Unedited.
Standard disclaimer applies.
'Dawn'
"Mom, are you okay?" The surprised expression on his mother told it all. She remained standing beside him, lips were slightly ajar. He noticed his Grandpapa walking to their post with his wife at the back of him. He wondered what was happening. Why was her mother acting like she was cornered with no place to run?
"Honestly, I don't know what I should do with you. You didn't show up for so many years and now you see us and you are neglecting our presence!" The tone used by Kuu made Moru afraid to speak. The kid wanted to interrupt but was held back due to reason unknown to him. The tension created by Kuu made him not to do so. He looked up his mother, her lips was starting to tremble. Why was Grandpapa angry at her? And Grandmama, how could she remained quiet at times like this?
"Kuu-otousan."
"Ungrateful kid." he muttered under his breath.
"I-I'm s-sorry," she was looking at the floor with a trembling voice.
"Can you at least look here? Is the floor more interesting than your father?" Immediately, her head lifted with anxiety still intact but she was surprised to see Kuu's smiling expression and Julie's arms offering for an embrace, "Welcome back." Hearing those words, her eyes involuntarily produced tears as she ran to the couple together with Moru. The last time she met them was when the couple invited her to America for a three-day vacation.
The Hizuri couple personally picked her up at the airport. She was bombarded with Julie's sudden embrace. This was the first time of their meeting yet, Julie treated her like a daughter and it warmed her heart. She wondered if this was the feeling of the warmth of a mother.
At the Hizuri's place, Julie enthusiastically toured her around the house. They gave her the guest room to stay in. After dinner, she curiously asked out of the blue about Kuon. Not only she supplied her details bit by bit, she also showed her his photo albums.
Her eyes turned to saucers when her eyes darted at the first page of the second photo album. It was 'Corn' her fairy prince! She stared at the picture in disbelief. He really looked like the 'Corn' from her childhood. Unknowingly, she blurted it out. The older female watched her expression as she told her about her fairy prince in Kyoto. She confirmed that it was Kuon. Apparently, they travelled there when he was ten.
"It really is 'Corn', and he's wearing a princess outfit." she still couldn't believe that he was not really a fairy. This earned a couple of laughers coming from the couple.
But what made her eyes turned wide the second time was when she saw Tsuruga Ren's photos at the last page of the third album together with a blond hair green eyed male who looked identical to him apart from his eyes and hair colour. That was really a surprise. Confusion was written in her eyes as Julie narrated things about Kuon, never noticing Kyoko's reaction but that didn't escape from Kuu's gaze. He knew that someday, she'll have to know about his son but he was not expecting that the someday he was talking about was today. Crap. His son will definitely curse him if he knew.
Kyoko looked at him, feeling the need of explanation. She remembered how Kuu and Ren met when she was acting as 'Kuon' but the two didn't even recognize each other as father and son.
His sigh could be heard echoing the living room as the confirmation about Ren Tsuruga as a Hizuri was known to Kyoko. He told her about him going to Japan and of course, skipping parts about his past. Kuon will handle that one.
"I thought Grandpapa was mad for real!" Moru exclaimed as he drank the remaining juice in his glass.
"Are you frightened Moru-chan?" Julie smiled at the kid as Kyoko wiped the remaining bits of cake at the side of his lips, "Grandpapa is just acting." A slight nod was earned from the kid.
"Moru-chan, how did you meet Grandpapa and Grandmama?" His mother enthusiastically asked. Remembering how they met, he couldn't look at his mother. He never told her about that incident. "Moru-chan?" Hesitatingly, he eyed his Grandmama as if asking for rescue. Julie's eyebrows twitched wondering what Moru was trying to say with his pleading eyes.
Will his mom be angry for not telling? A try wouldn't hurt right? Err, maybe her mom would scold him with a worried face. But he never wanted to make her feel distressed. What should he do?! "M-mom, we met at-"
"At his school, Kyoko-chan." Julie winked at Moru, he then smiled. "Thank you Grandmama."
Having a little uncertainty about Julie's statement she innocently inquired, "But he just transferred here weeks ago."
"No dear, at his previous school at the-" Right, Grandmama didn't know his previous school. "Yes mom, I met them while I was waiting for uncle." Well, he did really meet someone there but it was Hizuri-san instead of the couple. He peeked at his mother's reaction hoping that she will believe his reasoning.
"I see." A triumphant smile formed in his lips as he made an eye-to-eye contact with his Grandmama. She winked at him in return.
As they leave the mall, the couple offered to drive them home. Kyoko accepted their offer for they made no room for her to second. Moru fell asleep in Kyoko's lap so they had a chance to talk things- things that Kyoko couldn't talked about in front of Moru. She least expected this.
"Kuon," Kuu started, referring obviously to Kyoko. "Are you married?"
