura was holding. "From Ki'in I suppose?"

"No… it's from Ichihashi-san."

Kyouko nodded, "Help me prepare pickled cabbage and udon, I will be along shortly Sakura-san." She instructed as accepting the phone, adjusting Akira who was sitting on her lap so she could pick the call comfortably.

Akira, knowing his Nee-chan was doing grown up talk stayed as silent as possible when Kyouko greeted the caller. "Moshi-moshi, Tsuyu-neechan? What is it?"

"I am so sorry Kyouko-chan… but the park we want to book for the photoshoot is already taken. Hic… so maybe the photoshoot would be delayed until we get a new place! Hic… it's so unfair those major brand takes place I booked first…"

Kyouko frowned at that, "But didn't the photographer, Rinzo Gunji-san… only have opening in his schedule next week?"

Tsuyu wailed on the phone and Kyouko regretted mentioning it, 'That too! Even though Mitsu pulled some string for me to set an appointment with him!"

Some strings?

"Uhm Tsuyu-san… this park? Why you want to shoot it in a park?"

"Why? Because my design is nature themed… so I need a place with flowers and water features… and I want Kyouko-chan to pose like nature spirit in my kimono…"

Nature spirit?

Fairy?

Akira looked up, mouth open in awe at the sparkling eyes his sister made. Nee-chan was so weird sometimes.

"Tsuyu-san…" Suddenly this modelling job didn't sound so bad, far from it. "I will do my best to help you. So ganbatte!"

The call ended and after lunch with her adopted brother, the kimono wearing girl rushed to the neighbor next door with her Ikebana class. With her mood drastically improved, and it showed in her flowers, Tachibana-sensei couldn't help but ask why Kyouko looked so happy. Usually Kyouko was demure and not this excitable, but Tsuyu-san was going to make her a fairy so she couldn't be still.

An animated explanation later, and a somber one on the problem on location, Tachibana-sensei was more than eager to offer her flower garden as photoshoot location. She even had a small stream running beside the garden for irrigation, fitting perfectly to their ideal criteria. Soon, it spread through neighborhood that their Kyouko-chan for the first time in three years were overjoyed because she was going to start her debut as a model.

Suddenly the project became everyone in neighborhood's business, much to Kyouko's horror.


TBM, Ren's Dressing Room

Girls commonly known by their opposite gender for soft and gentle hands, and yet she was different. She had gentle demeanor, befitting of a lady from old family but her hands are those of a hard worker with devotion to her arts. Such a contradiction…

Gentle but strong…

"Do you think… Mogami-chan is self-conscious about her hands?" Yashiro asked, snapping Ren out of his musing. "To the point she behaved that way… ignoring your help."

Ren scoffed, "One thing for sure, I can't imagine a proud lady such as Mogami-san would be ashamed of her hands. If anything, she should be proud."

Yashiro nodded, "Artisan's hands hm… in that case you should have treated her nicer."

He sighed exasperatedly, "Why are you so concerned with how I interact with her? And Mogami-chan?"

"It's cuter… and of course I am concerned since this is the first time you pick a fight with a girl." He stressed on, "And the said girl is amazing enough to stand up to your challenge, you two are unbelieveable…"

"..." Ren looked at him with skeptical eyes, 'Erm… while me arguing with a girl is unusual, were we really that odd?" He couldn't ask but ask.

Yashiro huffed, "Are you kidding me? You guys are all smile, proper and polite with each other… even when you two just happen to walk in the same hallway!" He recounted the miniscule interactions the two had for the last six month, which was a literal passing acquaintance and even less than that. "But when at last you talked properly to each other all of a sudden you get on like house on fire!"

"Can you please don't make it sounds like something scandalous?" Ren said pointedly. "As for how spectacular our argument going south last time, we just happened to step on each other's landmine."

"My point exactly! How did two people who barely knew each other do that?"

As if Ren knew the answer better than Yashiro did, he hadn't the slightest idea why Mogami Kyouko easily stirred his emotion like this.


Tachibana's Orchard

Ashirawa sighed loudly, "Aren't we supposed to study Sasaki-san's game against Shinoda-7dan from last week today?"

Sasaki-san the most senior member of Touya study group shook his head, "I don't mind really, it's just a weekly game with interesting twist in yose. We can discuss it later, so now we can be by sensei's side for his daughter's first photo shoot."

