AN: Hope you enjoy 😊

Chapter Twenty – The Question of Kyoko

Kuu smiled as he drove the car to where he would be shooting his latest movie, he turned to Kyoko as she took in all that was around him. He took his sunglasses off as he saw how excited she was. There was no need to have any distance between the two of them. Keeping important people close was an issue for him, but he didn't want to let his fear of what had happened with Kuon leave any bad mark on Kyoko. He wanted her to be truly happy.

"So, we're meeting with the director and the other actors and then you get to see me on set," Kuu said as Kyoko looked even more excited. "Does that sound okay to you?" he asked and Kyoko's eyes widened.

"That would be wonderful," she smiled. Kyoko turned to him with her hands together and over her mouth to cover her mouth, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. "Do I really get to do that today?" he asked.

"Of course, it might not be as interesting as you think though. Even though some of Hollywood's actors are known throughout the world for being talented, they are also divas. Even I can be a diva sometimes but you have to anchor yourself to something real," Kuu told her. "I think you might learn a lot from watching me today, at least I hope so."

"I'm sure I will," Kyoko nodded, "You're a wonderful actor, father. Can I ask you something though?" Kyoko saw Kuu turn to her and nod before concentrating on the road again since the traffic light had changed. "What is it that keeps you anchored?" she asked and Kuu's face softened.

"The same thing that has kept me anchored for twenty-two years," he said as Kyoko looked at him and looked down with a smile. He was talking about Kuon, she knew that he was. She had known how much he loved his son since she had worked with him. "I want to be a good father. I've always wanted to do a great job for my son and to have him look up to me. I want to be a positive role model to him."

"It must feel good to have him back," Kyoko said.

"It feels amazing. I have my little boy back, I know that you say you don't want kids but if that ever does happen whether with Kuon or not, I know you'll feel the same," Kuu said and Kyoko looked down. She was a little afraid of asking him this because she didn't want him to get his hopes up but it was something she had wondered about since becoming Kuon's girlfriend and entering a proper mutual relationship.

"Father, I never wanted kids. I was frightened about even the idea of children, but is it different when you meet someone? Can you start questioning yourself if you're with someone you love?" she said as Kuu's eyes opened just a little and he nodded.

"I think that's how most people feel. You want to have a child with someone that you love because the child is going to have traits from both of you," Kuu told her. "Julie and I both wanted to have at least one child despite our careers and that's how we had Kuon but I'm not sure if I would have been as eager with another woman."

Kyoko looked down. She didn't know what life was ahead of her, but she definitely had a more open mind to the future this time.

"Thank you," she said as Kuu nodded.

"I won't tell him, promise," he smiled at her as Kyoko blushed and looked away, it was really surprising to her just how much she adored Kuon.

…

…

Kyoko was completely taken aback by Kuu's acting. She had to admit that the only person she thought was a better actor was Kuon and maybe that idea was seasoned with favoritism. Still, the rest of the actors were at Kuu's level as well. It was so much different than the work that she was doing but instead of bringing her down, the way that Kuu and his costars worked together was inspirational.

Kyoko smiled as the final scene ended and she saw Kuu approaching her as he grabbed a towel. "So," he said with a grin on his face that reminded her so much of those she had seen Kuon give, "What did you think?" he asked, "A little overwhelming?"

"It was great," Kyoko smiled, "I can understand why Kuon wants to act in America so much," she said before looking down. "I'd love to too one day but I'm not sure if I'll ever be good enough."

"I believe you will be, just don't give up on yourself or your dreams," Kuu said as he gave her a thumbs up. "I'm going to go to my trailer to get changed, you can come if you want."

Kyoko shook her head, "I was going to go and get something to drink, do you want anything?" she asked as Kuu smiled at her.

"You just enjoy yourself, my wallet is in my other pants otherwise I'd be quite happy to treat you to whatever you want," Kuu said but Kyoko shook her head.

"No, I'm okay," she smiled, "I'll see you in a little bit, father," she said not thinking that anyone, especially a nosy and pushy reporter, had heard her say that. As she walked off, Kuu immediately took sight of the reporter trying to capture a story. He definitely wanted to protect Kyoko, he wasn't going to let anyone take advantage of such a sweet and caring girl who hadn't even really made in Japan just yet.

"Mr. Hizuri," the reporter said as Kuu attempted to pretend that he hadn't heard the man. "Mr. Hizuri, if I could have a moment or two of your time."

Kuu looked around, "No comment," he said as the man smiled.

"So I take it that that girl who just called you father is your illegitimate child?" he inquired. It was always the best tactic to have a lie that someone wanted to deny to learn what was really going on.

