RIVALS FOR AFFECTION.
"You awake?" Miroku of the Vie Ghouls knocked on Reino's bedroom door and snuck a peek inside the huge, dank room. When he didn't get an answer, he invited himself in and switched on the lights.
Reino raised his hands with tremendous effort to shield his tightly-shut eyes from the shimmering lights. "What?" There was a pinch of annoyance in his tone.
"How are you feeling now?" Miroku inquired as he seated himself on a bedside chair. "Your face is still pale, I mean paler than usual, but you do look a bit better than when we first found you."
Reino didn't bother to answer. Closing his eyes again, he pretended to go back to sleep.
"Say," Miroku wondered aloud while he rested his chin on the heel of his hand. "Was it really just your anemia spiking up for staying in the sun too long? Because your condition was a lot worse than normal. It was sure a surprise when we found you only semi-conscious in the middle of the forest like that."
Reino remained stubbornly quiet and still, only confirming Miroku's suspicions.
After Ren had stormed back into his room, they all went their separate ways, except for Yashiro. The manager followed Kyoko to the roof, even though she clearly stated she wanted to be alone.
In the moonlight, her features twisted with remorse and her body quivered in the nippy night wind. More from fear of what she'd have to face the next morning at the set than from the actual cold.
Yashiro patted her shoulder sympathetically, "it will be okay. If Ren is mad at you for not telling him about Sho Fuwa than I'm just as responsible. You don't see me worried." He forced a smile. In reality though, the manager was freaking out from the inside, about what Ren would have to say to him the next day about him lying.
Kyoko's head drooped even lower.
"Hey, cheer up, okay?" He lightly poked her arm to get her attention, but Kyoko gave no reaction whatsoever. "Ren is not the type to drag things out, you'll see." Although, this just might get dragged, he thought cynically. "He'll be back to normal tomorrow, just you wait." Nope, tomorrow is too soon. The reason why he is so mad is because...
Yashiro bit his tongue back to keep himself from shouting the real reason behind Ren's anger straight into her ear. He's mad at you because the guy is in love with you, you idiot! How do you not see that? Why did they both have to be so oblivious on the matters of the heart?
At the same time, Sho was down at the hotel lobby where he poured himself a nice, hot coffee from the vending machine, in order to regroup his thoughts that were running wildly through his head.
What the heck was that? He took a sip of his steaming hot coffee. When he found out that Ren wasn't aware of his involvement in the incident, he deliberately bragged about it, since Ren had seemed oddly concerned about Kyoko. He only wanted to show off how he knew Kyoko a lot better than Ren did.
Considering how smooth and sarcastic Ren had always been whenever Sho tried to pick a fight with him, whatever that was, Sho did not see it coming.
All he wanted was to hurt Ren's pride a little by using Kyoko, but Ren's mood totally took a one-eighty turn when he found out about Sho.
Just what did it mean exactly? Giving a frustrated kick to the innocent vending machine which shivered by the impact, Sho racked his brain for the answer. The look Ren had, it wasn't of someone who was just concerned about his junior costar. It was a lot more than that.
The only thing I revealed to him was that I protected Kyoko. Yet it was enough to snap him to such a degree, but why though? All of a sudden, the cup dropped from Sho's hand, spilling the dark coffee all over the tidy, tiled floor as the realization struck him from the back of his mind, out of nowhere. He was jealous! Is he...? Sho didn't even dare finish the thought.
"Damn it!" He shouted and kicked the vending machine again nearly toppling it over this time.
The next morning when Kyoko stepped out of the dressing room after getting her makeup done, she found Ren waiting outside. What was scary was the fact that he had his perfect signature smile plastered across his chiseled face which instantly made her knees go weak.
"Hey," his smile widened. "It's such a nice day, isn't it?"
Something's wrong, was all Kyoko could think of. Isn't he acting way too normal, especially after everything that had happened? Aloud she said, "good morning. Listen, I'm so sorry about what happened yesterday!"
