A/N: Can you believe it? I actually finished this. Not to mention this is the longest chapter till now. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. I am so grateful for all the support. You guys make me update faster. :*
Thank you so much lMissMysteriousl for helping with this chapter.
Chapter Nine-The Beginning
"Life is a series of pulls back and forth... A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. Most of us live somewhere in the middle. A wrestling match...Which side win? Love wins. Love always wins"
― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie
19th May, 2014
"Daddy?" He smiled when he heard his little angel's voice from the phone.
"Yes?" He enquired. It was rare for her to call him when he was at work these days, unlike before.
"Do you like chocolate cake or vanilla cake?"
He chuckled, loosening his tie and relaxing against the chair.
"Either is fine."
"That's no good," He heard her disapproving tone, "You have to choose one. Grandpa and Grandma are fighting over the flavour and I tried to call Mama," and he felt that familiar sting of jealousy where it concerned her and Kyouko, "But she isn't picking up. So, Daddy's decision will be the final, I told them."
His family was so weird. Instead of the elders behaving properly, it's the little girl who was taking care of everything and even handling them.
"Chocolate," he replied, recalling Kyouko's choice.
"Okay, then," Kokoro said happily, "Bye."
"No! Wait!" Kuon reacted quickly. "Isn't there anything else you want to talk about? Anything at all?" He clenched his fist as he asked, "Don't you like talking to Daddy anymore?"
He was met with dumbfounded silence before Kokoro started giggling uncontrollably.
"Stupid Daddy," he heard, "I talk to you all the time, don't I?"
"Then, why not now?"
"Because I thought Daddy would be busy," there was confusion evident in her voice, "Even though you love me a lot, you still have a lot of work, right? And that's why you can't always be around because you do a lot of work for us. I used to think that Daddy doesn't love me but now I know it was silly of me," she told him very matter of fact manner.
Kuon had the sudden urge to band his head against his worktable. All this time, when Kokoro was being considerate- he took it to be a change in affection level.
"When did you grow up so much? Who taught you all this?" He asked in the gentlest of tone.
"Mama," he wasn't expecting it, even though he should have, "When you took me to the dentist with Mama, she told me that. Why?"
"Nothing. No reason. Kokoro?"
"Yes?"
"I am sorry if I ever made you feel unloved," he said.
"What are you talking about?"
He chuckled, "Nothing. So, how was your day?"
He had still a lot of damages to repair, but they were certainly making progress.
"Kyouko-chan?" He called, when he found the door to her flat open.
"I am here," he heard from the kitchen.
She was bustling about the kitchen, making something which definitely smelled delicious.
She stopped short when she saw him before asking him to take a seat on the dining table.
"What brings you here?" She asked. "It's good you came though, I was making this for you actually."
"For me?" He blinked.
"Yes," she said, taking a seat beside him, "Otou-san was complaining that you don't eat well."
"Well, it's not like there's much left for me these days after he's finished with the food," he dead- panned.
She giggled. "That's rude. Anyway, I heard you don't take care of yourself at all. So he kind of asked me as you future wife," she blushed, "To make sure both you and Kokoro are eating well. Especially now, since you took a lot of work you have to finish before the wedding day."
"It's seems like having a chef for a wife would be beneficial," he said, eyes shining.
He blinked again when he saw her turning her face, as if to hide a blush.
"Is there something you need?" She said, changing the subject.
He pursued his lips, thinking how to go about it. "I talked to Kokoro today. We cleared something between us. I- I heard you assured her of my love for her?" It came out as a question though it wasn't meant to be such. "Why?"
"What do you mean why?"
"At that time, didn't you used to hate me? Why do that for me?"
She shifted. "I didn't do it for you," she said softly, "It was for Kokoro. I couldn't see her looking so sad when after that night it was clear you love her, a lot."
All this time, he knew this person was his childhood friend; the four year old, kind, fairy tale loving weird girl. Yet, today it really hit home.
Today he saw the person he used to know, the one he always thought of as the ideal Japanese woman.
This trait of her, this ever helpful, kind person she was, how could he miss it?
How could he ever for one moment imagine her to be a gold digger? This very person, who fell in love with his daughter?
This person who showed kindness to someone she disliked, who wasn't worthy of her time? Someone like him?
"And I don't hate you," she continued when he remained strangely silent.
