3 - Departure

Sho sat comfortably at the table in the back, greedily eating his third helping of pickled gourd.

"This is as good as my dad's," he said, taking another bite.

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Kyoko said. "When are you going to leave?"

"When I'm finished eating."

Kyoko pushed the dish Sho was eyeing out of reach.

"Hey!"

"Enough," she huffed. "You can tell your Mom you saw me. So leave."

"But I still hav—"

"Go before you eat anymore," she ordered, pointing to the door. "Unless you're planning on paying for dinner."

"I was invited," the star replied, waving his chopsticks vaguely in the direction of the restaurant. "Why should I pay for dinner?"

"Cheapskate."

"I'll leave when I wanna leave," he continued. Sho stuck his tongue out at her. "This isn't your house, so you can't kick me out."

Kyoko wanted to wipe that look right off his stupid, smug face. She would have to switch tactics.

"Aren't you worried?" Kyoko drawled. "Fuwa Sho, eating at a little family restaurant. What would your fans say?"

Sho pouted. It was the same pout he had used his entire childhood to get everything he wanted. It used to work on Kyoko, but now it only made her eyebrow twitch in irritation.

"Being cool all the time is tiring," Sho said. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed dramatically, as if to say I have the hardest life ever, you know.

"Wow," Kyoko said flatly. "I feel so sorry for you."

He ignored her sarcasm. "Sometimes I just want to enjoy the things I like, y'know? Do you know how long it's been since I've been able to have pucchin pudding?" He looked thoughtful, then jerked his head in the approximate direction of the okami-san. "Do you think she'd get some for me, if I asked?"

Kyoko glared at him. "Don't you dare."

"Fine, whatever." Sho stood. In typical spoiled first-son manner, he left his dirty plate and napkin for someone else to take care of. He glanced down at Kyoko, seeming to think hard as he cleaned his teeth with his tongue. "Maybe I'll suck it up and just buy the damn pudding myself. It doesn't suit the cool image of Fuwa Sho," he said with another burdened sigh before continuing, "but if I'm a little lame sometimes, I think my fans can put up with it."

If he was trying to say anything meaningful, it went completely over her head.

"Sure they can," Kyoko said agreeably as she rose from the table and started to herd him towards the exit. "They put up with so much already, what's one more thing?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Nothing, nothing," she said briskly, practically pushing him down the hallway. Sho didn't even have time to tie his shoes before he found himself in the back alleyway.

"Tell your mom I say hello," Kyoko said. "And that I say thank you for her concern."

"Where's my thanks?" the singer grumbled.

Kyoko pretended not to hear and turned to go inside.

"Hey, wait a sec—" Sho grabbed her wrist. When she looked at him furiously, he loosened his grip but didn't let go. "Don't even think about running away, alright?" He said. "We're still rivals, and I'm going to beat you fair and square. So don't— don't let them take you down before I do," he trailed off, then ran a hand self-consciously through his hair. "Got it?"

For the first time that night, Sho saw a spark of determination flash in Kyoko's copper eyes. Then she smirked at him.

"Get it right," she said, easily shaking off his grasp. "I'm going to beat you fair and square. Not the other way around. Now go," she said, giving him a light shove.

"I want more pickled gourd, next time," Sho called over his shoulder.

"Only if you pay for it!" Kyoko called back. She shut the back door, then turned the deadbolt for good measure. "Idiot," she muttered, leaning back against the door. Then she picked herself up and went back to the living room to clean up the dinner plates.

"That jerk," she said to herself as she gathered up the dishes. But Kyoko was unaware that her lips quirked into a half-smile. "He's paying through the nose, next time."

«×»«×»«×»

Ren spent all day thinking about Kyoko. He was physically on set and saying his lines, but his mind kept running over their conversation from the day before. How could he have been so stupid? He should have followed her home, should have insisted on correcting the misunderstanding right away. But he had been worried that if he chased her, he would frighten her away for good. Perhaps if they had a little time to cool off, then they could talk.

It wasn't until late that evening that his silver sports car pulled into the alley behind the Darumaya. The restaurant was already closed for the night, the lights were dim and the banner out front was taken down. Ren parked, then walked towards the back door, steeling his nerves. He knocked on the back door and waited.

Finally, the door opened.

"Oh! Ren-san," the okami-san said, looking a bit surprised. "What can I help you with?"

The actor hadn't expected the hostess to open the door, but he smoothly recovered. "Good evening, okami-san. Is Kyoko available? I was hoping to speak with her,"

"Kyoko-chan's out this evening— she's staying over at a friend's house." The older woman frowned sympathetically. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"Ah— No, that's quite alright, thank you." Inwardly, Ren floundered. He had been counting on Kyoko being at home. But of course when he needed to see her she was gone. "I'm sorry to disturb your evening. Have a good night."

