Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its character. The only things I own as of now are this plot, my little Rinko and Ichiro Sanaki.

Chapter 10 – The Extras Part I

Yashiro's POV

I was beyond shock at the sudden pouncing of Kyoko-chan towards 'Ichi-kun'—Ichiro. It was horrifying, because one, I support KyokoRen's fan club! Scratch that. I AM the President. Two was because Ren is just beside me and anytime now I would be facing and sharing the same air with him. I don't want to work with Mr. Grumpy, even though I always used to, but still I was just recently working with him again.

But I have stopped talking to myself when I felt the temperature of the hallway had suddenly dropped to zero degree Celsius. And because I was very concern to Ren, not because I could sense some loathing aura behind me, I discreetly shifted my head to just catch a glimpse of Ren's face. And oh boy, I regretted it as soon as I followed my instincts.

It was truly chilly indeed, and the temperature decreases as moments went by.

"Ichi-kun, I've missed you so much! How are you? When did you come back? Is it good there? Are there many beautiful ladies? How about the food…" blah, blah, blah… I could see the drowned and lost look that Ichiro was showing at Kyoko's questions. Kyoko, on the other hand, I don't know if I should be relieved or horrified, because she had loosed her hug but her arms were still wrapped around Ichiro's neck.

But then Ichiro burst out laughing at Kyoko for her babbling, which provoked a cute pout from Kyoko, which in my opinion was a VERY BAD sign.

"Okay, okay. Don't need to get mad. You miss me that much, huh?"always acts as an arrogant jerk in my trustworthy opinion.

I swear Kyoko's reply had really burst the pent up tension that was building up, behind me.

"Of course not, silly! MORE than that!" And again, she hugged him tightly, very tight. It was an understatement to tell that Kyoko missed him. Ah… How I wish Kyoko and Ren were like that. If Kyoko had pounced on Ren and assaulted him like that, after seeing Ren for the first time again, then I shouldn't be in deep trouble right now.

Well, a man could only wish.

I sighed and was too surprise to notice my own breath being visible. And the temperature here was really freaking below zero. But I couldn't help not to gape at those two people who didn't feel anything. Is that even possible not to notice the temperature in this hallway? Hello? Didn't I forget to tell you, that it's freezing cold in here!

The cause of this extraordinary phenomenon had finally spoken. And I swear I had finally met the ice-queen's ONLY son. (If she had)

"Uhm, excuse me Kyoko. Sorry to intrude, but who's your friend?" And his trademark dazzling smile was intact. Is it just me or Ren had actually loathed the word 'friend'? And the worst part is, Kyoko didn't even flinch! Instead she broke her hold on Ichiro (which was a GOOD thing) and faced us with her cheery smile (which was a BAD thing). But before she had answered Ren, Ichiro beat her at that.

"Ichiro Sanaki nice to meet you." He just offered his hand but had no intention to shake hands with Ren. The nerve of this guy, I should've known. I watched Ren's smile widened more. And I wished I was digging my grave right now.

"Nice to meet you again, Sanaki-san or have you forgotten about me already?" Ren's hands were in his pockets so it's hard to tell if they were close or relax, because I was very disturbed by the temperature and aura Ren was emitting.

"Oh, Ren Tsuruga, I think your name rings a bell. But I just couldn't pinpoint it though. Are you new here in the entertainment world?" I should've known that this guy was still and will always be a bastard even though he was wearing a sheep's skin. Was he testing Ren's patience? If he was, well it wasn't working, based on Ren's amused expression.

"Oh, is that right? Oh well, ah no, I just make a comeback." Ren said humbly.

"Why? Are you not finish or something you've got to do here in Japan?"

"Well I have my reasons though, but personally Japan is where my heart belongs. I know it's a bit cheesy, but don't you agree? I—" I was just taken aback by what Ren had said. Honestly, he's not talking about him being an actor in Japan. Obviously, he was talking about Kyoko-chan over there. I wanted to jump, squeal, or anything just to release my strained excitement. I wanted to shout, Kyoko-chan, Ren had come back because of you. He was still pursuing you! My thoughts were interrupted by none other than the subject of this discussion. For some reason, Kyoko-chan, who had been quiet ever since Ichiro introduced himself, had chosen to interrupt this time.

"I'm so sorry Ren!" while bowing and clasping her hands. "Ichiro! You don't know Ren Tsuruga? He is your sempai—BAKA!" She turned to Ichiro to give him a lecture and then turned to us.

"I'm so sorry about that." Kyoko was still bowing.