She breathed in and out, contemplating whether to tell the real situation or not. If ever she slipped even a word, they will discover the truth and she didn't want them to find it out. Especially it is a matter concerning him, her "Corn". She wouldn't want to be an inconvenience to him, his career is on peek. Moreover, he might never believe her—she didn't want to be placed in a position where Ren would deny Moru. She promised to herself that she would never let anything hurt her child even if it is his own father. She didn't know if it was cowardice or selfishness but deep inside her heart, she wouldn't want Kuon to hate them.
"I'm happy together with Moru-chan." That didn't really answer the question. She could see what was next to come.
Unsatisfied with her far from the topic answer, Kuu was somehow puzzled. "How about his father?"
She was afraid to even raise her head to look at them in the eye; they might found out that it was a lie, "He's not here."
"I thought Moru-chan is Kuon's little version if only their hair color is the same." She almost jumped from her seat upon hearing this given that it was only a joke coming from Julie. "Kidding aside, have you met Kuon?"
Her voice was a little bit cracked but it seemed like the couple didn't notice it, "Y-Yes, we worked together in an advertisement and we will be working in an incoming movie this y-year."
"I hope you're getting along well, tell me if Kuon is doing something inappropriate with you"
"S-something inappropriate?"
"I mean, if he's bullying or making things hard for you. You're like a family to us. We care of you as much as we care for Kuon. So Kyoko-chan if there are things bothering you or you are uncomfortable with, like problems, feel free to call us." The couple's chuckle echoed through their ride.
"Ye-yes, thank you."
"Does Kuon know about Moru?"
"W-what?"
"Have you introduced Moru to Kuon?"
"Not yet, but they met twice."
"Oh the coincidences, it's amazing. Kuon will surely like Moru-chan."
"Y-yeah." What would be his reaction if he'll discover that she is Moru's mother? He's quite interested in Moru. What should she do?
"Honestly, I'm really hoping that you will end up exchanging vows with our Kuon." It sounded like a joke but Julie was hinting something, she could feel it. Kyoko just kept quiet, feeling speechless. How she wished. But she knows that Kuon would never felt that way to her. She then remembered their conversation as Bo about his seventeen year old love. Was he able to tell his feelings for her? A pang of ache scratched her heart. Right. She could never be that girl who (without even knowing) can twirl Kuon at the palm of her hands. She could never be the person whom he even thought of at the middle of his busy schedules. She could never be the one whom he will prioritize at the end of the day. After all, with her plain looks and all, she could never be a match against that lucky girl.
Her train of thought was interrupted when they arrive at Kyoko's flat. Since she didn't want to wake Moru up, Kuu carried him to his bed, noticing Moru's photos on his bedside with Kyoko and a familiar man which he remembered Kyoko referred to as Fuwa Sho.
"Thank you for sending us home." Her polite bow was never forgotten even as she grown older.
"No problem." They exchanged goodbyes as they hop in the car. Kuu started the engine while Julie opened the windowed on her side to tell something to Kyoko. "By the way Kyoko-chan, can we have your time next weekend?"
The lady immediately agreed, "Thank you, we'll have a dinner in our flat." Kuu and Kyoko eyed her weirdly, "Dear?" Julie flashed a smile, "No worries, Kuu will cook. See you."
The drive was silent as they thread back to their flat when Julie interrupted it, "Kyoko-chan, she."
"What's with Kyoko?" asked Kuu.
"Didn't you feel it too? I felt she's hiding something."
"Something peculiar about her, maybe Moru?"
Julie suddenly let out a frustrated scream, "What will happen to our Kuon, didn't he love our Kyoko?"
Kuu grinned at his wife, "Honestly, I almost thought that he's Kuon's child. They kind of looked alike."
"I don't care even if he's not Kuon's child. Moru's adorable," she pouted like a kid.
"I know, I know. Kuon, he doesn't know about this right? I wonder how he'll react."
"Aww, poor Kuon, missing all his chances."
Kyoko inhaled a dosage of air before clicking the doorbell. Seconds later, it was opened by Julie who ushered them to come in with some greetings. She entertained them while waiting for Kuu to finish cooking. Kyoko insisted on helping out but Kuu said that he can do it and asked Moru to accompany him instead to the kitchen.
"Moru-kun," his attention from the stove transferred to Kuu. Kuu hesitated to ask but he ended up doing so, "This is a secret between us, promise me to never tell it to anybody even your Mom. "Deal?" he offered his hands for a handshake.
Moru mimicked his whispering as he shook his hands, "Deal. So what is it all about Grandpapa?"
Kuu looked around as if scanning his surrounding, eyeing if someone was there before speaking, "Tell me more about yourself kiddo."
