Escaping Curses
"Good morning," Kyoko greets quietly from the archway into the kitchen.
Startled, Ren spills a bit of steaming water onto the counter. He quickly grabs a towel to stop the mess from cascading from the surface and onto the floor.
"Hi," he sheepishly responds as he dabs at his mess. He checks the clock to confirm that it is still relatively early. His anxiety kept him from sleeping well but he had hoped Kyoko would have slept a bit longer to make up for their late night talk. "I didn't mean to wake you up."
Kyoko sets the folded shirt and shorts that she borrowed for sleeping onto the small kitchen table.
"You didn't. I received a text from Sawara-san. He would like me to come into the office at my earliest and safest convenience."
She moves closer and peers around her companion. After the maui omurice debacle, the young woman rightfully fears anything Ren might prepare in a kitchen.
"What are you making?" she asks as she glances into the small bowl at the oats and powder sitting in a clump. She watches as Ren adds more steaming water to the clump and prods it with a spoon.
"Breakfast."
Kyoko picks up the variety box of instant oatmeal and scans the English label while Ren adds even more water to his concoction. Although she has seen the canisters of Quaker Quick Oats at her grocery store, she is not familiar with this more convenient kind. She quickly scans the nutritional information.
"Huh... this is actually pretty healthy," she admits as she glances once more at the bowl of now soupy plain oatmeal. "I haven't tasted this before," she says as she picks up one of the packets. This one is for apple and cinnamon oatmeal. She notices that there are no cinnamon and raisin packs remaining in the half filled box. She correctly figures it is Ren's favorite.
"Yashiro actually picks it up for me at an import shop. You should try one. They taste pretty good for something even I can cook."
Kyoko reads the directions on the box then glances at the overly soupy mixture in Ren's bowl. She reaches up to the cabinet and snags a small bowl for herself. She dumps the packet's content into the bowl then uses the packet and carefully fills it with water to the designated line. She then adds the proper amount of hot water into her bowl and mixes it with a spoon until it is the perfect consistency.
"That is so not fair," Ren grumbles as he leans against the counter and spoons his slightly less perfect breakfast into his mouth.
Kyoko shakes her head.
"You are so your mother's son," she teases before she tries the oatmeal. She is pleasantly surprised at how tasty the instant breakfast actually is. Although she refuses to admit it to her companion, perhaps some convenience foods have some merit.
"And you're okay with that, right?" Kuon asks a bit nervously. He hopes that Kyoko still feels accepting of his revealed secrets after their short night of sleep. He still feels raw and edgy and is unsure if he is reading Kyoko's responses properly.
"It's fine, Ren."
With a smile, the actor tells her that she is welcome to call him Kuon when they are alone. Although she returns the smile, Kyoko waves off the offer. She wants to keep his secret safe and so she prefers to just stick with Ren if he doesn't mind.
Kuon shrugs in what she now knows is a product of his American childhood.
"Just as long as you don't go back to Tsuruga-san, I am fine with whatever you call me."
"Then Tsuruga-senpai it is," she teases lightly.
"Kyoko," he growls in return.
"Tsuruga-sensei?"
"Kyoko," he grumbles as his lips twitch to keep from smiling.
"Tsuruga-tono?"
"Kyoko," he scolds yet again as he runs water in the sink to wash his bowl. He learned the hard way that oatmeal has to be cleaned from the bowl as soon as one finishes in order to avoid oatmeal concrete to chip out later.
With an evil grin, Kyoko drops her bowl and spoon in the sink of sudsy water and moves to exit the room.
"I know... Corn-sama," she throws over her shoulder before she scurries towards the guest room to retrieve her large purse.
"Cheeky brat," Ren chuckles as he finishes cleaning the mess from their simple meal. As the sink empties, he sighs in relief. The last of his fear for her rejection of her faux fairy prince flows down the drain with the water. If she is willing to tease him about it, then she must not be truly angry with him. His smile morphs into an eager grin. For the first time, Kuon is able to envision a future with Kyoko that isn't marred with lies and subterfuge. In fact, he suddenly looks forward to seeing his mother this afternoon. Everyone from yesterday's gathering has their assignments for the day and he and Juli were placed in charge of decorations and site coordination for Kyoko's birthday celebration. He can't wait to see here so that he can share this important bit of progress with someone who will understand and appreciate it. He can think of no one better than his mother. She will understand the freedom he feels from no longer being shackled to his past in regards to the woman he loves.
