Chapter 9: Truths and Lies

"You're gay?" Kyoko asked in surprise.

Yukia nodded, looking a little nervous. "But I have to ask you not to tell anyone. I'm not quite ready for it to be public knowledge yet."

Kyoko nodded her head in agreement. "Of course! I'll guard your secret with my life!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together over her heart.

Yukia laughed. "Well, I don't know if you have to be that passionate about it."

Kyoko smiled at her newfound friend. "So, you said you have a boyfriend. Is he the only one who knows? What about your manager, does he know?"

Yukia's face flushed. "Well, um, James is my boyfriend."

Kyoko's mouth opened in surprise. "You're dating your manager?"

"Yes, we've been dating for nearly a year. That is also a secret." He answered.

Kyoko reached over and took his hand in hers. "Well, you don't have to worry. I'll keep your secrets."

Yukia squeezed her hand. "And you don't have to worry about the kiss. There's no need to feel guilty for kissing someone who isn't even attracted to girls."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

Yukia stood up, pulling Kyoko with him. "Then shall we go shoot that scene?"

Kyoko nodded, and followed her co-star out to the set. There was something special about having been allowed to know his secrets. It made her happy to be so trusted.

Kimi was back on set now, once again drenched in soda. They were in the middle of their scene.

Leo smiled at her. "You have a cute laugh. You should use it more often."

She blushed at his compliment.

He leaned in to kiss her, gently taking her hands in his own as he did so.

Kimi was surprised but happily obliged him with the gentle kiss.

They pulled apart and looked at each other shyly for a moment.

Leo looked at the ground, still keeping a grip on one of her hands. "I thought you were just some stuck up spoiled rich kid who didn't care about anybody else. But maybe I was wrong."

Kimi smiled at the boy in front of her.

"Cut! That was great!" the director called over.

Kyoko smiled at Yukia. "We did it."

He nodded, laughing, "Yes, we did."

After Ren got done with work for the day, he checked the time on his phone. 8:30 Maybe she hasn't eaten dinner yet. I'll call her.

He paced around in the enclosed outdoor pathways of LME. He waited as he listened to the phone ring several times. It went to voice-mail and he hung up. I don't really want to leave a message. There'd be no point.

He stared at his phone trying to decide what to do, when it began to ring. He answered it quickly.

"Kyoko?"

He heard her laugh on the other end of the phone. "Hi, Ren. I'm sorry I missed your call. I had my phone on silent."

"Oh, that's all right. How did your filming go today?" he asked.

"It went really well. There were a few bumps today but in the end we were able to shoot a lot." She paused, and Ren could hear her talking to someone. "Sorry about that. We decided to do extra rehearsing after work because the director gave us some changes that have been made to the next few scripts."

Ren nodded. "Well, I should let you get back to rehearsing. I just wanted to make sure your day had gone well."

Kyoko smiled, his concern for her made her happy. "Thank you, Ren. Do you think I could come over tomorrow night to make you dinner?"

"Of course, you are welcome to do that anytime. And Kyoko, thank you for the chocolates."

As Kyoko hung up her phone, James handed her a cup of tea. She thanked him. Currently, she, Yukia, and James were back at his hotel room so they could rehearse some of the new scenes.

"That was Tsuruga-san, right?" Yukia asked, as he took a sip from his own tea.

Kyoko nodded, "He called to see how my day went." She blushed slightly, "And to thank me for the chocolates I gave him."

Yukia beamed. "So I was able to convince you that he would want some?"

"Yes, and thank you for doing so. It's my first valentine's day with someone who cares about me, and I only have bad memories of the day in the past so I didn't want to celebrate. I had forgotten to think of how he'd feel." She smiled at her co-star, "So, thank you."

The next morning, Ren woke up feeling elated. He had gotten chocolates from the woman he loved and tonight she'd be coming over to make them dinner. He picked up Yashiro for work and they headed to LME.

