It was a warm beautiful day, perfect for the picnic scene they were filming that day. Kanae was sitting next to Kyoko and Kijima who were on standby, all three of them watching the younger versions of Kagami and Hideyoshi playing in the field. Kanae glanced over at Kyoko, she looked so different; elbow length wavy black hair, a mid-calf length khaki linen skirt and a dusky rose colored sleeveless blouse. No wonder Tsuruga had been shocked out of his mind and completely jealous, Kyoko is a beauty.

The director called to Kyoko and Kijima that shooting will be starting soon, so Kyoko and Kijima stood and left to take their marks. The easy companionable atmosphere between the two was very apparent; Kanae could understand why Tsuruga felt threatened. As she watched Kyoko and Kijima prepare for their scene, Kanae wondered when Tsuruga and his manager were going to arrive; if they arrive late Tsuruga would miss all the good stuff. No sooner had she thought this when she heard the sound of a car pulling up. Shortly afterwards she heard footsteps heading her way. Showtime, Kanae thought with a grin.

Since it was quiet on the set, no one called out greetings to the main actor as he made his way over towards the two empty chairs on by Kotonami-san. Ren was a little surprised to see her there, but assumed Kyoko had invited her along. "Good afternoon Kotonami-san," he greeted in a whisper as he sat down in the chair next to her. She inclined her head in acknowledgment without taking her eyes off her best friend. Thankful that she wasn't going to drag him into small talk while he wanted to watch the scene, Ren turned his attention to Kyoko and Kijima.

Kyoko and Kijima are sitting side by side on top of the hill overlooking a field with a stream, as Kyoko makes daisy chains and teaches Kijima how to do so as well. Kyoko makes a daisy chain crown and puts it on Kijima's head, laughing at the result of her handiwork and the faces he makes. Kijima then makes a series of daisy chains and puts them on Kyoko in return; first a necklace, then a crown, then a bracelet, then finally slides a daisy ring onto her left ring finger. Kyoko smiles down at the makeshift engagement ring given to her as if it was the biggest diamond in the world then turns loving eyes at Kijima. The sight of Kyoko getting engaged to another man sends a sudden sharp stab of pain into Ren's heart but he continues watching the scene with an emotionless face.

Kijima has walked down the hill with the picnic equipment, and is standing at the bottom waiting for Kyoko to join him. At first Kyoko stands up and walks to the edge of the hill, but then she looks around the hillside as if to see if anyone is watching, lies down and rolls down the hill, a blur of khaki skirt, bare arms, trim legs, soft wavy hair and joyful laughter. She stops rolling a few feet in front of Kijima who pulls her to feet, then grabs her hand as they run back up the hill in order to race back down the hill rolling. At the bottom, Kijima pulls Kyoko up to her feet again, hands her the bento, picks up the blanket, and then drapes his arm around her shoulders as she puts her arm around his waist and they walk towards the stream leaning into each other. Ren fingers had twitched briefly at the two of them holding hands, but the sight of them with their arms around each other caused him to ball his hands into fists; Kyoko had stiffened up in Kijima's arms a few times at the photo shoot, but now it appeared she was used to close physical contact with the actor.

"Hmmm, those two have great on screen chemistry," Kanae observed out loud. "You almost forget that you're watching Kagami and Hideyoshi, not Kyoko and Kijima-san."

Ren had forgotten about Yashiro and Kotonami-san, but now he was aware of their intense scrutiny and he forced himself to relax. She was right, they were just acting, nothing more. But then he watched Kyoko unpack the bento that she made herself and felt his jealousy return full force. To add insult to injury, they were feeding each other; Ren pretended not to see the smirk Kanae had on her face.

"Cut! Let's break for lunch. Why should Kijima be the only one trying Kyoko-chan's cooking," Director Shingai called out through a megaphone.

Confused Ren looked over at Kanae. She shrugged and said "Kyoko made enough for the crew since there would only be a handful of people on set."

"Moko-san, come and join us! Oh, hello Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san, what are you two doing here?" Kyoko asked as she had come running up to the three of them after the director had called for the break.

