Imperial Entanglements
Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of the characters from the Manga. This story is entirely fictional and is not meant to cast aspersions on the true Japanese Imperial Family in any way. None of the names, personalities, or events in this story reflect true events in any way. The true Japanese Imperial Court is intricate and complicated beyond the easy understanding of a foreign commoner such as me. Nevertheless, I'm confident that someone will still be offended by my characterization of this fictional family. For that I can only apologize.
Chapter 14 – The Shocking Confession
"Kyoko-chan, wake-up," a soft, pleasant but urgent voice commanded while two hands shook Kyoko awake. She twisted around and looked up to find the Okami-san's comfortable face looking down on her. Kyoko was bewildered for a few moments as she attempted to clear away the fog of her deep sleep.
Kyoko had a late start-time this morning, so she had intended to sleep in. Within the fog of her mind was the recollection of a rather pleasant memory… involving a handsome man… and yet she felt that the face of that man eluded her. Kyoko's contemplations were interrupted as the Okami-san said, "Kyoko-chan, you have a guest downstairs. I believe he was sent here by your employer."
Kyoko pushed her covers back quickly, "Forgive my sleepiness, Okami-san. Something must be wrong. I'd better hurry."
The kindly older woman laughed softly, "Kyoko-chan, you never know what may happen or who you will meet. Don't just grab the first clothes you see. Take the time to choose your clothing and to do your makeup. I'll help if you need it?" She tried to keep the hopefulness out of her voice. Over the past two years Kyoko had become more and more like a daughter in the older woman's mind. She was proud of the girl's fierce independence, but she did wish that the girl would lean on her for help occasionally.
Perhaps Kyoko sensed this, because she asked, "If it wouldn't be too much of an imposition, could you braid my hair?" As Kyoko put on her makeup, the older woman's gentle hands made quick work of her hair. In minutes Kyoko had two tight braids that were followed the contours of her head and were pinned at the nape of her neck. Spontaneously Kyoko reached up and squeezed the Okami-san's hand which was rested on her shoulder, "Thank you, Okami-san. It's beautiful."
"Kyoko-chan… you know that you don't work for us anymore…"
Kyoko flinched at the implication that she was failing in her original obligations, "I'm truly sorry. I've been so busy, but that isn't an exc…"
"No! I wasn't scolding you, Kyoko-chan. I'm simply saying that… I'm not your employer, so your formality isn't necessary anymore. Please call me Sayuri."
Kyoko's eyes grew alarmed, but she saw the longing in her Okami-san's eyes. "That is a beautiful name, Sayuri-sama. Thank you for honoring me… Oh! I'd better hurry!" She quickly jumped up, just missing the low ceiling before running down the stairs.
The Okami-san sighed, "Well, Sayuri-sama is progress, I suppose."
Sebastian, in his usual taciturn manner, never explained his reasons for collecting Kyoko so early in the morning. Kyoko rode in the back of the Rolls-Royce in the guise of a perfectly calm ojou-sama while her mind raced on the possibilities. Did I do something wrong? Is he planning on trying to make me take Shotaro's PV? Does he have some terrible new task to punish me for refusing the PV?
She wished that Moko-san was back from her modeling shoot in Sri Lanka. Kanae had avoided modeling originally, preferring to focus solely on acting, but her natural beauty led to repeated proposals and she finally started accepting them. As expected, these generated more requests. On the plus side, her modeling had also led to projects in two dramas. Unfortunately for Kyoko, it also meant quite a few trips out-of-country.
Kyoko needed her now. The events and conflicting emotions of the previous day… days in fact… were coming back in full force now that Kyoko was fully awake. Perhaps the apprehension of this sudden morning summons was weighing on her, but she was beginning to feel as skittish as a wild hare as they drove through the massive gate of the Takarada Estate.
Sebastian must have sensed her growing apprehension because he broke his customary silence and spoke as he held the door for Kyoko to step out, "You're among friends, Miss Kyoko. You needn't look so fearful."
Kyoko looked into the surprisingly kind eyes of Takarada's shadow and a smile crept onto her face for the first time since climbing into the Rolls Royce. "Thank you, Sebastian-san."
Fuwa Sho fidgeting irritably in his seat as he took in the sights of the incredibly ornate room around him. Shouko Aki sat primly beside him, while his company president, Fujimara Tojo, sat in a large chair facing the owner of the huge office, and the mansion, Takarada Lory. Sho never rose this early unless his muse woke him up, but the President of Akitoki himself had come to collect him that morning. Annoyingly, the man had refused to explain the reason for this gathering. "I think we should handle this all at once," was all that he would say.
