Chapter 08: Kijima
Kyoko bowed deeply to the Taisho and Okami. "Thank you so very much for allowing me to use your kitchen even though it's after hours."
The Okami, who was dressed in a simple navy blue yukata, smiled at the young girl that she had grown to love as her own. Walking up to her, she placed her palm on the back of Kyoko's head. "You don't have to thank us, dear." She replied affectionately, stroking the teen's hair softly. "We just want you to enjoy your time."
Kyoko slowly stood back up, he cheeks flooded with color and light wash of tears in her eyes. "You are always so kind to me. I don't know how to repay you."
"Be happy." The Taisho said simply, his voice deep and gruff. He stood with his arms firmly folded over his chest, brows wrinkled in a serious and almost indecipherable expression. "Oyasumi," he added before turning around and disappearing behind the cotton curtains.
Okami shook her head at husband. He always acted so very tough, but she knew that deep down inside he cared for Kyoko with the same love that she did. Turning back to the teen, her expression filled with a bit of gleeful excitement. "So tell me, is this boy someone you like?"
Kyoko's eyes almost bulged out of her head, the color spreading like a plague down the rest of her body. "Okami-san! How could you…" Recognizing that she was getting a bit loud, she stopped and cleared her throat. Closing her eyes, she shook her head in vehement denial. "I assure you that it's nothing like that. He is just a colleague from work." Turning around to the stove behind her, Kyoko picked up a wooden, bamboo lade and begin to stir the miso soup slowly. Breathing in, she found that she was very satisfied with the fragrance. Taking the soup off the stove, she tossed in the green onions and gave it another swirl.
Turning to the karage, the okami began to arrange them nicely upon the white plate, on a bed of neatly cleaned and cut cabbage leaves. "Then what is the occasion?" She continued to ask, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. As long as she known Kyoko, the teen has been an extremely hard worker, never doing anything fun that girls her age would do. When she heard about this dinner, the elder woman felt giddy for the actress. Maybe a bit of love and affection would be good for her, she wouldn't be as lonely. The okami had recalled nights where Kyoko would cry into her pillow, believing to be alone. But the motherly lady had heard it all and it broke her heart every time.
Kyoko topped the simple salad with sesame seeds before turning to her landlord. Thinking about the dress and makeup for the party, Kyoko smiled. Her thought fell to the taiyaki and she beamed, making the okami grin widely. "He has shown me a lot of kindness and I wanted to return the favor. But I don't him very well," Kyoko answered sweetly as she started to check over the dishes she had prepared. "I know that I can cook rather well, so we decided to have dinner."
"I see," The okami muttered nodding. The sparkle in the actress's eyes did not go unnoticed. The delicate way she handled all of the little details for this meal, most likely without even realizing that she was doing it, all pointed to other signs. But I'm just an old woman, what do I know? She thought amusedly. "Well, I hope you enjoy your dinner, dear. Just make sure to lock up when you are finished." Walking over to Kyoko, she leaned in and gently kissed the girl on the cheek. "Have fun, Kyoko-kun."
A wonderful warmth sprouted in Kyoko's chest. She nodded and watched the lady disappear behind the same curtains. Kyoko looked out at the spread of food and felt a sense of relief. Getting home a bit later than she had planned, she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to finish all of this on time. But now that it was done, she felt comfortable enough to go upstairs and finally slip out of her school uniform. After heading up, she quickly cleaned up and slipped into simply light washed jeans and a plain pink top with sleeves that came down to her elbows. Kyoko started to comb the knots out of her hair, when her senpai invaded her mind.
"I just don't want you to feel that you have to hide things from me. Trust me enough to tell me anything you want… Be honest with me and you could never upset me."
Her heart began to beat a little faster and her face became a bit warmer. Putting the comb down, Kyoko felt that it was the first time that Tsuruga-san had been so completely open and natural with her. The way that his eyes looked at her and the sound of his voice… Such kindness, she thought. Recognizing that she was being silly again, she stood up and grabbed her phone off the table in her bedroom. Ten minutes had passed, which meant that Kijima-san would be arriving anytime now.
Skipping down the steps, a sudden though came to mind. Halting in the middle of the stairway, she flipped her phone open and scrolled down to a familiar name. After debating it for a few minutes, Kyoko decided to go for it. There was nothing wrong with sending a small thank you, right? It was just her way of showing her appreciation. That's all. After typing up her message, she read through it four or five times and then finally hit send!
"Kyoko?"
Golden eyes popped up at the sound of Kijima's voice. Slipping her phone into her back pocket, Kyoko skipped down the rest of the steps and went to meet her guest.
"Of course not, Tsuruga-san. I know that you'd never lose."
Resting his head back upon the couch, Ren stared out at the shadows that played on his ceiling, completely lost in thoughts of the woman he loved so dearly. A soft smile touch the corners of his lips as he pictured her agitated face and the confident way she declared her faith in him. The mere fact that Kyoko believed Ren to be the better actor gave him some semblance of hope, even if she was out on a stupid date with the enemy.
