I don't own Skip Beat, Yoshiki Nakamura-sensei does, So I give her all credit for the original Story, While I own this fan-fiction – My first about Skip Beat
Chapter 5 : Anguish
( In the hospital – Kyoko's Room )
Kyoko sigh and says : what was his promise to you this time … A make out session ?
Everyone stunned from Kyoko's question, they start wondering what kind of relationship Kyoko, Sho and Mimori have ?
Mimori: Well, a passionate kiss can definitely lead to a make out session, so yeah !
Kyoko looks away and makes a face that makes others think she is pitying Mimori
Mimori : He told me that you will forever be his sworn enemy, but since you were his childhood friend, he needed to know what happened, so he asked me to do that for him, since he is aboard !
Kyoko : Well, please let him know that I don't want him checking on me anymore, since our friendship is over !
Mimori upset, she says: How could you ?! … your so cruel to Sho-chan you know !
Kyoko: Cruel ? … your calling me cruel ?!
Mimori: yeah, Sho-chan cared enough to ask me, Mimori, to come check on you, and you say the friendship is over ?! …. Just because we kiss from time to time ?!
Kyoko : Our friendship ended the day he called me his maid !.. That was ages ago, before we even met, plus I don't really care who he kisses or he dates … for all I know, he, you, his manager, and his producer have a complicated relationship, and I want none of that !
Mimori : Your just Jealous he is surrounded by beautiful women like us, you can't even come close to our beauty ! … He never dated you for you … because you are only a plain, boring maid !
Kyoko: I thought I told you before, that we never had that sort of relationship, and now that I think about it, I am very Thankful !
Mimori: I know, because who would want some like you ? … you really fit that character of yours .. the Angel that turned into a devil !
Tired, Kyoko asks : Are you done ?!
Mimori : Are you asking me to finish and leave ?!
Kyoko: Yes, if you're done, please leave, I am tired, and I have no time to argue with you !
Mimori : I will leave on my own accord, I am not going to listen to you ( she crosses her arms and looks away, without leaving )
Not knowing what to do, Kyoko just sighs and looks away … her eyes meet her mother and she make a face that lets her mother know that she is tired
Kanae wanted to react, but when Saena looked at her, and made her freeze in her seat
Saena walk towards Mimori and says : I will ask you to kindly leave without making any problems !
Mimori : I said I would leave on my own accord !
Saena : So you do want me to call security to escort you out ?
Mimori's manager shouts: No, we will leave now … come one Mimori, you have a shoot soon, let's go, you don't want to be late !
She forcefully pulls Mimori out of the room and leaves as fast as she can
Kyoko: S….
Maria interrupts kyoko before she could even say anything : No apologies !
Takarada : Mogami-kun, has she been bothering you ?!
Kyoko: We go to school together, she's in my class, … I don't see her often though, so it's fine !
Yashiro: What's fine about her bullying you like that ?
Kyoko embarrassed: It's not too bad honestly … I have experienced worse .. besides .. from filming Box "R" … I learned that even what I experienced, is nothing compared to the bullying scenes we preformed.
Maria: Onee-san, people wished you were dead before ?
Kyoko: Well, putting a remembrance flower on my disk made it look that way
Takarada : But why ? … why were you bullied ?
Kyoko: perhaps because the girls were jealous I was close to … him … in the past … We were living together after all, we came to school and left together … so people made assumption … girls who were his fans didn't like that, so they bullied me to keep me away
Ren: And what did he do about it ?
Kyoko casually answers : Nothing …. It's didn't concern him at all !
Saena: So, he just watched you being bullied by other girls, and he didn't do anything about it ?
Kyoko: Well, he took it as he is very popular that girls are fighting over him, he probably enjoyed it ! …. But … since most of the bullying happened when he skipped class, he didn't really witness much himself !
Takarada : Hearing this makes me want to send you to a different school !
Kyoko: Why ?! … We don't go to school together anymore … besides, it's only Mimori this time, most of the others students just ignore me, maybe they don't even know I exist … so it's fine !
Yashiro: Aren't you troubled by that ? .. being treated like a nobody and being ignored ?
Kyoko: No …. Because I have Moko-san, she's my first ever best friend, and Chiori, we also became friends after filming in Box "R" and joining the love me section !
Maria cries and says : I can't believe you're ok with that … I wouldn't go to school if people bullied me like that !
Kyoko: Don't Cry Maria-chan … I am Ok, Ignoring them is the best way to not get hurt … so I am completely ok with it ! …. My heart became elastic you know !
Maria: What do you mean elastic ?
Kyoko: That means anything thrown at it will just bounce back … Nothing they do to me can hurt me anymore !
Kanae: I heard that before … I am not sure that's quite true !
Ren: Ignoring bullies isn't the most effective solution, fighting them isn't either … but you shouldn't let them off, you need to protect yourself Mogami-san !
Unsure what to do or say, Saena just stares at her daughter with regret … she never asked about her daughter, so she never knew she suffered that much … since she thought kyoko was in good hands, and not once has she ever complained, she never thought kyoko faced such problems in school.
Kyoko: But isn't ignoring them better, if I don't let the things they say get to me, I won't get hurt .. I think that telling a teacher is bothersome, because the issue is between me and the student ! … teachers shouldn't be bothered by problems students have with each other !
Maria disagrees saying : Then what are the teacher there for ? … only teaching ?!
Takarada : Maria is right … the teacher is there to teach you, but they also have to make sure all the student are doing well, and one of their jobs is to prevent bullying in their class. If the teacher doesn't do anything … then you should go to the principle and report your problems
Kyoko: NO WAY! …. I would never do that ! … the principle is already running the whole school, who am I to come to them because I'm being bullied, … they have better things to do !
Yashiro: At this point, one of us should handle this, since Kyoko-chan isn't able to handle it on her own !
Kanae: Is it too late to transfer now ?
Kyoko: What are you saying Moko-san, you want to go to school together ?! .. I would love that … but … I can't … the president was kind enough to help me get into a school, I can't just leave … I don't want to be ungrateful !
Kanae: ….
Takarada : Mogami-kun, You are the last person I would consider ungrateful, no matter what you do … If you are struggling at school, then you can always ask me for help, and I can help you no matter what the issue is !
Saena: Kyoko, do you consider yourself as a second class citizen ?