Ogata sighed exasperatedly, "Like he needs us, can't you see the whole neighborhood come to watch Kyouko-san? I swear, they're already her fans since she came here three years ago."

"Anyway… do you think someone need to pull Sensei to the porch? Since it seems the photographer and his staffs are getting very nervous with him looming over them like that." Ashiwara pointed out. "Sensei can be very intimidating."

"To be fair that's how he is when he feels excited, Kyouko-chan is his precious daughter after all." Ogata shook his head, "I will go over there and bring him here… it won't do if the photographer have shaky hands when taking Kyouko-san's picture."

Rinzo Gunji, in his long and illustrious career as photographer had never been this worried before. He was famous for taking his work seriously and not afraid to take unusual road, like that one time he wandered around his client's wedding hall the whole day taking pictures of couple and shamelessly lying his way to get the photo he wanted.

Never mind cops suspected him for something criminal.

Still, he was very unsure with his client, who was also his niece's wide feeding nonsense instruction to their young model. She looked so young too, and not to mention this was her first shoot. Even experienced model couldn't make sense this instruction becoming one with nature, detached from humanity, think of them as mere dust in tapestry of history, yet in the same time as nature spirit the girl had to display curiosity for human she couldn't relate to and so on.

That sounded more like a very fantasy background for a character, which was not so bad, but if he as photographer didn't get Tsuyu's lingo, how could he gave the girl some direction?! Though the girl seemed to be in euphoria, and nodding enthusiastically at Tsuyu's every words. In his line of work it was not common his peers would avoid work for relatives and friends, because it was hard to be professional with family. Though without that barrier he was unsure what to say to his client about her absurd direction.

She was a fairy… nature spirit that was one with trees, flowers, the river… everything! Like Corn! Like…

"Kyouko-chan? Which kimono do you think we should try first?"

The photographer groaned in the background as muttering they should have planned on the order of which clothing they wanted to photo first.

Kyouko looked at the Kimono hanged neatly before her, they had made use of Tachibana-sensei's classroom so she could see all of them at once. She was drawn by jade green kimono, touching the fabric she was surprised it was soft, silky and stretchy material. There were two layers of them, the stretchy and semi-translucent fabric on top of jade green fabric. There was fur shawl in gold color that almost matched Corn's hair color hung around its collar, with obi made of the same furry material. The bottom was more like a dress, as it was wider than conventional kimono.

"That's one inspired by Kamaitachi, the vicious and free spirit of wind in folktales." Tsuyu-nee explained, "You see the fabric I use? When it's windy the fabric will drape beautifully, outlining your body…"

Kyouko made her decision, "Yes, this one…" This was Corn, the free spirited wind fairy.

"Then let's go!" Kyouko yelped when Tsuyu dragged her to another corner of the room where make-up artists were waiting. "Mitsu, double check our Kamaitachi kimono!"

Kyouko sucked in her breath when she was pushed to sit down, it had been a while since she was forced to this. She had looked at make up sets enviously from time to time, but never deign to buy them because it felt not right for her. It was something 'other girls' did and she was…

"Hm." Kyouko blinked when her face was cupped by the make-up artist, eyes went wide in shock. "Nice skin… clean and smooth. It's been a while I see this type of face, she is going to be wonderful once I am done with her!"

Tsuyu squaled, "I know right? Do your magic Kazuha-san!"

The make up artist grinned, she was a slender woman with short black hair and eyes, dressing in simple black shirt and jeans. "I am Kazuha… I am going to do your make-up and hair with my partner for today."

"Nice to meet you, please take care of me." Kyouko returned the introduction. "I am Mogami Kyouko."

She grinned, "What a polite lady we have here…" She glanced around. "Now! Where is Sugimoto? It can't take that long to pick our stuff from car."

Tsuyu laughed sheepishly, "Uhm… you still call your husband with his surname even though you're also Sugimoto now…"

"He is forever Sugimoto to me." Kazuha retorted.

The sliding door opened revealing a man with blue eyes and blond hair, he too, dressed in the same fashion as Kazuha. "I'm back! And look who you have there for us today!"

Kyouko was amazed by his caucasian look, but he didn't sparkle from top to bottom like Corn does so he must be human. "Uhm."

"I am Maki! Kazuha's wonderful husband."

"In his dream!"

