Disclaimer : I don't own Skip Beat! and Keishichou Tokuhanka 007

Warning : Spoiler of vol 7, 8, and 9. Oh and it's a bit limey but it's still a safe T. ;)


Her Heart Tumults and Love Declaration

Kyouko didn't have jobs today though she still had to attend school. She couldn't stop grinning. She was happy for a reason.

They were currently filming for the episode in which Fuyuki helped to find Naoko's murderer. She used all her supernatural powers. They finally found out that the one who killed and abducted Naoko went to the same school as Kuze. He went to school abroad right before the graduation. During the investigation, they found out that the guy had just come back from abroad and had already stalked Kuze around. The thought of his sister's killer stalked him sickened him.

When they managed to catch onto the guy and confronted him, the guy admitted that he was always jealous of Kuze because Kuze had everything he didn't have. When he saw Kuze's sister wandering around, without thinking further he abducted her. He confessed that it wasn't intentional.

As to why Kuze and Fuyuki went shopping, it wasn't planned. Kuze had only said that he would treat Fuyuki to dinner. When they were in the shopping district and Fuyuki's eyes sparkled upon seeing the boutique, and when she added that she had never bought her own clothes, Kuze sort of pulled her around and they ended up shopping.

They had just finished shooting the shopping scenes yesterday.

It wasn't the scene that caused her unable to stop grinning though it was all perhaps thanked to the recent scenes. She knew that today was also Ren's day off. Right after yesterday's filming, Ren asked her for her schedules and when she said that it was her day off, he told her that it was also his day off and asked her out on a date. She said yes, of course.

She didn't know where they would go but she was happy anyway, as long as she could be with him. With them both being so busy with their drama filming and other jobs, they rarely went out since they'd started dating.

Kyouko knew she had to pay attention to the teacher's lectures but she just couldn't focus on it fully. She couldn't wait for the school hours to end soon.


When the after school bell rang, the rei was done and the teacher was out of the room, Kyouko hurriedly packed her bag. Afterwards, she went straight towards the door though she couldn't get pass it as fast as she wanted to. Some girls in her class were blocking the doorway.

"Excuse me, please let me pass! I'm in a hurry," Kyouko said whilst smiling her sweet okami smile.

The girls stared at her like she was one of seven wonders and immediately surrounded her.

"Kyouko-san, can we ask for your help?" one of them asked.

"My help?" Kyouko tilted her head to her right. "It's not that I don't want to help but I'm really in a hurry now. Maybe next time?"

"No, it's not related to classroom chores."

"Then what is it?"

"Please help us get Tsuruga-san's signature. You're currently co-starring with him in your newest drama right?"

Kyouko was stunned. She blinked. "Oh… um…" She hesitated.

"Please!" the girls begged her.

"Um… I'll see what I can do," Kyouko reluctantly agreed.

"Yay! Thank you, Kyouko-sama." They shoved some signature boards at her.

Kyouko smiled awkwardly. "Can I go now?"

The girls let her go whilst waving frantically at her and loudly reminding her to not forget about their requests. She waved and dashed off to the shoe locker.


"Did you wait long?" Kyouko asked when she was already settled in his car. She fastened her seat belt and gave him a smile.

"I've just arrived." Kuon smiled back.

"Oh. I thought you waited quite long. I couldn't get out as fast as I wanted to."

"It's okay. I can wait." He shrugged.

"Thanks. Ah and… would you mind signing these?" Kyouko lifted up the signature boards and a pen in her hands.

"I don't see why not but why?" He took the boards and pen from Kyouko and signed all of it.

"Um, the girls in my class asked me to, since we're co-starring."

He nodded. "One thing they don't know is that we're also dating." He leant towards her and kissed her on her cheek.

Her face flushed a light pink shade. She fiddled with her bag, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Kuon resisted an urge to chuckle. He was amused with her reaction. Even though they had dated for a little more than two months, she was still easily flustered whenever he greeted her with a kiss on the cheek or forehead.

He patted her head and started to drive.

"Where're we going?" Kyouko asked.

Kuon only smiled and left Kyouko wondering about their trips.


