Their First Date

"If you do not stop that, Kyoko, I swear, we are not friends anymore!"

Kyoko paused, smiling a little at Moko-san who was sitting on the sofa, reading through an English workbook. Her lessons had been going really well, and since moving into an apartment together a little over a week ago, they'd made a deal to speak to each other only in English at home until her friend left. Kyoko could already tell that she was improving, and it was nice to practice her own English skills.

The president had been the one to find them the apartment, and with the two of them splitting the rent, she was only paying a little more than she had at the Darumaya. Kyoko had a feeling that Takarada-san had made some kind of deal with the building's owner, and her best friend and new roommate agreed, but neither could prove it. Since neither of them owned all that much, and since the apartment came furnished for the most part, they'd been able to move in a single day, the president volunteering one of his cars and Ruto-san, whose name she finally learned, to help them.

Ren had wanted to help, but she'd assured him that she barely had enough things to fill her two suitcases, so it wouldn't be necessary. Besides, his schedule had been packed lately, and they hadn't even had the chance to see one another apart from their carpool mornings. And Kyoko was surprised to find that she was missing him. Before all of this, she'd been conflicted around being near him at all. With her growing feelings more and more difficult to suppress, she'd wanted to be around him while also hoping never to run into him, lest he figure it out. But now…now she could just enjoy spending time with him.

If she didn't think too much about Corn.

The thing was, she was going to have to think about it. They were going to have to talk about it. She knew that. But before she could ask him about his secrets, she felt like she should tell him about hers. Starting with Bo. Which was the reason for the pacing she'd been doing for the last ten minutes.

"Why are you so nervous? He is in love with you. The interview is not for few days. And you are eating in his apartment, so no one will see you." Moko-San hesitated. "Eating at his apartment," she corrected herself.

"A few days," Kyoko prompted, and Kanae nodded, obviously making a mental note.

"Right."

"I'm going to tell him. About Bo."

"Your chicken job?"

Kyoko nodded.

Moko-san hesitated, then put her workbook down and switched to Japanese. "Why are you so nervous? Do you think he'll be that angry?"

"I…I don't know," Kyoko admitted. She didn't...not really. At least, she didn't think so. But part of her, a strange, angry part of her, almost wanted him to be angry...to blow up like Sho had so many times when he'd been angry with her. Because then she could be angry at him. She could remind him that he'd lied to her too! That he'd hidden who he was for so long, even longer than she had, and...and she didn't really want that! She didn't want to fight with him and drive him away! And...and she understood that he was a foreigner...that he'd been worried about keeping his secret. And...and the time she'd spent with Hizuri-san...the man she'd called father...the only man who'd ever made her wish she'd had a father…what had that really meant? Had it all been an act? Just an excuse to see his son?

Moko-san hadn't asked her much about what had happened until they'd been alone in their apartment. The day after the incident in the elevator, she'd sent Kyoko a text, and Kyoko had done her best to assure her friend that she was fine and that she appreciated the fact that she was worried about her. And then, when Ruto-san had left and they'd been alone, putting away groceries, she'd finally spoken up.

"I saw the picture."

Kyoko had flinched a little. Moko-san hadn't sounded angry. But she'd sounded upset.

"I'm sorry...with everything that happened...I meant to call you but…"

"You don't have to apologize. I understand. It's just…" Kanae had put down the rice she'd been about to put away, her eyes downcast. "It's all over the news. So he finally confessed to you?"

"Finally?"

"Mo, Kyoko, he's liked you forever. Remember? I told you, after you did Fuwa's PV and he got so angry?"

She did remember. "He did...he confessed."

"And you? Did you tell him that you…returned his feelings?"

"Yes," Kyoko had whispered, blushing a little, but not as much as before.

"So...you're dating him now?"

"He...he asked to be my boyfriend." She'd turned to Moko-san, biting her lip before the words had rushed out. "But now...now that's why I'm famous...why I had to move. Not because I'm a great actress. Not because I...I had a big break or because I'm talented…"

"Stop." Moko-san's sharp voice had stopped her in her tracks and she'd been surprised to find her friend glaring at her. "Don't you dare complain to me about being famous. Who the hell cares how you got famous? What does it matter? You're famous now."