Despite the occasional classic old married couple's argument they worked well together, and Kyouko felt comfortable letting them touching her hair and face. It felt good…

"The hair extension should be around the length of her waist…" Maki trailed off. "Should we get a longer one? It's more otherworldly that way…"

Kazuha shook her head, "Nay! Look at the garden, the kimono is going to drag on the grass already... let's don't make it harder than it already is for Kyouko-chan to move. She is going to portray nature spirit of wind so..." She hummed.

Wind… like Corn, how to portray Corn who was like the wind? There was one time Corn showed her how he was flying but she was a human so how she could be Corn like? There was nothing on her reference that could tell her how to imitate a fairy.

"We got some wigs too ne? In case we need to give her odd color hair since the theme is nature spirit." They wanted to avoid coloring her hair.

"No changing her hair color!" Tsuyu protested. "I want Kyouko-chan's natural hair color, don't cover her ebony hair!"

She was pretty hopeless at this, and after watching and compiling so many reference…

"It takes more than just determination Mogami-san."

How dare he! Everything she accomplished was result of her effort and determination, and it won't matter even if it was Ikebana or modelling in showbiz world!

That day for the first time in three years, Kyouko gave her guardians and neighbors a collective heart attack because of her stunt.


A week later…

Ren had been called by President, and as usual he had no idea what the man wanted. Lately it was urging him to call his parents, as he already got the number 1 spot in Japan so even though he was ready yet to return he should give some assurance to Kuu and Julie. Ren of course disagreed, as in his opinion his position was still very shaky.

Not to mention he didn't know what he should say to his parents.

He hoped it won't be about his parents again, though judging from merry looking President in judge costume -complete with the wig- it should be safe to assume he was not going to talk about too serious matter.

"So… is there anything you need from me? Sachou?" Ren said before his eyes lowered at the flower decoration on the table between them, "Are those flowers made from vegetable?"

"Yes, I do." He answered to the first, "Yep… finest fusion art of Japanese cooking and Ikebana from Mogami-kun! She made this for first stage audition and since it's a waste to let rotting wilt or eat it, I have it coated to preserve it!"

Ren sweat-dropped, while it was one unique talent, he couldn't imagine there would be a girl who bring vegetables and kitchen knife to the stage. It sounded so like her though to do the unthinkable. Wait, why did he sound like he knew her so well?

"Anyway… speaking of Mogami-kun, can you tell me what did you do to invite her ire?" Ren tensed involuntarily. "I am impressed really, because that girl from what her guardians said is very tolerant with people."

Ren narrowed his eyes.

"And no, she didn't say anything… it's just in her last appointment I ask her about the time you gave him a ride." At Ren's inquiring look he added. "My buttler was going to offer her our car but you get to her first… I have seen a glimpse of her talent so I can't help but wonder about your opinion of her, and what you guys are talking about on the way there… so… but all she said is about professionalism in showbiz world. She also commented you're a gentleman and mature individual…"

She did?

"She was smiling but her aura didn't match… so? Care to tell me what my biggest star with gentleman image have done to get a girl like Mogami-kun to dislike him?" He asked curiously, leaning in like shark smelling blood.

Ren sighed and began to explain the argument they had in car. "I just can't help it."

"Is that premonition to romance I heard? Finally."

"Did you listen to the part we're arguing and inadvertently stepping on each other's landmine?" Ren asked in disbelief, no matter how obsessed Boss was with love, he should see there was nothing romantic going here. "If not because we both have iron clad grip on our emotion, I think we wouldn't stop on subtle insult."

Lorry sighed, this was why Ren was a failure in love. He had heard the boy's dating history from Kuu, and looking at how Ren act love, it was pretty obvious. "Well… glad to know your issues with each other, and Ren… I was hoping you guys can get along…" He sighed exasperatedly.

"My apologize to disappoint you but I think I have burned that bridge…" Ren admitted, not to mention she didn't seem to be the forgiving type. "But why?" He hoped it was not for the 'L' reason.

The eccentric man scoffed, twirling his judge's hammer. "She is just like you, scary type of actress… a talent nurtured from wearing a mask for her whole life."

"What?"

"Take a look at this." Lorry turned on his tv, showing a slideshow of photos. "This is the her first photo shoot for for Ichihashi-san's brand, Monogatari."

The first photo was Kyouko in hair much longer than her shoulder length, with scarlet modern kimono. The edge of the sleeve and bottom was laced with see through fabric that trailed down and rumpled like tongue of flame. The kimono was dominantly deep red and faded in shoulder part to gradient yellow. It won't look out of place in celebrity gala dinner, but artful looking in the same time.

