Shades and Shadows

"What do you mean that you can't offer me a job?!" Jeremy yells as he slams both hands on the top of his father's modern desk. The expensive piece of furniture, all lines of shiny metal and dark wood offset with open spaces, quakes under the impacting force.

"I mean exactly what I said," Cameron replies calmly in hope that his irate son will lower his tone and behave in a more civil manner. It isn't like the heated exchange is happening in the privacy of their family home. Unfortunately for the elder man, it is occurring in the upscale offices of one of the leading talent representative agencies in Los Angeles. Given his son's flushed face and ragged breathing, the CEO would even settle for just a bit less volume to this conversation. He doubts his walls and door are proof against his companion's rage. Cam's hope shatters as Koga Hiromune's former talent manager screams a string of profanity as his seemingly unaffected father. The executive remains sitting and staring at the utter disappointment of a child before him. He silently wonders where he went wrong or if his son's now obvious disregard for social etiquette is indicative of an underlying mental health issue.

Panting and finally running out of expletives, Jeremy finally lowers his voice. An almost crushed expression creeps onto his face as his shoulders slump.

"I'm your son," he accuses with equal parts anger and betrayal lacing his tone. "Why won't you help me?"

The tired young man crumbles into one of the uncomfortable chairs paired across from his father's desk. His wrinkled clothes and shadow of a beard indicate that Jeremy has most likely not showered or changed clothes after his return from Asia a few days ago. Cam can barely recognize his previously fashion savvy son in the unkept man slumped in his office. For a moment, guilt stabs at the father. He hates to disappoint his son but can't seem to find any other solution for the situation.

Cameron sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"I'm sorry, son. I really can't help you."

"But no other agencies will even talk with me. How am I supposed to get a job when no one will even speak with me? It's absurd! How can you, of all people, not give me a position?"

"For the same reason none of the other representation agencies will consider offering you a position. Your reputation has preceded your return, Jeremy."

The older man takes a deep breath and wishes that his son had been interested in anything other than following in his footsteps with his career path. Even without knowing all the details of his son's actions in Japan, he can't help but cave to the pressure of the whispers mumbled all over town. There is no way he can offer his son any type of position in his agency. The very real threat of scandal and loss of clients would impact his business too harshly. Jeremy may be family but this was strictly business and any affection for his child would not sway his responsibility to his partners and employees.

"You fucked up, son."

"But..."

"No buts," Cameron bites out in interruption of whatever ridiculous excuse is about to flow past his son's lips. "You pissed off the wrong people."

"Who cares what happens in some insignificant country an ocean away?" accuses Jeremy. The recently returned American can't fathom how any of his more than highly questionable actions could have reached the ears of anyone of power in Hollywood.

For the first time, anger flares in his father's eyes.

"Who cares?" Cam responds in an incredulous voice that is laced with a definite undercurrent of his own rage. He snags a stack of papers from his 'needs to be addressed' file box on his desk's sideboard. He waves the papers in the air.
"I have already had seven clients express the desire to terminate their service contracts with this agency. Two actors, four models, and even one of our athletes have already tendered severance paperwork. All cite ethics and integrity as reasons for termination. Those are the hardest kinds of cases to turn around. Innocent until proven guilty is every bit has unlikely as an honest politician. This industry is all about perception. You know this."

He flings the papers back into the file box in a haphazard pile. Cameron waves sharply towards his computer.

"I haven't even started on the emails from client's concerned about their representation or just wanting assurances that what they are hearing about you isn't true. The whole apple doesn't fall from the tree mentality definitely applies in many minds. Your escapades in that supposedly insignificant country an ocean away obviously has impact here."

"This is just stupid. All this over a drunken actor and some nobody talent? Won't you even listen to my side of the..."

"NO!" Cameron shouts and his son startles in shock. His father is not the type of person to raise his voice while in his office.

