Gems
Shoko cautiously opens the door into her charge's company supplied flat. Last evening, she had been worried when the normally needy idol had insisted that she take him to his place instead of hers. She had reluctantly dropped the strangely quiet musician at his apartment building with the promise to come get him around lunch time for his production meeting.
As Fuwa's manager enters the small living room area, she is horrified to see the disastrous mess strewn across the entire room. Personal items are scattered all over the floor, furniture is toppled, dishes are shattered against the walls, and the land line phone has been ripped out of the wall. The room looks like a picture of the after effects of a tornado whipped through the apartment. Shoko sighs. The wrath of god is clearly evident in the room. Either that or it is the uncontrolled rage of a four year old in an eighteen year old body.
Stepping delicately over and around the disaster, Shoko makes her way to the bedroom. She slides open the door expecting to find Sho in his bed. His bed is eerily empty and the bed is surprisingly still made. It is a creepy plain of neatness in another room of disaster. Around the room, clothes are thrown everywhere and the large mirror over the dresser appears to have been struck with something hard. A collection of her own concerned faces stare back in an almost kaleidoscope of worry as Shoko peers at the images in the damaged mirror.
A quick check of Sho's bathroom reveals no destruction beyond Sho's normal lackluster housekeeping but still no musician. With only one room remaining, Shoko becomes increasingly apprehensive about her charge's whereabouts. Luckily, the stressed manager finds the idol passed out on the floor of the combination kitchen and dining room with one hand on his guitar's neck and his lower body tucked under the heated folds of his kotatsu. All around the room, crumpled pieces of sheet music lay violently discarded but a tidy stack of neatly inked work sits on the center of the low table.
Tension eases from Shoko as she kneels and brushes her hand through the sleeping musician's blond hair. She notices mild abrasions on the knuckles of Sho's right hand which prompts her to realize what damaged the mirror in his bedroom. The manager clucks her tongue in disapproval.
"Come on sleepy-head," she murmurs softly. "You have a meeting in about an hour. I need you to get ready."
Sho groans and opens his tired blue eyes. The musician levers himself into a sitting position and rolls his head to stretch his neck. Like a small child, he rubs the heel of his palm across his eye as if to force the sleep from it. He pulls his legs towards him and rests his head and arms on his bent knees. He looks up at Shoko with the single most pitiful yet devastatingly sexy look he has every shared with her. The older woman catches her breath as her stomach muscles tighten and her body is engulfed with a heat flash. She stands up quickly and stumbles back two steps.
Sho turns his head until his forehead rests against his knees and mumbles something about need, song and call.
Strangely apprehensive about approaching her charge, Shoko asks him to repeat his request. He lifts his haunted eyes back to his manager.
"I need your help. I wrote a new song and I want to release it as a single as soon as possible. Next week if possible. If you can't find a producer, I will back it myself. I also need you to call Kyoko and set up a meeting. Convince her that I have to speak to her. Bribe her, kidnap her, hell, have her bring that platform wearing gorge star Tsuruga. I don't care, just get her to agree to speak with me. Please Shoko. I need you to do this for me. Please."
Mesmerized by the younger man, the older woman nods her head slowly in assent because she does not trust her voice to answer.
"Thank you, Shoko," Fuwa murmurs softly before rising from the ground and staggering sleepily into his bedroom to shower and change.
Shoko moves back to the low table and kneels to switch off the heater. She absently shifts through Sho's new song titled An Uncut Gem. She hums slightly off key as she tries to follow the general melody and she recognizes that the music will be impressive. She then reads the lyrics. By the time she reaches the third verse, tears fall silently down her cheeks.
"Oh, Sho," she whispers into the silence with a softly proud smile. "It's about time you realized your feelings, you idiot."
"Um, Ren, are you sure this is where you wanted to bring me?" asks the teen actress as she stares at the information, "Buckingham's, purveyor of fine jewelry, watches and gems since 1898, hours by appointment only", which is etched into the leaded crystal of the window on the elegant entrance door.
"Absolutely, Kyoko. That is why I made an appointment," he jokes as he pulls open the heavy door and ushers his kohai into the opulent waiting room. A young woman in a pale gray business suit stands just inside the door. She bows formally to the two customers before offering a welcome.
"Greetings, Tsuruga-sama. Welcome to Buckinghams. We are pleased that you have gifted us with your patronage. If you wish to have a seat, I will be happy to inform Tanaka-san that you have arrived."
The young woman indicates the four Louis XIV gilded armchairs where customers can wait comfortably until their consultation with the master jeweler. She then glides from the room to retrieve the consultant. Ren gracefully settles on the expensive chair before looking questioningly at his companion. Kyoko stares at the chair as if she expects it to bite her.
"Have a seat, Kyoko. It's okay. They are meant to be sat on."
Delicately, the actress lowers herself onto the furniture as if afraid of damaging the obviously expensive piece.
"Ren, I really think we would be more comfortable at another shop, don't you?"