"We finished a job early and the location was on the way so we came to watch" Ren replied.

"I'm not sure there's enough for five in the bento that's with Kijima-san, so I'll go get some more. Tsuruga-san and Yashiro-san please join us by the stream."

"I'll help you" Ren replied as Kanae and Yashiro headed down towards the stream. As Ren and Kyoko neared the crafts tent where the food was laid out, Ren was surprised at the amount of food Kyoko had prepared. "Is this for the people on the crew? This is more than enough for the handful of people here" Ren said in some surprise.

"Ah, well, I got used to cooking in large quantities like this from when I cooked for Otou-sama" Kyoko replied. "Actually I had to scale it down by more than half."

Ren sweat dropped at the truth in that statement, his dad's gluttony was legendary.

As they headed towards Yashiro and the others amid calls of "itadakimasu" Ren asked how the filming was going.

"It's going well. I'm having a lot of fun. But Kagami's feelings at this point are very simple and easy to understand. It gets more difficult later on in the movie." Kyoko's face darkened as she pondered the inconsistencies in Kagami's feelings and her actions later on in the movie; why would Kagami choose Katsutoshi over Hideyoshi?Katsutoshi had deceived and used her, why would she pick him?

Before Ren could ask what she was having difficulty with, they came within ear shot of the group.

"…No, I have work this afternoon, we both do; that's why I was able to come with her" Kanae was explaining to Yashiro.

"Kyoko-chan has more work this afternoon?" asked Yashiro

"Yes, she's a regular on..aaahhhhhh! Not again! Why!?" Kanae screamed in horror as the grudge Kyokos came out and wrapped around her, whispering "Sshhh! Don't tell him. We won't let you tell him."

"Sorry for making you wait!" Kyoko said extra cheerfully to cover up Kanae's behavior as her grudges retreated, leaving a glaring Kanae. Kyoko gave her an 'I'll explain later' look.

"Everything looks delicious; itadakimasu!" Kijima said into the awkward silence.

"Yes, everyone please eat up!" Kyoko said.

Lunch was passed in an easy relaxed environment, everyone enjoying the sun, company and food. Ren began to relax as Kijima paid equal amounts of attention to Kyoko and Kotonami-san. Had Kijima paid attention only to Kyoko, Ren would still feel uneasy especially after seeing what he had that morning. Currently a starry eyed Kyoko was making daisy chains and putting them on Kotonami-san saying she looked like a woodland nymph. Kotonami-san didn't look very happy, and initially had struggled and tried to run away, but for whatever reason was now sitting still and allowing Kyoko have her fun (the reason actually being that the grudge Kyoko's were assisting with decorating Kanae and holding her down.) Kijima was lying on his back with a blade of grass in his mouth, idly watching Kyoko and Kotonami-san with an amused expression. Even Yashiro seemed to be relaxed and in a mellow mood, smiling a little at the annoyed expression Kotonami-san had on her face.

"Kyoko-chan, Kijima, are you two ready to resume filming? We only have a couple shots left and the light is just right. The food was delicious Kyoko-chan. Gochisousamadeshita." Director Shingai said as he approached the group on the picnic blanket.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Director. I'm ready to start filming again." Kyoko said as she stopped trying to braid daisies into a very annoyed Kanae's hair. Seizing her opportunity, Kanae started taking out the daisies in her hair. As she was about to pull off her daisy chains, she realized Kyoko was looking at her with a hurt puppy dog face and everyone else was giving her a curious look. "Mo! I'll wear it until the end of filming, but it comes off when we leave for the offices."

When Kanae, Ren and Yashiro sat back down in their chairs, Director Shingai was still giving instructions to Kyoko and Kijima about the rest of their scenes. Unsure of when filming would resume, Ren turned to make conversation with Kanae.

"The weather sure is nice today, isn't it Kotonami-san?"

"Yes, it's perfect weather for filming. The light is just right and the temperature is just warm enough that they won't get too sweaty romping around."

Amused at such a professional answer, Ren continued. "What do you think of Kijima-san?"

"He's an accomplished flirt. But I suppose that's what makes him perfect for this role. And he's a good actor, to be able to get her to act out her innocent side without reminding her of what that guy put her through."