"Because of Ren," she argued.

"So what? Use it! Get more roles! You're ridiculously talented...so talented it makes me sick. You may be famous because of him, but pretty soon, you're going to be famous because of what an amazing actress you are." Kanae had glared at her. "And don't you dare think that I won't still overtake you."

Kyoko had felt herself smile then, relaxing just a little. Maybe her friend was right. And hadn't Ren said that all attention was good attention in this industry? That she should do whatever she could to stand out? She doubted that he'd meant something like that but if they were going to talk about her anyway, why not use it to her advantage?

Now Moko-san watched her, English workbook on her lap, her eyes uncharacteristically soft. "You love him, don't you?"

"Yes." She swallowed hard, wishing she could tell Moko-san the whole story...wishing she could explain why she was so nervous. Moko-san already knew about what Ren had told Bo...but she didn't know about Corn. No one did. And Kyoko knew she couldn't tell her. So how was she supposed to explain.

"And he loves you?"

"I think so."

"So however he feels….it'll be okay. It'll work out." Moko-san waved a hand as though unaffected, but Kyoko knew better. Her friend was worried for her. "Besides, if it doesn't...if something happens, you'll still have me."

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, and Kyoko felt her heart leap into her throat. Moko-san lifted an eyebrow, looking from Kyoko's frozen form to the door and, with a sigh, she stood, placing the workbook on the table and heading for the door. Kyoko backed into the kitchen and watched her friend answer it. "Tsuruga-san," she greeted, voice flat.

"Good evening, Kotonami-san. How are you?"

"I'm doing well. Kyoko will be right out. She's still getting ready."

Kyoko shook her head at her friend and bit back a laugh. She'd been ready for almost an hour.

Without offering to let him in, Kanae shut the door, and Kyoko put a hand over her mouth in horror. "Moko-san!" she hissed.

"What? It won't hurt him to wait." Kanae went back to the sofa and sat down with her English workbook while Kyoko hurried to answer the door, shooting her friend a look before opening it.

Ren stood in the doorway, looking more amused than put out, and he smiled when he saw her. "Good evening, Kyoko."

"Hi," she murmured, cheeks flushing, and she shook her head when he held out a single rose. "Ren…you shouldn't have…"

He laughed a little. "Please. It's for you."

"Kyoko, take the flower or I will!" Moko-san called in English and Kyoko blushed, glaring back at her friend who only snorted, flipping through her workbook.

"I'm sorry. Is this an English household?" Ren asked as she stepped back and invited him in so that she could put the rose in water. He hadn't been to her apartment before, and he followed her into the kitchen, ducking through the doorway.

"We've been speaking in English at home to help Moko-san practice. I told her that my English is too formal, but she wants to learn formal English for her project." With hands that only shook a little, Kyoko filled a vase with water and placed the rose inside, placing it on the counter and stroking a petal with one finger. "Thank you"

"Of course. It's our first date. I had to mark the occasion somehow." He brought a hand to her cheek, brushing his thumb against the skin there. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes," she told him brightly, and he led her to the door. "Moko-san, I'll be home late," she told her friend in English.

"Have a good evening, Miss Kotonami," Ren told her in the same language, and Moko-san met Kyoko's eyes before nodding to the two of them.

"See you later."

Kyoko asked if they needed to stop and get groceries as he walked her out to his car, but he shook his head. "No."

"But...I thought we were having dinner?" she asked hesitantly.

"We are."

"But we can't go out." She sat in the passenger's seat and he shut her door once she was in the car, then climbed into the driver's seat. They had an interview in a few days where they would answer a list of preapproved questions and officially announce their relationship, something that the LME publicity department had been prepping them for for days. And maybe then they could go on a public date. In fact, the president was encouraging them to go on a public date after the interview, but she hadn't asked Ren if he wanted to...hadn't dared to ask. Because what if he didn't want to? What if he didn't actually want to be seen in public with her?

Sho never had.

Kyoko shook her head, trying to dislodge the idea. Why was she thinking about Sho right now? Ren wasn't Sho.

