The Man Behind the Curtain

"Kuon... Hizuri?" Kyoko repeats slowly as she tilts her head slightly as a momentarily perplexed expression settles in place. She frowns as she slowly processes Ren's claim. Suddenly, her eyes shoot wide.

"KUON HIZURI!" she squeaks as she scrambles to her feet. Outside the flat, thunder echoes her jagged exclamation. With her shift in position, the teen experiences the unique perspective of staring down at her companion from a slightly higher position. Kyoko takes a step back to create a bit of distance so she no longer feels like she is looming over her distressed companion. She repeats his true name two more times in increasing volume while her body appears to vibrate in shock or possibly excitement. Even she isn't exactly sure which causes it.

Just as suddenly as she scrambled into motion, she freezes. The teen stares at her friend who sits dejectedly within the same position he occupied when he introduced himself. With his honest introduction, he laid himself open and can only see rejection in Kyoko's response. His only movement is to lower his outstretched hand when he perceives that Kyoko rejected his handshake in favor of her shocked frenzy.

"Oh, Ren..." Kyoko whispers as she drops to her knees in front of him. She reaches for his face and tenderly clasps both his cheeks. In the wake of his obvious apprehension and pain, the young woman completely forgets her surprise.

Kuon closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He tries to wrap the warmth of her gently touch like a blanket around his bruised heart. When he reopens his eyes, all he sees is concern in his companion's gaze. There is no condemnation, no disgust, and no anger. It is not what he expected but he held hope that she wouldn't discard him. He offers the slightest bit of a self effacing smile when Kyoko slowly withdraws her soft touch. The loss of her caress is like a bath of ice water over his entire body. He shivers before regaining some semblance of emotional control.

Kyoko relaxes towards the floor until her bottom rests against her feet. She places her hands in her lap and offers Kuon her undivided and non-judgmental attention.

"I wasn't kidding when I said the Hizuris love you. All of them do," the actor admits as he too relaxes back slightly. He is unsure of how to continue now that his identity is face up on the table. Unfortunately, Kuon realizes that he has to double down and throw the rest of the story onto their metaphorical green felt if he ever stands a chance of winning this gamble. The moment of silence slowly grows uncomfortable for the newly revealed young man as he tries to decide how to explain all the rioting words jumbling in his mind.

"Um... yeah..." Kuon mutters as he nervously rubs across his mouth and then around his neck to the back of his head. The storm rattling the windows strangely reflects his internal struggle. "It's kinda this whole thing," he admits in English. "I'm so sorry we kept this a secret from you. Mom and Dad would never hurt you if they could avoid it. Neither would I. I promise you. We never intended... ugh."

"Unfortunately, this whole thing..."

Kuon waves at himself and then around his apartment.

"It wasn't something we could just share with everyone. Or anyone really."

Kuon begins babbling about how he never intended to have the identity of Ren be this much of a burden to her. He keeps apologizing and repeating his concerns. He wants Kyoko to realize just how important she is to both his parents and to himself. Dread twists his insides as he worries that she will never forgive them for their lies of omission and obvious misdirection. He hates the idea of shattering either their growing relationship or her one with his parents. They have all lost enough and he doesn't want his own insecurities and bad decisions to keep harming those he loves.

When she realizes that he is caught in a verbal repeat, Kyoko reaches towards him. Instead of gently grasping his face like previously, she lightly taps him on the knee.

"I understand," she promises once he stops babbling. She watches as Kuon slowly rebuilds his mental control. The tension in his shoulders loosens and he takes another cleansing, deep breath. Neither realizes that they both mirrored panic responses to the revelation. Kyoko's reaction just manifested more obviously in her normal physical manner. Although far less overtly obvious, the male was equally frazzled. Like her companion, the teen takes her own deep breath and offers what she hopes is an encouraging smile.

"So, am I allowed to ask why or is that too personal?" Kyoko inquires quietly once she believes that her friend has reined in his own mental frenzy.

"Definitely very personal," Kuon admits before shaking his head slightly. "But I want you to ask. I want to share everything. I think I need it and I know you deserve it."

"Good. Then how about I go refresh our tea and then you can share all the whys and hows that you feel comfortable with me knowing."

