Disclaimer: See previous chapters
Don't know if it's okay on this website to put some swear words in certain characters mouths *cough* Shou* cough*. Just a warning though, I'm still not quite sure so…
This is also a character introduction. I really didn't want to create any OCs but it seemed inevitable. Tell me what you think; I'm not good at grasping personalities and stuff like that.
Chapter 6: Watanabe Yuuto
November, has it been a month already? The orange haired girl glanced at her reflection through the window. Black hair was growing out from under the orange, normally, she would already have gotten it cut and dyed twice already. However recently, she just didn't care.
She had seen her mother only that one time, intending to wait here just until the birth of the child, and then she would leave. This was her love-me request, the one that she had simply refused to accept, the only one that she had been so reluctant on.
The only one that had caused her nearly healed scars to be ripped open once more.
She smirked at her reflection
How pathetic, Kyoko, all this time you're thinking about Shotaro? Despite how she wanted to avoid it, despite how she hated herself for it, it was Fuwa who had finally healed her from her mother's wounds.
Her love for him to be exact.
She grabbed her jacket and her small handbag and left out the door. The way to the hotel balcony was not long, but it felt like years to her, each step felt as heavy as elephants. She stepped out into the night, it cooled her this way, but there was someone there already.
Hiding herself behind a pole, she peered at him. He was tall, 183cm, she thought to herself. He had wavy black hair, and a rather thin t-shirt on. Even from his back, she could tell from his unique physique that it was her guard, Watanabe Yuuto, who she had never spoken to unless the absolute necessary. She breathed out slowly, what was she hiding for? And with a breath of courage, stepped out and stood a meter away from him, he did not seem to notice her.
"Good evening, Watanabe-san." She said, greeting him with a warm smile. He froze suddenly, before turning towards her like a robot and saluting to her.
"I'm sorry Kyoko-sama! I had not noticed your presence! Please forgive me!" He bowed low and stayed that way. Kyoko twitched, is this how I look to Tsuruga-san?
"Ah! No, Watanabe-san, please, I… I mean, it's fine, I… it's really nothing…" She mumbled, flustered at his sudden apology.
"Please, Kyoko-sama, call me Yuuto. I do not deserve to be called anything so honorable." He continued to speak to her feet. She wondered if he liked that position a little too much.
"Yuuto… san… please, that would seem impolite of me." She smiled awkwardly, not knowing what to do, and with a sudden realization, piped up, "Only if you do not call me Kyoko–sama."
He paralyzed once again, and Kyoko leaned in, wondering if there was something wrong…
"I am of my humblest opinions extremely regretful Kyoko-hime! I had not realized!" Kyoko felt blood spurt out of her, Hime! Her insides danced in joy, until she recognized why he had called her that.
"I'm not a princess, Yuuto-san, please, just Kyoko would be fine." She said exasperated, with a hind of ice, hoping that he would finally oblige.
"Very well then, Kyo-chan." He rose, "I am not a san either, I feel old if you call me that." Kyo-chan? This guy is really…. Extreme! He now stood completely relaxed, leaning against the balcony.
"Yuuto-kun." She said baldly, not knowing what else to say, or rather, utterly speechless.
"Eh? That's way too formal, how about Yuu-chan? That sounds way cuter." He smiled brightly, a little too brightly.
Kyoko eyed him suspiciously, split personality? Making a mental note to herself to never be friendly or strict to him, she sighed, a tired smile on her face, her worries from previous forgotten behind her.
"Today's my birthday, Kyo-chan." He said absent-mindedly, he returned his gaze back to the distant night once again, a dull pain radiated from his eyes.
"Really? Happy birthday!" though you don't look very happy.
He smiled radiantly once again, "Thank you Kyo-chan!" and his eyes darkened once more, "every year, Queen Sato prepares a gift for me, but today, she's unconscious, and there was nothing I could do…"
He's just like a kid, so hard to believe that he is actually a palace guard. But… mother, is she that kind of person?
