CHAPTER 61

I do not own skip beat Yoshiki Nakamura does.

Such gifts

She refused ostensibly to turn back in their direction, no matter how much her head desired to pivot, and engaged actively in a discussion about music with Ken. The music playing interrupted at some point and she carried some of the dishes back to Kijima's kitchen with Saki-san, breathing deeper at the sudden absence of voices or any sound. They filled the dishwasher in companionable silence, but Kyoko did wonder why she had been peeking at her several times in the meanwhile.

Saki-san left her in the kitchen then, and as she placed a dishes cube in the machine and started the washing program, Kyoko lingered. She needed a moment.

She rested herself at the counter and rubbed her face with her hands. She grasped her locks in a tight fist and gathered them on her right side, feeling unbalanced.

She didn't know them much, but most had seemed really sympathetic, she had seen the way Ren's eyes warmed up near them. They were not mere acquaintances. They were all friends. Sure, she could see he was not close to all of them, but he enjoyed spending time with them.

People he had met while she wasn't there. Unknown faces that meant a great deal to him.

Well, most of them. She wasn't that sure about Airi-san and Sakano-san.

She growled at herself. She shouldn't judge. She felt awful.

She was compartmentalizing. Trying to reassure herself.

Those people had spent time with him these last five years; had learned to know him as he acted roles and evolved. As he lived. They are talked with him, chilled with him, and laughed with him.

And she felt fucking envious of that.

She snorted at herself. She was so petty.

How could she feel such a joy to know he hadn't spent all his time alone and without anyone around, and yet, feel so possessive of him and his time.

She had gathered herself, somewhat, when she noticed the music that had started back was stopped again.

She padded a few steps in the corridor to see everyone sitting in the couches in some serious discussion and decided to step back.

The kitchen was luminous and quiet. Exceptionally clean and pared down. Not really what she had imagined from Kijima. He was extravagant and flamboyant. She had kind of thought his interior would reflect that. It was freshening to her she had been wrong.

She couldn't deal with the intensity of all of this. Be as pleasant and friendly to Ren as possible while not showing more of it there was one thing. Keeping under control her boiling when other girls flirted with him was another thing. She hadn't been prepared for it. She would have to be able to if she wanted him to not suspect anything. But then, there were also all his unknown friends to her. The blazing music and the bomb that might be his second present.

She tightened her hold on the inoffensive gift still under arm. Too much.

Whatever was happening in the other room could unfold without her. If it was a serious discussion, they were better off without her anyway. She didn't want to make people awkward talking private matters. Or having them forced to ask her to leave the room because they needed to talk about something serious and weren't comfortable doing so in a perfect stranger.

She wanted to make things as easy for Ren's friends as possible. The poor ones must already not know how to deal with her as it was.

She would pop back when they would have finished.

She leaned against one of the low cupboards, trying to focus on something else as the voices- barely audible from here- to not eavesdrop.

She was mostly successful and when laughs begun to come from the living-room, she was leisurely reading part of one of her scripts she had taken some pictures of.

She lifted her back from her inclined position and nearly bumped into Ren's chest who had been watching her when she turned around.

"Ren! Sorry, I hadn't seen you."

He just frowned at her.

"Why didn't you come back?"

She pushed her strands away of her face.

"The talk seemed serious and I didn't to put unease to it so I decided to stay here until you would all be finished."

It was only an half-truth but it would have to do.

He shook his head though his eyes softened.

"It wasn't anything you couldn't have heard" he told her with such a implicit trusting voice she congratulated herself for taking time away, or else she wouldn't have been able to deal with it without turning into goo.

Pretending it was nothing, she brushed his concern aside with a hand in the air, and a thanking smile for confidence he had in her.

"Since you are here and before I forget", she changed subject quickly, "would you have a second?"

He nodded before she had even finished her sentence, and she hardly contained the joy she felt at the importance he was giving her, once more.

