REMINDER: I don't own Skip Beat and its characters; this work is purely fictional any scenes related to real-life situations and other stories are purely coincidental. XD This is a collaboration work with my friend, beta reader, and co-writer Shirahane Aikawa.


CHAPTER 85

Homecomings and Party Games

Tsuruga Ren's latest movie breaks his last movie's attendance record.

Tsuruga Ren now in the same conversation as the latest popular Hollywood Actors after portraying his role as the latest Marvel Super Hero.

Blockbuster of the year and years to come, Tsuruga Ren is now one of the most sought actor.

Asian or American? He's both, Tsuruga Ren is now the hottest bachelor after his latest movie and expect him for many more as he signed a nine picture contract with Marvel.

"Hottest bachelor huh?" Kyoko re-read the headline for the umpteenth time that day. "Didn't he tell the press that he's engaged?"

"Mogami-san, are you alright?" Yashiro asked noticing the knitted brows on Kyoko's face while holding a newspaper in hand.

"Yes, just a bit upset with Ren he did not tell me he's headlining a superhero movie." Kyoko lied; she's really upset that Ren did not announce their engagement and upcoming wedding during the premier of his movie. Also, she can't help but feel jealous of his leading lady and their rather suggestive scenes and some of his half-naked body shots showing his hard-earned muscles that must be for her eyes only that was already been seen by the whole wide world.

"He's a professional specially on his craft but why do I feel jealous when I watched it? Or is it because it's been 6 months since we last saw each other that I am missing him so much? And that girl in that movie spent six months with him and did all that suggestive and kissing scene ugh...those scenes..."

Yashiro adjusted his glasses he knew Kyoko long enough to know she's lying but he decided to go along her facade, "His contract prevented him to tell you about his movie, didn't he tell you about the clause in the contract?"

Kyoko sighed, "He did it's just that-"

"He even invited you to the premiere last month to surprise you but you were currently busy with your commitments here, not that I blame you of course. Speaking of commitments, aren't you supposed to be at the recording studio to record your voice over Makoto Shinkai's latest anime movie?" Yashiro said with a smile changing the topic and making Kyoko focus on her work for now.

Kyoko facepalmed herself, how could she forget about her first anime voice over and from Makoto Shinkai's movie nonetheless. It was all Kanae's fault for showing her the newspapers when she was at the LME pantry enjoying her breakfast that she got distracted and even forgot about her work for the day.

"Ne... you're right! I'll be heading there now. Thanks for reminding me." Kyoko immediately ran as fast as she could to go to the recording studio hoping she would not be late from her recording. Reprimanding Ren will have to wait for now, work and her reputation as an artist comes first.

Little did Kyoko know her recording was not today but the day after tomorrow and that Yashiro was in cahoots with Kanae in accordance to Ren's surprise to Kyoko that morning. He reached for his phone to call his friend and talent Ren but his now girlfriend Kanae stopped her.

"Dear wouldn't it be better if Kyoko surprises Ren as well?" Kanae said with a mischievous wink.


Kyoko was about to leave LME premises but a huge crowd gathered around the studio preventing her to leave.

"What's with this crowd? Who are they here for and since when did they gather here?"

With her best efforts of going through the crowd she managed to escape the crowd and walk through the back alley but was halted when she heard a familiar voice she missed.

"Kyoko?" Ren said from behind holding a bouquet of red roses on his right hand and a large funko pop figurine of his super hero character on his left hand.

Kyoko did not hesitate to jump on her fiancé she missed so much. "I missed you Kuon."

Ren returned his fiancé's embrace and gave her a longing kiss showing her he missed her a lot, "Me too Kyoko."

Lost in each other's eyes they didn't hear the endless shutter clicks from photographers and the loud screaming of the crowd that suddenly gathered around them.

"Tsuruga Ren and Mogami Kyoko since when?" A reporter asked.

"We heard rumors but this confirms it, you heard it here from us first. Popular Hollywood actor Tsuruga Ren in love with Japan's number one actress Mogami Kyoko."

Reporters gathered closer to Ren and Kyoko wanting to interview them but Ren covered Kyoko by embracing her and whispered in her ears, "I was to surprise you but I guess the media and fans knew I was back in Japan and thought I will drop by my home studio, that's why they gathered here.