Ren shakes his head and explains that this shop offers private sittings. He reminds the actress that they would be mobbed if they went to a public. In addition, he explains that she will be in essence providing the shop advertising by wearing their items so they have offered him an incredible deal. Ren adds that if anyone in the public saw him buying her jewelry, it would instantly be blown completely out of proportion. By next week, the media would be reporting that they were engaged and already expecting their first child.
"This store is our best chance at privacy. Unless you want everyone to think we are engaged?"
Embarrassed, Kyoko stares at the floor and shakes her head. "Maybe we should just skip the jewelry?" she offers hopefully.
Ren shifts in his chair until he is facing the young actress. His lower lip pushes out in the slightest measure of a pout as his eyes become large and sorrowful.
"You promised I could spoil you," he whispers in a heart rending tone.
Kyoko swallows audibly and suddenly finds the intricate fleur-de-lys pattern on the red, gold and black carpet fascinating. Ren reaches across to the actress and gently touches her chin. He tilts her face up until their gaze meets. The actor smiles tenderly at the young actress. Trapped by his expression, Kyoko nods once and Ren's smile shifts to a triumphant grin. Kyoko shudders as Ren withdrawals his hand from her face.
"You are a truly evil man," mutters Kyoko as she lowers her eyes to the floor once again.
Ren chuckles. Kyoko snatches a quick glance back at her smug senpai.
"And that look really should be illegal," she pouts and Ren can't help but grin evilly at his newly discovered weapon in his war of attrition against Kyoko's heart.
The strange battle of wills is interrupted when an elderly man in a conservative cut suit enters the room and greets his customers formally. Ren and Kyoko stand as the jeweler bows formally to them in a manner that even impresses Kyoko. Ren returns the greeting and introduces Kyoko before placing his arm around the actress' waist and escorting her into the show room. Kyoko stiffens slightly at the initial touch but relaxes when she remembers that they touched comfortably when they were acting as siblings. She glances up at Ren's face and wonders silently about the contented smile on his face as he leads her to another elegant chair that is placed in front of a small table with a velvety cloth on it. Just as her father instructed her to observe those around her, she stores the image in her memory for consideration later.
The pair settles once more into fancy seats and Tanaka settles directly across the long thin table from them.
"So, I understand that you are in need of accessories to compliment your gown for a televised award ceremony, correct? Could you describe the young lady's gown, Tsuruga-sama ?"
Ren begins a brief description of the outfit but both gentleman stop the exchange to watch as Kyoko digs into her bag to retrieve her cell phone. She pulls the electronic free and flips it open. She scrolls through her pictures until she finds the one of her dress and hands it to the jeweler.
"Will this help?" she asks.
The older gentleman smiles and nods before asking Ren to continue his description also. Confused, Kyoko listens as her senpai uses words to describe the image that she just handed to Tanaka. As Ren finishes his description, the older man thanks him. The gentleman closes his eyes for a moment as if getting a picture in his head of the gown through Ren's eyes. Kyoko tilts her head slightly to the side in consideration. When the jeweler opens his eyes and smiles for the two customers, Kyoko's curiosity overpowers her feelings of intimidation in the expensive store.
"If you have a picture of the gown, why would you still need a description of the gown?" she asks in a demure yet still inquisitive tone.
The elderly man's eyes twinkle as he answers her question.
"The picture is helpful in matching stone and precious metal for color but the style and type of jewelry needed is best determined by the image of the gown more than the actual gown itself. For instance, if your companion had described your gown as flirty and innocent, I would tend more towards small, simple pieces with warmer toned stones whereas if the gown was described as elegant and sophisticated, I would tend more towards larger cuts of cold stones."
"Therefore, I listened to what Tsuruga-sama said about your gown as well as what he did not say about the gown and from that description, I can better recommend pieces that will fit your needs."
Fascinated, Kyoko asks how what Ren did not say would help him determine the type of jewelry.
"Ah, you want all my secrets," teases the old man. "How about I go and retrieve a couple pieces as a way of explaining?"
Kyoko nods excitedly and the elderly man retreats from the show room. Tanaka returns in a few minutes with four small cases. He sets the cases on a small auxiliary shelf near his lap before opening one of the cases and placing it on the table between the two customers.
"Now, Tsuruga-sama described your gown in a great deal of detail. He said it is mature, slightly form fitting, floor length with a long slit up the leg almost to the upper thigh, open backed, with a modest halter style neck, and understated bead work along the modest bust line and on the end of the accent pieces that fall across the open back. With just that description, I would show you this set of pieces."
The jeweler places a gold chained necklace with small black glittering stones and a single large diamond that dangles slightly and would fall between Kyoko's breasts when worn. He also removes a pair of simple diamond earrings and a bracelet that matches the necklace in design. Kyoko stares at the lovely pieces and looks at Ren who is staring at the pieces with a look of consideration but not happiness.
Tanaka smiles. He slides the case further down the table and places another on in its place.
"Now, the information that Tsuruga-san conveyed that he did not say would have made me change some choices. When he said that he finds your dress mature, his lips compressed slightly as if he did not like how mature the gown is. This sentiment is further supported when he mentioned that the gown has a modest bust line. This seemed to please him. Because he seems to prefer to not draw attention to your chest, I would then recommend a different style of necklace."