Before Kuon can respond, Kyoko snags their tea cups and practically teleports to the kitchen. An amused snort escapes from Kuon's lips as his eyes follow her escape. Once the teen disappears from view, the young man flips open his old wallet. His finger taps against the slightly yellowed plastic cover that protects a small candid photo of his friend.

"Oh man, Rick. I could use some help with this," he mutters in his native tongue. He flips over the packet of pictures which mostly contains a number of girls whose names he would be hard pressed to remember. Under the forgotten memories, there sits his outdated school identification card tucked into the spot where a drivers license would normally reside. He had fled his past not long after completing his driver's education class and never had a chance to secure anything more than his California junior permit. After a quick glance towards his companion moving softly in the kitchen, he stares at the blond haired, blue eyed young face on the card and wonders which part of his two remaining secrets will hurt Kyoko the most. One will most likely shatter her positive impression of her revered senpai and the other will most likely shatter an integral foundation of her childhood. Still wavering over where to begin, Kuon slides the pack of pictures over the identification card even though he is no longer planning on hiding himself from his former life.

While Kuon contemplates how best to share the rest of his confession, Kyoko fixes new cups of tea. On autopilot, she moves efficiently around the kitchen until her task is completed. Gathering the two steaming cups, she turns towards the doorway. She steels her nerves and reminds herself how much she cares about her friend.

"You can do this," she softly encourages herself. "Ren is a good man and only good things can come from this. Good things. Be strong for him. Support him like he supports you."

She repeats that tiny mantra a few more times before resolutely returning to her friend and the answers to her questions.

When she exits that kitchen, she immediately notices that Ren is watching for her return. She smiles at him warmly as she places the new drinks on the table. Gracefully, the teen slips to the floor.

"Thank you, Kyoko," Kuon offers quietly as he accepts the warm drink. He sips it before placing it on the table beside his old wallet. He picks up the wallet and pulls free the picture of Rick. For the actor, it is the moment of truth. He chooses what he sees as the lesser of two evils for his first confession. He suspects this one is more likely to hurt him than Kyoko.

"I came to Japan at fifteen. I needed an escape and the president offered it to me."

He hands the photograph to Kyoko. She quickly peruses the image of the smiling young man that she estimates to be around Ren's current age. He's a good looking fellow with a friendly grin and a golden tan.

"That's Rick. Eric Schnears. At the time, he was my best friend."

"Was?" Kyoko repeats softly. Her heart clenches as she rightly imagines where Rick's part in this story will end.

"Yeah... was."

Kuon smiles painfully as he remembers the young man who meant so much to him in a time when he felt so lost and overwhelmed with his life in Los Angeles. It takes about fifteen minutes for Kuon to share a couple simple stories that easily establish how influential Rick was in his young teenage life. For the first time in years, the actor smiles as he verbally remembers some of his long suppressed memories. He had been running from the bad thoughts and feelings for so long that he had failed to remember all the good times that the friendship included. Enthralled, Kyoko listens as he shares tales of days at the beach, nights listening to band practice, and weekends wildly partying. His stories provide a sneak peek at a significantly less mature and less self-contained person. There are little obvious shadows of the wild American teen in her friend Ren. She might have caught glimpses of the young man during his time as Cain Heel, but overall she cannot help but be amazed at Ren's ability to change and grow.

Kuon's voice breaks slightly when he shifts from telling stories to sharing his feelings about his deceased friend. Kyoko's chest tightens as his tone changes from one of reflected affection to obvious pain.

"He was older than me. I really respected him. Wanted to be like him. He and his girlfriend Tina treated me like a younger sibling. With all the teasing and play along with the loyalty and affection. I realize now that not all the things he taught me were the greatest ideas but I think he always wanted what was best for me. He wanted me to stand up for myself and be true to myself. He accepted me as me and I didn't really have that. Not at school. Not at work. Sometimes, not even at home. I was always Juli's and Kuu's kid. The mutt Hizuri who couldn't live up to the name. All it seemed like I could do was fail. I had so much rage. So much hate. I was trapped. I was a ticking time bomb. It's a wonder that I didn't erupt earlier. Unfortunately, when I finally went off in a blast of pain and aggression, Rick was the one who ultimately exploded."