Sighing, he lifted his head and pressed the cold glass to his parted mouth, drinking the liquid fire in large gulps. Pulling the glass back, he stared at the shimmering color of its contents, enjoying the familiar amber color. Swirling the last sip around his tongue, he savored the smooth, smoky flavor of the bourbon. How many nights has it been lately? He thought coolly. The sixth or seventh night in a row where I've needed something like this to calm my demons…? The longer he stared at his libation, the more he could see her face in its reflection. I'm so drunk… So makes me so fucking drunk… Ren chuckled as he pulled himself into an upright sitting position.
He placed the glass down onto the end table beside him and began to unbutton the rest of his dark colored shirt, tugging it free from his slacks. Standing up, he slipped out of it and tossed it casually onto the couch's armrest. Raking his hair back, he took a couple of deep breathes to keep himself from going insane. Glancing to the extremely expensive silver watch upon his wrist, he gritted his teeth and cursed Kijima mentally. Right now, he was most definitely dining with Kyoko, flirting his way into her heart. Or at least trying to. Ren smirked knowing how dense the teen could be. She wouldn't know anyone was interested unless they came out and shouted it to her face…
Chime! With lightly furrowed brows, he glanced to the bright light of the phone that sat upon the cushions of his couch. Bending over, he scooped it up and eyed the name. Unmasked green eyes dilated at the name. Quickly he flipped it open. His heart skipped.
Thank you for today. I don't think I would have been able to face him alone. I know it sounds stupid, but I'm still weak. He still makes me weak. But with you there today, I felt stronger. So thank you very much, Tsuruga-san. Oyasumi-nasai.
Dimples dipped as he smiled handsomely. A perfectly kept thumb danced across the keypad with great speed as he composed and sent his reply.
It's not stupid, Mogami-san. I thought you did a wonderful job. I'm proud of your resolve. Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow at the meeting.
Flipping the phone closed, he pressed the device to his smiling lips and chuckled.
Wiping his face with the napkin, he set it down beside his plate and smiled to his companion, swallowing the last bite of the perfectly prepared fried chicken piece. "That was absolutely amazing!" Kijima said.
When he arrived, he was surprised to see the place completely empty. But Kyoko explained that the restaurant had closed and they had the place to themselves for the evening. Somewhere deep down in his erotically built body, the actor felt flattered. She had led him over to one of the larger booths and quickly brought out all of the food. Kijima couldn't believe his eyes. No one had made such homely food for him before, and never so many different things. The spread consisted of rice, spicy miso soup, karage, grilled daikon in a light sesame sauce, wakame salad, and finally steamed mackerel.
Kyoko slid into the seat opposite Kijima, smacked her hands together, closed her eyes and uttered, "Itadakimasu!" in such a cute manner that he couldn't take his eyes off her. As he started eating, the actor felt his mouth water from the first bite. Everything was prepared to such perfection that he was blown away. The flavors all complimented one another, nothing over-spiced or lacking.
Picking up his cup of green tea, he sat back and took a couple of sips, admiring Kyoko as she finished the last remnants of her miso soup. Hazel eyes watched as a wild silky ropes of hair slid out from behind her ear to tease her eyes. A pink tongue popped out of her mouth, licking her lips, which were natural but lightly swollen and extremely enticing to him.
Kyoko caught him staring and smiled innocently to him. "Are you sure you're finished?"
Glancing to the empty bowls and plates, he nodded. "Definitely. I can't remember the last time I ate so much," he answered with a soft, husky chuckle. Sitting up straighter, he finished his tea and then placed his cup down. Raking his wavy brown hair out of his face, he leaned forward, elbows on the table. "Thank you for this, Kyoko-san. To be honest, when we decided on dinner, I never expected you to cook for me." Catching her blushing cheeks, he grinned.
Dropping her eyes, Kyoko tried very hard to fight the assault of a smile. "Well, you've done so many nice things for me, Kijima-san. I just wanted to repay you somehow."
"I thought we were celebrating your new film?" He asked with a cocked brow. She averted her eyes from him and he had to bite down the laughter that threatened to froth at her adorable demeanor.
"Well, why not do both?" Kyoko replied feeling a bit embarrassed.
Nodding slowly, he realized that she really wasn't like any girl he had ever met before. Most of the girls, if not all of them, would jump at the chance at being spoiled by a celebrity. But not Kyoko. No, she was something else entirely and he found it so bloody alluring.
"I hope this is enough," Kyoko added sheepishly lifting her eyes to his. Noticing his pleasant expression, Kyoko was enthralled. Long lashes framed his unusually greenish-brown irises. His complexion was borderline perfect—smooth with defined jaw and cheeks. Almost as handsome as Tsuruga-san she thought.
