Hi everyone! So sorry for such a late update. After getting back from school, I didn't realize there was so much stuff I had to do! But I'm sure my updates will be more punctual from now on. Thanks again for all the feedback you guys gave me. It definitely helped me a lot. So I hope you enjoy this one as well and please review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its characters.
Mokoo-san:
I am reablly sorrry for eveerythimng. I promjise I willl do baetter npext timse. And sorrry fopr not calling you troday. I will maike it up to you.
Much klove, Kyokoo.
Kanae's lips curved into a small smile as she read her friend's highly confusing—and interestingly misspelled—text message. As she made her way back to one of the offices from the bathroom, Kanae had to admit that she was quite amused at how many letters Kyoko got wrong when she herself could text without looking at the keypad. However, even though her text was slightly hard to decipher, Kanae understood that her friend was sorry and was more than willing to accept her apology.
But Kyoko had it all wrong. Kanae wasn't mad at the fact that she was staying at Ren's place. That notion didn't even cross her mind. What she was upset about was how Kyoko didn't even bother to let her know. Usually Kanae wouldn't get so jealous, but this time it felt like her best friend had replaced her with the heartthrob of their generation.
Kanae clenched her teeth together. This jealousy thing was not working out. But when she looked down at the text message she received three hours ago, Kanae could feel her anger disappear and a smile slowly curve at the corner of her lips. Kyoko had already apologized so there was nothing left to do, but forget about it.
So content with her decision, she decided to go and get Chiori in the office on the fourth floor and see if everything was done. Unfortunately for those two, after putting up the drama fliers together, it seemed that the work was never-ending since they were not allowed to take a break at all as more assignments were thrown their way. From scheduling meetings to dropping off papers to making more phone calls, the LoveMe girls were constantly on the move.
By now, it was already six in the evening and all Kanae wanted was to get home and relax in her comfortable bed. After a good 15 minute walk, she suddenly spotted Chiori walking out of the office, waving a farewell with a smile on her face. When her eyes met Kanae's, her smile brightened as she exclaimed, "Hey Kanae!"
Kanae smiled back and stood in front of her, motioning her head to the office.
"I finished everything," Chiori answered easily. "It took longer than I thought, but now we get to leave."
Kanae nodded in thanks at her friend's hardworking personality as she led her friend down the hall to take the next elevator to the locker room. But as they stepped out of the elevator and were walking towards the changing room together, Chiori suddenly turned to Kanae and said in a serious voice, "Can I ask you a question?"
Kanae looked at her out of the corner of her eye in curiosity and nodded.
"About Kyoko," she began slowly, "I've been thinking about her all day, so I have to ask…what's her relationship with Tsuruga-san?"
Kanae quickly averted her gaze and kept her eyes locked forward.
"I mean, it seems that there's something there. I can't really explain it, but it's almost like they share some sort of bond. Don't you think so?"
Kanae furrowed her eyebrows. She had no idea how Chiori was doing it, but it was like she was reading her mind. That was the exact kind of thinking that Kanae had when it came to the two of them. Even though Kyoko had constantly refused the notion that she had any feelings for her mentor whatsoever and that she only saw him as her role model, Kanae had to admit that Kyoko's actions didn't necessarily match with the words that came out of her mouth.
"Kanae?" Chiori asked when she saw that her friend wasn't looking at her. "Is something wrong?"
Shaking her head from side to side, Kanae only shrugged in response and waved her hand at Chiori's face.
Chiori laughed. "I guess you're right. Maybe I'm thinking too much into it."
Kanae only smiled and lightly nudged her friend in the shoulder, realizing more and more how Chiori was having such an easier time understanding her.
"Because, I mean," Chiori continued, "it's not like Tsuruga-san and Kyoko have feelings for each other. Ridiculous, right?"
Kanae didn't reply.
"It would seem a bit weird. They're like complete opposites."
She continued to walk forward, listening intently to Chiori's comments.
"After all, has Tsuruga-san ever even done things for Kyoko outside of work? He only acts as her mentor."
In an instant, a shock ran through Kanae's body. That part was wrong—dead wrong. Chiori couldn't be farther from the truth because Kanae knew plenty of moments when Ren's image of a mentor vanished around Kyoko. Even though they put on the façade of pupil and teacher on the outside, there were moments when those images cracked and those two might not even have realized it. Kanae noticed though. How could she not? She could even clearly pinpoint when…like during Kyoko's birthday…
But as Kanae's mind was running through all of her past memories, she suddenly heard a shrill cackle-like laughter echo from across the hall. It was practically reverberating off the walls. She immediately turned around and felt her eyes narrow in irritation. Out of all people to run into at the end of a very tiring day, it just had to be Matsunai Ruriko, LME's pompous little princess, who had the biggest smile on her face.