The actor grabs his tea cup with shaking hands and sips in hopes of relieving the dry lump forming in his throat. Staring into his cup of tea instead of at his companion, Kuon describes the night of Rick's death. He shares gory details that still horrify him. He shares the violence he inflicted as well as his friend's attempt to avert permanent disaster. Unaware that tears are slipping down his cheeks, Kuon finishes his tale by describing the car accident that killed Rick, destroyed Tina's dreams and mutilated his mental stability.

"I murdered my best friend," Kuon admits. "It might not have been my hands that did it but my fists and temper caused it."

Kuon swirls his tea in his cup as he falls silent. He awaits the inevitable judgment from his companion. Fear becomes a living, breathing monster attacking his guts and making him fight to keep his recent drink down. Fervently, he wishes that she will forgive him for his past even though he is unsure if he actually deserves it. A soft thud signals the placement of her cup on the table top. This time, Kyoko pulls the cup from his hand and places it beside her own.

"I'm sorry your friend died," Kyoko offers as she wonders what else she could possibly say in this kind of situation. Just like for most people, death is an uncomfortable topic that is never easy to approach no matter what age encounters it. It is especially difficult to discuss when the loss has such an obvious affect on the person remaining. As a teen, Kyoko has not experienced this situation previously. No one close to her has ever died. She doesn't realize that the feelings of guilt and anger and sadness she felt when her mother abandoned her are similar to the feelings that have haunted Kuon. All she has is her interactions with Maria to help guide her reactions to the loss and that focus had seemed more on the child's relationship with her father than on the actual death of her mother.

Unsure of what else to say, Kyoko reaches for his cheeks and gently sweeps the tear trails with her thumbs.

"I'm sorry," she whispers again as she fights against the tears that are filling her own eyes. Her eyes itch and prickle while her breath catches a couple times. She feels overwhelmed by Kuon's pain and her own inability to make him feel better. She hates the feeling of helplessness and her inability to find the proper words of solace.

She suddenly finds herself wrapped in an unexpected hug. Kuon drags her against his body until she is basically sitting on his crossed legs and lap. Her arms naturally slip around his neck as he collapses a bit forward and rests his head on her shoulder. Although startled, the teen slowly moves her hands so that they can rub soothing circles on her friend's shoulders and back.

"If I had real magic, I would make it better for you," Kyoko murmurs as she wishes that she really did have the magical powers that Ren claimed that she had at the start of their discussion.

"That's where you're wrong," Kuon mumbles into her shoulder as he tightens his embrace just slightly before reluctantly releasing her. He shifts back so that he can see the tears now silently escaping down her cheeks. He swipes them away with the cuff of his sleeve before drying the last of his own drops on the shirt covering the back of his forearm.

"I don't expect you to wave a magic wand for me but having you here with me and not attacking me... not blaming me... it helps."

"But it doesn't make the pain go away," she replies.

"True. But it makes it a bit more bearable."

"Is there anything else that might help?"

"Well... I thought I might take some of mom's advice. That whole forgiveness thing. It seems to have worked for you so maybe it will work for me. I think it might be time to work on forgiving myself. What do you think?"

Kyoko smiles encouragingly as she agrees. She scoots back from Kuon's lap. Once she escapes to a more respectable distance, she clasps her hands in her lap and twiddles her fingers as she argues with herself.

Kuon watches her expressions change rapidly until her fingers still. As always, he finds her shifting faces fascinating and endearing. A tiny smile sneaks onto his lips as he enjoys Kyoko's unguarded display. Once she reaches a decision, the myriad of emotions slowly fade from her face.

"I'm not sure it will help and I doubt you will appreciate the source but someone gave me a bit of advice that I found to be surprisingly helpful with working through the recent muck in my mind."

"Hmm?" her companion nudges.

"Uh, yeah... well, Shotaro kind of accused me of wrapping all my thoughts and feelings up in one place. He said... well... he pretty much said I shouldn't base my entire existence on something that happened in one night of my life. I know it isn't the most profound thing and yeah Sho is a spoiled brat but strangely enough, he wasn't wrong. What happened with Koga... it hurt me. It changed how I looked at myself. I didn't like what I was... what we did..."