"Oh yeah, I was a bit offended," his cold, smirk didn't waver, only to add more to Kyoko's remorse. With sarcasm dripping in his voice, he went on, "there I was giving you advice when you had trouble playing Mio, sticking up for you to Mrs Izuka, I even called you before the trip out of concern. After everything I did, you go out of your way to treat me like a stranger."
"No! I- let me explain..."
Ren's smile vanished and his features once again twisted into the same dark expression from last night. Kyoko took an uncertain step back as he glared at her with contempt.
"And you get saved by Sho Fuwa of all people, the one you swore vengeance on. Pathetic!" He hissed. "Could you please not show me your face, or speak to me? Like at all. I just don't want to be reminded of your existence ..."
His voice grew quieter and quieter as the dream faded away in the distance. Kyoko's eyes fluttered open and she gasped awoke. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest as she lay on her soft bed and stared at the ceiling of her hotel room with wide eyes, before she hissed out the breath which she didn't realize she was holding.
"Thank goodness! It was just a dream!" She exclaimed. Makes sense, I thought Ren was acting way too sarcastic and dramatic to be real.
She jumped out of her bed. Wait, what if it was a premonition? What if he actually says he doesn't want to talk to me anymore? She rubbed her elbows to keep them from shaking.
Dread rippled through out her body tingling coolly on the tip of her skin. She squeezed her eyes tight-shut and pinched her cheeks hard to distract herself.
At last, she came to the conclusion that it was no use fretting over it now. She should just focus on starting this new day, and see what happens.
Since it was probably dawn, Kyoko had a lot of time before she had to join the others for breakfast. So, in order to distract herself, she used this opportunity to go out for a walk and explore.
The trees looked quite splendid and fresh, basking under the twilight of the dawn. Ren paced through the trees, as quiet as a shadow so as not to disturb the serene stillness of the picturesque forest.
Ren, having barely slept through the night because of the frustration burning up inside of him, eventually gave up on the idea of getting some more sleep when it was dawn. Instead, in order to calm himself, he ended up coming out to this tranquil forest, and at last his mind relaxed. When he used to be little, Ren had always loved nature and preferred the company of trees that never talk back to him, instead of actual people. He was in luck right now, because this placid jungle in Karuizawa had worked like an antidote on his terrible mood. Not only that, this place seemed oddly nostalgic to him. It took some time for him to figure out why, but he eventually did. This forest reminder him of the one he used to visit when he was little. The place where he first met Kyoko.
When he was finally done regrouping his thoughts, he cupped his face and sighed with regret. Why did I have to take my anger out on her? Now she'll just run away from me again, he thought dejectedly. Ren already knew that none of it was Kyoko's fault, but when he found out that Sho Fuwa was the one who protected her, his rage and envy took over his senses, rendering the logical part of his brain utterly useless. But what could he do? Love was irrational.
He still couldn't get over the fact that even though Kyoko talked to him over the phone, even though he repeatedly asked her, she still refused to confide her worries about that stalker with him. Sure, she had her reasons, but if he had any idea what was happening here, he would have flown straight to Karuizawa.
If only I could have figured it out earlier the something was wrong...
Kyoko splashed on her face the freezing cold water from the stream and squealed with excitement. "C-C-Cold, but it still feels g-great!" Taking a long, deep breath to inhale the musky scent of the moist earth, she flashed a grin to the lush green trees.
"I'm so glad I came here!" She chuckled and twirled where she stood, taking in the breathtaking sight around her. Even from that single spot, there was so much to be seen. Like how the breeze flew by, passionately hugging the tree leaves taking them up with it, refusing to let go, while the leaves rustled in protest; how the birds danced in the overcast sky and chirped harmoniously; how the clear blue water of the stream sparkled red with the image of the rising sun under the blush of dawn. The air was thick with magic. Kyoko could almost feel the fairies dancing and singing in the sky along with the little birds. She smiled.
"Coming here was so worth it!" She whispered to herself, or probably to the non-existent fairies, or to the furry squirrels and rodents which were scurrying off to their own adventures.
Something gold flashed in the sight of her vision and Kyoko was drawn to it like a moth is drawn to a flame. It turned out to be a patch of yellow and gold daffodils, fluttering in the cool breeze. She admired them with a marvelous fascination because they reminded her of her childhood friend Corn, whom she had met in a similar forest.