"Well, look who we have here," Ruriko said with an evil grin, "it's the company clowns. Hard day at work, girls?"
Kanae glared as Chiori turned around in curiosity as to why Kanae stopped and stared at Ruriko with furrowed eyebrows. She didn't recognize the young girl at all, but the vibe that she was giving off made Chiori think that this probably wasn't someone she wanted to know anyway.
"Who are you?" Chiori asked with her head turned to the side.
Ruriko faltered. "Who am I? WHO AM I?"
"What did she say?" Chiori asked as she turned to Kanae who only glared even more menacingly at the horribly offended actress. Her haughtiness was getting on her nerves.
Really irritated by now, Ruriko dramatically flipped her dark hair over her shoulder and sneered. "Well, I don't need an introduction for you two. You're the pathetic LoveMe girls who would do ANYTHING to get measly little points. Tell me, how does it feel to get a job here based on anything BUT talent?"
Kanae took a step forward, but Chiori quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, holding her back. Chiori didn't need any help to understand what happened. This girl was definitely not a friend.
She laughed loudly. "Now now, Kanae. Don't want to hurt your superiors now, do you? Or I'll have to take away those precious points of yours."
Kanae bit down on her tongue.
"After all, I'm sure scrubbing all the bathroom toilets must have been very tiring. But if it makes you feel better, your uniform fits perfectly with the job!"
Kanae could feel her blood turn into hot lava, coursing through her veins.
"I mean seriously, do you have any shame?"
That was it. Kanae couldn't take it anymore. This humiliation was going far enough.
"What's wrong, Kanae?" Ruriko said with a twisted smile. "Cat got your tongue?"
She clenched her hands into tight fists. Forget the damn assignment. This wasn't worth it. Ruriko wasn't going to win this easily. And just when Kanae was about to open her mouth to give her a piece of her mind, a loud thunderous voice suddenly bellowed,
"OH MY GOD! WHAT THE HECK IS ON YOUR FACE?"
Jumping nearly ten feet into the air, Kanae turned her body around and stared at an oddly horrified Chiori who had her hands over her mouth in terror.
Pointing at Ruriko's shocked face, Chiori yelled, "IS THAT SOME SORT OF PIMPLE?"
Quickly placing a hand over her cheek, Ruriko yelled back, "What are you talking about? Shut up!"
"EWW! IT'S GREEN! AND THERE'S PUS! GROSS!"
"Stop it!" Ruriko shrieked.
"OH MAN, I THINK IT BURSTED!"
"Stop lying!" she yelled, but it was too late.
Everyone in the lobby was turning around in curiosity at the loud commotion and she even saw some people pointing at her with laughter. Blushing profusely, Ruriko shook her head and screamed, "There's nothing on my—!"
"OH MY GOD! I THINK IT'S SPREADING! YOU BETTER GO CHECK THAT OUT! IT LOOKS CONTAGIOUS!" Chiori roared as people started to step away from Ruriko.
"No! No!" Ruriko yelled helplessly as she watched the bystanders quickly make their way out of the lobby with a disgusted look on their face.
Smiling triumphantly, Chiori hollered back, "IT'S OKAY! I'M SURE IT'LL CLEAR UP IN A WEEK OR TWO! IT'S ONLY THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL!"
And as she wrapped her hand around Kanae's slender wrist, Chiori effortlessly pulled her friend the other direction and yelled over her shoulder, "YOU FEEL BETTER NOW!"
Then without another look, Chiori pulled Kanae along with her body shaking in laughter. She was nearly gasping for breath. "Did you—see—the—look—on her—face?" she managed to stammer in between breaths. "It was—PRICELESS!"
Kanae couldn't believe it. It was just too good to be true. Chiori completely blew her plan out of the water. She was just going to tell Ruriko to shut her trap, but her friend managed to do that AND humiliate her publicly. Chiori turned around to see Kanae's astonished gaze.
She smiled sheepishly. "Did I kill your eardrums again?"
Kanae shook her head and smiled. Then raising her other hand, she gave Chiori a thumbs-up sign that made her friend's face glow three million times brighter.
