The Yashiro Conspiracy
Disclaimer: I don't own Skip Beat. Meh.
Blacktohru: I'm so sorry for the delay in this update! I just got my internet working (finally!) Is anyone still following this story? I hope this chapter will satisfy everyone (at least for the time being!)
(Edit: Changes made on 7 September 2008)
Chapter 6 – Not For The Faint of Heart
Kyouko-chan was definitely worth pursuing. Kijima drummed his fingers on the side of his face, mulling over this new possibility. But how should he go about it? He flipped through his copy of the script. There! He gave a little smirk. Now all he needed was her phone number. Perhaps Ren had her number…
There was no time like the present, Kijima concluded gleefully. Sliding his handphone out of his pocket, he pressed the correct buttons to dial Tsuruga Ren's number.
Twenty miles away, Ren's phone rang. "Hello?"
"Tsuruga-kun! Kijima here. I was just wondering whether you happen to have this chick's number. I know you usually don't take down their numbers, whether they're hot or not, but I wanted to cover all my bases."
"Good evening, Kijima-san." Ren shook his head in exasperation. Silently he added, 'While I can't say it's a pleasure to hear from you at such a late hour, since you've already called, I'll see what I can do to help.' "Whose number do you need?"
"Mogami Kyouko's."
Ren paused. This couldn't be happening…
"Hello? Tsuruga-kun? Are you there? I asked whether you have Kyouko-chan's number."
"What do you need her number for?" Ren asked, trying his best to keep that demanding tone out of his voice.
Kijima shrugged, "She's one of our colleagues. A fellow actress. And a very good one at that. I'm quite interested to see how she would grow and how her sparkle would captivate the audience. She wasn't much to look at when she was playing Mio in Dark Moon. Mio was too dark to be likable anyway. But now, looking at her closely, she's actually a pretty little thing…" Kijima said thoughtfully. "With the right polish, some sexy clothes, I'm sure she'll be the hottest thing to hit Japan! So, do you have her number?"
"No." Ren pressed the little red button, disconnecting their call effectively.
At The Set – The Following Day
From the corner of his eye, Ren carefully noted the warmth of Kijima Hidehito's smile, the absorbed way he watched her as she answered his question cheerily, and the fact that he was standing far closer to her than was necessary or even seemly. If he was merely acting a part, then he was certainly enjoying it. And if he wasn't merely acting…
Ren clenched his fists. This was not the time or the place to lose his cool. He would address the matter in a fittingly adult manner and… damn it all!
"Ah! Hi Tsuruga-kun!" Kijima Hidehito called out brightly when he noticed a tall and familiar silhouette, his arms still around Kyouko.
"Good morning," he replied in a low voice. His eyes sought out Kyouko, but she had turned away, refusing to meet his eyes. His heart sank. The situation was worse than he thought. He had to find a way to talk to her. Without that bastard around, that is.
'Would you get your filthy hands off her? Do you want me to kill you and drown you in Tokyo Bay?' he thought furiously.He envisioned a lifetime of saving her from stalkers and people who had enough sense to see her charm. First it was Sho Fuwa, and then that creepy stalker Kyouko had called Beagle.
Kijima stared at Ren suspiciously. In the past, Ren had been unfailingly polite to him, to the point where he had even considered it to be part of an act. Ren was, after all, the top male actor in Japan at that moment. He shook his head. But to act out an entirely different personality even when there was no script involved? If that guy was mixing up reel life with reality, then he had some serious issues.
But putting all those aside, for a moment, he had caught sight of Ren narrowing his eyes momentarily. And then, he had looked at Kyouko-chan as if expecting her to say something to him. But she had completely ignored him. Now, that was really out of the norm. The Kyouko-chan he knew would always jump to her feet and greet her senpais cheerily and respectfully.
The first thought that occurred to him was, "Wow… finally a girl who can resist Tsuruga Ren's charm."
"MOKO!!" Kyouko wailed. "I need your help!!" she dragged her over to the Love-Me office in desperation, completely deaf to the yells and death threats of her best friend.
Slamming the door shut behind her, she pushed Moko into the nearest chair and sank into the opposite chair. "It's a disaster! Everything….EVERYTHING! It's all gone wrong!" she began sobbing in earnest.
Moko sighed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "What did you do now?" she asked in exasperation. "Having problems with your role again? You never learn, do you?"
Kyouko hung her head and replied morosely, "It's not the script. It would have been so much easier to solve if my problems were that simple!"
"Okay, okay. If that's not the problem, then what is?"
She took a deep breath and began to explain everything, from how Yashiro had sought her help in teaching Ren how to cook, up till the night before.