Ren bowed before hurrying back to his car. He turned on the ignition and for a moment, he thought about chasing Kyoko to Kotonami's place. But he quickly gave up: one, he didn't know where the other Love Me actress lived, and two, he was fairly certain that if he showed up to Kotonami Kanae's house without an invitation, he'd be left on the doorstep.

Sighing, he began the long, lonely drive back to his apartment. Across the alley, in an unmarked vehicle, sat a paparazzi who was thanking their lucky stars as they flipped through the camera viewfinder and looked at the photos they'd just snapped of Tsuruga Ren standing outside the back door of an otherwise unremarkable restaurant.

«×»«×»«×»

"There!" Kyoko said cheerfully, patting the last neatly-folded blouse that sat in Kanae's open suitcase. "Did you want to double-check?"

"It's fine," Kanae said with a yawn. "If I forgot anything, I can buy it there." She zipped the suitcase shut, marveling at how much they'd been able to fit inside. Kyoko's housewife skills really came in handy for these sorts of things. Which was allegedly why Kanae had invited her friend over. And also because she was leaving for America the next day and wanted to spend time with Kyoko before she left but didn't want to admit to it. Luckily, Kyoko always pounced at any opportunity to have a sleepover with her best friend. She'd been delighted to come over and help Kanae choose outfits and neatly pack them into the large suitcase. Then Kyoko set about making dinner, insisting on feeding her friend one last proper home-cooked Japanese meal before she headed abroad. The copper-haired teen chattered away merrily, but Kanae got the feeling her friend was hiding something. Kanae was good at reading people, and Kyoko had always been transparent. That, plus the lack of any real meaningful information about the actress's life, made it clear.

"So?" Kanae prompted, crossing her arms over chest. "Are you going to tell me what's up?"

"What do you mean?"

"Something's bothering you." It was a statement, not a question.

Kyoko's eyes dropped and she began muttering something that sounded like an apology. Kanae waited, one eyebrow raised, and Kyoko trailed off.

"I didn't want to bother you," Kyoko said softly. "I mean, you have enough going on right now and you're heading out tomorrow and—"

"Mo! You're not going to bother me!" Kanae said, sounding and looking very irritated. "We're supposed to be best friends. You're sleeping over at my house," she said, gesturing around them as though it were some kind of evidence. "So are you gonna fess up or what?"

That was all the prompting Kyoko needed. Her mouth opened and a fountain of words spewed out so quickly Kanae could barely follow.

"Slow down!"

Kyoko did so, marginally. The explanation was still jumbled, in typical Kyoko fashion, exposition and apology and strange Kyoko logic all mixed together. Still, Kanae got it. Mostly.

"Idiot," Kanae muttered, rolling her eyes.

Kyoko winced. "I— I know, right? I was dumb, I—"

"MO! Not you, dumbo," Kanae snapped. Then she softened. "None of this is your fault. You know that, right?"

"Y-yeah,"

"I mean it," Kanae insisted. "It's not your fault, Kyoko. Alright? Sometimes the industry just sucks."

"O-okay."

And sometimes Tsuruga Ren is a massive idiot, Kanae added privately. Route was a great opportunity, too good to pass up. As a professional, Kanae understood. But as Kyoko's friend, Kanae would never understand— or forgive— Ren's choice. Even if Kyoko harbored no resentment towards the actor, Kanae would forever hold a grudge on behalf of her friend. The actor had made his bed, and now he would have to lie in it. Kanae looked at her friend. Kyoko, who was normally so full of determination, still looked a bit… beaten down. It was like someone had sucked away some part of the sheer vigor and force of will that was behind Kyoko's optimism, leaving the actress like a slightly deflated balloon. Someone was going to have to drag Kyoko out of her funk, and apparently, that task fell to Kanae. And she knew just what to do.

The dark-haired actress made a show of inspecting her fingernails.

"I should redo these before I go, right?" She said softly, pretending to talk to herself. "Can't go to America with chipped nail polish."

"I'LL PAINT THEM FOR YOU! MOKO! MOKO LET ME!" Kyoko was desperately eager, waving her hand like a school kid who knew the answer. "I'LL PICK A COLOR FOR YOU! MOKO, I CAN—"

"Mo, you don't have to yell!" Kanae hid her triumphant smile. Then she slyly added, "Should I pick out a color for you, too?"

Kyoko squealed with joy.

«×»«×»«×»

They were up and out of Kanae's place early the next morning. Kyoko forced her friend to eat breakfast, which was consumed with lightning speed.