As they walked into the agency, Yashiro gave Ren a rundown of his schedule for the day.

"We have a meeting this morning, then a photo shoot this afternoon. You should be finished with work by seven." He said to the younger man.

Ren nodded, he was listening but he was also noticing something. Ever since they had entered the building people had been watching him with more interest than usual.

"Yashiro, do people seem to be staring at me?" he asked his manager as they stepped up to the elevator.

Yashiro laughed, "Ren, they always stare."

He shook his head, "No, this is different." The elevator opened and some women stepped off they looked up and saw Ren. Normally, their reactions would be smiles, and swooning, but today…

They smiled at him sadly, then stepped past him silently. He caught parts of their whispered conversation as they walked away.

"So sad."

"She definitely doesn't deserve him."

Ren climbed into the elevator with Yashiro. He pulled out his phone, and quickly did a search using Kyoko's name.

He was greeted by an article that appeared to be popular.

Kyoko, Tsuruga Ren's girlfriend, is seen leaving Co-star's hotel late on Valentine's

Ren stared at the headline. He felt as if his heart had stopped beating. Yashiro leaned over to see what had shocked Ren to this extent.

"Oh no," he whispered. He leaned over and pressed the button for the floor that the President's office was on.

"I'll go to the meeting and stall for you. You go talk to the president."

Ren wasn't really listening to a word Yashiro said. He was too busy trying to force Dark Kuon back. Because at this moment, the only thing he wanted to do was kill her co-star.

Meanwhile, Kyoko was receiving some very different looks herself. To start with, people were staring, which pretty much never happened, unless she was with Ren. She had already been on the receiving end of several glares, and a few longing gazes from some men, by the time she reached the drama set.

She was surprised when some of the crew members treated her coldly, upon her arrival. Everybody was so friendly yesterday… I wonder what happened.

She went to get her make up done and found that her make up girl was only talking to her as much as necessary.

Kyoko was grateful when she was finally able to go back out to the set. At least she knew Yukia would tell her what was going on. She spotted him standing to the side talking with James. She began to make her way over to him. He looked up and made eye contact. But just as he started to wave to her one of the newer actresses stepped in front of Kyoko.

"Slut!" she yelled. She raised her hand and slapped Kyoko across the face.

Kyoko put her hand to her face, staring at the newcomer in shock. She opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly Yukia was in front of her. He grabbed the girl's offending hand.

"How dare you slap her. Get off the set." He said coolly.

The girl glared at Yukia before marching away. Yukia followed her, ensuring that the director heard about what had just happened. Kyoko stood frozen in shock. She didn't even know that girl's name. She felt a strong hand on her arm. She looked up to see James standing next to her, a serious look on his face.

James led Kyoko to an area where a few chairs were set up. He helped her sit down and got her a water bottle.

"As soon as Yukia comes back I'll go and get you some ice." He told her.

She nodded, dazedly. "What happened? Why did she slap me?"

James sighed. "I think it may have something to do with this." He opened his phone and a moment later held it out to her.

She looked at the phone. Confusion flooded through her as she saw a picture of herself leaving Yukia's hotel. She read the caption and her confusion was replaced with a sick feeling. Before she could say anything else, Yukia returned.

"Kyoko-chan, the director made sure that girl was removed from the set. She's not allowed back into TBM studios. Are you okay?" he looked at the spot on her face that was now red.

She nodded. "Just shaken up. I don't feel too well though."

Yukia turned to his manager, "Can you go get her some ice?"

"Of course," he responded before turning and leaving the set.

Yukia sat down next to Kyoko. He hung his head, "I'm sorry."

Kyoko looked at him. "Why are you saying you're sorry?"

He looked up, meeting her eyes. "I promised you that James and I would take care of you since you didn't have a manager, and I let that happen. And even worse it's my fault."

"It's not your fault, Yukia-kun. You have no control over what other people decide to do."