"No, it's fine." Ren told her. Kyoko looked up at him and for some unknown reason, stepped back, which in my opinion was a very trivial movement.

"Ren, Yashiro I'm really sorry. Thanks for the offer though, but I got to go. We need some catching up to do, so see you next Monday." And she waved her hand and grabbed Ichiro and headed towards the exit. When they were gone, I remembered that I was still with Ren. I faced Ren and I faced hell itself.

"Yashiro, let's go. I'll drop you off to your apartment."

"Okay. 'gulp'" This should be a long ride.

Normal POV

'Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!'

Kyoko was hitting her head a few times, since she had lined up to buy their coffee. The woman behind the counter, even though was used to see Kyoko like that, was still bewildered to witness another weird act Kyoko was pulling off to herself. She didn't want to disturb Kyoko, but she needed to ask what she wanted.

"Ah, Kyoko-san, are you alright?" This brought her back to her senses.

"I'm just ah… chasing out my headache?"

"More likely catching one." And Rui laughed.

"Lame right?" Rui just nodded.

"I know it's just that I'm just stupid and this is my punishment." Rui just smiled at the charming actress.

Even though Kyoko was weird in some moments, Rui couldn't hate or despise the actress. Despite the fact that she was so famous, she was also beautiful, though humble and respectful, not like any snob actress living. Besides, there was no boring day if Kyoko was around.

"So Kyoko-san what is your order?"

"Oh, right!"

"Don't tell me you just lined up to show me you are hitting yourself." Rui teased the embarrass actress.

"No, of course not, Rui-san! Ahmm… I would love some heaven's gate and strawberry cakes and 2 cappuccinos."

"Coming right up!"

Sweet picks Café which Kyoko and Ichiro were, was a small café inside the LME premises, which was exclusive for entertainers. That's why. Kyoko didn't need any disguises of some sort to hide her identity, knowing that she was now famous.

Kyoko walked towards their table with their orders. All the while, Ichiro Sanaki was eyeing her every move from when Kyoko had lined up until she reached their table. He even saw her hitting herself, which he didn't ask anymore, knowing that it was Kyoko after all.

"So how's France? Any story you want to share?" Kyoko asked as she stirred her cappuccino.

"Like what? Like how many beautiful ladies tried to invite me for dinner and lunch, even breakfast?"

Kyoko raised her eyebrow. "Ichi! You're so full of yourself. Seriously?"

"Well, what do you want me tell you?" Ichiro chuckled, and then continued to munch his strawberry cake.

"Well, how about telling me the wonderful places you've seen?"

Truth be told, Kyoko wanted to go to France. It was the dream of her chef's side, but it's the nightmare of the other. There were many kinds of pastries and recipes she had wanted to try. She would like to visit every nook and corner of France, except the City of Love: Paris.

And so Ichiro had told her tales of his adventures in France, but Ichiro just wanted to lighten the atmosphere first before he dropped the bomb. Ichiro couldn't possibly not know Ren Tsuruga and acted like Ren was just a newbie. Of course, he had a reason for his behaviour. And so the bomb was dropped, catching Kyoko off-guard.

"So, Ren Tsuruga is back for real?"

Surprise wasn't the right term to describe Kyoko's inner turmoil. But shock was evident on her face. Who wouldn't be? Shifting the topic to your least wanted one—worst the topic you tried your hardest to avoid from the very start. So you can imagine the tornado of emotions inside Kyoko. Even so, Kyoko answered but a bit hesitantly.

"Y-yah…"

Ichiro watched Kyoko's reaction from happiness to complete confusion and panic. He didn't intend to cause such a reaction to the said actress, but there were things which were needed to be asked.

"I thought I heard his name somewhere…"

Even though Kyoko's state of mind was wrapped in a whirlwind, her instincts took control over her mind. Without thinking just by the orders of her instinct the most unthinkable had happened.

SLAM!

"Wah?—Ichi! Ren Tsuruga is THE REN TSURUGA!"

Unthinkable right?

"Ren Tsuruga is the most desirable man in Japan! The most wanted Bachelor of the Rising Sun. The Prince of the acting world! The number one actor of LME!"

*BLINK*

*BLINK*

*BLINK*

A moment of silence, Ichiro was too stunned to speak. But a moment later, Ichiro found his mind working back again to form concrete sentences.

"Oh, okay Kyoko. I know that. I've read those aliases as the headlines of every article about him. Now, could you please sit down?"

Realizing that she had let her instinct controlled her again and finding herself as the center of attention of the diners in the café, she sat down blushingly. Luckily, there were only a few diners at that time.

