Disclaimer : I don't own Skip Beat!

Chapter 19 : Fighting Guys and A Date (?)

"Geh! Kasumi." Shinichi cringed upon seeing Shimada Kasumi, his ex-girlfriend, entering Harada's manor living room with several angry looking men. Some of the men were bandaged.

Shimada Kasumi was Shimada Group's Kumichou's daughter. Shimada Group was Harada Ikka Gumi's biggest rival. They were currently fighting over the Shinjuku area. Shimada Kasumi looked calm and girly. She didn't seem dangerous at all. She was also Kotoko's rival in high school. She came to Harada Ikka Gumi's manor to confront Kotoko for injuring her group members. Even though she looked fragile, Kasumi could be quite fierce.

Kasumi stopped in the track when she saw Shinichi was inside the room with the other Harada group's members. She smiled and threw herself to Shinichi. Harada's members cringed upon seeing the sight before their eyes. Their Ojou's younger brother was all 'lovey-dovey' with rival group's Ojou.

"No! Let go of me, Kasumi!" Shinichi tried to push away Kasumi.

"I had been wondering where have you been, and now I found you here. You don't think that I'll let you off the hook easily right?" Kasumi said. "You owe me, darling!"

"Shimada, let go of my brother!" Kotoko said.

"Brother?" Kasumi mumbled and stared at Shinichi. She let go of Shinichi and turned her gaze to the door where Kotoko stood.

No one noticed Kotoko and Toshi's arrival. Many of them sat still upon hearing Kotoko's cold voice. All eyes were staring at Kotoko now, including Shinichi and Kasumi. Kotoko was wearing a leisure T-shirt and jeans. She didn't look like a Yakuza right now. She even looked messy. Even though she seemed sleepy, her Yakuza's demeanour was fully in charge.

"Uwah, you welcome a guest with your sleeping attires?" Kasumi teased.

She had let go of Shinichi. Shinichi was behind Kotoko with his both arms around her neck, hugging her. Toshi caught his collar and yanked him down, away from Kotoko.

"Ouch…" Shinichi fell flat on his arse.

"What do you need from me? Make it fast, I don't have all day!" Kotoko said whilst yawning, totally ignoring Shinichi and Toshi.

"Heh? Busy night?" Kasumi said, still teasing with her smile on.

Kotoko stunned still, trying to digest the meaning of her words and answered, "Yeah, just finished beating up some crap near Shinjuku last night."

"That's what I came here for," Kasumi said. Her smiling face darkened. She had a mischievous aura around her.

"Oh? That's your men?" Kotoko's face changed. She was fully sobered now.

"Yeah. I want a pay back. I came to collect your fingers, Harada!"

"What did you say?" All Harada's member stood up and was ready to fight.

Kotoko laughed sardonically. "Sit down, guys!"

Kasumi looked annoyed by how Kotoko laughed at her. "You made fun of me, Harada? I'm serious here."

"I think you know that Shinjuku is still a grey area. Getting injured is something that naturally happened in a fight anyway. Say what? You want my finger for 'that'? Don't make me laugh, Shimada! Thanks for coming though. Guys, send the guest off!" She waved her right hand impatiently.

Kasumi got angry. She stood and gave Kotoko a slap.

"Hey! What did you do to Ojou?" Toshi stood and grabbed Kasumi's hand. He glared at her. "Don't touch Ojou or I'll have your head on silver platter!"

Kasumi's eyes widened in fear. She looked down…

"CUT!"

"Momose-san! You weren't supposed to get scared over Toshi's threat. You're an Ojou of a Yakuza group here," said Director Ogata. Even though he was scolding her, his voice was still soft.

"I'm sorry," Momose said. Can't help it! It's super scary…

The scene was finally okay on the third takes where Kasumi was supposed to glare back at Toshi, pulled her hand away from Toshi and about to kick him when Kotoko threw her over. The groups would fight each other till they heard the police sirens.

