Kanae was just walking by, just testing out how well she could use her legs, when she came across a room that caught her attention. She learned many things:

That Ren was deaf.

That Maria and Kyoko already knew this.

That Maria's mother died in a plane crash trying to get to her daughter's birthday party.

And that Kyoko slept at Ren's place.

"WHAT! Why did you... how... and he..." She started stammer. "What were you thinking?"

"Don't worry... I slept in the bathtub, not in his bed." whispered Kyoko, as she gave Kanae a little wave, trying to calm her down. "I was at his place since my Love Me job was to be his manager. And he was sick at the time."

"Doesn't mean that- wait... You took care of someone?" Kanae blinked. Her face softened. Patting her friend's head, she murmured. "Oh... that must have been hard..."

Kanae understood met Kyoko's childhood friend before, and he was the only one that she allowed Kyoko to talk on and on about. She was never annoyed that her best friend was friendly with this man, as he made Kyoko smile. That's all that she cared. But... he was the reason for her trauma.

Forcing a smile, Kyoko laughed. "No! It was quite easy! It's just my second time, so I..." she trailed off. She bit her lips and cringed. "It's... okay."

"And what's this about Tsuruga san being deaf?" Kanae decided to change the topic. "I just come to this room and I hear two topics: Maria hurting actresses and Ren needing batteries for his hearing aids. What is that about?"

It was silent, but Kyoko said, "He came here today to get batteries for his hearing aids. They kinda... died on him since the life on the battery went out and-"

"That still doesn't explain why he has hearing aids. There is no news saying that he is deaf."

There wasn't any way to turn around. Kyoko wasn't good at lying, never was, and lying to Kanae usually led to not talking to each other for weeks. Or days... depending on how Kyoko's tears affected the girl.

Ren was the one who spoke. He knew that Kyoko said she would keep his secret, but if a friend that she trusted overheard their conversation, then it was okay. Right?

"I use hearing aids because of an incident that happened when I was a teen, and I am partially deaf. I can still hear, but it's all mumbles to me. It's no big deal!" He gave out a fake laugh. He hated talking about this. But if it was to let someone to shut the conversation, he might as well say something.

This was none of Kanae's concern, so she let this one go. "Whatever. It's nothing to me. I won't tell anyone, as they won't believe me." She soon turned her attention to Maria. "Now... what's this about hurting actresses?"

The girl jerked her head, pursing her lips in anger. "I... It's because of that stupid scene!" She forcefully gripped her hands, feeling the ice in her heart freezing up her veins. She had to let it out. But would these people understand her? Would Ren even understand? "It's so stupid! The main character took another person's life!"

*TWITCH!*

"How is it that people around her are still loving her after what she has done? Even the sister is taking her side, saying that it's not her fault. They should be blaming her!"

*TWITCH!*

"And in the end, the father forgives her! He still loves her after what she has done! There is no way in the world that someone can be like that!"

*PANG!*

That did it. Kyoko's eyes clouded, as she shot her hand up to her mouth. All of those words made her sick.

Took another life... how could they still love... should blame...

No one could forgive me... this... no one thinks that way!

"Kyoko?" Kanae shot a look at her friend's frozen form. She could see her getting traumatized again, as she was sweating. "Kyoko!"

Her legs gave out, as she slumped down to the floor. Kyoko gave small tears, feeling it cool down her hot cheeks that were burning up. Bending down, she looked up to everyone that was staring at her. She couldn't help but react every time someone made her remember of...

AGH!

Why did she had to always fall apart every time? WHY?

"Is she going to be okay?" asked Ren. He was adjust the volume on his hearing aid. The President came back and saw Kyoko crying, but with one look, he could see the reason of what made her break into tears. "She seems to be crying a lot lately."

"She cried in front of you before?" Kanae sighed. "Oh... was it when she was taking care of you?"

"Yeah. How did you know?"

"I'm her best friend. I know these things." Looking up, she gripped the script in her hands tightly. Hearing the roll of the stacks of paper, she closed her eyes slowly. "Long ago, the last person she took care of was her childhood friend. The last time she saw him, he called her a name. It's because of that that she regrets what she did."

"So he called her a name. It's not something to cry about." He held out a hand to take the script, as Kanae was finished memorizing it. Reading it himself, he could see why Maria hated it. The character, Angel, was loved in the end. It was too quick that the protagonist could be forgiven. It was unnatural.

"She took another person's life! How is it that people around her are still loving her after what she has done?"