When they arrived at Shibuya and got into a boutique, Kyouko immediately knew what her boyfriend was trying to do. Must be shopping trip! She grimaced. She told herself to hold Kuon back from buying her things. It wasn't that she wasn't grateful but once Kuon bought her things, she was reminded of Cain niisan all over again. She just hoped that he didn't spend too much on her.

She braced herself for the blow when he called out to her with gleams in his eyes. "Yes?"

"This one or this one?" Kuon lifted out two dresses for her to choose.

Kyouko was stunned. He didn't usually ask and it made her bewildered. When they played the Heels, he chose some clothes from the racks and told her to try them on. He didn't even ask for her opinion and bought a bunch of tops. Funnily, those clothes fitted her just fine. None of it needed to be returned for a size change. When they went on a date after their trips to the US, he also bought her a dress, and didn't ask for her opinion. She didn't mind because all clothes he had chosen for her were nice and to her liking.

"Kyouko?" Kuon called out again.

"Ah, sorry. You don't usually ask." She giggled. "So, why the sudden…"

"Well, I think it's nice if you get to choose what you want. You never fussed about the clothes. You only fussed when I was paying for it." He grinned.

She pouted. "Yes. That's because you bought a lot of clothes for me and it was expensive too. I just don't want you to spend money on me. But I like everything you have chosen for me."

"Really?" His face lit up.

She smiled. "Yes, but it'd be good if you let me pay for myself. You can choose but I'll be the one who pay for this. Deal?"

He grudgingly nodded though he planned to outdo her when they were about to pay later.

"Then it's okay." Kyouko felt victorious.

"But I want you to choose from these two," Kuon added.

"Are you trying to imitate Kuze?"

"No. Though I kind of know what type of clothes suit you, I still want to know what you like. Is that bad?"

Kyouko shook her head. If they weren't in public place, she'd hug him tight. Sometimes she felt that he was cute like a puppy and was happy that she was the only one who got to see this side of him. "I like the one on the right," she pointed at the pastel coloured dress with lace.

He chuckled. "I have already predicted it. Still, good to know that I'm right about it."


"You said you'd let me pay for it." Kyouko pouted when the teller handed them their purchases with a smile.

Kuon cringed. "I'm the guy so I should be paying."

They started to head towards the boutique entrance.

"I clearly remember that you said to never let a guy pay for my clothes because they have ulterior motives." She was still pouting.

"Ah, this and that are different."

"As long as a man is paying, that's the same." Kyouko pointed her finger.

Kuon laughed. "That's different. I was referring it to the man who isn't your boyfriend. I'm your boyfriend so it's okay."

"So you'd admit that you have ulterior motives towards me?" She nudged him on his side then laughed when she saw his caught red-handed expression.

He chuckled and pulled her close to him. He bent down and whispered huskily in her ear, "Yes. I'd enjoy taking those clothes off you."

Kyouko blushed and pushed him away. "Don't joke around!"

"Okay!" He stifled a laugh after seeing her reaction. He wasn't joking but if it assured her then he'd play along.


Kyouko's eyes crinkled when she saw the display of men wristwatches in another shop she and Kuon had just entered. She had wanted to buy something for Kuon and she thought a wristwatch would be a good choice. He didn't wear wristwatch these days. Ever since they'd finished the Heel siblings act, his dead wristwatch was never worn again. She never asked why since it wasn't her business but she thought he needed one.

She eyed Kuon and contemplated on how to slip away whilst he wasn't looking. Kuon was quite sharp and since she wanted it to be a surprise, she'd rather he didn't find out.

"Um, Kuon…" she called out tentatively.

"Hmm?" He turned to stare at her.

"Can I…" She was embarrassed at the excuse she was about to give him.

Kuon knitted his brows. "Can what?"

"Ladies. I'm going to the ladies room," she said after taking a deep breath.

He gave her a go-ahead nod. "Since I'm going to wander around this area, call me when you're finished."

She gave him an okay and then scurried away.

Kuon chuckled. "She should just tell me right away if she's in a hurry to a toilet." He shrugged and continued to walk.


"Phew!" Kyouko looked around to make sure Kuon wasn't in sight. "Safe, I guess." She smiled and headed directly to the wristwatches counter.

