unedited

12/17/2017: Just added some parts, but the grammar and such are still unedited.

Embrace

"Kyoko-chan, we need to talk."

"Tsuruga-san?" she inquired, stopping from her tracks.

The urgency in his voice as well as his expression, how could she refuse? After all this years, she was still not immured to his charms or everything about him.

"Do you have anything that I can help you with?"

Tsuruga Ren heaved of a sigh, which was really out of character for him. "I actually have a problem with my script. Is it okay to practice with you?" He knew she wouldn't refuse him. He used to help her in her roles and she was not a kind of person who always wanted to be indebted to everyone. How manipulative of you Kuon, he smiled at the thought.

"Yes, it's my pleasure to help with everything I've got," she bowed but a bit calmer than she usually did. "Do you want to start it now?"

His lips curved upwards, "In my flat."

The mentioning of his flat sent chills through her inner apparitions, but she just shrugged it off as she stared back at him with full determination.

"I thought it was okay with you because we used to do that," he, including her in the things that they do together in the past brought back warmness in her heart. She missed that feeling.

She let out a smile, "Then, what about if I buy ingredients for dinner if you don't mind? Just like old times?"

He hummed unconsciously, pleased that she agreed and even insisted to cook for their dinner. How he missed her cooking. It was been years and he should take the chance. "Just like old times."

"Then what time are you free?"

"Anytime. Now? But it's not dinner yet."

"Leave your lunch and dinner to me." Moru was together with his grandparents so there shouldn't be a problem right?

"Shall we go?" she just nodded as they walked together. People noticed them but their attention were only in each other's company. Other people wondered what the real deal between them was, because there was only one person who can make Ren to show different genuine expressions. And that is none other than Kyoko Mogami herself.

The elevator ride was much quieter than when they were in the car for there was no radio to mask the silence between them.

Kyoko entered the familiar scene before her. It was life she traveled through time. Everything was the same, the color of the interior, the placement of the furniture; everything was the same as before. She wondered if the bedroom was also the same as before. She unconsciously slapped her cheeks at that thought. Ren looked at her, puzzled.

Upon closing the door, she heard a click sound and saw that Ren doubled the lock. She wanted to ask him but she couldn't bring herself to.

"Would you like some tea?"

"It's okay, I can help myself," she brought her hand through her mouth in that slip-up. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, let's prepare it together shall we?" He motioned her to go to the kitchen. She scanned her surroundings and checked the kitchenware. It was as she thought. "It's still the same as before Tsuruga-san."

"Kuon." he stared at her with a gaze that could pierce through her heart.

"You promised to call me Kuon, Kyoko-chan." So he still remembered?

"Yes, how could I ever forget?" But you forgot what happened that night, she thought.

"Are you a mind reader?" that question was supposedly a joke to lighten up the mood but that did the opposite effect.

"No, that's why we are here. Don't I deserve an explanation? Am I nothing to you?" The way he uttered those words was like he hated those thoughts but he couldn't keep asking why.

There was a long pause between them, "How could I ever tell you if you pretended that it never happened?"

"I-I don't understand." Thoughts were swirling around his head, forming a never ending vortex.

"Then tell me what you know. You asking for help is just an excuse right? I know I couldn't escape you anymore. "

"Kyoko-chan, I-"

"It's okay, I understand."

"Moru," he started. Her heart immediately raced like there was a marathon competition. The idea of him knowing about Moru came to her mind not just once. In fact, she actually rehearsed quite a few possible answers to his possible inquiry. But on all of those prepared speeches, none of that she could remember.

"Moru, is he your son?" His usage of 'your' stabbed her as if she fell in a pool of glass shards.

She smiled, why would she deny her own son? "Yes, how did you know?"

"He was the reason of your disappearance. Why didn't you tell me Kyoko?" His voice was painful for her to hear. Suddenly, she felt like guilt shrouded her. Does he need to know? Is it the right time?

"Why should I tell you? Does it concern you?" There was a pain in her words. It was like she was building a wall around her.

"Yes, it is my concern if it is about you." No, you shouldn't fall. He was just doing it out of obligation.

