Chapter Ten: Mess of a Day

Ren slowly began to loosen his hold on Kyoko and withdraw his arms from around her. She yelped a little when she realized where he was retracting his hands from. Once again he had protected her head and her bum from getting bruised by a fall. He hadn't even tried to do it on purpose, his body had just reacted before he had time to think.

"Sorry…" He muttered.

He didn't want to be letting her go, he wanted to hold her tight and never let her out of his arms again-but that wasn't an option at this point. He could tell that the blushing girl in his arms was overwhelmed and awkward, as she had been in the past with physical confrontations like this. Part of him wished that she had just a little bit more relationship experience, but then he was fiercely glad that no one had touched her before him. Not that he would be...He sighed as he finished repositioning himself.

At this point he wasn't really touching her anymore, but they were both still laying on the floor, and he had his head propped up on one elbow to the left of her with his other hand resting on the ground to the right of her (her left). He probably should have sat up all of the way, but he made up some excuse in his mind about going slowly so as to not surprise her again.

"Are you okay Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko asked as she watched him move, he had seemed slow and sluggish to her, perhaps some effect of the car accident earlier. "I hope I didn't hurt you any further. I was just so surprised to see you when I woke up… I mean, I didn't realize I even fell asleep… and what were you doing so close to me anyway?" She blurted out.

Ren smiled a little at that and grabbed the fallen script with his right hand, he held it above her now. "Honestly? I just saw you curled up over here with this, and I was wondering why you had my script."

"Oh-Well it's not just your script you know." She replied quickly, "I was trying to decide if I wanted to take the role so I was just reading it a little. Yashiro-san told me to." She said defensively.

Ren was caught off guard, what role was Kyoko looking at? He asked her that as he put the script back down, trapping her once more. His arm hovered right above her waist, almost touching her, his hand on the ground by her side again. He held her gaze while she thought of her answer, suddenly aware that his face, resting on his chin was still only inches away from hers. He watched her as her head rested on the ground, large eyes looking directly at his. For just the briefest of moments he thought about closing the distance between them.

"The role of Rinko?" She said like a question.

"But that's…" Ren recoiled from Kyoko with a small gasp. He got up and stood several paces away from her. She sat up slowly, confused by his sudden movement.

Ren's head was swimming with this information. Kyoko had been offered the female lead? The love interest role? And if she took it he would be playing a romantic part with her? It was almost too much. He sat down on the edge of his bed.

Kyoko picked up the script and returned to the green chair, perching on it nervously. "I'm sorry. You're right. I'm not good enough to do it. I was going to turn it down anyways." She said in a small voice. The only explanation she could think of for Ren's behavior was utter disgust at the thought of having to act with someone who was so obviously inferior.

Ren's head snapped up, "It's not a question of if you are good enough." He said automatically. He instantly wished he hadn't spoken. Ugh, how can I explain this? The thought of letting his guards down, of acting a love story out with her… it turned his blood to ice. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I think the car accident just dazed me a little." He cringed at the lame excuse, but it had the desired effect, it changed the subject.

Kyoko immediately returned to the ground, bowing before Ren. "I am so sorry! Please accept my deepest apologies! I am an unworthy kohai! I meant to apologize as soon as you awoke, I'm a terrible person for not asking for forgiveness immediately! I really am the worst…" She continued to babble at the newly surprised Ren. He hadn't expected that strong of a reaction, but then again he did remember Yashiro saying something about how she had been scared to face him and his wrath.

Ren cleared his throat and put his hand on Kyoko's shoulder, causing her to stop the apologetic rant. "Really, Mogami-san. There's nothing to be sorry for. Please sit back up."

Kyoko peeked up at him with a worried expression, then slowly returned to her seat on the green chair, all the while watching him for any sign of disapproval. She was ready to return to her grovel stance in a flash. They looked at each other for a few tense seconds, then Ren sighed, deflating a little. Then he started to chuckle.

"Today has just been a mess hasn't it?" He asked Kyoko with a smile.

She couldn't help it, she smiled back. She felt an immense relief that not only did Ren seem not to be upset with her, but apparently he was as tired and frazzled as she was. "Yeah it has." She agreed. "Are you sure you aren't hurt Tsuruga-san?"

Ren looked at her worried face and smiled a little sadly, "I'm really fine. And I didn't mean to scare you earlier either. I hope you didn't get hurt from your fall."

"No I'm not hurt. Thank you." She replied with a slight blush. "It seems like you always end up having to catch me when I fall lately." She looked down at the ground as she spoke, her blush deepening.

Ren smiled to himself, I'll gladly hold you all of the time if it keeps you safe… the thought made him sigh with regret and frustration. He shouldn't let himself think like that, it could only lead to dangerous paths. He gathered his willpower together tightly and reclaimed the aloof persona that he had to use when interacting with her.

"Well I would have been neglecting my duty as a man and a senpai if you had gotten hurt. How would it look for a nurse to find out that you were injured while watching over me? It wouldn't be proper at all." Does that work? Eh… hopefully. "And I did feel responsible for surprising you. I am sorry about that."

"I understand." Kyoko responded immediately, she seemed to accept his explanation even if it did seem half-baked to the one giving it. She continued "Like you said, it's been a crazy day. I keep zoning out and falling asleep, so I'm partly responsible. I was supposed to be watching over you but I ended up sleeping on the job."

"Don't worry about it too much." Ren said, "I'm glad you got some rest instead of having to sit here while I snored."

"You don't snore!" Kyoko protested, "You sleep like a saint! Like a holy angel whose very countenance withers unrighteous spirits."

Ren was embarrassed and baffled by her description, "Oh… really."

Before she could reply the door opened.

Thank goodness. They both thought.

Author's note: This concludes the Nurse office arc! Sorry for dragging it out. But I am trying to keep the chapters roughly the same length. And I really enjoyed going back and forth between the awkward feelings of these two. Leave it to Ren and Kyoko to get into some interesting positions! ;) What do you think, should Kyoko take the role of Ren's romantic interest in the drama? Or is there a different way for them to express the feelings that are building up? As always, thank you for your support! I would love to hear your reactions and feelings about this story!