"No, but that doesn't mean you have to cook."

"Ren...did you cook?"

He laughed out loud at the hesitation in her voice, reaching out and taking her hand as casually as if they'd never ridden together in a car without holding hands. And it made her whole body warm, her fingers fitting perfectly between his. "No, I didn't cook."

And he hadn't.

When he led her into his apartment, she froze in the doorway, eyes wide. The low table in front of his sofa had several plates, each covered with silver domes, and in the middle of it all were two candles, lit and throwing dancing light throughout the dimly lit room.

"Ren.."

He wrapped an arm around her, leaning in and squeezing her in a quick hug. "I'm sorry I can't take you out for your first date. But as soon as I can, I'll take you somewhere nice. I promise."

She shook her head, running a quick finger under her eye so she didn't smudge her makeup and sniffing softly. "No, this...this is...it's so nice." She smiled up at him, wishing she didn't have to tell him about Bo or about her audition...wishing she didn't have to ruin things. "Thank you."

He frowned, reaching down and wiping away a tear that had escaped with his thumb. "What's wrong?" he asked, immediately concerned.

"Nothing...it's just...it's really beautiful."

He didn't believe her. That much was obvious. But he led her to the table anyway, uncovering her plate full of food that must have come from a five star restaurant, and he sat down beside her, starting a conversation about work and her apartment and even Moko-san, and she let herself relax, trying not to think about the conversation they would have to have soon.

Dinner was delicious, although he insisted her cooking was better, making her laugh.

"It is not. I could never make anything like this."

"I'm pretty sure you have made something like this."

"That's because all food tastes the same to you," she said with another laugh and an eye roll, the TV playing in the background. She wasn't watching but she appreciated the background noise. It was getting easier to be casual with him...to talk to him like he was just a person.

Just her boyfriend. Her Corn.

"Not true. All food but yours tastes the same to me. You are an exceptional cook."

His causal praise never ceases to embarrass her, but it made her feel something else too…that same quiet warmth that seemed to spread throughout her entire body, making her feel so loved…something she'd never really felt before.

Kyoko managed to wait until he'd thrown away their take out containers to tell him one of the things she'd been dreading. At least what had happened during the Momiji audition hadn't been her fault. But this…this was her fault. And she needed to tell him.

"Ren?" she asked before he could suggest whatever activity he had planned next…she had no idea what couples did on dates apart from dinner and maybe movies. Or a walk? Either way, she spoke before he could move them on to the next item on the itinerary.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Bo."

She'd meant to lead up to it. She'd meant to ease him into the knowledge, to start with an apology and end with an apology and beg his forgiveness, even if part of her didn't want to do any of those things. All she'd done was help him…or try to! But she'd lied to him too. Just like he'd lied to her. Instead, though, she'd blurted it out, her eyes locked onto his.

So many emotions passed over his face that she couldn't name them all before he seemed to shut down, expression blank, eyes narrowing.

"Bo?"

She nodded.

"Bo, as in, Bo the chicken?"

She nodded again.

"Bo the chicken I've confided in more than once over the last year? That Bo?" One more nod as his voice rose in volume just a fraction with each word. "Why would you wait so long to tell me?"

There it was. The anger she'd feared and almost craved despite the fact that he was speaking so calmly all of a sudden, just like he had in the car that day.

Kyoko exploded, hands clenched into fists at her sides as the words she'd been thinking for days finally escaped. "Why would you wait so long to tell me, Corn?!"

As soon as it was out of her mouth, she regretted saying it. He brought up a hand, and the scene was so familiar….why had she yelled at him? Why would she want to start a fight? Her body moved on instinct, remembering what had happened before. With Sho. Eyes closed, jaw tight, she jerked her head to the side, and there was a long, unbearably heavy silence between them for a long time.

When she finally opened his eyes, he was frozen across from her, his hand hovering over his hair before it dropped. For what felt like forever, he just stared at her. And then, finally, he broke the silence.