However the girl who modelled the kimono had overdone herself, she was draped over a dead tree, chin up and the flame like end looked like it was devouring the wood. Ren didn't miss the tiny detail that Kyouko was half a meter up on the tree, and supporting herself with her own body weight on the slanted tree.

"I despise failure!"

She looked beautiful in the photo, different from her usual natural and subtle beauty contributed more to her gracefulness than physical beauty. If not because her ebony hair and golden eyes, he could hardly recognized her.

"She has guts alright… that's too reckless for a newbie model to pose in such unstable spot." Ren couldn't help but comment, he was impressed though.

"This actually not the worst one on the scale of recklessness." Lorry continued to the next slide.

The next kimono was blue, the first layer was dark and the outer was light. Instead of traditional wide sleeve, it used long sleeved modern design, with long shawl draped from neck to her ankle.

There seemed to be nothing wrong at the first glance, she was on her back floating on a stream with lotus flower, one hand stretched above her head and her body bend in such way she looked like she was following the water stream.

"Isn't this taken recently?"

"Yes."

"It's still freezing cold outside!" And if he looked closer there was shards of ice floating on the stream.

"She suppose to be the spirit of water so…" Lorry shrugged, "She didn't do things by halves."

Was it his fault to challenge her pride?

"She was only on the water for a short time, the photographer finish his job quickly before she could get a cold. This is the last one taken, because afterward she was wrapped in bundles by his guardians." Lorry shook his head. "Though the next one is even crazier."

"What did she do?!" Ren now was dreading the next photo.

Lorry was unsure what to think about guilty Ren, because feeling guilt was dangerous for Ren, for Kuon. "Eeh… this and that."


Flashback

Kyouko stared at the branch of willow tree before her determinedly, confusing the staff and onlookers. She patted the branch that was within her reach, and pulled it experimentally. It seemed firm and strong enough. Her bare feet felt nice against the carpet of grass, they were soft enough too. Firmind her decision she turned to Gunji-san.

"I am really sorry! Please take care of me, I am counting on you!"

"Huh?"

"Here I go!" She jumped to the branch and swung herself over it, earning terrified scream from onlookers.

Gunji, the photographer barely keeping his calm when he snapped the picture of the girl flipping in the air as if she was flying before landing or rather rolling on the soft grass.

"KYOUKO-CHAN!"

End of Flashback


She was smiling on the photo, a joyful and unrestrained smile as she was playing in the air. The willow tree entangled loosely in her form, as if molding together with her kimono.

'Her smile… I have seen that smile somewhere. So she can smile like that too…'

"As you can see." Ren snapped back to attention. "Her expression on each photo are drastically different." For fire, there was smoldering pressure, and she was not smiling, eyes looking straight at the camera intensely. For water… she was barely smiling, just slight curve on her lips and the depth of her eyes were cold.

"...That's why you think Mogami-san have talent in acting?"

"You disagree?"

"No, she is perceptive and good at using body language." Ren added his two cents, recalling their first encounter. "But why are you telling me this? It can't be just for my opinion."

The president sighed exasperatedly, "This is what she said when I asked about these photos."

Flashback

"I am thinking about people I know… how their personality resemble those elements in my head, for example... I am thinking of Kouyo-sensei." His inner strength when dominating his opponent in game, slowly burning every escape path without haste. "Like the sacred bonfire…"

Lorry smiled at that, he could see the allegory between Touya Kouyo and flame. "As for water and ice?"

"It's my mother." The sadness in her voice made Lorry sucked in his breath because it seemed he had brought up something he shouldn't. "Water I can't touch as she always slip away from my hands, leaving trail of coldness. She keeps flowing away and there is nothing else I can do…"

Lorry hesitated to ask for any further but the girl went on, this time her face bloomed with a smile. A sincere and carefree smile that caught Lorry off guard.

"When I modelled wind spirit kimono, I remember my childhood friend. He is like a wind fairy… playing in the air so freely, unbound by earthly matter." She sighed wistfully. "I want to be him and dancing around like Tsuyu-nee and Gunji-san said just can't fit the image and…" She hunched in apologetic gesture. "Without thinking the consequence I can't resist pulling such a shameless stunt, and scaring everyone…"

End of Flashback

"And so… without realizing, rather than modelling it was more like she is acting on character based on person around her she associate with the element of nature." Lorry finished his explanation. "Thankfully for heart of old folks in neighborhood, only on these three photo she did reckless thing to portray nature spirit."

