A Life worth Living
Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat or any of its characters.
Maria was a child lost in bitterness and guilt until the strange short-haired, golden-eyed Kyoko came along and changed her life forever. Now Kyoko is at it again, giving Maria a challenge she just can't pass up. In the process, Kyoko will make her own amazing discovery.
Chapter 10 – Enigma
There is a big difference between the first filming for a young unknown and the first filming for the granddaughter of the largest talent agency in Japan. Kyoko had intended a small celebration with Maria's closest friends. She should have planned for the Takarada-Factor.
Given: There is only one thing that Takarada Lory loves more than a good romance: Maria.
Given: There is one interest that runs a close third in the race for Takarada Lory's attention: Parties.
Given: There are three subjects for which Takarada Lory has a special, built-in antenna: Maria, Love, and Parties. If you try to keep information pertaining to any of these three subjects hidden from him, you will fail… utterly… completely… miserably.
Kyoko had intended a small party for about twenty at the Darumaya. Once The Boss became involved, it became a "small" party for about three-hundred at the Takarada Mansion. In the end Ren advised her to give in gracefully.
The change of venue turned out to be fortuitous. In the short time since she, Mieko, and Maria had first visited Oshima School, Maria had made several good friends. At her own school too many of her peers were either jealous of her or solicitous of her connections. Those that were solicitous were more interested in her money and position than in her. But the students at Oshima didn't seem to care in the least about her wealth or parentage. They liked her because she shared their interest in music and because she was always cheerful. Of course, they didn't realize that she was only always cheerful when her Onee-sama was around. But still, they liked her and wanted to be her friends. Already their numbers exceeded what Kyoko could have squeezed into the Darumaya.
Takarada Lory was pleased to charter a luxury bus to pick up the students, and several faculty members, from Oshima School. He had phoned earlier in the week and advised the principal that music would be the focus of the night. If any student wanted to bring an instrument, then he or she should. Many, including Shimada Tokoji, did bring their instruments.
Director Shinkai was there of course, with many of the cast and crew. Only Shinkai knew what had taken place in the storage room that morning. Although the others weren't aware of what caused the problems, everyone was relieved when Maria had returned with Kyoko and delivered a spot-on performance. They had witnessed the chemistry between Kyoko and Maria, and they had great hopes now that the movie would be an overwhelming success.
Kyoko tried her best to keep her spirits bright for Maria's sake, but Harada Yoshida was there. His good looks, dignified air, and rich voice made him stand out wherever he was in the spacious ballroom. Ren sensed her confused feelings and stayed close to her, offering his warmth and love to sooth her hurt, self-doubt and anger. "We'll talk to him after the party, Kyoko. Try not to let it bother you for a few more hours."
The big surprise of the night came when Julie and Amamiya Chiori arrived. "I know that we weren't expected for another two days, but we didn't want to miss Maria's party." They both hugged Maria and congratulated her. Kyoko couldn't help but notice the guarded, almost skittish look on Chiori's face. That too would have to wait until another time.
There was music; oh was there music! Almost everyone who could play did play. Lory had hired a string quartet, but they were soon displaced by the students from Oshida. Tokijo succeeded in luring Maria to the piano, and soon twenty school age musicians were wowing the guests with their rendition of Pachelbel's Canon in C major. Shortly thereafter Kyoko was dragged to the Piano to show of her improvement with the 3rd movement of Appassionata. Before long the hired musicians and the student musicians had broken down any barriers and the party had become a concert.
Nishimura Rumiko was attending, both as a representative of the producers and as a friend. She was so enchanted by the young musicians that she became determined to have them appear on her show. But it was something else that caught her attention and raised serious questions in her mind. At one point during the night the students begged Harada Yoshida and Kyoko to play the piano together. As they sat together and played Mozart, Rumiko's old scandal-antenna was on full-alert. It was the eyes that did it; those golden-brown eyes. She had noticed them while talking to the enchanting man. Now, as she saw the two sitting together and playing, she saw those eyes together. Is he… no, it's not possible… right?
Rumiko wasn't the only one to notice. Julie had noticed how withdrawn Kyoko had seemed all evening. She had seemed unusually skittish and jumpy. Now she had a feeling that she knew why. I'll wait until she's ready to talk to me about it. She looked over at her tall, handsome son and noticed the intensity on his face. I hope they don't make me wait too long.
