A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry it's a day late. I had to reread parts of the manga for this one since its been a while since I've read the whole thing. I hope you all enjoy! See you again for chapter 7. Let me know what you think.

~marauderluverz


Chapter 6: Facing Your Past

Ren stared up at the ceiling as he lay in the dark. He could hear Kyoko's soft steady breathing beside him as she slept soundly in their bed. Usually, the sound would calm him enough to help him fall asleep but tonight, there was too much on his mind.

"I wanted to see," Kuu had said, "If you've thought at all about revealing your real name to the people of Japan."

If he was being honest, the thought hadn't crossed his mind until now. He had been satisfied with simply having Kyoko know the truth. But the idea of telling everyone? That's a little overwhelming. How would his fans react to knowing his real identity? Would his father's name still affect his career? There were just so many things to consider. Could he handle the sudden criticism of his career over the last several years? Would people suspect favoritism had played a part in him becoming the top actor of LME? Well, it did. It is what helped me make my new name here.

He sighed, running a hand across his face. Had even his new start been solely because of his dad? Surely Lory wouldn't have allowed it if he had no talent. Would he? And even if Lory had, any subsequent roles Would be been due to his own merit. Wouldn't they?

He groaned as he felt a headache forming behind his eyes. Rolling onto his side, he watched Kyoko's sleeping face. Although, if I do change it then we could discuss what last name she wants to go by. She could have my parents last name and feel more like a daughter to them.

He glanced at his clock and groaned. "I need to sleep," he muttered. The clock showed it was already nearing 4:00AM. He forced his eyes shut and waited for sleep to come, trying to push away the anxiety this decision was giving him.


Kyoko pulled her hat down lower on her head and tugged up the collar of her trench coat. With her sunglasses on, she was almost impossible to recognize. She had asked to borrow her detective outfit from the agency specifically for this purpose. Of course, she did still have to provide her identification at the front desk when checking in but as she sneaked through the halls of the television studio, she was happy to not be bothered by anyone asking about her and Ren's relationship. Aside from a few strange looks, her disguise seemed to be working and within a few minutes she had reached her destination.

She looked around the corner and waited several moments in silence. After about two and a half minutes, the door opened and Chiori's manager exited the room.

"I'll be back in a few minutes with your tea, Chiori-chan," the older woman called into the room before heading off down the opposite hall.

Kyoko hurried from her hiding place and sneaked along the wall until she reached the door with Chiori's nameplate. She smiled, feeling happy that her friend was doing so well. Lifting her fist, she took a deep breath before knocking.

"Come in," Chiori's voice called through the door.

Kyoko pushed open the door and stepped inside. She saw Chiori sitting on a stool in front of a lighted vanity. The younger girl's eyes landed on her in the reflection and she jumped out of her chair.

"What the hell?" Chiori exclaimed, holding up her phone. "You need to leave or I'll call security."

Kyoko froze, then realized she was still wearing her disguise. "It's okay, Amamiya-san." She pulled off her hat and sunglasses. "It's just me."

Chiori lowered her phone. "Damn, you really scared me there, Kyoko-senpai." She sank back into her seat. "Why are you here? Aren't you really busy with your jobs and planning a wedding?"

Kyoko nodded, twisting her hat back and forth in her hands nervously. What if I misread our relationship? What if she only purely thinks of me as a senpai in the LoveMe section and nothing else?

"Kyoko-san?"

She jumped. "Ah, uh, yes. I came to ask you… well," she closed her eyes, "Would you do me the favor of being one of my bridesmaids?" She peaked out at Chiori watching her face for some reaction.

Chiori's eyes were wide as she stared at Kyoko. Her cheeks had tinged slightly pink. "You- you want me to be in your wedding?" she asked.

Kyoko smiled, "You are one of my closest friends, Amamiya-san. And we are LoveMe section sisters." She winked at the younger girl.

Chiori laughed, "You say that like it's an official title."

Kyoko laughed along with her. "So, will you?"

