Hidden in Plain Sight

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of the characters from the Manga.

Summary: LME has seen better days; Kyoko was forced to return home by her mother and Tsuruga Ren has gone back to the States to resume his true identity. So who is the new kid making entertainment news… and why is Saena so angry?

Chapter 25 – Three funerals and…

"… Although no clear legal heir has been established for the colossal Shimazu business and financial empire, distant relatives from throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas began arriving yesterday for the double funeral of father and son.

"There remains the question of whether there will be any inheritance at all, since all of the Shimazu assets have been seized by the government pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation by federal Justice and Internal Revenue authorities.

"In other, possibly related news, Councilman Fukushima Hisaki had turned in his resignation and announced his withdrawal from his campaign for Prime Minister of Japan. Fukushima informed the press corps earlier this morning that his doctor has diagnosed him with the early stages of heart failure.

"Fukushima Hisaki and his wife, Saena, came under a considerable amount of national and international scorn during the last few months after the news of Saena's celebrity daughter, Kyouko, became public knowledge…"

Saena shut off the television set with a vicious mash of the off button. She wanted to throw the remote at the set, but she knew that it wouldn't do anything to assuage her furious rage at the world in general, and her useless daughter in-particular. She tossed the remote at the couch and then glared at her husband's closed office door. If he was going to resign anyway, then why did he insist on me signing that vile emancipation paperwork? I could have at least made her pay for everything that she's done to us!

The mansion felt like a funeral parlour. Although Hisaki was still alive, his political dreams were dead. It was as if the life had drained out of him. He had never shown Saena the contents of the letter that prompted his actions, but she knew that someone must have had some very serious information to make her husband surrender so easily.

Saena sent another scathing look toward Hisaki's office before striding angrily and purposefully toward her own. Once she was safely closed into her office, she began to pace again. Hisaki had expressly ordered her to back off and to leave her daughter alone. She couldn't understand his sudden reticence, and it disgusted her. I will find her. I will find her, and I will make her life a living hell! Saena looked at the email on her own desk. Detective Enomoto Eiji had finally come through with the information she needed. It seemed that Kyoko had been in Japan the entire time… but now she was on her way to California.

Saena reached for her coat and grabbed her already-prepared travelling bag. You should have remained hidden, you little brat. Now I'm going to make you as miserable as you have made me!

oOoOOoOo

Kyoko, in a disguise similar to the one she wore in her two-hour stint as an Oujo-sama for Ring-Do, stepped forward and bowed to a blond-haired, blue-eyed Ren. She blushed a little as he devoured her with his eyes.

He closed the remaining distance and took her hands in his, never taking his eyes off of hers. "You know, it was that day, on the set of Ring Doh, that I first understood how truly graceful and beautiful you are," he said, releasing one hand to reach up and caress her cheek, "And how talented… and how fiery… and how exasperating…"

"Exasperating?" Kyoko asked with warning in her voice.

"Yes, exasperating. Do you remember when I had to carry you up the hill… and you threw a fit the entire time?" He smirked as Kyoko blushed at the memory. Then he smiled with something smoky and hungry in his eyes, "You hardly weighed a thing… and although I tried to ignore it at the time, you felt wonderfully feminine in my arms…"

Kyoko's light blush turned to bright scarlet, so Ren relented and said, "We should go, before people start recognizing us."

oOoOOoOo

Kotonami Kanae stood next to Sebastian and watched impatiently as the little Leer Jet pulled into the private hanger. She pulled from all of her considerable acting skills to try to appear nonchalant as she thought of the famous couple who would soon step out of the expensive airplane.

She was there to assist the Hizuri's, certainly, but in reality she was mostly there to greet Amamiya Chiori. This day signaled a moment of triumph for both young ladies, because it would mean that their shared best friend could finally step out of hiding… of course the presence of the famous Hollywood couple also signaled the fact that the girls would still have to share… something that Kanae was not as pleased about.

