Ren's Birthday
A/N: Ack, my updates keep getting slower... But, I just finished summer school, so hopefully I'll be able to pick up the pace, haha. Thank you to momo-chan for kicking me into gear yesterday, it was really, REALLY helpful, haha. ^^ Well, this chapter shouldn't be too sad, I don't think it is, I found it funny, so I hope you will too. ^^
Oh, that reminds me, I was talking with strawrawbeby and a few others about this, but forgot to mention it last chapter. I'm thinking of changing the title of this fanfiction to "Ren's Emotions" as the modeling shoot covers more of the plot than his birthday does, but I won't do it if too many people object to it, so tell me what you think. ^^
As always, thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, and put this story in their story alerts and favorites list, you guys are awesome, haha.
Dedication: chainedhearted999 for guessing the chapters right from last chapter, and for pointing out one I hadn't mentioned, haha, and momo-chan, because this chapter wouldn't be up right now if not for her, haha. ^^
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! or any of it's characters, I only own this fanfic, and my OCs. ^^
Chapter 25
Ren quickly recovered, Yashiro's words running through his mind over and over again, like a broken tape. Looking over at Kyoko, he was mildly surprised to see her watching him as well. Locking eyes for a moment before looking down, Kyoko hesitantly started walking towards Ren.
Ren ached with regret as he felt the nervous energy around her increasing as she drew closer, the stiffness in her movements being the outlet for that energy. 'I can't let this drag on any further.' Flicking his gaze over to Yashiro, who was observing them closely, Ren's eyes narrowed ever so slightly with resolve.
"Um, Tsuruga san?"
Ren quickly focused his eyes back on Kyoko, now right in front of him, looking like a frightened little rabbit, ready to bolt at any moment. "Yes?"
Kyoko bowed deeply. Taking in a deep breath, she said in a loud voice, "Arigatou, Tsuruga san, for letting me borrow your cell phone!"
Taken aback for a moment by the forcefulness of Kyoko's gratitude, he unconsciously smiled radiantly at her bowed head. "It's nothing, I'm glad I was able to be of help."
Kyoko froze, the ice slowly cracking as she looked up to see Ren's heavenly smile. Thoroughly confused now by Ren's recent behavior, Kyoko backed up a step, holding the cell phone in front of her like a shield. 'Too bright!' "H-here, thank you a-again for l-letting me use i-it."
Ren frowned lightly for a moment at Kyoko's reaction, but said nothing, silently taking the cell phone from her hand.
Kyoko let out a small sigh of relief as Ren's heavenly smile disappeared, although a bit discomfited by the small frown that briefly appeared on Ren's face afterwards.
Looking towards the trunk of Ren's car, Kyoko opened her mouth to ask to take out her bag of chocolates when Ren spoke first.
"Mogami san, I need to speak with you..."
Kyoko tuned out the rest of Ren's little monologue, backing up further and pasting on a fake smile as she panicked inside. "Uh, Tsuruga san?" 'I don't want to listen, he called me "Mogami san" in such a serious tone, I don't want to hear Tsuruga san say that he hates me!'
Using a gentlemanly smile to mask his disappointment at Kyoko's interruption, he answered quietly. "Yes?"
Kyoko's eyes widened considerably, the poisonous light radiating from Ren at the moment made her break out into a cold sweat. "Can you please open the trunk so I can get my chocolates out? I'm supposed to meet Moko san in an hour, and I need to pass out all of the chocolates before then." Kyoko asked in a thin voice, her smile becoming harder and harder to keep in place.
"Of course." Ren murmured, opening the trunk with a quiet click of a button.
Kyoko hurriedly walked over and grabbed her bag of chocolates. Bowing and saying thank you once more, Ren was barely given enough time to tell Kyoko that he wanted to speak to her later before Kyoko bolted, only tossing a good-bye to the two men over her shoulder as she entered the building, purposely ignoring Ren's request.
Watching the interaction between Ren and Kyoko, Yashiro's eyes narrowed slightly at Kyoko's obviously skittish behavior. Walking back towards Ren once Kyoko had made her exit, Yashiro shook his head at Ren. "If you keep this up, by the time this photo shoot ends, I wouldn't blame her if Kyoko decides to keep her distance from you, permanently."
Ren kept his eyes on the entrance of the L.M.E. building, pretending to ignore Yashiro, and staying silent until Yashiro gave up, following Kyoko's footsteps and entering the building, only at a much slower pace.
Turning around to lock the car doors, he caught sight of the small white box tied up with a black ribbon near his seat. Hesitating for a moment, he opened the door and gently took it out, locking the car up behind him.
Carefully opening the box, a tiny smile curved his lips at the white zigzag glaze on top of the small truffles. Momentarily closing his eyes, Ren bit into one of the delicate treats.
.o.O.o.
It's lemon mint, so it's not as rich as other fillings. It shouldn't bother your stomach at all!"
.*.*.*.*.
Ren's eyes snapped open, savoring the cold, tangy flavor.
.o.O.o.
Kyoko started laughing. "Alright then." she chortled, as she signed the bottom right corner of the picture with a flourish. "There, you can have your cake," she smiled and gave Ren back the picture, picking up the plate Ren had set down a moment ago. "and eat it too." She offered the plate to him with a smile.