Never once on Kyoko's birthday had she received anything from her mother, it was always the same for her, disappointment, annoyance, anger, but she can just give gifts to palace guards, are they more important to her than her own flesh and blood? Is this a joke? Did she just enjoy torturing her to such an extent? A bolt of rage shot to her head, unforgivable.
"Well, good night, Wata-" Kyoko paused, catching Yuuto's expression, before waving her hand, "Yuu-chan, I'm very sorry." She bowed, and turned back to her room.
What a strange man, She shook her head, it's no good thinking like that!
She opened and slid into the room, closing the door behind her. Walking to her small suitcase, she dug under her clothes, and pulled out a miniature Ren-doll.
She lower lip quivered as she stared at it, instead of what she usually does with it, today, with trembling hands, she hugged it tight, She sighed deeply, letting out one shaking breath.
A month now, she's been pinned here for an entire month, her work forgotten back in LME. Neither allowed to contact anyone nor attract attention to herself, Kyoko was only allowed one call per week to President Takarada for report as well as his personal line and the palace guards for emergencies. Kyoko did not understand Takarada's extremities but allowed herself to believe that it was all for the best.
Yashiro-san, is managing difficult for you now?
Amamiya-san, how's work?
Moko-san, what about you? How are you doing?
Tsuruga-san…
She laid down on her bed with the Ren-doll still in her arms, she closed her eyes, she would not allow the tears to fall, there was no reason for them to flow anyways, she will stay see them in just another few months.
Few long, brutal months.
She moved slightly, no longer having the energy to thrash around, she permitted her thoughts to wander around her, surrounding her mind.
Until she fell, down through a dark hole.
"Shou! What are you doing? Where's the makeup artist? Why aren't you wearing your costume?" Shoko burst in, face contorted in rage. She pointed one accusing finger at the golden haired youth, who lay face down on the sofa, one hand holding a cell phone, repeatedly pressing the same buttons, again and again…
"Sent her away." He mumbled incoherently, continuing to torture his phone, except now more vigorously.
Shoko walked briskly towards him, eyes narrowed, "look, Kyoko is away on a business trip, that is all. You have nothing to do with it; do you know how hard I worked for your image? And here you go, screwing it up faster than you can say hello! What is the problem with you, she's not yours to control, and you have nothing over her anymore. And if you continue this, even if she is not here right now, she can surpass you easily with the image she left! Do you honestly want that?" She jabbed a finger at his back, causing him to flinch a little.
Satisfied at her little speech, Shoko sat down opposite of him, continuing to glare at him.
Fuwa stopped all movements at once. He remained still, but so did Shoko, and the two continued to pull at the silence, neither giving the other any signs of the desire to leave.
Suddenly, in one swift movement, Fuwa stood, turned on the spot, and flung his battered cell phone across the room, where it landed with a satisfying crunch. Breathing heavily, he too moved across the room, landing a solid blow on the now flattened cell phone.
Smiling slightly, he moved towards the door, his smile replaced by a solemn expression, he licked his lips, which were dry and hydrated. His voice would probably be raspy by now too. He grabbed the bottle of water beside the side table and took several gulps from it. Slamming it back down, he gave a wave over his shoulder and strolled casually out the door.
"Where-?" Shoko began, but was immediately cut off.
"A visit, I'm busy, give me a break." Sensing the finality of his tone, Shoko shook her head, and dialed the number to his next job.
Shou, you really are stupid, I guess the old saying really hold its value, you don't know what you have until it's gone.
"Tsu – Tsuruga-san, you have a visitor." A trembling assistant murmured, barely audible.
"Thank you." Ren flashed his killer smile at the assistant, dismissing him. Don't expect to get any information out from that, he thought irritably, from anything really. The corner of his mouth twitched, President Takarada's face appearing in his vision briefly. That guy is going to get it someday…
Contrast to his bright appearance, the actor continued to mutter darkly in his head, he checked his phone quickly, hoping for a certain message from a certain number to pop up.