Cameron takes a deep breath and purposefully presses his open hands onto the top of his desk in an attempt to calm his frustration with and fears for his son.

"I don't care to hear your side of the story. You have worked in this business long enough to know that once someone's reputation tanks, it would take divine intervention or more money than I am willing to invest to make the issue disappear."

"Your actions harmed not only the talent directly under your care but that so called nobody talent has friends and family in very powerful circles both in Japan and here. If even half of what I am hearing is true, then you are too much of a liability to employ. Hell, just sharing our family name is making an impact on my reputation. You will not find any chance of employment with my agency, son."

"You have to help me," growled Jeremy.

"I am more than willing to help you," Cameron assures his adult child. "I would be happy to pay for you to go back to school to study something new. Something unrelated to the entertainment industry. Perhaps one of the schools on the East Coast? I would even be willing to bank a bit of a vacation for you before hand. Maybe you need a chance to get your head back on straight. Rethink your priorities and philosophies?"

"But I want to work here." Jeremy whines quite like he did when he was a child. It isn't anywhere close to as cute though. Since he lacks any true artistic talents, the greedy man sees management as his only chance at basking in even a reflection of the bright lights of fame and fortune available in his home town.

Cameron shakes his head twice.

"It isn't going to happen any time soon," the elder man proclaims. "In a few years, once memories have become hazy or moved onto more immediate concerns, then we can revisit a possible position."

"Not now," Cameron adds in a tone that brooks no argument. There would be no way his son would be working in Hollywood or anywhere related any time in the near future.

For a moment longer Jeremy glares at his father before he finally appears to accept defeat. He can't understand how things came to this point. His impotent anger dissipates for the moment and suddenly he feels tired. He promises himself that he will get revenge later. For now, he just wants to forget everything related to Japan, to easily manipulated actors, and especially to upstart actresses.

"So did you have somewhere in particular in mind for my vacation?"

Cameron offers his son a single nod before he pulls a brochure from under his keyboard that he had printed last night. He hands the sheet to his son who scans it quickly. A frown settles on the younger man's face.

"This sounds like somewhere you put crazy people," he suspiciously complains.

"No, no..." his father immediately assures him. "It isn't anything like that. It's somewhere you can go to recharge. Relax and reevaluate your life. Kind'a like a combination spa and rehab for the soul. Lots of folks use them to rediscover direction in their life or address occupation burn-out."

"Whatever," Jeremy grumbles as he stands. He drops the papers on the desk. "Make the arrangements."

Cameron watches his son stomp from the office. The tension headache throbbing in his temples lightens ever so slightly as the door closes softly instead of slamming shut. The older man wonders if any manner of therapy would open his son's eyes. He detects no remorse in his son's attitude which he finds slightly frightening. He sees only misplaced anger and self centered disregard of his previous actions. As the father grabs his phone, he fervently hopes that he can make arrangements quickly with the upstate facility. He can't help but believe that the sooner his son gets help that the better it will be for everyone. He can only hope that Jeremy doesn't do anything idiotic in the meantime.

"You have both surpassed my best vision for this story," Director Kingo states to his two acting talents who have just exited the small dressing cubicles tucked into the corner of this smaller filming studio. His words almost echo hollowly in the otherwise quiet space. After dismissing the production crew at the completion of filming for the Snow Bride, the entire area emptied of staff in an impressively short amount of time. Everyone is excited about starting their paid holiday compliments of the undisclosed producers of Innocent Whispers.

As the last technician exits the sound stage, Kyoko glows with happiness at the unexpected praise. She bows and thanks the older man profusely for giving her the opportunity to act the part of the vengeful winter spirit. Although she always loved the story of Cinderella, there is something about this particular episode that spoke volumes to her acting spirit.

When the actress finishes gushing her appreciation, Hiromune surprises Dark by offering his own quick little bow. Although the motion lacks the grace and natural feel of Kyoko's polite response, his gesture still conveys an unexpected sincerity.