Ren couldn't believe what he just heard, that an amateur, someone who just started had guts to risk broken neck and hypothermia in her first photo shoot to prove her point. "Is it my... fault?" He couldn't help but wondered.

"Nah… if half stories of her escapades I heard from her guardians are true…" Like how she chased a purse snatcher by bike when the fools stole Akiko's bag, or another time she searched mangosteen in off season all over the market because Akiko craved some when she was pregnant.

He shrugged, "Mogami-kun is just the type of people who won't do anything by halves." Lory waved off with a sigh. "I can't say your challenge is not affecting her decision at all… but in the end she finished her first modelling job with spectacular review."

"Obviously…"

"The photographer, Gunji Reizo fell in love with her modelling hard and proudly displaying her photos as his masterpiece in his gallery. I heard he even force organizer of his exhibition to make room for these photos just one day before the opening."

"That's… good?" Ren supposed.

"I also have taken liberty to out these masterpieces on the biggest billboard across the city." Lorry added with a smirk, "There's love in these photos after all…"

Ren sighed at that, his eyes lowered. "Perhaps… but I think it's sad of her."

"Hm?"

"Keep giving and asking nothing in return, losing herself in self sacrifice and forgetting her own well being…" And he couldn't help but hoped she could treasure herself a little more.

Lorry smirked at the troubled expression Ren made, 'I am not sure this is the sign but for whatever reason, Ren is drawn to her and that's good enough for me.' he cleared his throat. "In any case… what are you going to do about her now?"

Ren's expression hardened, "I understand that she is not just talking, but my point still stands so it won't be right for me to apologize."

This romantic failure

"I don't think she is even expecting an apology… Ren." Lorry drawled on, keeping the fact Mogami Kyouko never expect people to apologize to himself. "Somewhere in her heart I think she know you're right, which is why she got angry with you in the first place."

Ren didn't seem convinced, "Still, what are you planning for that girl anyway?"

"At first it's a favor from a family, but now I have my own personal reason." He exhaled a puff of smoke to water purifier on the table. "That girl, I want to see the future full of splendor she could open for herself… if only she can start to love herself, and let herself be loved in return."

He had a premonition, and it was a good one.


Ki'n (Japan's Go Association)

"I want to hide in a hole." Kyouko said as clutching her planner close to her chest.

Ashiwara who was walking beside her snickered, "It's not so bad Kyouko-chan! You looks very pretty in those billboards~"

"She is." Her guardian, Touya Kouyou or more well known as Touya-Meijin was walking a few steps ahead.

The ebony haired girl blushed brilliant red, "People are talking…" She protested weakly, hoping she could block whispering around her. "I can't believe you Ashiwara-san! You blurted out that I am the mode of those photos!"

"Eeh… I am sorry? But you realize how many people come watching the shoot, if not me someone will spill the news eventually." He inched away when sensing her murderous aura. "And I think the Ki'in staffs are already planning your debut as Go idol."

She looked at him in disbelief, "What is this Go idol?"

"Idol who play Go?"

"...That sounds ridiculous, I have consented to be a model but an idol is…" Image of Shoutarou and Tsuruga Ren came to mind, followed by their squealing fangirls. "I'd rather not…"

"Kyouko…" Touya Kouyou called, "About the pro exam you're taking."

Kyouko tensed, "Hai? I will do my best to pass."

The Meijin sighed, "I know you will… your greatest strength is giving your all in everything you do." He patted his adopted daughter lovingly on her head, an affectionate gesture she craved from her parent. "However, I want you to enjoy yourself even more… even in this pro exam. DOn't force yourself for straight win or whatever perfect expectation you set for yourself…"

She blushed in embarrassment because that was exactly what she had in mind.

"So true! Just relax!" Ashiwara beamed.

"Though if possible don't pass with close record like Ashiwara-kun here… with 6 loses, you almost failed last year." And it was because he was playing with new style that earned him three straight loses in said exam.

"Sensei!"

"Hai! Of course I won't!" Kyouko chirped, while inwardly vowing she would keep winning if she could afford in pro exam.

"Kyouko-chan!"