Sho couldn't quite suppress a smirk as he compared his own boss, who was short, round and balding, to the eccentric oddball President of LME, who was tall and mustachioed with a full head of hair. Fujimara was dressed in his usual manner in a crisp, perfectly pressed Armani business suit. Takarada was lounging in a only Clark Gable-ish dressing gown with a long-stemmed pipe held in one hand… and yet he seemed almost regal in comparison to the President of Akitoki Inc… of course the effect would have been more complete if he weren't wearing huge brown bear-claw slippers…
All heads turned as one of the huge wooden doors opened and a man dressed as a chauffeur stepped into the room and held the door open. Sho's heart leapt in his chest as Kyoko, dressed in a simple but classy skirt-dress, took her own tentative step into the room. Her hair was done up in two braids that were pinned down stylishly, highlighting her sculpted face and slender neck, but it was her eyes that drew everyone's attention. Her soft, honey-golden eyes took in the people in the room and there was a sudden and distinct drop in temperature as the softness became hard.
For the first time Sho felt a deep sadness knowing that he was the cause of that hardness. Those fascinating eyes used to glow whenever he walked in the room. They had sparkled whenever Kyoko spoke about her "prince." The tears and pain in those eyes that had been caused by Mogami Saena were nothing compared to the hardness he saw there now. In a moment of epiphany Sho understood that everything that Shouko Aki had told him was true: he was entirely at fault… but could he ever repair the damage?
Kyoko glared at the boy who had shattered her heart so cruelly, expecting to see his usual arrogance. Instead she saw something different… something akin to sorrow. For a moment, only a moment, her heart lurched; but she quickly marshaled the rebellious organ back under control. This was the enemy and he was bringing the fight to her doorstep. Fine, let there be a fight.
Takarada Lory's deep, commanding voice interrupted the two former friends in their silent communication, "This is not what you think, Mogami-san. Please come in and take a seat. We have a problem."
The Empress sighed distractedly into her tea cup. This should have been a happy morning. The Emperor, her handsome husband, had arrived back from his trip late the previous evening. As was their custom whenever time and schedule allowed, the couple were enjoying a pre-dawn tea in their private dining area.
Many arranged marriages, especially high-profile marriages such as theirs, were emotionless and dry affairs of business; not so for their marriage. Even though they had been "arranged" shortly after Nozomi's birth, they hadn't met until she was seventeen. If it wasn't love at first sight for her, it was close. It hadn't been his looks, though he had been quite a handsome young man. It had been his eyes; so many of the people surrounding Nozomi, even her own father, had been calculating and stern. His eyes had show kindness, concern, and appreciation. Although he had been just as obligated as she, his first concern had been for her feelings.
Their marriage had been the stuff of newspaper and tabloid reporter's dreams. He was handsome, she beautiful, and together they were everything that Japan could hope for in a royal couple; it didn't hurt that they were so openly romantic as they looked at each other, held hands, or simply walked together. Their first ten years together had been wonderful. Time together had become much more difficult when his father had passed away and they suddenly found themselves Emperor and Empress. There is a misperception among commoners that the Emperor has now responsibilities, since the Imperial Family is a constitutional monarchy, and the true power rests in the hands of the Prime Minister and his government. In fact, if the Prime Minister is the head, then the Emperor and the Imperial Family is the heart of Japan. The position of the Emperor required him to work all of the hours of the day, and then some. Perhaps that is why the couple maintained this one private tradition. When they were both at the palace they woke early and shared a tea together, alone, and talked over private matters.
"That is your third sigh of the morning, Nozomi. Is it a matter that you don't wish to share with me?"
The Empress looked up in chagrin and pouted slightly, "I'm sorry, dear. I am feeling guilty this morning and I don't know how to repair the damage that I have caused."
The Emperor reached across the little round table and gently took his wife's slender hand in his, "Perhaps if you share the problem with me?"
"I'm afraid that I have thrown poor Kyouko-san under the wheels of the carriage," She used her free hand to trace the lip of her cup.
"How is that? Has Takahiro been…?"
"Of course not!" Nozomi said defensively, and then she softened her tone and said, "Sorry. He is different with her. She seems to be bringing the best out in him."
"I am sorry too. I know that I should be giving him the benefit of the doubt… it's just…"
"I know. It has been a while since we have been able to trust him. Still, I would like you to watch him now, dear. He is improving daily. He's even reenrolled in school. Surely that pleases you?"
The Emperor nodded, "Then why do you feel that you have harmed this young lady?"