"Is that so?" He asked with a sickeningly sweet smile.
A vein propped in his forehead when he saw Kyouko's horrified expression.
Who would tell him his angelic smile was too much for Kyouko's poor heart?
20th May, 2014
"Could you please not make a ruckus this early in the morning?" A very haggard looking Kuon demanded. At this point, he didn't care how he appeared to other people.
In between work and wedding preparations, he barely had time to himself. Today, for the first time he had gotten some breathing space, thanks to Yashiro-san who told him to rest, and assured him he would take care of everything.
He did a double take when he saw the person outside his door.
Sho Fuwa.
Smoothing down his expression to its usual poker face, he leaned against the doorframe while he gave Sho Fuwa a once over. "How may I help you?"
Kuon didn't miss the irritation in Sho's eyes even if he did a commendable job in showing nothing of it in his face.
"I was looking for Kyouko. You are her fiancée, right?" Sho demanded.
Kuon curtly nodded. "In that case, shouldn't you be ringing the door opposite mine?"
"Oh, I got confused which one was hers," Sho shrugged.
He purposely awakened me first, didn't he? So that I would be here to watch…but what? What are you playing at Sho?
Without awaiting his answer, Fuwa turned and rang Kyouko's doorbell.
The door to Kyouko's flat opened after a moment and a very groggy looking, still in pajamas Kyouko came out.
He watched as her eyes filtered from Fuwa's his and back again, suddenly becoming more aware of her surroundings.
Before any of them could say anything, Kyouko promptly proceeded to shut the door, only to be deterred by Fuwa's foot blocking it.
"Removed your filthy feet you idiot," she shouted.
"What the-? Have you no manners at all? Closing the door on a guest. And whose feet are you calling filthy?"
"I don't remember inviting you. People who barge in on other people's home are not a guest."
"Why you..."
They continued to bicker, Kyouko desperately pushing on the door and Fuwa pushing back to keep it from closing.
"Why are you here, anyway? How did you know my address? You stalker!" Kyouko finally stopped struggling, instead getting out herself and slamming the door shut behind her.
"Your address is all over the Japan right now. The media wasn't exactly subtle about how you live opposite you future hubby," he said the word like it left a bad taste in his mouth, "Who would stalk you? Heh!"
The word hubby seemed to snap her back from whatever dark world she got lost in, her eyes travelling to Kuon's.
"You saw it in the news and still decided to come here? For what? You know what kind of thing they still say about us. The outside of this building was still swarmed by the media. Great! Thanks to you I might be labeled a cheater tomorrow." It was clear she was getting angrier the more time passed, panting as she finished.
Kuon wondered if he should intervene. It would look weird if her fiancée just stood there and watched his intended speaking with her ex, right? It was decided yesterday, they were to behave lovey-dovey in front of general public.
"Something like that…it's not like you are actually in a relationship with this guy, right?"
Immediately, their eyes snapped to each other. After a second, maintaining silent eye contact, Kuon stepped in.
He stood beside Kyouko. "I am afraid I don't understand what you are alluding at. Isn't it terribly rude, to say that to two people who are about to get married?"
Fuwa smirked and Kuon's annoyance rose to a new level. What did Kyouko see in him, ever?
He most definitely didn't like Fuwa and he doubted the sentiment would ever change. It was hard to tell why, most people with Fuwa's personality mildly amused him because they were always so bloddy confident and couldn't look past their own nose. Fuwa, on the other hand, for some unknown reason really got on his nerves.
"You can't fool me. You don't look at him in the same way you used to look at me," he addressed Kyouko.
"Tha-That," Kyouko stuttered.
"And for you, you have already given up on that sort of emotion, right?" Fuwa continued arrogantly.
Kuon plastered his best gentlemanly persona, plastering a hundred watt smile, "Fuwa-san, I'm afraid you are distressing my future wife. Could you please leave?"
Fuwa was about to protest but Kuon had enough and he gave Fuwa his best glare.
"Che! Fine, I will come back later," he said, already leaving.
"No need to come back!" She shouted after him.
She jumped when she heard Kuon's voice from behind her. "I thought you severed all ties with him. Had no idea you were still on such friendly terms," he muttered darkly.
She wondered what got him so worked up, but then again, anyone in contact with Sho was bound to lose his cool.