"Thank you for this chance," the actor intones quietly yet respectfully. Sato Iku smiles proudly from the dimmed shadows where she has waited for the filming to be completed. In her lap, she holds her charges' coat along with her own. Silently, she watches the little personal interplay as she was requested by her employer. The president expressed true concern over the abilities of her charge to maintain his professional attitude in the presence of the first member of the LoveMe section. Likewise, he had mentioned his interest in how his old friend interacted with his young acting talents. Iku will be happy to report to Lory how very well the acting pair has performed with each other as well as how engaged Kingo seems to be with the young duo.

The trio stands in silence for a moment before Kurayami succumbs to a bit of his own social anxiety. He takes a couple steps backwards and waves off the pair.

"Enjoy your holiday," he offers before turning and stomping towards the exit. As he reaches the door, he shifts back towards the silent actors. He shakes his head slightly at his own weakness as he raises his hand. Dark realizes that the old habits of distancing himself from everyone will take more than a few exchanges to improve. Despite the work involved, the director has found a commitment to improve though. He offers what he hopes is a friendly smile to the two LME actors.

"I look forward to working with you in the future," he offers before sliding out the doorway.

"That man is weird," Hiro mutters as he frowns slightly. For some reason, he suspects there is more to the director's words then just the few remaining adapted fairy tales that need to be filmed for their first broadcast season.

His companion giggles slightly.

"I think he is fascinating," she offers. "Like those linked metal puzzle pieces that you have to keep moving in new and strange ways to get them to finally come apart."

"And here I thought that was more an apt description of you, Kyoko-san," Iku intones as she approaches. She hands Koga his lined leather duster before slipping her own wool coat over her shoulder. She nudges the pair towards the exit as she inquires over Kyoko's transportation needs.

"Oh... Ren will be here soon to pick me up."

"Hmm," the LME representative murmurs as she glances around the unpopulated hallways of the studio. "I think it would be best for us to wait for him to arrive before taking our leave."

"Oh, no. You don't need to wait on my account," Kyoko counters. She waves towards the unmanned reception station that normally houses an after hours guard. "I am sure the night watchman will be back shortly from his building rounds. I can wait right in here until Ren arrives."

"Are you uncomfortable in our company?" the matron questions. She would not desire to pressure the actress into their company but she wants a chance to learn more about this young woman who holds such a profound influence over her new charge. From what she has seen so far, she is impressed with the actress. She seems just as talented as Koga raved and she suspects that she is just as genuine and friendly too.

Kyoko shakes her head in denial. Although she might have been uncomfortable before her recent trip, the teen has reached a more healthy state of mind. As Sho so rudely but truthfully stated, she doesn't want to have one single night define her future. To solidify her stance, she offers an honest smile to the agent and her tentative friend. She assures the pair that she has no qualms about spending time with either of them.

"Then I feel that I would be remiss as a veteran LME agent in leaving you alone for an indeterminate amount of time."

Kyoko's hand subconsciously slips to the security watch that returned to her possession via the President's aide. She had not been told that her safety protocols had been lifted so she found herself agreeing to the offer without any more resistance.

As the three LME employees wait by the double glass doors, Sato asks Kyoko a few questions about her previous work. Similarly to when she interviewed Koga on his work related opinions and aspirations, she listens intently as the young woman describes the reasons she loves her previous characters and jobs. It takes little prompting to have the teen gushing about her affection for acting and her hopes for the future.

"It sounds like you truly love being an actress," Sato states to which Kyoko nods enthusiastically. The older woman returns the smile as she reaches for her cellphone. In a calculated maneuver to allow her charge the appearance of privacy, she politely excuses herself and steps away from the pair. The manager begins to text quickly to her immediate supervisor while stealing glances at the gifted talents that she hopes to see paired as often as possible on screen. Just like Kingo and their costars, Iku finds herself utterly amazed at their on screen chemistry. She imagines only great things for their future with LME.

