Facing the Past Once More
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat!
Chapter Seven:
Sakura kept wringing her hands as she paced the length of the room. Nerves kept her up and alert against her will. It was as though she was losing her mind. And in some ways—she was. Not knowing what was going on with Kyoko and with Them had her all riled up. She wasn't sure she'd ever calm down until she met her sister in person and saw for herself that Kyoko remained safe and unhurt.
It hadn't even been a full seventy- two hours since she'd been in Tokyo and already she had been feeling as though she was useless. she couldn't do anything useful by just sitting in Tokyo waiting for the right moment. Her gut kept telling her that something was wrong or going very wrong. It was a feeling that just wouldn't stop—instead it kept increasing minute by minute. She was facing the large balcony window when her cell phone began to chime. She rushed to the phone and flipped it open. "Hello?" Sakura asked cautiously.
"Hey," A soft voice spoke over the silence.
A warm glow spread throughout Sakura and within moments her nerves began to settle. She'd needed this so desperately. "Hey."
"How are you holding up?" The man asked as she heard the shuffling of papers in the background.
"Kyo, I don't know how to face her. I don't know what to do! What if I'm too late? What if she's begun to hate me? What if-?" Sakura rambled her insecurities and thoughts as they rushed through her brain.
"Sakura-Sakura, clam down." Kyo urged as she tried to stop from hyperventilating. "Breathe, breathe for me." He said gently and in response she willed herself to take deep breaths. "Good."
"No, not good. What should I do, Kyo?" Sakura asked in a whisper.
"What was planned. I need you to be brave—for Kyoko. Got it?" He said gently dispersing her fears and insecurities.
"What did you find out?" Sakura asked as she fell onto the bed.
"You need to get to Kyoko now. He's already sent his people after her and she's been contacted by HF I believe three or four times. He's not going to wait anymore. They all feel the pressure of the deadline closing in. And the deal with Them has been struck off."
Sakura sat up alert, "What? But that deal—"
"I know, believe me I tried but it's futile." Kyo continued.
"I'll go visit her now because this changes everything." Sakura said as she walked away from the bed and on to the balcony overlooking the cityscape of Tokyo. She sighed, "Well, I'll be going."
"Wait, Sakura." Kyo said suddenly breaking off Sakura's goodbye.
"What is it?" Sakura asked.
"If you see that idiot brother of mine, hit him once in the face for me as down payment for when I get there." Kyo said menacingly.
Sakura asked amused, "For what? Abandoning the business?"
Kyo paused for a moment, "For that, hurting my parents and for hurting Kyoko."
"Don't worry, you can exact your revenge after I've gotten mine." Her silky soft laughter filled the phone's silence.
"I love you. Take care of yourself." Kyo said softly, reveling in her laughter.
"Always. Love you too." Sakura said just before hanging up. I guess it's time to finally see her…
Sho sneezed. He sneezed twice in a row.
"Are you okay? A cold?" Shoko asked touching his forehead to check for on-coming fevers/ colds. She sighed, "Someone's just talking about you then."
Sho grabbed Shoko's hand, "Of course someone was just talking about me. Somebody is always talking about me." He saw her shake her head and walk away and was about to get up when he sneezed twice in a row again. He felt a deep shiver crawl up his spine, he didn't know why but in that moment he felt vulnerable and endangered as though a serious threat was on coming. He shrugged his fears away as he walked out of his dressing room. Interview time…he thought.
He walked along the hallway when in the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar raven- haired girl. He turned to face a poster advertising a new movie that was beginning—giving out its promo shots and checks. He knew this girl. He'd grown up with her, lived with her. Except she didn't look like the little girl he used to know. Kyoko.
Sho stood looking at Kyoko looking much more as she had before but at the same time looking more beautiful than she had ever been before. Lost in his own little world of thoughts, it took him awhile to notice the name that was bolded beside hers. TSURUGA REN! She was acting beside Tsuruga Ren—as a love interest?! He fumed in anger as he saw their posters plastered all over the studio walls. Shoko exited the dressing room with a smile that instantly disappeared as soon as she saw the posters. She rushed to Sho's side but arrived too late as the angry singer began to stalk off in the opposite direction.