Akatoki

Aki Shouko was worried, and it was not the first time since she was saddled by duty as a manager for talented and problematic Fuwa Shou. The boy was cute and adorable, but serious when working. Which made him a joy to take care of, especially by his thirst to get to the top Shouko couldn't but admired. However sometimes Shou was too spoiled in private, and at random times getting annoyed because of something she never get the chance to pry on.

She was sure it involved a girl, one Shou's uncle disallowed him to get in contact with. Which was really puzzling because the boy was a playboy through and through, it didn't seem to fit his personality to moon over one particular girl this long, and a troublesome one at that considering the interference from his uncle.

Well, while having a fixed girlfriend would be bad for his career Shouko thought it would be more preferable than leaving Shou unattached and chasing every girl that catch his fancy.

"Uhm Shou… you have been staring at the billboard across the road for the last ten minutes." Shouko pointed out, snapping her charge from his daze. "I have to admit, it's a very captivating one… a very beautiful model the brand Monogatari got for their ads." Shouko made a note to order water spirit kimono dress modelled on the billboard for herself, she liked the design.

Shou shook his head frantically, "No way! My eyes are locked to my shining future, a girl, especially one in kimono doesn't interest me! Never!"

Shouko sighed at that, "If you say so." She was not sure why but Shou seemed to have grudge against everything traditional and old, like how he almost anger Uesugi Kotetsu because the hakama wearing actor didn't like how Shou was looking at him when they had the misfortune of walking on the hall of Fuji TV with the authority of historical drama.

"Hmph!"


Few weeks later…

Pachi

Pachi

Pachi…

Kyouko heaved a sigh as she finished the game for this week, it was a long one and she was up against top insei so they played all the way to end game yose and now counting the territory. She was ashamed to admit that she lost mental count half-way and hoped she had enough teritorry to win.

Clack

Clack

Pachi…

Huh?!


LME (L.A. Hearts)

Sawara Yasunori, the head of talent section was unsure how to approach the latest addition to his section. The girl had splendid appearance, if her gigantic photos all over the cuty were any indication she cleaned up nicely with make-up. She was polite and graceful, befitting of a daughter from old family. He could almost say, he had gotten female version of Ren.

However, that despair colored face as if the end of the world was near made it hard for Sawara to take his supposed seat across hers. So he ended up standing awkwardly few meters away from her table, unsure how to get into personal bubble she created.

"Sawara-san? What's wrong?" Sawara breathed out a sigh of relieve when he saw Ren and his manager walked pass. "Is that… Mogami-san?"

His eyes lit up in hope. "You know her?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then can you help me to talk to her? I suppose to talk to her about other modelling offer we got for her but…" He trailed off.

Yashiro frowned, "Whoaa… she is at it again, what is it this time?" He wondered. "I wish we can send Ren since he is usually so smooth with girls but-"

"But?" Sawara echoed.

Ren sighed, shaking his head. "Let's just say we didn't get along with each other."

"Eh? You hate her or something?!" That was a shocking revelation.

"Nope, we just dislike each other." Ren corrected.

Isn't that the same? Sawara and Yashiro thought inwardly.

"Still…" Ren trailed off, "It's worrying to see her like that, I will go ask."

HUH?! You are still going to her in the end!

Ren was honestly curious what had gotten to her this time, and worried because this girl took things too seriously. He hoped whatever it is now was unrelated to him.

She was sitting ramrod straight, eyes never leaving the paper with gridlines on the table. Unlike usual kimono, today she was wearing hakama with lilac wisteria patterned top and bottom in deeper color. A variation of her choice of fashion he had seen from time to time in passing.

"Mogami-san? Is everything alright?" He asked softly.

She slowly looked up from the paper, their eyes met and she blinked first. "Huh?"

"Are you alright?" Ren asked again. "If you're feeling unwell perhaps we can call a cab for you, and postpone the meeting."

A smile bloomed in her face then she asked. "Are you worried about me as a gentleman or human being?"

Ren smiled back, it seemed she was fine if she could retort like that to him. So she saw through him, calling him out on his gentleman public persona. Whether he was concerned because his public image demand him so or he was being sincere. "The latter, Mogami-san… considering our last memorable encounter I can't blame you for being suspicious. But I assure you, I am capable of human's compassion."

"Is that so?"

Silence…

"Did she just ask that?" Sawara asked to Yashiro. "And Ren retort back?"

Yashiro nodded, groaning. "I wish this won't be a routine… can't they just get along?" They looked like they could, considering their image as gentleman and Yamato Nadeshiko.