They were given 2 hours and a half for lunch break since Ogata had got an urgent calls from his house. It was an earlier lunch break since it was only 11. They were supposed to shoot one more scene plus the practice.

Kyouko looked around to find Momose but noticed that her table was already full with the admiring extras, she aborted her plan to sit together with Momose. Shouko came over with Yashiro and Ren. They decided to have lunch together and were taking their meal tray and queuing to get the food.

"Good afternoon, Murasame-san!"

"Good afternoon," the actor answered the male crews.

The actor just came for his afternoon shoot and was surprised when the lunch break was given earlier.

"What is it with the earlier lunch break?"

"Director got an urgent call. The next scene will have to delay till Director got back here. Hopefully today we'll get all today's part done."

"Oh…" Murasame looked thoughtful.

He actually came earlier to catch up with Kyouko after the supposed next scene. The actress had already okay-ed him for the lunch together today. It was on set, of course. It was really hard to get her to agree to the lunch outside, since she barely had spare time. He had to be content with just the on-set lunch together. Murasame looked around and found Kyouko was queuing for the food with Ren and their managers.

"That two sure are close. On and off set," one of the crews said.

"They always have lunch together," another said.

"Well, they are the Toshi and Kotoko, after all."

"That doesn't mean they got to be a couple off set too," Murasame muttered in low voice.

"Did you say something, Murasame-san?"

"Ah, nothing! I think I'm going to queue too then," he hastily said.

He walked over to Kyouko, Ren, Shouko and Yashiro.

"Kyouko-chan, good afternoon," he greeted.

"Ah, good afternoon Murasame-san," Kyouko answered with a smile whilst taking the food onto the meal tray.

"Can I…" he began.

Murasame hadn't finished his words when Kyouko started to scold Ren for his eating habits. "Gee, Tsuruga-san, don't be so picky! Why do you only take the meat, get the onion and the veggies too," she said, then took over the spoon from Ren's hand and scooped some food for him. "There, we still have a lot of scenes for today."

Murasame cringed upon seeing how Kyouko practically helped Ren get all his food. He saw Ren smiled to the actress and he felt that his head was getting dizzy. This man is definitely interested in her too… well, who doesn't? Argh…

The five of them settled themselves in a longer table with Kyouko sitting between Shouko and Ren. Murasame and Yashiro sat on their opposites with Murasame facing Kyouko directly.

"Itadakimasu!" Kyouko said. The others followed her.

Before she could even eat her food, they heard loud orchestra play. They turned their heads to the voice and noticed Lory's entrance with the whole orchestra players and his fellow noblemen and noblewomen. They were all dressed in Victorian style clothes.

A little girl stood just besides Lory. She looked around, seemingly trying to find someone. Her eyes lit up when she had found the one she wanted to see badly.

"Oneesama!" Maria ran to Kyouko's table.

"Maria-chan," she said. She stood up from her seat. She walked over to Maria and gave her a hug.

"Mogami-kun! I came to see how are you doing? Tsuruga-kun! How's it?" Lory came closer to their table.

Murasame and Shouko's eyes widened in surprise. Murasame actually witnessed some of Lory's eccentric side when they were filming Dark Moon, but since he only saw it once or twice, he still couldn't comprehend the bunch of people he brought along. His costume alone was already strange, now he brought people with him too.

"Where's Ogata-kun?" Lory asked whilst looking around.

"Director's got an urgent call. He will be back after lunch," Kyouko said.

"Kyouko-san, good afternoon," one voice greeted her.

"Kouki-san?" Kyouko asked. She was surprised since she didn't think she saw him earlier. "I think shachou forced you into it?" Kyouko giggled upon seeing how Kouki dressed.

Kouki smiled sheepishly since he was indeed forced to wear the Victorian Style clothes too.

"Oneesama, you are having lunch? How about lunching together with me, father and grandfather? Look! The table is already prepared there." Maria asked upon noticing the untouched food on the table. She pointed at several Victorian style round tables that magically appeared inside the studio.