"Yeah, that's true." Ren said with a small smile.

Kyoko hadn't sunk into gloom nor did she have her Mio-like aura of anger about her. Ren felt a bit silly, he had been so consumed with feelings of jealousy, he hadn't considered whether Kyoko was doing okay with her role. But she looked just fine…with Kijima's head in her lap. The smile on his face stopped, faltered, and then went away altogether. To make matters worse, on either side of him, Kanae and Yashiro had matching evil smirks on their faces having seen Ren's reaction.

However, Ren soon felt a little appeased as Director Shingai was heard telling Kyoko she was too stiff and to relax, as she had practically turned to stone when Kijima had put his head in her lap. It took a few minutes but eventually she did relax and filming resumed. The rest of the scenes passed by smoothly; a few scenes of the two relaxing on the picnic blanket, Kijima teaching Kyoko how to make a whistle out of a blade of grass between the thumbs, then finally Kyoko and Kijima acting out when Hideyoshi tells Kagami he's going overseas, her shock and unease and his reassuring embrace. After talking briefly with the director, both Kijima and Kyoko make their way over to Ren.

"Today was really fun Kijima-san. Thank you." Kyoko said as she bowed to Kijima.

"Not at all, I had fun today as well Kyoko-chan. I think the filming went so well because I was working with you."

Kanae gave an audible snort, but Kyoko simply smiled and said "Thank you, it's very nice to hear that from a senior actor like you." After teasing Kanae a little about keeping her daisy chains on, Kijima then took his leave since he didn't need to go back to the studio. Ren offered a ride to both Kyoko and Kanae back to LME, which they both accepted. On the drive back, Yashiro made friendly conversation with Kyoko while Kanae and Ren quietly listened in.

"I'm impressed with you Kyoko-chan. You're doing these scenes so well. It's not bringing up any painful memories of your past?"

Kanae gave Yashiro a sharp look, but Kyoko wasn't upset. "Well no, I didn't have that kind of interaction with Shotaro when we were kids. The closest I had to that kind of interaction was with Corn."

With that one sentence, said without any deep meaning behind it, all the feelings of jealousy that Ren had from watching Kijima with Kyoko were lifted. Essentially Kyoko had been thinking of him, rather than Fuwa, all throughout filming.

"I'm still a little embarrassed that I reacted that way when Director Shingai told Kijima-san to use my lap as a pillow," Kyoko admitted. "I guess I'm not used to it. I don't like it when people look up at me from below."

Ren recalled hearing something similar being wailed at him from Kyoko's worm-shaped figure after he had used Kyoko's lap as a pillow in Karuizawa. Just like that day, Ren felt his spirits lift at the "small and trivial progress" which had been made; that his past self had beat out Fuwa in Kyoko's mind. And just like that day in Karuizawa, Ren's face had slipped if the stares Yashiro and Kanae were giving him were any indication.

After dropping off Kanae and Kyoko safely without any further slip ups, Ren realized he might have to use all of his formidable acting skills to make it through the movie heart-whole. He was falling deeper than before, and he hadn't even shot a single scene with Kyoko. Meanwhile Kyoko was explaining the reasons to why Kanae shouldn't tell Ren about her role on Kimagure Rock. Finally, Kyoko voiced a question that had been in the back of her mind since the last scene of filming.

"Moko-san, can the same kind of hug give a person different feelings?'

"They can, why do you ask?"

"I was just thinking that when Kijima-san gave me that reassuring hug, it didn't have as nice of a feel or fragrance as when Tsuruga-san hugged me when I thought Corn might be broken or gone," Kyoko admitted with a confused look on her face.

The shocked look on Kanae's face alarmed Kyoko, but Kanae soon snapped out of it. "Well, that's not unusual since that was your personal experience as opposed to when you're acting." As Kyoko nodded her uncertain agreement, Kanae thought Kudos to you Tsuruga. You're making more progress than you know.

A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I know where I want the story to go, I just had problems getting it there. But thanks for the encouraging reviews, I read and reread them when I was stuck ^_^