This forest might have looked and felt magical at first, but without Corn there, it just wasn't the same. Kyoko's heart terribly ached with longing for her fairy friend. She could have done anything to see him just one more time.
Her eyes traveled upwards as she leasurely gazed at the almost unending patch of daffodils. But it did end, and just on the other side, she found him.
A startled gasp escaped from her lips as they parted in awe.
Hearing her gasp, Ren looked up as well, and his eyes widened with surprise.
What is he/she doing here? They both thought at the same time. Both of them were here to be alone. And the last person they wanted to see right now was each other, yet, here they were, together. Fate indeed was a cruel thing.
Kyoko's first instinct was to turn back and run away as fast as she could. She probably would have done that, if her legs weren't so darn useless.
Meanwhile, Ren stood stiff, trying not to make any sudden movements to frighten her even further. At last, he decided that he had to first show her that everything was okay. And the best course of action for doing that was to act normal.
"Kyoko," he smiled. "It's such a nice day, isn't it?"
Kyoko's jaw dropped to the floor at his words. It's just like the dream! It really was a premonition! She flinched, despair seeping inside her. Is this where I am cut off?
Ren, seeing her reaction, turned desperate as well. His dark eyes were filled with remorse and silent pleading while he gazed at her. Kyoko noted how unlike in the dream, Ren didn't avert his eyes from her.
It'll be okay, she tried to assure herself as she massaged her pale knuckles from her cold fingers. It's okay, as long as he looks at me. Using all the courage she could muster, she mumbled, "can I join you?"
Relief flooded inside Ren and he sighed, even his chest felt lighter. His genuine, angelic smile made its way to his lips.
"Sure." He never wanted to see that look on her face when he glared at her. He never wanted her to be scared of him. All he wanted was to be the one to protect her.
Ren's smile ebbed away the tiniest of doubts and fear from Kyoko's mind, leaving only relief in it's wake. Everything was okay. He wasn't mad. Aside from being grateful, she raised one of her eyebrows quizzically wondering why he forgave her when she didn't even apologize to him yet.
"So," Ren said as he leisurely strolled through the jungle with Kyoko beside him, "what are you doing here this early?" He could pretty much guess the answer, how she must have totally lost herself in her fantasies on her way to this forest since it seemed so magical, but he decided to ask anyway for the purpose of making small talk.
Kyoko blushed hard, since the real reason was way too embarrassing to be admitted out loud, like how she was imagining herself to be surrounded by fairies of the forest. Flashing a wide grin, she answered shyly in her usual bubbly tone. "I...um... just wanted to get my energy back."
Ren sharply turned his head on the other side, and Kyoko hissed out a breath with panic. He really is mad, she despaired. Why else would he turned away like that? he's so mad that he can't even bear to look at me!
However, the reason why Ren turned away so abruptly was something else entirely. It was because his heart throbbed when he got a glimpse of those blushing cheeks of hers, almost begging to be kissed. She looked so damn cute smiling like that, that he had to look away, or being alone with her in this empty forest, with the trees providing them cover, he wasn't sure he could resist the urge to hold her close and kiss her till their lips went sore.
"It's getting late. We should get back," Ren spoke at last. His neck was stiff as a rod because of his dilemma. He kept fighting the urge to turn back and look at her again. He wasn't sure if you should though, because that impish smile of hers was just so irresistibly adorable. No wonder stalkers were coming after her. She better not smiles like that in front of other guys, he thought possessively as his brows creased.
"Wait," Ren abruptly stopped as if he remembered something. "What were you thinking coming here all alone? What if your stalker had shown up again?"
"Oh, I was very careful," Kyoko answered truthfully. "I only came here because I was certain I'll be okay. Guys like him don't get up this early since they have to maintain that bad boy rockstar image." She could tell this from her experience with living with Sho. "Besides, I left a note for Itsumi and I also brought my phone here with me."
"Rockstar image?" Ren knitted his eyebrows questioningly. "I thought your stalker was just some local guy?"