Ren was alarmed upon seeing the older man. Shouko and Yashiro looked at each other confusedly. Murasame seemed confused as well.

"Yashiro-kun, both of you," Lory said. "You can join me. I need to talk to you two about something." Lory grinned evilly.

He must be scheming something… Yashiro, Shouko and Ren thought upon seeing that grin.

Being the obedient workers they were, Yashiro and Shouko followed Lory to his table.

"Oneesama." Maria pulled Kyouko's shirt.

"Ah, how about we all have the lunch together?" Kyouko said with a smile. "Let's get some food for you, Maria-chan!"

Maria smiled brightly and threw Ren a victorious grin.

This kid! Ren gritted his teeth.

"Kouki-san, what do you want to eat? Do you have any preferences?" Kyouko asked the older man.

"Ah, I am not…" Kouki was about to say that he was not hungry yet.

"Father, I and oneesama will take the food for you," Maria cut down his words.

Kouki sighed and nodded in defeat.

Awkward! Kyouko thought when she sat between Maria and Kouki with Ren and Murasame together in one big round table Lory brought. She saw that Maria was eating sweetly whilst trying to engage her and her father into a chat. Murasame and Ren ate silently with their eyes on their respective plates. Kyouko looked around and noticed that most of the crews were still eating and chatting. She noticed Momose was still talking with the extras on her table. She sighed inwardly. She had wanted to drag Momose along to pull her out from this awkwardness. She also noticed Lory was eating whilst talking merrily with Yashiro and Shouko.

This little girl is planning something again, Ren thought. He kept himself calm whilst listening to the conversation between Kyouko, Kouki and Maria.

I was supposed to have lunch with Kyouko-chan just the two of us. What's with these numbers? How can I advance if it's like this? Murasame stabbed the meatball on his plate with his fork. He noticed that the man called Kouki was interested in Kyouko too. He saw the man smiled gently to the young lady whilst answering her questions. He also noticed the little girl besides Kyouko was glaring at him and Ren. What's with this little girl? She's that man's daughter, right? Could it be…

Kyouko and Kouki talked about Lory's fellow noblemen and noblewomen. Kyouko laughed at Kouki's talk about how Lory forced him into wearing the tight. It embarrassed him to the max. Thus, the two of them didn't notice Maria's evil intention towards the other men at their tables.

"You know? I bring some desserts," Maria said. "I'd like to share it with you all." She had evil gleams in her eyes.

Ren was alarmed upon seeing the gleams. He knew that it must be something suspicious but he tried to be polite, "Oh really? That's so nice of you, Takarada-san."

Murasame only smiled at her intention.

Maria pulled out her lunch box and presented it to them proudly. She opened the lunch box and there were snakes inside it.

Ren and Murasame stood up in haze and stepped back. They looked shock and could only gape at the offensive reptiles. Kouki and Kyouko looked at the snakes in awe.

"Are those snakes?" Kyouko asked confusedly.

"Maria, what are you doing with the snakes?" Kouki quickly closed the lunch box and locked it.

"Ouch, I was wrong," Maria said calmly. "I was supposed to bring the puddings out." She then pulled another box from her bag. "This is it!"

She opened the box and this time the content was really puddings. She smiled sweetly to Murasame and Ren.

This kid! The two men cursed inwardly.

"I apologise for my daughter's false behaviour, Tsuruga-san, Murasame-san," Kouki stood and bowed slightly to the two younger men.

The two younger men brushed off his apologies and sat back down.

Meanwhile…

"Haha it's really interesting," Lory said. He laughed frantically. "Murasame-kun and Tsuruga-kun's expressions. You saw that? Priceless!"

Yashiro and Shouko cringed over Lory's enthusiasm. They couldn't seem to find words to comment on Lory's remarks.