Confused, Kyoko still answers : No, … I just hate troubling people with my problems, I think that I should just deal with them on my own
Saena: Is that part of your plan ? .. I believe you wanted to be stronger and more confident, besides, ignoring your problems doesn't solve them !
Kyoko: I understand … I just don't know how to solve them … I don't know how to stop people from hating me … At this point … I just got used to it … It doesn't bother me as much as it used to anymore … So I just choose to ignore It !
Yashiro: I disagree Kyoko-chan, Remember how you and Ren first met, how did you treat each other and feel about each … then look at you now ? … you are close friends and you trust each other … you changed that kyoko-chan ! … you got people to change how they look at you !
Kanae: Same with me, I kept pushing you away ! … but now we are best friend, right !
Kyoko: You had your reasons ! … I choose to enter showbiz for revenge against Shota … I mean Fuwa Sho .. and for Moko-san, I just acted like a weirdo and reminded you of things you disliked !
Ren: what about Amamiya-san, Koenji-san, and Matsunai Ruriko-san … they all changed how they viewed you because you proved to them that you deserve their respect ! … Ruriko-san was determined to destroy you, and you brought her down to earth, she challenged you, and although you were injured you never backed down, you did everything right, and you even got me to take you seriously, even when I disliked your motives back then!
Maria: I loved Onee-san since the very beginning because you are honest and true to yourself, and although you said a lot of things that got me really upset, you were acting your role perfectly … I used to not trust adults … But after meeting Onee-san that all changed !
Takarada : See … your worked really hard … so don't take any more steps backward Mogami-kun, I'm sure there Is a solution, you just have to find it !
Yashiro: You always asked questions to improve your acting which is right, and I respect how hard you worked yourself to improve, I don't see why you think asking questions to help solve personal issues is wrong !
Saena: From now on, you should ask me your mother, or Takarada-san your boss, or your friends for help, no matter what the issue is … personal or not … We will all be here for you !
Kyoko looks at her mother with tears in eyes, deeply touched, she says : I will … Thank you, mom, president, Maria-chan, Tsuraga-san, Moko-san, and Yashiro-san … I am grateful for all of you !
Takarada: Take your time to recover fully, … I will take care of everything when it comes to your school !
Saena: Takarada-san, allow me to deal with that myself … As her mother !
Takarada : I don't mind that at all, I will introduce you to the principle of the school, my friend Fukuda-san and I am sure together we can help kyoko-chan have a better school experience !
Kanae, Ren, Yashiro looks at kyoko because they were all happy for her, … but they see her go from being tearful to fully cry , they were unsure what to do, they look at each other and Ren tried to make the first move, but …
Saena comes closer to her daughter and hugs her to comfort her, she realized that she can't just say that she will be supportive, but she had to act on it and show her affection
Kyoko held her mother and cries even harder, she was really moved to an extant that she couldn't hold her happy tears anymore .. it might look to others that she was sad, but at this moment, she was over the moon … she didn't want this to be a dream .. so she gripped her mother sleeve and wouldn't let go … until she calmed down and was sure that it was all real
Takarada: Well, I will be in contact with you Mogami-san … Maria, we need to go, you have some piano and acting lesson coming up … you can't be late !
Maria: Onee-san .. I will come visit again ! … I promise !
Takarada : I will bring you again, so let's go and give them space … ( He smiles seeing her mother finally being openly affectionate towards her daughter ) … He takes his granddaughter and leaves after saying goodbye
Saena looks at kyoko and asks: are you ok now ?
Kyoko nodes shyly to her mother, she was embarrassed that she started crying in front of everyone
Door knock
A nurse comes in and says: it's time for lunch ! … ( she leaves for a few second and comes in with a tray with some easy to swallow food ) and says : This is your meal, since you just woke up, you should eat something light but nutritious … everything should be easy to swallow … ok ?
Nervously, Kyoko just says: Thank you
Nurse: The cafeteria is open, so you can grab something to eat … ( she puts some food tickets on the table ) and says : you can use these to get a free meal … ( then she leaves )
Saena: looks at her daughter who kept staring at her food without touching it, so she asks: Do you dislike the food ? … Do you want me to get you something else to eat ?
Kyoko: No … I'm just nervous .. about eating .. anything !
Kanae: Are you scared, because you were poisoned ?
Kyoko nodes and says: I seem to have lost my appetite !
Although he was surprised by this action, Ren couldn't say anything because he himself is a bad eater, which made him feel like he would be a hypocrite if he encouraged her to do something he doesn't do himself
Saena: You need to eat in order to recover … I understand that you are fearful because of what happened … but you have to consider the food you are given here is safe to eat … so you don't have to worry !
Kyoko nodes and picks up the chopsticks … she picks up some food and brings it close to her mouth, but her fear causes her to freeze … she puts the food down and says: I can't do it !
Saena sighs and then says: It's ok, take your time !
Yashiro: should you consult that doctor about this ?!
Kanae: This seems to be a psychological fear … Maybe Kyoko needs to see a psychologist to help her get over this !
Saena press the button to call the nurse
Kyoko: I'm sorry … ( she pushes the food tray away )
The nurse comes in and ask: what's the problem ?
Saena: she seems to be unable to eat, the trauma of eating poisoned food is causing her to fear eating …. Perhaps you should call the doctor or a psychologist ?
Nurse comes closer to Kyoko and asks: I see, the food is almost untouched, I will go call the doctor and we can go from there
A few moment later, the doctor enters the room with the nurse and says : I heard that your unable to eat because you are scared … have you tried anything ?!
Kyoko: No …..
Doctor : I see, …. can you try again, I am here ... If anything was to happen I can handle it … do you trust me ?
Hesitant, Kyoko was unsure how to answer, it's not that she couldn't trust the doctor, its more about her memory about the instant feeling of feeling sick after eating the chocolate, that memory caused a sensation, and just thinking about eating is causing her to be afraid that it will happen again
Saena: perhaps the recent memory of what happen is still fresh in her mind, about how you instantly felt sick, and now you're afraid it will happen again ?
Kyoko nodes to her mother, and refuses to touch the food
Doctor: I should have anticipated that, I will call a psychologist right away !
Saena: Thank you …. ( She looks at her daughter and gets closer, removes the food and puts it aside ) and says : you don't have to force yourself … let's wait, ok ?
Kyoko: ok … Thank you mom !