Her face went red a little when her poster for certain watch brand stared back at her.

"Can I help you miss?"

"Ah, eh… yes, I'm looking for a sport watch for man."

The counter keeper showed her several types of wristwatch. She wondered what to choose and stayed quite long at the counter. She looked around to make sure that Kuon wasn't in sight. It was really hard to do since she only had limited time.

"I'd like the watch like in that poster!" Kyouko heard the girl beside her said.

"Wow, isn't it expensive?" the other girl replied.

"But the watch looks so beautiful."

"On Kyouko-chan, yes… but on you?" a guy replied this time.

The girl pouted. "It'd look good on me too. You only said that to annoy me. Besides, I know you have a crush on Kyouko-chan, well… actress like her has makeup artists around. Even an ugly duckling will look beautiful. I can be beautiful like her if I want too."

Kyouko was stunned though she had to admit that what the girl said made sense. Right, it's all the power of makeup.

"I'd bet my money that the real Kyouko-chan is ugly."

"Hey, you don't have to go that far."

"She isn't that beautiful in Kyurara advert. The other girl is more beautiful."

The word pierced through Kyouko's heart and shattered her self-confidence. I know that I'm not as beautiful as Mouko-san and that it was all the power of makeup but…

"I'd like this watch, please." Kyouko wanted to hurriedly get away. She had already made her choice and was just about to pay it before the threesome arrived.

"Do you want to wrap it up?"

"Yes, please." She gave the keeper a smile whilst trying to ignore the heated talks occurred beside her. The threesome was now talking about her and Ren as Fuyuki and Kuze in their current airing drama.

"She's totally different as Fuyuki too. Her makeup artist must have a great skill to transform her to the super beauty like Fuyuki. Sure she and Tsuruga Ren look like a couple from heaven, but in Dark Moon, fufufu… The Frog and the Prince?"

"Wow wow wow, you sound like a jealous prick. It's not like Tsuruga Ren would look twice at you so even if you're jealous of Kyouko-chan, it can't be helped. Even I will choose Kyouko-chan over you anytime."

"You jerk!"

"Miss, your purchase. Thank you for your purchase and please come again."

"Thank you." Kyouko hurriedly got away. Even if she tried desperately to cover her ears, the girl's words kept playing inside her head. The Frog and the Prince. The Frog and the Prince. The Frog and the Prince.

She practically ran from the counter and bumped into Kuon.

"Kyouko, what happened?" Kuon patted her head softly.

She shook her head. "Um, nothing." She quickly hid her purchase in her bag.

Kuon lifted his brows, amused. "If you say so. You finished? Want to go for an early dinner?"

She forced a smile and nodded.


"Do you think the Great Mio-sama will really help us get Tsuruga Ren's signature?"

"Hmm… she's originally a good person, so she will."

"What if she doesn't?"

"She didn't promise so we can't hold her responsible though I still say that she will. Despite of what Nanokura said about her, she's a good person."

"It's a matter of whether she dares enough to ask for one. I heard that Tsuruga Ren keeps his co-stars at arm length so it's supposedly not easy to ask for one. Wouldn't want him to think badly of us, right?"

"But I heard that the Great Mio-sama is close to Tsuruga Ren. They're from the same agency after all and had co-starred several times."

"Thankfully she already has a boyfriend or she might snatch Tsuruga Ren away."

"Eh? No way. She looks plain. To see her and Tsuruga Ren together is…funny, don't you think?"

"But they match as Fuyuki and Kuze."

"That's the role speaking, not her real self. Did you see her in Dark Moon Ending Party? In Box R? Those roles made her look different."

"Yeah, moreover, that's what makeup for, to beautify oneself."

Kyouko clutched her bag to her chest hard. It was hard for her to get into the classroom with them talking about her.

It added to her headache. She sighed. It scared her even more to let the public know about her and Ren's relationship. She knew that she was plain but she had been hopeful that she could gain enough self-confidence. She was scared that she would ruin Ren's reputation.

Her body started to vibrate. My phone. She pulled out her mobile phone from her bag and answered, "Yes? Kyouko's speaking."