With renewed energy and humming happily to himself, Ren grabs the loaned clothes and heads to his room to drop them in the laundry. He shakes his head at the neatly folded items. Kyoko is the only person he knows who would fold clothes destined for the dirty laundry basket. Even in the smallest things, she always tries to mitigate any negative impact she may have on the workload of others. Fleetingly, Kuon wonders how long he will need to spoil his princess before she starts to accept that there are people who desperately want her time and attention. She doesn't have to work so hard to please everyone.
Kyoko is in the living room staring outside the window at the bright morning sunshine when Ren returns from his bedroom. He steps beside her and squints slightly at the brightness. It has seemed like a long time since Tokyo has seen such cheerful sunshine.
"Do you think it is safe to travel now?" Kyoko asks as she fiddles with her cell phone. She rereads the short text message from Sawara then checks the street once again.
"Seems so," Ren replies as he glances at the normally moving traffic on the street below his apartment. "I didn't think you had any work until after the new year. Do you need to be somewhere?"
"Sawara-san requested that I come into LME this morning. It wasn't planned but he needs to meet with me," she states a bit nervously. She has no clue why she needs to come into the office and is anxious to discover the reason.
"I have lots of time before my taping for that Christmas special. I can drop you off before I pick up Yashiro."
"Thank you so very much," Kyoko offers along with a warm smile.
"I enjoy spending time with you," Kuon admits truthfully. "I have always been happy to give you a ride any time I am free. It's a good excuse to steal a bit more of your time for my own selfish needs."
Kyoko blushes slightly.
"I realize that now," she admits before glancing shyly at him. The butterflies in her stomach flutter at the glowing smile she is gifted in return for her realization that has been ages in coming.
Forty-five minutes later, Kyoko waves to Ren after she climbs from his car. Although she wears her new coat, it hangs open with her hat, gloves, and scarf stuffed in the pockets. The teen enjoys the sunshine for a moment as she watches the vehicle disappear down the street. Turning towards the large LME office building, she expertly avoids the slowly drying puddles on the sidewalk. With a contented sigh, the young actress heads into the building to change into clean clothes from her locker in the LoveMe room and to search for the head of the talent division. Since staff are few and far between for the normally busy office, it takes the actress quite a while to find Sawara. She is forced to text him in order to discover his location since he is not in his office or any of the related rooms in which he normally works.
Nervously, she glances once more at the quick message she just received from her supervisor asking her to meet in the President's office. The entire floor seems deserted and Kyoko finds the silence a bit creepy. She slips through the open door into the outer office. The desk for President Takarada's secretary is strangely unoccupied and Kyoko wonders if she should just knock on the closed door of his inner office. She debates with herself for a while before lifting her hand to knock on the wooden entry-way. Before her knuckles rap on the door, it opens.
"Good morning," greets Lory's assistant to the startled actress.
"Good morning, Sebastian," she returns happily. The older man offers a tiny smile at the nickname as he waves her inside the room. Stepping inside, Kyoko quickly scans the room. Although there is upbeat Christmas music being quietly piped into the room, there are no extravagant props on display. The LME president sits behind his desk in a bright blue suit with a huge tail of green, white, and purple feathers waving behind him. Lory stands to greet the actress and she just barely refrains from giggling at the flapping peacock-like tail bouncing and waving from his movement.
"AH! Mogami-kun... so happy you arrived so early. We have a number of issues to discuss and your punctuality is greatly appreciated," he proclaims cheerfully as he waves his number one LoveMe member towards one of the comfortable chairs across from his desk.
Before she sits, Kyoko politely bows to Sawara and offers him a pleasant greeting. Takanori smiles and nods in return before turning his attention back to the papers in front of him. Once the actress sits, her supervisor hands her three small packets of paper. A quick glance at the papers reveals them to be three copies of a single contract. Kyoko frowns slightly as she deciphers the legal document. Her eyes fly open wide and she raises her head to meet Lory's smiling gaze.
"This is a standard LME employment and representation contract?"
Lory nods his head.
"This isn't for the LoveMe section?"
Lory shakes his head.
"I don't..." she starts before quickly flipping to the last page. "I appreciate the offer but you know I can't sign this yet."