Without feeling any of the awkwardness that might be expected, Kyoko turns her attention from the retreating manager to her remaining companion. Unlike herself, it is obvious that Hiromune is not feeling nearly as comfortable. She offers Koga an encouraging smile when she realizes that he seems like he wants to say something. Accepting the soft nudge, Hiro rubs the back of his neck and nervously asks about Kyoko's health.

"I'm fine," Kyoko replies although she feels a bit confused. They had been working all afternoon and evening and she didn't remember any reason for her companion to think she might be ill. She touches her face as if to check her temperature. Nothing seems strange about it.

"Umm... I don't mean just... I just meant..." Koga mutters anxiously. When the actress tilts her head slightly with an obvious expression of confusion, he sighs deeply.

"I meant to make sure that I didn't hurt you when we... you know. I didn't make you sick... or anything?"

Kyoko frowns for a moment then her eyes widen in understanding. A blush rushes across her cheeks and she flaps her hands in the air.

"Oh no," she exclaims. "Nothing... um... to worry about. The doctor assured me that I am perfectly fine now. I still don't remember everything. It's all just fuzzy images and sensations that blur into each other, but he informed me that is to be expected given the stuff we were slipped."

A dark miasma of anger swirls around Kyoko for a moment as she thinks about the cruel man who so thoroughly disturbed their lives. Although he can't see the powerful reaction, Hiro flinches slightly from the angry expression clouding Kyoko's face.

"Sorry," whispers Kyoko as she notices her friends fear. She instantly dissipates the billowing bits of rage and reaches for Hiro's arm. "Truly, I am fine."

"So no unexpected inconveniences?"

Kyoko frowns.

"Unexpected incon... Oh... no, Hiro. We did not add another person to this drama. If that is what had you worried?"

For just a moment, Koga is unsure if he is more relieved or disappointed at her answer.

"For future reference though, a baby should never be termed an inconvenience. No child deserves that pain tied to their self-image."

Green eyes clash with gold for a moment. Understanding blooms as Hiromune realizes that he is not the only one with lasting wounds from a parent.

"How are you not broken?" he whispers in confusion. Just thinking about his father and his childhood makes him almost desperate for a drink. His hand twitches slightly and he shoves it into his pocket to cover the nonconscious reaction.

"Who said I wasn't?" she replies honestly. For a moment, her breath tightens. She lightly presses her chest as if to sooth away the long established anxiety from her childhood. She pauses for a moment and silently reminds herself of all the wonderful things she has surrounding her life now. The pain eases back to the tiny prick that never really leaves her consciousness. "I was just lucky enough that I still had enough pieces to put back together. A bit like Kintsugi for the soul. You just need to find the proper place, time and supplies. It also helps to have the right people to help match everything into its proper place so you can affix everything back in place. It isn't perfect but I think it may make us more beautiful when one looks at the story that is told in the lines of gold over our past scars."

"LME is a good place to learn," Kyoko encourages for being part of it has afforded her so many opportunities to repair so many of her own broken and chipped pieces. Besides the Tashio and Okami and Shotaro, all the important people in her current life have a connection to LME. She glances across the room towards Koga's new manager. "The President gave you some of the supports you need. Now you just need to be clear headed enough and motivated enough to start piecing your life back together."

"You can do it. Sato will help you. I can help any way that I can. If you want."

Koga mutters his quiet thanks while assuring the actress that he would appreciate her steady hands in his life. Kyoko glows at the compliment and the chance to help a friend.

The quiet moment is interrupted when Iku taps the actress on her shoulder.

"I believe your ride has arrived," the matron offers as she motions to the car that has pulled in front of the doorway. "We shall walk you out."

Pushing open the door, Kyoko calls her thanks before rushing through the wild wind that pummels the trio as they skitter across the icy sidewalk.