Lory grinned evilly. He had noticed the biggest actor of the country was interested in his top actress. From what his aide had reported to him, Murasame was spotted driving Kyouko home almost every day. He deliberately came to the set bringing Kouki and Maria. He knew that there must be something interesting bound to happen on set and he was right.

Other than Lory, Momose and the other crews had noticed the three men's intentions towards the actress. Some of the crews openly pitied the three of them since the actress took no hint of the men's advances.

Momose laughed evilly. She walked to the hidden corner whilst calling her boyfriend. She told him about the interesting event that was currently happening on the set. "Hidehito, know what? Taira-san and Tsuruga-san are fighting for Kyouko-chan. But the most hilarious thing is that there's another man, Takarada shachou's son, if I'm not mistaken. His daughter was hilarious. She actually gave out snakes as desserts. I almost laughed out loud upon seeing Tsuruga-san and Taira-san's expressions. I can pretty guess that Takarada sachou's son is also interested in Kyouko-chan. I can sense that three's fighting spirit but too bad, Kyouko-chan doesn't seem to notice that. Poor guys!"

"Kyouko-chan is dense after all. She won't take the hint. Those poor three men!" Hidehito laughed. "They need to take some actions and if they want her attention, they need to state it very clearly to her. I wish I were there too, so I can tease them."

"You know? I might go and help her now. She looks so lost. I almost feel sorry for her."

"Haha… go help her, Itsumi!"

"Ah, guess not? Uesugi-san is walking to their table. I want to watch a little longer. I'll call you again."Uesugi-san is in too? Interesting! Momose thought whilst grinning widely.

The three men, Kyouko and Maria noticed Hiou was coming closer towards their table.

"Yo! It's so merry. Can I join?" he asked with a polite smile.

Hiou had been watching the whole exchange after he got back from his dressing room. He was standing in the corner and playing some game on his mobile phone. He was amused by the sudden change of the atmosphere inside the studio. He saw Ren and Murasame's strained expression. He was amused by Lory's entrance. He noticed Maria and her father. And later he almost laughed when he saw how awkward the situation was at Kyouko's table. He noticed Lory and the Yashiros were watching Kyouko's table. He noticed Momose was talking on the phone in the corner whilst laughing at something, and how she kept stealing glances at Kyouko's table. He noticed the other crews and the extras were gossiping.

You'd better thank me, Tsuruga! You got the girl but you can't even openly lay a claim on her. it's a risk for keeping it a secret though. Hiou thought.

Hiou smiled and took a seat besides Maria. Ren looked at him with his brows lifted. Kouki was confused. Murasame was annoyed. Maria looked at him suspiciously. He had to use all his acting skills to keep himself from laughing out loud. Lory, the Yashiro and Momose were watching from where they were with excitements.

"Uesugi-san, have you eaten?" Kyouko asked.

"No, feed me neesan?" he said mischievously. He eyed Kyouko's almost empty plate. He looked at her with eyes full of adoration. He was playing Shinichi.

Kyouko laughed to their surprises. Her face changed. Ren immediately noticed Kotoko was there instead of Kyouko.

"Eat by yourself, Shinichi! I'm not mother," she said coldly. She took her cup and drank her tea gracefully.

The other two men gaped. Hiou winked at Ren. Ren almost laughed when he saw the wink. He remembered that Hiou knew about them 'dating'.

Kyouko, without knowing what had happened, was played into Hiou's game. The rest of her lunch was spent as Kotoko instead. Maria wanted to strangle Hiou for disrupting her plan. Kouki and Murasame stayed silent since they didn't know how to deal with Kyouko when she got into her role. Ren smiled and tried his best to keep himself from laughing. Kyouko excused herself to her dressing room not long after, followed by Ren. Hiou smiled in victory after knowing his rescue plan was succeeded.

Lory and Momose were disappointed. They thought Hiou was in for the competition and it would actually heat up the race. The Yashiros huffed in relieved.