"I realize you are not legally an adult but I would appreciate if you would sign it anyway. One copy for legal, one for me, and one for yourself. Please mark two of them. Just for my own piece of mind," Lory responds evenly as he sits behind his desk.
Sawara holds a pen in the air along with a small clipboard.
Kyoko stares at the stamps already present on the form.
"How?" she questions in clear confusion as she once more reads 'Takarada' in the slot as legal representative.
"Court appointment, Mogami-kun. Since the day after you agreed to join the LoveMe section. Couldn't have those pesky legal issues dogging your career, now could we?"
"I still..."
"I have a very thorough legal department," Lory assures Kyoko. "Everything tidy and neat. All you need do is sign at the bottom. How else did you think you were allowed to attend school, travel outside the country, or even participate in any acting jobs?"
"Oh..." Kyoko mutters as she finally takes the pen floating near her hand. She had never actually thought about the legality of employment for someone without parental support. Before LME, she had always just worked simple part time jobs that didn't require any special permissions as long as her hours remained under a certain amount or she was paid on the side like at the Darayama. Believing that the president would know best in business type matters, she scratches into place her own name in the circle below Lory's stamp of approval and above Sawara's mark as witness.
Sawara reaches into his bag and pulls out a thickly bound book. It drops with an ominous thud onto the desk. He stands.
"I believe this concludes my duties," he states happily before turning to the actress. He offers her a quick bow.
"It has been... ah... interesting to say the least, Mogami-san." He glances over his shoulder at his boss who is practically shaking with represses excitement. Takanori sighs. Rolling his eyes, he grabs a handful of the confetti from the bowl on the corner of the desk. He tosses in the air. "Congratulations," he simply states as the tiny bits of paper and glitter flutter around Kyoko.
Grinning and whistling along with the piped Christmas tune, Takanori excuses himself from the room. Kyoko watches his departure in a continued cloud of confusion. She absently brushes the celebration residue from her hair and lap. She returns the small handful to the container while she wonders why her supervisor appears so thrilled about something. She finally decides that he must have special plans for the holidays and is excited to start them. She doesn't realize that her supervisor is just thrilled to be losing one of his many duties associated with the LoveMe section. Unaware of the impending change, her attention is drawn back to the president when he clears his throat.
"That is also for you," Lory explains as he waves towards the huge book sitting ominously on the desktop.
Expecting some form of employee handbook, the actress frowns when she realizes that the book is actually a movie script.
"Fleeting Infinities?" she reads before raising her eyes. "Do you want me to audition for this?"
"Absolutely not," Lory firmly states with another grin.
Slightly disappointed, Kyoko asks if she is supposed to deliver the script to someone.
"No... no... that is yours. You have been offered one of the two main roles. No audition required. The director already knows you will find the perfect manner in which to embrace Hitomi's character and her story."
"Really?" the actress squeaks with excitement and a bit of trepidation as she flips open the cover in search of more information. From a typed sheet tucked by the title page, she learns that the movie will be directed by Kingo Kurayami and is slated to begin production in the new year. There will be just enough time to complete filming for Innocent Whispers before this project kicks into motion. Skimming Hitomi's character description intrigues the actress. Hitomi comes from an average appearing household but she harbors an extensive undocumented history of child abuse. She has problems building lasting relationships due to trust related issues. The story centers around her growth from an adolescent to adult and building a slowly evolving relationship with a young man with a potentially fatal illness.
Kyoko clutches the script to her chest as mental images of Hitomi scamper through her thoughts. She shivers than grins before placing the script back on the edge of the desk.
"Director Kurayami wants me as the protagonist in a movie? Not a made for television one? A major theatrical release movie?"
President Takarada returns her grin and nods.
"The first one he has considered doing in years. He is actually one of a couple directors who have recently responded with favorable interest in working with you," Lory admits before he reaches across his desk and taps the script for Fleeting Infinities. "Of the offers, this is the best one to showcase your talents."
Lory settles back into his chair. With his elbows braced on the armrests, he steeples his hands and taps his fingers together.
"This offer will highlight not just your talents but also give a chance for our newest LME addition to start building his hopefully improved reputation."
When questioned on who would be her counterpart, the president explains that Kingo was only willing to complete the project with the stipulation that she play Hitomi and that Koga Hiromune acts as her co-star. He stresses how excited he is for this opportunity. He admits that his old friend had planned to direct this movie years ago but that it fell through when Dark withdrew from directing major productions. Since he has rediscovered his forgotten passion for his art, Kurayami wants the chance to share this poignant story.
