Sad Eyes
Summary: Kyoko was unprepared when Ren made the mistake of showing his true feelings, and she ran away. Now she is more mature, but is unwilling to forgive herself for her childish action. Will Ren be able to win his way back to her side before another steals her heart?
Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of the manga's characters. All of the rest is the invention of my odd, restless mind.
Chapter 11 – Dinner Theater
Rain and storms can be the bane of the hotelier. Vacationers leave their homes to visit other places, fully expecting that the weather will be fine and that everything will be right with the world. They forget that they have only changed location, and that weather is weather, regardless of how much was paid for their family vacation. And when they get rain instead, who do they blame? Certainly not themselves for failing to check the weather forecast. No, they blame everyone else.
That Saturday morning the ryokan was full to capacity… with unhappy guests. The rain had started two days before and it hadn't stopped or even slowed since then. That weekend was the Island's traditional ocean bird festival, an event that drew multitudes from the mainland and even from other nations. Now it looked like the entire event would be a failure, because even the birds were in hiding. Friday had been fine. Even vacationers can abide with one day of heavy rain, but by the second day everyone was becoming bored and irritable.
All morning long, the guests, and even some of the townspeople, had been lounging in the spacious dining hall, eating and sipping tea. Kyoko and her small staff worked diligently and tried their best to keep the atmosphere pleasant. Unfortunately, even bored, people can only eat and drink so much, after that…
Thankfully, the solution to the disastrous day came in the form of the boisterous and seemingly carefree mayor. He swept in at mid-morning, his hands full with a large bundle. He planted his feet squarely in the middle of the dining room, looked toward the kitchen, and called out, "Morishita, come out and face me!"
Kyoko was alarmed at the normally pleasant mayor's manner, but her two trainees merely smiled. The dining hall was silent as everyone forgot their own concerns and watched the robust man inquisitively. When no response came from the kitchen, Mayor Namura again called out, "Morishita, come out and face me! Or are you finally admitting that I am the better man?"
Maki and Satoko, smiling broadly, opened the storage door and rolled out one of the small low-tables. Morishita walked, or rather stomped out of the kitchen, knuckles on his side. "Look around you, you annoying government parasite. Can't you see that I'm busy?"
"Oh ho!" the mayor leaned back and laughed at the ceiling dramatically, "Oh how the mighty have fallen! To imagine that I would see the day when the Great Morishita would back down from a challenge!" Even as he said his last sentence, Maki took the bundle from his hands, sat it on the table, and began unwrapping it. Kyoko relaxed as she saw the ornate game board inside.
Namura sat with exquisite dignity, arms akimbo, and stared down the elderly Taisho. Morishita Kazue walked out and stood beside his great uncle, clearly as bewildered as Kyoko had been. With a dignity matching the mayor's, the Taisho turned to face his assistant untied his knife-belt and apron, and handed them ceremoniously to the younger man. After that, with a "harummph" of disdain, he sat facing the mayor.
The attentive crowd in the dining room saw the board and reacted in different ways. Some sighed in relief, glad to see that it was nothing more serious. Others turned away, annoyed for the same reason. Some became excited, anticipating what promised to be an interesting match. Others, those who preferred to participate rather than watch, began to lose interest immediately. Once again, it was Mayor Namura who offered a solution. "Before I take away your dignity, perhaps we should make this more interesting: You have more boards, right? How about a tournament?" The mayor gestured towards the guest majestically and smiled broadly, "If anyone here would like to accept the challenge, we will hold a Go tournament. If you should defeat all challengers, then Morishita-Taisho will give you one night's stay for free."
As the guests started talking among themselves, Morishita surged up from the floor to face across the table, "You doddering old politician, what do you think that you're doing, giving away my income?"
"So," Mayor Namura puffed up his chest haughtily, "You're afraid, are you? All of those years of cooking mediocre food over a hot stove have weakened your resolve, Taisho. I'm disappointed."