I get it. After taking a person's life, no one should be forgiven. Feeling his eyes going heavy, he muttered to himself, "No one."

Kanae stared at the man next to her. They were both going to act the scene that Maria disliked, along with Kyoko. He, however, had to act a girl's part. He didn't mind, as this was the only way for Maria to understand.

But they had to change it to Maria's liking. And how were they going to do that? Even if they did that, they couldn't all do it so they knew what to say. They would all have something different in mind. But then again, when you talk naturally, you aren't even prepared of what you are going to say. Your words can be from a script or from the top of your head.

A creak came as Kyoko opened the door. Rubbing her eyes, she bowed and said, "I'm sorry for acting like that. It's..." She paused. Looking down on the ground suddenly, she held out her hand. "Um! Can I see the script?"

"S-sure?" Ren handed it over. He was done with it, but he still didn't know how to phrase it so Maria could understand that... that you can be loved after committing someone's death. It wasn't on purpose, but if someone blamed you, then it's hard to tell yourself that.

I know I can't. I killed Rick. Even Tina said so.

Looking quietly at what was already in the script, Kyoko saw the darkness. It was just a bunch of simple words, but they all reminded her of the crime she committed. Taking innocent people's lives... Even his... How could you be forgiven? It was impossible.

Maria's father doesn't forgive her for the death of her mother. But it wasn't her fault. She never asked for anything in her life, and when she did, someone died. Her father says that if she never did that, then Lina have lived. But... her mother willingly went on that plane. She wanted to grant her daughter's first wish. Is that so bad?

Looking back, Kyoko wondered if they changed the script, how would the others respond? Would they give her the reactions she wanted? And how did she made it possible that they did?

It would take too long to think of another script, so I might as well keep this script.

"What! We have to say the same lines!" Maria exclaimed. When Kyoko said that she was going to make Maria act out the scene she hated the most, but changing the lines, she thought, Oh, sure. But I'm not going to like it. This was even worse! What was the point of acting out the same script?.!

"Sure! After all, we're making Tsuruga san talk like a girl, so we should make him get... Kotomi's part! All she has to do is tell Angel that it's impossible for a parent to hate a child and so forth!"

"So who plays Flora?" She became skeptical. "Is it you or Moko san?" After finding that pet name cute, she decided to play along and call Kanae the name that only Kyoko used. Now she was the one using it!

Kyoko smiled. "Me." She pointed at herself with a smile pasted on her face.

Flora was the one who was now going to hate Angel, not forgive her.

"Alright. I guess that's fine. But remember, you have to make me convinced that-"

"Yeah, yeah. Let's get one with the scene."

Inhaling, Kyoko looked at the sidelines of the President and Sebastien. After comforting her for a couple of minutes, Sebastien still wasn't certain that she should be doing this. But she had to make Maria see that her father didn't hate her. But could Kyoko do that...? After all she...

Although, a person like me might not be able to do it, I'll at least try!

[Angel was brought over to the side as Kotomi reached out a chair for her to sit in. After the funeral, Angel refused to talk to anyone. Not even her sisters. This was a first as she was being consoled.

"Angel, you mustn't blame yourself for what happened. Please don't. It's not your fault."

Angel looked at her "sister" in the eye and shook her head. "That's not true!"

"But it is!" Tomoyo, her older sister, exclaimed. "Why would you say such a thing?"

"Because! Everyone tells me that, in front of a kid like me, but behind my back, they blame me!" She gritted her teeth, slamming her hands onto her thighs. She shook, almost about to cry. "Th-they... they lied to me. I can't trust adults!"]

The last line wasn't part of the script, but it was Maria's self taking over her. She couldn't trust adults, who thought that simple lies would make a child feel better. If it had no truth, then it wouldn't make someone see that it wasn't their fault. To say it wasn't her fault, then behind her back, say it was... who was she going to trust? Definitely not those stupid adults, who thought kind words that had hatred underneath could make her feel better.

Lory saw this, and he couldn't help but wish to reach out for her. She experienced so much at such a young age. Her father telling her that it was her fault... she was just a child. Why did everyone put the heavy blame on her? Did they have no feelings? Did they not know what would happen if they heard her words?

["What!" Tomoyo gasped. "But Angel...!"

"Even Father hates me!"

Kotomi shook her head, patting Angel lightly. She wanted to deny this so badly. Just what made her think that? "Angel... there is no such thing. No parent could ever hate his child."]