The Empress sighed, "Because my night-staff received a call from Takarada-san earlier… It seems that an ambitious reporter found out about Mogami Kyoko's former relationship with Fuwa Sho, including the fact that she ran off to Tokyo with him. It will appear in this morning's issue of the Tokyo Daily News."
"You told me about that issue. Are you confident that their relationship was platonic?"
"I am. I have met with the young lady myself. I have spoken with Takarada Lory. Also I have Nakage-san's assurance… of course, none of that will matter once the entirety of Japan decides that the story is true. The scandal may very well destroy her career."
After an extended period of silence, the Emperor frowned, "I'm confused: why is this your fault again?"
"Because, my dear husband, I believe… and so does Nakage… that Councillor Maeda is behind this article."
Kyoko looked up from the printed copy of the article in her hands. Her illustrious company president had an inside source in the newspaper. That source had phoned him earlier, in the wee hours of the morning, to tell him about the article that was going to the press. It was hours later and the newspaper would be hitting the newsstands as they sat there.
Potential Princess or Playgirl Opportunist?
The sordid story of an up-and-coming actress
Kyouko, one of the rising young starlets in Japan's entertainment scene, has been making quite a lot of news lately as Imperial Prince Takahiro's latest and perhaps most promising love interest. Although most of Japan has heaved a collective sigh of relief that the dashing bad-boy prince seems to be mending his ways, perhaps we should take a closer look at his inamorata.
For the past two years, quickly following the beginning of Kyouko's meteoric rise to stardom, there have been persistent but quiet rumors which place her with both Rock Idol Fuwa Sho and the Prince of Movie and Television, Tsuruga Ren. Up until today, nobody has been able to confirm or deny these rumors, but this has now changed:
Tokyo Daily News holds proof that Mogami Kyoko, a.k.a. Kyouko, was the live-in girlfriend of Fuwa Sho after the two ran away from Kyoto to Tokyo at the tender age of fifteen. Although we have not been able to verify anything up to this point, there are suggestions that the two lived in the same household, the Fuwas home, at an even younger age. The young teen couple shared an apartment in Tokyo for approximately one year, at which time they broke up and went their separate ways.
Although this reporter hasn't been able to determine the reason for the couples estrangement, it should be noted that the young lady in question began to be noticed regularly around the actor Tsuruga Ren. There has been much speculation concerning that relationship, but once again there has been little verifiable proof. It should be noted, however, that Kyouko was spotted with Japan's Most Desirable Man not only on-set, but at restaurants and even entering his apartment building.
Which brings us to our current scenario: Tsuruga Ren has been out of the country, filming in the Congo of Africa for the past month. Is the couple estranged, or has the young lady simply taken advantage of Tsuruga Ren's absence to seek out an even greater pawn in her climb to the top?
AP News 568453
Kyoko was surprised at her own reaction to the slanderous piece: she felt tired… and alarmingly calm. I suppose that I knew that this would come out eventually. Reading it like this does sound bad doesn't it? Then she began to feel angry. If it were true, that would be one thing; but this article made it sound like she was the one who had betrayed him! It was bad enough that they were attacking her moral character, but to suggest that she had used Shotaro and had thrown him away, and…
She suddenly realized what this implication might do to Tsuruga Ren and possibly even to Prince Takahiro! "We have to make them retract this, Takarada-Shacho! Tsuruga-san and His Imperial Highness…"
"I'll take care of this." Kyoko looked over at her childhood friend and current enemy in bewilderment. Sho crumple his own copy of the article into a ball and repeated himself, "I'll take care of this. This is my fault anyway."
Shouko Aki began to speak, "Sho… I don't…"
Sho stopped her with a sharp shake of his head, but his eyes never left Kyoko's, "I should never have begged you to come with me to Tokyo, and I will not allow you to be slandered in this way. Please leave it to me."
President Fujimara spoke for the first time. His voice was not as deep as Takarada Lory's, but it possessed a quality which suggested that the man might have a theater background, "Tell me, young man: How exactly do you plan on 'taking care of this'?"
"I will tell the truth," Sho answered firmly.
Kyoko had the unearthly sensation that she was seeing her childhood friend transform before her eyes from a spoiled child to… to what? A man? She looked at the determined, unbending look in his eyes and felt… somewhat proud. The sensation gave her a distinctly uncomfortable and it chafed at her, causing her grudges to rise up and encircle her until finally she bit out the words, "why should I trust you to take care of anything, Shotaro?"