Kanae tensed as the fuselage of the plane suddenly shifted and the door descended as a set of stairs. A flight-attendant stepped down first to secure the stairs, and then a very tall, light brown haired man stepped out and turned, halfway, to extend a hand to a stunningly beautiful woman. Kanae had very seldom felt drab around anyone, but she felt almost non-descript in comparison to this woman. Still, her eyes narrowed slightly as she thought of Kyoko's nervousness earlier in the morning. Mega-star model or not, Julie Hizuri had better treat Kyoko right.

Sebastian broke his customary silence and demonstrated his uncanny mindreading skills as he said, "Relax, Kotonami-san; she'll be kind to Mogami-san."

Before Kanae could form a reply, Hizuri Kuu reached out a hand to assist the other passenger down the stairs. Amamiya Chiori blushed at this courtesy from the extremely famous, very handsome older man. Her smile widened when she saw Kanae stepping forward.

The two girls hugged uncharacteristically, but neither seemed to mind. Though they hadn't wanted to admit it, they had spent most of the past few months convinced that Fukushima Saena would eventually catch up to her daughter. They had lived those months on-edge, waiting for the bad news, especially when Z became a national celebrity. Now Kyoko had been emancipated, and she was safe at last.

Then again, both girls agreed with Fuwa Sho… though it rankled them to ever admit that fact… and his deep, personal distrust of Kyoko's mother. That was the reason for this day's momentous developments. If all went well, Mogami Kyoko would be safe from this day on.

oOoOOoOo

Shouko Aki hung the extra outfit that Sho had commissioned for this occasion on the wall-hook, and then she turned her eyes to where the musician was sprawled out on his plush couch, pretending to be relaxed. Aki had to resist the urge to ask the young man if he was truly prepared to do this. It had been his idea… and it was truly the most mature and kind thing that he had ever done.

… it was so special, in fact, that Shouko Aki was finally able to see Fuwa Sho as a real man… which was quite dangerous for her own emotional health, considering the close nature of their professional relationship. Fuwa Sho had always been devilishly handsome, but up until now he had also been ridiculously childish as well…

The gorgeous manager shook off the thought. Today, of all days, Sho didn't need to be dealing with other issues. Today he would need every ounce of determination and self-control just to fulfill his self-appointed task.

From the couch, Sho spoke without removing the arm that he had draped across his eyes, "Am I being an idiot, Aki? Was there any chance that I could have won her back?"

The shapely manager walked close and knelt beside the couch, "No, Sho, I think that her decision has been made. But at least you won her friendship back… and what you are doing today is…"

"Moronic?"

Shouko Aki gently removed Sho's arm from across his face and met his eyes, "No. What you are doing today is one of the most amazing, unselfish things that I have ever seen." Having said that, she leaned forward and kissed Sho's cheek.

Sho looked surprised, and then a trace of mischief showed in his eyes, "Does this mean that you've changed your mind about me?" He smiled the smile that made tens of thousands of female fans go weak in the knees.

Shouko Aki huffed and stood, "Don't push it, Sho." And she turned to walk away… but there was something in her voice, and in the sway of her hips as she walked away that belied her words.

oOoOOoOo

The Tokyo Dome is the largest concert hall in the world, with a seating capacity of 55,000. There are other larger stadiums, but none that were specifically engineered to serve dual-function of both sports-center and concert-music-hall. Fuwa Sho had played this venue twice before, but both times it was in conjunction with other nationally and internationally known musicians. This time he would be playing as the headliner. Of course, he was fully aware of the fact that a portion of this honor belonged to Slow Rising Storm, and more specifically, to Z.

As his band completed their final sound-check, Shotaro remembered that terrible day, almost three years ago, when he had mouthed off like a fool and had been unexpectedly confronted by his childhood friend. All he had intended on that fateful day was to make his gorgeous manager see him as a man… and to get her in bed, or course.

Sho snorted as he looked back and understood how foolish he had made himself look every time he tried to impress Shouko Aki. She must have really been disgusted with me. And because of my hormonal teenaged bragging, I lost the person who had been the most devotedly loyal to me. I truly am an imbecile.