"I'm sorry to embarrass you Ichi-kun."

"No, it's okay. You just, ahm—been swayed by your respect to that Ren Tsuruga."

Kyoko ignored her instinct at that time, even though she really wanted to correct Ichiro very much for some unknown reason for her.

"Oh, Ichi, I know you. I know you perfectly know Ren Tsuruga. After all, the two of you are always in the top ten of the most eligible bachelor. And we both know that Ren and you are one of the top entertainers in LME."

"Of course, I know him. 'sigh' Well, it's just that he had finally decided to come back in the entertainment world. Besides, I want to see Ren losing his composure once in a while. "

Kyoko just stayed quiet.

"Ever since he had left for America for three years, there wasn't any actor who was good as Ren. Besides, it's boring to do my best if my rival is not there."

Kyoko didn't give any reply.

"And now that he is back, I'm sure he is going to be offered many leading roles in dramas, movies, commercials—anything in showbiz."

Kyoko just listened, letting Ichiro's words exited to her other ear.

"Hey Kyoko, if I'm not wrong, the two of you are close friends right?"

Kyoko didn't hear Ichiro's question. She was too preoccupied by some things in her mind.

"Ahm… Kyoko? Are you listening to me? Kyoko?" Ichiro waved his hand in front of Kyoko attempting to catch her attention.

Ichiro's attempt seemed to be effective.

"W-w-wha-what?"

"Kyoko are you even listening to what I'm saying to you?"

"Ah hai! I'm sorry, but I didn't hear your last question. But I promise you I'm really listening. It's just that my mind just wandered a bit."

Ichiro stared at her. Even though she was lying, he wouldn't be angry to her or anything. He just repeated the question again.

"Do you know why Ren leave?"

And Kyoko wished she didn't ask to repeat the question. She was dreading for that question. The truth was she didn't know the answer either. And it's still bothering her up until now to why Ren leave Japan three years ago. And to why Ren… she didn't continue the other one.

"I'm sorry Ichiro. I really don't know the answer to your question."

"But aren't you curious about the reason?"

Kyoko shook her head but her heart nodded.

"Ahw… But I have a hunch to his reason."

This caught Kyoko's attention. "And what might that be?"

"Maybe the rumoured secret girlfriend of Ren Tsuruga?" Kyoko's heart had suddenly lose the will to beat for a moment.

"And why is that your hunch?"

"It's just a hunch." And her heart had suddenly started to beat again, but for some reason she believed Ichiro's hunch, which wasn't a good idea.

"Anyway Kyoko, I'm just really curious. By any chance, do you and Ren have a relationship?" This made Kyoko wasted her cappuccino.

'cough' 'cough' 'cough'

"Here's a napkin."

"Sorry Ichi-kun, I'm just so surprise at your question."

"Sorry if it's a bit."

'You think?' Kyoko wanted to reply that but chose not to. "Of course not Ichi-kun! For crying out loud, he's my most respected sempai."

But Ichiro didn't believe that, everyone would see that their sempai-kuohai relationship was a bit suspicious. "Of course, but I thought the two of you are close or some sort."

'Of course, we're very close, very, very close. But I'm so stupid to see that we're just that. Not for eternity just like what he promised.' Was the answer which was running through her mind and broken heart, but had put a hold on herself before she had let it slip.

"Yes, we've become close. Close friends." Ichiro sensing that Kyoko didn't want to continue the topic decided to hold it for a while. And so, they continued their cakes and cappuccino and decided to go home afterwards.

On their way home, Ichiro didn't completely forget about their topic a while ago. He wanted some confirmation before he would do such moves.

"Kyoko by any chance, are you the rumoured secret girlfriend of Ren Tsuruga?"

And the car had drifted to the left drastically.

Kyoko lose focus for a few minutes, luckily they were the only car on the road. The car was back from its original lane. "Ah…No. Ichi-kun..." seconds went by "We've talked about this right. I said, I really don't know the girl and… the reason Ren left the country and… we didn't be a couple."

But Kyoko knew the mystery rumoured girlfriend of Ren Tsuruga damn well. She knew her so well that up until now she was hurt by the decision of Ren to leave the country leaving his girlfriend. She knew her damn to the core for she WAS that girl.

"And, I assure you Ichi-kun, that Ren being in a secret relationship and his mystery girlfriend were just rumours." Every word was like a dagger, stabbing deeper and deeper to her heart.

While driving towards her home, Ichiro's words still rang to her ears.

"Kyoko, if something happens, don't hesitate to tell me okay?"