She felt ashamed as soon as the words were out of her mouth and she fully expected Sho to flare up and bite back. That was the last thing that she wanted to happen in front of the presidents of two of Japan's top talent companies. Sho looked at her and his eyes were angry, but when he opened his mouth to speak, he amazed her by saying, "Because I'm the one at fault. You didn't use me; I used you. You didn't cheat on me; I cheated you… not that we were even in that sort of relationship… the point is that this article makes you look bad, and I won't allow it!"
There was silence in the room as the shocked young lady and their equally shocked audience of three looked on. President Fujimara loved the profit that Fuwa Sho brought to Akitoki, but he knew of the young man's selfish, self-centered ways. Shouko Aki knew the young man perhaps better than anyone except the other lady in the room, and she was torn between amazement and pride. Takarada Lory knew Fuwa Sho least of all, but he knew enough about how this young man had treated Mogami Kyoko that he found this situation… fascinating.
Fuwa Sho was basically oblivious to the others as he met Kyoko's eyes again, "Please, Kyoko; trust me one more time?"
The energy in the room was electric as every eye fell on the young lady. A thousand thoughts and an even wider range of emotions fought for dominance in her mind and heart while her golden eyes studied the man who had hurt her so deeply in the past. There was a collective sigh as Kyoko finally nodded… she didn't trust herself to speak.
Prince Takahiro had to settle for a hurried conversation with Kyoko before heading off to his first-of-semester classes. He was furious with the article and concerned for Kyoko, but she had assured him that things were well in-hand… whatever that means? He also wanted to skip his classes and spend the day close to her… as protection of course; but she wouldn't hear of it. Takahiro had learned enough about Kyoko to know that she would never approve of him shirking school or work, even if he was doing it to act as a shield for her.
The students at the college recognized him right away, of course. There were quite a few students who followed him and many who took pictures with their phones. He didn't mind that too much; he was used to it and he knew that it would pass. What he did mind was those who tried to commiserate with him over how he had been fooled and used by Kyouko. After the twentieth veiled reference to the issue, he finally stopped in the middle of the outer commons area, stepped up onto the lip of the fountain, and called for attention. "Students and teachers of this fine University: My name is Takahiro, and yes, I am the fourth son of the living Emperor of Japan. I am pleased to meet you all…
"HOWEVER…I do not wish to hear one more derogatory comment about Kyouko. It saddens me… No, it makes me angry that an irresponsible reporter can print a spurious article in a filthy rag of a newspaper and good, normally kind, reasonably intelligent people like those before me accept what is written without a second thought; even when what is written is slanderous and utterly incorrect!"
The crowd was growing. Takahiro recognized several reporters in the throng and realized that he was creating a problem by allowing his anger to get the better of him. Then he decided that he didn't care, "The truth behind Kyouko and Fuwa Sho is much different than what has been printed. The same is true for what has been written about my own relationship with Kyouko. We have not even kissed, much less done anything that was implied in that article. She is a nice, intelligent, talented and honorable person like your good selves. So please stop and think before you believe any more of the slanderous trash."
Imperial Prince Takahiro stepped off of the fountain and walked quickly through the crowd towards his first class, ignoring the reporters who moved in to get "just one more question" answered. I'm probably going to hear about this from mother or father… but I don't care.
Kyoko had to be driven to the movie set by Sebastian. With the gathering reporters it would have impossible for her to ride in on her bicycle. She cringed as she saw the crowd and immediately reached for her character. Nozami Ai was more than a match for even the most belligerent reporter, even without her weaponry. There was a soft chuckle from the front and her eyes met Sebastian's, "Miss Kyouko, your… character might be a bit much for this occasion. It might be counterproductive if any reporters are maimed."
Ai faded and Kyoko forgot her apprehension for a moment as she found the humor in Sebastian's words. "Thank you, Sebastian-san. I will be more careful."
It was Kyoko who stepped out of the car as her driver held the door, but she borrowed a little from each of the strong female characters she had created so that she could face the onslaught of the press. If the reporters expected a cringing actress trying to hide her face from the cameras, they were disappointed. Kyoko, with her hair still braided and wearing her stylish dress, looked like she was walking the red carpet as she gracefully glided past the teeming reporters and cameramen. She even smiled a little as she recognized a face or two.
The makeup and costume crew were tense and anxious as Kyoko approached. They had become attached to her and they felt confused and angry about the article. Nevertheless, they couldn't dispute the fact that both the Imperial Prince and Fuwa Sho had come to the set specifically to see her; nor could they dispute the fact that more than one of them had heard her in a phone conversation with a person she referred to alternately as Tsuruga-san, Sempai, and Ren-sama. As much as they liked Kyouko and thought her pretty, they were still astounded that she seemed to be on intimate terms with three of Japan's hottest and most eligible men. Could the article be true?