He glanced over to the door of the side-room where people he didn't know were moving in and out, rushing to prepare for the impromptu alteration in tonight's final concert of this successful tour. His idea had truly taken on a life of its own, far beyond the original concept. He stared at the door for a minute longer, as if wishing could make her step out.

"Thirty-minutes until the gates open, Sir," a pyro-technician said. Sho looked at the man and understood his unspoken message. The techies needed him to clear the stage so that they could complete their work. Instead of being irritated, he simply nodded and walked off of the stage towards his private dressing room.

oOoOOoOo

As they had in Kyoto and Sapporo, the crowds began to arrive two hours early for the concert. This time there was added excitement, because Fuwa Sho had appeared on several different talk shows and promised that he had something special, possibly even earth-shattering, planned for this final concert in the Wings of Fire 2011 tour. It looked entirely possible that the huge stadium might actually reach full-capacity, which seldom ever happened.

The news media were out in force, and the concert would be televised live, nationwide. Seven different major station news networks were on-hand, as well as print and web-media newsies. There were also, reportedly, an unusual number of famous celebrities attending.

The concert began on time, with a burst of fireworks that blinded the eyes, followed immediately by blackness, and then a single spotlight focusing on a lone figure, center-stage. The crowd roared as Z, the guitarist who was soaring to national acclaim, began playing a complex, but stirringly beautiful solo rendition of the tour's theme piece, "Wings of Fire". On either side of the stage and suspended throughout the stadium concert hall there were huge screens that showed whatever the cameras focused on. At the moment the screens showed a close-up of Z, who looked down while he played and seemed unusually focused on his Ibanez guitar.

There was something so poignant about this alteration of the already popular music that people leaned forward or closed their eyes as if to become a part of the music. It began slower than the canon song, but gradually grew in intensity. Then there was a second guitar, and a spotlight illuminated Fuwa Sho, at the opposite end of the stage. Once again the crowd roared, but quickly became silent to best hear the music. Sho played counterpoint instead of harmony, and somehow the music began to stir a fire in the audience.

When the entire stage lit up and showed both Fuwa Sho's band and Slow Rising Storm on stage, the massive crowd sprang from their seats, clapping and waving their arms. They didn't know why there was an alteration in the usual concert lineup, but they were primed for whatever happened. After all, these two bands had been drawing sellout crowds throughout this tour.

The music grew in volume and intensity until the crowds were whipped into a fevered pitch, and then the music slowed and, like magic, the crowds settled as well. Fuwa Sho might have been young, but he was an instinctive genius when it came to understanding a live crowd. He had intentionally made the crowd expend a lot of energy at the outset, so that the sudden lull would be received with acceptance.

As the last note played out, Sho stepped up to the microphone. "Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming to this, our final concert in the 'Wings of Fire 2011 Tour'." He waited for the cheering to die down, and then said, "This tour has been big news in Japan, but there has been other big news as well." Behind him and on screens throughout the hall, images of Kyouko, and clips from articles about her, were flashing on the screens.

"When people become celebrities, they often try to keep a part of their lives separate, private. We don't do this because we have terrible secrets. No, we do this because we wish to retain a part of ourselves and not have everything splashed across the news and tabloids. Today I wish to reveal one of my own most-cherished secrets: I have a best friend, someone who I grew up with and who I would do anything for." The screen showed photos of Shotaro and Kyoko at different times during their childhood. The photos, changed slowly, showing the progression of the two children until the age of fifteen. Then the crowd gasped as the photos became separate, with Sho performing on-stage and Kyoko acting as Mio, and then Natsu. The slideshow stopped on a non-confrontational moment during the filming of Fuwa Sho's "Prisoner" PV. Over on the side of the stage, where Z was still seated with his guitar, the real Kyoko felt tears forming behind her eyes.

The crowd was murmuring loudly now, shocked at this unexpected information. There had been rumors and speculations in the tabloids of confrontations between the two young celebrities, but most people hadn't given the articles much credence.

