Chapter 2 – Collison Coverage
With the amount of times her mouth has been wide open lately, Kyoko considered changing her career title to professional bug-catcher. 'President would understand I'm sure…'
Cedric gave an inquisitive run-down of the woman before him, the gaudy pink jumpsuit was missing, but he was positive he recognized this young woman. "Hmm…. perhaps, would you happen to be Kyoko? You're affiliated with LME, correct?"
'How. Does. He. Know. Meeeeeeee?!'
"Ah…that look tells me yes. I apologize, you see I did a little research on a woman named Kotonami Kanae with whom I will be working with in the future, I was directed to a webpage about a 'Love Me Section' on which I remember the two of you on, joined by one other I believe.' He decided he would wait for a later time to question her about what exactly this 'Love Me Section' entailed, what kind of work did they do?
"A-ahh..is that so? Yes, the 3rd member is Amamiya Chiori-san."
Kyoko couldn't even hide her weariness of him at this stage. How far did he look exactly? Did he himself look or perhaps, in reality, his manager did the research?
The man before her gave a light bow, but to Kyoko's surprise, also extended his right hand towards her.
"Hello, Kyoko-san, I am Cedric Bennett. I am visiting from America for an important project for the foreseeable future. Douzo Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu."
Kyoko timidly raised her own hand to meet Cedric's, "Erm…likewise, Bennett-sa- "
Cedric had raised his other hand to her signaling a pause "Please, just Cedric is sufficient. Actually, anything will do with the exception of…...…'Prince Ceddy.'" Cedric's lip curled slightly downward.
Kyoko managed a giggle, "You don't approve of the nickname?"
"Haaa..." He breathed, deflating,
"well you see, it managed to stick with me after a past role of mine, I was never really a fan. However, I cannot bring myself to lay it to rest." Cedric rested a hand on his side after releasing her grip. He noticed her hand was a bit clammy. 'she certainly has no intention of convincing me that she is comfortable, without a doubt.' The blonde mulled, considering his options to warm up to the Love Me member #1.
However, it appeared there was no need as Kyoko's face lit up and she was already seeing stars after hearing what he had just told her
"You played a prince?" her excitement meter was rising, dangerously close to entering fairy-tale mode.
Cedric's eyes widened, he let out a huff of laughter and covered his mouth to keep it under wraps.
"Well, yes…it was a historic medieval drama, but I'm afraid it may be nothing like what you might be imagining, as most of it was pure carnage." He gave the girl a 'sorry' like face noting that she had become considerably disappointed after being informed that her original hope of a pure fantasy-like tale of royalty was indeed not the case.
'So she's really into that kind of stuff…huh' musing internally, he noticed the trace of weariness from her had vanished and spoke again.
"Say, Kyoko-san…If I may. I have a favor I would like to ask of you."
Ruto entered the grand double doors
"Sir, he has arrived."
'Aleady, huh? That was fast.' The man thought, lying comfortably on his chaise accompanied by a half-read romance novel and his feline friend Kora, a Siberian Tiger, stretched out over an ornate Turkish rug covering the floor beside him.
Ruto allowed the man of the hour to pass him as he swiftly closed the doors behind him.
"Hoooo.. There's a look I haven't seen in a while, how's it going…Ren?" Lory wasn't stupid. He had been informed about the arrival of the Hollywood star earlier. He knew well the alter ego he had created for the young man half a dozen years ago was nowhere to be found.
"First my father, and now this? Have you lost your mind?!" Kuon seethed.
Lory released a drawn out sigh, placing his bookmark and closing the novel, leaving it to his side. Kora glanced uninterested in the two before returning her head between her paws. "Excuse me, but I am not seeing the benefit in assuming I have a hand in absolutely everything that happens in this industry."
So, this isn't some elaborate scheme to 'observe growth' or some other fictitious bullshit? I agreed on a possibility of working in America…and why is Mogami-san now telling me that Kotonami-san will be working with him there? If this is true, I don't understand why he would be here in Japan, don't tell me that he has been considered for that project all this time?"
"Not a chance, kid. His business here is entirely his own. Who knows? Anyhow, why are you worried?"
"Huh! DON'T TELL ME!" Lory feigned a shocked face "Ren Tsuruga has been discovered?!"
Of all times, Lory had chosen this moment to allude to that fucking Boost tabloid. Amazing.
"Is that supposed to be funny…?"
"No, Ren, not in particular. You are an actor are you not?" He said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Kuon remained silent, his demeanor remaining.
"If you can't even keep your cool in light of this event, then how do you ever expect to make it back in America one day? Return with your own power, was it? Am I wrong?"
"I guess it also doesn't hurt to mention what you told me that one night at the bar..." Lory raised an eyebrow, "I'm okay now" Is what I remember being said" he rehashed, waiting for the anticipated reaction.