Kyoko and Maria watched as all the other contestants scrambled around their kitchens like Tasmanian devils. They watched as chefs and parents alike got fired up for the sake of winning first prize. Maria turned to Kyoko and tugged at her sleeve. Kyoko looked down to the unsure girl and smiled, "Ummm, Onee-sama, what should we make?"
Kyoko watched as Sebastian placed a step stool for Maria so that she could stand alongside Kyoko's height. Kyoko thanked the man before he went back to his position in the back. Kyoko turned to Maria with a bright smile, "Well, first let's see what ingredients we have to use?"
With Maria's nod of encouragement, Kyoko began to arrange the must-use-ingredients. "Alright, so we have eggs, baking soda, cranberries and celery?"
"Ewww, I wouldn't want any green vegetables in my sugary desserts!" Maria made face as she held up the green vegetable with her thumb and index finger, displaying her disgust for everyone to see.
"Ah, Maria, you sound just like—" Kyoko stopped in mid- sentence as she looked at Maria with a far- off look.
"I sound like who, onee-sama?" Maria asked as she set the vegetable aside and peered into her older sister's eyes to find a depth of sadness. She recognized this pain. It had been the same type she harbored and still deep in her heart harbors. The pain of loss. The loss of someone very dear. Someone whom was loved more than the world. "Onee-sama?"
Kyoko snapped out of her trance and smiled at Maria. "By the way, I just thought of what we can make of all these ingredient—including the celery."
Maria groaned, "I can't believe you're actually going to put healthy stuff in desert. You're so mean!"
Kyoko just smiled and whispered into Maria's ear. The little girl listened halfheartedly but then began to perk up until she looked at Kyoko with amazement. "That would work! That would be awesome to make! But could we change a few things?"
Kyoko laughed at Maria's enthusiasm. "Glad you think so, partner! So what are you thinking of doing?" Kyoko knelt down and nodded as Maria whispered the changes. "That would be great! You're great Maria-chan! Now, let's get cooking! DREAM TEAM!"
They bumped fists before setting into motion. Calling over a server, Maria told him to bring a list of items from the pantry as Kyoko began to get out bowls and set the oven.
"Okay Maria-chan, let's start." Kyoko said as she began mixing sugar and butter into a light fluffy mixture.
Maria at the same time began on her task of cracking the eggs. She looked at the hard shell and immediately thought of the way she'd seen all the cooks, even onee-sama, crack the eggs.
"Do you need help Maria-chan?" Kyoko asked as she watched the girl glare at the white object in her hand.
Maria smiled up, "No it's alright onee-sama. I got this. You start the frosting—that needs to be done right?"
Kyoko nodded and decided to let Maria try and experience.
Maria looked back at the egg and smashed it against the counter. Huh? I thought it was supposed to lightly crack? Ewww, it's all slimy! Maria wiped her hands on the nearest towel she could find and decided to try again. Grabbing a fork she tried the other method she'd seen others often take. "Okay, one…two…three…go!" The egg once again cracked in her hand. Okay, okay no problem Maria! WE can do this. Third time's the charm! Maria took another egg and tapped it against the bowl's edge and to her relief, it didn't crack in her hand. She placed both thumbs near the crack as she'd seen everyone do and then tried to pull it apart. However, when she tried to hold it, it kept slipping from her slimy hands and in the effort to catch it, the egg once again crushed in her hands.
Kyoko was setting her 3-D flowers in the fridge to harden when she heard a voice call out to her. Turning around she saw Maria holding her hands away from her face with her nose crinkled up, "I think I might need some help with this egg cracking thing after all." Kyoko burst out laughing.
"Onee-sama!" Maria blushed as she looked to see a light smile on Sebastian's face as he stood watching her.
"Okay, okay." Kyoko helped Maria clean up before getting a bowl and a fresh egg. "The trick is in the pressure." Maria watched as Kyoko cracked the eggs. At one point Kyoko asked her if she wanted to try again but Maria quickly shook her head.
The duo worked in complete harmony as Maria whisked all the ingredients that Kyoko measured and added. Before they knew it, their red velvet batter was complete. Maria nodded in contentment, looking at her job well done. As they set the batter into the cupcake pan and oven, Maria asked what came next.