"We are not on any terms- friendly or otherwise," she said vehemently, putting on her best Yasha-demon face.
Kuon threw his hand in the air. "Just saying."
Something occurred to Kyouko. "I never told you about him, did I? But then again, I assumed you always knew."
"Always?"
"Yes, since we first met."
"No, not always. I didn't even Know who he was. I found out a lot later. When we went to the park, actually. Some…" he trailed off, not willing to divulge he found some girls bad mouthing her.
Understanding dawned on her. "Ahh, you must have heard people talking. Then..."
"Then what?"
"No, I always wondered if the real reason you called me a gold digger was because you knew about what...you know what happened with him."
His face clouded in regret. "No, I actually…I heard your mother and you talking. I overreacted, reached a conclusion by listening to only half of it. It's just...It wasn't the first time it happened. Many people used Kokoro to try to get close to me with ulterior motive and naturally, I assumed the worse. But that's no excuse," Running a hand through his hair, he bowed. "I really am sorry. I apologise. I would understand if you could never forgive me for that."
What could she say? A part of her which was still angry over those words, the part which thwarted any offer of truce from him wanted to keep on boiling over it, maybe even hate him. Another part of her, the one which knew what it felt like to love Kokoro, it imagined what she would have done in the same situation, if her daughter's feelings were being used to get close to her and the whole motive of the closeness depended on money knew what he felt.
"I forgive you," she gave her first warm smile to him.
He smiled back happily, the kind only angels could grant and she had a vision of Corn smiling at her.
22nd May, 2014
"And then…then you have to toss the flower and the person who…"
Kokoro was happily educating all of the members present- Kanae, Yashiro, and her grandparents were listening reverently- about wedding traditions. After she found out, she had become the sole leader of the whole party, even leaving Julie behind on her eyes for details.
No one could resist those big green eyes, indulging her in whatever whims she had.
Kyouko smiled when she saw the Okaami and Kuon getting along well in one corner of the room. She didn't have any idea what they were speaking of, but they seem to have hit it off well.
Kyouko considered the Taisho and Okaami as parents figure, watching her future husband getting along with them was certainly a good thing.
The warmer the relations around Kokoro are, the more she has a chance of growing up a happy child.
Watching the new relation booming in front of her, almost of a mother and son, she sighed. She still hadn't contacted her mother.
Kyouko had a feeling, for the first time in her life, Saena Mogami would be proud of her daughter and yet, this was the first time Kyouko abhorred the thought of the appreciation.
Being so conflicted; she had assumed her mother would contact her after the news was out. She had not.
Wondering what to do, Kyouko's gaze unconsciously shifted to her right to find a nonchalant Kuon lounging beside her.
She looked around. "When did you-?"
"You should be more aware of your surroundings," he stated.
"Is there something you want?" She asked.
"How should I say this?" Kuon carefully chose his words. "There is one person missing in all this."
When she continued to stare at him, he continued, "Your mother. You haven't contacted her."
She shook her head sheepishly.
"Should I do it for you?" Kuon suggested kindly.
Astonishment marred her features. She forgot he knew about her situation a little, but what fazed her was the fact he must have somehow noticed her dilemma.
"Something like that…isn't it better if my mother isn't around? In reality, you must really hate that sort of person," she glanced at Kokoro. The reason he misunderstood her, didn't it all start from her mother?
It's inevitable her mother would look at both him and Kokoro as mere pieces, people to be used. She treated her own daughter so, why would anyone else be different.
When it came to her mother, deep inside she was aware, more than anyone how insignificant Kyouko was to Saena. Yet, the desire to please her, no matter what, to matter even for a moment never left her.
Until now, until Kokoro came. Was she ready to pit Kokoro against a heartless grandmother? Kokoro didn't need any more complications. Her relationship with the people around her was already tangled.
"But not calling her…that would make you sad, right?" Kuon gave her an understanding smile.
Oh
Oh
Did she miss it? Was she so blind and judgmental in her small head?
Since she met him, she only focused on his bad side. In between all this, could it be she actually missed the kind of person he was?
The part of him, which cared about others, was considerate of their feelings. The person who had been nothing but kind to her since she agreed- well, if she left out the occasional teasing.