"I still didn't give you your presents" she said, grinning, when his eyes asked what he could do for her.

She saw him lifted a brow at the plural used as only one big package could be seen at the moment. She brought said-one in front of him and waited.

"Am I allowed to open it in your presence this time?" he teased and she blushed in remembrance of the sheep plushie she had offered him years ago. She nodded.

He wrapped his fingers around the brown paper -it wasn't really glamorous, but she was doing an effort in using recyclable stuff for things not built to last, so it was a must- and it barely rustled as he squished it lightly, a curious look marring his face.

"What is it?" he inquired, and she shook her head.

"You have to open it" She told him, deal-breaking tone but lips quirking up.

Doing as he was instructed, he pulled apart the sticky tapes keeping the wrapping around and slowly brought out what was inside.

It was a vest. Kyoko had thought long and hard and decided she would make it rather than buy one after her searches into finding something suitable for what she had in mind came out fruitless.

She had remembered hearing Ren explaining to her he sometimes missed the laid-back wearing of the US. And what it allowed, even as celebrity. He had told her, even there, he knew he could not have gone completely out on that aspect -not if he wished to maintain his neat appearance- but he still would have been able to more.

She had made researches into clothes and brands that could have fit his image while being comfier but nothing really was good enough, and there was also the risk of it not being the good size.

She had decided to investigate some of the clothes factories. They always had unused parts; even high brands were the same.

She had gone there and as planned, found what she was looking for and started to confection it.

The vest was in dark blue denim, with a straight fitting clean cut. Jeans material was comfier but dark blue had a smoother look. It was longer too. The cloth reaching under the backside and at the top quarter of the thighs at the front. Ren was very tall and anything short would less professional that what he needed. Plus she wanted the length to remind the one of a suit vest.

But it still wasn't enough so she had thought and tweaked it.

So she had added a fashionable border of a few centimetres on both sides of the fastening, and from top to bottom. It wasn't in denim. She had been lucky on this, the factory she went had some leftovers of a suit that had been silk and cotton. So even if the two bands of cloth were pit black, it permitted reflects and added more elegance to the vest.

She had also changed the col for a larger one, rounding sleekly on top of the shoulders rather than directly around neck. It was also in the same material as the cloth bands.

It had also one chest pocket and two blending one at the bottom sides.

Then she had added a hood. Because it was still supposed to be handy and comfy. She had chosen it mostly white with just a touch of light blue into it.

Then, as a final touch, a few inches from the col and just at collarbones place; she had branded it. In thick silver threads she had sewed the words fairy man on it.

Ren didn't say a word as he inspected the vest from every angle, turning it around and back several time like he wanted to be sure he hadn't miss anything.

At last, starting to feel nervous, she couldn't help to babble a bit at his silence.

"I kind of remembered one of our previous chats about what you thought of some too stuffy clothes", she begun, "so I thought about something that would still be elegant enough for you to wear, even at work, but more comfortable and came up with this. I don't know if you will like it, and I did add a funny name to it but-"

"You made it."

There was affirmation in his voice or, at the very least, guessing. But she wasn't sure what emotion she was hearing so she didn't look up again and shuffled with the box in her pocket before nodding.

He didn't say a word for a good few seconds and she was still squirming.

"It's awesome", and she lifted her head at the defined awe in his voice this time.

But he was still fixing the vest with a stunned look on his face.

She blushed.

"It's not that grand" She mumbled.

He grinned like a boy in front of his new toy and hurried into unbuttoning the vest before slipping through it smoothly. He rolled the shoulders a bit, testing it and tilted his head to her then, huge smile still rooted on his face.

"How do I look?" he asked cheekily.

Fucking gorgeous!

"It looks good" She said and turned around him to check for any default in the cut. But she didn't find any and felt satisfied. It was fitting but not too tight. It gave off the perfect she had been looking for. Relaxed elegant look nailed. She didn't think anyone would emit any complain or think it didn't fit his image. It made him look leaner and taller but also freer and more open. It also moulded his form and muscles perfectly, making him look even sexier. It was criminally unfair.