Lory adds that Koga is already on board for the production so he just needs Kyoko's answer.
"Do you really think I can do this?" the actress questions a bit nervously as she considers the weight of taking on this role. Unlike when she accepted the role of Mio, Kyoko has a better idea of what working on a major production will entail. Her time spent following Ren in the guise of the Heel siblings provided that lesson. For a movie to work well, every moment of development must be effectively conveyed. A complete and well rounded character must be shared in a condensed time frame. The actors don't have an hour every week over months to slowly build the relationship between the characters and the viewers. Instead, the audience must be engaged from the beginning so that they can be truly swept into the fabricated world. The idea of meeting this challenge frightens Kyoko just a bit but it also blows across the flame of her acting spirit so that it burns just a bit brighter.
"I know you can, my dear. I believe that you can embrace just about any role you choose to create."
"Even love type roles?"
"Even those," Lory confirms confidently.
Kyoko stares at her tightly clasped hands for a few moments as she considers the implications of the movie offer, the contract, and Sawara's words of congratulations.
"Does this mean no more LoveMe section? I get to be a real actress now?"
The president snorts. Standing, he moved around his desk. He rests his hand on her slightly bowed head. He ruffles her hair affectionately.
"Mogami Kyoko, you have always been a real actress. From the moment you stepped in front of the camera for your commercial debut you were an actress. I might even say you were one well before that. Perhaps from the time you challenged Ruriko for her role. When you stepped into the shoes of a character and gave it life, you were an actress."
"But Sawara-san is..."
Lory interrupts her with boisterous laughter. Startled, Kyoko stares at the chortling gentleman and his dancing feathers.
"Sawara Takanori is the head of the Talent Division in LME but that is not why he has the dubious pleasure of overseeing the LoveMe section. You picked him first. You showed him your true mettle. Like myself, he could not help but be impressed with you. Drawn in by the strength of character and held fast by your emerging talent. He gave into your demands originally, offered you the chance for an audition, therefore, I happily gave him the responsibility of you. The LoveMe section and your lovely and talented cohorts just became his by default."
"Oh, I didn't mean to give him so much more work," Kyoko laments as she realizes how much responsibility was forced onto Sawara as a result of her mechanization to join the entertainment industry.
Once more, Lory interrupts her as she slips into an apology for the disruption to her supervisor's normal work.
"It was an honor for him to be offered the chance to guide you on the first part of your journey," Lory states firmly as he returns to his desk. No matter how overworked Takanori may appear, Takarada believes he awarded the Talent head a once in a lifetime gift with the LoveMe division. Despite the hassle, Sawara would have agreed with the older man. With a grand flourish that sets his feathers waving once more, Lory flips open a folder filled with a number of printed emails and transfer requests. Not since he originally sought representation for Tsuruga Ren has Lory been faced with so many requests from the internal job notice for an acting manager. "Now it is my responsibility to decide who will be taking on that honor as you grow beyond the confines of the LoveMe section."
He shuffles through all the papers before admitting to Kyoko that he is unsure how best to proceed.
"You have impressed so many people in your time here," he states as he shuffles through the pile once more. He extracts three pages and set them to the side. He taps the top of the larger pile still in the folder. "Everyone expresses respect for your work ethic, your talent, and your enthusiasm."
He closes the folder and spread the other three request on the top of his desk.
"These three though, they truly reflect a better understanding of you as a person and not just a potentially world class actress. These requests mention some of your more endearing and honestly, sometimes down right weird personality quirks. Each one would provide you with representation which will benefit you as an actress. Even more importantly, they would benefit you as a person."
He shifts two of the pages.
"These two want to manage your career in addition to retaining their current charges."
Lory explains that a number of talents share managers but that he expects the responsibility of her career might put a strain on a manager who already has another talent with a similarly demanding schedule. He then admits that his third choice would not have to be a shared manager. He sighs before glancing across his shoulder towards his office entrance. He then admits that the third choice would leave an open position that would be next to impossible to fill."
"It is a daunting task before me. In order to make the best decision for you, I do have a few questions. First, do you want to accept the offer for Fleeting Infinities?"
Kyoko nods and confirms that she definitely wants a chance to walk in Hitomi's shoes.
