Takarada Lory's mansion was always tastefully, if albeit eccentrically, decorated. Tonight all of its characteristic decor had been hidden away leaving the room almost bare. Projectors of amazing quality showcased pictures and clips of Tsuruga Ren along the walls of the ballroom. Modeling shots for his campaigns with R'mandy, and other modeling projects, as well as snippets of his various movies, dramas and commercials were also playing on different walls. Closeups of Katsuki in Dark Moon, and his appearance in Ring Doh, and even clips from all the way back in Purple Down littered the walls eliciting fond memories from those in attendance.
The room went into quiet whispers as she regaly walked in without stopping to greet anyone. She walked straight into the balcony doors where she could see the thousands upon thousands of candles being lit for her first true love. Silent tears slid down her cheeks as she observed her boyfriend's adored fans mourn him as she was. A sudden hand covering hers brought her back to the present as she looked at her companion through her veil.
Kanae had recognized her immediately, no one other than her spunky best friend had the ability to be completely unrecognizable yet draw every single eye in the room at the same time. She had to admit that even in mourning Kyoko looked stunning. She had spent all day calling to check on her only to be texted back that she was fine, and that it would all be fine after tonight. The blue eyed actress refrained from dropping her assignments for the day, it's not like anyone in the industry had actually managed to do any work at all after the morning news anyway, because Kyoko had stated that she was with his family and would see her at the funeral.
In the years the tall actress had known the man she had never heard him speak of his family, not even Kyoko had ever said anything about them, but knowing she was accompanied by both Yashiro-san and Ruto, Lory's right hand man, she respected her friend's situation and continued with her jobs as much as was possible. She was fortunate enough to have been working in a drama with her 'not boyfriend' Kijima Hidehito when the news was delivered. They sought solace in each other's arms and provided silent support as tears ran down both of their faces. The cameraman of their drama had been silently rooting for them to be together since the first day of filming and silently captured the tender moment between the two stars.
Kyoko stayed silent as Kanae reached over and flipped her veil to reveal her face. She looked a little sad and tear stained even though her waterproof make up was intact. But Kanae knew her well enough to know that her best friend lived with her heart on her sleeve, and this was not the face of a mourning girlfriend. She looked at her best friend in confusion, she was the prime witness to the veracity of the love Kyoko held for Ren, she would have thought her to have a blank soulless stare and pale cheeks. But the more she looked at her she saw the excitement and expectation in her eyes, the rosyness of her cheeks, and the overall aura of happiness her friend was exuding.
The younger actress grabbed her best friends hands and smiled tenderly at her. She felt bad for worrying her friends all day long but she knew what was at stake tonight. It was the final stretch and then she would beg for her friend's forgiveness every day until the end of time if it was necessary. She gripped Kanae's hands firmly as she looked over the balcony again "I always knew he was the most beloved in all of Japan, but seeing it with my own two eyes is…" she trailed off as more tears graced her face.
"Mo, I know what you mean," said Kanae, looking as well, there had to be at least 5,000 people in the gardens alone. "He truly made an impact on so many people, touched so many hearts" the actress continued. "I didn't want to say it over text and you wouldn't call me back, but you know I'm here for you, right? You don't have to face this alone" she said glancing down at her slightly shorter friend. "I know" she answered with conviction, "I truly am the luckiest for having the most amazing best friend in the world!" she said with more excitement than was appropriate at a funeral.
Kijima Hidejito walked out into the balcony searching for the girl who held his heart and found her pushing away a beautifully dressed Kyoko trying to hug her. "Don't you think today of all days she might need a hug?" he asked half seriously. He was incredibly relieved to see the little actress in good spirits, he had been afraid this horrible event might break her but perhaps it just hadn't set in yet. It hadn't even been a day since they announced his death.
"Yes Moko-san! I need a hug! I need all the hugs!" demanded Kyoko as she continued to try to hug her best friend. Amamiya Chiori and Hiromune Koga walked into the balcony hand in hand, having followed Kijima. They beheld the same scenario and Chiori managed to laugh for the first time today. They had all been worried for the most talented actress of their group, Kanae and Chiori had seen her go through the best and worst times after she joined the entertainment industry, and their whole friend group was relieved to see her smiling even in the face of what had to be the most horrible day of her life.