Yashiro smiled, he's been doing that every five minutes. He turned his head around towards the sudden noise from the doorway, Kanae-san shouldn't be here yet… He thought, before catching a glimpse of the intruder, he twitched, Ren is not going to like this.
"Fuwa Shou! That must be him!"
"Is it? Oh, it is!"
"KYAAA! Shou-sama!"
Ren looked away, and started walking towards his dressing room, this was not a good time.
"You! I want to talk to you." Ren felt a hand on his shoulder, and as much as he didn't want to, suppressed the urge to grab that hand and throw the guy over his shoulder. Swiftly, he turned to face him, a dazzling gentlemanly smile on his face.
"May I help you, Fuwa-san?"
Fuwa's eyes narrowed, this guy is good.
"Information." He lowered his voice to just above a bare whisper; the word sounded menacing through his attractive voice.
Ren continued smiling, unperturbed.
Fuwa gritted his teeth, "I know it's not for free, so I will give you something in return."
The two stared at each other for a few seconds, and with a swift smile, Ren turned on his heel and continued his walk to his dressing room.
"Hey! Wait! Wha-? Didn't you hear? I, am owing you a favor! Don't you know what this means? You should be jumping up and down with joy!" He shouted, flustered at Ren's response.
"You know, I have a right to know about her." He continued, his tone gradually becoming more menacing. Ren paused for a second at his words, right?
"She is mine! And mine alone!" yours?
"She's been mine for all her life! She is enslaved to me!" Enslaved?
"Hey! Turn around and listen to me!"
Ren turned abruptly, causing the startled Fuwa to lose his balance and slam into a wall.
Breathing heavily, Ren continued to glare at him, eyes dark. Alarmed by his bitter expression, Fuwa froze.
What is this?
"So what?" His heart pounded loudly in his chest, but he kept his voice steady. With all his might, he hoped that Tsuruga would not hear his drumming heart, which seemed louder than his voice.
"If you don't like it, do something about it, not that you can." He continued savagely, gaining back his confidence. The man continued to glare at him; still the same as always huh, Tsuruga? All words and no action.
"Whether you like it or not, she's mine. You can't take her away from me, as proven in the past two years. We've barely seen each other but I still have a much more overpowering impact on her heart! Ha! You're a joke!" He smirked, this was going well, only if he stopped glaring.
Clenching his teeth, he turned on his back and strolled away, that's right; watch me walk away while you can do nothing about anything.
"Ha… haha…" A slow laugh caught Fuwa's attention, what? Fuwa frowned, he turned around, shock on his face, this guy… he's… laughing?
Tsuruga leaned against the wall, letting his emotions take over him. This was damn hilarious, he glanced at Fuwa, deep satisfaction filled him when he saw his face, which looked as though struck by lightning.
"You're still as childish as ever." He inclined his head, "everything you said up to now, shouldn't it be the other way around?" he walked past him, and turned into a room, closing the door behind him.
What?
Is this guy crazy?
The other way around… what is he saying? That I, of all people, am enslaved to her? Ridiculous!
He breathed heavily; his voice didn't even sound convincing to himself in his head.
This is stupid.
He slid down the wall and buried his face in his hands.
Strangely enough, her face appeared in his brain, the young Kyoko who reached out to him, as bright as the sun.
"Damn…"
Knock knock knock
Kyoko rolled over, and slid off the bed, she wrapped a robe around herself and walked towards the door.
Miss cleaning lady is very early today.
"Coming!" She ran through the rooms of the hotel, which was much too large and luxurious to her liking.
"I'm sorry, it seems as though I woke up late!" She bowed, apologizing.
"Kyo-chan!"
"What?" Watanabe strangled Kyoko in a bear hug, surprised, Kyoko remained limp.
"Watanabe-san…" She smiled weakly and ripped herself out with surprising strength, "can I help you?"
Hearing no response, Kyoko peered into his face.