Kyouko was reading her script over for the next scene when she heard a knock on her dressing room's door. She walked to the door and opened it. She found Kuon behind the door and let him in. They sat down on the couch. Kyouko poured Ren a cup of tea which he accepted gratefully.

"Practise?" he asked when he noticed the script book in her hands.

She smiled and nodded.

"Tonight," he began hesitantly.

"Hmm?" she looked at him. She was waiting for his next words.

"Let's just eat out," he continued. "I asked Shouko-san about your schedule. You don't have anything planned aside this filming, right?"

"Yes. I actually plan to cook tonight. I just haven't had the time to ask you what you want to eat yet," she answered with a smile. "But if you want to eat out… it's okay." She looked a bit disappointed.

"Ah, I don't mean that I don't like your cooking, I just…"

"I won't get angry over that, as long as it's not onigiri," she teased. "For tonight's dinner."

He laughed. "No onigiri! Promise!"

"So, where will we eat? Moreover, what disguise should we put on? You don't think we will go out without disguises, right?" she asked. Kuon could hear excitement in her voice. He was glad that she agreed to it.

"You can pick where to eat. Do you have anything in mind?" Kuon asked. "No Daruma-ya," he quickly added.

Kyouko laughed. "You're scared of Taishou-san."

Kuon cringed. She knows me too well… He grinned and said, "Whatever. Um… and Kyouko…"

"Yes?"

"Don't go home with Murasame-san! Wait for me after you finished changing later, okay?" he said slowly to ensure she heard him well. He didn't want her to go home with that guy for the umpteenth times. These days, that guy somehow easily persuaded her to let him drive her home, plus when he did it, there was always Ogata around unconsciously helping that actor. He just didn't want to be late again.

"Sure. We will go out together after all, why do I want to go home with Murasame-san then?" she said, confused with his statement.

"Nothing." He grinned. "See you later then, after this." He leant down and kissed her cheek. He walked out of her dressing room quickly. He was afraid she would freak out again.

She saw him left. She was confused. She raised her hand to her left cheek. What is this nagging feeling? Oh, Kyouko, get yourself together! It's not the right time for thinking something stupid. You still have to be Kotoko for now. Kotoko!

Shiraishi Makoto appeared on Harada Manor's gate with several policemen. He walked into the house and found the fighting gangs. He knew the house well since he spent his days there when he was younger. He was Kotoko's childhood friend after all.

"Makoto-nii," Shinichi shouted. "Help!"

Makoto and his colleagues managed to tame the groups 30 minutes later. Kasumi and her men went home hastily. As Yakuza, they hated the wolf too and left hastily. Kasumi managed to steal a kiss from Shinichi before she left. She also said that she would be back for him.

Shinichi shushed her out and said to her that she didn't need to come back. He only loved his sister.

"You came again, Makoto!" Kotoko said. "I've told you don't come, haven't I? We hate wo… police."

"Why? You aren't doing anything bad, right?" Makoto said. "Moreover, Shinichi called me. I can't just reject him."

Kotoko turned over to Shinichi and glared daggers at him. She mouthed, 'You're so dead, kid.'

Shinichi shrank down even though a wide grin was still plastered on his face.

"Hey, Kotoko!" Makoto called.

Kotoko turned to Makoto with her cold stares. "What?"

"Let's go out somewhere tonight?" he asked with a smile.

"You wish! Why do I want to go out with a police? You must be crazy. Go home, Shiraishi-san!" she said coldly.

"Hey, don't be like that! We are childhood friends, right?" Makoto grabbed Kotoko's hand.

Toshi's face changed when he saw Makoto's hand grabbing Kotoko's. Toshi grabbed Kotoko's other hand and pulled her to him. Makoto also pulled her hand. They were like playing tug o' war.

"Let go of Ojou, Wolf," Toshi said, glaring at Makoto.

"No way, brute!" Makoto glared back.

"What did you say?" Toshi let go of Kotoko's hand, so did Makoto.

"Brute!"