Saena nodes to her daughter and gives her a weak smile, because she herself is unable to figure out how to help her .. a part of her wanted to shout and tell her to stop being weak,… but she knew better, she knew that forcing her to eat won't help, so she repressed that part of her, telling herself ( there is no reason to be strict here, I want to be better than that, I need to help her in the right way … before I really lose her for good )
( In the hospital hallways )
Ren, Kanae, Yashiro decided to leave, to give kyoko and her mother sometime, they also didn't want to force their stay for long, besides the psychologist was to come soon. They told kyoko they would come later that night and left.
Yashiro: To think kyoko-chan who really thinks eating is very important, .. Is currently unable to eat herself … unbelievable !
Ren: You still can't believe it, even thought you were there and saw how scared she was ?
Kanae: we can't do much to help her … but honestly, I am happy both of you didn't get poisoned too … don't take it wrong, but if she heard that one or both of you got poisoned she wouldn't have forgiven herself at all
Ren: You're not wrong, we could see how guilty she felt when we first walked in … and that's considering we are completely safe and healthy … I can't imagine how horrified she would have been if it wasn't the case
Kanae nodes and walks silently, but then she says: I wonder what is kyoko's favorite food is ?
Yashiro: ah … it would have been a good idea to give her something she wouldn't be able to resist at all … if only we knew!
Confident, Ren says : She likes hamburger steak with an egg on top, that's her favorite meal
Kanae: hamburger with an egg on top ? … wait! … how did you know that? … Just how close are ? … you clearly know much more than I expected !
Ren: When she was my manager for a few days, she asked to eat that when I gave her the choice, … she looked really happy eating it, so I guessed, maybe that's her favorite meal !
He thinks to himself ( It's my little secret … kyoko and her love for this meal since she was 6 )
Kanae: oh .. ok … let's get it for her then !
Yashiro: That's a good idea … lets surprise her with one tonight !
Ren: I'm afraid you can't do that … she shouldn't eat something like that yet !
Kanae: If only we knew her better, …. she must have liked something that is easy to eat … but what is it !
Yashiro: The only person that knows her well is …
Ren interrupts him saying : There is no way we're asking that jerk !
Kanae: Absolutely not !
Yashiro: I was referring to Okami-san … The wife of the owner of Daruyama … she and Kyoko looked very close when we saw them … although it was only for a few minutes !
Ren looks at Yashiro and says: Sorry for cutting you off, …. But your right … Mogami-san is really close to them, so we can ask them for a favor, I'm sure they would be happy to help … and since she trusts them and us , she might actually eat the food they prepared
Kanae: Or she would be too guilty to refuse eating the food!
Yashiro: Kotonami-san .. when you say it this way, it sounds like we are trying to guilt her into eating food … that's wouldn't be good, would it ?
Ren : We aren't trying to guilt her into eating … we are just trying to help her eat … don't twist the situation negatively !
Kanae and Yashiro agree with him and decide to go together to pick up some food before they visit Kyoko after work
( Overseas )
Sho on the phone, he asks: So did you visit her ?
Mimori: Yeah … she looked fine !
Sho: I thought she was in a Coma ?!
Mimori: I heard a nurse say she woke up today
Relived, Sho sighs and says : She woke up then … That's good !
Mimori: So when will I get my reward ?
Sho: I will give it to you when I get back … ok ?!
Mimori: you promised ! … if you don't I won't help you anymore !
Sho: Don't worry, I don't break my promises !
Mimori: Well, it's true you never broke your promise when I helped you last time !
Sho: See … anyway … I have a few questions !
Mimori: About ?
Sho: About your visit today … do you know who was with her today ?
Mimori smiles and says cunningly : That will cost you !
Sho: Cost me ? how much ?!
Mimori: However, if you upgrade a passionate kiss to a make out session, I will tell you everything you want to know !
Surprised, Sho smirks and says: you want us to make out ?! … fine by me! … but don't be scared if I start touching !
Mimori: I won't be scared !
Sho teases : and don't pass out !
Embarrassed, Mimori shouts : I said I won't ! … ask before I hang up !
Sho: who was there with her ?
Mimori: I am not really sure about everyone's identity … but I'm sure Tsuraga Ren was there, he was with his manager who wears glasses and a women … I think she's her friend from that soda commercial
Enraged, Sho asks : Why didn't you tell me earlier … that man is already visiting her ?
Mimori: Aren't they from the same agency, …. My guess would be that he was probably just visiting to show how kind he is to his fans
Sho: Your right … that asshole is only taking advantage of her !
Mimori: Mimori doesn't like your tone ! … It seems that you care about her more then you care about my feelings … I'm hanging up !
Panicked, Sho shouts : Wait … I care about you … I'm just curious … besides I am trying to find a way to become more popular than him, If I can prove he is using her to improve his image as a senior who cares about his fellow juniors, people will dislike him !
Convinced, she says: Makes sense, Sho-chan is so smart !
Sho smiles and says : was there anyone else in the room besides them ?
Mimori: There was a girl who called her Onee-san … and an older man who stood watching, I don't remember hearing him say anything …
Sho interrupts her and says : she has a younger sister ?! … since when ?!
Mimori: I don't know !
Sho: how old was she … how old did she look ?!
Mimori: around 7 or 8 I think … she was a brat for sure !
Pissed, Sho wonders : That women … she seriously went out and said that when she had two daughters ?
Mimori: who are you talking about ?
Sho: so did the girl look like the man, her father ?
Mimori: umm, I'm not sure, but they did seem like they were well dressed, they looked rich !
Sho: I see how it is … Thanks for letting me know !
Mimori: there was one more person, … hello …. Sho-chan ?!
The line went beep..beep .. beep .. ( Sho hang up the phone )
Shoko: who were you talking to ?
Sho: Mimori … she visited kyoko today … and told me she isn't in a coma as of today
Happy, Shoko smiles and says : that's a relief !
Sho: Shoko ! …. I need to go back to Tokyo …. Please !
Shoko: you just said she recovered, why do you still need to go ? …. You still have work to do here !
Sho: can't I have a few days off, I am really tired, and I really need to go back !
Shoko: If you're going back to cause problems then I won't help you … tell me what your planning, then I will decide if I can do something !
Sho: I'm serious ! …. Do you think I enjoy going back to cause problems … that women not only throw her kid away, but she also had another one and then lied and said she had no kids !