He looks crestfallen! Not knowing what to do, Kyoko shook his shoulder gently
"Hey, Watanabe-san," Watanabe sacked against the doorframe, all energy drained, his soul started to drift out. No it's getting worse! She drifted around, and it struck her.
She looked back, smiling gently.
"Would you like some food and drinks? Please come in and sit down." Attracting customers into the shop lesson 1: cute smile and polite language. Refrain from being assertive when addressing the customers.
"You look very tired, are you alright?" A slight frown creased in between her brows, and a slight pout on her lips, she bent down and gently levitated her hand just above his shoulder. Lesson two on dealing with customers: Maintain a caring tone but refrain from touching the customers.
Slowly, Watanabe rose from his spot, and with Kyoko following, entered the living room. He took a seat on the couch and continued sulking. After setting a cup of water in front of him, she took a seat opposite of him, wondering what had happened.
"Kyo-chan, you're too harsh. Right after being so nice yesterday…" He sighed, a faraway look in his eyes.
Kyoko paused, hit by realization. No it can't be, Watanabe-san is actually…? No, I should try it out first before concluding. She nodded to herself, that's right, never judge a book by its cover.
"Yu… Yuu-chan?" She said tentatively, if her hypothesize is right, then…
Like a light bulb, Watanabe sat up grinning ecstatically, if he had a tail, no doubt it would be wagging.
Kyoko bowed her head, he's an idiot.
"Did you eat this morning yet?" He shook his head, bouncing up and down in his seat.
Kyoko let out a short giggle, he's like a child.
"Would you like some omu-rice, then?" He nodded as Kyoko walked into the kitchen, how nostalgic. She remembered when the one time her beloved senpai had tried to cook, and how much it had failed. Though it tasted so… unique, she can't help but feel warm from the amount of pressure he seemed to have placed in that one meal. It was probably the most unforgettable dinner she had ever had. She smiled to herself, Tsuruga-san, how are you right now? Then, she twitched horribly, it's been a month, an entire month since she had contacted him, for the past two years, she had not gone three days without some sort of communication with him. This was utterly atrocious; she couldn't bear to think about her retribution for when she returns. Not only that, she will have to go on without contacting anyone for at least, she counted her fingers, at least ten months for a baby to grow, it has been two since her pregnancy… she will have to stay here for at least eight more months! She pulled her hair with her hands, and then there's Moko-san too, what will she say to her? She was going to be beaten into a pulp! Oh, and of course, there's school too, her second year at university to be exact. She did bring all her books in advance, but there was definitely not enough study material, and what about her lessons? Her exams? She was so… there's really no other word to describe it, screwed.
She tossed the omu rice on to two separate plates, the smaller serving for herself and the other for Watanabe, or, 'Yuu-chan' as he prefers it. A dark presence appeared above her head, showering her with untouchable demons holding little hammers, all of which screaming their heads out.
"Mommy's going to be pulverized!"
"No! We will destroy any trouble that Mommy has!"
"Bu… but if it's Tsuruga-san and Moko-san…"
"A… ah… Kyo-chan?" What's this scary feeling? I want to run but I can't move!
"Your food, Yuu-chan." She muttered in a robotic voice, and proceeded to sitting opposite of him, muttering under her breath and moving her eyes wildly from left to right.
"Ah look, it's another pitiable human." One of the demons cackled, "Look at this, if you just touch him lightly…"
Yuuto felt something graze the side of his face, no doubt about it, it had to be the claw of death, as he froze over and turned into stone. Someone save me!
Let's just say, the morning was no good for Watanabe.
Few hours later:
"Um, excuse me, but where are we going?" Kyoko asked tentatively, she had thoroughly scolded her demons for turning Yuuto into stone, but that did not help her feel any better for making him go through with that. How unprofessional, letting my emotions get the better of me, after which, she had the miniature Ren doll reprove her.
"Oh, we're visiting the Queen." He said matter-of-factly, scratching the side of his head, "didn't I tell you?"
Kyoko froze.
WHAT?!