Chiori laughed. "Oh, so now you want me to scream?"
Kanae stopped dead in her tracks. She put both her hands up and shook them back and forth, but it was too late. Chiori had already sucked in a breath and bellowed,
"WOO-HOO!"
Feeling the ringing in her ears, Kanae cringed as Chiori only laughed louder and pulled her to the locker room. When they finally stood in front of their respective lockers, Chiori quickly opened the door and began to change, but Kanae was too preoccupied with staring at her friend.
Even though it was such a simple thing to do, the fact that Chiori stood up for her was making her feel really warm inside. Usually Kyoko was the only one who could do that, but Chiori helped her without a second thought. Kanae didn't know how to thank her at all.
And as she mentally replayed the image of Ruriko's horrified face in her mind, Kanae was suddenly pulled back from her happy memory when Chiori exclaimed, "Alright! Time to go home. Too bad we won't be doing this the rest of the day, Kanae. It was actually really fun working with you."
Kanae looked up at her friendly smile and nodded. It was true—today was fun.
"But I'll see you tomorrow okay?" Chiori said as she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Later!"
But before Chiori could take a single step, Kanae swiftly pulled her back by her shoulder. Confused, Chiori turned around and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
Without bothering to answer her question, Kanae easily grasped Chiori's wrist, slung her handbag over her shoulder, and led her friend out of the changing room.
"Kanae, where are we going?"
She didn't reply in any way. Kanae just smiled and continued along her path as she stepped out of the company onto the busy pavement.
"Kanae," Chiori said uncertainly, "I live the other way." She pointed to the back of her as she continued to be dragged along through town by her dark-haired friend.
Kanae shook her head and turned around with a devious smile. Then with a slender hand, she pointed straight at herself and then pointed at the street before them.
"You? Wait, I'm staying at your place?"
And with a motion that seemed incredibly easy, Kanae smiled tenderly and gave Chiori a fluid nod.
"ALRIGHT!"
"Well?" Ren asked as he sat across from her and waited patiently for Kyoko to swallow the last sip of his miso soup. "How was everything?"
Kyoko kept her gaze downward, not wanting to reveal the look of utmost satisfaction that she knew was clearly spelled out on her face because of the delicious dinner she just scarfed down. She hated being wrong, but she had to admit, her mentor was a much better chef than she thought. Kyoko scowled. "Is there anything he can't do?"
"Mogami-san?" Ren called as he tried to get a better look at her face. "Say something."
Clearing her throat, Kyoko finally raised her head and said in a barely audible murmur, "mlikedit."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch that. Can you say that one more time?"
Kyoko glared behind her blindfold. "Ilikedit."
"You what?"
"I liked it!" she said louder as she finally raised her head in exasperation to hear his deep laughter.
Ren smiled widely in amusement and pushed himself away from his chair, walking towards the cabinets above the sink. "Really? That means a lot coming from you, Mogami-san."
Kyoko bit on her lower lip and sighed. "I'm feeling really insignificant here."
"Why?"
"Do you have any faults, Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko asked with a huff as she leaned her chin into the palm of her hand, "because I'm starting to suspect some foul play here. Nobody can be this good at everything."
Ren chuckled and retrieved two tall wine glasses from his cupboard. "I think you're giving me too much credit. There are plenty of things I can't do."
"Like?" Kyoko inquired, really curious as to what he was going to say next. Finally, she was going to get a little glimpse into the oh-so-mysterious life of her mentor. Kyoko was nearly jumping out of her seat in anticipation.
"Well, I can't—juggle."
Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "Juggle? That's it?"
Ren chuckled. "What do you want me to say, Mogami-san?" he asked with a smile as he opened the refrigerator door and took out a glass container, placing it next to the wine glasses. "Are you looking for something specific?"
"Well, I was hoping you would say something of more substance," Kyoko mumbled while she turned around in her chair and faced what she hoped was his direction.
"Then how about this: I don't think I can make desserts very well."
Kyoko faltered. "Desserts?"
"Yeah, but you can be the judge of that."
Then without further ado, Ren carried over the two, filled wine glasses, each containing a long silver spoon. He placed one in front of Kyoko and gently put the spoon into her hand.
"Tell me what you think."
Kyoko grasped the utensil in her hand and looked up at what she felt was his towering figure. "What's this?"
"Something I tried to remake for you."