Kyoko, was becoming concerned again, until she saw her two friends grinning behind their hands. She moved over and shooed them to the storage room. "Explain, please. Why do I get the feeling that things aren't what they seem?"
Satoko giggled, "Mayor Namuro and Taisho have been pulling this same prank since before we were born. Taisho is a 4 Dan Go player. He hasn't lost since he used to compete at tournaments on the mainland, a long time ago."
Kyoko let her breath out, unaware of how tense she had been, "And the Mayor?"
Maki nodded, "He's never competed, but he seems to be able to make the Taisho work to win. We should take more boards out." They worked together to gather the boards. While they were looking, Kyoko spotted a competitor's chart, ready for use. Kyoko shook her head in wonder. Her friends had been right; those two had done this before. She thought it was amusing, but it seemed foolish to play such a prank when the vacationers were already cranky.
She changed her mind when she stepped out of the storage room and saw the change in the dining hall. Instead of irritation and boredom, the atmosphere in the hall had changed to interest, and even excitement. She heard the reason for their change in attitude before she saw it. Smack. Smack. Smack. When the crowd parted to make room for her passage, she realized that the sound was coming from the two opponents slapping down the rounded pebble-like Go pieces. Already, in the short time it had taken to visit the storage room, the game was in full play. Go was a game that was popular throughout Japan, and nowhere more popular than in Kyoto, so she had seen the game played since early childhood. She wasn't much of a player herself, but she could recognize true skill; these two men had it.
When the vacationers saw what Kyoko, Maki, and Satoko were carrying, there was a rush for the boards. Kyoko quickly realized that she needed to regain control of the situation, so she became the consummate okami-san again. With a pleasant smile, a graceful air, and firmness of command she organized the room and distributed the boards. Choosing several non-players as observer-recorders, she set up the tournament board and placed Maki, who understood tournaments, in charge. Once the games were underway, she and Satoko stepped back and began serving customers again.
In the ten minutes since Mayor Namura had marched into the ryokan, the entire atmosphere had changed. While people were still disappointed about the rain, they were no longer sullen and angry. For the moment, at least, they were pleasantly distracted. Kyoko caught the mayor's eyes and he nodded at her with a boyish grin. Satoko walked up next to her and said, "Well, that really helped to brighten the morning."
Kyoko agreed, "True… but lunch service will begin in two hours, and even this tournament won't keep them happy forever."
"I know," Satoko replied, grinning, "but I have an idea."
Yashiro Yukihito was pleased and concerned. He was pleased that Tsuruga Ren was back on his feet and back on set, but he was concerned because of the pace that Ren was keeping. "Ren, you should really should be taking it easier. You haven't fully recovered yet, and…"
"Did you arrange my schedule in the way I requested?" Ren asked patiently.
"Yes, of course. But rather than set up a month's vacation, shouldn't you just take it slower now? You might end up in the hospital again."
Ren startled Yashiro by placing a hand on his shoulder. Yashiro had only succeeded in getting Ren to use his given name twice, and the tall man was never demonstrative. He turned slightly to look at Ren's face. There was something new there. The defeated look was gone and something new had taken its place. There was a fire in his eyes. "I'm going to find Mogami Kyoko and bring her home, Yash… Yukihito… and I'm going to need your help."
Yashiro beamed, almost slipping into fan-girl mode, but he restrained himself, knowing that his friend needed something more. "I will help you, Tsuruga Ren. You two belong together. I knew it in my bones. You need each other. But… how do we find her?"
They reached Ren's car and climbed in. After backing out of his parking space and turning onto the road, Ren replied, "People know where she is. I'm positive that Takarada Lory knows, but he will not tell me. Maria-chan loves Mogami Kyoko like a big sister, and yet she hasn't been distraught at all about her disappearance. She even went to the United States to spend the summer with her father. I'm sure that she knows where Kyoko is, but she would never betray the secret, even to me. There are probably others as well. Hizuri Julie has also met with her, but she also refuses to share her location. I can't explain why, but I believe that she is in Japan."