Moko just stared at her wide eyed. "So you've been teaching Tsuruga Ren how to cook because he's a total wimp in the kitchen and somehow you both became good friends and last night, you stayed back to take care of him because he fell sick again and now you can't even look at him in the eye?" She shook her head. "That doesn't quite add up."
"You don't get it! He was like…" her voice dropped to a whisper, "Just like the Prince of Darkness. One look from the Dark Lord and you turn to stone…" she finished melodramatically.
Moko smacked her on top of her head. "He's not Medusa for goodness' sake! Don't be ridiculous! What exactly happened?"
Kyouko rubbed the sore spot on her head. "He was supposed to be sick and somehow when I went to check on him and give him that bowl of okayu…" she hesitated. Kami-sama, this was so embarrassing.
"Look, do you want me to help you or not?" Moko asked impatiently.
Moko was right, Kyouko thought soberly. What were best friends for?
"He caught my hand and pulled me into the bed with him and after that he wouldn't let go. I think he was feverish and he wouldn't stop muttering all sorts of incoherent things," she finished in a rush and lowered her head to hide the red heat creeping up her cheeks.
This was really the last thing she needed. To have her whole world as she knew it come crumbling apart with just those words. She closed her eyes, remembering it all…
Flashback
"It was all those years ago…"
She reached out, checking his forehead for any signs of fever. A difficult feat considering the fact that she was tightly imprisoned in his arms on the bed. He was slightly warm to the touch, she thought worriedly.
"I never imagined that you would be the very same person."
What was he talking about? She could barely catch what he was mumbling. Squirming and pushing away his restricting arm to no avail, she leaned back with a huff. How was she going to get out of this mess?
"Kyouko…"
Her ears perked up.
"I…Corn…" he groaned. "Kyouko… I… I've always…"
Corn?? Did he say 'Corn'? She frowned. She must be hearing things. First, thinking Kuu said Corn when he meant 'Kuon'. And now hearing Ren say Corn again. She must be more exhausted than she had originally thought. Now that she thought about it, it had been a really long day for her. What time was it? She had absolutely no idea. But whatever it was, she had to somehow get out of his embrace. She gave another squirm, fighting the urge to just lean back and lose herself in his warmth. What was it with this man and that dratted 'trust-me-depend-on-me' fragrance that made her want to….she frowned. Made her want to…?
Pursing her lips thoughtfully, she considered all she knew about Tsuruga Ren. In the past, she had given in to his warm embrace and relieved her burdens. And she had felt immensely secure. Safe, warm, loved. Feelings that she hadn't felt in a very long time. LME was indeed a wonderful work place, she thought. She was lucky. Having senpais such as Tsuruga Ren around, she could push herself harder and at the same time, depend on him for any advice. She rubbed her eyes sleepily. Considering all that she had been through, he had been wonderfully supportive of her and they had somehow become good friends outside of work. Smiling softly to herself, she inadvertently dozed off in the middle of her musings.
End Flashback
"I tried using Corn! My Voodoo dolls didn't work! Nothing worked!" she rested her head on the table in resignation.
"Well, at least we can confirm that Tsuruga Ren is pretty comfortable with you," declared Moko. 'Comfortable is just about the only word that she can accept at the moment. But I'm willing to bet next month's salary that he's got more than a crush on her.'
Kyouko muttered something incoherent under her breath.
"You were tired! So you slept. It's your body's natural response to fatigue."
Shaking her head in disbelief, Kyouko raised her head to eye Moko who stared right back at her.
"Well, he wasn't angry about that was he?" Moko prodded.
"No….in fact, he was more upset about the fact that he didn't send me home that night."
'A gentleman to the bone or a hopelessly in love Tsuruga Ren?' Moko wisely kept that thought to herself.
"Look, at least he's far, far better than that sorry excuse of a man who's playing opposite you in that movie," Moko replied.
"Huh? Kijima-san?"
Moko nodded seriously. "Kijima Hidehito. He's the living example of a playboy with two girls dangling off each arm. Long hair, long legs, zero IQ. Beautiful and dumb, that's all he wants." She smiled maliciously. "You should watch out for him. He's like a reverse prince. Once you kiss him, he turns into a frog."
Takarada Lory's Office at LME
"I'd like to think that I'd fall to my knees and declare my undying love for her, but I just can't imagine myself doing that," Ren grimaced.
"Well, why don't you do that!" Yashiro exclaimed, unable to hold his tongue any longer. "You've nothing to lose since she hates you anyway."
"Now, now," Lory placed an arm on Yashiro to stop his outburst. "I know that you want what's best for both of them and Ren has certainly bungled up this matter more than I thought he would."
"What?" Ren stared at both of them, beyond exasperated. "You expected me to ruin all that I had with her?" He leaned back dejectedly. "You guys are no help."
