Disclaimer: I don't own Skip beat
Chapter 11: Changes, Confession, an Unwanted Kiss, and Scandal!
"Kyoko! Kyoko!" lovingly called a few of the talento's male fans after seeing her in a new advertisement for the drama.
Kyoko had gained much fame ever since the first episode of When Love Became A Weapon received high ratings. Many people predicted that the new drama would surpass even Dark Moon's rating, meaning that Love Became A Weapon might very well break the highest rating ever recorded in the entertainment world. Also, many movie magazines voted this drama as "the best" and "a must-see." Due to this succes, everyone recognized Kyoko, so she could no longer cross the street like a normal person without someone screaming her name. She also had her very own manager, who to Kyoko's delight was Yashiro's little sister. There was also an increase in her (primarily male) fanbase. But the most valuable result of the new drama's fame were the many open doors for the female talento: She received five offers in drama, three in movie, and a myriad of others in modeling and advertising that all presented choice female roles. But to Kyoko's disappointment, none of the offers had Ren as the male lead.
Yet despite all the wonderful changes, what made Kyoko worry so much was Ren's constant avoidance of her. Such an example occurred two days ago…
"Ren, this time I've made you sandwiches. I didn't know what kind you like, so I made a variety." Kyoko handed him a large bento box.
"Thank you," said Ren. "I don't like any particular sandwich, so anything is fine."
"Ren, I…"
"Sorry, Kyoko," Ren interrupted, "but I have an appointment with the president." Without another word, he left Kyoko standing, watching him go.
She later found out that Ren was lying to her, as Maria told Kyoko that her grandfather was out of the country for a few days. Kyoko thought back over her actions in the past week, looking for a mistake that might have made Ren avoid her, yet she found none. This upset her because she wanted to become closer to Ren. She was also concerned, because this wasn't Ren's typical behavior around her. It seemed as if he was trying to make some distance, not only physically but also emotionally. But why?
Another change that annoyed her to no end was that Sho always seemed to be nearby. Yesterday Kyoko saw him in the TV studio, two days ago at the shooting location, and in the last few weeks wherever she went, Sho was almost always there.
"Why are you here?" Kyoko asked after seeing Sho for the fourth time this week. This never happened—Sho always being in the same place as her—so Kyoko had succumbed to her curiosity.
"I have a job," answered Sho.
Kyoko stared at Sho, trying to decide if he was telling the truth or not. "You said that three days ago. Are you following me?"
"Humph, why would I be following you? You are nobody to me and not worth my time," Sho lied, trying to keep his cool attitude.
"I see, then I'm just being paranoid thinking that you're following me like some crazy stalker. I'm sorry, Fuwa-san, for misjudging you." Kyoko noticed as Sho flinched upon hearing her being so polite.
After the confrontation, Kyoko didn't give Sho's strange appearances a second thought. She just figured that Sho had nothing better to do and decided to treat him just like her other coworkers—polite, but that's all.
Sho misunderstood Kyoko's behavior and believed that she had already forgiven and fallen in love with him again. In his mind, it appeared that Kyoko and Ren were not as close as he'd thought before. Because of this, Sho decided to make his grand annnouncement to her. I'm sure Kyoko will be delighted to hear that I, the great Sho Fuwa and man of her dreams, am willing to take plain Kyoko as my girl.
"Where is Kyoko?" Sho asked one of the drama staff.
"I think she's still in flower field," answered the nearsighted crew member.
For the final scene in Love Became A Weapon, the setting was a flower field that was Rena's perception of heaven. In Rena's dream, this was where Gin would say goodbye forever.
Sho found Kyoko touching each and every flower, her expression filled with happiness. For those who knew her, it was obvious that she imagined herself in a fairy land.
Sho walked slowly, sneaking behind Kyoko and then suddenly hugging her.
"Kyaa!!" Kyoko shrieked in surprise and struggled to free herself. But her captor—a.k.a Sho—turned her around so that they faced each other. And then he kissed her.
At first Kyoko could not react from sheer shock. But the reality began to hit her, and she started to struggle and try to free herself. Yuck, this is not a kiss! It tastes terrible, not anything like Ren's kiss! Ohh, I really want to puke! Kyoko, incredibly sickened by the feeling of Sho's lips on hers, continued to struggle.
Sho ended his horrid kiss at last but continued to hold Kyoko in his embrace. Staring into Kyoko's eyes, he murmured, "I love you," and smiled, confident that Kyoko would accept his confession.
Managing to free herself from Sho's grasp, Kyoko slapped Sho in the face before quickly wiping her mouth. She wouldn't let Sho kiss her again, but the terrible taste still lingeried in her mouth.
"You are the most horrible person I have ever met!" yelled Kyoko.
"Oh please, don't lie to me. You loved me even when we were children, and I have no doubt you thoroughly enjoyed my kiss," Sho said smugly, convinced that Kyoko was only lying about not wanting him.
Kyoko was incredibly angry. This person is a complete narcissist! And how dare he kiss me and say so confidently that I enjoyed his kiss?!
Kyoko put her hand on Sho's shoulder, gave a sweet smile, pulled Sho to her—and with all her power drop-kicked Sho's privates, a move she learned from an action movie. "Enjoyed?! How could you say that?! That is the worst kiss I've ever had, and it can't even compare with Ren's kiss!"
Kyoko was well aware Sho really hated being compared to Ren, especially if he was the loser. Yet at the same time Kyoko realized that what she said was also the truth. "It was so terrible, it made me want to puke! And as for your confession, I don't love you! Even when we were children, you were only my childhood friend (and temporary crush, but I won't ever tell you that), nothing more! In fact, I don't want to ever see you again!" she shouted, leaving Sho still jumping in pain from Kyoko's kick.
The two of them did not realize a reporter had caught that moment with her video camera and heard every word. She smiled widely, excited because she had some real dirt on two of some of the most famous people in Japan.
The next morning, HOT, the number-one magazine for celebrity gossip, showed a picture of Kyoko kicking Sho in his sensitive nether regions on the first page. To make things worse, many major television channels played and replayed footage of Sho's confession from start to end.
"Good morning, Moko," greeted Kyoko, not aware that her name was being spoken by almost everyone—especially women, because she called Sho a terrible kisser and Ren an excellent one. "How was your new job? I heard from Sawara-san that you got an offer from director Toto for his new movie."
"Kyoko, look at this," Moko said grimly, handing her a copy of HOT.
Kyoko eyes widened as she recognized the pair in magazine. "How did this picture get taken? I thought it was just the two of us in there!"
"I dunno, but everyone already knows about this. I figured you'd be hounded by the media to give a statement, and I didn't want them to catch you by surprise, so you better be prepared," said Moko.
"Thanks." Kyoko read the article, wanting to know what the media was writing and to prepare for any questions.
Disastrous Love Confession!
Everyone knows that Sho Fuwa and Kyoko were childhood friends—but who knew Sho was in love with her?! His confession that I'm sure is a dream for many girls in Japan is not for Kyoko, apparently. Kyoko not only rejected his confession but also hit Sho in his "little brother," even going so far as to say that Sho's kiss was so terrible it made her want to lose her lunch! To rub salt on the wound, she added that it couldn't even compare with Ren's kiss! Really, it makes us wonder how good being kissed by Ren must be! Blah blah blah...