Disclaimer: I don't own Skip Beat! or any of its character.
Chapter 6
"Otou-san, Akiko I mean Kyoko will be here tonight." Haruki said as soon as he entered his father's office at the hotel. "She's staying here until Wednesday. Maybe we can all have dinner during her stay here. She's such a sweet girl, you'll like her..." He stopped to look at his father when the older Yamamoto didn't react. He was disappointed to find his father's lack of interest in the girl that might be his sister. "Otou-san are you not you excited to finally meet her?"
"Haruki it's not that I'm not excited, it's just I'm a bit scared." Haruto admitted to his son. "I afraid that my old heart wouldn't be able to handle it if it turns out that she's not Akiko. Yes, she looks like your mother and she has the same eyes as yours but thirteen years ago there was evidence that Akiko was on that train."
"I know Otou-san but as I said before we never really had a DNA test for the body they found. We didn't even see the face of that young girl because of the intensive burn she suffered. Otou-san there is a slim chance that Akiko is alive and this girl could be her."
"A slim chance as you said. What if this girl is not her? To me, that would be like Akiko died the second time if I let myself hope now." Haruto said to his son but deep down he knows that in his heart he's already hoping. He didn't want to meet the young girl yet because he knows that he wouldn't be able to control his emotion. "I wouldn't be here tonight anyway."
"What? Why not?"
"I've got a meeting in Tokyo with an old friend of mine."
"Otou-san..."
"I'll be leaving in an hour. I'll leave you to look after things here." He cut his son's protest. "Then I have to go Hokkaido tomorrow to meet up with the contractor who will be handling our Ryokan expansion there."
"When are you coming back here?" Haruki asked somehow dejected, he knows his father very well and he knows that Haruto is avoiding meeting Kyoko.
"It depends on the contractors. They are supposed to do a survey of the site in Hokkaido then I'm thinking of bring them to Osaka to get their opinion about our Ryokan there."
"I see. I guess it can't be helped. You won't be meeting Kyoko-san then." Haruki said, disappoint.
Haruto seeing his son's dejected face decided to change the subject. "So have you found out more about Kyoko-san's family?"
"Not yet. They can't seem to find where Mogami Saena is. It's like she disappeared from the face of the earth. They can't even find a picture of her."
"How about pictures of Kyoko when she was young?"
"They found some school photos but it's not conclusive if she really is Akiko because her face have changed some. We only have a picture of her when she was two years old. It's hard to compare Akiko's photo with Kyoko's photo. The best way to find out is to have a DNA test."
"The question is how you are going to ask her to actually do the DNA test without scaring her."
"I don't know yet Otou-san. I'm hoping that within her time here I would be able to talk to her about it."
"Haruki, what would you do if you find out that she's not Akiko?"
"I don't really know..." He started seriously but added jokingly "We could maybe adopt her, she doesn't seem to have a family anyway. She could pass as a Yamamoto, she looks like one already."
Haruto chuckled "I supposed we could do that." Lightening the mood of the conversation.
Buzz buzz buzz. The intercom interrupted their conversation.
"Yamamoto-sama phone call for you in line one." His secretary said after he press the answer button.
"Ok I'll take it."
"I'll see you when you get back." Haruki said before leaving his father's office.
It was dark and late when the three Love Me girls arrive at Yakiko resort. They were exhausted from their full day's work and travelling but that didn't stop them from admiring the spacious hotel lobby and its elegant furnishing. They followed the limo driver to the reception area.
"Good evening, welcome to Yakiko Resort." The receptionist said.
"Hello Kudo-san" The limo driver said to receptionist. "These are Kyoko-san, Kotonami-san and Amamiya-san. Kurosaki-san is expecting them. I was instructed to bring them here."
"Yes, the Director told us to bring them to the lounge area when they arrive. The bellhop will bring your luggage up in your rooms" He informed them. "Sasaki-san" He called to the other receptionist who was inside the side office.
"Oh gosh!" Sasaki exclaimed upon seeing the three actresses who are waiting to be lead to the director. She covered her mouth and re-assert herself.
"Good evening" She said in her professional voice. They were trained to be professional at all times and she wasn't proud about her slip earlier. It's just that she overwhelmed after seeing three of her favourite actresses all at once.
"Good evening" the Love me girls answered.
"Sasaki-san I'm just going to step away from the desk to bring these ladies to the Director. If the ladies would like to follow me, I'll bring you to Director Kurosaki-sama."
The girls thank the Limo driver and followed the receptionist.
Kudo Ichigo thanked his lucky star that he's the one rostered to be in behind the reception desk today. Right now every male worker in area are looking at him with envy. He walked tall and proud towards the lounge area followed by three beautiful girls all the while pointing to different areas of the hotel.
Kurosaki was relaxing in the lounge with a drink when he saw his three stars walked in the room led by a proud looking receptionist. He got up and motioned the girls to join him.
"Good evening ladies" he said as soon as then reached him.
"Good evening." Kanae and Chiori said together.
"Hello Director Kurosaki. How are you?" Kyoko said.
