Introductions

The gasps or horror, shock, and excitement could be felt all across Japan and some corners of the world, for standing right beside Kyoko was the most beautiful man Japan had ever seen. His tall broad frame was covered by a tight fitting white silk shirt that showed off his muscular body. His blonde hair framed his face like spun gold. Even Fuwa Sho who had been sitting the furthest from the stage could see the man's radiant green eyes that lit up as if shining from within. People were shouting louder and more animatedly as he stood next to her.

To everyone's surprise, and to some's horror, the man they knew to be Tsuruga Ren was standing next to his girlfriend looking slightly uncomfortable but most certainly not dead. She grabbed his hand and looked into his eyes smiling encouragingly. Kuon couldn't look at the people in front of him, his friends, family and most esteemed coworkers were all gaping at him like the freak he had believed himself to be. He felt his girlfriend squeeze his hand and as he looked at her he remembered why he was doing this. She deserved the world, and he could only give it to her while being true to himself.

He had never been this nervous but he was also excited, this was the moment of truth. He took one final step towards the audience and bowed deep. While people shouted questions and accusations at him he could only think of his girlfriend who stood next to him bearing the brunt of their audience's critique while he continued with his head low. He thought of Rick and how he promised him not to be a coward anymore. Kuon straightened his back and with one final look to the owner of his heart and soul he stood up at the podium and faced his fate.

Kijima Hidehito was amused more than anything. He knew his friend was a foreigner and that Tsuruga Ren was a stage name, but he never imagined that he would have changed his whole appearance, even the way he walked was different. He had to admit to himself that he looked good, Ren had always been handsome but seeing him in all of his American boy glory was a whole new level. Kijima started to feel uncomfortable, not because of the handsome man on the stage but because of the threatening aura of rage he felt beside him. Kanae was seething with ire and staring daggers at the man at the podium.

"Good evening everyone, first and foremost I would like to thank you for being here today. Not many people can say they attended a funeral dedicated to them and to say i am moved by the amount of love and support i feel would be an understatement" he sheepishly said. "I would also like to apologize for any distress or inconvenience the situation might have caused you" a few people in the audience grunted in annoyance at having been played by the actor. "Please believe me when i say it wasn't my intention to cause harm, nor to create unnecessary drama, we all know there's plenty of the latter in our industry" people had to agree with that last point.

Members of the audience were standing from their seats, some to leave in a huff being offended for being tricked, some to get closer to the stage and see the young man they thought dead in his newly revealed identity. Nobody noticed the two people sitting in the front as they left the room through a side exit during the commotion. "You just witnessed Kyoko telling her story, I would like to ask you to now listen to mine".

Those who had been trying to leave made hasty ways back to their seats, nobody wanted to miss this. The audience fell into an expectant silence as the blond man continued "I have been blessed from the moment I came into this world, I was born into the most loving and caring family anyone could have asked for" he said smiling to the audience. "I grew up watching my parents falling in love with their work every single day, as well as each other. I knew that was what I wanted. I dreamed of following the same path as my father, for who wouldn't want to be so happy with their career and life?" he asked the audience. "Now I can say i was lucky, but back then i felt it was cursed, for my father was and continues to be one of the most prominent men in his field".

Kanae was looking intently at his best friend's boyfriend thinking of all of the possible actors he could be referring to. With her photographic memory she was able to categorize faces as if she were going through a yearbook. "Trying to follow into my father's footsteps was difficult to say the least. I was expected to be outstanding while also being damned for being his son and gaining opportunities. No matter what I did or how hard I tried I could not step out of his shadow". The blue eyed actress kept thinking and remembered Kyoko had mentioned being with his family earlier in the day, so whoever he was referring to had to be present in the room right now.