"That is untrue," Kuu said before putting his sunglasses on, "What paper are you from?" he asked and the guy weakly smiled. He looked Japanese and that pissed Kuu off even more so.

"I'm from NHK international," the man said and Kuu looked up with an exhausted exhale. Maybe he should treat this with more care. Kyoko's acting career was just starting to earn enough of its wings to make little hops in the air now and again. He didn't want to do anything to harm that.

"If you're from Japan, you should know of Kyoko who played Mio in the remake of Dark Moon where my son played a leading role. The two of them are close," Kuu said.

"Is that why she's here? I know that the former Ren Tsuruga is filming in another part of Los Angeles, is that what she is here because she accompanied him on this trip? Is it true that they are in a relationship?" the man asked and Kuu looked at him whilst rolling his eyes behind the sunglasses.

"Kyoko is here because she is getting some personal acting training. Yes, she did come with my son who she is currently in a relationship with but I thought this was old news in Japan," he said as the reporter took down some notes.

"What is the nature of their relationship? How serious are they? What is their level of intimacy?" he asked and Kuu's eyes widened but of course the reporter couldn't see it. If he said the wrong thing then he would either paint Kyoko as a slut or she would be seen as too innocent and might miss out on some roles that might get offered to her.

"No comment," he said firmly.

"Is her calling you father to do with her relationship with Kuon?" the reporter asked and Kuu sighed.

"I'm done talking with you, thank you and goodbye," he said as he pushed past the reporter. Hopefully he had given him enough positive information about Kyoko so as not to paint her in a bad light. He wanted to help her career and wanted to protect her from that kind of person.

…

…

Kuon smiled with satisfaction as the director called for them to finish with rehearsals. Kuon hated to admit it but he finally felt that he was working with other actors of his level rather than having to challenge himself against himself. It was also reassuring when the director had told him so many positives about his acting and acting technique that everyone had agreed with.

It felt that things were coming together and he wasn't sure how he could go back to Japan after this rush of excitement. There were skilled actors in Japan, of course there were, but there wasn't this competition to be the best that seemed to bring out all of the major talents that could be found. Maybe this was his home now, but then again, he had a second home and there was one person he wouldn't be able to leave behind.

As he made his way over to Yashiro, he saw a reporter approaching him and blinked. This man looked Japanese and maybe it was best to start with the Asian-American LA community when trying to make sure his name was well-established.

"Kuon Hizuri, may I ask you some questions about your acting career?" he asked and Kuon looked at Yashiro who had been watching the scene and taking down notes since they wouldn't allow him to make a video recording of it. "I have to go to my dressing room to get changed, could you possibly set something up with my manager, Mr. Yukihito," he said respectfully and the interviewer nodded.

"Certainly," he said as Yashiro dug into his bag to pull out Kuon's appointment book. "However, there are a few questions outside of acting I was wondering if you'd be okay answering."

Kuon nodded, "Okay," he said as he gave a Ren Tsuruga smile.

"So, you are currently dating the actress, Kyoko, who is also here in California?" he asked and Kuon paused.

"I'd prefer not to talk about my relationship with Kyoko out of my respect for her," Kuon said as he wondered whether this reporter would actually go after Kyoko if he had the chance to. He didn't want Kyoko to have her trip ruined by these shady reporters and he wished he had brought sunglasses so he could do the trick with the reporters that his father had mastered.

"So, the two of you are having a bad relationship?" the reporter said.

"No, we're not and no further comment," Kuon continued. He had to think of the best ways of driving the press away. He needed to concentrate on being Kuon Hizuri in LA. He had to think of how he would start to incorporate Kuon into the life he had had as Ren.

"And are you engaged to Kyoko?" the reporter said and Kuon paused.

"No," he said slowly, "Kyoko and I are not engaged. I want to clear up that rumor."

"So, you wouldn't want to get engaged to her?" the reporter continued trying to slam his shovel into Kuon and dig around for any other information. He felt that he had jackpot when Kuon had stood there in stunned silence for more than a minute.

"No…no comment," he said quickly realizing he had been daydreaming of Kyoko saying yes to a marriage proposal. "We're done," he said as Yashiro's mouth hung open a little, "I'm going to my dressing room. No further comment," he told him.

Neither Kuon or Kuu knew how their comments would look next to one another, it would only be a day or two until they would find out.

End of Chapter Twenty

Thank you for reading

Special Thank you reviewers of Chapter 19:

Brennakai, Crazy4Animation, DreamIdol, RichkeyZero