Chiori grinned, "Yeah. I'll be your bridesmaid. Is Kotonami-senpai your maid of honor?"

Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Kyoko blushed, "Yes. She accepted the role when I asked. And Maria-chan is going to be a bridesmaid as well."

"Then it sounds like things are coming along well. Do you think it'll be everything you ever wanted?"

"I don't know about that," Kyoko said, tapping her chin in thought, "I think if I asked for everything I'd want in a dream wedding, I'd bankrupt Ren."

Chiori nodded, "You do kind of have a lot of fantasies, don't you?" She tilted her head as though she had just remembered something. "So, then is Ren paying for the wedding? What about either of your families?"

A dark cloud formed over Kyoko's head that made Chiori regret her question but it dispersed the next moment. "Oh," Kyoko's face lit up. "Actually, Re- I mean, my show-biz parents flew in recently. They are only helping with planning and such. I wouldn't dream of asking them to help financially."

"Well, maybe the president will pay for it. He's always wanting to throw parties. And I think you and Ren are his favorite people at the agency."

Kyoko waved her hands in front of herself. "Oh, no. Nothing like that. Ren maybe, but I wouldn't say I'm-"

"Kyoko-san," Chiori said, stopping her mid-rant. "It's okay to let people praise you. No one thinks anything of it. And the people who do, really aren't important."

Kyoko smiled again, "Right. Sorry, I forget that still sometimes."

"Besides, everyone knows by now how talented you are."

Kyoko hurried forward and hugged Chiori tightly. "Thanks, Amamiya-san." She pulled back and placed her hat back on her head. "Oh, and there's the first planning meeting tonight in the President's office at LME. If you can make it, it starts at 7:30. I'll let you get back to work now." She pushed open the door and waved good-bye before disappearing into the hall.

She skipped down the hall humming happily, leaving a very concerned Yoshimoto-san in her wake.


"Go ahead and take a fifteen minute break while we get the equipment moved for the next shots," the assistant photographer said before stepping away to speak with the other models.

Yukia sighed and stepped away from the set up in front of a large tree and toward the water table. James appeared in front of him a moment later holding out a cold water bottle. "Thanks," Yukia said, accepting the drink.

James smiled at him. "Of course. How did you feel about the first set?"

Yukia swallowed a gulp of water. "It was fine. I'm just really nervous still since this is my first photo shoot with other models." He glanced toward where a couple of other models were talking.

James placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Don't worry. You are doing fine." He pulled his hand back and gestured to where a trailer was waiting nearby. "Why don't you rest in your trailer during the break?"

"That sounds like a good idea. The wind and pollen aren't doing anything good for my allergies." Yukia followed him to the trailer and stepped inside while James held the door. He startled though to see that the trailer was not empty.

"Ren-san?" he exclaimed. He heard James' footsteps behind him as his manager entered the trailer.

"Ren-san, what're you doing here?" James asked. He pulled out his phone and began to check it. "I'm sorry if we had a meeting and I forgot."

Ren laughed, standing from his seat. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't schedule anything. I just needed to speak with both of you and checked with the president about your schedule today. It just worked out that I was free during a photo shoot."

James' shoulders relaxed and he put away his phone. "Oh, perfect. Yukia has been so busy the last few weeks that I worried I'd missed something." He sat down on a bench opposite Ren and Yukia followed.

"So, what brings you here, Ren-san?" Yukia asked once they were all seated.

"I was in the area and wanted to check in. How is the modeling going?"

Yukia looked down at his water bottle. "Well, James said I'm doing fine but I think he's just being too nice."

"Well, if you'd like, I have some time. I'd be more than happy to stay and give you some tips afterwards," Ren offered.

"You'd do that?" Yukia grinned. "That would be really great! Thank you." He bowed his head in appreciation.

"But, I do also have a request to make of both of you." Ren shifted his legs in a way that might have been nervousness had it been anyone else.

"How can we help? I hope no one's been bothering Kyoko-chan again," James said.