Sato momentarily watches Ren carefully maneuver his car across the parking lot. Following her charge, the manager hastens to unlock her sedan so the pair can escape from the volatile weather. Once situated and belted in place, she starts her vehicle. Instead of pulling out though, she turns to her charge.

"I think Kyoko will be a good friend for you. I will do what I can to ensure that you have a chance to maintain your friendship even after Innocent Whispers is completed."

The long term LME employee smiles at her charge as she considers the text messages she has been exchanging this evening. She hopes that her efforts bear fruit. Her contact promised that an answer will be available in the next few days. She hopes it will be a nice Christmas gift to share with her charge who she believes could use a bit of cheer in his life.

"I take it you were not able to convince the weather fairies to take pity on us," Ren comments as he finally pulls into his parking slot in the garage under his building. He rolls his head and his shoulders in hopes of releasing the tension that tightened his entire body as he drove through the terrible conditions. He glances across the consul at his companion. "Sorry," he offers with slight embarrassment as he watches Kyoko loosen her own death grip on the car door.

"Not your fault, Ren" she consoles the older actor. "You are a safe driver. It is the roads that are unsafe currently."

"Well, sorry we ended up at my apartment instead of LME or your home," Ren apologizes as he turns off the car and unfolds from the vehicle. The roads were too dangerous for safe travel and so they had decided to skip returning to LME as they previously planned for their evening's talk. Given the reason for the night's discussion, Ren had preferred a more neutral location for sharing. Although a horrid color scheme, the LoveMe room is private and would have served their purposes quite well. Kyoko would have felt safe there while not feeling any pressure from being in a place Ren considers his territory. Under his breath, the actor mutters about divine conspiracies because the young actress will most likely be stuck with him until the sun rising and municipal employees have a chance to clear away the worst of the winter storm.

Kyoko joins him as he reaches into the back of the car and pulls out a small shoulder bag. The wind can still be heard whistling around the building despite their sheltered position in the garage. They both jump as a harsh crack of thunder rumbles through the building.

"Someone really irked those fairies, huh?" Ren halfheartedly jokes as they wait for the elevator to open. Once they step inside, the closing doors shut out the sounds of the storm.

"Maybe we're just cursed?" Kyoko suggests in return.

"Sometimes if seems like it," the actor sadly admits.

Easily reading Ren's despondency, Kyoko reaches for his hand.

Startled, Tsuruga allows her to lace her fingers with his own. He offers a smile that catches his lips but isn't reflected in his eyes. His friend tightens her grip until he meets her gaze. The pain slowly bleeds from his expression. He returns the comforting squeeze to her hand as the elevator doors open to his floor. In companionable silence, the pair enters Ren's apartment. Soon they find themselves sitting on the floor by his table with cups of steaming tea and a plate of halved egg salad sandwiches between them.

Kyoko pokes at the triangle closest to her. She glares at her companion as if to accuse him of some terrible sin against their stomachs.

"At least it isn't onigiri," he defends even without her needing to say a word.

"But I bet it came from the cooler right beside the rice balls," she grumbles in return before lifting the milk bread sandwich and nibbling on the corner. It isn't anywhere near as tasty as the ones she sometimes makes for o-bentos but it almost passes muster.

Kyoko places the half eaten triangle back on the plate and takes a sip of her tea before turning her attention firmly back to her companion. Although she would normally remind him to at least make an effort to eat his serving, she realizes that there is something much more important to address.

"So do you want to share whatever is plaguing your mind or should I start making wild guesses as to why you wanted to talk to me?"

Ren stops staring at his half filled cup of tea. He places it gently on the table and reaches for the bag he snagged from the car. After sitting the pack on his lap, he closes his eyes for a moment and takes a fortifying breath.

"You really love the Hizuris, right?" he asks as he opens the bag and pulls out the contents. As she nods her head emphatically, he places two males' wallets as well as a female's one on the table. From his back pocket, he pulls his own wallet and drops it beside the others. With a promise to return promptly, he leaves the room and can be heard moving in his bedroom for a few minutes. He returns with a battered wallet that has not seen the light of day in years. The cracked leather flakes a bit on the table as he adds it to the strange collection.