Was she that predictable now? Were her emotions starting to go beyond the mask she had created? Was her mask, good for concealing her sadness, beginning to crumble ever since Ren had arrived? These questions were the only things which were occupying her mind now. Even though she was greeted by her mother Okami, she was still disturbed.

Okami, seeing her daughter looking tired, lost, confused and fighting her inner battle couldn't help not to hug her daughter. As Kyoko had felt the comforting hug of her mother, she couldn't stop the tears flooding her golden amber eyes.

"Don't worry dear, everything will be alright."

Ichiro's body was sprawled on his bed. He was thinking. And his suspicions and hunches were still hazy but soon it would be confirmed. However one thing was for sure, Ren Tsuruga had really had a secret girlfriend which was known by Kyoko or rather Kyoko was the mystery girlfriend of Ren.

Ichiro met Kyoko months after Kyoko had debuted from showbiz. Ichiro was one of the most wanted bachelors of Japan. He was always on top ten. He was also one of the top actors of LME. But of course, Ren was the top on both categories. Ichiro saw Ren as a rival in acting and of course in being a bachelor. Ren on the other hand, treated him equally.

Ichiro had fallen instantly to Kyoko's charms. Even though, Kyoko usually said that men couldn't possibly fall for her charms. Men who thought of her as attractive were attracted to her character, that's what her usual reason. Ichiro had worked with Kyoko on one project, and he was mesmerized instantly again by Kyoko, from then on, he tried to court Kyoko but to no avail. The reason was the one and only Ren Tsuruga.

Each and every time he tried to charm Kyoko, Ren was at her side or her friend Kotonami, but it's usually Ren. Even so, he didn't give up courting Kyoko, and then one day he had told Kyoko the truth. But he was rejected. He had seen that coming, because of the mere presence of Ren. He had a hunch that Ren was also in love with Kyoko, and the feeling was mutual but he didn't know at that time if the two of them get together.

Even though Ichiro had courted Kyoko and rejected by the same actress, they were still friends. They became close friends but not the same closeness as to Kyoko and Ren. The closeness was somewhere, near the boundary of closeness of Kyoko and the other people she had treated as a family. Of course, Ren was exempted.

However the day that he had waited the most had finally came, the day when Ren would be going to America hastily. He could sense that Kyoko was the most affected person for his absence. But he was more shock to know that Kyoko was pregnant. And the father was not named nor known by the people, only by the closest people to Kyoko, not including himself. However he had a guess to who was the father of Rinko, but couldn't find any non-arguable proof.

Ichiro couldn't find the courage to ask Kyoko. Besides he knew that her answer would be always the silence. But he couldn't bear to see Kyoko crying, most of all didn't want to face the poisonous words and slap of Kanae, for making Kyoko cried.

Even though there were still some gaps and missing puzzle pieces, he won't let his guard down. Now that he knew that he was near the boundary. He wanted to protect Kyoko from him again, from causing Kyoko such pain. Or else he would lose again to him.

"Ren Tsuruga, you're already late."

Another man was slumped on his couch. He was depressed again. A scotch was on his left hand. He had promised to his manager of his that he would be resting tonight and wouldn't drown himself to misery because of the scene earlier.

'shatter' 'shatter' 'shatter'

The sound of the thrown glass echoed the room. He remembered again, the blasted scene of Kyoko and Ichiro and how Kyoko was radiating like that. He didn't know what to do, from now on. Even though no words were spoken, it was as loud as a thunder.

"Ichiro Sanaki, I accept your challenge."He scooped the bottle of scotch and drank it. "I believed that I could make up for the lost time." But even he, himself wasn't confident enough to make himself believe his words.

"I will get back Kyoko…" He drank again. And the words that he had chosen to bury in his mind were stumbling down.

"Will I?"

For some unknown order of the universe, he thought about Rinko. He had totally forgotten the child and her relation to Kyoko. Like being woken up by a cold bucket of water, Ren sat up straight.

"Who in the name of the gods is the father of Rinko?"

- end of chappie -

And I'm very sorry to just update now. I really am. Here's a virtual me doing a dogeza… It's just that I was sandwiched by my exams and papers and exams and papers. I'm thinking of many ways to apologize to all of the readers. Anyway this was one of the ways, I updated this chapter.

And another sorry for the wrong grammar and spelling and grammar again…

*Okami treated Kyoko like her real daughter, and the same goes to Kyoko.

*** Did Ichiro remind you of someone hateful? Just kidding.. his airiness was the only trait so far in this chapter that I tried to imitate but poorly.

If it isn't too much, please leave a comment. Thank you.