What a week. I envy those who are out of school for the summer. Unfortunately I am taking two summer classes. I'm pooped, you guys. But I really wanted to write a chapter of this. It's my escape~ I hope you guys enjoy. Everyone's reviews have been cracking me up. So many want Saena to die! When I first started this story, I had a plan set for where this story would go. However, I have deviated from it a LOT! But I now have a new plan set and I will give no spoilers. Sorry ;) Please hang in there. This story wont last much longer. Please feel free to review. Each one makes my day. And I KNOW you guys wont like this chapter. It seems so depressing that even I get sad reading it. But like I said, hang in there... ;)
Lory calls Saena and she answers it expectantly. "Saena Mogami speaking."
"It's done. According to someone near her, she's left. Where she has gone, I do not know."
Saena smiles.It worked."Thank you. That will be all," and she hangs up on him.
"Sir, Tsuruga-sama is here." Lory's assistant barely gets the words out of his mouth before Ren abruptly enters the room. Lory is casually smoking a cigar, looking out his windows at the bustling world below- a world that was certainly not crashing down like it felt to the man who had just entered his office.
"President, thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Ren begins, out of breath from his fast walk to his office. "I couldn't let that phone call go. I can't let-" he stops himself. I can't let her go. Not like that. Not alone.
Lory smiles and snuffs out his cigar, taking his time before addressing Ren. Finally he speaks. "It took you long enough." Ren glares at him and he returns his glare with a chuckle. "Calm down. Did you really think I would be okay with letting a jewel escape my grasp?"
This floors Ren. When Lory contacted him about letting Kyoko go, Ren had not detected anything in his voice that suggested anything otherwise."Sir?"
Lory looks at him meaningfully but continues without missing a beat. "Ignore the ramblings of an old man. We're not known to know what we're talking about. In fact, we are quite forgetful." He was already regretting calling himself an old man, but for this purpose he was willing. He is fond of the girl who is now missing because of his words.
"I don't understand what you're talking about."
"I'm saying you are not to pursue Mogami-kun!" Once again, Lory looks at Ren with a face full of purpose as he speaks loudly. "You are to do your job and forget about her."
Ren recalls what he had just said. "Ignore the ramblings of an old man. We're not known to know what we're talking about". Catching on, Ren nods infinitesimally. Lory sees the glint in his eye and smiles knowingly. Ren bows, "Understood, sir. Then I'll be going."
"Wait. Your replacement phone." Lory tosses him a small package. Without another word from either one of them, Ren leaves. As soon as he is out of the door, he rips open the package. He turns the already charged phone on and calls Yashiro in order to fill him in and ask about his work schedule. He would leave as soon as he could. Yashiro regretfully reports that he will not have a moment of free time for another three days. After working as Cain for so long, his other work has piled up. Ren sighs heavily but thanks Yashiro. Just three days… and then I'll tell her everything.
Kyoko steps off the train and takes in the Kyoto sunshine, leaving the rain in Tokyo far behind. I'm home. She takes in a deep, cleansing breath as she tries to clear the clouds in her mind. She had to figure out where to go from here but there was really only one option. She just hopes they would not turn her away.
She slowly approaches Fuwa Ryokan, hesitant. She imagines that they will not recognize her because of her changed appearance. As she stands in front of the door, it suddenly opens. An older woman, although initially startled, immediately bows.
"Good evening madam. Welcome to our Inn. Please," the older woman straightens up to a perfect posture that exudes elegance, "Com-". When their eyes meet, the woman's demeanor slips. "Kyoko-chan?"
"Eh? Ah!" Kyoko bows politely. "I'm sorry for coming so late. I-"
"Kyoko-chan… It's lovely to see you again." The woman smiles lovingly at her.
"You… recognize me?"
Lightly, the woman chuckles as she observes Kyoko with a silent affection. "My son may not have realized what a gem you are, but I could spot you from a mile away. It's been so long…" She places a hand on Kyoko's cheek. "I raised you as if you were already my own. I don't see Shotaro, so I'll take a guess and say he was unable to hold onto your affections- that fool. But you will always be like a daughter to me."
Overwhelmed and suddenly not feeling so alone, a tear escapes from Kyoko's eye and runs down to the woman's hand. "Thank you."
Sho's mother wipes the tear away. "Besides, I was expecting you." Seeing Kyoko's confused expression, she invites her in and has someone bring them some soothing tea. They both sit formally, comfortable with how it feels by now. "I won't ask what is wrong right now. I will wait until you are ready to share it. I am always here if you need someone to talk to." Kyoko nods and gets ready to speak when Fuwa-san speaks again. "Your mother contacted me and told me I could be expecting you."
Kyoko's eyes widen greatly. "My mother?" she whispers, petrified.
Sho's mom mistakes her fear for wonder. "Yes. I was surprised too when she told me who she was. Now that is someone I haven't seen for quite some time." She stops herself. "Oh I am sorry, Kyoko-chan. That was rude of me." Kyoko just shakes her head and Fuwa-san continues. "Of course, I was elated when she told me the news."
"The news?"
Now Sho's mother was the confused one. "Yes. About you coming back to study under me again in order to finally inherit the inn like you used to plan to." She pauses. "Well, I say inherit but you would really be working with the man we will welcome into the family to run it. Originally it would have been Shotaro, but I doubt he will change his mind anytime soon. We will be setting up a few omiais for you. Why? Was this meant to be a secret or something?"
Kyoko's world was once again spinning on its head. How did mother know I'd be here? Inherit the ryokan? Omiai? So I'm to marry? So many questions swirled in her mind that nothing is making sense anymore.
"Kyoko-chan? What's wrong? You've become pale."