And this was true to Ren. His parents loved him very much, and were still loving him today. He told them that until he was able to reach to the goal of reaching to the top without the help of his parents, he would visit them. And he did last year. So... he wanted to tell Maria that her father didn't hate her. Even if he did had to act it out to her, to give some sense to her.

"Do you understand, Angel? I don't think any parent in the world could ever hate his child deliberately."

"PFFT! HAHAHA!"

Snapping back, Ren and Kanae saw Kyoko laughing hysterically. She gave a small giggle in the beginning, smirking a grin behind them, but then went into a fit.

"Wh-what's so funny, Flora?" he asked. His eyes widened in surprise as the innocent girl he befriended was laughing at a time like this.

"Oh, nothing. It's just... I heard that being said numerous of times; it's getting overused and not so effective the more times you use it." She showed herself, and gave a death glare. "Right?"

In instinct, even though they shouldn't have been scared, the three backed away as she came closer. So she really meant it when she said she was going to follow the script. It was just different expressions.

["Oh, Angel... You're such a smart girl. From the bottom of your heart, you knew that no one could forgive you for what you have done. But Angel, Father is still human; you must understand that. He may say things intentionally that could hurt people. So you're right." Flora stood strong and smirked. "Even parents can hate their own child."]

Looking at the confident girl, he saw that Kyoko wasn't hesitating at that line. Even though in the script, she was suppose to say the complete opposite, Kyoko seemed to act natural. It was as if she was speaking the truth... that parents can hate their own children.

I never had parents like that, so I wouldn't know what it feels like... to have parents that hate you. They were always loving, always idiots in love. But... Mogami san. Could it be that her parents never loved her?

"Yes, Father does hate you."

What was she thinking?.! Everyone almost gasped at this, as they couldn't believe what they were hearing. Sure, Maria kept saying that her father hates her... but to confirm it...! That was too much!

They all waited for her reaction, for whatever she was going to say. Was she going to refuse, or believe her? After all, Kyoko was the only person so far in her life that said what she has been saying to herself this whole time.

Maria, no matter how much she tried, felt a dull pain forming in her heart. Why? It's not like this was her first time thinking this. Her father even blamed her, so that meant he hated her, right? Right?

But why did she feel angry? Why did she wanted to tell this person... that what she was saying was a lie? So why...

Why did it hurt to hear her words from someone else?

"Ma-Maria!"

Hearing the President's voice, she gasped as she felt unwanted tears drip from her eyes. Wiping them, she still couldn't erase them. They just kept coming. Why? Haven't she been telling herself that her father hated her? What did it matter hearing it from someone else? Everyone never did that before, but how was this any different? Shouldn't she be glad that there was an honest soul out there? So why... what was to cry about?

They all stared as she cried some more, but Kyoko wasn't going to stop just because she made a little girl cry.

"Why are you crying? You were just telling Kotomi and Tomoyo that Father hated you. I just said your words to you, so what's the big deal? What, only you can say that he hates you? I can't?" She shrugged her shoulders, her hands in the air, as she gave an exasperated sigh. "Geez, this is why he hates you. You're always such a drama queen!"

"LIAR!" Maria gasped. She shot her hands up to her mouth. What did I just say?

Kyoko tilted her head, but gave a smirk.

This didn't go unseen, as everyone saw it. Was this her plan?

"O~h? Why do you say that? Why the change of heart?"

Damn! I messed up! Angel isn't suppose to say that! Think, Maria! Think! Oh! I know!

"But Father always keeps a photo of me every day!" I remember one of the actresses saying that!

"It's not just yours. He keeps everyone's photos with him. It's not just yours." She pointed out, folding her arms.

That girl...! She switched the lines! Ren's face was blank, but in his head, he was gaping in surprise. Is this girl really an amateur? Even I couldn't think of anything! He then paused. No wait... I couldn't think straight because of Maria's words. They reminded me of the crime I committed, but this girl... She never had that happen to her. I shouldn't be surprised.

"N-no matter how busy he is, he always goes to my piano recitals!" Maria exclaimed.

Kyoko didn't look fazed. "Of course he would. It's required. If it was optional, then he wouldn't go in the first place. But it would look bad if he didn't go, since your school organizes them. The problem is parents that don't go!" she said.

And an imaginary cement block came tumbling down, sending Maria down to the ground.

"Mari- I mean, Angel!" Ren bent down, trying to lift her up. She was really in the deep.