"Even if it makes me a bad person, I think I still hate that evil man who drugged us but I had to stop hating myself. I couldn't allow just one night to be the deciding factor for the rest of my life. Sho said I was better than that. You are too. No matter what you did in the past or how disappointed you find your actions. You are a good man. Here and now. You are talented and hard working and caring and protective and..."

Kyoko stills as Kuon places his finger over her lips.

"You may have been spending too much time with my dad recently but I get your point."

Kyoko snags the finger against her mouth and pulls it away. Instead of allowing him to escape, she shifts her grip until she is cradling his hand within both of her own. She lifts eyes full of conviction to meet his own doubt rimmed ones.

"You ARE a good person no matter what happened in the past, Ren."

She tightens her hold on his hand and repeats her statement with so much earnestness that he finds himself wavering. He wants so much to believe in her assertion. In that moment, he truly starts to forgive himself. Slowly a soft smile spreads across Kuon's face. Pain remains in his eyes but the guilt and anxiety seem to settle just a bit. With the easing of the rioting emotions, he suddenly realizes how to approach his final confession.

"You once told me that you enjoyed acting because it allows you to find more of yourself. The you that you want to be."

Kyoko nods although she isn't sure if she understands the reason for the abrupt subject change.

"Do you have a favorite role?" the actor inquires.

Despite her confusion, Kyoko refuses to disregard his strange question. She considers each of her previous roles. She mentally shuffles through them quickly only to discard each one in turn. Although there are special memories associated with each one and many helped her to grow into the person she is today, none of her recorded roles truly stands far above the others. Lowering her eyes, Kyoko contemplates the four other roles she has played. The role of Choko is easily dismissed as is the perfect child role that she shrouded herself in during her time with the Fuwas. That one she never wants to even consider playing again. She is left with two roles that still hold her highest affections.

"I don't think I can pick just one role," the actress admits. "Most of them have had some influence on me. Either by directly influencing my outlook on life or expanding my work experiences. There are two that mean the most to me though. Setsu and..."

She smirks just a bit.

"And strange as this is to say, you."

Kuon snorts but still returns her cheeky grin with a soft one of his own.

"Well you did outstanding jobs on both of those characters," the actor praises. His expression turns a bit more grim.

"Do you want to guess at my favorite role?"

Kyoko contemplates all the parts that she knows Ren has played. She admits to him that she might not know all the roles he has acted here and absolutely none of the ones from before he came to Japan.

"Well, my favorite role is one I played in Japan. If fact, you have seen it up close and personal."

"So Katsuki or one of the characters from Innocent Whispers?"

Kuon shakes his head.

She thinks for a moment.

"Then, Ren?"

"Definitely not. Strange as it may be, I sometimes think I hate that particular role."

"But that just leaves Cain or BJ and you seemed so miserable during so much of that time," Kyoko comments.

"Not even close," Kuon confirms. For a moment, the actor wonders how Kyoko can be so sensitive to some of his moods and feelings but how frustratingly clueless she can be with anything related to love. It amazes him and he makes a mental note to thank the president for inventing the LoveMe section to help her with this previous weakness.

His errant thoughts return to the conversation at hand.

"You are right though. I hated a lot of those two parts. They were an emotional battle that I believe I barely won. In fact, the best part of those roles were interacting with Setsu and there were times she drove me to distraction."

"Sorry," Kyoko apologizes quietly.

"Don't apologize. You developed and executed your part perfectly and I could not have survived that experience without you."

For a moment, neither speaks. Kyoko finally breaks the quiet.

"Then I am at a loss. I have no clue what your favorite role is."