Sho continued, "I believe that most of you know the story of the actress Kyouko and her desperate flight from Japan in order to hide from a forced marriage to a man who was completely unacceptable." The screens showed one of the worst photographs of Shimazu Toyotomi, during a drunken altercation at a club.

"Many of you in this very stadium have leant your support to Kyouko through prayers, and messages on various websites, and even a protest in front of the Fukushima Estate. One legitimate website has actually raised over two-million yen for Kyouko to draw from in case of emergency… Of course, she would have had to reveal herself to collect this money, so it remains in the account for now," there were chuckles as Sho's face took on a wry expression that was shown in close-up on the large screens.

"Kyouko has appreciated all of your kind regards, but she had to remain in-hiding. Today that has all changed, because today she has emancipation papers in her possession. And so, today, she has decided to reveal herself to you. She is the most honest person I know, so it has been hard on her to fool people, but if you have followed her story at all, I hope that you will understand why it was necessary. Personally, I am proud of her, because only someone with her colossal acting talent could have pulled this off so successfully.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, I now have the honor of re-introducing my childhood friend. Please forgive her for her necessary deception."

The crowd of almost 55,000 sat absolutely silent, waiting. Sho looked over at Z, and nodded. For the first time since he stepped on stage that night, Z looked up and the cameras went in for a close-up that was shown on the screens throughout the stadium. At first nobody noticed the change, but then people in the crowd, especially dedicated fans, began to murmur. Instead of brilliant green, they were seeing vibrant golden eyes. Kyouko stood, set her guitar in its stand, and stepped up to the microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen of Japan, I am Kyouko. For the past four months I have found it necessary to hide in plain sight, living before the entire world as Zeshin Michelson… or rather, as Z. I hope that you will forgive me for my actions." Kyouko bowed gracefully to everyone with her hands crossed before her in the traditional manner. She remained bowed, waiting for the backlash of the huge crowd.

For a moment, there was stunned silence, but then one, and then four, and then twenty, and then more people than could be easily counted began clapping. Soon almost the entire crowd was screaming. There were those who felt offended, but many more were amazed at the stunning accomplishment that Kyoko had achieved. Cameras flashed everywhere, and news crews went nuts as they angled for the best shots.

Kyouko stood straight again, tears streaming down her face. She waited and waited for the raucous cheering to finally die down, and then she spoke into the microphone again without wiping her tears. Oddly, even though the only physical change had been the absence of her green contacts, Z now looked entirely feminine. "As Fuwa Sho already said, I am deeply and profoundly moved by all of the support that people throughout Japan… and even throughout the world… have offered to me. I cherish each and every one of you." She bowed again, this time in thanks rather than contrition.

Fuwa Sho smiled and nodded as Kyoko rose from he bow, which was her cue to walk back behind the stage. "Ladies and gentleman, Kyouko will be back to play with us… and there will be another, very special event later in the concert…" Sho's voice almost left him for a moment, but he forcefully went on, "… but for now, we'll perform one of our newest songs…"

Behind the stage, Kyoko practically ran into Ren's arms as she dissolved into a fit of trembling. Ren held her for a few minutes, and then he began to chuckle, "You didn't honestly think that they were going to lynch you, did you?"

Kyoko didn't reply out loud, but after several seconds she nodded into Ren's chest. Ren hugged her even tighter for a bit, and then he said, "You had better get changed, or you will miss your cue."

Reluctantly, the couple separated and Kyoko went to the room set aside for her. Thankfully Kanae and Chiori were standing by, because she couldn't have made her own fingers work all of the zippers and buttons. Then Jelly Woods took over, and while Kyoko held her Corn stone, the makeup witch worked her magic.

Miyoko was preparing to step up and sing when Kyouko, wearing a skirt-dress, spiked black boots, and Z's leather jacket walked back on stage. Her hair was still just as short, but somehow Jelly had made the effect very feminine. The close-up shots that showed on every screen made her look like a beautiful rebel. Once again the crowd exploded in applause. Kyouko bowed, took up her guitar, and then faced Slow Rising Storm. Everyone followed Miyoko's signal and the group launched into their music with gusto.