.*.*.*.*.
Ren finally started walking towards the building. 'That girl has been so understanding lately...'
.o.O.o.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart."
.*.*.*.*.
A light flush graced Ren's cheeks before it faded a moment later, an unreadable mask falling into place in its stead.
.o.O.o.
"TSURUGA SAN! Why? Why were you acting so cold to me?! Please! Tell me what I did wrong! Tsuruga san!"
"Mogami san, from now on, I would appreciate it if we kept our distance from each other outside of work."
.*.*.*.*.
Ren closed his eyes. 'And yet I did something so hurtful for my own selfishness...' Ren stopped right in front of the entrance, frozen solid. 'Wait, I haven't even apologized for bruising her wrist, and I went and said...' Letting out a huge sigh, the ice slowly melted away. 'I don't think she'll ever open her heart up to me again.' Walking into the building, Ren felt his mouth drop open at the scene laid out before him. 'Eh?!'
"Ah, Sawara san! Here, this is for you, thank you for all your hard work this year! Matsushima san...!" Kyoko moved across the room with frightening speed and efficiency, as she passed out her chocolates one by one.
'It looks as if she's in fast-forward.' Ren thought in amusement, unable to hold back his laughter, although he did try to laugh in as discrete a manner as he could manage.
Settling down, his eyes flashed in silent humor as his expression took a more serious turn. 'Regardless of whether she forgives me or not, I still need to apologize to her as soon as possible.'
Finally winding down, Kyoko checked the time. 'I still have 20 minutes before I see Moko san.' A flower popping out of her hair, Kyoko smiled happily. 'I'll just get there early so Moko san won't have to wait for me.'
.o.O.o.
"Ah, Kyoko chan, this is for me?!" Moko's eyes widened in pleasure as Kyoko held out the small white box.
Kyoko nodded vigorously. "Of course I'd make chocolate for my best friend!"
Moko ran up to Kyoko and hugged the girl tightly. "Thank you so much Kyoko chan, you're the best friend I could ever have!" Slowly releasing Kyoko, she pulled out a small, red, heart-shaped box from her purse. "This is for you, I made it myself. I hope you like it." Moko said shyly.
Kyoko's eyes sparkled brightly in delight. "Of course! I'd like anything Moko san made for me!"
.*.*.*.*.
Kyoko snapped out of her little trip through la-la land when someone accidentally bumped into her from behind.
"I'm sorry!" A harried businessman apologized, before going off towards the exit.
"It's... nothing." Kyoko called after him, spotting Ren by the entrance, holding the box of chocolates she had given him.
Their eyes meeting before she could look away, a pleasant mask fell over Ren's face as he started walking towards her, making every other woman in the lobby sigh in appreciation.
Dread overcoming her, Kyoko did her best to weave through the flood of women who had started moving towards Ren, with Ren rapidly closing in on her. Remembering the previous incident that something like this had occurred, the moment she was free of the crowd of infatuated females, Kyoko broke out into a run, uncaring of how undignified she looked.
Finally slowing down once she had caught sight of the Love Me Section locker room, she sighed, deflating as she remembered how Ren was carrying the box of chocolates she had given to him. 'That must be what Tsuruga san wanted to talk to me about...'
"Mogami san."
"Eek!" The hair on the back of her neck stood up in surprise as Kyoko whipped her head around to see Ren standing behind her. "T-Tsuruga san!" Backing up a bit, Kyoko noticed Ren's eyes narrow slightly at her avoidance tactics.
"I need to talk to you about-"
"Tsuruga san." Kyoko interrupted, not wanting to listen, but unable to escape. Taking a deep breath, Kyoko looked down at the ground, too nervous to look Ren in the eye as she started talking. "I know why you want to talk to me."
Ren's eyes widened in surprise. "You do?"
Kyoko nodded meekly, forcing her gaze up to Ren's shoulder. "I'm not sure what I did to make you so upset, but-but..." Tears slowly started falling from Kyoko's eyes, traveling down her face, and leaving little wet marks on the wooden floor.
Finally looking Ren in the eye, Kyoko continued tearfully. "Even if you're really angry at me, please don't say that you can't accept my chocolates anymore!"
Ren blinked, a blank expression wiping off any previous frustration that had shown on his face from having to chase Kyoko from the lobby all the way to her locker room. Gracefully, of course. 'Eh?'
"Even if Tsuruga san really does hate me now, I still want Tsuruga san to have the chocolate I made to show my appreciation of how much you've helped me out this past year!" Kyoko wailed, the small trickle of tears turning into a waterfall as she started crying in earnest.
Dumbfounded by Kyoko's twisted logic, Ren could only look on as he tried to process what she had just said. Regaining his senses a few seconds later, Ren reached out towards Kyoko, his hand stopping only a few inches away from her head. "Mogami san, th-"
"Kyoko chan!"
A/N: I will try to update sooner, I will try, haha. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this chapter and this fanfic, thank you.
Really though, don't you just love the way Kyoko's mind works sometimes? haha. ^^