"Does this mean that you will be comfortable working closely with Koga Hiromune?"
Once again, Kyoko nods. She shares her feelings in regards to her re-established friend. Lory listens intently as the actress conveys a realistic yet optimistic view on their recent acting both for Innocent Whispers and for the Renegade Escapes commercial series. She hopes that they can continue to work productively together in the future.
The president cannot help but be proud of his first LoveMe member. He is truly impressed with her ability to handle harsh life happenstances and maintain a positive attitude towards her future. In addition, Lory believes she truly changes the lives of those around her for the better and he hopes that this upcoming decision will offer her a relationship that rewards her in even a fraction of the manner that she has aided all the others whose lives she has influenced. In hopes of sharing his good impression, the president offers her this verbal praise. In turn, his honest and kind words fluster Kyoko. She blushes and attempts to deflect the assessment of her talents. Frustrated, Lory refuses to accept her verbal diversion. He sighs loudly and stands.
"Enough, Mogami-kun," he admonishes as he wonders if perhaps a few more months in the LoveMe section might improve the actress's self esteem. Unfortunately, he doubts even the strength of his pink curse can completely cure this deeply ingrained issue. He mentally adds self worth to his list of items for her new manager to address. His fierce glare keeps Kyoko silent as he begins a strange recitation.
"Matsunai Ruriko, Takarada Maria, Takarada Kouki, Kotonami Kanae, Ishibashi Hikaru, Ogata Hiroaki, Hizuri Kuu, Hizuri Juli, Amamiya Chiori, Kingo Kuruyami, Koga Hiromune..." Lory pauses to make sure the teen can read the honesty in his eyes. "Fuwa Sho... Tsuruga Ren..."
At this point, the president stops pacing and kneels directly in front of the embarrassed actress. He offers her a proud smile as he adds a final name to the list.
"Hizuri Kuon."
Kyoko shivers slightly at the quietly offered name.
"I dare say Takarada Lory even," he adds with a bit of a sheepish grin.
"You have positively touched each of their lives. Not as an actress because there is no fathomable way to collect all the names of those co-workers, directors, viewers and fans that you have effected. No... those are just the names of the people I know off the top of my head that you have transformed. On a truly personal level, you have changed each of them for the better."
"But I..."
"NO!" Lory charges harshly as he stands abruptly. "You will not trivialize the strides these individuals have made directly through your influence. To deny your place as the catalyst for growth is to deny the emotional relief or personal development they have attained as a result. Do not insult them by insulting yourself. Understood?"
Shocked at the vehemence of the president's words, Kyoko nods as she seriously considers the reason for the scolding. A dawning of understanding lightens the worry reflected in her eyes and posture.
"I didn't realize... Did I really make that much of a difference?"
"You did," the president affirms. "And the best part of it is that you do these things often without even realizing or intending them. You are truly a gift to us all."
The president chuckles at Kyoko's blazing blush that might even give the LoveMe overalls a run for the money on reflective glow.
"Now, as long as you don't have any more ridiculous misconceptions about your worth, I do have a few more questions to address."
"Did last night go well?" Lory prods as he returns to his chair behind his desk.
"OH! Um... yes?" Kyoko answers a bit uncertainly. She believes that the talk went as well as could be expected given its nature. Remembering one of Ren's requests, she grabs her bag and digs into it. She pulls free the borrowed wallet and offers it to the president. "K... ah... Ren... um... he asked that I return this to you along with his thanks."
"So it helped?" Takarada inquires although he still has no idea how his wallet could possibly have been useful. He just knew that he would give just about anything to help Kuon rediscover his place in the world. His wallet was a simple request to fulfill. It was nothing compared to kidnapping an angst filled teenager, guiding him through culture shock, and assisting him to create an entirely new persona all while resisting the emotional barrage from the young man's parents.
"Most definitely," Kyoko praises. "It was a perfect visual aide."
"I'm glad," the older man responds with a chuckle as he slides the wallet back into one of the many pockets in his bright pants. He might not understand it, but the older man is still thrilled that he was able to assist in even the smallest way in soothing the pains of the talents he considers family.
"So did you have any concerns or questions remaining that I could help address?"
With an emphatic shake of her head, she assures the president that she doesn't need anything further.
"Cor... um... Ren shared it all with me. At least I think it was everything."