"So, the crowd I saw earlier are waiting for you." She almost forgot about her voice over but remembered it again. "Oh no, Makoto Shinkai sensei's going to be mad at me if I missed my recording today. But how can I go there with this crowd here?"

"Ren, Kyoko, here!" The loud voice of Yashiro called waving at the couple waiting at a limousine across the street.

Ren flashed his famous smile, "We would like to stay and answer your questions but my fiancé and I would like to spend time alone. My manager will arrange for a press conference for our official announcement."

As if hypnotized by his smile and voice the press and crowd made way for the couple to go through. When they reached the car as sign of respect to the fans and media both Ren and Kyoko bowed and waved before entering.

"Sorry about the inconvenience ever since your movie make it big fans and the media are always snooping around waiting for your return. I never thought they will know you'll be arriving today, so much for your planned surprise to Kyoko." Yashiro said as he drove the limousine.

"Surprise? You knew all along that Ren is arriving today?" Kyoko said, surprised both Ren and Yashiro kept it a secret from her.

"Kanae also, she purposely gave you the newspapers this morning to distract you with the headlines. Also, your recording is not due until tomorrow so the two of you basically have the day for yourselves."

"Moko san knows too?" Kyoko frowned, even her best friend knows.

Ren wrapped his arm around Kyoko's shoulders to change the atmosphere, "Since we have the day to ourselves, where would you like to go babe?"


As Ren promised to the press a press conference was held to announce to the whole entertainment world about his and Kyoko's engagement much to the local and foreign press surprise but withheld the date and place of their wedding, which will be held in the coming month when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

A month leading into their wedding the couple did their best to finish their projects in time before the wedding, thanks to Yukihito Yashiro's excellent planning he managed to arrange their schedule making them free a week before the wedding. Aside from managing their schedule, Yashiro also sorted out the preparations for the wedding with help from his girlfriend Kanae, Kyoko's mom and Ren's parents.

"I already talked to the local government of Hyogo prefecture and the date's set for the wedding the Himeji castle." Yashiro told Ren who asked him if he already arranged the wedding with his and Kyoko's busy schedule.

"Thanks a lot Yashiro. You've been going out with Kanae for a while now, when are you planning to ask for her hand?" Ren asked.

"Soon, she's still busy with her projects for the year. At my own wedding, I want you to be there as my best man Kuon..." Yashiro answered

"I'll be happy to."


"I never imagined Ren to be the one to impress. That usually reserved man except in his work is now going to marry you in a traditional wedding in Himeji castle nonetheless." Shien exclaimed surprised at Ren's planned wedding while walking along the catwalk inside Jelly Woods studio trying the kimono made for her.

"Agree, maybe he wants Kyoko to feel like the empress of Japan or something." Emiko remarked walking after Shien tried her kimono.

"Kyoko deserves it, after all she's the one who showed Kuon the light." Tina said following after Emiko.

"Couldn't agree more to you girls. As a witness to their development from mentor-student relationship to lovers and everything they faced together. They deserve nothing less than a grand wedding in my opinion." Kanae said happily bouncing at the catwalk with her kimono.

"Personally, I don't know what happened to them but seeing them together makes this wedding setting perfect for them both." Kouki who last walked the catwalk said turning to see if the kimono's length was just right to her height.

"You all look beautiful and thank you for being here with me." Kyoko felt tears in her eyes happy to see all her girlfriends are here with her trying their clothes for her wedding supporting her.

"Aw don't be like that you are going to make us cry you dummy." Shien said playfully.

"Come on Kyoko chan aren't you supposed to try your shiromuku and iro-uchikake also?" Kanae asked her to try her best not to cry with her friend.

Kyoko nodded and went backstage where Jelly was waiting for her.

"She's lucky to have you girls as her friends." Tina said happy that the girls in front of her did not give up on Kuon and Kyoko when their love was tested.

"If you knew about what happened to them, I'm sure you will also not hesitate to help and support them." Emiko said to Tina appreciating that she had the courage time to travel overseas for the first time after Rick's death.


The men also had their dress rehearsal at Lory Takarada's mansion and did not take long for they only tried their hakama and for Ren his Haori hakama.