"that– " He stopped, recalling the look of fear on Kyoko's face the night of…that act. Kuon had reared his head unexpectedly at the sight of his charge receiving an unsolicited call from one of his least favorite people.
'I really don't want to keep disappointing that girl, and…I don't want to lose in acting…to anyone.'
Recalling his resolve, he made up his mind.
"Yes sir…" for the first time since witnessing his tormentor's return in HD, the younger man managed to take in a deep breath and closed his eyes, collecting reopened his eyes, now significantly less cold and dark, Ren Tsuruga had returned.
Lory smiled. "That's more like it, if anything where is your lucky charm? Surely, it's just as powerful as ever, no?"
Ren's face softened at the mention of his lucky charm, it indeed was… oh?
"I told her."
"uuuuh, told her?" Lory nearly dropped the Montecristo Gran Piramides cigar he was fixing to light.
"My feelings." He stated, averting his eyes.
The LME president was painting perfect, unmoved.
"Come again?"
"Uhg, I told her she's the one I think about and that I was jealous of seeing her with Fuwa, what really happened with Kana-san, not to mention there was a mountain and a half of other misunderstandings laced in there." Ren ran a hand through his hair and looked over.
Lory said nothing, too preoccupied blubbering into his handkerchief. Ren fought an urge to roll his eyes.
"I was going to bring her to my dressing room and tell her more, but then he showed up…"
Bringing his attention back to the younger man after fixing his face, he rested an elbow on the back off his chaise and took a drag of his cigar he was holding a torch to, exhaling immediately in a sigh.
"Just act like 'you', I highly doubt that guy will see through you if there is some effort put into it, don't let him win over you, you didn't come this far for nothing, you know?"
Ren remained silent for a moment contemplating this statement.
"you're right..."
But, for some reason, his entire being – multiple personas and all – could not shake the feeling that something was amiss.
"Introduce you to Mok-er-Kotonami-san?" Kyoko questioned with wide eyes
"Correct. If it is not too much trouble, it would be very helpful to me.' Cedric internally noted the use of another name before she corrected herself and considered that the girl may be closer to Kotonami Kanae than he originally thought.
Kyoko put a hand on the back of her head, grinning sheepishly.
"Actually, to be completely honest with you, I was already in the works of being Kotonami-san's translator as well as help her with English lessons for this future project." Kyoko said through a wide smile, proudly displaying the loyalty she had to her friend. "However, it seems that a translator might not be necessary as you can speak fluent Japanese…did you take lessons?" Kyoko recalled what was mentioned about Cedric's ideals and wondered just how deep his… infatuation with Japanese culture really went.
"That… ah, I learned from a friend..." He gave a soft smile before speaking again "I find it to be easier that way, learning a new language, that is." Kyoko gave a 'pon!' fist in hand, "exactly! There is just some things you need to learn from doing. A comfortable setting with a friend sounds way better than a stiff formal class."
Cedric's smile widened, ready to agree with her notion when the pair were suddenly alerted with a buzzing noise.
Brrr brrr brrr brrr
"Oh!" Kyoko had realized that she had accidently dropped her phone on the ground post-impact with Cedric and fetched it to see who was calling.
Half expecting-half hoping it was Tsuruga-san calling to explain the previous chaos, she was surprised to see Kanae's name light up the screen.
'Speaking of which…' Kyoko glanced back to Cedric who was still smiling and now giving her a 'go ahead' look encouraging her to answer her incoming call. She answered.
"This is Kyoko!" she chimed into the device.
"Moooo, please tell me you've seen the news?" came a familiar voice from the speaker
"Er…news..ah, yes if you're referring to- "
"HE'S HERE! I may need you sooner than I thought." Kanae's voice betrayed a bit of nervousness, displaying her vulnerability to her friend on the other end of the line.
"Um yeah, about that- "She brought her eyes back to the man next to her, realizing he was the man her friend was referring to.
"Please! Producer Kuresaki invited several people from the project out to dinner tomorrow night at 8, I need my friend!" Kyoko could feel her heart in the grip of her best friend, firmly held. Translator needed or not, Kyoko could not pass up such a dreamy scenario of supporting the woman through the uncharted waters of this new opportunity." 'Moko-saaaan' inner Kyoko lovingly cried.
After agreeing to participate in the gathering and ending the call, Kyoko brought her attention back to Cedric who was patiently preoccupying himself on his own phone, noticing the conversation had ended, he addressed her once again.
"Ah, is everything alright?" he asked with an inquiring look.
Kyoko gulped, wondering how exactly she would intrude on a professional dinner for a project she was not a part of, after all.
"well, you see, Cedric-san…."
A/N: So far, so good….? I'm getting more and more into the story as I go and I can't wait to present it to you all! I will try my best to make chapters a bit longer as I go, right now I am still plotting out how exactly I want this to go. Thank you to everyone who reads, reviews, and follows! ~