Sitting a bit straighter, Kuon reaches for his mother's wallet. He flips it open and pulls out a tiny picture tucked safely into the spot behind her driver's license. It is the only photograph Juli keeps in her wallet. Although it is a bit younger than the image Kyoko will most easily recognize, it will help make the point. He sets it face down on the table before opening his dad's wallet. Like Lory's one, Kuu's wallet sports a packet of plastic covered photos. Kyoko grins when she notices that the image on top is actually a recent candid picture of her and Ren. It looks like Kuu sneaked the photo during their shared breakfast in Singapore. An unexpected warmth tickles her insides at the revelation. It is a visual confirmation of the special place she holds in the hearts of her faux parents. While Kyoko enjoys the idea of her importance to her adopted father, the true Hizuri son digs through the overstuffed pockets that hold many more images than just the ones facing outward. Tucked behind a picture of Juli poised in a swim suit on a beach of white sand, the young man finds exactly what he needs. He places his find beside the one from his mother's things.

"My favorite role is a lot like your favorites," he explains while turning towards his companion. "It wasn't one created for film."

He picks up the pictures and holds them towards Kyoko with the images facing the floor.

"My favorite role was played for an audience of one. It offered a freedom I didn't even know I needed at that point. It was by far the most fun I ever had in a part. It allowed me to connect with someone in a way I never expected. It was easily the most profound role I ever acted. It forever changed the way I looked at myself and especially how I perceived females."

Apprehension fills Kyoko as she easily reads the fear in Kuon's expression while he holds the two pictures towards her. Although he shares such positive words about this favored role, she easily sees the emotional toll thinking about this special part causes her friend. She hesitates to take the somehow dangerous images. Their hands hover in the air as she considers not accepting the offering.

"Please, Kyoko," Kuon whispers with anguish seeping from each word.

Kyoko closes her eyes and takes the two photographs. Opening her eyes, she flips them so she can see the images. In the one from Juli's wallet, an adorable six or seven year old blond boy grins for the camera while being held in the arms of his handsome father. In the other one, a lanky boy of ten stands precariously on the top of a domed jungle gym. His hair sparkles in the sunlight and his blue eyes flash with mischievous joy. Despite the slight age difference, it is easy to see the boys are the same person.

"Corn..." Kyoko murmurs as she stares at the two images of her fairy prince. Tears form and start to fall as she lifts her head to stare sorrowfully at her companion. "You're Corn."

Her now adult aged fake fairy prince nods miserably.

With shaking hands, the teen gently places the two photos on the table before returning her hands to her lap. Her knuckles whiten as she tightly clasps them together. Fleeting images fly through her mind's eye as she remembers possibly her most precious childhood experience. For a few moments, she just stares at her shaking hands. So much of her belief system and emotional coping skills are tied up in her thoughts and feelings for Corn. Without the memory of his friendship and the hope in her magical rock, Kyoko is not sure how well she would have survived to this point in her life. Despite her belief that she still remains a bit broken, the teen correctly assumes that she would be in a far worse place without her past fairy prince.

"Kyoko... I..." Kuon starts only to stop immediately when she raises her head and glares at him in a manner that reminds him of Mio's unbridled hatred. The chill that envelops him could rival the harshness of the storm still raging across Tokyo. He flinches at her rightful ire but remains silent as Kyoko calmly stands. He watches as she moves around his apartment. Although panicking at first when he thinks Kyoko is fleeing from his life and the pain he is causing her, he slowly calms as he realizes that she isn't preparing to leave.

Clearly agitated, she clasps her hands against her chest and mutters quietly to herself as she moves around the room aimlessly as she works through a lifetime of perceptions. Anger, betrayal, grief, embarrassment, and a tinge of happiness war within her. Ideas and beliefs shift painfully. Every once in a while, her steps pause and she glances at her silent companion who remains seated on the floor. Each time, she takes a deep breath and goes back to pacing and talking to herself. After repeating this prolonged cycle for what seems an eternity in Kuon's mind, she finally stops moving and lowers her hands from over her heart. She lifts her chin and straightens her back until she appears like the picture of strength and determination. Returning to him, Kyoko kneels gracefully in front of her friend. She doesn't smile but she doesn't glare either. She just calmly informs him that she is ready to finish listening to him.

"I'm not sure what else to say," Kuon admits. "For me, it started as a game but it became so much more. I never thought it would have such a lasting affect on your life. Or my own for that matter. I am sorry that I'm not really a fairy prince."

Kyoko sighs heavily.

"My friend Ren is way more important than any fairy prince could ever be," she firmly states.

Startled, Kuon stares at her in utter shock.