"I always thought he caused an accident on set." Her confusion at the sudden change of topic must have been obvious because he clarified, voice still flat, his face still blank, when she dared meet his eyes. "That cut on your cheek, back when we were filming Dark Moon. Before that asshole Reino started bothering you. You said it was an accident, and I knew Fuwa was involved, but he hit you, didn't he?"

"It was an accident," she whispered, her voice oddly weak.

"You don't accidentally hit someone."

"I made him angry."

"That's not an excuse to hit someone. Especially not a girl. No one should ever hit you, Kyoko."

She swallowed hard, wishing she hadn't ruined their date. Wishing she hadn't started defending Sho for some unfathomable reason. He brought his hand up slowly as though she might pull away, cupping her cheek where the scar had been.

"I wasn't going to hit you," he murmured, voice soft and passionate. "No matter how angry I was, I would never hurt you."

"I know."

"I shouldn't have kept my identity a secret from you for so long. You have every right to be angry and hurt about that. I know we haven't exactly had time to talk about it…"

"I never meant to keep Bo a secret!" she blurted, sounding desperate as the words poured out of her. "I just…you hated me and I knew you'd be embarrassed after we first met and you didn't know what that idiom meant and it would have made things worse between us! And…and I didn't want you to hate me."

"I didn't."

"I know that now…but I thought you did! So…so I tried to keep helping you by being Bo because I knew you'd never confide in me and you didn't seem to have anyone you could talk to. And I swear, I had no idea that you were talking about me! And I didn't tell anyone about what you told Bo. I mean…I told Mo…Kotonami-san that you confide in Bo about things but I didn't tell her specifics and she would never tell anyone. I'm sorry." She finished her rushed apology with her head down, eyes closed as she waited for some kind of punishment.

Instead, he put a hand on her back, scooting a little closer.

"I'm sorry," she whispered again, and he rubbed her back, the circles he made with his hand soothing her.

"I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I didn't tell you who I was. I'm sorry that I asked my father to do the same. He hated lying to you. He really loves you, you know?"

Her head jerked up, eyes wide. "He does?"

"Of course he does. I'm sure he still hasn't shut up about you. I'd bet you anything that he watches everything you do. The only reason he hasn't called me asking if you were okay after that picture went online is because he's not supposed to contact me. But I'm sure he's already called the president." When she just stared at him, he went on. "He thinks of you as a second child. He loves you, Kyoko. And I'm glad." He smiled at her then. "I'm glad he loves you almost as much as I do."

She flushed, dropping her eyes. "So…so I can still…I can still call him father?" she asked in a small voice.

"Of course you can. He'd be sad if you didn't."

Kyoko leaned into him, even though it felt presumptuous and a little shameless…she wanted his arms around her. She wanted that safe feeling she always got when he held her. And he did hold her. He held her for a long time.

"I was afraid to tell you too. About Corn," he told finally, the two of them holding one another on the floor. "At first, I was afraid that you'd tell someone who I was. I didn't even consider telling you until I realized how I felt about you. I was so mean to you at first. And I'm sorry about that."

"I don't blame you," she murmured. "I would have been annoyed with my reasons for trying to enter show business too."

"Still. It was so hard after that to get you to relax around me. You were always so scared of me. And I was afraid you'd hate me forever if I told you who I was. The more time that passed, the harder it got." He snorted. "Maybe I should have asked Bo for advice."

She flinched a little, but he sounded amused now.

"After all, Bo gave me some great advice. What was it he told me to do…oh right…seduce the girl I love."

Kyoko blushed, pushing away from him and making him laugh. "I didn't know you were talking about me!"

"Still. It's not bad advice." He reached out, running his fingers down her cheek. Despite his words, his voice was tender, his touch gentle. "I appreciate it…what you did for me. As Bo. I know it must have been troublesome."

"It wasn't," she insisted, shaking her head. "I wanted to help you."

He leaned forward then, his lips touching the top of her head. It wasn't the first time he'd kissed her hair, but it made her cheeks hot nonetheless. "Thank you," he murmured into her hair, a smile in his voice. "And if I'm confused about the meanings of any more words, I'll just call you directly. No need to put on a chicken suit."

She giggled and he rested his nose against her hair for a moment before pulling away.