"That may be, but it's my fault that that stupid rumor is out there." She could hear the bitterness in his voice. "I honestly didn't think anything of you coming to my hotel to rehearse. But I guess I should have."

Kyoko grabbed his hand. "Please don't feel badly because of this. It's not your fault. I'm sure everything will be all right." She gave him a small smile.

A few minutes later, James returned with ice for Kyoko's cheek. She pressed the bag against the swollen side of her face.

I'm glad I have them to help me. I don't know what I would've done otherwise.

That night Kyoko took a taxi to Ren's apartment. She was nervous because she wasn't sure if he had already heard the rumors that were circulating. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.

She heard movement on the other side of the door, then the sound of the lock turning. As the door opened she was nearly blinded by Ren's sparkly angry smile.

"Please, come in Kyoko." He told her as he stepped out of the way.

Kyoko took a few steps into the apartment. I know I should say something about it but I think I'd rather just avoid it until he brings it up.

She looked at him and smiled, feigning ignorance. "Do you know what you'd like to have for dinner, Ren?" she asked as she stepped into the kitchen.

Ren's fake smile faltered for a moment. Did she not realize I was angry? Or has she not heard about it yet? Or maybe she just doesn't care. Maybe she thinks you don't know and that she's succeeded in keeping it a secret. The second voice had been from Kuon. He struggled to bury it. If Kuon was involved this would only get worse.

"Anything you make is fine." He told her, reverting back to his gentleman's attitude.

"So, how did your late night rehearsals go yesterday?" he asked. He knew he was skirting on the edge of the fire burning within him, but he couldn't help himself.

Kyoko shrugged. "It went pretty well." Quick, this is your chance to diffuse the situation. Just explain everything now. Kyoko opened her mouth to begin her apology, but Ren continued talking.

"Your co-star must really be something if you're spending all this time with him." What am I doing? That sounds like I'm accusing her of-

"Yeah, he's a pretty great guy." Kyoko said. Stop! Don't say that. He'll get the wrong idea.

Ren stared at Kyoko's back. "Well, he can't be that great given that he doesn't care about a young woman's reputation."

Kyoko spun around, shocked at her boyfriend's words. "It's not his fault. Don't accuse him of something that happened because of me."

Ren raised his eyebrows in surprise. "So you do know about what the media is saying? Does that mean you were just hoping I didn't know?"

Kyoko's face turned red. She looked down at the ground, her fists clenched at her sides. "We were just rehearsing. It didn't even get that late. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to cause you trouble."

Ren sighed, "You really should consider the affects of your actions." Stop scolding her! She's already apologized. You know that nothing happened.

Kyoko felt her eyes tear up. "I know. And I am sorry for not thinking about how it would affect you. I understand if you want me to leave."

Ren could hear that her voice was trembling. Now I've done it. I made her cry. He walked to her quickly and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly.

"I'm sorry, Kyoko. I'm not really angry with you. I was angry that the media is reporting so many lies." And angry that your co-star let this happen.

Kyoko shook her head, and he could feel the wetness from her tears on his shirt. "I messed up. You should be angry with me." She sobbed.

Ren pulled away enough to tilt her head up so she was looking at him. "I love you, Kyoko. Please stop crying. I just want you to promise me you'll be more careful."

She nodded, wiping her eyes with her hands. "It's still all right for me to be friends with him, right?"

As much as Ren wanted to tell her no, he couldn't justify it. It had all been a giant misunderstanding. He couldn't demand that she just cut off a friend she had made in show business. Especially since friends were so important.

He kissed her on the forehead, "I would never say you can't be friends with someone. Just be careful."

Kyoko smiled, "I will be. You can trust me, Ren."

He leaned his forehead against hers. "I know I can." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

Behind them Kyoko heard a splash followed by a sizzling sound. She jerked away. "The food!"

Ren couldn't help but laugh as he watched her zoom around the kitchen trying to save their dinner.

A/N: I got so excited that I had to keep writing. I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reading!