"This is so boring that's why I hate wedding dress rehearsals." Kira yawned.

"Don't be such a dumbass Kira, that is the reason none of your girlfriends last long because you easily get tired of them." Kagami said to his friend making Kira frown in disagreement.

"Yeah says the guy who took years before finally deciding to propose." Kira said sarcastically trying to start a playful banter with his friend.

"Oh yeah I was just busy with the training and all you know, that right?" Kagami answered defending himself.

"Busy making big in the NBA.."

"Before this goes any further, Yashiro's waiting for us outside saying something about a bachelor's party or something." Ren said snapping his two friends from their argument.

Kira's eyes lit up when he heard bachelor's party and immediately left.

"Son, go with them. You should enjoy your last day as a bachelor." Kuu urged his son to join his friends.

"Kuu's right besides I think the girls have something planned with Kyoko as well." Lory added.


Much to Kira's disappointment Yahiro's so-called bachelor's party was just them staying at Ren's penthouse drinking wine and eating snacks while watching Ren and Kyoko's pictures from their childhood to the present at his home entertainment room.

"Seriously this is your bachelor's party?!" Kira argued.

"Hey cut the guy some slack right Yashiro-san?"

"This is not the bachelor's party I have in mind." Kira this is not the bachelor's party he has in mind.

"Why are you not enjoying drinking vintage wine while lounging at my lazy boy couch watching on my home entertainment system?" Ren asked internally laughing at the disappointment in his friends faces. As much as Ren wanted it to be a proper bachelor's party, he doesn't want the press to get a whiff of it.

Kira answered, "NO!"

"You know what, I will make this a proper bachelor's party just wait." Kira said leaving them to call a friend of his.


After their dress rehearsal Shien invited her friends to her own penthouse to spend the night together for a little bachelorette party she prepared for Kyoko.

"Since our friend Kyoko will be married in a matter of days, I invited you all here without the men for a little get together or should I say bachelorette party. Everything that happens in this room stays in this room alright." Shien said before leaving her friends to get something.

Emiko sighed deeply, "Oh no why did Shien have to prepare Kyoko's bachelorette party?"

"Why is there anything wrong?" Tina asked, wondering.

"Knowing Shien she plans something we cannot say no to." Kyoko answered, worried what Shien's plan might be.

Shien re-appeared to her friends holding tray with a bottle of wine and shot glasses for each one of them. "Why the long faces? We haven't even started yet, besides the night is still young."


In less than an hour Ren's entertainment room transformed into a disco room with loud party music playing on his speakers and neon lights flashing on and off that Kira enjoyed.

"Now this is what I call a party!" Kira said drinking straight from the bottle.

"Come on Ren enjoy Kyoko might ban you from going to any party when she's already your wife." Kagami called and gave Ren a bottle of whiskey.

But Ren was not enjoying at all, he's tired from the dress rehearsal earlier that day and he's not a party person. A doorbell stopped Kira from dancing.

"That must be my guest. Yashiro san can you kindly open the door please." Kira asked politely, grinning from ear to ear.

"Guest?!" So much for a private bachelor's party, Ren thought.

Yashiro opened the door to Ren's penthouse and saw a very large cake left outside the door with a note saying, "Enjoy to your heart's content. Congratulations on your wedding."


After awhile Shien urge the ladies to change their outfit into a pink satin lace pajamas while Kyoko wore her pajamas with the bride to be words sewed on it. Soon after she finished dressing up she rejoined the ladies in the living room to see it already decorated lavishly and on the big coffee table are bottles of vintage wines and some cocktails.

"Uhm, what is this?" Kyoko asked she now dreaded her decision to come out of the room and rejoin the squad with Shien leading the parade.

"Come on sweetie we'll now start the game." Shien said ushering the bewildered Kyoko in the middle. Once she is seated with the group Shien clasps her hands together. "We'll be playing never have I ever.."

"Oh I know that game Ren played that game when he was a guest in Ellen Degeneres show." Kyoko said while exchanging looks with the rest of the girls.

"It'll be a fun game." Kouki chimed in.

"But what's the catch?" Emiko asked, knowing Shien she'll have something hidden in her sleeves. Better she asked now before they get themselves in trouble.