"I'm fine Kyoko-san. How was your trip?"
"It's fine. Thank you for asking."
"I'm sure you are all tired. I just wanted to welcome you and personally show you girls to your room." He said then he turned to the receptionist "Thank you Kudo-san I'll take over from here. I've got their keycard with me."
Kudo bowed and left the three girls in the Directors care. Kurosaki led the girls to the elevator.
"This resort is actually owned by one of my close friend. He arrange all your accommodations, you will be sharing one of the penthouses with three bedrooms." The elevator door opened and they entered. "The penthouses here are very private you need a key to be able to access the floor itself." He demonstrated how it's done by scanning one of the penthouse key through the sensor before pressing 'P'. The lift ascended. "If you girls are need anything just call room service. Everything's paid for. The CEO of the resort wants you to enjoy your stay here." They reached their floor and exited the elevator to a little lounge area with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the sea. At the far corner there is a bar.
"Wow" Chiori said
"This bar/lounge is exclusively for use only of the occupants of the penthouses, it will be open 24/7 when there are guest in this area. It will officially open when the hotel opens to public." Kurosaki explained.
They continued walking down the hall to the left for a minute before the Director stopped in front of a door to his right. He got the key and opened it.
"This is your room." Kurosaki motioned for them to enter. "This is the living room" Kurosaki said motioning to a very elegant sitting room which contain the girls' luggage at the moment. "The dining room and kitchen through here" He said continuing his tour. "Down this hall are the bedrooms. The main bedroom has an Ensuite and the two bedrooms has to share a bathroom." He showing them each room. "It's up to you which room you decide to stay in." Kurosaki walked back to the living room followed by the three girls who are all in awe. He handed them each of their key. "I'll leave you to rest now. Kyoko-san I need you at the lounge area downstairs ready for filming at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Breakfast starts at six and closes at eleven at the where I met you downstairs. Breakfast are also available from some restaurants outside the hotel. Good night." The director walk to the door and left.
The girls were left to look around the luxurious penthouse.
"Wow!" Kanae was the first to speak. "This is so...Wow...I can't even describe it!"
Kyoko opened the door to the balcony that overlook the same scenery as the lounge offer.
"We better unpack and get some rest. You'll have an early start tomorrow Kyoko-san." Chiori said heading towards their luggage.
"So which room do you want?" Kyoko asked
"I don't really care. They're all nice." Chiori said
"What if you take the master bedroom Kyoko." Kanae said "You're the one staying the longest here." She added before Kyoko could reject the offer.
The girls took their things to their respective rooms and said good night to each other. Kyoko sat on the king size bed and took out her phone. She pressed one on her speed dial.
Ren was in his room, in the ryokan he was staying at with the rest of the filming crew. Yashiro's room is next to his. He's been in Hokkaido for three days now. And he's missing a certain golden eyed girl who at this moment is on the other side of the country. It's late and he's temped to call her now but he told himself to wait a little bit more she might be with the director right now and he didn't want to interrupt.
His phone buzz and he answered it before the second ring.
"Hello?"
"Good evening Ren-san" Kyoko's heart skipped a beat when she heard his voice.
"Good evening Kyoko-chan. How was your flight?" Ren smiled upon hearing his favourite sound in the world.
"Tiring but enjoyable."
"Are you at the hotel now?"
"Hai and its beautiful Ren-san." Kyoko said excitedly. "I'm staying at the penthouse with Moko and Chiori-san. And everything here is so luxurious! My bed is almost as big as yours. The bathtub I could swim in it." Ren could almost picture her excited face. "The balcony oversees the ocean. At the moment it's too dark to see much, but I'm sure the view will be breathtaking in the morning."
"I'm sure it will be. Just explore the resort while you're there and take note of all the nice places and activities available so on my next holiday I can go there and you can be my tour guide." Kyoko blushed at her senpai's implication that he wants to bring her along with him on his next holiday.
"I will." She said softly. Ren's smile became broader. 'Does that mean she'll go with me if I ask her to?' he thought. "How's your filming going?"
"It's good. We actually finished early today. The director was happy with all the scenes."
"Are you doing all your stunts?" Kyoko was worried because she knows that some scenes are actually dangerous.
"Only some." Ren said placating her. He doesn't really want her to worry. After the Dark Moon car incident Kyoko became overly anxious every time she hears him doing his own stunts.
"You have to be careful Ren-san. If the stunt is too dangerous please use a professional to do it." She said with a worried voice.
Ren was touched. "I will I promise." He decided to change the subject. "So have you met any of your co-stars there?"
"Not yet. Only Director Kurosaki. They're probably resting already when we arrive."
What Ren really wanted to know is if Murasame was there already. He tried again. "Are you filming any scene for CM three tomorrow?" This time he got the answer he wanted.
Kyoko was a bit puzzled why Ren's asking about CM three but she answered him. "Not yet. According to the schedule the director gave us, we should be finishing CM one tomorrow. Murasame-san won't be here until Sunday according to the Director."
"I see." Ren became quiet for a little bit. He wanted to tell her something but he doesn't know how to.