He brought her a wedding ring, insisted on a dream wedding, interfered with Shotaro and at this very moment, was not only offering her a way out of taking on the scary task but was ready to tolerate Saena's presence for her sake.
Is this how he behaved with people who were his responsibility? Is this the protection people received who entered his circle, and if she were to be bold, was starting to consider a friend?
Did she really not see?
Kyouko felt infinitely embarrassed. Even after Kuon told her he wished to be friends and she agreed-granted she was tricked, and their little Sho episode where she forgave him, she still continued to keep him at arm's length, took him for the same man she thought she hated.
She continued to ignore those little changes, - maybe they happened recently or they always a part of his personality he didn't deign it necessary to show before- but he was trying and so should see.
Kyouko clenched her fist in determination. From now on, definitely, she would try to be a proper friend.
"Kyouko-chan?" Kuon asked, titling his head.
He was waiting for her answer.
She peaked at Kokoro from the corner of her, swiveling her head towards him when she felt his hand gently touch hers.
"Don't worry about her. Kokoro would be(is( surrounded by people who love her. Nothing bad will happen," his voice had a gentle note to it, making her want to believe him, "So, should I call?"
Glancing down at their hands, Kokoro and one last look at him, she slowly nodded.
23rd May, 2014
What her mother told him was clear when she looked at him.
Forcefully forming a small smile, she asked, "She said no, didn't she?"
Kuon looked at her with evident worry. "No...She.."he faltered.
"It was probably something like as far as she isn't doing something that brings shame on the family, I don't care what it is. She used to sent me on a lot of dates you know, and I would foolishly go because I just wanted to please her. You would think she would be happy when I do something befitting her approval but even that...it's only to get me out of the way. No Kyouko means nothing to be ashamed of." Her voice was calm and emotionless.
She turned away from him, afraid if she kept on gazing into his pitying eyes she would break. She had already given herself away, there was no doubt he could see her voice was a direct contrast to what she felt.
She was already used to this. There was no need for him to look concerned.
She was...
Kyoukp bit her lips. Corn..she needed Corn.
She dashed away, leaving the hand Kuon had reached out hanging in the air.
When she had turned around and he looked at her hunched figure, he was transported back nineteen years ago, to the time when he was her fairy prince.
Without any conscious decision, he had reached his hand out, wishing to console her.
Somehow, he had expected her to turn into a blubbering mess and at that moment, more than anything he wanted to help Kyouko-chan.
She didn't want it though, as evident from her running away.
He wasn't her Corn anymore and of course, she would not cry in front of him.
Sighing, he thought about the only way he could help her and searched for Kokoro.
Much later, when they saw each other in the evening, she had already reverted to her normal self.
He wasn't surprised; she had always been quick to recover, even back then.
He was surprised when she voluntarily stood in front of him and bowed her head in gratitude.
"Kyouko-chan?" He asked.
She straightened; peaking at him shyly while she twisted a strand of hair is in her hand. "Thank you."
"For what?" He asked astonished.
"For sending Kokoro to me. For noticing my state and trying to cheer me up. For everything, really." She smiled widely at him, a little pink tinting her cheeks.
He couldn't help the smile that formed on his face, nor the softening of his gaze or the small blush that made its' way in his cheek. And most definitely, he couldn't help the desperate beating of his heart.
24th May, 2014
"I do," she almost whispered.
"You may kiss the bride," the priest finished.
Eh?
She looked around frantically.
No one said anything about a k-k-kiss. The Japanese didn't do it, it was the American tradition!
She felt Kanae whisper behind her, "As I thought, you really weren't listening when the planning was going on. Kokoro insisted on a kiss."
What? A seven year old girl insisted on a kiss? Well, she did watch a lot of western films and she probably didn't understand the meaning of a kiss. She probably meant a cheek kiss or something.
Her eyes were spinning. What was the meaning of a kiss again?
She glanced at Kuon to see him shrugging.
You American, she thought, you're probably used to kissing people around.
The priest cleared his throat, prompting Kuon to step closer to her and lean down.
"Just close your eyes, it will be over before you realise it," she heard him say.
She did exactly that, only to be startled when she felt soft lips on her cheeks instead of her lips.
He had straightened up by the time she opened her eyes.
Didn't the kiss call for-?
"That-" the priest began when she saw Kuon turn to him and give him his best Demon King's glare.