They were head to head and glared at each other. They threw, kicked, and punched each other. The other policemen, the gang members, Shinichi and Kotoko were in the side line and watching the fight. The table was flown. The tatamis were turned over. The paper sliding doors were broken.

Kotoko hit her forehead with her palms. She felt her head was going to explode.

"STOP IT!" she yelled.

Both men stopped in the track. While they were still stunned by her yell, Kotoko kicked both of them with tobi mawashi geri in one go. Both men fell down the tatami with the policemen and gang members gaping at them.

"Clean the room, Wolf, Toshi! If you failed me, more tobi mawashi geri will come."

Finished with her words, Kotoko left.

By mutual agreement, Kyouko met Ren in the basement parking lot. She was already in her disguise. She put a long wavy blonde wig over her head. She wore green contacts. When she knocked on the car's window, Kuon let her in.

Kyouko was startled when she saw Kuon. He used temporary dye and his hair was blonde now. He didn't put on his contacts.

"Kuon-san," she said. "It's the real you."

"The best disguise."

Kuon saw her green contacts. He smiled. "It seems that we have the same idea? Blond hair, green eyes."

Kyouko giggled. "Hmm… I'm not copying you though. Where will we go?"

"I think I told you that you can have your pick?"

"Hmm… what do you want to eat?"

"If I can choose, I don't want to eat. I'll get fat."

"Those teenager excuses won't fly. You have to eat to keep your body fit."

Where did I hear these lines before? It was familiar. I think I said it before. When? Kyouko was deep in thought. She tried to remember but she couldn't seem to remember it.

"Kyouko-chan?" Kuon called.

"Oh sorry!" Kyouko was brought back from her thought. "What about…?"

They had their dinner in a French Restaurant in Shibuya, the very same place where Kuon bought the frog legs before. They sat at the corner. They ate the set menu A, and Kyouko even ordered Crepe Suzette for dessert. Since he was the one driving, he avoided the wine whilst Kyouko leisurely drank her white wine. They talked about their jobs since they rarely have time to talk when they were at home.

They arrived at the condo at 10. They sank down themselves on the sofa. She leaned on his shoulder. She laughed and giggled a lot. Kuon suspected that she was drunk.

"I'm not drunk. It was only a glass, not that much. I was just feeling awkward today on the set."

"Awkward huh? Well, with all the noblemen and noblewomen on set. Shachou overdid it." He laughed.

"It's not the first time. He was always like that. The strange one was those snakes."

Kuon cringed. "I was surprised as well. I had never thought that such little girl brought snakes everywhere?"

Kyouko laughed. "Kuon-san," she called.

"Hmm?" He dared himself to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"I had fun tonight. Thanks." She looked up at him. "I rarely have fun. It's nice to have fun once in a while."

"I had fun too, Kyouko." He stared down at her.

He leant closer to her face. Kyouko could felt his breath on her face. She was nervous but she closed her eyes and she felt him kissed her lips softly. She didn't know why but she felt she enjoyed the kiss. Maybe she was drunk or maybe she was just hoping for it to happen. She fell asleep with his lips still on hers.

She doesn't freak out? Kuon thought blissfully. He pulled away and he realised that she had fallen asleep. He laughed inwardly when he saw her serene sleeping face. It's okay for now.

He picked her up then walked to her bedroom and put her on the bed. He put the blanket over her slender body. He leant down and kissed her forehead softly.

"Good night, Kyouko."

"Good night, Corn," she mumbled in her sleep.

Kuon chuckled and closed her bedroom door softly. Sleep tight, love.

A/N : Now, I gave you a progress… Haha not much though… well, I can't force her too much. I'd like to go baby steps, but don't worry, I won't following the Skip Beat's pace. Not that slow, baby steps but definitely not snail pace. Thanks for reading. ^ ^

Itadakimasu : was said before eating. Meaning to accept the food gratefully, thanking the God, people who provided the food and the food itself

Tobi mawashi geri : flying spin kick. This one is karate's technique.