It's complicated

For the whole day, Tsuruga Ren had been on a high. The world looked brighter, his body felt lighter. For those that knew nothing about Ren's personal life were taken aback by this new relaxed and... happy man. The way he walked was somehow different. It was like he was walking on a cloud, each step he took had a skip and bounce in it. The way he smiled seemed off. All the ladies had seen Tsuruga Ren smile before, and all those times the ladies fell for his pearly whites. Yet, somehow, the way he smiled now seemed... genuine. No, genuine was not the right word. Ren has shown his genuine side many times before, however, in a way, his smiles now seemed less ... forced. He looked carefree.

"I'm guessing things are going well with Kyoko-chan and the son." Yashiro commented, taking note of the smile that reappeared on his charge's face.

The day was coming to an end and Yashiro was keen on starting this conversation. He wanted the details. However, with the rate Ren was going, more and more females just seemed to be glued to him. It was like one of his walls had fallen and people could sense that. It was like a scary scene from Attack on Titans, yet instead of gigantic cannibalistic humanoids, it was hormonic females with very little appreciation of Yashiro's interference in their attempts to capture Tsuruga Ren's heart.

With the number of females growing by the hour, it became almost near impossible to have a private conversation with Ren. Besides, the manager feared that he wouldn't be doing his job right if he let it slip that Ren and Kyoko were living together, or that they had a son. Imagine the uproar it would cause. Yashiro paled at the thought of the media and paparazzi hounding the couple. He paled at the thought of Kyoko being abused by Ren's fans, the strain that it would put on their relationship. To him, this situation was scarier than any horror movie ever created.

Pulling up to a traffic light. Ren faced Yashiro with a full blown smile. "Things are fantastic." Ren's smile was so bright, so genuine, so pure, so, so, so...

Even Yashiro couldn't help the blush that erupted on his face. Since when was Ren this honest about his feelings? Before, it was like pulling tooth and nail to get Ren to admit that he even loved the girl. Was this what females saw when Ren smiled at them? No wonder he was so loved!

Yashiro had to look outside the car's window to calm his beating heart. Dealing with an honest Ren required strength, on his part that is. It seemed like his charms were capable of swaying even the males within a one meter radius of him.

"Sooo," Yashiro tried to smoothly steer the conversation to what he really wanted to know, "what's the relationship status? What are you guys now?" And queue his fan-boy mode; as Yashiro had looked at Ren expectantly with big round eyes. Ren couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips.

"If you want to know whether Kyoko and I are dating, Yashiro-san-" Ren paused to give a dramatic effect, the smile on his face had dropped and when he had said 'dating,' his voice had gone a bit dark. Yashiro was on the edge of his seat and Ren wanted to enjoy this as long as he could. It was pay back for the years of teasing. Continuing the ride as the light changed colour, Yashiro was particularly dying on his seat. The way the car was speeding to his destination went unnoticed by him.

"Aren't you getting out?" Ren asked as the car was at a stop in front of Yashiro's apartment.

"WELL? Spit it out, did you make her yours?" Yashiro saw the way Ren flinched, his face darken and his hands seemed to have clutched the steering wheel harder than before. Yashiro wanted to slap some sense into Ren there and then. Enough was enough.

"OMG REN! You are living together and you do nothing! You have loved this girl for two years now! TWO YEARS!" He showed Ren two figures to emphasise the years and just how long that has been.

"MAN UP AND MAKE HER YOURS BEFORE SHE'S TAKEN! Just because your future son is here doesn't mean anything! Don't you watch movies? Because he is here, things are bound to change!"

After his rant, Yashiro pushed his glasses back at the bridge of his nose and tried to catch his breath. God damn it! Why couldn't Ren see just how popular Kyoko was among the boys. If he sat back and did nothing, she will be snatched away. It could a handsome director she mets or a cute boy she ends up co-staring with. It was just a matter of time!

"Are you done?" Ren calmly asked Yashiro. His calm behaviour made Yashiro even more angry as he seemed unaffected by everything he had just said. Yashiro was seeing red. All those years of his meddling were going to nothing. What was the point of him feigning sickness just to have Kyoko as Reen's manger again? Not only did he do that once, but twelve times within the two years of Kyoko joining LME! He missed his pay for those 'sick days' you know!