This time, the jeweler places a case on the table that includes a choker style necklace with intricate gold chain work woven together and no gems. The set has simple golden hoop earrings and a bracelet of thin woven chains of gold. Ren looks at the pieces and seems a bit more interested in these pieces but they still do not thrill him. Tanaka slides this case down the table also and places the final two cases on the table.
"Now, when I take all the other information I gleaned from the description, I would recommend actually a combination of two sets of jewelry. First, I would ask which side the slit on the gown is."
Ren replies that it is on the right side.
"Excellent. Then this is my recommendation."
The jeweler opens the cases and pulls out a short necklace with a tear shaped amethyst at the center and two tiny black diamonds set into the chain spaced further up the chain. The necklace will drape slightly but not enough to draw attention to the wearer's chest. Tanaka removes a thin gold bracelet and a matching gold anklet that matches the delicate woven chain design of the necklace. He also places a small gold ring with another tear-shaped amethyst set in it. There are no earrings but he pulls a single golden hair comb from the second case and places it with the other items. The comb has a golden butterfly worked into the raised design. The butterfly rests on the edge of a spun gold flower with a single round amethyst at the center.
When Kyoko sees the comb, her breath catches and her hand moved forward to touch it. She stays her hand before it actually touches the beautiful piece but it is obvious that she is enamored with the work of art. Ren chuckles as he expresses that they definitely need the comb. Tanaka smiles in agreement.
"So why did you make the final recommendations for these pieces?" Kyoko asks as she draws her attention away from the beautiful hair piece and looks at the other choices again.
Tanaka chuckles as he glances at the nervous actor who is wondering what other secrets this old man has discovered about his feelings. He worries if the jeweler is going to spill his secrets before he has a chance to even realize them fully himself.
"Now, if I told you all my secrets, you would have nothing else to discover yourself. I would suggest that you ask Tsuruga-sama if he likes the choices I suggested and we can make adjustments from that point but you should want to learn why he likes the items he likes yourself. Where is the fun if someone gives you all the answers in life, right?"
Ren blushes slightly as both the old man and Kyoko stare at him expectantly. He admits to liking the suggestions. Although he would not admit it aloud, the actor prefers the modest design of the necklace and believes that the bracelet and anklet will draw attention to Kyoko's graceful motions. His heartbeat increases slightly at the exciting thought of Kyoko wearing a ring that he has given her. The jeweler is correct. He fully approves of all the choices.
"Good, good," states Tanaka as he pulls out a small notebook from his pocket. He flips open to a page and jots some notes into it then reaches for Kyoko's right wrist. He apologizes for touching her but explains that he needs to measure her for the jewelry. He grasps her wrist gently then writes again in his notebook. Likewise, he reaches out and gently touches the ring finger of her left hand and then records his finding. He then apologizes again before gently reaches towards Kyoko's neck. He places his thumb again one side of the base of her neck and his pointer finger on the other. Tanaka closes his eyes in thought before recording more information. The jeweler stands and moves around the table. He asks Kyoko to stand and kneels at her feet and touches her right ankle once. Returning to his side of the table, he asks if they would like to take the comb now. Ren shakes his head in affirmation as he glances at the glowing girl who is once again staring at the intricately worked gold comb that reminds her so much of the butterfly fairies she imagines.
Tanaka whisks away the cases and promptly returns with a small gray box which he hands to Ren along with a card.
"Please call next Thursday to determine if the pieces have been fitted properly and are available for pick-up. Thank you so much for your patronage. I look forward to creating the pieces you have requested," the jeweler states formally before escorting the pair to the front room once again.
The woman from before the consultation thanks them also and expresses a hope that they will return again before opening the door for the actor and actress to leave.
Settled once again in Ren's car, the actor opens the jewelry box and hands it to Kyoko with a warm feeling spreading through his body as he watches her face light up with joy. She thanks him repeatedly and Ren grins. He reaches for the comb and plucks it from its home in the padded box. With his long fingers, he slides the comb expertly into Kyoko's hair. The teen raises her hand to touch the beautiful hair ornament and thanks Ren again.
The teen appears dreamy as she imagines herself the heroine of a lovely fairy tale who is being gently courted by the handsome prince. Ren chuckles as he captures her hand that was moving to caress the comb in her hair. Guessing her cute fantasy, he brings her hand to his lips and presses a faint kiss on her knuckles as he stares intently at Kyoko.
"You are very welcome, my lady," he replies tenderly.
Kyoko snatches back her hand and cradles it against her chest. Her eyes blaze as she once again blushes.
"That look really should be illegal," she whispers in distress as she nurses her tingling fingers. This time, his happiness can not be contained with a chuckle. Instead, Ren laughs.
a/n: I want to offer this slightly fluffy chapter to Shiroyuki76 as thanks for expertly caging Ren and then distracting Yashiro from donning his tights and rushing to the actor's rescue. I hope you enjoyed it - Me