The dinner went good as they shared stories about job and such. Moru also entertained them with his stories about school. Kuu noticed that whenever Kuon was mentioned, Kyoko would just keep quiet and agree on what they were saying. He made a mental note to observe her more. Earlier, Moru gave him some valuable information on how to fit the puzzle but one thing was still unsolved: Moru's father. She trust Kyoko and he knows that she was not liberated as the women these days, she had decency and of course a conservative nature. She would not do things she would regret later on especially if it was concerned on that part. She was a Love Me! pioneer for goodness sake. Obviously she lacked on the criteria of 'love'. But what actually happened was beyond words: her disappearance alone and reappearance with a kid (not that he was not fond of Moru). In fact he acknowledged him like a doting grandfather. He'll ask Lori about this.
On the other hand, the question she was expecting to reappear was not brought up and she was thankful for that. At the back of her mind, guilt was slowly consuming her. She didn't want Kuu and Julie to be deprived of their rights as her child's grandparents. She even felt guiltier whenever they treat Moru like their own grandchild. Confusions subsided again as she was trying to contemplate between her decisions.
The couple noticed her flinching on her seat; feeling distressed about something unknown but did not said a word about that. Hours later, Moru slept on her lap as he was tired playing with his grandfather. They were on the couch on the living room as Julie started to break the ice.
With reassurance on her voice she gently spoke, "Kyoko-chan, thank you for bringing up Moru-chan. You did well." Appreciation was written in Julie's eyes. Kuu gently tapped her shoulder. They accepted Moru-chan. She couldn't lie on them anymore. How could she lie on these people who put so much trust and love in her that she didn't even deserve to have.
She fought the urge to cry as she tried to keep her voice from shaking. "You wouldn't believe me." The couple kept silent, ushering her to continue. "Moru. H-He," she took a glance at the sleeping kid on her lap, as she tried to keep her body from trembling and not to wake Moru up. Kuu sat up, picking the child gently as he carried him in the guest room. Minutes later he came back with Kyoko's tears threatening to fall at any moment.
"Kyoko-chan, it's okay." Julie patted her back in a comforting manner. "No, please. I know I'm being unfair." Kuu stood in front of them as they only realize that he was long there standing.
"Moru's father," he started as if trying to state a logical reasoning but Kyoko beat him to it, dropping the bomb. "Kuon." The name, he knew that she was not referring to herself. It was Kuon, Kuon Hizuri, their son. He looked at Kyoko, now circled in Julie's embrace. He knew it. With Moru looking like a junior version of Kuon, he had no doubt that they are related. There was no uncertainty in there. Kyoko would never tell something like that if it wasn't the truth.
Kuon, he may be his son but no way in hell he's getting away with this especially it concerns about her daughter and grandchild. Now, let his inner demons be awakened.
It was ten in the morning when she received a call from Sawara-san that they passed the on the spot audition with Director Kudo Kite-san. What happened on the audition? The director asked them a nonsensical question as he commanded them to do their own interpretation whatever position assigned to them. Sawara-san also talked about getting Kyoko a manager since her schedule is getting tight as days gone by. TV offers, advertisements, endorsements and even music video appearances, she was getting them day after day. She was also informed that next week was the contract signing.
Today, Moru was together with his grandparents. The boy looked excited about his trip and he even woke up early to fix himself. She was surprised when he was already dressed as he woke her up even before the alarm clock did. After her revelation, they acted like it was normal and in fact they even believed her, excitedly telling her about their plan to tour Moru on the amusement park. They really love to spoil the kid. Even though she managed to admit it to them did not mean that she can also say the same thing to Ren. Thankfully, they gave her a room for her opinion and showed their support on whatever decision she may end up with, they will be there. She was really thankful to be part of their family.
The travel from her flat to LME was short. She took the elevator to go to the office only to see Kotonami Kanae boarding the same lift as her. She literally jumped to greet her good morning as he commented on how childish she gets and she comically tried to pull away from Kyoko's death hug. They entered the office together to get the script with Kyoko hoping that she will not encounter Tsuruga Ren for this day.
But luck was not on her side as he saw his eyes boring holes though out her frame as he emitted aura that she couldn't comprehend. He handed her the script that was designated for her. A full power was all she had used to prevent herself from acting unusual. But she knew better. Tsuruga Ren looked like he wanted answers from her and she didn't even know what was that all about. He sounded pleading but she knew that it was a statement. He never gave her an escape route.
"Kyoko-chan, we need to talk."
Rants will follow after this line, you can skip this.
With months of being gone, I revive again from the dead.
Words cannot explain how apologetic I am and how I want to slap myself literally. Honestly, I've been depressed for who knows how long. I couldn't make myself write happy things hence whenever I attempt to continue this chapter, I always end up writing a tragedy (literally and figuratively). The remnant of my vain self is still intact in this chapter.
For all those readers who did not give up telling me I should update soon, I owe this to you. Thank you for being patient and for continuing to read this thing. I'll be glad if you tell me what you think of this chapter.
~ Chocolat a'la folie