Her father never went to her rehearsals.

"H-he... gave me a birthday present..." she choked a reply.

"I was the one who chose it for you. That goes to show he didn't care what you liked!"

Another cement block came crashing down, sending her under the floor boards. She was sinking deeper and deeper.

Her father gave her this weird doll that she didn't even like. That just showed he didn't care...

"H-he..." She lowered her head. She was close to giving up. "He sends me an e-mail every day."

"But isn't it the same every time? Doesn't it take just a few minutes to copy what he has type up before? That means he doesn't even take it seriously. There's no love in-"

"YOU'RE WRONG!" She didn't want to hear it anymore! She didn't want someone to say bad things about her father. Only she could say all of his flaws, and no one else! "Sure, it's the same every time, but he always sends them without fail!"

Maria... Lory watched this, and blinked repeatedly. Maria, who kept saying her father hated her, was defending him.

Kyoko stared at Maria, and almost wanted to cry again. Why were simple things bringing back those buried memories?

*Flashback*

"Dear Father, how was your day? It's rainy today up at the surface, but I bet in the Pacific Ocean, it's sunny at the top!" Smiled a small Kyoko, who was typing her latest message to her father on her laptop. Sebastien was watching over her, and laughed as she kept going to spell check.

Her father didn't want to forget her, and still wanted her to know him even if they were apart.

"I can't wait for your reply tonight!" she typed back, crudely, but she meant every word.

*End of Flashback*

"Ah... I..." Kyoko stuttered. Her mind went blank of what to say next. She was going to break down again. Her breathing became uneven, and her eyes unfocused.

Sebastien quickly noticed this, and, even with his green tights of Peter Pan, stepped in front of her. "Kyoko! You can stop now!" He shook her lightly, as she stood still.

"No... I... can't. Not until Maria... learns that her father doesn't hate her," stuttered Kyoko. She collapsed on the floor, panting even more.

"But... saying to her that her father does hate isn't going to-"

"It's reverse psychology. It works all the time on TV," was her reply.

"... Kyoko. It only works if the person doesn't know that they were using it," Sebastien explained.

"Really? I didn't know that!" Kyoko laughed weakly. She turned to Maria, breathing heavily, and asked, "Maria, can I ask you something? Before I go unconscious?"

"Y-yes?" Maria came up to the girl. She saw Kyoko cry many times, and all of those times was because of what she done in the past. Whatever it was, it wounded Kyoko deeply that she had to tear up at every word. "What is it?"

"Have you ever talked to your father properly? Have you ever once talked to him when you thought he hated you?"

"No, I haven't."

Kyoko gave a weary smile. Her eye lids were slowly closing. "Maria... Your father doesn't know you well because of that wall you built between you both. Of course he would say the same thing over and over again. He wants to learn more about you, to apologize to you." Kyoko dropped her body to the floor and asked, but she wouldn't have heard the reply. But she asked anyway. "At the end of each message, does it say he loves you?"

Kyoko collapsed, already tired from all of the tears she had shed. There were more to come, but... It was natural to feel this way, wasn't it?

*Flashback*

"...N-no! I... didn't do this! ...kun! Please, you have to believe me!" Kyoko shouted, though with a knife in her hand and blood everywhere, it was hard to believe.

"You... Your father, my mentor, sent me to be with you since he wanted to protect you. He wanted you to always be safe; that's why he made me be your friend! But... on the day that he was going to show himself to you... you killed him... You killed everyone!"

*End of Flashback*

Kyoko saw her friend's face, through all the blood that she spilled on that day. He, through gritted teeth, opened them and his fangs sharpened. He cried out...

"YOU MURDERER!"

I have no idea if today I'm going to post the next chapter. If I don't, then maybe tomorrow of next week. I finished my one assignment, but another teacher from a different subject gave me another. Damn...

Anyway... Another song recommendation! I'm really weird, as I listen to the SAME song over and over again when I do a chapter. Meh, it calms me down. For this chapter, it was "Anthem of the Angels" by Breaking Benjamin. Another awesome song! Please listen and tell me what you think! (Or don't tell me what you think! Either way is fine! XD)

PLEASE READ THIS AUTHOR'S NOTE! I'LL PROBABLY EXPLAIN AT SOME POINT HOW MARIA KNOWS REN IS DEAF IN THE NEAR FUTURE! SO DON'T ASK! THE SAME WITH WHO IS THE ONE CALLING KYOKO THE MURDERER!