"Being part of the entertainment industry is very rewarding, but it also takes a lot out of a person, your mind, body and soul. It consumes you and your life, because of this, even though my parents love me immensely, I was often left alone. There was always somebody around but sometimes you can be in a room filled with people and feel entirely lonely" he said looking at the room where they all stood. Many heads nodded sympathizing with the sentiment. "I grew reckless and started acting out, I got fired from many productions due to my behaviour, I got into arguments with fellow members in the industry. I caused so much trouble to those around me, I got into countless fights trying to find my place in the world, I became undefeated, until one day I caused a little too much trouble and in an accident my best friend died."

Shocked gasps filled the room again thinking of the man before them having gone through such things, comparing him to the calm and proper Tusuruga Ren they had thought to know. "I had been getting into fights trying to get my frustrations out of my body, after an altercation with some men, my best friend tried to stop me from causing further harm, his girlfriend who had followed him there got caught in the middle and in an effort to save her he was struck by a passing car" he said with emotion in his voice. It was the first time and hopefully last time he was telling his story in public.

You could tell he was gaining the sympathy of his audience, tears were rolling on many faces imagining the young man he must have been having to face his best friend's death while also struggling in his parent's field. Kyoko's story made a lot more sense now, how his father's wings had been too big, how he blamed himself for causing so much pain. "I stopped existing that day, I had no desire to keep on living bearing the burden of my crimes" he said looking at his girlfriend who had not left his side and had tears streaming down her face, not in shame or sorrow, but with pride shining in her face.

He took a deep breath and faced his audience again. "I am not ashamed of my past anymore, I have made amends with those I have wronged and grown as a man because of it. I have healed old wounds and used my life experiences to grow even further as an actor" he motioned to the man who had made all of this possible to join him on the stage. "I owe a lifetime of gratitude to this man right here, for he opened the doors to his home and agency and gave me the opportunity to reinvent myself".

Lory beamed proudly, he had been waiting for this moment for too long, and radiated with joy that the broken teen he had stolen away from America was finally able to face his heart, his parents, and the world as himself. "With the help of Takarada-san I created the persona you all knew as Tsuruga Ren, it was easier for me to face the world as he was everything I am not and I will live on each day hoping to earn the same respect and acceptance that you had all bestowed upon him."

People all over the world had mixed feelings about the situation. Some were outraged, they had been lied to for almost a decade! Others felt sorrow for the young man and his difficult upbringing. But more than anything people were curious as to who his parents were that had the man run away from his home and create a whole new identity to not be associated with them. "You might feel cheated right now, that you don't know who I am, which is true, but I hope that with time we can get to know each other and continue to do the work we are all so passionate about" the tall man said, talking more confidently with each statement.

"You might think my actions drastic, but I am just fulfilling my childhood dreams and following in his footsteps even today, after all, I am my father's son" And with that, Hizuri Kuu, previously known as Shuuhei Hozu stepped out of the side of the stage and greeted the people of Japan and the world with the proudest smile a father could have. The room trembled with the impact of people shouting and gasping and standing at the same time. Camera's went off everywhere, and all across Japan the excitement and shock could be felt.

Kuu hugged his son in front of all of the world and beamed proudly. His son was finally accepting him as a father and was proud to be related to him. He looked around the stage looking for his wife only to run backstage and bring her out to bask in the glory that their son was feeling. Julienna had decided to stay backstage in fear that Kuon would reject her love in front of everyone, sure he had run away from being associated with his father, but he hadn't said anything about her.

Kuon smiled tenderly at his mother seeing her hesitation "May I introduce you to the most loving parents whom i would literally not be here today without, the fairy Queen and King themselves, Hizuri Julienna and Hizuri Kuu". He said motioning for her to come to him. Julie sprinted in the most elegant way anyone had ever seen, the model seemed to sparkle with absolute joy and radiated happiness unlike anyone had ever seen. She truly looked like the title her son had bestowed upon her as she glided through the stage into his arms. Kuu trailed after her and hugged his second son as tears fell down his cheeks thanking her for bringing Hizuri Kuon back into the world of the living.