"I feel really comfortable" he said before going into the corridor which had a mirror hanging there.

He came back to her soon and graced her with a soft gaze.

"I love it. It's perfect, Kyoko" He told her with an enchanting smile, and kissed her cheek before she could react. "Thank you."

"Sure."

"It might be a hot for inside though" She added when she saw he was keeping it on his already warm loose turtle-neck.

"I'm good" he replied with a stubborn look and she held back a giggle.

"Thank you for remembering" he said again, his eyes lingering on her tenderly before nudging the brand sewed on the vest with an amused smile.

"I guess I couldn't escape this."

"What other name could I have given it?" She said rhetorically and shrugged, making his smile grow. "There was no other branding that have suited you as best."

His eyes gleamed as he pulled out the pendant she had gifted him for Christmas.

"And it matches well with the pendant you gave me" He commented.

She grinned sneakily at him.

"That too."

He laughed.

"I have something else for you" she said with a serious tone and eying the retreating Kijima behind Ren, she was glad for the intimacy given. "I'm not sure I'm not overstepping on this so feel free to tell me."

He nodded, a pondering expression on the face and she squirmed again, she really wasn't so sure it had been such a good idea after all. But at the time, it had seemed so.

She pulled out the square black box from her pocket and hesitated.

"It's something I actually bought in America two years ago", she explained in rushed murmurs, "something I thought could be a symbol of you looking into the future, or more like, of time set into motion again, no more suspended…That it was ticking again for you, no more frozen to that time…And well, it looked a bit like the one of…it's just a bit lighter in tone…I thought it might have been a sign and -"

She stopped mid-sentence and turned her head on the side, feeling even more awkward, and grabbed his wrist to put the box in his hand then let go.

She did not look at him but knew the moment he had pulled the ribbon and opened the box as he gasped in the tensed filled silence of the kitchen.

"I'm sorry if I was out of bounds, "she continued, "you don't have to wear it or accept it even if it upset you…But it had been a while I had it and I saw you weren't wearing anymore the one of-… I thought-"

She swore and shut up, still not looking at him.

Three seconds ticked by.

She was suddenly lifted from the ground and crushed against a firm chest, gasping for air and squeaking in surprise.

"God, Kyoko…" He rasped out and his hold tightened even more.

She coughed, trying to gulp air and failing miserably.

"…Can't breathe…Ren" She managed, and he apologized as he quickly put her down.

Their eyes locked, hers questioning, his, full of unsaid words he seemed to struggle to push them out and on his lips. He opened his mouth to try, shut it. Closed his eyes.

He hugged her again but making sure to not crush her this time and she placed her arms around him, feeling he needed a moment.

His words came out barely audible and filled with emotions.

"…Best gift ever… received."

He let go a while after and took the beige watch looking so much like the watch, she knew he used to wear as a shackle-Rick's watch- laying in the tiny box. He clasped it around his right wrist, fastening it with deliberated slow and precise movements before presenting the now watch-decorated wrist to her.

"Could you activate it for me?" He asked her, the voice still rough.

She delicately took hold if his wrist and pushed firmly on the adjustment knob. The tiny clock hands began to tick.

She let go of his hand as he kept his eyes fixated on the watch.

She thought a few minutes passed before he finally lifted his gaze to her again, and though no words were exchange, she could read the weight of his gratitude in his eyes. In fact, it was visible in his all demeanor.

Feeling tense under the magnitude of his expression, she pushed her locks away and made a few steps in the kitchen. She was sure the kitchen had diminished of size. It hadn't been so small before.

"I'm glad it wasn't overstepping."

"Yes." Came as an answer and eventually they started to chat again in a more relaxed atmosphere. They talked about a little bit of everything until he brought the subject of his obligatory two-weeks break and she asked him what he was planning to do.