She realized what he had done now. He angled his head in such way that every attending member, except the priest thought it was a full on lip kiss.
She grinned up at him, all of a sudden a new sense of excitement filling her.
Kuon Hizuri was most definitely and interesting man and strangely enough, she looked forward to a married life with him.
"Kyouko!"
Both her in-laws called.
She froze with chopsticks in her mouth, looking at them with dread.
"You look beautiful!" They said in unison.
Why were they talking this way?!
She removed her chopsticks and thanked them shyly. It was after all the work of Jelly-san's magical fingers.
"Now," Kuu said, "that you are lawfully our daughter, say it."
"Say what?"
They both grinned, giving Kyouko the creeps. They looked nothing like the respected Hizuri's and more like Mafia Don's at the moment.
"Otou-san," Kuu said.
"Okaa-san," Julie pleaded for herself.
Kyouko bit her lips, before giving in and managing out meekly, "O-Otou-san. Ok-Okaa-san."
They gazed at her with pure adoration when Kuon repapered- he had gone to chat with some of his colleagues-, by her side and said, "Stop scaring her," causing Julie and Kuu to pout.
"Now, if you will excuse us," Kuon placed his hand on her shoulder and said while dragging her away from them, "There are guests waiting to be introduced to my wife."
She sighed. All day she had been getting reacquainted with new people. Though on their wedding, only close friends and family were present, the reception was quite grand.
She sighed again. She should count her blessings, mainly how the media had been absolutely banned.
When they were at a safe distance, he released her.
She looked at him quizzically. "I thought-"
"I lied," he grinned.
He did it to save her, she realized.
Now, she was slowly starting to recognize his kindness for what it was, instead of assuming ulterior motives.
She smiled at him gratefully which he returned.
Yashiro forced his eyes away from the scene before him and looked at Kanae, who stared at him suspirciously.
"What?" he asked innocently.
"You have been looking at them," she pointed in the general direction of Kuon and Kyouko, "With a disturbingly wide grin and a disgusting shine in your eyes."
"Really?" he asked, proceeding to smooth his face down to normal I am an efficient VP of a top company look. It was of no use, due to his glancing at the newlywed's direction and getting the look on his face.
"See! There you go," she pointed her fingers at him, "Like- Like…a fangirl."
She took a step back from him in horror when she voiced out her thoughts.
"B-But they look so cute together," he said with excitement.
Stepping closer to Kanae, he whispered conspiratorially to her. "Don't you see? He is already falling for her."
"I'm dating a lunatic," Kanae muttered, to which Yukihito feigned hurt. "Don't you think it's too early for that?" she whispered back, unable to resist.
Yukihito pushed his glassed up his nose, and replied seriously, "I am not saying he's in love with her. But he has definitely started to like her," he added, "in a romantic way."
Kanae considered his words, watching Kyouko and Kuon giggling together over something, "What about her?"
He shrugged. "I can't tell. For their and Kokoro's sake, I do hope it's the case for her too."
"Hizuri-san," Kyouko said, "Aren't we going in the wrong direction?"
They had finally managed to sneak out of the reception and were on their way back home. The others, including Kokoro had opted to stay behind.
"Kuon. It's Kuon. And no, it's not the wrong direction." He carefully broke the news to her, "The president booked us a room in his hotel as a gift for the wedding night."
Wedding Night?
Wedding Night!
"I see," she said calmly, giving nothing away of her internal screaming.
She pasted her face to the window, not daring to look at her husband.
Her head was spinning uncontrollably and she felt a headache forming.
This was going to be a long day!
A/N: Ta-Da
They are finally married. A lot of people expressed interesting on reading about the wedding. Truthfully, I am no good with those. I only prefer them in books, attending one is quite hard for me.
So, what I did after much thought was include only the relevant and good parts. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone. :)
I was also in a ditch about many other things with this chapter. I kept on changing and editing scenes and then I finally decided to re-read Skip Beat! which worked wonders.
Which is why this chapter is heavily influenced by it. The thing which I really needed to remember was the changing in Kyouko's feelings towards Ren. It started as an admiration, and an intense desire to beat him. If he is cool, she wants to match him in coolness too. In short, those two are adorable. *fangirl mode on*
P.S- If anyone has knowledge about the court proceedings, please contact me. :)
Please, do review.