Shoko: who are you talking about exactly ?!
Sho: Her mother … who else … damn It …. I'm sure that women won't even visit her daughter at the hospital, so she just sent her Husband, or boyfriend with their kid to visit kyoko in her place … not that she cares !
Shoko: Kyoko's mother abandoned her ?
Sho: yeah basically … she kept her with my parents and just left ! … that's how we grew up together, but to learn she got herself another man, had another child and sent them in her place is just too much …. If I have to go to her myself and give her a piece of my mind I would !
Shoko: Come to think, you guys talked about something similar recently... where she told you your parents were coming and that she met that person … or something like that
Sho: Even after that meeting, her mother still doesn't care about her ! … she's probably heart broken right now !
Shoko: so you do care ?
Sho: my heart isn't made of stone … I just ….
Shoko: Don't know how to express how you feel ?
Sho begs Shoko, asking : Can I please go to Tokyo ? …. Please !
Shoko: I will see what I can do … I will make some calls and let you know !
Sho: Thanks !
( In the Hospital - Kyoko's Room )
The doctor sent a psychologist to help kyoko with her fear from eating
The psychologist speaks to kyoko after hearing what happened to her from both the doctor and her mother and tries to figure out how to help her with this new fear she developed from the accident.
She concludes that kyoko is suffering from PTSD related to the recent accident and that the best way to help her might be getting her food made from people she personally trusts … she also suggests that giving her food that she personally likes might help her get over the fear faster.
She talks to Saena outside the room and gives her advice that includes not forcing her to eat, letting her try food one bite at a time, trying the food in front of her to show her it's safe to eat. She also suggested giving her some of her favorite dishes, something that she might not resist not eating.
Saena thanks the psychologist and goes back into the room to find kyoko fast asleep … so she fixes the blanket to cover her properly and sits down to think.
She wonders what her favorite food is, and what can she eat that will be easy for her to swallow … the first thing that she remembered is that kyoko did love hamburger steak with eggs on top, … she used to get excited when she hears that Fuwa-san is making them for her and Shotaro
That memory was bitter sweet, remembering something her daughter liked made her feel a little better, but now she wasn't sure if kyoko had the same taste, she might have only liked it as a young child … now … she wasn't sure what she could give her daughter to make sure she eats in order to get better
Saena decides to ask her friends, and sends a massage to Ren first, knowing how close they are, she figured he might know the most about her
Text massages:
This is Mogami, I would like to ask if you are aware of any meals kyoko prefers,
The doctor suggested she eats something she won't resist, and the only thing I can think of is hamburger steak with an egg on top
Ren replies : that's indeed her favorite meal as far as I know …
I'm not sure if she can eat that yet … since it's not soft and easy to eat, I decided against bringing some … however I can bring some if the doctor approves
Saena replies to him and says: what about some food from the owners of her current residence, ... do you happen to have their address ?
Ren replies: Kotonami-san, Yashiro and I thought about it, and we plan to drop by and ask if they can make her something easy to eat which she enjoys … I'm glad we are all thinking the same thing
She smiles and replies : Thank you Tsuraga-san … I appreciate it
He replies asking: Would you like us to bring you something from there ? … The food they prepare is the best !
She replies: Thank you, I would appreciate that … however this time, I would like to pay
Ren just responded saying: Don't worry about it
( In the hospital Cafeteria )
Saena heads to the cafeteria to meet with Todoh and speak about the progress of the case against Morizumi and the police investigations. She enters the Cafeteria and heads to the coffee station and says: You didn't have to get me any !
Todoh-san: You look exhausted, you could use some !
Saena sighs and says: Thank you !
Anna Miyasaki came to the Cafeteria because she wanted to get her husband a coffee, since he is doing everything for her since her hospitalization, she starts making the coffee while she stands next to Saena and Todoh-san.
Todoh-san noticed that Saena distracted and isn't responding to him, so he asks : Mogami-san, are you listening ?
Saena looks at him and asks : what …. Did you say something ?
Todoh-san: Are you sure two weeks are enough ? … you look completely out of it ! … This is surely taking a toll on you !
Saena: I told you she woke up today, … but the problem now is that she is refusing to eat !
Worried, Todoh-san asks: why ?... is she unable to swallow after ingesting that poisoned chocolate?!
Saena: The doctor says it's probably PTSD related to the incident … she couldn't bring herself to put anything in her mouth … even though it's just hospital food and it's probably safe … she was still very scared !
Todoh-san: You have to be patient with her, it's just the first day ! …. I know it's hard to see her like this, but you should just be supportive and do whatever you can to convince her it's safe to eat … she won't recover otherwise
Anna remembers that her husband said something about the lawyer Mogami-san who he wants to meet is in the hospital as the lawyer for her favorite actress, so she figured they were talking about Kyoko ( Mio ). She was relieved to hear that kyoko has awaken from the Coma, but concerned to hear that she couldn't eat
Saena: I know … I'm just worried sick … she shocked everyone in the room by her actions, given she was the one who has the biggest influence on the young man who doesn't eat .. He seemed so shocked he couldn't say anything … or he just thought he had no right to tell her to eat, since he doesn't eat himself … it's one or the other !
Todoh-san: Your observations are excellent … but I would say it could be both too !
Saena: I don't know anymore … I'm changing subjects, … do you have any updates ?
Todoh-san: None so far … at least they are still investigating all possibilities .. hopefully we will get some results in the near future … I was told it could take months depending on how clever the culprit is!
Saena: We are dealing with high profile people with a lot of money,… I can't expect to get results right away, some people with money think they are above the law !
Todoh-san: But this makes me want to be very cautious … we might need to put body guards around her, since we don't know who is behind this and if they will strike again !
Saena: what makes you think they might strike again ?
Todoh-san: Not losing the role is the main reason … the production decided to wait for her to recover instead of casting someone else … if it's someone who wants her out of the role to take it, they might want to try again … this is the second time anyway … right ?
Saena: Right … when they tried to push her off a 3-story building?!
Todoh-san: I got to say, Your daughter is so talented people are so jealous they want her gone for good because they can't compete with her !
Stunned from what she just heard, Anna accidently drops the cup of coffee she just made on the floor, spilling it all over the ground
Saena looks at the women who just dropped and coffee and asks: Are you alright ?