"Sorry to kick you out," Kanae said, pulling out her suitcase and locking the door. She waved down a taxi.

"It's fine! Your flight's so early. I'm glad I got to see you before you left," Kyoko said with a cheerful smile. She helped her friend load her suitcase into the trunk, then pounced.

Kanae gave a token protest before giving in and hugging her back. "Lookout for yourself while I'm gone, okay? Don't get into any more messes," she joked.

"Don't worry about me. Have an amazing time!" Kyoko squeezed her friend even tighter. "Don't forget to call me! You have to respond to my texts, okay?!"

"Mo! Who are you, my mom? Get off, you're making it weird," Kanae groused, ignoring Kyoko's whimpers as she peeled the girl's arms away. Then she checked her watch. "Get in, I'll give you a ride to the office."

"A-are you sure?"

"It's no big deal," Kanae said coolly, sliding into the backseat. Kyoko hesitated, then joined her friend. It was a quick ride to LME.

"You're the best, Moko-san," Kyoko said fiercely as she gave her friend one last hug.

"Mo! Okay, okay— just go already!" Kanae said. "I'll text you when I land."

Kyoko clambered out of the taxi, then stood in the LME underground parking garage and waved goodbye for entirely longer than was necessary or practical. When Moko was out of sight, Kyoko's arm finally dropped. She looked down at her fingernails, painted the color that Kanae had picked out for her. Kyoko smiled. She could do this. Everything was going to be fine. If she just focused on work and keeping her head down, then she was sure Kanae (and perhaps, in a small corner of Kyoko's mind, another actor) would be back before she knew it.

«×»«×»«×»

The crowds at Narita National Airport were massive. Someone at the airport must have leaked the flight schedule. The paparazzi were there too, hoping to snap a picture of the actor.

Unfortunately for them, Ren was already inside, tucked away in the private VIP area, totally inaccessible for his fans or the media. His security and paperwork was all handled separately. There was not much for the star to do until he boarded, except scroll mindless through his phone. His thumb hovered over her contact info.

"Ren," Yashiro said, popping his head in. "Sorry to interrupt. It's time."

Ren stood. He put his phone back in his pocket, swallowing a reluctant sigh. He wasn't sure what he'd even been hoping for. That Kyoko was going to run through the airport and somehow find him? That she'd bypass security and leap into his arms? He could practically see the dramatic chase, like a scene from a romantic movie. But real life didn't work like that.

"Ren? Are you coming?"

"Coming," he replied. He swallowed another sigh before following his manager down the long, winding corridors.

«×»«×»«×»

Around noon, a young secretary knocked on the Love Me department room door and announced to Kyoko that Sawara was looking for her, and she should come along quickly.

When she arrived at the talent division, Sawara was on a phone call but quickly motioned the young actress over and handed her the receiver. Kyoko was surprised to hear the voice of her landlady on the other end of the line. The okami-san was audibly relieved to get in contact with the young actress. The older woman had called Kyoko's cellphone twice but received no answer and was worried that the actress was headed back home for the day. Kyoko checked her phone (she usually kept it on silent during work hours) and saw that there were in fact two missed calls. She apologized to the okami-san immediately, but her apologies were instantly overridden by the landlady, who sounded almost hysterical. Apparently, somehow the media had tracked Kyoko to the restaurant and the Daruma-ya was currently surrounded by news reporters with their camera crews, not to mention a crowd of onlookers.

Kyoko felt awful. "I'm so sorry," she began, her voice nearly cracking.

"Don't you apologize, dear. It's not your fault in the least," the okami-said in a comforting, no-nonsense tone.

"But—"

"We've called the police, of course," the older woman continued. "And of course they aren't allowed in the restaurant, but we can't keep anyone from congregating outside on the street…" the okami-san trailed off meaningfully.

Kyoko said nothing. Her brain was still processing that people had found out where she lived. And now it wasn't just her being harassed, it was her landlords, too. The couple had been nothing but good to her. And as punishment for their kindness, they were being dragged into Kyoko's mess. The teen felt her throat closing up.

"Kyoko-chan… I'm not sure they're going to leave tonight," the okami-sand clarified, hearing only silence from her tenant.

"I'm so, so sorry—"

"Oh, dear! Don't you worry about us." The landlady paused. "I called because we're worried about you. Even the back door is surrounded. Do you have somewhere else you could stay for the night?"

"Y-yes. Of course," Kyoko agreed immediately. "But are you sure I shouldn't—"

"No! Don't even think about it," the landlady said firmly. "I'll call and let you know if anything changes, alright? Remember to pick up your phone!"

"Alright…" Kyoko said, in a daze. She managed to say the proper goodbye before the okami-san hung up, evidently off to deal with some problem or another.