"Ren-san?"
"I'm still here."
"Is something the matter?"
"Nothing really. I think I'm just missing my ex-sister." He couldn't resist saying it though what he really wanted to say was 'I really really miss you' he rephrased it the last minute so not to freak her out.
"Nii-san I miss you too. But this is work." Setsu said though in Kyoko's mind if she was in full Setsu mode she probably drop everything just to see Cain.
Ren chuckled. "Maybe I should fly there just to see you."
"You wouldn't!" She said "You can't do that! You're too busy."
"I've got an excellent manager who can rearrange my schedule." He knows that Yashiro wouldn't mind doing the rearranging if he knows that Ren will be flying to see Kyoko. "Well at the rate we're going with this filming we probably be finish here by Friday afternoon instead of Friday night. The scene that was supposed to be filmed on Friday night was filmed today anyway. I'm due to be back at Tokyo on Saturday lunch so I really don't have anything scheduled on that day. I can fly there on Friday night straight from Hokkaido and leave Saturday late afternoon." Now that he voiced out the plan he has been thinking ever since he got to Hokkaido he was much temped to do it.
"Ren-san you should really use that time to re-change and relax." Kyoko said though the thought of seeing her senpai sooner is very appealing, she has to think of his health, therefore she must no to the idea.
"It sounds like you don't want to see me." Ren said sounding Sulky.
Kyoko smiled at her senpai's childishness. "It's not that I don't want to see you. It's just that I don't want you to be so tired. Yashiro-san probably didn't schedule anything on Saturday so you can recuperate."
Ren notice the time. "Speaking of tiredness, you are probably really tired now. I better let you go now. Don't girls need their beauty sleep? Not that you need it."
Kyoko completely ignored the last comment about the beauty sleep but said. "I guess you're right. Now that you mention it, It's pretty tiring travelling. I'll talk to you tomorrow Ren-san."
"Good night Kyoko-chan"
"Good night Ren-san. And remember your promise that you won't do the dangerous stunts." She reminded her.
"I will do just the easy stunts. Sweet dreams Kyoko-chan" He said followed by the really soft 'I love you" and a kiss before he disconnect the call.
In Tokyo that afternoon a handsome middle age man wearing a white, button down shirt and dark slacks entered Takarada Lory's office.
"Haruto, long time no see!" Lory got up from his seat to give his long time friend a friendly hug.
"As eccentric as ever I see." Yamamoto Haruto said looking at his friend's attire. Today the president is wearing a Spartan warrior costume complete with helmet, shield, sword and gladiator sandals. "How long has it been since we've seen each other?"
"Too long my friend. Have a sit. Cigar?" Lory offered.
"Thanks" Haruto accepted one.
"When did you arrive?" Lory asked
"I've been back in Japan for just over two years now."
"That long and you only came to see me know?"
"My apologies" Haruto said "I've been really busy with the building of my new project. A resort in Okinawa. I came here today to personally invite you to attend the opening of Yakiko Resort next month."
"Yakiko Resort, that's the commercial my Love Me girls are filming. So you're the owner of that resort."
"Love Me girls?"
"Yes, that's a new department in my agency. Well it's been almost two years since I've created that department. I created it because of a young girl who's talented but lacking in love." Lory seeing his friend's interest in the story started explaining further. "Mogami Kyoko, my number one Love me girl audition here almost two years ago. I saw potential and talent in her but she's lost her ability to love due to hard life experiences. I really cannot talk about it in details but all I can say is that child had a very difficult childhood."
Apart from wanting to see his old friend Haruto had another reason why he went to see Takarada Lory. He wanted to find more information about the young actress who look like his wife.
"What is she like?" Haruto asked. "Is she intelligent? Kind? What is she like?"
Lory looked at his friend "Why the sudden interest in Mogami Kyoko?" he asked instead of answering.
"She's representing my resort I just want to know her better." Haruto answered. But Lory wasn't convinced.
"Haruto, we've been friends ever since college. I know you very well. You have another reason why you want to know Mogami-kun better. Now spill it."
Haruto thought for a moment before deciding to let his friend know the real reason. He trust Lory and he might be able to help in finding the truth. He took a deep breath before answering.
"Do you remember Akiko?"
"You're late daughter. What about her?"
"Thirteen years ago when the police gave us a body of a four years old girl to identify, we didn't hesitate to identify her as Akiko because of the evidence presented to us. We didn't even think about having a DNA test. We just accepted that Akiko pasted away. A few weeks ago, when Haruki came back from US I decided to give him the job of promoting the new Resort. He asked his friends help to do it. Ushio showed him a video of Mogami-san. Haruki noticed that she's got the same eye colour as him." He pause to let that sink in.
"So that's how they pick Mogami-kun. But what's that got to do with Akiko?" Lory asked then a suddenly he remembered his friend last statement. 'She's got the same eye colour as him'. Kyoko's got the unusual golden brown eyes. "Are you saying Mogami-kun might be Akiko?"
Author's note:
Thank you for reading and reviewing.