"You know that the Hizuris love you, right? That you are very important to them. That none of them would ever do anything to purposefully hurt you."

She nods. This time is it slightly less enthusiastic. That tiny little stab of self-doubt that is always in the back of her mind dampens her response just mildly.

A similar prick of insecurity stabs at Ren but he ruthlessly shoves it aside.

"Are you about to confess to being a pick pocket?" Kyoko innocently teases when she realizes just how stressed her friend seems.

Momentarily shocked, the actor stops nervously shifting around the wallets. He turns widened eyes towards the actress.

"Did you, Mogami Kyoko, just tease me?" he questions incredulously. Teasing is always more of his likely reaction when Kyoko is stressed or needs distracted.

Suddenly worried that she took liberties that she should not have done, the actress begins to apologize.

"STOP!" Ren orders as he covers the grin and the giggle that threatens to escape.

"That was really you... not Setsu... not Shinju... not any other character... just you?"

Timidly, Kyoko nods. He smiles in return which instantly allows the teen to relax.

"Thank you, Kyoko. I needed that."

She returns his smile with one of her own. Slowly, Ren's face loses its animation as he pulls free one of the wallets and hands it to Kyoko. He then asks her to open it. Although it is a strange request, she unfolds the billfold. She lifts questioning eyes up to companion.

"Is there a reason the president gave you his wallet?"

"Visual aid."

"O-kaaaaay?"

"You can tell a lot about a person from their wallet," Ren states as he reaches towards the item he borrowed from Lory. After their meeting this evening where the impressive list of Kyoko's important people had gathered to plan for her birthday, Ren had barely started his explanation of his intentions for the night's discussion after making his strange request and the president had happily handed everything to him without any warnings. The older gentleman had only offered him an affectionate squeeze to his shoulder and his heartfelt wishes for good luck. Lory had even provided his personal keys to the LME building to make their trip easier. Still marveling over the trust he received, Ren pulls free an eye assaulting, sparkle covered credit card with access to one of LME's more sizable accounts. It is one of many such cards carefully slotted in order of use. He holds it in the air where it easily catches the teens full attention.

"He's an executive of a very large and powerful company yet he does not feel the need to conform to the normal appearance of a man in such an important position."

He pulls another card and holds it up.

"A state ID. Not a driver's license because he has someone to drive him everywhere. Someone he trusts with his life, the life of his loved ones, and his secrets."

He pulls free some sizable paper bills and sets them aside. On top of them, he places a tiny worn charm that Maria made him to help ward off illness and prevent accidents. It has been in his wallet long enough to form a divot in the leather where it normally rests.

"He has personal wealth."

He taps the charm.

"He cares about the mental health of his granddaughter and indulges her need to do anything in her power to protect those she loves in any manner available. Even if he himself does not believe wholly in the powers invoked."

Deftly, Ren extracts the small folding booklet of photographs carefully protected by plastic. He unfolds the images and taps each one in turn.

"He is truly a love-monster. He carries a reminder of those he loves everywhere. Maria. Kouki. Lina. Jelly."

Ren rests his finger against the image of a woman that Kyoko does not recognize.

"Despite the passing years since her death, he still loves his wife. She was an amazing woman and will always hold a special part of his heart."

The actor flips over the protective packet and Kyoko gasps when she notices there is a small photograph of the LoveMe trio in their pink coveralls tucked into the first slot. Ren sweeps his finger over the image of Lory's direct office staff, one of Ruto holding Natsuko, one of his three department heads from some sort of costume party, and finally one of a younger Ren that Kyoko guesses to be from around the time he debuted.

"He loves his company and considers many of his employees to almost be like family."