It was from her manager. Hiromi informed her about her sudden schedule change. "I see. Okay. I'll see you after lunch. Thanks, Hiro-san."

She flipped close her phone, took a deep breath and got into her class. "Good morning, all."

Every pair of eyes was directed at her. They greeted back. They were all whispering around, afraid that Kyouko had listened to their conversations.

Kyouko handed the signed signature boards back to them with a smile then headed to her seat.


Kyouko behaved weirdly these last few days, Ren mused. She was eerily quiet and it scared him. She practically was like a doll. She smiled when she had to and she acted perfectly when she was told to.

She was a talented actress, that was clear but when she didn't fuss or said anything about the shoot location or didn't even show annoyed face when seeing people had PDA, it intrigued those who were close to her.

Like when they had to shoot the scene in a night club late at night, she didn't even bat an eyelash when some people around were French kissing or when the two of them happened to catch some couple having sex in the dark corner after they had finished their shoot and about to head home via the backdoor. She only calmly said to the couple, "Get a room!" then walked away.

Since they only met at the filming, he couldn't fish more out of her. They still had their nightly conversation on the phone and when they had lunches. She behaved normal, in other people's perspective but he just felt that something was off.


"Ren, what's up with you?" Shingai asked when he noticed Ren's sour mood. "Couple fight with Kyouko-chan?"

Ren only stared at him.

"Will it be okay with today's shoot? We've got a model for supporting role today. If you're having a fight with Kyouko-chan, wouldn't she get jealous?"

They would be filming the scene where Kuze and Fuyuki investigated a threat that was directed towards a certain photographer called Nogami Susumu. The two of them would come to where Nogami had his photoshoot.

Ren still said nothing.

"I got it. Kyouko-chan's professional. She wouldn't feel a thing." Shingai shrugged.

I was only teasing Ren, hoping that he would make a move on Kyouko-chan. I think Ren likes Kyouko-chan and vice versa. I've been helping and what…? No progress. Maybe should work more on Kyouko-chan's side? She's one tough nutshell to crack but that's just proved she's a good actress. She's serious when she said she wouldn't be baited by Ren's acting again. But then again, maybe I was wrong about them being attracted to each other? And I thought matchmaking was fun.


The shoot for the day hadn't started yet but Kyouko felt it already had. She saw a tall blond model put her hands around her boyfriend's shoulders, trying to give the tall actor a greeting kiss. Ren turned his face away and the kiss met the air instead.

The model pouted. "Uh, Japanese. So modest!"

Ren smiled dazzlingly, shoved the model away politely and stepped back so then the model's hands slipped from his shoulders. "Yes, this is Japan, so it'd be better for you to act as Japanese do." Moreover, even if he knew that Kyouko wouldn't get jealous, it was his way to keep women at arm's length. He would only let the women get close to him for acting purposes, not for socialising. Kyouko was his only exception.

Kyouko's heart clenched tight when she saw Ren and the model stood side by side. They looked like a picture. It made her even more convinced that she and Ren didn't match if not for roles.

"Kyouko-chan, are you okay?" Hiromi asked with concern.

Kyouko nodded and forced out a smile. "I'm heading to the wardrobe first."

"Okay." Hiromi tilted his head, confused with Kyouko's attitude. He saw Ren and the model and mused. Perhaps Kyouko-chan is jealous? Why though? The man is hers and Ren only has Kyouko-chan in his eyes anyway. He shrugged and went to join Yashiro.


Kyouko, you're Fuyuki now. Don't act rashly! She told herself when she was in the middle of shooting the scene. She forced herself to carry out her act as Fuyuki even though she was dying to pry the model away from Ren. She was heated inside but since she was a professional actress, she knew that it was only an act.

As the script instructed, the model had to act touchy feely with Ren. She put her slender hands on his neck and leant her head against his shoulder.

Kyouko tried to shake the negative thought away. I'm Fuyuki! I'm Fuyuki!

She managed to deliver the scene well. Maybe it was partly due to her annoyance after seeing the model clung to Ren though she also saw how Ren with his dazzling smile pried the model away. She never doubted his faithfulness, she was just feeling possessive all of a sudden and it kind of came to her head and messed with her mind.