"No need to get so touchy. You had no one else to turn to so you came to us," Lory replied calmly. "In fact, maybe you could try getting one of those 'Dating For Dummies' books that are so popular nowadays. I heard they're really useful!"
Ren resisted the urge to slap his forehead in derision. "Look, if you thought it would help, I'll read it. Okay?"
"Ren," Lory hesitated, dropping all pretenses at teasing him. "I just didn't want you to lose sight of who you are, after donning that mask for so long. I believe that your role in this new movie will be important for you, not only professionally but emotionally as well." He looked imploringly at his protégé, hoping against all hope that all was not lost, and finally breaking into a small grin when Ren nodded in agreement.
"Conceal me what I am and be my aid for such disguise, this happily shall become the form of my intent."
"Twelfth Night," the President smiled. "I'll see what I can do to help. Perhaps I'll have a chat with her."
"Thank you," Ren bowed. "I have a photo shoot scheduled in the next hour and I need to get going now," he nodded meaningfully at Yashiro.
"Ah!" Yashiro clapped a hand to his forehead. He had forgotten about that last minute arrangement! In front of the President of LME to boot! He scrunched up his face unhappily. And why was the President satisfied with that quote from Twelfth Night? He hadn't even realized that Ren knew Shakespearean plays.
Ren headed for the door, already lost in his own thoughts and completely oblivious to Yashiro's misery. With luck, Kyouko would explain everything to the President and he would be able to talk to her properly again. He slid a hand through his hair, ruffling it in frustration. Talk to him? She wouldn't even look at him.
The President leaned back in his chair contemplating this new development. Ren coming to him for help? Now that was a first. Even in the past, no matter how dire the circumstances, Ren had absolutely refused to ask anyone for help. He had initially thought that as a boy, Ren's pride had been far too great for his skinny body then. But over time, he had noticed many things about Ren. He had this tendency to keep everyone at arms length. Flashing them that smile of his was sufficient to open many doors for him. And in the end, no one ever learnt of his true self.
Lory shook his head. While it was important to maintain his image as Tsuruga Ren, he was worried about him as a person. It just wasn't healthy to keep everything to oneself. No matter how independent Ren was, there was a limit to everything.
At least now, Ren was beginning to forgive himself, he thought with satisfaction. He seemed to want to depend on him and Yashiro. And Kyouko-chan. He smiled at the thought. Kyouko would definitely be good for Ren. And he in return would do her a world of good. Perhaps he would teach her how to love again. Lory steepled his fingers thoughtfully.
She was always fair to everyone, Ren thought absentmindedly. Despite his musings, he automatically obeyed the photographer's instructions, striking poses effortlessly. Treating everyone with the same kindness. And that extraordinary strong will of hers. The thing he admired most in her was the fact that she did everything with such great zeal to achieve perfection. And she hadn't changed. Still the same girl that he had met all those years ago. Well, she hadn't changed as much as he had.
"Tsuruga-san, tilt your head back a little….yes…hold that angle…"
Snap snap
"Good, now close your eyes…"
Snap snap snap
"Excellent!"
It was downright annoying. To be considered the same as everyone else. Not just annoying. It was demeaning. Kijima seemed to be her latest substitute for him. She no longer looked to him for advice or solace. It was all about Kijima Hidehito. It was eating him inside out. At times like these, he almost hated her sense of fairness.
Kijima Hidehito was going to be trouble, he frowned. He had always known about that aggravating playboy habit of his but to have it directed at Kyouko? He gritted his teeth.
"Tsuruga-san?"
There was absolutely no way he would approve of Kijima Hidehito. He lifted narrowed eyes to the camera, staring blindly.
"Tsuruga-san?" the photographer called out. "Tsuruga-san?!"
Yashiro rushed onto the set. "We'll take a ten-minute break now!" He immediately dragged Ren off amidst the shocked stares from crew members.
Snapping the door shut with a loud click, he spun around to face Ren. "What was that all about?"
Blinking a little, Ren stared at his fair haired manager. "What?"
"Even if you're upset about Kyouko-chan," Yashiro struggled to control his exasperation. "It is completely unprofessional of you!"
Ren's head snapped up, suddenly alert. Crap. Had his face revealed his inner turmoil? From the frown on Yashiro's normally unperturbed face, it was quite a high possibility.
"Sorry about that," he apologized. "I'll be fine. Let's go back to the set."
He could deal with anything fate threw at him on a whim. Leaving his family to stay in an unfamiliar place. Becoming a completely different person. But when it came to Kyouko, nothing ever seemed to go right. Only she could turn his world completely upside down. Only she could move his heart. So, if it's her, if it's for her, he would be willing to do just about anything just to keep her at his side.
Kyouko suddenly emitted a small squeak and scuttled off around the corner, disappearing before Moko had a chance to open her mouth.