Chiori left her boyfriend and jumped into her friend's hug needing their comfort and wanting to share her own. Together the three actresses almost stumbled into the floor if not for their boyfriend's quick thinking, and honest force of habit having seen the group of friends go through this numerous times. Koga grabbed onto them from one side as Kijima pushed from the other keeping them in balance. For a minute there they almost forgot where they were and what had brought them together this evening, but the third set of hands required to keep the group in balance was not there.
If it weren't for Ruto, who had popped out of nowhere and filled the tallest member of the group's role in the balancing of their girlfriends, they would have fallen and caused a scene, not to mention terrible wardrobe malfunctions considering the dresses the girls wore. After making sure everyone had 2 feet on the ground, Ruto informed Kyoko that it was time to start. She looked at her friends one last time with a little bit of sorrow and regret shining in her eyes for the first time this evening. "I'm sorry, please stay until the end" she pleaded to her friends and boyfriends before putting her veil back over her face "and please give us a chance to explain" she softly whispered while following Ruto inside.
"What was that about?" asked Kijima looking at the tall actress hoping for an explanation, "it's not like we were just going to leave her here on her own'' he added after noticing Koga tilting his head and narrowing his eyes at the retreating actress. "Something is about to happen'' murmured Kanae, grabbing Kijima's hand without second thought and ignoring the almost hopeful look on his face while dragging him inside.
Chiori looked at Koga having also heard her friend's whispered statement, "who is 'us' that needs to do some explaining?" she asked as her boyfriend looked at her excitedly, it was his love for interesting things that had brought them together after reading her notebook, "I don't know yet, but if we want to find out we better go" Koga offered his elbow as they strode inside to an already quieting crowd.
All eyes in the room were following her, she assumed they were admiring her dress and veil, she was quite fond of them. She had been dressed head to toe by the fairy queen herself, having designed the veil together. It was a very touching and personal bonding moment for the ladies, Julie understood more than anyone what Kyoko was about to go through, and supported her every step of the way. She was sitting in the first row in front of the stage in similar attire to her own. Her own veil was much shorter as it only covered her eyes and had a design of abstract flowers centered with black pearls. Hizuri Kuu sat next to his wife, gripping her hand tighter than was comfortable for the model, but her own ironclad grip on her husband's hand made it tolerable.
Kyoko continued slowly down the aisle separating the two column sections of seats, she saw the familiar faces of directors and actors who had loved Ren, who had pushed him to greater heights, and who were as much the reason for tonight as she herself was. She reached the podium where Lory awaited her with a sad yet excited smile. He thought she looked beautiful, like a goth bride walking down the aisle, but he knew the young actress would never wear something like that on her actual wedding day.
He touched her arm and whispered words of encouragement while looking to the side of the stage before walking up to the podium and greeting his audience "Good evening everyone, welcome to my humble abode" he said as he signaled his grand ballroom. A few chuckles were heard between the constant sobs and sniffles of the crowd seated in front of him. "As you already know we are gathered here today to remember and honour Tsuruga Ren, who for the last 8 years blessed us with his talent." stated the handsome president, "When he first started working at LME at the tender age of 15 he promised me that one day the world would know his name and recognize him for his efforts, he swore he would grow as much as he could as an actor and continue to push himself to be the best in the industry. Seeing his face on my walls right now I can see how much he accomplished, how much he did just that, grow. He grew from a lanky teenager," quite a few giggles were heard from the crowd as they couldn't picture the muscular handsome man as lanky, "into an incredible man an actor that i'm honored to consider part of my family" he said looking at Maria who was backstage holding a man's hand while smiling in agreement at her grandfather's words.
"I could not be prouder of the actor and man he became, and as much credit as i'd like to take for his success I am humble enough" more giggles were heard in the audience "to admit that the person who pushed him the furthest both as an actor and man, is this young lady right here who has her own words to share with you" and with that he stepped aside as people hesitantly applauded his short speech.
Kyoko smiled at her president and boss and lifted her veil after reaching the podium. She did not understand the surprised gasps of the audience, Lory had announced this morning that she would be leading the eulogy, who else were they expecting? She wondered as the audience stared in awe at the figure before them. Sure, they knew Kyoko would be at the stage, but her regal outfit and veil paired with her soft makeup and the spotlight on top of her made her look like a dark angel welcoming them into the gates of heaven, if it weren't for her bright gold eyes most would not have recognized her as the energetic actress they were used to.