"I don't understand," Kyoko replied slowly as he placed a cool, tall glass in her other hand.
"You'll see what I mean after you try it. At least, I hope you will," Ren replied with a smile. He knelt down on his knees so that he could look at her face to face. "Go on."
Really curious, Kyoko scooped up whatever it was that was in the glass and quickly placed the spoon into her mouth. She immediately tasted a rich, yet delicate texture that practically melted on her tongue even though it was surprisingly cool and refreshing. Knowing instantly what it was, Kyoko smiled widely as she heard him chuckle and ask, "I'm guessing it's not too bad?"
"How did you find the recipe?"Kyoko asked in surprise.
Ren ran a hand through his hair and said sheepishly, "I did a lot of research. I don't think it necessarily matches what you made me though. Your version is much better."
Kyoko shook her head and took another bite of the cool wine jelly. "No, your way of making it tastes great, Tsuruga-san. Thank you."
Ren smiled and stood back up on his feet. "I think I should be the one thanking you. You gave me the inspiration after all."
Feeling the heat go straight to her cheeks, Kyoko lowered her head in embarrassment as she took in the final bite. It tasted delicious. And the fact that he remembered what she made him on Valentine's Day was making Kyoko all nervous and fidgety. He put so much thought in everything he did. Kyoko couldn't explain it, but her stomach was tied up in knots all over again and strangely enough, the feeling didn't bother her. In fact, she even sort of liked.
And just when Kyoko was about to give her thanks again, she suddenly heard the faucet being turned on and running water fall into the sink. Quickly standing from her chair, she stumbled her way over to the sink and reached out an arm that thankfully landed on his shoulder.
"Let me do the dishes, Tsuruga-san. It's the least I can do after everything you've done."
"Mogami-san," Ren said with a shake of his head, "you're my guest. It's my turn to take care of you for tonight. Please, just enjoy yourself."
But Kyoko refused to back down. She had been relaxing long enough and to be frank, she was quite sick and tired of sitting on her butt all day. So with a firm voice, Kyoko reached out her other hand and managed to place it over his. "At least let me help. I want to be able to do something."
Ren sighed. He could hear the stubbornness in Kyoko's words as they rang in his ears. She wasn't going to give up like earlier and it seemed pretty harmless to let her help anyway. After all, Kyoko wouldn't be able to injure herself with him here. So with a smile, Ren nodded and replied, "Alright, how about you dry and I wash?"
Kyoko smiled widely. "Deal."
Handing her the dish towel on the stove, Kyoko took her place on his right and patiently waited for him to pass a dish. At first, they worked in silence, just listening to the plates clink against each other and the water filling up the sink. The atmosphere wasn't awkward though. It just felt like everything was at peace.
Then, without knowing the reason as to why the question escaped his lips, Ren asked the one thing he wanted to say ever since this assignment began: "Do you still regret the fact that I'm your partner, Mogami-san?"
Shocked by his blunt inquiry, Kyoko quickly raised her head and replied in earnest, "Of course not! What made you think that?"
Ren shook his head. "Just curious. I know I wouldn't exactly be your first pick and everything, but—"
"—you're the best partner I could ever ask for."
Everything came to a screeching a halt. Ren's hands froze to a standstill as he watched a redness begin to color her delicate cheeks. Kyoko didn't turn her head to him at all. In fact, if he wasn't sure of the notion that she was the only person who could have said it, Ren would have never believed that she was the one who murmured the phrase that nearly lit his body on fire. He couldn't believe it at all.
Ren couldn't even tear his eyes away from the tender smile on the corner of her pink lips. He didn't know how to respond. Her answer had completely caught him off guard. Anymore moments like these and Ren was sure he was going to have a heart attack by the end of the night.
She said he was the best. That was more than enough for Ren. Kyoko didn't have to say another word. The fact that she acknowledged his efforts at all made him feel as if he was on top of the world. Maybe she noticed him more than he thought. Maybe her outlook of him as a mentor diminished just a bit and that idea alone made Ren glow with a happiness that seemed to emanate deep from his heart.
But while deeply immersed in his own thoughts, Ren didn't notice Kyoko's stiffness at the silence. As soon as those words left her mouth, Kyoko would have done anything to take them back. She couldn't believe how reckless she was. Saying such a thing to her mentor was not only problematic, but extremely inappropriate. Just because she was on better terms with him doesn't mean that she should blurt things out so randomly. But Kyoko meant what she said—that if there was anyone who would be the perfect partner, he would be it.