Todoh-san: she looks like a patient … should I call a nurse for help ?!
Anna: No need, It's just an accident … the cup suddenly slipped out of my hand, I guess I still haven't regained my strength yet
Saena: Todoh-san, help her to the table … I can help you remake the coffee !
Todoh-san helps Anna to the nearest table in the cafeteria, and helps her sit down and says: how do you like your coffee to be made ?
Anna: it's actually for my husband, he looked so tired so I decided to come and get him some coffee so he can stay strong … coffee is his favorite drink … he likes it with 2 spoons of sugar, and tiny bit of milk
Saena: alright .. ( she heads to the coffee station and makes the coffee for Anna )
Todoh-san: Are you sure you're alright ? …. Did you get involved in an accidents that impaired your motor skills ?
Anna: ah no it's wasn't an accident !
Saena returns with a the cup of coffee and puts it in front of Anna and says: Here you go !
Anna smiles nervously and says : Thank you ! … you really didn't have too !
Saena: Don't worry about it
Todoh-san: Do you need me to help you take it back to your room ?
Anna: No … Thank you for the offer though … it's just I just had a miscarriage, so I am only a little tired … I can take the cup back no problem, but thanks for your help !
Saena looks at her and then looks away, unable to look her in the eye, since she attempted to get rid of her child, while other women, like her, seem to struggle to have one
Todoh-san: I am so sorry for your loss, it must be hard !
Anna smiles sadly and says : Thank you … but it's ok, this is my third miscarriage, so I'm not too emotional, I guess you can say I'm becoming numb … I have three gorgeous boys, so I am grateful … I just can't seem to have a daughter .. but it's ok … it will be ok !
Saena felt very uncomfortable, …. she wasn't used to people talking about their problems this openly before
Anna being a foreigner seemed comfortable talking about her problems openly, not knowing how private Japanese people can be, and not realizing they were uncomfortable hearing her problems, since they can't really do or say anything to help her
Unsure how to respond to that, Todoh-san says: I see, well, I hope you feel better soon … take care !
Anna nodes and smiles and says: I hope every goes well for you as well !
Saena bows to her, takes her coffee and heads back to kyoko's room
Todoh-san: Mogami-san … wait for me !
Saena stops, looks at him, and when he reaches her, they walk back together
Anna gets up, … takes the cup of coffee, … and head back to her room so she can give her husband the coffee.
( In Anna Miyasaki's room )
Kioshi Miyasaki wakes up and looks at the bed, he doesn't see his Wife, so he heads to the bathroom and knocks, but he sees that the lights are off in the bathroom, so he panics, because his wife isn't in the room
The door opens and Anna enters the room and says: you're up ?
Kioshi Miyasaki: where have you been ?
Anna hands him his coffee and says : I got you some coffee, because you looked like you need one !
Thankful, Kioshi kisses his wife, … he puts the cup on the side table and helps his wife back to her bed
Anna smiles and she comfortably sits in her bed, then she looks at the window and sighs sadly
Worried, Kioshi asks: what's the matter … you look concerned ?
Anna smiles : I heard that Mio … no .. Kyoko has regained consciousness …but is unable to eat .. the two lawyers were talking about her as they were getting their coffee !
Surprised, he asks: you met them ? … ( He then picks the coffee the drinks some )
Anna: What can I say … Mogami-san made the coffee your drinking !
Kioshi spits the coffee with a stunned expression on his face
Worried, Anna asks : Is it too hot ? …. Or does it taste bad ?
Still stunned, Kioshi asks: why did she make this coffee ? … what the hell is going on here ?
Anna: I accidentally dropped the cup I made, …. so she and the male lawyer helped me out with the coffee .. that's all it was !
Kioshi calms down and says: I see !
Anna: I wonder if Mogami-san is married !
Kioshi : Why are you suddenly curious about her marital status ?
Anna: Because she wasn't wearing a ring on her finger !
Kioshi: So what ?! … are you worried ? … Honey ! .. you are the only one for me … so you don't have to worry about us meeting, it's your Idea I should apologize,... although … My pride is making me feel like I should just let it go and keep my distance !
Note ( Anna learned what he did to Mogami-san a month ago from her father in law by coincidence , and ever since she did, she became very upset with him until he agreed to come to Japan and apologize to her … She loves her husband, so it bothered her that her husband did something that inconsiderate to a fellow women .. Anna has always been known to be a kind and righteous person, and will always try her best to do what's right, and that effects everyone around her )
Anna: I insist you apologize, ever since I heard what you did, I was unable to trust you until you promised to apologize to her … perhaps if you do, maybe then we might have a girl !
Confused Kioshi asks: you believed that nurse, seriously ?
Anna: look, this Mogami-san looks like a kind women, although she looks strict and emotionless, she ought to be kind since she's a mother like me!
Shocked, Kioshi questions his wife asking : A mother ?
Anna: The male lawyer said something about her daughter being so talented, … that everyone else is jealous !
Kioshi : but she declared on national TV that she has no children !
Anna: But that could be a part of a script or something … she really looked worried about her own child you know !
Kioshi: I'm sure that show wasn't scripted .. So why would she lie ? .. Besides, If she's married, why do people still call her Mogami-san ?!
Anna: Maybe she didn't take her husband's family name?
Kioshi insists : It's a law in Japan that women who get married, take their husbands family name !
Anna: Then maybe she's separated or divorced, she might have taken her maiden name back !
Kioshi calms down and says: Your right, that's a possibility … besides, maybe she is still able to use her maiden name with work related activities.
Anna looks at husband with a dissatisfied look and says: looks like you know a lot about the laws here, although you're an American citizen, and should be as clueless as I am !
Kioshi: I may be American, but I am originally Japanese, and have lived in Japan for all my early school years … besides, I had to study the law in order to pass the lie … about me studying to pass the bar exams !
Anna: Studying for such a foul reason, I'm still disappointed in you for that, you make a bad example for our boys ! … seriously !
Kioshi: I promised you I will apologize, so please let it go, alright ?!
Still upset, Anna continues : To think your mom asked you to do it for her, and you just went with it ! … hurting a women like that … Didn't you think for once what could have happened to her and her job?
Kioshi defends himself saying: you saw it yourself, her career hasn't been harmed … she is known to be a successful lawyer … what I did only hurt her feeling, I'm sure … I know what I did is wrong, but family always comes first
Anna: You will never convince me ! … None of these arguments will ever make it ok !