"So that's your TBM job?

Kyoko nodded. "It was a Love Me assignment."

"I thought you got fired. Isn't that what you told me when I first met Bo?"

"Um…yes…Sho was the guest and he figured out that I was in the chicken suit," she told him in a near whisper, wishing she didn't have to tell him another thing that might make him angry. He got the same look he always had when she talked about Sho, but he listened quietly as she explained, her cheeks darkening when she tripped over her words as she told him how Sho had grabbed her chest through the suit to figure out that person in the suit was a girl.

She didn't look at Ren for that part, but her grudges told her exactly how he was feeling, so she hurried on, explaining that the producer still didn't like her, but that she'd gotten her job back, which was how she still had access to the costume.

He muttered something about Sho under his breath that she didn't quite catch, then sighed. "Well, this wasn't exactly how I imagined our first date going…"

"I know…I'm sorry."

Ren shook his head. "You don't have anything to be sorry about. You already apologized, and it's not like I didn't keep a big secret from you too…I still haven't told you everything about why I came here and changed my name in the first place." He ran a hand through his hair, looking sad. "I was hoping that one could wait."

"It can," she assured him. "I don't mind waiting. But…actually, there's one more thing I need to tell you. Um….if it helps, this one has nothing to do with Sho," she offered, trying to smile.

He snorted. "Well, that is automatically a plus." Ren hesitated for a moment. "Is this about your audition?"

She nodded, and he shifted, his back against the sofa, his legs outstretched. She'd been sitting on her knees, spine straight, the posture as natural to her as anything, but she made a visible effort to relax a little, her legs shifting to the side.

Kyoko had already told him about the first audition and what had happened to Erika. So she picked up the story at the part where she'd left Yashiro-san to go to the bathroom…she told him about the cloth over her mouth and the way she hadn't been able to move. She told him about the arms that had carried her to the edge of the balcony, watching from the corner of her eye as the blood drained from his face. He didn't interrupt, but his hand gripped hers as she went on, explaining that their manager had found them, and how it had been a set up by Erika to blackmail Morizumi-san.

"I think we were only on the second floor anyway, so I probably would have been fine," she finished, trying for a light tone, but he just stared at her, looking more afraid than she'd ever seen him.

"Why didn't Yashiro tell me?" he finally asked, sounding strangled.

"Um…I'm not sure. I didn't ask him not to tell anyone. The deal we made was that we wouldn't tell anyone if she left show business here."

He gripped her hand almost too tightly, but she didn't complain, just watched him process her story. "If…if you ever see either of them again…please tell me," he finally asked, voice tight.

She nodded. "Okay. I…I was going to tell you earlier…but…you know."

He did. "Did Yashiro talk to the president?"

"I'm not sure. Takarada-san never said anything to me about it if he did."

"Okay…okay." He was nodding, still squeezing her hand.

"I really was okay. I don't think I was actually in danger."

"You…" he started, then cut himself off and spoke in a softer tone. "You were drugged and nearly thrown off a balcony," he reminded her. "You were in danger. At an audition…". He swore under his breath, switching to English for just a second before turning back to her. "We have to tell the president."

"I promised not to tell anyone. Besides, she doesn't want that, um…guy to know" She flapped a hand, trying to remember. "Ced? Ceddy?" He frowned, eyes narrowing in confusion. "He's an actor I think? Or a singer? Bennett!"

Ren's eyes went wide. "Cedric Bennett?"

"Yes!" She snapped her fingers. "Him! Morizumi-san likes him, and Erika said something about telling him…or something. And Morizumi-san looked really worried about that."

"Cederic Bennett?" he asked again.

She nodded. "Yes, um…I don't really know who he is. I think he's in Japan now though. Do you know him?"

"I do." When she cocked his head, he gave her a wry smile. "We don't exactly get along. It's a long story."

"Oh. You don't have to tell me. I mean, if you don't like him, he's probably not a good person." She figured she would tell her more about his past and what exactly had brought him to Japan another time. Whatever it was, it didn't matter to her...not nearly as much as Corn.

Ren laughed a little, his face softening back into a smile. "You think?"