With her heart all aflutter, Kyoko decided it would be best to break the weird silence between them, but just when she was about to turn towards him, it seemed Ren had the same idea as well. So in one fluid motion, both of their hands bumped into each other, causing them to drop their dishes in the sink with a big splash!
The soapy water splashed right onto Kyoko's face and onto Ren's chest.
"Mogami-san, I'm so sorry!"
"It's my fault!"
"Here let me help you!"
"No, I got it!"
And as they reached out to help each other, Kyoko's foot slipped on the wet floor, and with a clumsy topple she accidently clung onto her mentor's shirt and dragged him down with her. Falling upon his chest, Kyoko felt herself lying right on top of him. Naturally he had his hands on her back and in a worried, yet slightly amused voice he asked, "You alright, Mogami-san?"
"I'm so sorry, Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko cried in earnest as she tried her best to regain her balance, but she didn't realize just how much soapy water was splattered all over the floor. In the end, she just slipped even more and fell right back onto his chest with a thud. Ren grunted.
"OH MY GOD! I'm so sorry! Let me—!"
But when Kyoko tried again, she elbowed Ren straight in the rib cage.
"TSURUGA-SAN! OH NO! I'M SOR—!"
This time, her foot slipped so that her bent leg hit him right in the crotch.
Unfortunately, Ren couldn't hold that one and Kyoko nearly cried out in distress for all the pain she was causing him. Not knowing how much of her knees and elbows he can endure, Ren naturally brought both of his arms around her waist and held her still.
In a calm, yet slightly breathless voice, he managed to say, "Mogami-san, hold still. Let me help you."
And with a firm grip around her, Ren was able to nimbly lift her off the floor and push himself up so that he could plant her feet upright. Still having his arms around her, Ren looked down at her red face and smiled, "You alright?"
Kyoko shook her head and cried, "I'M SO SORRY! ARE YOU HURT?"
Ren chuckled. "It wasn't that bad. Besides, it was an accident."
She bent her head down in shame. How many more problems was she going to cause him? What was it—her millionth time tripping today? Kyoko bit down on her lip and was about to utter another apology, when Ren suddenly lifted her face upwards and murmured, "Don't feel bad. It didn't even hurt."
"You sure?" Kyoko whispered, even though she knew he was lying for her sake.
Ren smiled. "Positive."
Smiling, Kyoko nodded and tentatively took a step back in order to give him some space. Ren unwillingly allowed her to move away, but when his gaze trailed down to her uniform, his eyes nearly bugged out of his head. All the water from earlier had completely soaked through. Not only could he see the droplets of water trailing down her slender neck, but her clothes were suddenly becoming slightly transparent…allowing him to see…
Quickly tearing his eyes away from her chest and feeling the heat rush straight to his cheeks, Ren cleared his throat nervously and said in a strained voice, "Mogami-san, I think you should go take a shower."
"Huh?"
"You're all wet and I don't want you to catch a cold," Ren said quickly as he moved behind her and placed a hand on her back.
"But what about washing the di—?"
"I got them," Ren replied hastily. "Let's get you dried up first."
"Tsuruga-san—"
But without allowing her to finish, he gently—and urgently—pushed her down the hall and led her into the bathroom in his bedroom. Opening the door, Ren swiftly turned on the light and put all the contents that she needed around the tub.
"The shampoo is on the right, the conditioner in the middle, and the body wash is on the left. I'll leave fresh clothes on the chair right outside the bathroom, okay?"
Nodding, Kyoko stammered, "T-t-t-thank you, Ts-s-s-suruga-san."
"I'll be outside."
And with a gentle thud, Ren closed the door shut behind him. When he finally heard the faucet being turned on, Ren leaned against the wall next to the door and slowly slid down until he sat with his head on his knees. Ren could feel his heart pound mercilessly against his chest as his mind began to replay the picture of Kyoko in her wet uniform. The garment clung to her every curve and even exposed some of the delicate skin underneath. Her hair was damp and it stuck to the side of her face in a messy, yet almost alluring manner.
Ren groaned and dug his hands into his hair.
"You're horrible," he muttered silently to himself as he slowly raised his head in guilt.
And when his eyes landed on his enormous bed, Ren nearly groaned in agony as one of the most tortuous fantasies suddenly flooded his already tormented mind.
Ren sighed heavily. "I'm burning in Hell tonight…"