Crossing his arms, he leaned against the fridge as he seemed to ponder something all the while studying her.

"Actually, everyone had been planning a trip in the mountains to ski and they asked me to come with them" he told her and she rejoiced for him once more. It was good for him to something else than working and spend time with friends.

She congratulated him on his future holidays but he kept his eyes weirdly on her.

She arched a brow and he smiled at her.

"They also made a suggestion" he told her, "something I thought about too but wouldn't have propose myself if they hadn't been the ones to bring it up as I thought it might have made them awkward."

She tilted her head, confused and thought hard about what he could have in mind but returned empty.

"Sorry but I'm not following."

"Did you book your own vacancy trip already?"

She nodded.

"But I'm not planning to go", she said, "I'm looking for someone to go to the place I booked in my stead."

"Is it because you wouldn't have time to take time away?" he questioned. "Would you still be able to cancel it?"

She blinked at him, a bit lost with where this discussion was going but replied.

"Technically, if I pushed things a tiny bit, I would still have time but I didn't see the point, neither felt like I deserved that price to begin with. And yes, I could still cancel it."

"But I cancel it and don't do anything, the boss will know" She added.

"Do you really think he wouldn't know you aren't the one going even if you don't cancel it?" He asked and she grimaced, rethinking it. He would definitively figure it out.

"Maybe he would" she admitted, not thrilled the least.

He tapped his fingers on his bicep then bored his eyes into her, capturing her in his deep eyes.

"What about…," he started, "Coming with us?"

"Huh?"

"Come skiing with us."

She gaped at him, not expecting that at all.

"B-But Ren, I barely know your friends and-

"I know but as I said- even though I wanted to- I wasn't the one to bring it first" he reminded, "It was their suggestion."

"Ren, I don't even know how to ski" She protested.

"I can teach you."

'But -'

"Please, come" He pleaded, pouting.

"Ren…"She mumbled distraught as she could already feel her will crumbling.

"It will be fun, I promise" he added and turned insufferable puppy eyes at her and she felt herself melting.

She tried to turn her head away, but he came closer and kept their eyes locked. The intensity of his gaze was making her sweat, the serious expression of his face, unrelenting, bewitching.

"Come with me."

He demanded in that outrageous enticing and seductive tone again.

She nodded numbly. Bewildered and defeated by one luring phrase.

The party proceeded. Most people happy to learn she would come with them. Besides Sakano-san maybe.

RenTsuruga-Worshiping-Shrine forum:

6:18 pm : Ren4ever:

Did everyone see the interview?

18:19: Renheart:

I did. It was insane.

6:19: CrazyforNumberOne:

I did too. Still can't believe she went that far.

6:19: N°1FanofRenTsuruga:

That bitch has some guts.

6:19: NewfanofR&K:

You are harsh. She seemed pretty genuine to me.

6:20: N°1FanofRenTsuruga:

Come on, it's obvious, she is just playing nice. I bet it's her agency that forced her to to look good in front of Tsuruga-kun. I really hate her.

6:20: Ren4ever:

Nah. I don't like it, but I have to agree with Newfan on this. The press and all of us were already persuaded they were together. This interview was to confirm it. It was in the announcement of the interview a few days back. But here, she goes out of her way to tell us it's not true. For once, I don't think it's a scheme. I hate her too. Even more because she is playing fair.

6:20: Renheart:

Agreed.

6:20: Renfan607:

Agreed.

6:20: Renfan997:

Agreed. Reluctantly.

6:20: Renmyprecious:

Sigh…Agreed.

6:20: SexyRenfan:

Agreed.

6:21:Renmyidol:

I agree with N°1Fan. That stupid bitch should rot in hell. What does she has to cling to him so much?!

6:21: Renfan503:

Yes. She should. I'm sick of seeing her glued to him.

6:21: N°1FanofRenTsuruga:

She should be burn to death! I'd really like to burn her flat down. With in it, preferentially.

6:21: Renfan309:

That would be wonderful. We could do it?