"Of course! You wouldn't dislike someone for no reason."

They did end up watching a movie after that, his arm casually looped around her shoulders as they moved to the sofa. She tried to focus on the movie, but the weight of his arm around her was equally comfortable and distracting, his thumb occasionally rubbing absent circles over her skin. As the movie progressed, she found herself resting against him, her body relaxing as she let her head fall on to his chest once more, and rather than being put out, he pressed his lips lightly to the top of her head, making goosebumps rise all over her body.

That was part of dating someone, right? Was she supposed to kiss him too? Just the thought seemed ridiculous. He was Tsuruga Ren! Surely he couldn't want someone like her to kiss him, right? Still...she wondered what it would feel like.

She tried to shake off the thought and focus on the movie as he held her, and she eventually managed, eyes dropping toward the end. She'd been so anxious at the beginning of the evening…maybe that's why she started to drift off right at the climax of the movie. Later, she would blame it on the stress she's carried all day, but the next thing she knew, Ren was murmuring to her, his arm still holding her close.

"Kyoko? Your scary friend is going to be angry with me if I don't get you home soon."

"Scary?" she asked, nuzzling her nose against her pillow. He took a deep, almost shuddering breath, taking a moment before answering.

"Kotonami-san."

"Moko's not scary."

He laughed, and for the first time her brain made the connection that her face was buried in his shirt and she sat up with a blush.

"She's not," Kyoko insisted despite the blush, wiping a hand over her face and checking her phone. It really was getting late. Had her friend waited up for her? She hadn't missed any texts.

"I'm pretty sure she would kill someone for you if you asked," he told her with a shake of his head as he stood, heading for the door to put his shoes on.

Once they were in the car, he spoke before her brain could go back to worrying about the end of dates and kissing. "I'm sorry I picked such a boring movie for us to watch."

"Oh….it wasn't boring! I'm always tired after filming for Lotus. But I think I'm getting better at the stunts!"

"You'll have to show me sometime," he told her casually.

"I'm sure I'll never be as good as you."

He shook his head. "I'm sure you will. You're scary too." He said it with a smile as he glanced over at her and she rolled her eyes, unable to fight her own smile when he laughed. "Maybe I can sneak onto the set and watch your filming some day."

"Wouldn't you get in trouble?"

"I doubt it. We share a manager. I could just tell the director that I was waiting for you."

"I'm sure you're too busy," she tried, not sure how she felt about Ren watching her act. He'd done it before, of course, in Dark Moon. And she suspected that he'd seen some of her acting in Box R, even if he wasn't the target audience. Still…this felt different somehow.

"I'm never too busy for you."

The words sent an electric current through her, bringing her up short. He didn't elaborate though, just took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles as he drove, holding her until he pulled into her parking lot.

He came around the car and opened her door, holding his hand out to her and keeping it as he walked her into the building and to the elevator, and then to the door. Once more, her mind raced, and she wondered what she was supposed to do. Was she supposed to kiss him? Or…or thank him? Or was she just…

"I'm glad I got to spend an evening with you," he told her, breaking into her thoughts. "I hope you had a good time despite…" he waved a hand, encompassing all that had happened.

"I had a great time," she assured him. He squeezed the hand he was still holding, then brought it up to his lips with a mischievous smile, pressing a long kiss to the back of her knuckles and making her whole body flush red. Refusing to meet his eyes, she pulled her hand away and dug in her purse for her keys. He was practically vibrating with laughter next to her as she jammed it in the lock. "Playboy," she grumbled, and he finally gave a bark of laughter before catching her hand once more.

"I love you, Kyoko. Have a good night."

She went even redder, if that was possible. "Good night," she whispered, slipping into her apartment. Moko-san glanced up from where she'd been sitting on the sofa, eating what must have been a late dinner and reading through a script, and Kyoko murmured a good night before scurrying off to her room, cheeks still red.

It wasn't until she was sitting on her bed that she was able to force her mouth to form the words, whispering them under her breath for the first time.

"I love you too."

Thank you so much to everyone who is reading and reviewing! If you have any ideas for more firsts to include in this story, let me know! :)