"Well, actually..." she took a deep breath and let everything out that had happened, leaving nothing. Through out her story, Ren succeeded in maintaining his poker face and not showing his inner thoughts. However, his fist kept clenching tighter and tighter.
"So you see," Kyoko went on. "Basically, I got caught up in this stupid rivalry between those two idiots. It's true that I had met that Beagle before I talked to you, but nothing had happened yet. I wasn't even sure if anything was going to happen either, so I didn't worry you for no reason. After that, I was hesitating to tell you because it was really hard to admit that I was saved by Sho. I felt pathetic being indebted to the person I wanted to get revenge from." Her head dropped low and she gazed at the floor before continuing. "I thought that maybe if you found out about Sho, you would be disappointed in me and you might kinda say that... you never want to talk to me again."
"I would never say that!"
"You won't?" She looked up again, her eyes brimming with newfound hope and anticipation.
"Absolutely not! And the situation couldn't be helped," Ren continued. "Sho Fuwa was the only one who knew that this stalker might come after you. Even if you ended up being saved by him, it's alright as long as you're safe. What I mean is, you shouldn't feel bad. It's not like you asked him to help you, right?"
"O-Of course not!"
Ren smiled, "shall we get going now?"
"Yeah," she followed him and they walked back to the hotel.
Kyoko didn't let it show on her face because she didn't have the courage to admit it to anyone or even herself, but all the way back, only one thought was plaguing her mind. She certainly didn't ask Sho for his help, however he was the first person she expected to come and save her.
Kyoko was standing outside the VIP Lounge of the hotel when Itsumi showed up.
"Thanks for waiting" the blonde girl muttered to her co-star with her usual friendly smile. "Let's go in."
"You're welcome," Kyoko replied politely as the two actresses made their way inside the large hall to have breakfast.
"So Kyoko," Itsumi inquired. "When you met Ren this morning, he wasn't angry anymore?"
"Nope. He was completely back to normal."
"That's great. He looked so mad last night that I got chills from watching him. It must have been quite a shock for him that you kept those things from him. I mean, you guys seem pretty close."
"I was not keeping it from him! I was just- wait, we are not that close!"
"I certainly don't buy that," Itsumi winked.
Before Kyoko could object, her eyes landed a familiar face among the crowd. The person it belonged to was leaving through one of the exits.
"Could you excuse me for a moment?" Kyoko asked her colleague and without waiting for a reply, she sprinted after Sho.
As Ren and Yashiro feasted on their breakfast in the pleasant silence of their suite, the manager sat still with a tense air surrounding him.
"What's up with you?" Ren frowned with a small, easygoing smile.
"Me? What's up with you?" Yashiro shot back accusingly. "I was fully prepared to be eviscerated by that cold, plastic smile of yours, yet here you are, all bright and chirpy."
"Well, I was pretty shocked last night," Ren admitted honestly. "But I'm fine now. To be fair though, I had a good reason to be angry. I trusted you and you lied to me."
"I'm so sorry!" Yashiro exclaimed, his features twitching in horror. He went on hurriedly without breathing, "I was going to tell you about Sho Fuwa, but I thought it would not be the best idea to break it to you over the phone so-"
"Relax! Yashiro, it's alright." Ren chuckled to lighten the mood. "Don't worry about it anymore."
"Really?" The manager's eyes widened, shimmering with newfound hope. "So you're not gonna brand me a traitor?"
"You're overdoing it now."
Hearing Ren joke casually, the manager sighed with relief. After they were done having breakfast, he left early saying he'll meet Ren directly on the set.
Ren still had a little over half an hour before he had to join the rest of the crew for the shoot. The food he had eaten was a little heavy for his taste so he used the stairs instead of the elevator to go down.
He had one last floor to go when he abruptly stopped as his eyes spotted Kyoko talking to someone standing behind the railing. He couldn't actually hear what she was saying, but judging from the stern look on her face it was something serious. He leaned a bit down the railing to get a glimpse of the other person and his fist clenched tight when he turned out to be a certain blond guy. Sho Fuwa!