Kyouko let out a long sigh after the shoot for the day finished. She stared at her reflection on the mirror whilst her makeup artist cleaned her face.

It was done five minutes later and Kyouko thanked the makeup artist and got out of the trailer van.

When she walked towards the shooting set to find her manager, she almost let out a frustrated sigh when she saw the model was still pestering Ren. She didn't realise that she scowled at the view.

Ren who noticed Kyouko from afar saw Kyouko's scowl and decided that he'd have to use a rather forceful way to keep the persistent model away.

"Miss Jones, please do not touch me so casually!" Ren said with a scowl. He figured that he had to do something since the model kept coming onto him.

"Eh? Why?"

"I don't appreciate you keep touching me."

"It's not like I kiss you and it's not like you have a girlfriend? I've been waiting to meet you since you're really handsome and aloof. I like cool guy. I read about you in some magazines by the way." She batted her eyelashes.

"Not everything in magazine is true. As a matter of fact, I have a girlfriend. Now if you'd excuse me since I don't want her to misunderstand this." Ren finished his words coldly. He almost cursed when he realised that Kyouko was already gone. He hurriedly got away from the shooting set as well.

The model was left dumbfounded.


Ren didn't manage to chase after Kyouko but he knew that tonight she'd be staying in his apartment. It was Friday after all.

It worried him but since he knew that Kyouko wouldn't do anything stupid, he'd just have to wait or tried to woo her back. He figured that it'd be difficult. He never saw her like this. He was scared that it was like a playback of last time when she didn't answer to his phone calls and left without telling him.

He could only hope it wasn't the case.


When he arrived at his apartment at 10 pm, he noticed the light was already on. He let out a sigh of relief. She's in.

"Tadaima," he tentatively said.

No answer.

He walked slowly towards the living room. No sign of Kyouko. He then went to the kitchen. Still no sign of Kyouko. He continued towards his bedroom but still no sign of Kyouko. He wondered where she was.

Maybe the other room? He was about to turn away when he heard her voice.

"You're back? Okaeri nasai."

Ren swivelled and found her standing near the bathroom's door. He hurriedly walked towards her and hugged her tight. She hugged him back. "I thought you won't be coming. I was afraid that you're still angry at me."

"No. I wasn't angry. Why would I? It's just…" Kyouko sighed. "I had things on my mind."

He pulled away and stared down at her. "You've been behaving weird these past few days. Maybe you should tell me what bothered you."

She smiled. "Maybe later."

He leant down and kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to take a quick shower and before you ask, no… I don't want supper, okay?"

She nodded.


Kuon emerged from his shower, feeling refreshed. He was still wearing his bathrobe. He stepped into his bedroom and didn't see Kyouko. He frowned.

He then heard soft footsteps and knew that it was Kyouko. It relieved his worried mind. When he heard the door clicked open, he cheerfully said, "Kyou…" He stopped.

His mouth gaped open upon seeing Kyouko walked towards him wearing transparent black lingerie with a gift box in her hand.

He could see her body clearly underneath the transparent lingerie. She didn't even wear any underwear underneath it. He froze. What happens?


Kyouko toughened herself to go with this shameful act. She felt possessive towards her lover and wanted to make him hers. She didn't know what to do though. The lingerie she put on was something she had bought when she was still playing Setsu though she didn't know why she even bought it.

She could clearly see him standing frozen in his place. She felt embarrassed all of a sudden and wondered what got into her when she got closer to him but she still wanted to do what she had planned.

When she was already in an arm's length, she reached out her hands and put her arms around his neck. She tiptoed whilst pulling his head towards her. She kissed him softly and pulled away. He was still freezing. She fiddled with the ties on his bathrobe and untied it. Slowly with her hands she traced the hard plane of his abs up to his chest and shoulders and pried away his bathrobe. The bathrobe fell down to the floor, leaving him only in his boxer.


Kuon shivered when he felt her hands on his naked skin. He felt her pushed him and he fell on the bed. She came onto him and started kissing his face, nose and finally his lips. Wait up! This is not Kyouko! What… He couldn't even let out his sound since she invaded his mouth with her tongue and coaxed him to do the same.