"I know because I am your junior. "

He breathed a large amount of air. "Then this should explain why."

Kyoko was literally and figuratively frozen. Was this real? She mentally slapped herself. Ren Tsuruga, the great Kuon Hizuri, her unrequited love for so many years. He of all people, he was sealing her lips with his. No, scratch that. They were kissing for she was unconsciously responding his affection. But as soon as she felt the sudden happiness, guilt slowly consumed her. His kiss reminded her of what happened that night, the passion and love it was exactly how she felt that time and even now. That sensation brought her from her reverie as she realized that his hands were on her back and cheek, supporting her and her hands was clutching the clothes on his back. Her eyes shot open as she let go of him that prompted him to stop but his hands were still around her. She looked up to him, only to see how transparent his eyes had become in front of her. For some reason, her heart wanted to enjoy that moment but her reasoning won her over.

"What would you like for lunch?" She asked casually as if nothing happened while she broke free from his embrace. As she was cleaning the vegetables, she suddenly regretted her actions. No, not that passionate kiss-she regretted breaking free from his warm hands.

Ren's smile never left his face as they eat in silence. Delighted was a weak word to describe his feeling. He felt complete all of a sudden like his heart was about to burst. He was not expecting her to react for he forcefully kissed her with so much passion and she reciprocated it. She reciprocated it for goodness sake! And that was Kyoko, a former love me. But then, she had Moru. With whom? That was a question that he couldn't figure out. His grip on the glass tightened so as his expression.

"Kuon? Are you okay?" He looked at her face and all he could see was her worry about him.

"Yes." That was it again, her heart fluttering just by his smile.

It was already six in the evening and she started preparing dinner. He offered help to her that was why they were back again in the kitchen. Just thinking about it made her face flushed.

"Kyoko-chan, is this okay or should I put more butter?" He asked her, their arms brushed against each other.

"Ye-yes."

They did not talk that much instead; they just watched television the entire time.

Before they could eat, her phone rang.

"Moru-chan, how's this helicopter?" Hizuri Kuu inquired, choosing around various toys in the shop.

"It's okay, Grandpapa, you don't have to buy me anything. You already toured me in the amusement park. I'm so happy." Moru excitedly commented, tugging Julie's hand and Kuu's.

They were really proud of Kyoko, she raised him well. He was not spoiled and always considerate. He always thought about others. Maybe that was one of the traits that he got from her.

Julie leaned to pat his head. "Moru really looked like Kuon, aren't they?"

"Yes, he looked like a Hizuri." Kuu declared as if he wanted to shout it in the whole shop.

"Uhm, Grandmama can I ask a question?" The kid quizzically looked at her, "Is Hizuri a common name?"

"Why do you ask Moru-chan?" Now, even Kuu became intrigued with his question.

"I met a tall man, his name is also Hizuri. I also see him one time when I am with uncle Sho. He is eating together with Aunt Kanae and Mom. But I wondered why Mom was hiding from me that day. I actually thought she was mad at me. "

They are walking away from the shop, in the end Moru requested five pillows—for Kyoko, the Hizuri couple, Kanae, Sho, and Ren. The adults looked at each other and smiled.

"So how was Hizuri-san?" Kuu asked, referring to Ren.

"He is a good person Grandpapa. If I have a daddy, I want it to be him."

"Why don't you ask him to be your daddy then?" Julie suggested.

"I already have Aunt Kanae, Uncle Sho, Grandpapa, Grandmama, Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom. I shouldn't be greedy. I always see Mom crying in her room when I'm not looking. I think I don't need a daddy to protect Mom. I think I should be stronger so that I am enough to fight the bad guys who will try to hurt Mom." Moru explained to the elderly couple.

Maybe they should not interfere to their son and daughter's love life anymore. Maybe it would be okay, someday.

"Kyoko-chan."

"Yes, okaa-san? Is Moru alright?" she was still no used to call her mother since she didn't have a good image of a mother but with Julie, she knew that she could depend on her, on them.

"Yes, actually we're on our way back to your flat. We've just finished dinner. Are you already home?"

She was covering her mouth with her hands for Ren to not hear the phone call. "I'm sorry, but I'll be on my way home soon. I'm sorry to trouble you."