They had argued the point since arriving on-set that morning and arrived at a general consensus: from what they had seen, it was the men chasing Kyouko, not the other way around. Now, however, with the young woman in-question approaching, they still feared what might happen next. If Kyouko was already in Nozami Ai-mode, then perhaps nobody was safe. They didn't know what to expect, but they certainly didn't expect the poised and calm figure who walked into the makeup trailer with apparent unconcern and said, "Good morning everyone. Thank you for coming this morning and please take good care of me."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and they exchanged glances as Kyouko took her customary chair and waited for the makeup team to work their magic. There were two notable alterations from the routine. The first alteration was that Kyouko didn't begin her transition into Nozami Ai right away. The second was a complete surprise: the young actress asked if the television could be turned on and flipped to Channel 5. Everyone froze for a moment. Kyouko never asked to watch the television, and Channel 5 was a news channel… which meant that there would be plenty of news about her.
The head of makeup nodded to the second assistant, who then reluctantly picked up the remote and turned the flatscreen on. Nearly everyone gasped as they recognized the person standing in front of a full press conference. More than one glanced nervously at Kyouko… and they were surprised to see no reaction at all.
The beautiful and shapely manager stepped composedly up to the podium, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen and thank you for joining us this morning. We have called this press conference in order to address the details of the article in the Tokyo Daily News that came out this morning. Fuwa Sho will make a statement and then we will open the floor to questions.
Sho nodded to Shouko Aki as she stepped away and he took her place at the podium. He did not pull out any paper. He knew exactly what he intended to say and he had worked with his company president and his manager to polish his statement. Are you watching, Kyoko? Please hear my heart.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the Press: I am here to address the ridiculous accusations in the article that you have all read this morning. Once again this is a case of taking a few threads of truth and using those to weave a whole blanket of lies (Shouko Aki had helped him to turn his thoughts into a polished speech, but most of the words were Sho's own. He had a gift for words and lyrics). It is true that Mogami Kyoko and I were childhood friends. We have known each other for almost as long as we have been alive. We have been friends for most of that time and it is true that she lived in my home for a portion of our childhood.
"Kyoko was always my biggest supporter and my strength… I wish that I could say that I reciprocated. I am ashamed to say that while I always relied on Mogami Kyoko, I was seldom there for her. Because of me she was bullied and ostracized throughout elementary and middle school and I should have defended her, but I did not. I was too concerned about my own issues and my popularity; and so Kyoko was left to fend for herself.
"Nevertheless, she never faltered in her loyalty and support. That is why I asked her to come with me when I decided to try to fulfill my dream of becoming a music superstar. She came, not as my girlfriend or lover, but as a dear friend. While I tried to get people to listen to my music, Mogami Kyoko worked. She worked two and sometimes three jobs at a time to support me… and that is all."
There was a long pause and everyone in the room leaned forward, anticipating his next words, "Mogami Kyoko never used me, I used her. I used her loyalty and her friendship to keep me comfortable and fed while I pursued my dream… and then, when I was signed on for Akitoki… when I had everything I wanted… I pushed her away. Actually, I was cruel. I destroyed the girl who has never done anything but be my support. That is the truth," he held up a copy of the newspaper, "not this stupid trash.
"After the way that I betrayed Mogami Kyoko, most girls would have packed up and headed home, but not her. She had an indomitable spirit. She brushed herself off and decided to pursue her own dream. I don't think that there is any question that she has done well for herself.
"As to what was written about her relationships with Tsuruga Ren and the Prince, I can only tell you what I know about her: Mogami Kyoko is the purest girl I know and I don't believe, even for a moment, that any of what was written is true. Thank you very much."
The press clamored for to have their questions answered but Kyoko never saw that portion of the press conference. It was time for her first scene of the day and she was ready to slip into character. She stood gracefully, bowed to the stunned ladies, and left the trailer. She knew that they would be talking but she wasn't worried about it. Once she was safely out of earshot she pulled out her phone and hit speed dial.
When Sawara's voice answered, she simply said, "Sawara-san, I've decided to perform in Fuwa Sho's PV. Please let him know… Thank you."
It was a good thing that she had a full day's work ahead. It would give her the time to sort through all of the confusing and conflicting emotions that were threatening to consume her.
Notes: Before you ask: yes, Ren will be heard from.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing.
Before you write and tell me that Fuwa Sho is completely out-of-character, I just wanted to say that I'm letting him grow up in this story. He has been talking with Shouko Aki about how to win Kyoko back and she has been blatantly honest about the things he had done wrong and what he would need to do to repair the damage.