"Ano….Moko-san?" a deep voice interrupted her.
She turned, facing the owner of that voice. 'Tsuruga Ren,' she thought with exasperation. 'No wonder Kyouko had run off as if a pack of hounds were after her.'
"That's Kotonami-san to you," she replied brusquely.
"Ah, my apologies. It's just that I've gotten so used to hearing her refer to you as Moko-san when she…" he trailed off.
'When she was still friends with you,' Moko completed his sentence mentally.
"Do you know where she is?"
Moko crossed her arms and glared at him. "Why?"
"I need to speak with her."
"She doesn't want to see you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to hunt for her this way," she replied acerbically, watching his face for any indication, any sign that he cared.
There! Although it was only for a brief moment, there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes, and was that longing she was seeing?
She struggled for a moment to retain her composure.
A love sick Tsuruga Ren? In love with her best friend…?!
He bowed his head, allowing his fringe to hide his eyes. "Please, I need to see her, to apologize."
Moko hesitated, torn between loyalty towards her best friend and the earnest plea she could see in the tall man's posture. If she allowed him to go to Kyouko, she could risk losing her best friend. But on the contrary, this man could possibly bring Kyouko happiness beyond anything she had ever experienced before. Perhaps then, she would be able to allow herself to heal from those old wounds that had never been cauterized.
"You're in love with her."
Ren looked up, startled. Was he really an open book? After all those years as an accomplished actor… he shook his head in resignation.
"You don't…love her?" Moko stared at him, her eyes narrowing in anger. She hadn't read him wrongly. Was he taking her for a fool? Was he trying to play games with her and crush Kyouko's already tender heart?
"No! No… I mean…I do! But…"
Ah, crap. I just announced it to the world. Ren shook his head again in amazement. Whenever it came to Kyouko, the connection between his brain and his mouth always seemed to short-circuit.
"So which one is it? Make up your mind!" Moko demanded, her voice straining in an effort to contain her animosity.
Ren met her gaze levelly. "I do, I do love her," he admitted.
"Good. Guessed as much. If you break her heart, I will personally break every single bone in your body, whether or not you're the famous Tsuruga Ren. Do you understand?"
He gave her a genuine smile. "You're a good friend to her. And you don't have to worry. I'll look after her."
She nodded. "Go talk things out with her. She should be sitting at the staircase behind the Love-Me office.
Ren breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
"Just…" Moko looked away. "Just take care of her, okay?"
"I will." Till the day that I die, he added to himself, smiling a little at how antiquated and clichéd it sounded. But, age old romances were still romance. Literary or not. Besides, Kyouko was definitely the type to believe in happily-ever-afters.
"There you are," Ren breathed.
Kyouko jumped up, startled. "Wh…What are you doing here?" she sputtered. He wasn't supposed to know about her secret spot! As a glamorous actor, he wasn't supposed to take staircases and walk around deserted corridors!
He reached down and touched her forehead. "Good. I'm glad you're not ill."
Her eyes widened in surprise at his touch and at his words. Then she turned away, trying to escape his touch. 'This is getting weird!' she thought frantically. 'Why did he go out of his way to look for me?' She refused to meet his eyes.
Ren felt her withdraw from his touch. "Why won't you even look me in the eye? What happened? Why are you running away from me?" He gently placed both hands on her face.
She froze at the rush of heat his hands ignited.
"LET GO!" she suddenly yelled and dashed off without looking back, leaving behind a thoroughly bewildered Tsuruga Ren.
One minute and five floors later, Kyouko leaned against the wall and slid down to the floor helplessly. She was being too strange! When had this man's touch begun to make her react this way? Her pulse was still fluttering madly and her breath came in short pants. What was wrong with her? She buried her face in her hands, unable to control the tears which had welled up in her eyes.
Wait… the symptoms. She mentally ticked them off: increased heart beat rate, shortness of breath, being nervous around him, unable to meet his eyes and that intense desire to see him smile. She groaned. "Kami-sama, please tell me it isn't true." Could she possibly…. NO! There was absolutely no way! She had strengthened the shield around her heart everyday! She closed her eyes and immediately an image of him appeared in her mind. Her heart constricted.
She did like him very much. But, in that way? All the arrows seemed to be pointing in that direction. 'This can't be happening,' she thought morosely.
Blacktohru: Well? What do you think? Let me know!
Here's a poll! Results will be posted (and used) in the final chapter!
What does Tsuruga Ren taste like?
A. Dark chocolate. Smooth, rich, intoxicating…
B. Sugar, spice and all things nice
C. Dark swirls of rich amber honey
D. Mint - tangy and refreshing
Next up: Chapter 6a – Not For the Faint of Heart (The Movie)