"It's fine. Is an hour okay for you?"

"Yes, thank you. I'm sorry for troubling you."

"It's alright. We're your family, no need to be formal." There was care in her voice that Kyoko longed for in a mother. She just smiled even when she knew it was just a phone call.

"I'll see you then dear."

"Kuon, I-" she was hesitating for she was still embarrassed by what happened earlier.

"Yes?" There he goes again, his smile.

"Is it alright if I go now?" He looked at her, expecting that she would explain.

"Moru-kun will be home soon. His grandparents will drop him off to our flat."

"I'll give you a ride then."

"No, it's alright. We moved to another place." She prayed silently that he would let her off this time.

But unfortunately, "I insist."

"So you're in good terms with your husband's parents eh?" His curiosity got him so he couldn't help but ask.

Kyoko's gaze was shifting from the road to the side mirror from time to time. She was contemplating whether to honestly answer his inquiry of just made up another story. 'But you've been lying to him all this time.' her mind told her.

"To tell you the truth, I am not married. And yes, we are in good terms with Moru's grandparents. They were actually happy to see him." She smiled, remising their rendezvous at the mall.

His grip tightened on the steering wheel, "Then who is Moru's father?"

Kyoko immediately stood up from his seat, forgetting that they were inside the car so she bumped her head and got dizzy from the impact. Kuon pulled over to check her.

"I'm sorry to ask that question all of a sudden."

"It's okay, I was just shocked. I thought you already knew." she mumbled the last part but he caught it all. He figured that it was not the right time to ask another mundane question so he just shut his mouth and continued to drive.

Kyoko's place was nearer to the company and it would be convenient for Moru and her. The place was safe for it was near the police station.

As they arrived, before she unlocked the door, he managed to muster up his courage to say, "Kyoko-chan, I regret kissing you against your will and I want to say sorry for that. But I will never regret kissing you. "

Kyoko was left dumbstruck with his words. He said earlier that it would explain something. But how could a kiss explain something? is there some hidden meaning behind it? And what's with he never regretted the kiss? She shook her head to erase the thoughts only to be dizzy by those thoughts.

She decided to call Julie but when she took a glance at her arm, she remembered that she had forgotten her bag in Kuon's car.

The image of a dumbfounded Kyoko replayed into his mind, he might have left some impressions in her right? He chuckled lightly.

Minutes later, he heard a ringtone, Kyoko's ringtone. He then realized that Kyoko left her bag.

He smiled. He would get to see her again. What a lucky day.

"Mom!" Moru ran to her and motioned for a hug. She hugged him and picked him up. "Moru-chan's gotten heavy e?" she teased.

"Mom, let me down." embarrassed, Moru pleaded her.

"I was just kidding." she ruffled his hair.

"By the way, we have presents for you." Moru dashed to Kuu and Julie who were holding the pillows.

"That's too much Moru." she worriedly looked at the couple.

"One is for Aunt Kanae, this is for Uncle Sho, this one is for you and this is for Hizuri-san."

Shock was evident in her eyes. They knew?

"It's okay Kyoko-chan. We will not meddle."

"No, it's just that I'm ashamed of myself. I'm sorry."

Kuu tapped her shoulder; "Kuon, I know he is my son but I won't easily forgive him." he chuckled darkly as if planning to commence a bloody murder.

"By the way, I was trying to call you earlier."

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry-"

"She forgot her bag in my car, Mother." she was cut off by a man's voice whose bright aura earlier turned into a murderous one.

to be continued

I just want to greet you an advanced Merry Christmas!

I am wondering how many people are still reading this.

I want to thank you all. Earlier, I just realized that it's been two years.

I just typed this on a whim because I couldn't find the original file. Living in another country where you also need to learn their language, my vocabulary became rustier and much more messed up right now.

By the way, if you have time please read Esperança and Room 221. Thankies.

And if you ever happen to read this, I'm looking for someone to Beta-Read my stories. I'm planning to edit everything from scratch so if you are interested to help me and bear with my awfully written stories and grammar, don't hesitate to send me a PM. Thank you. J

Chocolat a'la folie