"The catch is that there is no catch this version of the game has no winner. There are only those who drink more and those who drink less if it happens that a person who asks the question is the only who has never done the thing they are asking, then that person has to have a drink. Also its also customary they tell their stories we'll stop the game if one of us gets too drunk..." Shien explained.

"Uh, I have a low tolerance in alcohol." Kouki said worriedly, Kagami doesn't like her drinking because of her low tolerance and she's worried if he pick her up earlier and smell the booze on her that he will get upset.

"Me too Shien I think I-" Kyoko couldn't finish what she was about to say when Shein cut her off.

"Alright ladies let's start drinking!" Shien said ignoring both of the women. "Since I started this game I'll start asking the questions." She then turned to the girls and grin, "Never have I ever had friends with benefits."

Kyoko blushed clearly embarrassed of the question but drank her share, right of the bat Shien starts with these kind of racy questions. She turn to look around Tina and Kouki drank their share of booze while Emiko didn't move.

"Wait you have someone like that Emi?!" Tina asked she couldn't believe the information that just sunk in her friend Emiko has or had someone like that in her life knowing how reserve she is this is pretty scandalous.

Emiko grinned, "Yep, but that was a long time ago."

"Tell us the story girl. Don't leave any details." Shein said while Kyoko nodded furiously she's also excited to know the details even though its a bit embarrassing she's kinda interested as well to know the story.

"Well he is a friend you know him Shien." Emiko said turning to face Shien.

"What?! You mean it's that Orienese guy... geez you were fucking a royalty?!" Shien exclaimed while Emiko put her hand on her mouth to silence her.

"H-Hey not so loud!"

"Orienese guy? What's that?" Kyoko asked still clueless who is Emiko's friends with benefits thing.

"Uh, I know him too he attended your birthday last year Emi-chan." Kouki added she then look at Kyoko, "Glenn Casiraghi is the second son of the reigning King of Oriens."

"What?! You know someone like that Emiko-chan." Kyoko said in surprise.

"Yup my parents sent me in Oriens to study I lived there till after High school he was studying in the same School as I was and we have the same group of friends so we hang out together. Things led to another then before I know it we started doing stuff together."

"Right I bet you love doing stuff together." Shien rolled her eyes.

"How did the relationship ended?" Kyoko asked curious how things ended with the two.

"Well it stopped because I move back home while he got busy with college and his royalty engagements." Emiko shrugged. "We still keep in touch though just for old time sake."

"Yeah I bet..." Shien said sarcastically.

"Did it ever got serious between you two?" Tina asked her question suddenly turned the mood from excitement to mellow. "Like was there a time that a feelings developed?"

"Well Glenn is handsome I feel giddy when he gives me attention but that's it we're really just friends."

"Right..."

"But you wouldn't feel that way if you didn't feel something about him."

"Are you sure about that?" Kyoko asked, Emiko sounded like she was just forcing herself to say those words and it feels like something is going on inside her mind but she doesn't want to keep on prodding an obviously touchy subject.

"Okay let's move on..."

"It's now my turn to ask...Never have I ever had sex in public." Emiko asked with a grin, surprisingly she didn't drink her share, Shien and Tina but Kouki did drink hers.

"What? You had a friends with benefits thing with the royalty but you didn't try to have sex in public only Kouki-chan." Shien said unimpressed with Emiko.

"So are you Shi..." Emiko rolled her eyes, "He is royalty if he had sex in public he'll be disowned." she said with a laugh. "Why there is no one gonna comment at the fact that Kouki-chan had sex in public? Anyone."

"So what's your excuse Kouki-chan." Kyoko elbowed Kouki playfully.

"Tell us the story!" Shien said with a grin.

"Uh...well it was after the interview post-championship game Taiga's team won and..."

"And he decided that he'll get sex as a reward from you?" Emiko teased the younger girl. Kouki blushed beet red in return and nodded shyly.

"Y-Yeah. w-we did it in their locker room..."

"Oh dang I'm right to start this game this is going to be fun!" Shien said while drinking her Cosmopolitan but stop midway when she noticed Kyoko red as tomato too and her glass is empty. "What? Don't tell me you too Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko jumps on her seat as she was like a cat caught in a red light, "W-Well...I..."