Kioshi: I promise … I will let go of all my pride and go down in dogeza … just for you !
Anna looks at him and says : you better ! … I can't have my husband be a bad person … you need to be a good example to our boys !
Kioshi : Ok … I will … so please calm down !
Anna looks at him and then looks away and sigh
Kioshi looks at her with a regretful look and thinks to himself ( The moment she heard what I did, she wouldn't let it go … once the topic is opened she would get upset … I will have to apologize so we can finally go home and live in peace ! )
(That Night - In the hospital – Kyoko's room )
Kyoko and her mother were able to have a one-on-one conversation again, they didn't talk about anything significant, they just tried to get along making small talks here and there to pass time, until they heard a knock on the door.
Ren, Kanae, and Yashiro enter he room and they greet Kyoko and her mother respectfully
Ren takes out some food and gives Saena a box of food prepared by Okami-san, then he goes to kyoko, put the tray in front of her and then puts a few of Kyoko's favorite dishes and says: Okami-san and Taisho made this food especially for you !
Kyoko eyes become teary, she was moved by Ren's action, bringing her food that she enjoys and is made by two of her favorite people, so she says: Thank you Tsuraga-san!
Ren: It's not my idea alone, I talked Kotonami-san and Yashiro … as well as your mom !
Kanae : You trust the owners, so we thought you might eat their food !
Yashiro: They said you love these dishes .. we did think of bringing you something else, but it's not suitable yet, so get well soon, and I promised we will take you out, so you can eat your favorite meal of all time !
Kyoko: Thank you, that is so thoughtful ! … but … I don't remember telling you what my favorite meal is !
Saena: isn't it hamburger steak with an egg on top ?
Surprised her mother remembered what she like to eat, Kyoko confirms: Yes it is !
Ren looks at her and just smiles silently
Saena: when you feel better, I will make you some, so eat and recover, ok ?
Stunned, Kyoko looks at her mother with dreamy eyes, smiles and says: Yes ma'am !
She looks at the food and picks up the chopsticks, but her fears come back and haunt her, so she hesitates .. she didn't want to disappoint them after they bought her food from Okami and Taisho, … she was grateful, but she couldn't bring herself to eat … her memory of the pain was still so fresh .. so she wasn't sure how to act !
Kanae notices that Kyoko was still scared despite all their effort so she sighs and says : don't force yourself … take your time !
Worried about her daughter health and that all her friends effort are going to waste, Saena gets up and tastes the food on kyoko's tray and says: it's tastes amazing, do you want to try ?
Scared, Kyoko cries : What if you get poisoned !
Shocked, Ren asks : This was made by Okami-san and Taisho … we are sure it's safe !
Realizing that kyoko is unable to shake those fears, Yashiro suggests : What if we make the food right in front of her ?
Kanae shuts down his idea saying: I don't think that's going to help … besides, she might think the ingredients are not safe, so nothing we make will convince her
Ren: Perhaps the fear of the pain is scarring, … it's not about not trusting who made the food, or who bought it … it's the fresh painful memory of eating that piece … nothing we do will be helpful until she is able to forget that pain !
Kanae: So, are you saying we should give up ?
Yashiro: Maybe we should try tomorrow ? … she could calm down a little and feel more comfortable eating then …. She just woke up today, so maybe it's too soon for her to eat !
Saena knew they had a point, but she couldn't let it go, so she said : Everything your saying make sense, but we really can't let her go without eating … how long do you think this is going to last, what if the fear doesn't go away tomorrow, or next week, is she just going to not eat until then ?
Ren, Kanae, and Yashiro knew what Saena said was right … because fear doesn't go away … and some people may never get over their fear … moreover, they couldn't leave kyoko starve because she too afraid to eat
Saena looks at kyoko and says: Do I look ok to you ? … I just ate some of the food and nothing happened, I don't feel any pain, because this food is safe to eat !
Kyoko looks at her mother with tears in her eyes, she was disappointed in herself for being unable to eat … the pain was too scarring … but her mother was right … she looked fine, and food seemed safe
Saena: do you want me to feed you ? … let's do it this way … We both eat from the same dish, same spoon, same everything … we are in this together … ok ?
Although Kyoko was still scared, she thought her mother's idea was good, since her mother was ok, and trying her best to help her, besides the food was made by people she really trusts, moreover the food in front of her was one of her many favorites
Ren was surprised by her mother's actions, a mother who once didn't care about her, is now doing whatever she can think off to help her daughter get over a fear … which is essential to her recovery
Saena picks up a spoon, scoops some of the soup, sips a tiny bit and then tried to feed kyoko saying: just try it … you won't lose anything from trying … I am fine, and I don't feel any pain, so give it a try !
Although Kyoko was still hesitant, she appreciated her mother's efforts, so she took the chance, and tried the soup from the same spoon … she close her eye and swallowed … her mind was going wild with warning signals telling her not to risk it, but then …. She opens her eyes and she looks at her mother and says: it's tastes good !
Happy her mother responds: I told you so … so let's eat it together !
Kyoko nodes and starts eating her food with her mother's help
Ren, Kanae, and Yashiro start eating their food after seeing that kyoko is finally eating … they were very happy that her mother managed to help her eat.
They all finish their food, and after doing so, they cleaned after themselves and then sat together to talk a little more before they needed to leave.
Saena looks at Ren and asks: how much was it, As I said, I will be paying this time !
Ren smiles and says: I told you not to worry about it, besides, we got all this food for free, Okami-san and Taisho insisted we don't pay anything … they wanted to help kyoko recover as much as any of us, so they give it to us with no charge, and they said if we wanted any food, we should come to them right away!
Kanae, and Yashiro node as a conformation to what Ren has just said
Saena sigh and says: Fine, however next time, I will be paying !
Kyoko looks at the door when she hears a soft knocking and says : Come in !
Chiori comes in and looks at Kyoko … she runs in and hugs her saying: I'm so glad you're alright … I heard from kotonami-san you woke up, but I really had to come here and see for myself .. I also wanted to see you … I just managed to leave work early … and I finally arrived !
Kyoko: Amamiya-san, I am so happy to see you too .. Thank you for coming !