"If you do nothing about this! I will!" Yashiro declared. Ren wanted to laugh but he held it all in.

"Are you threatening me Yukihito?" Ren put his acting skills to work, and dropped the formalities to seem more convincing. With the change in mood, a sudden cold drafted throughout the car. However, Yashiro was not backing down. Hot burning fury at the notion that his favourite couple will l never see the light of day fended him from Ren's cold glares.

"Yes, yes I am! Since you don't plan on doing anything anytime soon, then I'll take Kyoko-chan! I'm sick of waiting on you, Ren!" Yashiro wasn't the number one manager for no reason. It took the best of the best, to be in charge of the best in the business.

"And how do you plan to take my girlfriend?"

BOMB! ...and the bomb went off.

Girlfriend ,girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend. Kept repeating in Yashiro's mind.

You know that moment captured in films of angels descending down on earth, while surrounded by warm lighting and this beautiful serene song in the background? Well, in this moment, Yashiro could swear on his life that he heard the angels sing.

"GIRLFRIEND!?" His fan-boy mode was back on, full force this time around.

All his anger from earlier completely disappeared. Other than the happiness he felt for his charge, a little part of Yashiro was envious that Ren finally found the one he could whole-heartily love; whom also loved him back just as much.

"Yes, Yashiro-san. And if you don't hurry up, I'll be late picking her up." More chuckling from Ren at Yashiro's stunned face resonated within the car. Yashiro had that dumb-struck face like he had just been told that the earth was in fact not flat.

"How did it happen? Ren, what pushed you to confessing? What about waiting until she was 19?" He fired question after question, making no indications that he was planning to exit the car anytime soon. His facial expression and body language resembled that of a child on a sugar high.

"What makes you think I was waiting until she turned 19?"

"Really Ren? You think I wouldn't notice the 19 roses you ordered for her birthday next month? Plus, you always use the age gap as an excuse to hold yourself back. I figured 19 was a good number, and besides, if you wait any longer, for sure she will be snatched away. If not by me, then someone else." Yashiro watched the way Ren shyly avoided his eyes. Ren might have thought that he was hard to read, but the truth of the matter was, Yashiro could see through him. Just how many years does he think they have been together? Yashiro was a bit wounded by this. Even now, Ren was still so formal with him.

"I want the details later, but don't keep girlfriend-chan waiting." Yashiro got out of the car and waved his goodbye. He made sure to add to his note-to-self, to have a discussion with Ren about droping the formalities. More than charge and manager - Yashiro felt like they were on the friendship level by now.


Seeing the way Yashiro had exploded, Ren noted that his act was worth it. A part of him was triggered by the way Yashiro was talking. Of course he was aware that Kyoko's popularity was growing. Of course he was aware that time was against him, that Kyoko's heart was changing and he could not afford to just sit and wait forever. That was why he had planned the whole 19 roses and a ring surprise.

A blush covered his face. Yashiro knew about that plan without him needing to say anything. Ren was a little embarrassed because he thought no one knew about his plan, that he was too good at keeping his act on. As the smile left his lips and he raised his forehead from the steering, Ren was astonished by his manager. Despite the way his manger looked during his fan-boy moment, the man could be very perspective sometimes.

'Of course Yashiro would have known. Anything concerning Kyoko, he knows. He made Kyoko and I his top priority after all.' Ren thought after sending a little thank you prayer to Yashiro. Despite his teasings, Yashiro taught him a lot and looked after him very well; whether it was professionally or personally. Despite his initial thoughts after Yashiro was assigned to him, Ren now held much appreciation for his manager.

Getting out of the car, Ren made his way to his girlfriend and waiting son. A smile gracing his lips. The president had told him that he would be dropping off Ren-kun at Kyoko's film set, and he could pick them up from there. After a long day of not seeing each other, no phone calls or even a message. Ren wasn't surprised at how much he had missed her. He wanted to just cuddle her up in his arms as soon as possible. Turning a corner, Ren bumped into a surprised, then shy, then embarrassed and now a mad woman.