"Your lack of faith in humanity aside, Mogami-san…" Ren trailed off, "There's someone waiting for you over there." He gestured towards Sawara who looked shocked their attention shifted to him all of a sudden.

In instance the gloomy aura was gone as flower like smile graced her lips, stepping away from the table she grave the talent director a beautiful bow. "Good afternoon, Sawara-san. My apologize for keeping you waiting!" On her background, iris flowers sprouted to life, complete with sparkles.

Sawara supposed the female version of Ren was not really a wrong assumption.

"And good afternoon to you too, Yashiro-san. How do you do?" Kyouko greeted, bowing to Ren's manager.

"Ah yes, I am fine Mogami-chan." Yashiro returned.

Ren bend down so he was on her eye level, their face just inches away from each other. "I don't get 'Gokigenyo' from you yet, I am your senpai, pretty rude of you, don't you think?"

KYAA! Was Sawara's and Yashiro's mental scream at Ren's casual invasion of Kyouko's private space.

A blush colored her cheeks at the proximity and she seemed to have difficulty to speak. Not backing down, Kyouko steeled herself to not scrambled away as her body wanted to do as that would be admitting defeat. "Ara… Tsuruga-senpai, how do you do?" She beamed at him, frustrated the blush was still prominent in her face. "And it's also very rude for a man to casually intrude a girl's private space, don't you think?"

He smiled at her, "Right, we have been rude to each other I suppose…" He drawled on as stepping away from her private space. "I guess that made us even."

"You thinks so?" She returned his smile with her own. "Arara…"

Did they forget we're here? Yashiro and Sawara wondered.

"So? What is it now, Mogami-san? Such a long face… you're a celebrity now, a model, be more self-conscious of your image in public." Ren advised, and before she could retort he added. "The slip aside, we're all worried you're making that kind of face. Are you alright?"

Sawara sighed in relief, 'So in the end he can be very gentle with her…'

She smiled indulgently, "I suppose it's my fault to get carried away by my thought… it's embarrassing to admit it, but I am just being a sore loser who can't let go yet."

Yashiro left eye twitched, 'She responded to his gentle inquiry so casually, it's hurts.' Normal girl would have swooned by Ren's sweet gesture.

"Hee…" Ren trailed off, "That's no good, dwelling in failure will keep you from moving forward."

She nodded, clutching the paper to her chest. "True, but this one lose is really frustrating."

Sawara eyed the paper and hazarded a guess. "Is that a kifu?"

"You play Go, Sawara-san?"

"Occasionally… is that kifu (game record) from your pro exam?" Sawara asked curiously. "By now you guys should be half-way done ne?"

Ren looked at Yashiro curiously, "Half-way?"

"The pro exam for Go pro is round robin so it takes around two and half month to end." Yashiro explained. "So how about your score now? Mo-" He snapped his mouth shut. "I am sorry! I shouldn't ask!" It must be a sensitive topic now to her.

The ebony haired girl just laughed sheepishly, "Iee… it's fine Yashiro-san, my score now is 13 win 1 lose."

Sawara and Yashiro gaped at her, "Isn't that mean you have 13 straight win and just lose once?"

"Hai…" She sighed, "And it's a close one too, I lost a ko battle and after counting… I failed to make up the difference and half a moku short to win."

Silence…

"Ah…" Sawara supposed she had all right to feel bad about it.

"Is half a moku is that bad of a lost?" Ren asked, "It doesn't sounds much."

The talent section head sighed, "Exactly, not much… and why it's suck to lose by that thin gap."

"Right…?" She drawled on, "The exam is still a long way, so I still have a good chance…"

Sawara nodded sagely, "So true… as a student of Touya-Meijin, I am sure you will pass."

Yashiro coughed, "Is it alright though? I mean Mogami-chan is modelling and playing go as a pro in the same time… from what I heard Touya-Meijin is very busy."

She laughed softly at his concern, "True… but a title-holder's schedule can't be compared to a Shodan I would become if I pass the exam. In fact it's not uncommon for a pro Go player to have other profession… one of pro I know is also a lawyer. Aside from compulsory weekly game, there are other duties but the schedule is up to us as long as we complete our quota."

"So there is nothing to worry about these offers I suppose?" Sawara fished out a couple of papers. "There are severals others but I have taken the liberty to choose the best ones… and they're all not coincide with your exam."