They all enjoyed they evening together talking about many different things, and after it got late, everyone left comfortably … knowing that kyoko is in good hands and that she's finally up and eating … they were all able to go home and sleep with no worries.
( A Few Days Later – in the hospital )
Anna Miyasaki was finally discharged from the hospital, she felt much better .. and her health was slowly but surely improving … she, along with her husband packed everything they owned in the bag, and got ready to head out, back to their hotel.
Kioshi: Be careful !
Anna: I am fine, you don't have to worry too much !
Kioshi: don't hold anything ! … I will hold the bag, so you just finish dressing up so we can leave
Anna wore her jacket and headed to the door
Kioshi: let me open it for you !
Anna was frustrated by his treatment, so she responded : I can open a door … stop it already, I am not so delicate … I gave birth to three children … I can surely handle opening a door !
Kioshi: I know … I just want to help … sorry ! … I will let you do what you want
Anna : I understand, but please just calm down !
Kioshi: ok !
Anna : Thank you !
She opens the door to her room and they both head out towards the exist of the hospital
( In the Vending machine Area )
Hiou Uesugi and his manger visited Kyoko, and they decided to get some drinks, so Kyoko joined them, since she needed to get up and walk, she figured she can get some exercise, so her mother let her … also, since the police inspector came to talk her mother, she wanted to give them some space to discuss important things
Once they arrived, kyoko sits next the vending machine, since she is still getting her energy back, she needed to take it easy, so she can recover faster and without any problems
Ren: what do you want to drink ?
Kyoko: I will have some orange juice !
Ren gets her the orange juice and hands it to her and says: here you go !
Shy, Kyoko replies: Thank you
Ren oblivious to kyoko's blushing just says : No problem … Yashiro … you want something ?
Yashiro: I can get it myself .. thanks for asking though … ( but he thinks to himself : if you just looked at her, you could have seen her blushing, but no ! … you looked at me ! .. why are you so clueless in figuring out her feeling ?)
Hiou whispers to kanae asking: are you both in love with him ?
Stunned, Kanae denies saying: what makes you think that ?!
Hiou: you were staring at him the other day … actually … a few weeks ago !
Kanae whispers back to him: I only stared because I thought he was depressed about something concerning Kyoko … which was true ! … It's not me who likes him, it's him who likes her !
Hiou responds: And it's clear she feel the same
Kanae whispers: keep it down, I want to see who long it takes them to actually admit they have feelings for each other … I just hope I don't die before I see that day !
Worried, Hiou-kun asks : Are you terminally sick ?
Kanae: No … it's just both of them are actually hiding their feeling instead … so it will take forever… I just hope I can see the day Kyoko finally accepts her feeling and come out of that shell of her that she built after being hurt !
Curious about the whispering near him, Yashiro asks: what are you two whispering about ?!
Hiou and Kanae answer together : Nothing !
Disappointed, Yashiro replies : Clearly it's not nothing, but that's ok … since you don't have to tell me anything !
Hiou: of course we don't … we owe you nothing ! .. it's between us !
Kyoko smiles and says: It's great you two are getting along … but it's sad Moko-san has to leave to America soon
Hiou get annoyed and says: when I managed to forget, you just remind me ? … seriously ?! .. your so senseless sometimes !
Ren: Hey kido ! … don't talk to her like that … she older then you, so you should respect her !
Annoyed, Hiou claims : I'm No kid ! … besides, although she may be older age wise, I am still her senior … since I have way more experience !
Yashiro: so your basing your actions on years of experience rather than years of age .. I think that it shouldn't matter, you should always be respectful … She's still a patient too !
Annoyed from being lectured, Hiou just looks away without saying anything, because he was sure he couldn't Win an argument with those two men around
Kyoko: It's alright Hiou-kun .. I will always respect you for being my senior in the showbiz industry !
Kioshi and Anna Miyasaki accidentally take the wrong turn and miss the exist and instead they stumble upon the vending machine area where Kyoko and her friends are sitting and chatting, although Kioshi seemed uninterested and aimed to leave, he stopped when he heard
Ren: Mogami-san, … you can respect him all you want … but you will have to make him respect you as well !
Kioshi looks around to see where Saena is, but he can only see Kyoko with her friends … there was no sign of the women he always known as Mogami Saena, so when he hears kyoko respond to being called Mogami-san … his heart plummeted from the shock !
Kyoko: I know … I'm just very grateful for Hiou-kun, I couldn't win the role of Momiji without his help asking his grandfather to train me !
Hiou looks at kyoko and says : Can I ask you a question ?
Kyoko answers cheerfully : sure … ask me anything !
Hiou: What does your father do ? … I just met your mother who's a lawyer, but I heard nothing about your father being mentioned not even once !
Everyone looks at Hiou-kun after he asked such a Taboo question … ever since Todoh-san warned the doctor not to ask, they all decided to never ask about her father, but here is Hiou-kun cluelessly asking
Anger start to take over Kyoko's mind, and the atmosphere around her changed to dark and scary, but then she just switches and smiles saying : I wouldn't know ! … Since I don't have one !
Hiou: Are you stupid ? … everyone has a father ! … you wouldn't be born without one !
Kyoko: I never met him, I only know his name …. No … I really don't even know his name .. but it doesn't matter … because I have my mother by my side !
Confused Ren thinks to himself ( she just said she knew his name, but then changed her mind, what is the meaning of that ?)
Kanae : Hiou-kun, let's drop this topic … it's better not talk about this !
Kyoko: It's ok Moko-san … It really doesn't bother me … he really didn't know, so of course he would ask since he is curious
Kioshi received another shock from what he heard, not only did Kyoko have her mother's family name, she also doesn't even know who her father is … learning this made him feel very uncomfortable … there was this faint feeling when he first saw kyoko's face, her eye color were similar to his … and he couldn't shake a feeling about her being someone related to him in some way
Anna notices that her husband is frozen in his place from what they just heard, she didn't know how to feel about it … could it be … this girl is related to him in someway .. since her husband was once involved with her mother
Kanae disagrees kyoko and says: I felt it, you were mad when he first asked the question !
Kyoko attempted to deny, but then she hears her mother call her
Saena: Kyoko …. What took you so long ? …. The doctor wants to do one last checkup before he discharges you !
Kyoko: Ah, sorry, we started talking and I lost track of time !
Ren: you will be discharged today ?
Kanae: That's great news !