"Well, now we start making butterflies!" Kyoko clapped her hands happily.
"All right contestants," A voice broke over the tents. "You have exactly forty minutes left until your dishes must be complete. Good luck!"
Maria turned to Kyoko, "How do we made butterflies?"
"With fruit," Kyoko said before taking out pieces of cantaloupe.
"Oh! We cut them." Maria said Kyoko guided the girl through using the knife properly.
Sebastian had remained quiet throughout the entire process. He looked at Kyoko as she stood behind Maria, guiding Maria's hands with her own as they cut out little butterflies. Maria looked up to Kyoko and whispered something in her ear. Kyoko looked surprised but quickly smiled without restraint. Maria went back to the fruit with a smile on her face.
It had been years that he'd watched his master's grand-daughter sink into darkness. She had been living away from everyone and everything but finally she was laughing. After years of finding nothing but lies and believing in nothing, Maria was opening herself up to the world. She was finally back in the light and it was all thanks to the angel who stood beside her today.
"All right, now all we have left is presentation." Kyoko said as she took the cupcakes out from the oven and let them cool. The two racks lay side by side and Kyoko couldn't help but giggle at the idea she and Maria had decided to do in the end. "All right Maria, which one do you want to do? Task A or Task B?"
Maria thought for a moment as replied, "B."
"Okay, you start yours and I'll do mine?" Kyoko asked as Maria nodded in confirmation.
Kyoko took out seven plates, one for each judge and gave Maria the colorful frosting bags. As Maria Drew designs on each plate, Kyoko dipped the ends of the roses in sugar water and then colorful sprinkles before letting them dry and harden. Maria and Kyoko worked together as they set down the finishing touches and completed their version of the best dessert.
Their dessert took the form of a large red velvet cupcake sitting beside a smaller velvet cupcake. The plate had been with artwork of butterflies and flowers in different colors making the red of the cupcakes stand out. The larger cupcake was frosted with white frosting and small pink 3-D roses which had tips of sparkling colorful sprinkles and butterfly. While the smaller cupcake was also covered in white frosting, one butterfly and, instead of roses, it had a small chocolate crown.
"All right! And that is time!" The announcer called out.
Servers came to each tent and took the desserts to where the judges sat waiting for the final pieces.
Maria's hands shook a little from the nerves, even though she had told onee-sama that she didn't care of winning, she did very much want to win. Maria stood waiting for the results to come in. She felt Kyoko place her hands on her shoulders. Her tensions eased as she remembered the most important thing. Even if today she didn't win an award, she had already won the best thing in the world. She'd gotten to cook with her onee-sama and for her that was enough. That was more than enough.
An old man, who was identified as the head master, walked along the stage and stood by the microphone. He held up a small vote card and began to read the winners from third place, to second and eventually first.
Maria hadn't heard her name and felt a flutter of disappointment rush through her. Kyoko began to apologize when Maria interrupted with an angelic smile, "I wanted to cook with you onee-sama and I did. That was more than amazing for me."
"Awww Maria!" Kyoko scooped the little girl into her arms. The headmaster went back to the microscope and continued. "This year we have a special prize. It was for the dessert that gave us a unique feeling among all the other desserts. This one stood out not only for its appearance but as well for its taste. This year's unique dessert goes to Takarada Maria!" Maria looked up to Kyoko, who was smiling though tears threatened at her eyes. Maria squealed in delight. She walked up to the stage and accepted the plaque that was given to her. She ran back and launched herself into Kyoko's waiting arms. "We did it. Papa is going to be so proud."
Ren sat watching his manager with a bemused grin alighting his face.
"Ren, what do you want?" Yashiro asked as he looked up from the planner he'd been studying with an intensity in order to concentrate away from the young actor's amused gaze.
"Nothing. I just noticed you look repeatedly towards your cell many times…" Ren meaningfully left the sentence run along to see his manager turn a slight shade of pink. "Perhaps, a certain actress is supposed to contact you…"
Yashiro turned to glare at his charge. "Ren, just what are you implying?"
"Interesting that you're asking me what I'm asking instead of telling me I'm wrong. So Mogami-san was indeed right about the two of you."
"K-Kotonami-san is nothing like that. She just slipped and I just happened to catch her." Yashiro stammered, trying to give an explanation so that his charge's smile wouldn't grow any bigger.