"Oh, Kotonami-san. I did not know you were back." He said, while trying to help the young lady to her feet. She of course avoided his extended hand and rose up on her own.

"That's because I only came back today." She bluntly replied. Ren sensed something emitting from the young girl. Kanae, as he currently knew, was Kyoko's best friend. He had nothing against the girl, but it seemed like she had something against him; judging by the anger waves that were slapping him across the face with each glare she sent his way.

"Do you happen to know where Kyoko is, Kotonami-san?" Ren asked, hoping to ease the tension, but his words just seemed to make it all worse. Its 'Kyoko' now is it? The best friend thought.

"Yes I do. And speaking of Kyoko, I have a few words I want to share with you, Tsuruga." Following the shorter woman in a nearby and empty room for a private conversation, the pair never noticed the snaps that were captured or the figure that tried to get closer to eavesdrop.


" I thought you were smarter than this Tsuruga, this... I never expected this from you of all people." The raven haired beauty said as she turned to face the taller man. To say Ren was confused by the younger woman's actions was an understatement. To say that Ren was lost on what Kanae was talking about was beyond him. Also, the absence of the 'san' did not go unnoticed by him.

"I beg your pardon?" Confusing continued to colour his usual calm façade. What had he done that was out of her expectations?

"Don't play me like a fool Tsuruga." Ren's confusion was peeked even higher. "And I thought you loved her! Are all man after the same thing?" Pain washed over the young women in front of him. Loved her? Was this about Kyoko? Ever since his encounter with Yashiro today, Ren realised he was not as unreadable as he thought he was. Had Kanae discovered about his feelings for Kyoko?

"I suppose so." Ren figured Kyoko had told Kanae of their new relationship, and that's what this conversation had to be about.

"How could you have done that to her? Don't you think you should have held back until her career took off?" Was this really about their new relationship? Ren continued to assume that it was.

"I don't think her career will be affected in any way. Besides, we plan to keep it a secret for a while."

"You don't think her career will be affected? Are you kidding me?!" Unknown to Ren, his words were merely adding fuel to the fire. "This may not affect your career, but it will surely ruin hers! How can you do this to Kyoko? You know how hard she pushes herself for her work? How could you not have thought to use your brain!? And to think-"

"Please stop," Ren rubbed his temple. No matter how hard he tried to keep up, this conversation was taking turns that he had not seen coming. Was him being in a relationship with Kyoko something that could end her career? Was it something to have angered her best friend to this extent? "I'm having troubles keeping up, what exactly will ruin Kyoko's career, Kotonami-san?"

"I don't know when this happened, or what Kyoko was thinking. But let me tell you this, there's an order to things, and that baby will be the end of Kyoko."

"Baby? What baby are you talking about?"

"YOUR SON THAT SHE'S CARRYING!" She had snapped.

Ren froze, unsure of what was going on. Kyoko was carrying his baby? That was impossible.

Upon looking at Ren's face, Kanae sensed that something was off here. Had Ren not known about the baby? Had Kyoko not told him yet?

A gasp outside the door woke up the pair. Being quick on her feet, Kanae had flung the door open only to catch the back of a fleeting figure. Running after the person proved to have been useless as the actress lost sight of the person after turning some corners. OMG! Who was it? Who heard her? What had she done? Had Kyoko not told Ren about the baby yet? Kanae mentally freaked out at her slip of the tongue. Did Kyoko have other plans concerning the baby? What had she done?

Her soulless body made its way to the set. Scared on how Kyoko would react after finding out what she had done.


After what felt likes hours of him thinking, it was just impossible that he got Kyoko pregnant. They may have slept together multiple times, but nothing had happened. They had done just that - sleep. Then what the hell was this talk about her carrying his son?

Son?

Ren?

No. No. Ren is born like ten years from now. Was that it? Was their future changing? Had he blacked out and impregnated Kyoko or something?

The longer he thought, the more crazy he felt. There was just no way in hell he had slept with Kyoko without remembering it. And what about Kyoko. There's no way that something as important and possibly life changing as that occurred and she didn't let a word slip. Something was off. The only way to get answers was head directly to the subject matter, and to Kyoko was where Ren went.