6:21: Renmyidol:

Yes. Would be easy.

6:21:Renfan503:

Feeling thrilled after so long.

6:23: SexyRenfan:

You are an insane bunch of girls.

6:24: AdminRenforever:

I don't want to hear one word more. Not liking her is one thing. I allowed you bitching about her because as long as it's just winding out your frustrations, it's alright. And even the foul language, though you do know I'm not fond of it. But I already warned a good ten times about threats on this forum. Now, it's questions about taking real actions. It will be my last warning before kicking you out of this forum. I repeat, you can bitch about. But NO THREATS, NEITHER PLOTTING OF DOING THINGS AGAINST PEOPLE. If you don't like it, go elsewhere.

18:25: N°1FanofRenTsuruga:

Fine, fine. Grumpy rat.

6:48: Renfan997:

That was scary. I don't like her either but I wouldn't go that far.

6:48: SexyRenfan:

Yes, I know. Plus, I don't hate her. I'm kind of thankful to her even.

6:49: Renfan607:

Was lurking around but hiding while the psychos were there*. Why the hell are you thankful for? I mean, ok, right, I get it and I don't approve of the ideas proposed above but still, I hate her.

6:49:Renheart:

Damn…I know where you are going with this but why do I have to agree with it…Sigh…A fan life is tough.

6:49: SexyRenfan:

Glad I'm not the only one to think it.

6:49: Renfan277:

Could you enlight the humbles fans down here rather than talking into codes? We, here, are simple mortals.

6:50: SexyRenfan:

LOL. That was hilarious Rf277.

So, to answer you humble mortal, I would ask all of you this: Would we had the chances to see so many new faces of him had she not been there with him? I mean, I discovered so many new things about him since he's spending time with her in public. Can you argue with that?

6: 50: Renheart:

Feeling tired*. I have to support SexyRen on this. Double sigh.

6:50: Renfan277:

Damn…you are right.

6:50: Renfan607:

Yes…And I hate you for being right.

6:51: Ren4ever:

Now…That's tough to swallow. I can't even hate her completely,now. This is unfair. Went pouting*.

6.52: AdminRenforever:

Laughing, and feeling old*. No kidding. You don't have any pity, SexyRenfan. I really wished I was all young and innocent right at this moment.

6:52: SexyRenfan:

Lol. Sorry. I'm not that young either. Maybe that's why, haha.

6:55: NewfanofR&K:

Come on…We all know this isn't what it is about…Unless you are blind…Should I paste the photo of the interview once more?

6:55: Ren4ever:

God, please don't!

6:55: Renfan607:

Have mercy.

6:55: Renfan277:

New fans…sigh…

6:56:Renheart:

We all know what the initials in your pseudonym mean! You won't fool us, traitor!

6:56: NewfanofR&K:

I regularly light up a candle in thoughts for my wish to come true *heart-heart*.

6:56: Ren4ever:

Stop! Someone stop her before she curse it into realization.

6:56: NewfanofR&K:

I could use the full letters rather than the initials you know…snickers*

6:56: Renfan607:

Gahhhh…

6.56: Renfan607:

Agony…

6:57: Renheart:

Go away Satan!

6:58: NewfanofR&K:

I'm thinking about creating a blog, forum for this…

6:59: Renheart, Ren607 and Ren207 have left the chat.

6:59: NewfanofR&K:

Laughing her head off*

You will soon join me, I promise.

6:59: Ren4ever:

Never!

6:59: CrazyForNumberOne:

NEVER!

6.59: SexyRenfan:

I might be interested…

6:59:AdminRenforever:

Me too. But, give us time.

I need to grieve some more.

6:59: NewfanofR&K:

I'll wait for you.

NewfanofR&K has changed her pseudonym to FirstnewfanofR&K.

Okay, sorry, this one is a bit shorter. Next one might be longer. Hope you'll like it. It was a funny one to write. kisses. Enjoy.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.