She took one last deep breath before looking to the side of the stage and nodding her head one last time in encouragement, reassuring her target that she was okay and everything would be fine. "Good evening" she greeted the audience with a short bow "I could stand here and sing my praises for the man who dots these walls all night" she said with a soft smile, "I could go on an on about how great my senpai was, how talented and dedicated to his work he was, i'll even admit to you how handsome i found him" she chuckled along with the audience at her little joke, "But to be honest those are all things you already know about him, you have all worked with him, seen the efforts of his hard work, heard the stories of the 'co-star killer' and suffered them yourselves. I myself fell for his enchantment when I first acted alongside him, and that very day I promised myself I would never fall for it again and it pushed me to be a greater actress" she looked at her audience as they all nodded in agreement.
"I don't want to say everything I am is because of him, because there have been so many people involved helping me develop as an actress that it would be unfair to discredit them. But Tsuruga Ren was and will always be one of my most admired actors and aspirations. My most esteemed sempai, and my first true love" tears started falling down her face again at the end of her sentence as her voice broke. The hearts of all men clenched seeing the young actress break down for a few moments as if speech was too difficult for her. Kanae and Chiori looked ready to run to the stage and comfort their beloved friend while Koga kept trying to look at just who was standing just out of sight to the side of the stage. He saw a reflection of glasses and recognized Yashiro Yukihito talking softly to someone.
Kyoko composed herself quickly after a few breaths and one more sideways look backstage. "As i said, i could keep going all night. But these are all things you know about Tsuruga-san, things you've experienced and felt and seen. I will share with you my secret treasures, the Tsuruga Ren that I was privy to when you weren't, the pouty child that refused to eat a proper nutritious meal" she smiled at the laughing audience for most of those who had worked with him knew indeed how picky he was about food, and how much effort she went to ensure he ate his meals, "the distraught man that didn't know what 'tentekomai' meant on a script thinking it was a type of dance" the audience laughed eagerly at the ridiculousness of the image she painted, "I'm serious! You would have thought the man was dying by the seriousness of his face!" she added smiling at the crowd, "The petty childish little… " she trailed off as outright laughter was heard all over the room. Kyoko blushed crimson noticing their reaction but laughed along with them.
It was no secret to anyone who had worked with Ren and Kyoko in recent years how petty and childish the actor could truly be. He had been incredibly protective of his girlfriend, and before he had the title he had been even more passive aggressive when it came to her. The young actress had always been too innocent to notice the glaring looks he often shot her co-stars, and the comments he made to fluster her out of pure self serving envy to have her whole attention. Kijima laughed remembering the first and last time he asked Kyoko out on a date after the many efforts Tusuruga had gone to hide her from him, and the "megawatt gentleman smile", as their friend group had dubbed it, Ren had given him all night long for dressing his girl at the Dark Moon party. He laughed even harder while remembering his friend's reaction when he found out they had exchanged colorfully animated emails and his petty response that he could just call the girl if he wanted to talk to her instead of just emailing.
Kyoko smiled at the audience, noticing how they were all fondly remembering Ren. She took the opportunity to glance at her friends who were laughing a little harder than everyone bearing witness more than the others to Ren's antics and childish behaviour. She then looked at her adoptive parents and how their eyes shined with unshed tears hearing about their son and feeling the love for the man that could be felt in the room. As the room settled down she looked at Lory and smiled at him with a twinkle in her eye that he was familiar with in his own eyes, but he had never seen the mischievous look coming from his number one Love Me girl.
"I will miss Ren, he will forever be a part of my heart" she continued "He always encouraged me to try my best, to be my best, and to believe in myself, and most of all, to always be myself" the audience smiled at the sweet girl as she remembered her boyfriend. "For those of you who don't know me, fairytales are my greatest wonder. One of my many career goals is to one day be able to be a beautiful princess in a movie!" she said with stars in her eyes and she started going to la-la land" the audience laughed at her dreamy look and brought her back.
She smiled at her audience slightly blushing being caught daydreaming "I have always loved fairytales, ever since i was little" she heard a snicker form the back of the room and spotted a familiar blonde head of hair. She ignored the look her childhood friend was giving her and continued with her story. "I continued on believing in fairytales because when I was six years old I met a fairy prince in a clearing behind the Ryokan I used to live in".