While Yashiro waited for Ren to continue, he pondered the information about Hizuri Julie. It had seemed strange to him when he had seen Ren talking to the beautiful American former super-model the day before. Ren had never mentioned knowing her, but they had been talking like old friends…
Ren turned his eyes from the road for a moment, "Kyoko may have been considered plain at one time, but she's become much more." He returned his eyes to the road and talked almost to himself, "Even in disguise, she's too… how do I describe it when she doesn't even see it herself? Now that she's found her talent, she's really come alive. She's like a beacon that draws people to her. Wherever she is, I will guarantee you that she's having an impact on those around her." He stopped the car at a red light and turned to face Yashiro again, "So we'll start by checking out the local news all over Japan. If Kyoko's in Japan, she's probably making news."
Kyoko was becoming irritated. Over the last year she had grown used to unwanted male attention. She understood that the combination of her mysterious past and her sudden appearance on Ukita Island had lent her a false allure. She also realized that her successful creation of her graceful and gracious Okami-san persona made her seem attractive. So when several different men became attracted to her and tried to seek her attention, she was able to understand and tolerate their advances. In most instances, she was able to turn them aside by a kindly rejection or, when necessary, by ignoring them.
It didn't always work. There were a few persistent ones, like Yasamura Fujimoto, who continued to appear despite her words on the night of the tea ceremony. He had spent the previous afternoon trying to persuade her to take a shopping trip to the mainland with him. And of course, there were the annoying rumors about her and Police Chief Takage. Perhaps it was natural to assume that she might have feelings for him, since they spent many free hours together, and since he was a very handsome man. Couldn't people see that they were just good friends?
This afternoon, however, it was not the other young suitors, nor the annoying Fujimoto, nor the rumors about Takage Keitaro that were whispered behind her back. What was annoying her was the odd young man sitting in the corner of the dining hall. He had been there since before the beginning of the tournament, and he was still there after the lunch service. He had been staring at her for hours, and it was driving her crazy. What was worse, for some strange reason she couldn't keep from glancing back at him. He wasn't handsome; in fact he might be described as homely. He wasn't tall; he was of medium height, at best. Still, for some strange reason, her eyes were drawn to him. It was irritating.
The tournament had been just the right prescription for the tourist's frustration about the rain. Those who played Go, regardless of their level, jumped in and signed up to play. Those who did not participate either watched the various games, took up other games or wandered off to follow their own muse. As predicted by Maki and Satoko, the Taisho soundly defeated all challengers. Mayor Namura, after giving his older friend a run for his money, chose to wander around and visit instead of joining any more games.
When Kyoko tried to thank him, he brushed it off, "I was bored. My lovely wife was tired of me grousing around the house, so she kicked me out. What else was I to do?" Kyoko suspected that there was more to his actions, but wisely chose to let him play the part of the poor, misunderstood husband.
The tournament had wrapped up and the mollified crowd drifted off to their rooms or even braved the rain. Then everyone drifted back in as lunch service commenced. Kyoko had no idea when the annoying young man had walked in. Maki must have seated him while Kyoko was busy with a group table. She became aware of his presence when a tickle on her neck told her that someone was staring at her. She nonchalantly scanned the room and promptly met the young man's eyes. She nodded in polite acknowledgement, but she gave him no more notice after seeing that he had already been served.
As the meal continued and the first diners stood to leave, the young man remained. He always seemed to have enough on his table to justify his continued occupation of the precious seat, so there was little Kyoko could do about it. She was very aware that he was still watching her, however, and it was wearing on her concentration. It didn't help when his facial expression suggested that he was indulging in some private joke at her expense. As the Okami-san she usually made the rounds of all tables, trying to greet each customer at least once; but this young man somehow made her feel off-balance, so she avoided his table.
