AN: For some peace of mind, I'm going to try to update fanfics at the end of the month in the future. I actually have Excel documents that show the popularity of the fics and will write the ones which are most popular first but hope to update a lot of them monthly. Thank you for bearing with me during this and I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Five

5,1

Kuon knew that since he had just come out of his withdrawal from society, his schedule was quite empty for the moment and whilst he did have a show to do that evening and a therapy appointment, he had a lot of time for himself. Kyoko was busy getting back to people she had asked to delay her meeting with since she was scared to leave him by himself. His mother had taken Aurora clothes shopping and he couldn't help but let her spoil the little girl.

That left him with one guest still in the house. He laughed as he saw his father grab a bag of snacks from the cupboard and leaned against the wall. "Kyoko always makes sure to have food around for your benefit," he said and Kuu turned to him.

"I wish you had a healthier appetite, I worry about you when you're not eating," Kuu admitted and Kuon looked away. There was no chance of the two of them agreeing to what an acceptable amount of food for a regular person looked like. To his father, he should be starving but imagining his dad's meals made him feel sick without eating it.

"I don't think I'm as bad as I was. I at least make sure to always have breakfast. I married someone who cares about my eating but also understands my eating habits." Kuon sighed as he stared at the ceiling and Kuu watched him carefully. He didn't want to tell Kuon how worried he was for him. Kuon was really making an attempt to overcome the battles which had weighed him down for so long. Any progress was good to see.

"So, you agreed to me doing the drama but then I heard that you weren't involved in it," Kuon said and Kuu gestured for them to go and sit down. Kuon followed his father. "So, you're working on something else?"

"Directing," Kuu nodded. "I think that I've learned some tips from Date," he said as he kept eating and Kuon watched him. His parents ate far too much but he had to laugh over it, what was the alternative to laughing? "I also want to do something new. I'm working on a more…independent movie."

"And who are you working with?" Kuon asked and Kuu blinked as he stared at him. "Your actors."

"I'm still casting or rather we're still casting," he said and Kuon watched him. "There's an actor called Taira who I wanted to check out or bring in for an audition. You know anything about him?" he asked, "I mean. I'm allowed to say that you worked with him, right?"

"Now you are but I don't think many people were fans of Cain Heel and…he always was a little bit nervous around me whenever we worked together after that. I think that I truly ruined his perception of me," Kuon laughed softly, he closed his eyes as he remembered the third time that he had worked with the actor and that was after he had revealed himself as not just Cain Heel but that he was actually Kuon Hizuri, his idol's son. He had probably done far too much damage to him.

"It really makes me happy to hear you laughing again," Kuu said as he watched his son happily. Kuon lifted his head and looked at his father before nodding. He knew how much his parents loved him, it made him feel guilty when he discussed it with Kyoko but he just felt comforted and safe when he spoke to his parents.

"Well, maybe it's because I'm a daddy's boy," Kuon said as Kuu started twitching excitedly. Kuon watched him with a smile before looking down. "You've always been my hero. I don't know how many times I should repeat that before you are confident in that fact," Kuon said before looking aside. "As for Taira, he's good. I think he'll be thrilled to be chosen by you, he's probably your third biggest fan."

"Third," Kuu said, "After my two children, you mean?" Kuon nodded. "Well, I'll be excited to meet with him."

"Did you ever consider any other actors? Maybe one's that aren't doing too hot right now and have to see a therapist because of their crippling fear of driving a car," Kuon said and Kuu leaned forwards with both shock and fear in his eyes.

"I talked to Boss and he persuaded me to not cast you or offer you any role. I will go back to him and argue with him if you want. Of course I want to work with my son and…and please don't talk about yourself like that," he said nervously and he stood up to sit closer to Kuon. "I'm happy that you're agreeing to get help. I'm happy to see you moving and choosing to act. I'm so proud of you. I think that…that medication and therapy is doing you so much good. I hope you're not ashamed that you need help."

Kuon nodded and took a deep breath in again. "I need to practice more self-love, everyone tells me that," he said before looking at his father. "One day we'll work together. I really want to. Next project, maybe."

"I'll keep that in mind," Kuu said before putting his hand on top of Kuon's. "Whenever you need me, I'll be there. I'm really working on being a good father, the type of father that I should have been when you were younger. I know I can't turn back time but I'm grateful you've given me another chance."