Kyoko: I will return to my room now … ( she looks at her friends ) and says : Thank you all for coming … let's all get together before Moko-san departure, ok ?
Kanae: Of course !
Yashiro: That's a great idea, we can celebrate the fact your discharged, and invite all your closets friends, including Maria-chan
Kyoko nodes happily and walks by her mother who stayed quite for a few seconds before saying: when you get back you will rest for a few days, after that, I expect you to start packing!
Everyone was shocked by what Saena just said … Ren mind went straight to the idea of her mother sending her back to Kyoto!
Kanae: With all due respect, you shouldn't be sending her back to Kyoto !
Yashiro: Kyoko can't leave yet … She has a few jobs she needs to complete, it's not wise to leave them half way !
Hiou gets the vibe that Saena is a very strict mother, and whatever she says goes, so he was slightly disappointed, because although he and kyoko don't get along as much, he still enjoyed her company !
Disheartened, Kyoko just respond: I understand … (she starts walking back to her room trying to hold herself from crying … when she thought that her mother was finally getting closer to her, she is now sending her back to Kyoto … she couldn't go against her … A part of her understood why her mother was sending her back …but she still wanted to stay, no matter how dangerous her job can be ! )
Saena looks at them, knits her eyebrows and aks : Who said I was sending her to Kyoto ?!
Surprised but Delighted Kyoko smiles and looks at her mother, but since she still had one question unanswered, she asks: so where am I going ?
Saena: Although I did initially think of sending you back, since I don't like how dangerous your job has become, but since your happy with it and you're doing your best, I decided to keep you as close as possible … you will no longer live independently … so you will be moving in with me ! … unless you don't want !
Surprised but pleased, Kyoko answer: No, I would love to …. Thank you Mom !
Ren smiles and notes to himself ( I'm very surprised by this, but I'm all for it, as long as it's for kyokos own benefit .. I will support it )
( In the Grand-Jewel Hotel )
Kioshi and his wife return to their hotel room and they sit of their bed, after a long silent ride in the Taxi, they were both thinking about different things, so they waited until they were alone to speak about their concerns
Concerned , Anna breaks the silence asking directly : Could Kyoko be your daughter ?
Surprised by the straightforwardness of the question, Kioshi answer with another question : what makes you think that ?!
Anna: Since you know about Japanese laws, let me ask you this … when does a child take their mother's family name ?
Kioshi: From what I know, … The only time a child would take their mother's surname, is if the child is fatherless … however, that changed over the years, I know a friend who took their mother maiden name after his parents divorced, ... there is also Mukoyōshi … that's when a family adopts a husband, which happens when the female family is in need of a strong heir.
Anna: so that's how it done here …. But since we heard she didn't have a father, … it made me think …..
Kioshi interrupts his wife and says: she's not mine … I never cheated on you !
Anna: We met 15 years ago … while this girl is obviously older …. And if she's 17, then she could be pretty much yours … since you and her mother were together 18 years ago !
Kioshi: please don't say something ridiculous … I never …
Anna: you never what ?
Kioshi: It doesn't make sense, if she got pregnant, I wouldn't imagine she would keep the child after what I did … she also never contacted me about this !
Upset, Anna argues : How the hell was she supposed to contact you, if she didn't even know your real name … You cut her off completely … what was she supposed to do ?!
Kioshi: Anna please … I understand you dislike what I did back then, and I made that promise to you, and that's why we're here, but please don't tie me to that child … what kind of twisted fate is this ?! … My own wife is a big fan of a girl, who turns to be the daughter of the women I hurt … it can't be true !
Anna: your just denying it because your scared …. Now that I think about it, … your eyes, it's the same color !
Unhappy, Kioshi hold his head and says: I never planned for this, …. this wasn't supposed to happen … it can't be !
Anna: I Can't complain, since you two had every right to do whatever you want in your relationship, but I can't imagine that you took it that far, and then ended up running off with the files you wanted, cutting off all communications with her … you should take responsibility for your actions .. If you two were intimate, and didn't use protection, then kyoko might be the result of your actions !
Remembering the past, Kioshi regrets : I know I hurt her a lot … but for her to have a child with me after all what happened doesn't make sense …. Unless she planned it !
Furious Anna asks : So you're going to blame her ? …. It takes two to make a child !
Kioshi: I know … but what if she figured me out and decided to punish me by having my child, but not letting me see it ever ! … It's only a coincidence we happen to be in the same hospital !
Anna: I can't stand hearing that from you … you stole the files and left that night … and even if you left her two warning signs, if she figured you out, you wouldn't have gotten the real files !
Kioshi: ….
She continues: I won't allow you to put the blame on her … it's what you men do … make some mistake and then blame it on the women … it's ridiculous … your sleeping on the couch tonight ! …. And don't talk to me !
Kioshi: Anna No … please …. Hear me out … We still aren't sure she's mine, unless we get concrete evidence … I won't believe it !
Anna: And how do you plan to do so ? … steal some DNA ?!
Kioshi: Anna !
Anna: I will go with you when you meet her in a week's time, since you're an idiot, I need to get the record straight myself !
(In kyoko's room)
Kyoko was checked by the doctor, who gave her the clear and decided to discharge her … she was told to take it easy and come back in a week for a checkup … to make sure she's going in the right direction
Saena was told that the genetic testing will take a while and the results won't be out until a month later … so she will be called in once he receives them.
After the doctor left, Kyoko sat with an embarrassed look and said that didn't have clothes to change to… Since the nurse said that her clothes were damaged and discarded after arriving in a critical conditions … Saena tells her to sit still and goes out to the store to get her daughter something to wear
Saena walks in a store nearby and looks around for something appropriate to get her daughter, but then she remembers that she doesn't even know her daughter size, so she smiles mocking herself for not knowing anything and thinks to herself regretfully ( Yayoi- san always bought her clothes, I rarely ever went out myself to get her anything nice, and now I'm stuck here, not knowing what to get her and in what size )
Saena decides to put some of her pride away, and call Kyoko to ask her for her size … which is another step forward in getting closer to her one and only daughter
Author notes:
Chapter 5 ends here !
Thank you all for reading this chapter and thank you for your support
Review are much appreciated and thank you for the great advice !
I will do my best to take them into consideration, and improve my writing, so thank you !
Until next time ! Jane !
Sources:
wiki/Mukoyōshi