"What the hell did you just say?" Kyoko shouted at him.

"You heard me! I said kiss me."

"And why the hell would I do that?"

As soon as Sho had set foot on set, him and Kyoko had transported into their own world. In the span of a day, the cast and crew had grew accustomed to the sudden erumpent of their arguments. It was like the pair couldn't last a minute without exchanging insults. This had astonished everyone. Kyoko's behaviour and personality would seem to change in a matter of seconds.

"Didn't I already tell you. The director gave me free will in how I act out my character and I'm telling you that I'm going to kiss you in our next scene. So kiss me as practice, you should be happy I'm even letting you practice on me!"

"Like hell I would do that." Moving closer to him, Kyoko whispered to Sho, "Let me tell you something Sho, just as you won't be acting, neither would I. Every scene between us are all me, all the disgust and hatred of Mei are all mine."

Pulling her by the collar Sho had kissed her. Just like that forced kiss years ago, Kyoko struggled to be free. However, unlike then, shock disappeared as soon as it had appeared and she bite his lip very hard, causing him to let her go.

"YOU ASSHOLE! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?"

"Ah...Kyoko-chan..." A cast member said, trying to get her attention. Just like many had witnessed, the anger that was surrounding Kyoko had completely disappeared as she faced the cast member. "Sorry to interrupt."

"Don't be." Kyoko said.

"Ah, okay. Well, you guys are needed on set for your scene." The cast member had informed them. Kyoko felt embarrassed that her professionalism seemed to disappear whenever this ass was in the same room as her. Oh what would Tsuruga-san think of her now? She thought shamefully. While on track of Tsuruga-san she suddenly remembered his words concerning kissing a certain someone. It's not like I wanted to! She pushed whatever thought of this forced kiss out of her universe. IT NEVER HAPPANED!

Reaching the set, the director had pointed them to their positions. A trail of blood on the singer's lips alerted the director of a small cut.

"Sho what happened?" The singer shrugged the concern away. "... Head for a touch up on makeup. That cut has to be covered." And the singer lazily walked off.

While he left, Kyoko was informed that the kiss scene between Mei and her brother had been cut out and left for the ending. The director thought it would be best to let the audience guess and anticipate for the brother's confession. Right before his death, and with his last breath, he would kiss her. Leaving the kiss to represent all of Kai's regrets in never letting his feelings known sooner. So, instead of the scenes where they escape into the woods after fighting the palace guards, it was changed to Mei being captured along with the four other girls.

"Remember, Kyoko you are angry because the guards hurt your family and you don't know whether Kai's alive or not, at the same time, you are afraid for your safety and your friends', since you don't know what's going on." The director said.

"Hai!" Kyoko replied. Getting into character before the cameras started rolling, as well as her way of hiding her detest was the singer has returned.

"And Sho, you are disgusted by the 'filthy' girls. More so annoyed at Mei as she wouldn't shut up and she gets on your nerves by her fighting spirit." Sho merely nodded.

"And Action!"


On the way to the palace, Mei had realised two things. One, the guards would not budge on what was going on or that they themselves did not know exactly what was going on. And two, all the female that were taken were all near the same age as her; 17.

"What does this Queen want this us?" She asked about the hundredth time. Now the guards were pushing them into the palace through some secret tunnels. It seemed like what they were up to was top secret as their faces were covered with empty sacks.

Within the tunnels, Mei could smell the dust clutter, feel some of the spider webs around her and hear the creepy crawlies within the walls. The sound of mice had some of the girls squirming and screeching in fear.

"Cover their mouths!" A guard to her left command. In the dark lit tunnels, she heard some shuffling, then followed by a hand wrapping some sort of cloth around her mouth. She tried to resist but it was useless. Stay calm Mei, they will come for me. She told herself. Kai and father will surely come for me.

For what seemed like a maze, the group finally came to a stop after many twists and turns. The room they were in now appeared to have been barely lit as light flickered in through the sack over her head. She heard what sounded like bars open and close and female voices gasp.

After her sack was removed and her eyes adjusted to the environment, she noticed about 3 cells with varying number of young girls within the shadows - all the girls appearing to be around her age.