"Oh dang you too Kyoko-chan wow..."

"Don't say that Shien its just..."

"What? Where did Ren did the-..."

"I don't think it counts so..."

"I'm pretty sure it counts." Shien continue to tease Kyoko.

"Shut up and just quit beating around the bush tell us the details!" Shien and Emiko said in unison.

"W-We did it in a cave."

"Wow that's kinky! Kinkier than doing it in the locker room."

Kouki laugh, "You beat us Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko flails both her hand in the air, "T-That's not what you think its just..."

"It's pretty much the same."

"Now I have something to blackmail Ren." Shien said with a glint in her eyes.

"Uh oh I pity Kuon." Tina mumbled.


Kira set the mood by placing the cake in the middle in front of where Ren is seated and turned off the lights while Kagami played the music. Ren did not look excited at the prospect of a sexy dancer appearing at the cake, for him only Kyoko can turn him on. While Kagami and Kira are excited and even urged the ever so serious Yashiro to enjoy the spectacle Kira prepared.

At the sound of the first beat of the music Kagami played the top of the cake opened and the lights inside of it lit up and as if teasing them the sexy dancer appeared little by little from inside. The dancer danced sexy and suggestive earning wolf whistles from Kira who is enjoying it while Ren just sat there and drank his whiskey while watching the dancer unattentively.

"So tell us Ren how's it like to kiss the lips of Blane Lively you're goddamn lucky dude she's one of the sexiest women alive in the world like number three I think." Kira said as he sat down next to the man and the night.

"It was a kiss that was all..." Ren said dismissively while he plays with his phone on his hand. "Besides that was work and you know that..."

"Kyoko is the only one for you yada yada yada..." Kira cut Ren off. "You're so boring Ren." He said with an exaggerated sigh.

"She'll be starring with you for nine picture film you know and you two are portraying a girlfriend and boyfriend thing and-."

"Before I cut your fantasy there jerk that was work so what were you fantasizing for? And Blane is a friend so nothing is going to happen besides you know I only belong to Kyoko.."

"AHH damn... I'm done for." Kira said in a defeated sigh. "I'm surprised Kyoko wasn't jealous of her I mean had she seen the those sexy scenes you did with her and those kissing scenes that are pretty intense! Damn, I will perfectly understand if Kyoko will feel a little bit of jealousy."

Ren sigh, "Kyoko is not like that besides she knows it was just all for the film..."

"Well if you say so." Kira shrugged.


His mind wondered on what Shien planned for Kyoko and if she enjoyed it, taking a last drink on his whiskey he stood up and excused himself from his friends which they did not stop him for they know Ren's probably thinking of Kyoko at the moment.

Missing Kyoko and her warmth, Ren called Takenori Sawara to ask a favor.

"Ren? It's late why did you call?" Sawara asked worried that Ren called him in the middle of the night.

"I am sorry for disturbing you are you already sleeping? I have a favor to ask."

"No, I was just about to leave LME the meeting just ended now. What is it Ren?"

"Can you drive for me, I have drunk a little to much and Yashiro's currently enjoying a small party Kira prepared for me."

This being Ren's first favor to ask from him immediately drove to him to Shien's apartment.

"I'll see you at our wedding, thanks a lot Sawara san." Ren said bowing to Sawara.

"Wouldn't miss it." Sawara said and left.

Ren was about to call Kyoko on her phone but a car stopped behind him with Kyoko coming out.

"Kuon? What are you doing here?" Kyoko asked in her slurry voice she drunk a lot on her session with her friends to avoid answering Shien's a little too personal question.

Ren embraced her, "Looking for you obviously, besides my unit is preoccupied at the moment with Kira, Kagami and Yashiro enjoying the party they prepared for me. So, I technically have no place to sleep tonight. You don't mind me sleeping here with you, don't you?"

"You are very welcome my Kuon." Kyoko said affectionately before falling asleep in Ren's arms.


AN: Thanks for all the reviews, follows, favorites. Me and my friend and co-writer Shirahane Aikawa have finally wrapped this story of mine 10 years later and finally 3 more chapters to go which I will upload before the year ends.