Ch. 7
Here is the continuation from where the current story left off in chapter four.
Ren quickly closed the distance between them and bent down to be at eye level with her.
"What are you doing out here, Mogami-san? Sleeping?" His eyes looked cold and sharp, and his words more so.
"I-I dunno, I was just walking home! I just needed to sit for a bit is all." Kyoko hoped he hadn't been sitting in his car for too long, or else he might already know she had been asleep for awhile. Her watch told her it was eleven o'clock, about an hour since she started her walk home.
Ren's eyes became even sharper, and his words were like ice stalactites. He stood up. Gripping her slender arm, he pulled her from the bench and, moving quickly, he opened the passenger side door. "Get in."
He said it harshly and Kyoko knew there was no debating allowed this time. Besides, she was so tired, she would have gladly taken the ride earlier. Driving home in silence, she could tell that Ren was more than pissed. Even so, in her current state, her grudges were too weak to be roused.
Pulling up outside the Daruma-ya, Ren shut off the car. Not a good sign, Kyoko thought. "Um, Tsuruga-san-"
"Mogami-san." Ren looked over at her. More like, he was looking down on her.
The spark that was still left in Kyoko made her want to dive into her usual dogeza crouching bow. But she stayed still, fearing he might just light her on fire with his eyes, what with the way he was glaring at her.
"What has gotten into you lately?" He said. "You came to work with various injuries, not to mention that bump on your head," Kyoko was taken aback and quickly reached up to feel the bump that had formed from her earlier accident. The wig had covered it for the Dark Moon shoot, but now it was exposed. "As for your obvious lack of sleep and ridiculous weight loss, since when have you stopped taking care of your own body?"
"I've—I've just been busy lately, that's all!" she said, putting on her most convincing, frantic smile. "Work has been hectic, and you know better than anyone else how hard it can be to find time for a proper meal! Ahaha, I didn't realize it was so noticeable, but really I'm feeling just fine. Today was just an especially busy day, and I forgot my bike…" she trailed off. Why am I still talking? She wondered. Why do I need to explain myself to him? It's none of his business, really. Besides, there are lots of actresses who are skinnier than me! Moko-san, for example!
On the other hand… maybe he feels like it has to be his business since I'm his kohai! He feels responsible if he thinks there's something wrong with me!
Kyoko opened her mouth to speak words that would relieve his fears, that would tell him that he wasn't responsible. But suddenly there was another voice in her head, a darker and more melancholy voice, that said, But that isn't right, is it?
Kyoko suddenly could not get the words she was about to say to come out of her mouth, and her mouth simply remained open. Frozen, the voice continued to speak to her.
But it is his responsibility, isn't it? It's all his fault this happened to you. He should feel bad. Isn't it just like your childhood with Sho? How all those girls bullied you when you were young because of him... isn't this like a forewarning? Look at you, blinded just as easily as you were then. And you've claimed that you've grown, that you'll never be fooled again! Ha! Just wait…the same thing is going to happen.
"Mogami-san." Ren said for the second time, "you looked like you were about to say something." Her mouth had shut and now she was staring, as if frozen, at his face. But it didn't seem like she was seeing him, or hearing him for that matter.
No no! Kyoko thought, shaking her head. This IS NOT like that time! Sho wasn't a good person, and Tsuruga-san definitely is! He would never find satisfaction out of knowing that women were bullying me because they like him, like Shotaro did! Even if this did happen because of him, he isn't the one I should be angry at. I am definitely going to make sure that Tsuruga-san's fears are relieved and that he doesn't worry about me any more!
With new resolve by having made her decision, she finally spoke.
"Tsuruga-san, you really don't have to worry about me." She said, coming to the conclusion she believed was the correct one.
Ren raised his eyebrows. "Why's that, Mogami-san? You're appearance doesn't convince me of that." He had been startled when she suddenly began to speak, but now schooled his expression and continued with their previous conversation.
"Just stop, Tsuruga-san. You can just stop making me your business, stop concerning yourself with the trivial issues I might be having and concentrate on your job! Don't worry, I've been taking care of myself for awhile, you don't need to!"
The oblivious Kyoko did not notice the various stab wounds she was hacking into Ren's chest as she was saying the words she thought would make him feel like he didn't have to bear her as a burden.
The words had instead come out in the opposite way. Translating…Ren thought.
"Stop, Tsuruga-san. This is none of your business. My life doesn't concern you, so get out of it and concentrate on your job, not mine. I don't need you."
Just when Kyoko was feeling encouraged that this was the right thing to say, Ren's face went completely cold and his eyes piercing, even moreso than before. Kyoko's face wilted. What did I say wrong? She wondered.
"Fine," he said. "I won't concern myself with you anymore. I'm sorry I worried about someone I thought was a friend. I didn't realize you wouldn't be grateful and instead think I was shoving into your business." Reaching over her, he opened her door.
Startled, Kyoko began to respond, suddenly realizing he might have misinterpreted her intention. "Wait, Tsuruga-san, I-"
"Get out." He said. Scrambling out, she tried to explain.
"But I just thou—"
"Goodnight, Mogami-san." And with that, he shut the door and drove off. Kyoko stood on the curb for a few moments afterward, alone, and feeling even more isolated than before.
See? I told you so.
Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and answers to my questions concerning names and titles! This chapter was a bit difficult to pull together fluidly, so I hope it didn't sound unnatural or too OOC. I don't have any specific questions for this chapter other than 'how am I doing?' which is generally what reviews are for in the first place. Thank you very much for reading my first fanfiction! -Kason