"But Yashiro- san, when did I ever say it was Kotonami-san's call you were expecting?"
Ren watched with satisfaction as Yashiro looked upon him blankly before opening his mouth and then quickly shutting it again.
A ring broke the silence and Yashrio thanked whatever gods were looking over him that day as he went to pick up his cell with gloved hands. "Hello? Yes? Yes, of course. We'll be right there." Yashiro hung up and professionally greeted Ren with a purposeful glance, "The president has called us up for a meeting. He needs to speak to you."
Ren was about to add a few more lines he'd prepared for his friend when he was whisked away to the elevator with a very determined Yashiro.
"Ah, there you are Ren! Well, come in we have items to discuss." Lory announced from his desk as Ren took a seat opposite to the president with Yashiro trailing behind.
"What was the important matter?" Ren asked the president, who wore nothing but a sombre suit which disconcerted Ren even more than he thought it would.
"I want you in a project that I've been planning with a friend for a long time." Lory had been waiting awhile for all pieces to come together. And finally it was time to start the project which he had invested so much into. It was the one that he felt he'd needed to tell the world about. It was the only one that had ever given him such a fever that he simply had to get the story out for the world to know that it had existed. To let the world know of the legacy that had been planted within such young, innocent lives.
"You want me in the story?" Ren asked in bewilderment.
Lory looked at him for a moment before continuing, "Let me rephrase myself, you are going to be in this movie." Upon seeing Ren's clueless and intrigued face he said, "It's been a story that has many roles and I have majority of them cast but I still need a main role filled and no matter who I sudition only you seem to stick in my head. You are the one that the writer and I agree on. So, yes, you are going to be in this movie. That's an order."
"What's it called?" Ren was intrigued with this movie offer. If the president was so insistent then it had to mean something. And in the end, he owed the president a lot to get to where he was in life. It was the least he could do in return.
Lory handed him a fresh script, "It's called Flying Free, and it's based on a true story."
Maria skipped through the halls of LME, clutching her plaque to her chest. She couldn't wait to tell Grandfather what she'd won!
"Maria- chan!" Kyoko called and stopped Maria in her tracks.
"Yes, onee-sama?"
Kyoko blushed before stammering, "I actually have to go do something that I promised someone. So, you should go while I go to my…uh...appointment. All right?"
Maria looked Kyoko before cocking her head, something was fishy here. Onee-sama never blushes! What is she going to do?
"Maria-chan?" Kyoko asked wondering where Maria had wandered off to in her thoughts.
"Oh, yes. I'll be going then. See you later onee-sama." Maria waved at Kyoko, who was already sprinting to the entrance. Strange. Looks like I have to do some investigating.
Sakura stood in front of the impossibly tall building. She had walked all the way here on shaky legs. Butterflies danced in her stomach and her head felt too light. Why did it feel like she was going to kneel over and barf any time soon? Taking a deep breath, Sakura walked into the LME building, heading straight for the secretaries who sat awaiting her arrival with smiles plastered on their faces.
"Yes, what can I help you with?" One of the secretaries asked in a pleasant tone.
"I need an appointment with the president of your company." Sakura replied, managing to find her voice.
"Your business?" The secretary acquired.
"It's private." Sakura replied as the secretary slightly arched an eyebrow.
"Alright, tomorrow at 2:30 pm is the only time available. Does that work or would you like another day?" the secretary asked clicking on her computer.
"Tomorrow works." Sakura replied quickly.
"What is your name?" the secretary asked as she began to type in the details she required.
"Mogami Sakura."
Kyoko walked along the familiar hallway that she'd memorized. Her heart was beating a mile a minute as she neared the door. It never got any better. With a deep breath she used the key that had been given to her. Though she was hesitant at first, he'd insisted that she use the key to get in. It still felt odd to her but somehow the information that he had given her a key had filled her with a warm, glowing feeling.
Unlocking the door, she found herself face to face with Ren as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
"I'm here." Kyoko said in a small voice.
"Welcome back." Ren replied in a deep, sultry voice making Kyoko glance at him while her face went beet red.
A/N: Man, it has been a loooooong time since I updated. Sorry about the wait! :(
