Exhausted, Kyoko reluctantly said goodbye to Hiou and Kanae before getting out of Matsuda's car and walking to Darumaya.

It had been great getting away from work. They'd had a wonderful time at the water park and for once it had felt like Hiou had been able to relax.

Kyoko was glad they'd gotten the chance to doing something normal. She'd never had a group of friends to hang out with, working at the ryokan and Shotaro had always taken priority.

True to Kyoko's word, no one had recognized Kanae but they'd had to put a baseball cap and sunglasses on Hiou after he got a few second glances from people at the water park.

While Hiou was going to the snack shop, Kyoko had been able to ask about the earlier LME meeting with Tsuruga Ren and Yashiro.

"He's considering a role on the same production I'm working on in America but it was kind of confusing. It almost seemed like he's actually planning on working more American films in general," she replied.

Trying to keep a calm face, Kyoko nodded, "That makes sense, he's been at the top in Japan for a while."

Concerned for her friend, Kanae turned to Kyoko. "I don't think it's a permanent move yet but. . ." she replied, her words unexpectedly trailing off as she didn't know what else to say.

Kyoko nodded, comforted by Kanae's rare concern.

Hiou returned from the snack bar with ice cream bars for them and they relaxed in the sun eating ice cream before going on another water slide.

Hungry after the waterpark, they'd stopped for dinner on the way back.

By the time Kyoko got dropped off, it was getting late and she recalled she still had to call Yashiro to talk about Sho's PV. Sawara had been excited telling her about the collaboration and group of videos that had been proposed but Kyoko wasn't sure she wanted to spend so much time around Sho.

Entering Darumaya, Okami-san greeted her right away and told her she had a visitor in the back. When Kyoko asked about helping close the restaurant, she brushed her off and told her to see to her guest.

Worried it was Sho again, Kyoko was surprised to find Tsuruga Ren sitting at the table waiting for her.

The sting of their past discussion still troubled her and she was unsure what to do as she formally bowed to him in greeting, hands clenched, fiercely fighting the urge to flee.

Tsuruga sighed, sensing Kyoko's flight instincts, he gathered his thoughts and took the plunge. "I'm sorry I haven't been upfront with you. The President said to ignore the press attention but I wanted you to know that Kana and I aren't a couple, we never have been. That whole thing was something she setup for attention. I had no idea, I thought we were friends," he explained sadly.

Deflated and confused she paused a moment before replying, "But you were kissing and you didn't deny the reports."

Tsuruga nodded looking down, "Yeah, I didn't expect her to do that. I wasn't on my guard like usual; I was pretty distracted that night. The President said responding would only make it bigger, like I'm objecting too much."

Surprised, Kyoko didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand how someone would pretend to be dating Tsuruga Ren but not actually want to date him. He had so many fans and admirers striving for his attention, for someone to kiss him and not actually mean it seemed like a tragic waste. "So she doesn't like you, at all," she asked in disbelief. "How do you know?"

Tsuruga looked at the table, "It's really not my business to say." Looking up at her he continued, "I can tell you that I am most definitely NOT her type."

Kyoko nodded absently, still struggling with the tragedy of someone using Ren in such a way and she began wondering how someone could be considered a friend who'd do something so cruel.

Tsuruga Ren maintained an unblemished reputation and kept his personal life incredibly private. She felt saddened that someone he'd trusted, a friend, could treat him in such a malicious way. A "friend" who used him like a tool should be punished.

Her grudges stirred in her like a wave at the injustice of Kana's treatment towards Ren.

Unaware of her burning thoughts, Tsuruga looked up at Kyoko with a slight smile. After a moment he continued, "After some thought, it makes me realize how easily things can be misunderstood, like how I jumped to conclusions about you and Sho Fuwa when he kissed you that night."

Kyoko shook her head in surprise at the turn in the conversation. The emerging grudges vanished without a trace.

That was the night she'd seen her mother's interview on Kironotto, when she'd disavowed having a daughter. She vaguely remembered seeing Sho that night but she mostly remembered her embarrassment at crying in front of Tsuruga Ren.

"I was so hurt that night I couldn't think." Deep in thought, she slowly sat down at the table across from Tsuruga. "I hated him after I learned how he used me but now when I look back, I could never be myself around him. I could never be sad, or angry, or upset." Head bowed she recalled all the times she had to hide her feelings around Sho; not just when she was sad about her mom but when she found him kissing other girls or even when she was just lonely. For a moment, she mourned for that lonely girl she had been for so many years. "I don't think that will ever change," she added.

Embarrassed that she'd cried in Ren's arms that night, she looked up, "I'm sorry I'm put you on the spot that night. I actually thought you were someone else."

Tsuruga Ren smiled encouragingly, "It's okay. I want to be there for you." Mentally stepping back from the suddenly intense conversation, he looked away before continuing. "You've been there for me when I needed help," he added recalling his roles on Dark Moon and Tragic Marker.

Kyoko stared at Ren and wondered how Kimiko could even look at Cedric Bennett. She sighed, long accustomed to the injustice of the situation. Unsure of what to say she replied, "I'm glad I could help."

Tsuruga nodded in silent relief. "Yashiro mentioned they want you for more of Sho Fuwa's PVs," he asked.

Kyoko nodded, now on safer ground, "Sawara says it would be good for my career. The first one helped me get the role for Mio but I've got Momiji now and dealing with Sho . . ." She shook her head in irritation.

"You may have grown up together but you're not kids anymore," he replied neutrally, fighting his desire to guide her decision further.

Kyoko looked up at him. "I don't care about Sho, I'm excited to do Momiji. It's a role I feel I can really identify with and be better than anyone else," she said determinedly.

Tsuruga smiled. "I know you will," he replied.

Suddenly unsure, Kyoko asked, "Kanae said you might join the production she is working on in America."

Tsuruga nodded, "I may, America is the next step for me. I'm searching for new roles there."

Kyoko fought to hide it but she felt like she'd been sucker punched to the gut. Forcing a bright smile, she replied, "I'm sure you'll find a great role." She glanced up at the clock on the wall. "Wow, it's really late and I have to go to school tomorrow," she said as she got up.

Guiding him to the door, she continued, "Thank you for stopping by."

"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. Goodnight," he replied as he left.

On the way to his car, he began feeling anxious as if he'd missed something. He felt reassured that Sho wasn't in her heart but he wondered about Murasame and, even, her new co-star Koga. He was also curious about what she did at Kimagure, Yashiro had only known she worked a regular position at TBM studios. He sighed in frustration.

Kyoko also felt frustrated as she thought about Kimiko Morizumi. She was probably elated that Tsuruga Ren would be an even bigger star working in America; she'd definitely blog about it.

Feeling her phone ding with a text message, she opened it up to see a message from Murasame Taira. "Are you filming Kimagure tomorrow night? I have an interview at TBM. Do you want to go get dinner before work?"