She starts rambling through bits of last night's shared secrets. The tidbits resemble nothing remotely logical in progression and Lory is unsure how a vegetable or fairy magic could possibly play into the story but he catches enough of her scattered thoughts to realize that Kuon shared everything the president knew regarding the need to birth Tsuruga Ren. Silently, Lory congratulates Kuon on his fortitude. He feared that the young man would never admit who he was to anyone and so he is ecstatic that he decided to share his secret with at least one trusted person. The older man is now left with the hope that Kuon will once more acknowledge his parents. At least he hopes he does so in private. Personally, Takarada doesn't care if Tsuruga Ren ever admits to the world that the actor is actually Hizuri Kuon. He just wants the man to admit and accept who he is to himself and to give his parents back their beloved son. Only at that point will he feel he has succeeded in his intervention on behalf of the broken Hizuri.
Shoving aside his long time concerns, Lory refocuses their attention on his remaining questions.
"Do you have any specific expectations or requests in regards to your manager?"
Kyoko seriously considers the question before admitting that she would hope whomever he chooses is as organized as Yashiro-san. She admits that she appreciated having access to company protection and transportation and so would believe that those issues should be considered. She has finally accepted that she might need help getting safely and punctually around Tokyo and beyond as her work demands increase. When Lory nods encouragingly to her first couple concerns, she adds that she would prefer someone who will honestly tell her when she needs to address something even if it will make her unhappy. She wants someone who can be a partner not just a helper.
"I mean, Sho's manager is lovely but he kinda runs roughshod all over her. Matsunai-san seemed the same way with her manager. For that matter, Bridge Rock's manager seems uninvolved sometimes. He is there for the legal related stuff and the getting there on time stuff but he doesn't involve himself in the Ishibashis' during the show or with their music," she explains. "Even Yashiro-san didn't seem to press Ren to eat properly until I started hounding them about it. He just went along with eating the convenience stuff even though he knew it wasn't healthy for either of them. I don't want someone afraid of me or unconcerned about me and my acting. I want someone who can chop me up and slap me on a plate like sushi when I do something wrong."
"Sometimes, Ren or Moko have to scold me for things and I... well, I honestly think that makes me a better professional. I want someone who supports me. Like the Tashio and Okami-san... and Father and Mother do," she explains. "But they also offer advice so I am not left floundering on my own. Does that make sense?"
"So you want someone who has the knowledge to guide you, allows you to make your own decisions with the information they provide, and then scolds you if you make the wrong one?"
"Exactly."
"I think we can accommodate that," Lory concedes in amusement. He never would have imagined that Kyoko would actually desire a bit of an authority figure in her manager. He had assumed she would just want someone who would work on friendly terms with her.
"Anything else?"
Kyoko shakes her head.
"Well, then I have only two more questions. First, do you have any concerns regarding the gender of your manager?"
"Why would that matter?"
"Well, there will reach a point in time when you may need to make requests to your manager of a personal or health related nature or you may be required to perform in scenes which entail a certain physicality. There are some talents who are more comfortable with addressing these types of situations with a manager of their same gender."
For a moment, Kyoko tries to imagine just what kinds of issues Lory is addressing. She giggles when she imagines asking Yashiro to purchase tampons for her while she is tied up with work. She then considers the types of scenes to which the president was alluding. Although she is positive that she will be horribly embarrassed if she is ever asked to perform these types of scenes, she doesn't think her manager will make much of a difference. It isn't like there won't be all sorts of technical crew and co-stars already there.
"I guess it doesn't matter," she contemplates. "As long as I trust them."
"Good. And finally I need to know if you would mind having split managerial duties?"
Lory goes on to explain that by splitting the duties, she would have an alternate manager available in the event that she and the other talent represented have a conflict of scheduling or interest.
"Oh, like if we were both auditioning for the same part?"
"Something like that," Lory agrees seriously although he has to fight to keep from giggling. He would love to see the faces on everyone involved if Kyoko showed up for an audition seeking the same roles as her two potential counterparts. He than frowns slightly as he realizes that it might not be that entertaining an event. After all, Kyoko did an amazing job acting as both a young teen-aged Kuon and as a younger brother in Snow White.
When Kyoko agrees to the shared duties, Lory sits for a few moments at his desk repeatedly shifting the position of the three requests as he considers the merits of each versus the needs of the talented actress waiting patiently for his answer. Finally reaching a decision, he slips free a business card clipped on the top of two of the three applications. He writes primary on one and secondary on the other. He then shifts the third request back into the unaccepted folder. He offers the two cards to the actress along with his wishes for her future success as a representative of LME.