Ren shook his head. "No, nothing like that. It's just… I was hoping that the two of you would consider being groomsmen for the wedding."

"In the wedding?" Yukia was positively beaming. "We'd be more than happy to. Right, James?"

James nodded, "Definitely. Just let us know anything we can do to help."

"The first thing would just be if you are available tonight at 7:30 we will be having a meeting in the president's office." Ren ran a hand through his hair.

"Are you doing okay, Ren-san?" Yukia leaned forward, observing the older man. "You seem like you have a lot on your mind."

Ren sighed, "Is it that obvious?" he leaned back against his seat. "Actually, there is something. My parents are in the country for the wedding. I'm sure Kyoko mentioned it?"

Yukia nodded.

"My father suggested I consider revealing my real name to the public."

James gave an understanding smile. "And if that were an easy decision, you wouldn't have needed a stage name to begin with."

"Exactly. I'm just concerned for the way it could change my life." Ren paused, "Mine and Kyoko's. It's not just about me anymore I guess." He gave a hollow laugh. "I'm just not sure how to decide something like that."

Yukia looked thoughtful. "Then, I guess you're lucky that you don't have to decide it on your own."

Ren's eyes widened. "You're right. I need to talk to her about it. It's half her decision anyway." He groaned. "I don't know why I didn't think of that before."

"We tend to miss the obvious when we're stressed," James said, his eyes twinkling. He pulled out his phone. "Now, you said that meeting was at 7:30? That shouldn't be a problem."

"Thank you." Ren stood, holding out a hand first to shake James' and then Yukia's hand. "You both have been a lot of help to Kyoko and I. I'm glad that we had the pleasure of befriending you."


Kyoko paced nervously in front of the elevator at LME. She had arrived at the president's floor several minutes early and was waiting for Ren to arrive. This was it. This was the first meeting for planning her wedding. For planning something she had once only imagined happening with Sho.

That would have certainly happened at his family's inn, and would have been a modest event with Shotaro's family and friends of his parents. Now that she thought about it, a wedding with him wouldn't have included anybody for her. Back in Kyoto, she hadn't had any friends and pretty much no family. It was such a stark contrast to her new family and friends in Tokyo.

Now I have Father and Julie. The president and Maria. Moko and Amamiya-san. Yashiro-san. Yukia-kun and James-san.

There was a ding as the elevator opened and her head whipped up to see who its passengers were. Yashiro and Ren emerged from the elevator, though Yashiro seemed to notice her first as Ren appeared to be in deep thought.

"Kyoko-chan, why are you crying?" he exclaimed, clearly worried.

Ren responded immediately to these words and stepped to her in one smooth movement. "What happened?"

Kyoko wiped at her face. "No, it's nothing. I'm sorry to worry you. I didn't even realize I was crying." She smiled to reassure them. "Honestly, they were happy tears."

Yashiro nodded to Ren. "I'll go let the president know we've arrived. You come in when you are ready."

Once he was gone, Ren lead Kyoko to a nearby bench. "Really, are you okay?" he asked, holding her hand tightly.

She looked up at him, feeling her heart warm at the sight of him watching her so intently. "I'm fine. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About us. And about all the friends I've made since first coming to Tokyo. It makes me happy to think I have so many people who care about me." Kyoko picked at the edge of her skirt.

Ren loosened his grip on her hand and instead pulled her into his embrace. "Well, I certainly never like to see you crying," he whispered into her hair, "but I'm glad those were the reasons."

Kyoko pulled back, grinning. "What? You didn't think I suddenly decided not to marry you, did you?" she teased.

He forced a fake smile onto his face. "Of course not."

She laughed, "Oh, Kuon." She leaned up and pressed a kiss against his lips. "I could never change my mind about you. You're what makes it all perfect."

He leaned in for another kiss. "And you make my life perfect."

She fought to keep down a blush and pushed forward to meet him, capturing his lips once again. Sure, they had a meeting to get to. But their quiet moments together were so rare they deserved to enjoy it for just a few minutes.