"Your majesty," one of the guards, whom she presumed was in a higher rank than the others begun, "these are the young ladies from the weaponry village that fit into the description we were provided with."

Turing to where the voice was directed, Mei laid her eyes on the Queen. Beautiful. Was her first thought. Despite the fact that her mouth was freed, her body told her to stay quiet, to stay put and wait for her father and big brother to come get her. Something about this Queen did not feel right.

"Mother! Can you please inform Chiba that I do not wish to practice archery today!" A male's voice followed by footsteps turned everyone to where the stairs laid. Mei witnessed as the Queen's face lit up with happiness; a face completely opposite to what she wore a second ago. The whispers from the caged girls, 'its the prince,' did not go unnoticed by her, neither did the sound of fear in their tones pass her by.

Looking at this prince in question, it certainly was true. From head to toes, his attire was worth more than her entire village.

"And what are you so openly staring at?" The prince questioned. Looking around herself, Mei realised that the girls in the cage did not dare direct their eyes at the prince. From his harsh tone, the girls from her own village turned their gaze away and looked down instead.

"Don't mind them my son, these ones are knew and have yet to learn proper manners and how they should conduct themselves around royals."

"Something about this one," he motioned towards Mei, who still openly stared at the prince," there's something about this one that I do not like." He plainly said.

"Well, there's nothing about you that I like."

Silence.

"What. Did. You. Just. Say?" He slowly made his way to her. "A filthy rat such as yourself, said what about me?" He stood right in front of her.

"Rat?" So much for staying put. "You may be dressed up in nice clothing and all, but it's pretty clear that you are the rat!" She pointed a finger at him. How unthank! "Why else would you and your mother have to be sneaking us around in order to get us here!?"

Everyone grasped, the Queen was livid by the words that were being spouted about her and her son. Some commoner was talking about her in such a manner! Who did she think she was? Where did she think she was? The prince being insulted like this was the first in his entire life. Raising his hand, he was ready to smack some manner into this girl and let her know her place. Which as years below him!

SMACK!


"CUT!" The director yelled. "Who is that kid!?" Everyone watched on having no clue what was happening. They were prepared for surprises with Sho's scenes, but some unknown character wearing modern attire was never mentioned.

"Ren!" Since Sho's hand never connected to her cheek, Kyoko had opened her eyes to see what was going on, only to find her son in front of her and with Sho's outstretched hand in his.

"Tsuruga?" Sho was in shook. He was certainly staring at Tsuruga Ren, but, why was he younger looking? Why was he now eye level with that giant pretty boy?

"Ren, what are you doing?" Kyoko quietly asked as she pulled his hands away from Sho.

"He was about to hit you." The teen explained.

"But you can't just walk into the middle of a scene."

"It doesn't matter." Kyoko was confused by her son. He seemed angry and she had no clue why. "He is a bad guy that Dad told me to protect you from."

"Kyoko, what is going on? Who is that boy?" The director questioned. Kyoko stared on at the director and the crew speechless. What was she supposed to say.

"My apologies!" Everyone was taken aback by the perfectly 90 degrees bow the teenage boy executed. "I thought that my mu- Kyoko-san," he corrected himself, "was in a bad situation and I wanted to help. I was unsure on what was going on and I did not mean to disrupt everyone from their work! I apologies once again!"

"I see. I guess if you thought that you were helping then that's fine...but, who are you? You seem familiar, have I seen you somewhere?" The son looked to his mother, both thinking; what are they supposed to say?

"Isn't that Tsuruga-san?"

"But why is he here?"

Everyone turned towards the tall figure that was making his way to the centre.

"I did not know that Tsuruga Ren was going to be a part of the movie."

"He isn't though."

"EH? Then what is happening?"

"Tsuruga-kun, why are you here?" The director asked. For a man that was in charge of this film, he sure knew very little on what was going on.

With a serious face on, Tsuruga Ren also bowed to the director. "I would also like to apologise for the disturbance that my," good thing he was good at thinking fast on his feet, "little brother has caused everyone. Due to my busy schedule, I had asked Mogami-san, as a LOVE ME request if she could watch him for me."

"Mmm, I see."