She regretted now that she had agreed to Maki's plan for the afternoon entertainment. Despite her repeated refusals to audition for the play Our Island, she had retained and almost memorized the extra script Satoko had given her. So when Maki suggested that they do a dramatic reading of the play and allow anyone interested to watch, she had agreed. Now, with the young man's disconcerting presence plaguing her senses, she was having second thoughts. It was too late, though, because Maki had already made several announcements about the event and had even redone the front menu-board to present an artistic invitation.
The rain outside had shown no evidence of slowing, so the disappointed vacationers gradually filled the dining hall once again at the appointed hour. Kyoko's original performance at the sleepover had so inspired her two friends that they had been practicing every spare moment. Kyoko, for her part, had secretly read and re-read the script so many times that she had almost memorized the entire thing.
The vacationers weren't really expecting much, so they were quite surprised when the pretty, young Okami-san changed personalities altogether and became the narrator/stage manager and delivered a strong introduction. Her diction and breath-control, her expressions and movements were perfect, and the audience was hooked. The two friends held their own, following the okami-san's example and changing their delivery with each character they read. Kyoko forgot her other concerns and ignored the young man in the corner as she reveled in acting once again.
Which is not to say that she was able to completely disregard the man. If anything, his expression had become more amused as the play went on. Her professional experience made her able to continue her performance without a mistake, but he was still wearing on her nerves.
There were others watching, of course, who were also fixated on her during her performance. Takage Keitaro seemed almost shocked at this undiscovered side of his friend. Morishita and his nephew had completed their work in the kitchen and they had come out to watch as well. They were both impressed; in fact, Kazue was watching her with respect for the first time. Several of the young male vacationers were sitting up straight with their shoulders squared, lest they catch her attention. And everyone seemed to be enjoying the script-reading.
Kyoko felt her usual sense of disappointment when the performance was over. She always felt so alive when she was acting. She had forgotten how much she had missed it. The audience was clapping enthusiastically, a sensation that she wasn't used to; drama sets were usually closed to the public. The applause was actually very thrilling. Maki and Satoko hugged their friend enthusiastically, themselves swept up in the moment. Many people stepped forward to thank and compliment the trio. Several of the young men tried their best to attract the notice of one or another of the three young girls as well. Takage, Morishita, and even Kazue stepped up and paid their respects. Then Maki stepped back and breathlessly said, "Okami-san, I have someone I want you to meet."
Excusing herself from two young men who were vying for her attention, Kyoko followed Maki. She wanted to stop and go some other direction when she realized that Maki was leading her to the corner table, where that annoying young man was sitting. The man saw their approach and looked at Kyoko with amused eyes. Maki stopped and turned so that she could face both of them. "Okami-san, please allow me to introduce you to my brother Morie… I mean, Nakatami Morihiro. Morihiro, this is my Okami-san, Asahi Fumiko."
The young man with the laughing eyes rose from his seat and bowed, European fashion. "I am pleased to meet you, Asahi Fumiko-san," Kyoko somehow sensed amusement in his voice when he spoke her name. "You read Our Island wonderfully, so I have to say that I'm very disappointed that you didn't audition."
Kyoko looked from Morihiro to Maki with a question in her eyes. Maki answered the unspoken question, "Did you forget? Morie wrote the script."
Kyoko's eyes went wide and she couldn't restrain a wide smile that lit up her face, "Of course! I apologize, Nakatami-san. It has been such an unusual and hectic day that I am no longer thinking straight. You have written a wonderful script, and it is amazing how you have incorporated the spirit and the feeling of Ukita Island into your version of the story."
Maki, her introductions complete, bowed and walked away to help another customer. Morie handsomely gestured for Kyoko to sit, and she did. Now that she was close to him, Kyoko revised her estimate of the young man's looks. He wasn't homely, he was just… different. Maki had a facial bone structure that would make her look beautiful when she matured into it. Morie had the same unusually sharp features, but he would never be handsome. But the sharp angles of his face did give him and exotic look, and they seemed to match his character. "I understand that you are a high school teacher?"