Carefully, the actor returns everything to its place and folds Lory's wallet closed and sets it back on the table. He taps it and mentions that Lory lives a very full life and that it is obvious from what he carries with him every day.

Tsuruga hands his expensive designer wallet to Kyoko and tells her to open it. He watches as she unfolds the sneak peek into his life. She finds a modest amount of cash, two monotone credit cards, a work identification card, and a driver's license. There is nothing else.

"I'm not sure what I am supposed to be seeing," she murmurs as she scans the limited contents once more.

"Exactly what you are seeing."

Ren takes his wallet and closes it. He takes a deep breath as he sits his much thinner billfold beside the president's wide one.

"Tsuruga Ren shares very little. He is a pretty designer package. He carries himself in as modest a manner as possible. He offers little besides his work. He doesn't trust his life to others so he drives himself whenever possible. He is isolated. Empty."

"That isn't true," Kyoko attempts to argue as she reaches towards him. Ren intercepts her hand and holds it in own. He appreciates the physical connection despite his immediate denial of her attempt at verbal support.

"It is very true because Tsuruga Ren is not a real person. He is a construct. A character to go along with a stage name."

With his free hand he flips open two more wallets.

"Hizuri Kuu," he states as his hand rests over the bulging billfold belonging to the man they could both call father. His hand moves over the elegant woman's wallet. "Julie Hizuri."

His hand moves one more time.

"Takarada Lory. They are all real people with real lives. Ren... he is nothing but the person I created to escape from my real self," the actor states as he brings his hand to rest over top of the final, badly worn and previously hidden wallet.

Thunder rumbles and the lights flicker. The surge in the storm startles them both and their clasped hands loosen. Unsure if her companion would find her too forward if she grabbed his hand again, Kyoko instead picks up her cup and sips at the cooling tea. For almost a minute, Ren stares into his now almost empty tea cup.

"Sometimes I feel truly cursed," he mutters. "And I don't mean by weather witches."

He raises his sorrow filled eyes and Kyoko feels an answering sympathy wash over her.

"I may be truly cursed but I have found a way to escape it. When the blood rushes over me and the darkness consumes me, I have been lucky enough to have the magic of a truly amazing talisman to push back the heavy curse and free me from its chilling grip."

"Whether Setsu to Cain, kohai to senpai, Mogami-san to Tsuruga-san, Bou to lost and confused actor, or Kyoko to Ren. Costars, companions, friends, imaginary persons or real ones. No matter how we relate to each other, the truth remains. Something about you is truly magical for me."

Ren reaches for Kyoko. His finger traces gently over the crimson blush that has erupted on her cheeks. His other hand rescues the shaking cup from the death grip of her hands. After placing it carefully on the table, he snags one of her hands and lifts it to his lips. Kyoko squeaks as he places the briefest little kiss on the tip of one of her fingers.

"I already admitted that I love you."

The teen squeaks yet again and her blush deepens further which makes Ren chuckle softly as a sense of contentment flows over him for the first time that evening. He allows her to pull her hand from his grasp so she can clasp her hands tightly in her lap.

"You gift me with your magic in so many ways. Despite what you believe, I think you share yourself so freely with those you care for and it makes me want to be brave too. You already see so much more of the real me than anyone else. You have seen the darkness without leaving me. You allow me to be childish with you. You don't expect me to be a perfect gentleman at all times. You treat me like a real person. You worry about me. You trust me. You scold me. You support me. It even seems like you are willing to tease me and no one in Japan besides the president and Yashiro ever does that."

"All these things you give to me makes me want to give you something special in return. Something that very few people know about Tsuruga Ren. I want you to know the rest of me. The real me."

Ren holds out his hand in an offer of handshake. He takes a deep breath and smiles one of his honest smiles that always seems to warm Kyoko all the way to her toes. Instead of Japanese, his next words are offered in English. It isn't the English utilized by the Heels. Instead, just a hint of his American childhood leaks into his words.