Yashiro had arrived a little late with his beautiful date on his arm. When they saw the musicians, they couldn't resist requesting music they could dance to. Despite the fact that they couldn't hold a candle to Yashiro and Shouko, Ren dragged Kyoko out onto the dance floor. Rumbas, sambas, and even a tango lured others out and soon the floor was full. Mieko was surprised when Harada asked her to dance. "Don't worry, I can't see, but I still remember how to twirl around a beautiful woman. Just lead me to a spot where I won't step on anyone."
It wasn't long before the handsome man had a list of ladies wanting a turn around the floor. Maria tried to drag Tokoji out, but he begged off. She had to content herself with dancing with Harada, Ren, Yashiro, and her grandfather.
Kotonami Kanae arrived, escorted by two young men. Hiou looked debonair in his suit, and he seemed inordinately pleased to have Kanae on his arm. Andy, the handsome Australian actor who had starred in Runaway Royalty with Kanae and Hiou, began scanning the room as soon as they arrived. He found the object of his interest sitting off by herself. When Kyoko had called earlier in the evening to inform Kanae that Julie and Amamiya had arrived two days early, he had been surprised at his own reaction. Suddenly he had felt both overjoyed and slightly nervous. He had only met the girl twice, but she had stayed on his mind since then. It is a cruel twist of fate to meet a person who truly interests you one month after she meets someone else. But now, according to Kanae, she was alone again.
"Excuse me, Chiori-san?" Amamiya Chiori looked up to see a handsome blonde teen with the open, friendly face, "Amamiya Chiori-san, correct? Do you remember me?"
It took her a moment before she finally put a name to his face, "Andy Hammond, yes?"
He smiled, pleased to know that she did remember, "Would you care to dance?"
She was reluctant at first, but his friendly manner persuaded her. Once she allowed herself to be led onto the floor she enjoyed the remainder of the evening.
A fun time was had by all, but most of them had work the next day, and Maria had both school and work. Everyone congratulated her one final time and began departing. While the Oshida students were boarding the bus, Ren and Kyoko accosted Harada Yoshida. "Sensei, we were hoping for a few words with you. Would you allow us to drive you back to the school?"
Harada looked surprised, but unconcerned, "It would be my honor."
oOoOOoOo
Harada Yoshida was surprised again when, after he took his seat in the back, Kyoko sat next to him instead of in front with her husband. He could sense that something was amiss, but without being able to see faces, he couldn't decide what it was. Ren engaged him in pleasant, basically meaningless conversation about the party and the movie while Kyoko fidgeted.
Finally, with shaking hands, she extracted the envelope from her purse. "S-Sensei…"
"Yes?"
She watched his face as she spoke her next words, "Ren-dono and I were in Kyoto yesterday…"
His pleasant smile started to fall, but then became fixed. "Was the weather nice there?"
"Yes… I mean… look, Harada-sensei, I was handed something that belonged to my mother… her mail actually." Kyoko was desperate for an answer, and just as scared as to what the answer might be.
Harada's face was grim as he waited for her to continue, "One piece of mail, actually… and it was sent by you."
His face looked sad as he listened. He nodded acknowledgement, but didn't speak.
"Are… I mean… could you be… Harada-sensei, are you my father?" She spoke the last in a rush of desperation.
Harada Yoshida reached out his two big hands and took one of her small hands, "Mogami Kyoko-san, I'd give anything, anything in the world to be your father. But I am not."
oOoOOoOo
During the remainder of the forty-minute drive he told his story.
"I met your mother when I was just starting to conduct. She was stunningly beautiful, at least to me. From the moment I saw her I couldn't see another woman. She must have seen something in me as well, because we started dating soon after.
"Saena was a musician too, but she was involved in promotion work at the time I knew her. She wanted the 'perfect' life. Everything exactly right, everything in its proper place." He was still holding one of her hands, and he felt her sudden tension.
Kyoko, though stunned by his denial about being her father and mesmerized by his cultured voice, was still able to respond drily, "Yes. I encountered her perfectionism."
"You mentioned that you weren't close to your mother," Harada said caringly, "Was she hard to live with?"
Two years ago, maybe even less, and Kyoko's demonic minions would have been circling. But the time for her consuming anger had passed. She had learned to forgive. "It was hard. I was never good enough for her."