"But I lied about the fairy magic. Your magic stone. Flying. Everything. It was all pretend."

For a moment, Kyoko gathers her thoughts.

"True, knowing that my fairy prince Corn was just a boy is unsettling. Okay... Very unsettling. Scarily so even. Despite that, Corn remains exactly what I needed at that point in my life. Maybe you didn't really fly and maybe my Corn stone wasn't able to magically relieve my pain. For me though, you did fly and it was magic and those memories were some of the most important building blocks of my survival as a little girl."

Just like her companion, Kyoko experienced so many painful parts in her childhood. Abandonment issues, emotional abuse, loneliness and harsh expectations were almost daily experiences. Simple pleasures like comfort, security, and casual affection never featured in her routine life. She freely admits that she relied on her gifted blue rock to help her maintain her cheerful attitude and her desire to persevere when things felt overwhelming.

When Kuon apologizes once more for marring those special moments and stealing her source of strength, Kyoko immediately refuses his attempt. She confirms that she is hurt by this new knowledge. She also admits that it may take her some time to adjust to the shift in the perceived reality of her childhood. It doesn't change the fact that she still cherishes the memories as well as her current relationship with her friend.

"Kuon, you need to understand something," she stresses. "I spent ten years believing in Corn's magic and relying on it to save me. Despite how much I needed it then, that magic is nothing compared to the lifetime of potential magic Ren has given me."

Seeing how utterly confused her companion remains, Kyoko tries her best to explain herself.

"I might have been given the opportunity to join the entertainment industry by the President and Sawara-san, but it was you who opened my eyes to the world of acting. You challenged me. You led me and shared your passion. You've given me encouragement and helped me hone skills that I will hopefully use for the rest of my life. It is a gift finer than any magic stone. You, not Corn, gave me the chance to find the real me buried beneath the constraints placed on me by my upbringing and my own insecurities. All that hurt that buried the me I didn't know existed. With each role I play, I learn more about the true me. That is real magic, Ren. And best of all, it is magic we can keep sharing with each other, our audiences, and our loved ones. Magic that will be there for the rest of both our lives. Which I anticipate will be much longer than just ten years."

For a moment, Kuon considers her words and the feelings behind them.

"So you forgive me?" he hesitantly confirms.

Kyoko simply nods before frowning slightly.

"Although I think I might still be a bit peeved that you waited so long to tell me the truth about your fake fairy tendencies. You've known I was the same Kyoko for a quite a while, haven't you?"

Sheepishly, Kuon admits that he realized it when she dropped her magical rock and he recovered it for her.

"That long?"

Cringing, Kuon nods.

"Oh you are so going to owe me something big, Ren."

"I look forward to the chance to spoil you."

"Ah... no... I somehow think that would be more like rewarding you for bad behavior."

Pouting, Kuon silently begs for the chance to spoil the young woman he loves.

Instead of blushing as Ren expects, Kyoko tilts her head a bit to the side as she contemplates her companion. Under her intense scrutiny, he finds himself starting to blush.

"What?" he finally demands.

Kyoko giggles softly.

"I was just trying to imagine if that look is more or less effective when you are not dying your hair and wearing contacts."

Ren shrugs then grins.

"Dad has yet to acquire any immunity to mom's pout so with any luck, you won't either no matter how I look."

Huffing slightly, Kyoko collects their tea cups and carries them into the kitchen while muttering under her breath about playboys. Ren follows her with the still mostly filled plate of now warm egg sandwiches. He dumps them in the trash as Kyoko cleans the remaining dishes from their drinks. Kyoko wipes her hand on a dish towel as her companion leans against the counter.

"Thank you, Kyoko," Kuon quietly shares along with an appreciative smile.

Although casual touch is still a bit outside her normal comfort zone, Kyoko reaches to cup the side of her companion's face.

"You are a good man no matter what name you use, Ren," She murmurs softly. "And you are welcome."

A comfortable peace settles between the two friends as the violent winter storm outside finally dwindles into a soft rain. As the pair prepares to face the inevitable change in their relationship that will grow from finally clearing all the barriers from the past, a warm front gradually pushes across the city finally ending the bitter cold spell that has held the region in its grasp for far too long.