Eagerly, Kyoko takes the cards in anticipation of learning who he chose.
"Sato Iku," she reads aloud. "Oh... I will be sharing a manager with Hiro?"
Lory nods.
Reading the next card, Kyoko frowns slightly.
"Who is Suzuki Ruto?" she inquires.
"You know him as Sabastian," Lory replies evenly.
"Oh!" Kyoko peeps as she glances across the room to meet the amused gaze of Lory's aide. She scrambles to her feet and offers him a bow. "I'm sorry I didn't know your real name, Sabastian-san... I mean Suzuki-san."
Ruto chuckles and approaches the actress.
"I think I prefer Sabastian," he gamely admits.
"Then please take care of me, Sabastian-san," Kyoko offers with yet another bow.
Ruto returns her offer with equal respect and a similar wish.
"Yes, yes... you mutually will adore each other," Lory grumbles as he waves them both towards the door. He doesn't even attempt to cover his pout at the impending defection. "Just go do it somewhere else and that you coordinate properly with Sato-san."
Unsure of how to respond to the pouting president, Kyoko stands nervously and shifts her gaze between the two men. Ruto saves her from the uncomfortable situation by snagging the Fleeting Infinities script from the desktop and handing it to Kyoko. He suggests that she go to the outer office and read some of the script while he finalizes any details. Thankful for the escape, Kyoko grabs the script, profusely thanks both men, and flees from the room.
As the door slams shut in the wake of her flight, Lory shakes his head and chuckles.
"Good luck with her," the president teases softly.
"I can handle some eccentricities," Ruto counters smoothly which makes Lory bark with laughter. It takes a few moments for the president to regain his composure.
"Thank you for this opportunity," his aide offers sincerely.
"I only offered you as a secondary manager. Sato-san needs to be the primary. I can't have all of LME suffer because you want to abandon me fully for lighter yet more intriguing duty."
"I appreciate your sacrifice," Ruto returns. He reaches across the desk and opens the folder holding all Kyoko's managerial requests. He snags Yashiro Yukihito's business card from the top page.
"I actually expected you to choose Yashiro-san's request. He would have worked to encourage Mogami-san's growth into a romantic relationship."
"So true," Takarada agrees. "Alas, LME is a business and Mogami-kun needs the support of a manager not a dating consultant. Yashiro-san is very good at his job and I am sure he could have handled the added responsibility. I think the continued exposure between his two talents would have only improved their skills and their emotional growth. Unfortunately, in the long run, it might have led to more problems. If Mogami-kun were to pursue a relationship with any of her suitors other than Ren, it would make their working situation unbearable. Similarly, if she chooses to develop a relationship with Ren, sharing a manager would complicate any public response to the discovery. I don't want anyone to think Ren or his manager have been the reason for Mogami-kun's success. She will succeed and I want everyone to know it is on her own merits."
"You don't think being associated with Koga-san will have the same connotations?"
"No," Lory denies. "That pair are going to make waves with their acting but I doubt they will ever develop any type of romantic relationship. I am sure that there will be speculation, but rumor without any basis in reality will fall flat. Truth is hard to hide once it is discovered but truth is always a better choice if there is no reason to hide it. They will be co-stars. Friends even but they won't be lovers and we won't have to worry about hiding their friendship because that is all that it will be."
Ruto has to agree with the president's logic. He still slips Yashiro's card into his pocket because he anticipates the need to coordinate between their charges later down the line. He might as well start building some rapport early.
"You know, if you help me find the perfect replacement for yourself, I might consider giving you sole responsibility for our little star in the future."
"I shall start looking for the right pair of candidates after the holidays."
Lory snorts.
"You think I will need a pair of assistants to properly replace you?"
Preparing to leave, Ruto pauses in consideration.
"Your concern is noted. I better secure three."
A/N: Oh man... the end is so close that I can taste it... has a bit of a rancid aftertaste after so long but oh well... I am hoping that I used the proper progression on the honorifics for the tiny teasing between Kyoko and Ren. As far as I read, dono denotes equality in station versus sama having a higher standing than the addresser so I think that works for what I was trying to convey. If this is incorrect, please inform me and I will try to make the appropriate changes. -me