"That is an accurate, though incomplete job description. Ukita, being as small as it is, has a combined school beginning in elementary and continuing on through high school. We also offer satellite college courses through Tokyo University. I teach Middle School, High School, and College English, Literature, and Drama."
"That sounds like quite a lot." Despite her earlier annoyance with this young man, she felt drawn to him now.
He chuckled, "On paper it does sound impressive. In reality I teach seventy students, give or take. My real passion is writing and directing." Kyoko could almost feel the question in his gaze, "Just as your gift is clearly in acting. My sister bragged incessantly about the way that you read the last time, so I had to see for myself…" He paused as Maki, smiling widely, delivered tea to the table. Kyoko gave the girl a mock-scowl now that she realized that she had been set-up. Maki simply smiled wider and walked away. Morie continued, "Which brings me to my question: Why haven't you auditioned, Asahi-san? I have an empty role that only you can fill."
As much as Kyoko wanted to jump at the offer, she felt that she could not. She knew that she was probably being paranoid, but she feared that somebody might recognize her if she began acting again. She had told herself repeatedly over the last two days that she was being ridiculous and that nobody would remember her anyway, but her fears persisted. "I am sorry, Nakatami-san, but I have no interest in being on stage. My place is here, and I am content."
Morie leaned forward, his eyes intense, "I don't believe you."
Kyoko felt her cheeks flushing and she began to get angry at this young man's arrogance. Her earlier irritation at his constant staring came back in a rush. Unintentionally, she took on Natsu's disdainful expression and personality, "Well, Nakatami-san, I guess that I really don't care one way or the other what you believe. Now why don't you act like a good little boy and run along home?"
Nakatami Morihiro grinned triumphantly, as if he her actions and words were precisely what he had hoped for. Scanning the dining hall to make sure that nobody was close by, he spoke softly but confidently, "I'll make you a deal, Asahi Fumiko-san; if you'll act as the stage manager-slash-narrator in my play, I'll keep your real name to myself."
Yasamura Hikachimato, as the owner of eleven hotels, was able to insulate himself from the disgruntlement of the vacationers, but it hadn't helped his own foul mood. It had been weeks since he had first commissioned the private investigation into the identity of Asahi Fumiko, but he still had nothing. If any of the major hotel families were missing a daughter, then they were keeping it a secret. This meant that either her was wrong about her family ties or her family had intentionally sent the girl here to establish a relationship with Morishita.
His other efforts had failed as well. His useless son had failed to catch the young lady's attention. What was worse, the girl had captured Fujimato's interest, to the point that he was continuing his efforts to woo the girl despite his father's specific injunction. Those efforts were unsuccessfull; but it irritated the senior Yasamura that the girl had turned the tables on him. He had even been outwitted in his efforts to secure fingerprints. The family tea set that he had furnished for the tea ceremony that night should have rendered multiple fingerprints, but the young lady had carefully wiped each item at the end of the ceremony without him realizing what she was doing. Had he not been so incensed her response to his offers, he might have had the forethought to retain his cup after drinking, but he had allowed his overconfidence, and then his temper, to get the better of him.
His other project was not bearing fruit either. The young man had not been in contact with him once since his arrival, though reports showed that he was making inroads with the old man. Granted, there was really no need for contact until the inheritance was secured, but Yasamura Hikachimato liked to keep a close control on projects like this. I may not be able to do anything about that girl yet, but I can certainly remind that young man about who is in charge. He picked up the phone and dialed a mainland number. Morishita's niece was a greedy, grasping woman… just the type Yasamura liked to deal with in such circumstances. She would make sure that her son came over for a private talk.
Notes: I apologize for the long delay. I am spending the week high in the mountains of Montana in a cabin without electricity. It has been a wonderful week so far, but I did want to post this chapter. The nearest town was forty miles away, so now I am sitting in a Barnes and Noble, sending you my update. Anyway, please enjoy. The next update probably won't be available until next weekend.