Olé

She took a deep breath as the doors closed behind her, adjusting the glowing pink uniform proudly so the LoveME badge stood directly over her heart. Chin high, Kyoko strode down the hallway of LME, her heart bounding in her chest. She was ready for any task the President could throw at her. Taking out the trash? She flexed her muscles. The entire building would be empty of debris in less than twenty minutes. A cranky ojou-sama to cater to? Kyoko swept a bow without breaking stride. She'd personally massage the crankiness right out of her until she was swooning with pleasure. A fiesty, underfed tiger prowling the bowels of the studio? She spun wildly, eyes flashing as imagination took over reality. She'd unhook her whip and have the kitty purring at her feet, belly up, asking for scritches before President Tarakada could say--

"Ole!"

"Eh?!" Kyoko whirled, shocked out of her reverie, stumbling backwards as a red cape swirled in her face, momentarily blinding her.

"To my office!" His voice boomed, and before she could catch her bearings a crew of half-naked men with bull's horns tied to their foreheads and hooves instead of shoes swept her up to fly in the air over their heads through the hallways and staircases of LME, the swirling red cape of a matador taunting them at each corner, ever just ahead despite their furious pace.

With a roar the bull-men dumped Kyoko on the couch in the President's office, pawing the ground as they circled each other warily. She eyed them suspiciously, her heart pounding and her mind excessively confused.

A flourish of red silk; the President bounded over his desk with a shout, darts flying from his fingertips. The bull-men bleated and scrambled away, pawing the ground anxiously by the door in defeat. A silent Ruto appeared, opening the door to allow the stampede exit then following behind them, closing the doors with a stately bow and nary a bolt-click.

President Takarada pranced over to her side, a rose between his teeth.

"President, sir, I-- I--" Kyoko didn't know where to go with her comment, so she just sat up straighter and vouched for loud applause. The President preened, performing a twirling bow and presenting her the rose. He looked up at her from below, his gaze startlingly keen. Kyoko flushed, trying to avoid eye contact. Swishing cape aft, he slid onto the couch across from her.

"Love," he said with a flourish of fingertips. "Is a many-splendoured thing, love." He sighed, leaning back on the couch, his hand waving as if parting the air. "Lifts us up where we belong. All we need is love," he finished, rolling his head around to catch her gaze once more, his still piercingly bright.

"Th-that's a song, right?"

"Mmmmm," he hummed, rolling about on the couch. "And so much more, isn't it? You would know, wouldn't you?" His eyes twinkled from his now prone position, still watching her carefully.

Kyoko knew her face must match her outfit. "I…"

President Takarada immediately swung around to rest his chin on his hands, looking every bit the anxious schoolgirl wearing a matador's hat.

"I…"

"You…"

"We…"

"The crucial pronoun change!"

Kyoko cringed. "We... oh President!" She threw the title at him, cringing. "Surely you know! Must you?"

"Say it!" He bounced. "Saaaaay it!"

Kyoko moaned, covering her face with her hands.

"Perhaps you would like a mirror again?" He offered, his head cocked, his eyes lit with amusement. She gasped, shaking her head in refusal. He was inching closer, somehow dragging the entire couch with him as he closed the distance. She shuddered to think the lengths he was about to go to unless she could force the words out and with a deep breath she let it all rush out in one long declaration so embarrassing she wanted to crawl out in the hallway with the bull-men and let him spear her.

"WeloveeachotherandaredatinganditseverythingIeverwantedthereareyouhappynow!"

Silence.

She blinked, peeking through her protecting finger-shield covering her face. She had been expecting a thunderous shout, a squeal and dramatic dead faint, a foot-stomping "I Told You So!" Not this strangely quiet room.

Lory Takarada sat across from her, his head cradled in the palm of his hand, his eyes full of tenderness. Shuffling the red cape off his shoulders, he stood and walked to her side, every movement restrained, graceful, putting her at ease. He sat beside her, eyes widening slightly, a silent beseeching for permission before wrapping her in his arms. She closed her eyes, slowly, piece by piece allowing herself to relax and just be present in the moment of confession.

"A many-splendored thing, love," he whispered over her head. She squeezed him tighter in the hug in silent assent.

Lory sat back and held her at arm's length, sweeping the hair back from her face to see her eyes clearly.

"It's high time you graduated, Miss Mogami."

She smiled weakly at him. "I haven't exactly been trying my best."

His laugh was short and regretful. "I would say no such thing. You have not only reached into the darkness shrouding his heart, but have transformed countless others." She shook her head meekly, an eyebrow from Lory raising in response.

"Did Kanae and Chiori not tell you?"

Now it was Kyoko's turn to arch a brow. "Tell me what?"

"It's been six months since Kanae graduated LoveMe, and Chiori was never actually inducted. They both only wear the pink in order to spend more time with you, Miss Mogami."

Kyoko gasped, shaking her hand in negation. "They wouldn't— Kanae hates this uniform, she'd never—"

Lory interrupted her. "Her time with Hiou showed her the true joy in loving a little brother. Did you not notice the difference in her when you went to her house to help when her brother was injured?" He waited as Kyoko mulled over their time together, the pieces falling into place. Kanae's genuine shock and concern for her elder brother, once only the target of her scorn. Her patience and careful smiles for the frazzled nieces and nephews up way past their bedtime waiting on news; her attention and care to her sister in law without a word of complaint.

"Oh…"

"Oh, indeed." His eyes grew proud as he drew her to her feet beside him. "I believe it is time to disband the LoveMe section. Please turn in your uniform."

"No!" Kyoko shouted, then clapped her hands over her mouth. "I mean, sir, may I please keep it?"

Lory's lip trembled. "You mean you want to stay…?"

"No," Kyoko quickly cut him off. "Just the coveralls." She picked at the slightly frayed hem of her right pocket where she kept the heart-shaped notebook. "I've learned so much in these coveralls. I've met my best friends because of them, and so many other beautiful people like Hizuri-san and Ruriko-chan. I don't want to leave them behind. And— and I could always still help out around here! You know, whenever you need it."

Lory shook his head at her, but his eyes were kind. He held his hand out imperiously. She frowned, unsure, reached her hand out to clasp his then froze when he grunted. He pointed at her right pocket. Kyoko beamed with understanding, pulling out the bedazzled notebook. With a flourish, Lory snatched it from her hand and turned his back to her, dramatically raising his left hand to slam a stamp onto the book. He spun and held it out, the award emblazoned in bright pink ink:

1,000 POINTS

FREELY GIVEN

JOB WELL DONE

"America does not deserve you, cherie," he said with a wink. "Though it certainly deserves Kuon."

~*~

A/N: I love the president! Some of my favorite scenes in the manga are with him. Nakamura writes the most epic characters XD I can only hope to do him a tiny bit of justice! Have a wonderful night everyone— midnight greetings from Persie :)