"Good evening Miss Kyoko Mogami. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kuon Hizuri."

Author note: Some chapters are like pulling teeth to get from an outline to actual words on the screen. Not only are there so many emotions running through the characters in certain moments that the words seem to spiral all over the place just like their mental states but I also find it a bit hard to write things based on what we previously knew versus what we know now in the real Skip Beat universe. When I started this story, we didn't know that Kuon had green eyes. I wrote this as they were blue to go with the whole stereo typical SoCal blond. Green eyes are a lot less common (the American Academy of Ophthalmology shares stats of 27 percent of the US has blue eyes but only 9 percent have true green ones... hazel falls between with 18 percent... cool... I am in an 18 percent... even my genetics likes to avoid the norms... yay me... anyway...). I would not have given Koga green eyes if I had known originally that Kuon's would be green. I still would have made them distinct but I would have most likely flipped the colors. Likewise, I have to completely ignore the entire Guam arc to have this story work even though my rendition is obviously taking place somewhere close to a half year later. Oh the evil Guam arc... the entire reason I actually had to leave this fandom for so very long. The blatant lie of the adult Corn just seemed to dirty the whole image and actually made me hate Ren more than just a little bit. In fact, I can't be positive I would have ever returned to this story or the manga if someone hadn't messaged me to talk about some of the qualities of the Koga I created with the one given life in the real story. I was intrigued since Hiro was nothing but a name on a list when I concepted and started writing this. So it is these issues that bring us to this point. It is difficult to balance the original intentions of this story with the unexpected directions things have gone in the many years between conception and completion. When I originally started this story, I had a few intentions. I wanted to give Kyoko a new acting partner... nothing against Ren but he and Kyoko are always the clicking ones in their acting chemistry and I like the idea of just because Kyoko and Kuon seem almost "fated" romantically that there can still be someone else that fits even better on an occupational level. I wanted Kyoko to have a chance to change someone besides just Kuon in a profound manner. In canon, she is the catalyst for change in those around her and I wanted that to be a main point of this story. She gets to help both Kingo and Koga move to better places in their lives. Likewise, I really wanted a chance to allow Sho to grow up and be a man instead of a bratty child. Granted, he still is a bit of a bratty grown up but still he is allowed to grow up here. And just think... it only takes horrible life changing tragedy for the Kyoto pair to move beyond the horribleness to re-establish any real form of even slightly positive relationship. Finally, I wanted to give Kanae a chance to actually address what I would think was Lory's intention in placing her in the LoveMe section. I wanted to make sure to drive home the point that she needs her family love addressed so much more than love in general. It was just an added perk that I fell in love with the idea of Kanae and Kijima as this story progressed. When I originated the idea, I didn't realize they would mesh so easily. Ah, and now to the final request in this overly long message, please enjoy this story in relation to the character growth that was present when it was originated. Kyoko does not really know how she feels for each of her suitors because she had not acknowledged her love for Ren at the point it was created. We know know (and more importantly THEY know) that they share affection. They are not at that point here. Ren confessed (and Sho... and Hikaru... *laugh* oh to have such problems as too many cute guys). Kyoko is still swirling around in a tumultuous sea of insecurity and overwhelming stuff. She is maturing here but she is still a teen. Two long years from being an adult (well, in Japan at least... her American friends/family have that concept to overcome too... she is about to become an adult in their legal perceptions). There was no addressing of her relationship with her mother here. She is now fully relying on her "adopted" sets of parents for guidance and support. I just ask that you remember this when you read this story. It diverged long ago so just bear with the irregularities even though they will prick at all our established concepts of this detailed but pretend universe. Thanks.

Oh and really... I didn't mean to be, well, mean at ending with such a harsh point... I just need a chance to come at the next conversation on a clean page. There are so many many many stories that feature this conversation and I truly hope to give it at least a little bit of its own feel despite that fact that we all know what is going to be shared. Until next time - ME