"It was really perfect," Kijima replied charmingly. Reaching across the table, he swept her loose hair behind her ear, lightly tracing her chin with his fingertips before withdrawing his hand. "No one has ever done anything like this for me."
Heat overtook her body like a wave. Kyoko knew that she absolutely would not be able to hide the ridiculous amounts of red that her skin had soaked up. Clearing her throat, she hastily stood up and began gathering the dishes. "I'm very glad," she muttered uncomfortably. What is happening to me?
"Let me help you," he offered, sliding off the booth. Taking the stack of bowls from her, he saw how awkward she was feeling. "It's only fair since you cooked."
Looking into his eyes, she saw his sincerity, his kindness and she succumbed. Bobbing her head appreciatively, Kyoko led him back into the kitchen. "You can just put those in the sink," she said nodding to the left.
The actor was amazing with the size of the kitchen given that the restaurant was fairly small. It was spacious but not ridiculously so. Everything was perfect for quick and efficient cooking.
Kyoko glanced over at him while he gently placed everything down into the deep sink. Today he was dressed very casually in jeans and a dark red t-shirt. Never having seen him outside of professional attire, she kept gawking. When he turned around suddenly, the teen almost shrieked. She spun about.
What the hell is the matter with you? She thought irately to herself. You're acting like those morons that chase after that damned Shotaro. Gritting her teeth, he gave herself a mental berating along with a deep breath. Feeling him arm brush hers as he leaned against the counter beside her, hands hidden in his pockets, Kyoko discovered that she couldn't face him. Terrified of making stupid, funny faces, she kept her eyes low and packed up the leftovers.
"Why did you feel like you needed to thank me?" Kijima asked bluntly, catching her immediate attention. Her wide, shocked eyes were too much for him and he chuckled. "I'm sorry, Kyoko-san. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just want to understand how you think."
"Well…" Kyoko pondered.
"Tell me honestly, I promise I won't mind," he added getting a sense of the excuses that were formulating within her.
Kyoko sighed. "I don't like to owe people for anything," she answered boldly. "I'm not the type of person who will willingly accept gifts from others, I'm sorry." Ren's words once again violated her mind and she felt guilt rising. "I also thought it might be shameless of me to accept things from a man I don't know."
Interesting, he thought. How am I supposed to work with something like this? "Aren't you ever afraid of insulting the person who gives you the gift?" Noticing the wheels turning from the way she stared at him, he continued. "I can understand why you wouldn't want to accept things from men you don't know, but put that aside just for a moment. Don't look at me like an unfamiliar guy, just a person."
Kyoko's lips parted, but she had nothing to say.
Moving his body to face hers, Kijima took a step closer to the teen and looked deeply into her eyes. "This was an amazing way to thank me for the gifts, Kyoko-san. But please, don't be afraid to accept them. Sometimes people just want to give gifts because they genuinely like the person they're giving it to. With no ulterior motives or expectations of anything in return."
"But…" Kyoko said quietly, just above a whisper, unable to break her eyes from him. His words resounded in her ears over and over again. No one has ever told her such a thing. Ever since she was little, she just didn't feel right about accepting things from people. Growing up in a life full of expectations of one kind or another, the teen had learned that nothing is without its price. But this… this went against all logic for her.
"I have a feeling it's not something you're used to." He said softly, still managing that enchanting smile. When she nodded, he nodded too.
"You have no reason to give me gifts," Kyoko spoke, finding her voice as her logic returned. "You don't know me very well and… I have never done anything for you."
"Well, it's really simple actually," he began, taking on a slightly more serious tone. "I think you're a very unique girl and I like you."
Kyoko's eyes widened.
"I really like you, Kyoko-san. And I wanted to put a smile one your face. Just that simple."
Her heart raced.
"You're very pretty and, I'm going to be very honest here, I just can't get you out of my mind." The playboy's smile gracefully transformed into a small smirk of victory as he regarded her shifting expressions. Surprise and disbelief were evident, but beneath those sparkling, blossomed eyes, he could see that his words had touched her, and in his favor no doubt. "So, Kyoko-san, if you don't mind, I would really like to get to know you better. Maybe we can be friends?" Kijima offered the girl his hand.
Looking down at the gesture, she felt her throat tighten. What was she supposed to do? Would this count as shameful behavior? But she was friends with Tsuruga-san, wasn't she? And Yashiro-san as well. But did that even count as actual friendship? Wasn't he her superior, her senpai in this industry, far surpassing her experiences as an actor? Slowly, she looked up at him again and realized that no matter how she justified it, she kind of did want to be friends with this person.
Smiling, Kyoko slipped her hand into his and they shook it. "Friends it is."
Perfect, he thought wickedly. I can't wait to make this friendship grow. Finding footing in the direction of his quest, he responded with a beaming grin and then helped the teen to clean up.