"N-no… It's nothing. I'm just… tired." She could barely form a complete sentence.
"Oh of course! You've had a long trip and it's late. I'm sorry to have kept you. I will have a room prepared for you…" A young woman in a yukata at the edge of the room bows at the subtle order and exits the room. Fuwa-san looks at Kyoko suspiciously, but decides not to ask yet. She wants Kyoko to calm down before discussing things further. Moments later, the young woman slides the door open so that she can be seen and announces that Kyoko's room has been prepared. "Please follow her, Kyoko-chan. We can speak tomorrow."
Kyoko numbly stands and follows behind the young woman. She observes her back and reminisces on the time when she was working here. It feels like a lifetime ago… The girl kneels down in front of a door, slides it open for Kyoko and moves aside without a word. Kyoko turns to her and bows. "Thank you very much." The girl bows deeper and doesn't move again until Kyoko steps inside the room.
"Have a good rest, madam." She quietly closes the door behind Kyoko and leaves.
Kyoko sees a yukata laid out for her and she changes mechanically. Her mind stopped working as soon as she heard her mother had called. She lays down in her futon but does not go to sleep, unable to stop going over the bombs that have just been dropped on her. She did not understand how her mother knows she is in Kyoto. She didn't know why she wants her to inherit the ryokan. Her heart squeezes when she thinks about an arranged marriage. Her mind wanders to Ren. I wonder if he knows… He's probably still too busy… While she wants to immediately refuse the offer to inherit the inn and meet potential husbands, she does not want to hurt the woman who graciously opened her home up to Kyoko. I'm stuck! She closes her eyes and presses her palms to them in frustration. Help me… Tsuruga-san!
Kyoko rises early the next morning, unable to try to sleep any longer. She wants to talk to Sho's mom and get answers. Kyoko has already made her decision but she wants to understand the full situation before making it known. She leaves her room and sets out to find Fuwa-san. A worker informs her that it is not a good time to meet as Fuwa-san has a lot of work to complete. Kyoko decides to just take a walk to clear her head. She can think of no better place to go than where she met Corn for the first time. She arrives and the sun shines down brightly on her, warming her to the core. It'll be okay… She thinks about Corn. I broke his curse… Maybe I received it in exchange... But that's okay. As long as he is happy. She lays down on the warm grass and, enveloped by warmth, drifts to sleep. Despite her circumstances, she dreams about her good times at the inn as a child.
That night, Kyoko is finally able to meet up with Sho's mother after she has eaten dinner. They both meet at the same room as the night before and are once again served tea.
"So," Fuwa-san takes a sip of her tea, "to continue our conversation from last night." Kyoko straightens up from her already straight posture. This causes Fuwa-san to smile. "To think you can actually sit straighter." She chuckles. "You always were a good student. Even now your posture is impeccable."
Kyoko smiles although it is strained. "Thank you, Fuwa-san."
Fuwa-san notices her forced smile and it reminds of her original purpose in meeting with Kyoko. "Kyoko-chan, am I missing something? Your mother seemed pleased that you were coming back but I did not expect you to be so… depressed. I feel as if I am out of the loop and, if you would permit it, I would like to know what is going on."
Kyoko takes time to process her words and takes a deep breath, steeling herself from her own words that were about to come. She bows, "I apologize. I truly was just tired. I have just returned to Kyoto… for good. Things did not go very well for me in Tokyo. Shotaro is doing well in his career and no longer required my assistance." She didn't want this kind woman to know the truth behind her son's betrayal. "After that, I tried to do my own think and was recently let go. There was really nothing left for me in Tokyo…" she hesitates so slightly that Fuwa-san almost misses it. Kyoko thinks to herself: I may love Tsuruga-san but someone like him would never return those feelings for me… But I could never watch him be with someone else. Before I become even crueler, it's best if I leave his life before it truly is much too late… She knows she is lying to herself. It was already too late.
Fuwa-san has no reason to doubt Kyoko, so she places her tea cup down and looks at Kyoko sadly. Everyone leaves behind something. That hesitation… She also seemed distraught when I talked about an omiai. She must have loved someone dearly. "I am so sorry, Kyoko-chan. It must have been tough. I must thank your mother then for contacting me. I am glad I can be of some help, even if it is just a little bit."
Kyoko shakes her head. So she really knows nothing about my mother's contact with me. But why did mother contact her about this? She shakes off her questions so she can focus on their conversation. "You are very helpful to me. I apologize again for my boldness, but I would like to stay here… For good."
Fuwa-san brightens immediately. "Truly?"
Kyoko nods. "Yes. And of course, I want to be of help. No matter what it is… Including helping run it with the future owner if that is what you desire…" I owe you so much… I at least want to be helpful to you.
Ah… The arranged marriage. "I understand. Thank you, Kyoko-chan." Fuwa-san stands. "Then I will begin the search for an appropriate partner…" unless you say otherwise… She is almost hopeful that Kyoko changes her mind. She loves Kyoko and hates to see her heartbroken.
However, Kyoko simply smiles with as much acting ability as she can muster. "I appreciate that. Thank you very much, Fuwa-san." Sho's mother is not fooled, but she relents and excuses herself.
Alone, Kyoko slumps over. It's done. She smiles bitterly. At least I am able to be helpful to her.
-Two days later-
Ren steps off of the train and is momentarily blinded by the sun that is typically hidden from him by the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo. Kyoto is one of Ren's favorite places for many reasons. One reason in particular was now hiding from him somewhere. Though he had met with Kyoko many times by the stream when they were children, the likelihood of her being there now was slim. She just recently informed him about staying with Sho Fuwa's parents at a ryokan, so he decides to start there. He clenches his fists, preparing to bare everything he has kept hidden for so long. Kyoko…