"Oh yes, thank you for your assistance Sawara-san." She accepted the paper graciously. "There are a lot." She commented blithely. "Why are they so many? I am a newbie." She wondered, her expression was innocently clueless.

Sawara and Yashiro stared at her in disbelief, how unaware she could be that everyone who had seen the photo were clamoring on who was the new model? Sure, she was not the most popular model people talked about at the moment but people in fashion world and photography were very curious and eager for the new face in industry.

"...oh well, I guess I should just count my blessing." She beamed, completely uncaring of her new fame. "So when I should contact you Sawara-san?"

"Err… take your time, but before this weekend would be perfect."

"Of course Sawara-san." Kyouko drawled on, "I will-"

RING!

With expert ease she fished her phone and flipped it open, the ID Ki'In blazing on her screen. "My apologize… I have to pick this."

"Go ahead." Sawara gave his permission, taking his seat that almost forgotten across hers while Ren and Yashiro took the table beside theirs, calling the waitress over to their table.

"Yes, Mogami speaking… ah, Shindoda-sensei?" She beamed, "Yes, it wouldn't be a problem." She pulled out a planner that had more ink than paper, Sawara's eyes goggled on them. "I know Kurata-6Dan didn't mean anything bad, and… if his schedule should be pushed back a little I think next Wednesday we can have enough people on the ceremony. Yes, it's no trouble… have a nice day. Shinoda-san."

Then she ended the line. "Where were we?" She asked.

"I haven't explained the offer yet." Sawara answered. "Though you also said something you will do?"

"Oh… erm, I will consider offer for modelling that uhm… if possible not too immodest." She stuttered, flushing. "I mean… I am not used to western clothes, I used to wear them but for the last three years I didn't at all…"

Sawara nodded sagely, "I suppose you're right… but I am sure some of these are from photographers who want nature themed shoot, or expressionist… and I believe there is one for traditional clothing, and this one is more for sweet, young ladies."

Ren groaned inwardly, wondering why she wanted to play safe after those stunts in her first shoot. She couldn't grow if she was scared of new things.

Wait, why he was concerned about her career at all?

"If that's all… I shall take my leave, see you later Sawara-san, Yashiro-san, Tsuruga-san."

Ren looked up from his coffee, and said. "Mogami-san, wait."

She turned around with a smile that preparing for their second round of banter, but surprised at sincere smile and gentle look she got in return. "Yes?" Why he was looking at her like that?

"We have our disagreement, but I would like you to know I respect your hard work and dedication…" He admitted sincerely, recalling President's story about her reckless stunt to portray her character. "Last but not the least, you look very beautiful as nature spirit."

Silence…

She quickly bowed at him. "Thank you for your compliment, Tsuruga-san. I am really flattered." Then as quickly she rose and turned on her heels.

After she left the three men, the actor found himself on receiving end of both Yashiro and Sawara's stare. "Yes?"

"You damn casanova…" Yashiro grunted. "But at least that's not surprising coming from you."

Sawara nodded, "Yeah… we're concerned about your argument. Please don't argue with her in public setting, and if possible… not at all." Sawara drawled on with a sigh, "You two are unbelieveable, I have never seen you like that Ren... "

Yashiro nodded, "Yes, you two forgot we exist and off to your own world… I can't believe you two…"

Were they that bad?!

"Well, at least we can't say you're boring anymore."


Outside of LME

"I am sorry to make you wait, Akiko-basan…"

Akiko smiled demurely as her adopted daughter stepped into the car, her eyes widened at the sight. "Kyouko-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Your face is so red! How adorable!"

Kyouko cupped her cheeks, and found their temperature was higher than usual. "Uhm, it's cold! So-"

"You just came out from a building with heater, Kyouko-chan." She giggled, "So who is the lucky boy?"

"No one!" Kyouko stammered, 'That playboy! Saying shameless thing so carelessly!'

Of course Kyouko didn't believe him at all, but she felt embarrassed all the same.


Haaaa... let's see next episode's teaser

On Next chapter:

Kyouko looked at the spectacle before her, Shotarou holding standing ashtray on his hand in awkward pose, her Aki-chan sniffing in Tsuruga-san's arm with cigarette ash on his hakama, and pale faced Yashiro-san.

"What's going on here?!" She growled at them.


Thank you for your support and I hope you like this chapter ^^ Please review!