What man could resist when his girlfriend did such delicious things to him? He kissed her back and he could feel all her curves pressed tight against his body. His hands started to move towards her body and got under her lingerie. He touched her anywhere he could and savoured the feel of her curves under his palms. He heard her moans when he happened to touch her sensitive body parts and whilst he was still enjoying their kisses and this sudden turn of event, his mind started to wonder what brought this. Since it was Kyouko and it wasn't her character to do this kind of things, he felt wrong.

He flipped her over and pulled away. They were both breathless. He went back to kiss her again. Once. Twice. Thrice since he couldn't stop kissing her and then pulled away again. "Kyouko!"

He saw her stared back at him with her glossy golden eyes.

"Don't misunderstand me! It's not that I don't want it, but what brings this?" he asked.

She went red and he could swear that all her body also turned red. "I just wanted to."

"No. Something is wrong. Will you tell me what's bothering you? Honestly, it's very unlike you." He reached out his hand to caress her face.

She reached out her hands and cupped his face. She was contemplating on how to tell him and decided to just go with what was on her mind. It was impossible for her to hide things from him. "I don't know how to say it but I'm not sure about letting our relationship out to public. And then, today, Jones-san kept pestering you. When I saw her right beside you, I thought that you two looked like a picture and I became even more self-conscious that maybe I'm not fit to be your girlfriend. Maybe it's dumb of me but I want… I want to make you mine. I want to make sure that you'd stay beside me."

Her tears fell down. "I'm sorry but I think I'm possessive, Kuon. I thought I could do better. So even if I couldn't let the fact that we are dating out yet, at least, you're mine when it's just the two of us."

Kuon stared intently at her and leant down to kiss her again. "Silly girl! You should have told me if you're disturbed. I tried to keep her away you know? The problem is, she's not Japanese so I think that's why she was so persistent. Usually it works well when I try to pry away some persistent actresses."

"I knew. I saw it but…" she stopped again.

Kuon sighed. "Moreover, I can't if it's not you by my side. I only love you, Kyouko, so I'm already yours." Kuon kissed her again. "As for announcing our relationship to the public, I don't want to force you. If you're not ready, we'll just wait. Okay?"

"But… I heard some people said that I and you are like the frog and the prince. I know that without makeup, I'm just a plain looking girl." She bit her lower lip.

Kuon chuckled. "If so, then all girls are the same. They're just jealous. I don't care about your outer appearance Kyouko. To me, you're beautiful just the way you are."

She only stared at him.

He chuckled again. "So, is this 'they' refer to girls?"

She nodded.

"Then, there would be guys who compared me and you with the frog and the princess too. See, we can't please everyone. There will always be people that hate you or me and say bad things about us. Just let them be, they can say what they want. The most important thing is my feeling towards you will never change. I'd lock you in a chamber if I must. I will never let you go. If you're not around, I'm just like an empty shell. You colour my life, Kyouko."

Kyouko's eyes widened.

"I'm possessive too, Kyouko, when it comes to you."

She nodded and smiled tenderly. "Did I give you a fright?"

"Yes, because it's very unlike you though I wouldn't mind a continuation." He laughed. "Do you still want to…"

She went beetroot. She bit her lower lip and then kissed his chin. "Do you mind if we stop? I don't think I…" She took a deep breath and continued, "I think I still want to wait till marriage. Ah but… don't misunderstand me, it's not that I don't love you. I love you, Kuon, but I'm scared and I'm not ready yet. Sorry."

Kuon blinked. He hoped he didn't misheard what she had just said. "Say it again?"

"Huh?"

"What you'd just said."

"I'm scared and not ready yet. Sorry."

"No, before that."

"I love…" Her blushes deepened. "I love you."

"I love you too." He smiled. "It's the first time I heard you say so to me. I'm happy. Even if I don't get to 'eat' you tonight, these three simple words make me happier than ever."

She smiled. "Ah, do you mind to…" She blushed again. "I have something to give you but…um." She was embarrassed for she was practically naked.