Harada's face was a mask of sadness. Without realizing it his hand was stroking hers. "It was the same for me. She was never satisfied. Still, I loved her dearly. I even got her to consent to marrying me. And then I began to lose my eyesight. My case is the same as my character in the script. I had a rare blood disorder that attacked my optic nerves and my equilibrium. Thankfully it left my hearing unscathed." He sighed and remained silent for long enough that Kyoko was about to speak, but then he continued.
"As soon as she found out about my illness, she began to pull away. One day I returned to my home to find all of her things gone. She didn't love me enough to see past my illness. I thought that it would kill me." He was silent again.
"Harada-sensei… the scars on you wrist are real…?"
He turned his sightless eyes on her, "Yes. The first time was there, in my home. I drank for days after Saena left, but it didn't help. I tried to compose, but no music came. I sank into a depression. And then I tried to take my life. A friend who came to check on me found me and got me to the hospital.
"I tried once more, five months later, when the blindness was complete. This time it was Kamo-san who came to the hospital. He worked with the blind, even then. He stayed with me day and night. He made me learn Braille; made me play piano; made me live."
"So, it was music that saved you?"
"No. Music, even when it's played for the enjoyment of others, focuses the musician inward. Kamo made me focus on helping others, just like in our movie. He taught me to stop fixating on my problems and focus on helping others. It took a long time before I was 'safe'. There were many dark periods where I almost fell into depression all over again.
"The worst of these happened about two years ago, Kyoko-san. Two years ago I heard your name on the radio. A commentator was talking about how incredible your Mio was. When he said your name and your age, I almost blacked out," Harada struggled to keep his composure. "You see… Saena and I were… intimate… even though we weren't married yet. When she left me I never heard from her again. When I heard your name, I knew that you had to be her daughter. And when I heard your age… I thought… I hoped…" He had to stop speaking. Kyoko had forgotten her own concerns and was only worried about him now.
After a few ragged breaths, he started again, "I asked a friend to track down Saena. He found her address and I had the friend help me write her a note. I asked her if I was your father, Kyoko-san. She sent back a very angry reply, telling me that I wasn't your father and that she and I had no connection anymore. I didn't believe her, so I sent a second letter, demanding a paternity test. She finally agreed. I took a trip down to Kyoto, where a doctor took a sample of my DNA and tested it against yours. The results were conclusive: I wasn't your father."
"I was so disappointed that I might have become suicidal again, but Kamo-san called me up and recruited me for his school…"
Harada looked so sad that Kyoko reached over and hugged him. Such physical affection between veritable strangers was unnatural for the Japanese culture… and against Kyoko's normal inclinations… yet somehow it was perfectly natural for Kyoko to comfort this man. Even though he wasn't her father, as she had hoped, she stilled cared for him.
They rode on in silence through the dark night. It began to rain heavily, which seemed somehow fitting for the somber mood inside of the car. Only the sounds of the rain, the tires on the road, and the windshield wipers broke the silence. Eventually Yoshida sat up and Kyoko released him; but his large hand still held hers. Kyoko felt terribly disappointed, yet she still felt a bond with this man, even he wasn't her father.
Ren saw the interchange and felt pity for both his beautiful wife and this sad man. Something about the story bothered him. He remained silent and contemplative for a long time, focusing on the road. He pondered the woman who had so cruelly cast Harada Yoshida aside… the same woman who had been so cruel and dismissive to her own daughter. At the back of his mind that niggling feeling persisted… and then he finally saw the discrepancy. "Harada-san, when did you say that this test took place?"
"About twenty-six months ago."
Ren met Kyoko's startled eyes through the rear-view mirror, "Kyoko, when was the last time you spoke with your mother?"
"Eight years ago. I received two letters after that, but nothing since six years ago." Kyoko was confused by Ren's question at first, but then her eyes widened in shocked realization. "I never heard a single word from her after I moved to Tokyo."
Harada was listening intently to the conversation, "But… then how did she…?"
Ren saw the hope in Kyoko's face and he hoped that she wouldn't be disappointed again, "Harada-sensei, I think that we should have another paternity test done. If you are willing, of course?"
Notes: Lots of little details in this chapter; hopefully not too many at once.
Andy is an OC from Runaway Royalty. He will become important for this story as well.
Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited and followed this and all my stories.