Kyoko went back to work, feeling miserable. The number of people she was causing trouble seemed to increase daily. She was trying her best to make it up to everyone at LME by somehow doing the work of four secretaries. She accepted mountains of paperwork, tidied up conference rooms, carried messages, did everything she could to not be a bother. All the while, Kyoko's anxious thoughts swirled. What could she do for her landlords? What if their sales took a dip, because of her? She had no idea how she'd ever repay them. She already owed the couple so much — they had given her a place to stay when she had nowhere, they took her in practically like family. And now she was being targeted and shamed by the entire nation. The last thing she wanted was to make anyone else a target.

The afternoon passed by slowly, the hours creeping as Kyoko continued doggedly with her tasks. It was near closing time when another secretary came by, informing Kyoko that she had a visitor waiting in one of the small conference rooms.

Sho whirled when Kyoko entered, causing the little chains on his designer leather jacket to clink and rattle. He strode towards her.

"What the hell?!" Sho demanded. "The paparazzi are all over your house, you idiot! How did they figure out where you live?"

"I don't know," Kyoko stammered, entirely caught off guard.

"You moron! What did I tell you?!"

"I don't know!" Kyoko shouted back angrily, almost on instinct. Then she paused. "Wait, tell me what?"

"Nevermind," Sho said testily. He crossed his arms. "That stupid pin-headed actor who caused this whole mess better be putting you up somewhere nice tonight. Don't let him cheap out and get you anywhere less than four stars," the musician said.

"Are you insane?" Kyoko asked. "Why would Tsuruga-san do such a thing? Besides, he's not here, he's—"

"What do you mean, he's not here." The singer's eyes narrowed.

"Exactly what I said, idiot. He's not here. He flew out this morning for—"

"HE JUST LEFT?" Sho roared. Kyoko could practically see the flames of anger springing up behind the musician.

"He has work," Kyoko explained, barely holding onto her temper. "Unlike someone, apparently. Don't you have too much time on your hands? What are you even doing here—"

Sho snorted. "Don't lecture me. Do you know how insane my schedule is?"

"Then why are you here, Shotaro? Did you come just to rub it in? Or did your mom send you again?" Kyoko asked.

"Do you have somewhere to crash tonight?" The rock star was giving her his patented bored, arrogant look. It was the look Kyoko had seen him practice in the mirror for years after she told him once in middle school that he looked cool. But while his eyes were cold and distant, Sho's voice had a strange tenseness. It was almost like concern.

Kyoko sniffed. "That's not a polite question," she said icily, then added, "and it's none of your business."

He snorted. "So that's a no."

"I can stay with a friend!"

"Right. And bring the paparazzi down on them, too?"

Kyoko winced. As much as she loathed to admit it, Shotaro had a point. Besides, Kanae had left this morning. Kyoko wasn't so close with Chiori that she felt comfortable inviting herself over for the night. And even if she did feel comfortable asking, she didn't want to drag anyone else into her mess. She'd gotten people into enough trouble already. Kyoko sighed. She scrunched her face, mentally going through her bank account. Could she swing a motel room for the night? Probably, as long as it wasn't too fancy. Hopefully if she didn't show up at the Daruma-ya tonight, the paparazzi would give up and it would all blow over.

Sho watched her face, his jaw twitching.

"C'mon," he said gruffly. "Grab your stuff."

She stared at him blankly. "What?"

"I don't have all day, alright?," he huffed. "Shoko's waiting for us in the basement parking lot."

"...us?" Kyoko asked in disbelief. Then she looked frightened. "That's low, even for you, Shotaro. You're going to drag me out to the press and throw m—"

"What? No, jesus! Why do you always assume I'm such a douchebag?" Sho muttered, wiping a hand over his face. Then he straightened up and looked at her with a haughty expression. "I'm tired of seeing your stupid face everywhere in the press, you got it? The last thing I want is more of that."

"Okay," Kyoko said slowly, "Then why—"

"You're staying at my place." Sho issued the words like a challenge.

"Are you insane?" Kyoko whispered. "Why would I ev—"

"Do you have anywhere else to go?" Sho asked.

It was not really a question. They both knew the answer. Kyoko grit her teeth.

"I still—"

"Enough! You can nag and move at the same time," Sho said, waving Kyoko towards the conference room door.

"You're offering me a place to stay," Kyoko said blankly, even as feet moved in the direction he wanted. She was still mentally processing the conversation. The actress scrunched her nose. "It's suspicious."

"I'm not offering you a place to stay," Sho corrected. "I'm just preventing my idiot rival from being taken down by their own stupidity." He looked at her smugly. "You can thank me later."

"Fat chance."

"Whatever," he said. "Grab your stuff."