He kissed her once again and sat up. His eyes roamed her body and made her blush redder. He smiled and got off her. He got off his bed and went towards his wardrobe to get his pyjama.

Meanwhile Kyouko got off the bed and hurriedly ran off towards the other room to have a change of clothes. She felt so ashamed of the stunt she was trying to pull earlier. She was thankful that Kuon stopped them from going further.


She smiled when she put a gift box in his hand. "For you."

He recognised the gift box as the one she brought with her earlier. "Why the sudden…? You bought it online again?" Kuon smiled. "Thanks, Kyouko."

"Not online. I bought it when we went for a shopping trip several days ago."

Something clicked in his mind. "So, that toilet excuse?"

She grinned and nodded. "Yeah, I bought it that time."

Kuon chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Thanks again, Kyouko."

"You haven't even opened it." She pointed.

"You want me to open it now? Usually you'd want me to open the gift from you when I'm alone." He reminded her.

"No, it's okay. Open it!"

He chuckled. "If you say so."

She waited whilst he slowly undid the gift box.

His eyes widened. "A wristwatch? Why?"

"Because you have none. Your dead wristwatch is in your drawer and… after we shot the scene where Kuze bought Fuyuki a wristwatch, I've thought to buy a wristwatch for you."

"Eh, but this one is supposed to be the most expensive watch brand. It must have cost you a fortune." He felt bad for making her spend a lot of money on him.

"It's fine. It must have cost you a fortune too when you bought this." Kyouko lifted her left hand to show him the ring. "It will teach you to not spend too much money on me if you don't want me to do the same to you." She giggled.

"Cheeky girl." He laughed and pulled her into his arms. "Thanks, Kyouko."

She smiled, lifted her head and went to kiss him on his lips. "You're welcome."


"So, you'd propose anytime soon after this drama finished?" Kuu asked. Kuu was coming to Japan again with Julie for his last Keishichou Tokuhanka 007 shooting.

"Yes. Do you think it's too fast?" Kuon knitted his brows.

Kuu laughed. "What do you think, Julie?"

"No, it's not too fast." Julie winked. "Frankly, I'm still amused that you two met as children long time ago in Kyoto. It must be fate."

"It's going to be a long engagement before the marriage then." Kuu harrumphed. "Ah and I thought when I saw that ring that you two were already engaged."

"If I can speed the process up then I'd marry her the moment she said yes to my proposal."

"It's not impossible you know?" Kuu said again.

Kuon tilted his head. "Eh? But Kyouko isn't 20 yet."

"We could make it happen. Of course, when we have the Lord of schemer as helper, everything is possible," Julie grudgingly admitted. "Do you believe us?"

He stared at his parents and saw confidence in their faces. "Do I have another choice?" He shrugged.

"Cheeky boy!" They both laughed and ruffled his hair.

"Uh, you two are treating me like a kid."

"Sorry, so… this was my engagement ring. Before that, it's your grandma's and great grandma's and… Well I don't know. It went through Hizuri's household from generation to generation right?" Julie nudged Kuu.

"Right."

"So I think it'd fit 'something old'. I think it's good if you haven't got any. Even if you do, I'd still give this to you." Julie handed him a ring box. "If it's too big for Kyouko, you can bring it to jewellery shop to have it readjusted."

"Ah, thanks, Mother."

"Good luck with the proposal. We'll wait for the good news and don't worry about the wedding preparations." Julie winked again.

"Good luck, Kuon. Ah and I know today is Friday and she's probably already at your place. Have fun!"

Kuon laughed. "Sure. You two have fun too."

He got out of his parents' hotel room. The ring box in his coat's pocket seemed about to burst though he had decided on the time to propose. He'd just have to wait a little while. He smiled and walked away.


A/N : Sorry for the delay. I postponed this one to get the other shorter fic finished first. This fic is almost finished as well. It's nearing the end after all. Next will be long epilogue. I said long just in case it's really long. :D

Thank you for reading, reviewing, subscribing and favouring this fic. Please leave a review if you'd like to tell me what you think.

Thanks to Shiroyuki76 for proofreading this chapter.


Note on term :

Rei : salutation