"You're my dad and I love you. All I want is for you to love me," Kuon said honestly with a chuckle and Kuu smiled.

"Always." He promised his son. He truly was thankful that they had these moments together. He would always hold himself with pride with his chin held up when people talked to him about Kuon. He loved Kyoko as well but he could not keep himself from praising his son and marveling at his accomplishments. Even if he might be seen as twisted by other people, he loved Kuon unconditionally.

5.2

Kyoko knew that there were people talking about her and there were also many people who had dropped Kuon's name into conversation as well but she was too excited to focus on that because she had been able to arrange a date with Moko-chan between two different meetings that she was having and Moko-chan even told her that they could go for ice cream together.

"Moko-chan!" Kyoko said excitedly as she saw her friend who was walking in her glamorous clothes from America and with her sunglasses on. Unlike her, Kanae had been successful in America but even she admitted that it was hard as a Japanese immigrant to find your footing in American movies and TV shows and that Kuon had it easier than her because he was some blonde, emerald eyed prince from the Hizuri family who also had a career as Ren Tsuruga which was very important for those who wanted to hire someone who knew Japanese or could fit in a role where there were other Asians either one of the producers or other actors.

In America, Kuon could draw a much larger crowd than her and that was one of the reasons why Kanae had wanted to meet with Kyoko. Despite the accident happening in Japan, since Rikuu had tried to livestream it, it had gone viral and many people had reported on it. People generally felt sympathy for Kuon and had wanted to support him when they had seen the grief and guilt he had endured. They blamed the kid for being stupid and Kanae had to admit that she agreed with them.

However, for Kanae the fault was on the people who had to secure and block off the set. Those people should have paid more attention to the crowd, if they had then no one would have lost their life and she could just continue to be jealous of the large shadow that Kuon unintentionally cast.

"Mo, do you have to be so loud?" Kanae asked as she walked over to Kyoko. She looked her up and down. "You look a lot better than I expected. I feel that I shouldn't have worried about you so much."

"What are you talking about?" Kyoko laughed as she walked into the ice cream parlor, very excited that she could spend time with Kanae again. "There was never anything wrong with me."

"The pictures of your husband wandering around in the rain, looking like some kind of crazed hobo," Kanae said in hushed tones and saw Kyoko look forward as she tried to let those words sink in without reacting. Yes, he had looked a little homeless when he had been in that state but fortunately Kijima-san had helped him and been a true friend to him.

"Yeah. Kuon is doing a lot better," she smiled and then winked. "Didn't you say Hio came to visit you recently. I still can't beli-"

"Sssh," Kanae said as she put a finger up to her lips and delivered a warning look to Kyoko that she needed to stop talking about this immediately. "You know it's not official."

"So the two of you are really together?" Kyoko asked and Kanae glared at her for a moment before nodding and her cheeks turned a little red. She stood up straighter and crossed her arms over her chest.

"But people should know that acting is what is most important to me. I am a professional actress. I don't need to think about anything silly and I definitely don't want to be nominated as Japan's top couple in the magazines. I don't need to have pictures like that floating around and with people talking about me in those terms."

Kanae looked towards Kyoko to see if she had been affected by that criticism. For a few years – the years Kuon had been working more in Japan – Kuon and Kyoko Hizuri had won Japan's favorite celebrity couple. It was so stupid to her how they had been interviewed and shown that the two of them were quite silly when it came to love. It was good though, that they were so proud and supportive of one another and that after having been used by Fuwa, Kyoko had someone who loved her so much it became embarrassing.

"I like those magazines. I think that…I'm happy that I can understand him," Kyoko admitted knowing that there were so many people who didn't. She felt special that he could see her and that they could share those moments.

"Will you order for us, get me something small, I'm going to get that table in the back," Kanae said and Kyoko nodded. She grinned excitedly as she looked at the ice cream samples. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed this. Maybe Kuon would come here with her. He was always so adorable and she could always playfully pressure him into having a few bites of one of those lover's ice creams.

Not many people could be with a woman of her age who was so obsessed with fairies and magic and princesses but Kuon didn't judge. She loved that about him. She would have to prove that he had healed from looking homeless and as if he had been in a trance. If Moko were to see him now, then she would have to acknowledge how strong he truly was.

End of Chapter Five

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