The first part of the concert lasted for forty-five minutes. After the introduction, SRS owned the stage throughout that time. But when it was time to turn the stage over to Fuwa Sho, nobody moved. Once again, Fuwa Sho walked out onto center stage to address the audience. "Over the past few days I have been promising Japan that something very special would be happening. You probably thought that the announcement of Z's true identity… but there is more…" He was relieved that he made it through this first part, but he had to gesture for Kyoko to step forward to take over from there. His voice, no, his entire body was rebelling against what was coming next.

Kyouko stepped forward and took the microphone, smiling her thanks and concern as Sho nodded and quickly stepped out of the spotlight. She took a deep breath and pulled on all of her experiences as an actress and musician for the past three years to help her make this next announcement. "Everyone knows my story now, how I have been hiding from an arranged marriage to a man who I did not know and could never love… If you have been following the news in the past few days, you are probably aware of the type of illegal activities that man was involved in. I did not know everything, but I knew enough to know that he was not a many I could ever marry. For those of you who are traditionalists, I hope that this latest news will help you to see that this was about much more than being a dutiful or undutiful daughter…"

Kyoko allowed the murmurs of the crowd to grow and diminish before continuing, "There was another reason as well. Since I began my acting career at the age of sixteen…"

Behind the stage, Ren looked at Sho, who watched the lone-figure on-stage with fists clenched. "Thank you, Fuwa Sho."

Sho glared over at the taller man, "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for her," he saw Ren's eyes harden for a moment, and then soften as the actor nodded in understanding. "And I'll tell you something else: You had better keep her happy, because if you ever make her cry…"

Sho didn't finish his words, because Kyoko was nearing the climactic moment in her speech.

"… has been my sempai, my friend, and the man that I love. For the past month he has also been my fiancé. Please welcome the man who most of you know as Tsuruga Ren, Hizuri Kuon." There was a moment of stunned silence, and then the crowd exploded as a tall, handsome, blond-haired and blue-eyed figure walked out onto the stage and joined Kyouko, hugging her tiny, trembling body to his own.

Taking the microphone from Kyouko's hands, Ren addressed the audience, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have loved this wonderful woman since shortly after I met her again, when she joined LME to become an actress." He chuckled softly and said, "Of course, since she was only sixteen at the time, I kept my feelings a secret… even from her." There were various emotions throughout the stadium, from jealousy, to anger, to envy, laughter, and most of all romantic euphoria. The beautiful couple on stage, and on the big screens, made a moving tableau and the crowd was swept up in the magic of it.

"The past year has been torture," Ren continued somberly. "First, I thought that I had lost Kyoko forever. Then, after she escaped, I was worried for her safety. And finally, when Kyoko accepted my love and my proposal, I was terrified that something would go wrong and that she would be taken from me again, forever."

The crowd "awwwwed" as Ren pulled Kyoko close and she blushed profusely. Then Ren continued, "And now Kyoko had her emancipation papers!" The crowd roared and Kyoko took the microphone while the noise died down.

"Which is why, before anything else happens, Hizuri Kuon and I are going to marry…" again they waited for the crowd to quiet, "… and my dear friend, Fuwa Sho thought that the best way to finalize everything was to do it in front of 55,000 witnesses… not counting everyone who is watching this concert from the safety of their homes."

Fuwa Sho, having regained his control, stepped out with another microphone and spoke, "So what do you think, Tokyo! How would you like to be the guests at Kyouko's wedding!"

Ren noticed the deliberate omission of his own name by Sho, but at the moment he didn't care. He simply held Kyoko even more tightly as the huge crowd erupted in screaming cheers.

Notes: Many of you have asked about Eiji's plan. The first part was to get her on an airplane. The final result will be revealed in the next chapter. Oh, and on a side-note: there might be a rock-and-roll wedding as well… not that anyone is interested.

Thanks to everyone for your reviews. I hope that they fix it so that I can reply again soon.