The week Kyoko turned 18, also marked the twelfth week of her post-Mt Oguso life. There had been… dramatic changes to say the least. The first month back in Tokyo had been taken up with any re-shoots and extra shooting needed for the production before it was off to post-processing. The second month she'd been preoccupied with exams, her LME tasks, and a couple commercial shoots.
Yashiro had advised her to take on smaller jobs while she was trying to complete exams to graduate and she was relieved, weeks later, that she'd listened. She'd just completed another audition for a movie role the week before, and was now primarily occupied with doing promotional work for Spring at Mt Oguso for the next few weeks.
She wasn't sure if it was divine mischief, or fate, that this week's promos and interviews were in Kyoto, but it was doubly strange to return both to the Fuwa Inn for a short stay, and see some of her old schoolmates in the audience of the variety show she was taping.
Even as she, Kawaguchi-san, and Sugaya-san all completed their final goodbyes and left the sound stage, she noticed a remarkably familiar stagehand she swore she went to school with. Though she had no idea if she'd be able to recall his name.
As the three of them returned to the Fuwa Inn, her phone chirped and she glanced down as she saw the text scroll by, We're here. Late dinner?
She smiled softly and sent off a quick reply before she looked back at the pair she was with.
"Sugaya-san, Kawaguchi-san, would you like some tea and dinner? Or a late dessert? I can go back into the kitchens and whip something up. I'd love to treat you."
The older pair smiled back at her, "That would be lovely," said Sugaya-san.
"Very thoughtful," Kawaguchi-san agreed.
She bowed quickly, and excitedly entered the kitchens.
"Good evening Taisho," she said, bowing again.
He gave her a curt nod, but his face softened slightly as he watched her get things for tea, a light dinner, and begin putting together portions of pudding and fruit so they would chill while they ate.
"Still familiar with our setup, even though it's been so long," the Taisho murmured.
Kyoko sent him a grateful expression, "Well, of course. I haven't forgotten what you've taught me you know!"
"Hmmmm…"
Even as she exited with the tea, he kept watching as she returned for the dinner plates.
"When will your interview air?"
"Oh sometime next week! Oh, and will you and Okami-san make it to the party?"
"Yes. We planned for it."
Kyoko sent him a brilliant smile that had him squinting before he turned his attention back to his food prep.
Slightly amused at the gruff countenance, Kyoko returned to the room her co-stars were in, happy to also see Ren and Yashiro settled at the table as well, and chatting amongst themselves.
"Enjoy!" said Kyoko cheerfully as she set down napkins and chopsticks.
They all dug in, and a small warmth surged through Kyoko as she sat on Ren's other side, and he pressed a knee against hers and sent her a small smile.
The plan had been to meet them here, as Ren had had a couple days off. She and Ren were going to go on a hike in the morning, and she already had a picnic lunch ready to go. It'd been weeks since they'd had anything resembling a date, and she couldn't wait.
Her plans were promptly derailed early the next morning when she entered the kitchen for the picnic basket, and saw Shotaro drinking from a tea cup. She froze in the doorway, but all he did was glance at her, and then back down at his cup.
She hesitated, but decided to enter to make up her own cup of tea. When he said nothing in the next few moments, she relaxed slightly, and also began making herself a small breakfast, hurrying to make sure she didn't interrupt the morning service of the inn.
He didn't speak up until she sat at the corner table, where staff often took their breaks.
"Hey."
She murmured a polite response as she started checking her planner and notating small changes here and there.
He slid down next to her on the bench, and they sat there for a quiet moment, the bustle of the restaurant drowning out the scribbling she was doing.
"Um. Dark Moon…"
"What about it?" she muttered, her aggravation coming through as she snapped her planner shut.
"I finished it last night. It was uh, it was pretty good."
"Ok? It didn't exactly win awards because it was bad, Shotaro."
He winced, curling further over the table.
"Damn Kyoko, can't you take a compliment?"
"Why are you here?" she demanded instead. Neither the Okami-san nor the Taisho had made any mention of it.
His lips thinned in frustration and he instead said, "Did you… did you happen to catch my last live performance? Did you watch the finale?"
Of course she had. The girls at school had been squealing over it for a week.
"The dedication was… that was kind of you."
"I never expected inspiration to strike me like that. But, uh, well. It did. So of course I had to dedicate it to us. To the kids we… to the kids we were I suppose."
Kyoko herself had never expected, not in a million years, that Shotaro would ever get his own head out of his ass long enough to ever dedicate a song to her. She tried to shrug away the memory, but it still came to her, his voice through her headphones as she'd watched the video on her phone, morbidly curious.
"This is for the girl that believed in me first. I uh, I took her for granted a lot. So this is for the first fan I ever had. Who helped me learn what guitar chords even were. This is for you K. And this is for us."
"It was a kind thing to do," she reiterated softly, blinking back the memory, and the gentle rock ballad the song had been.
He coughed, scratching at his stubble in discomfort.
"It was also an apology," he muttered, not looking at her.
"I thought it might be. No matter where we are now, even I can acknowledge what an incredible performer you are. And how great of a musician. I didn't follow you to Tokyo just because of a foolish puppy love."
She sealed her lips tight after that slipped out, sitting stock-still as she felt him unfurl somewhat, as he glanced her way. She stared down at the table, her gaze lingering on the edges of her planner. It was a torn and beat up old thing, bought nearly a year ago now. Damn, but the year had gone by quickly.
He cleared his throat and looked away again, putting a hand up between them as he ran a hand through his hair.
"It was both an apology, and an attempt at saying thank you. So, thank you. And I'm sorry."
"The apology and the thanks are accepted, I suppose. Why the change of heart? Where's all this maturity coming from?"
He stood suddenly, shoving his hands deep into his coat pockets.
"Just, ah, whatever," his lips twisted as he stared down at his shoes, before his gaze rested on the delicate bracelet on her arm, and the bag with college applications peeking past the zipper.
"Just, I mean," he stumbled again, then, "Just don't… Forget we ever made that dumbass promise. I don't give a damn about it anymore. Just, keep acting, will ya?"
Kyoko slowly straightened, her mouth falling open slightly in surprise, as she took in his furiously blushing face, and his hunched shoulders.
"Oh holy… holy shit," she didn't even care that that was an expression she didn't typically use, so amazed was she by the evidence she saw before her eyes.
"What the hell… Sho… are you, are you a fan of my work?!"
"Shut up! Don't get such a big head! Damn! Just remember what I said!" his face burned a bright, embarrassed red as he snapped back at her. He promptly turned on his heel, tugging the cap low on his face and stormed towards the door. Peals of delighted laughter rang out behind him, making him hunch his shoulders further.
"Any fan can ask for my autograph you know! I LOVE THAT MY FANS ENCOURAGE ME SO SWEETLY!"
This last thing she shouted had him snarling, and he slammed out the door, interrupting another staff member entering, laughter echoing around him.
Damn that Kyoko. He'd get her back for that. He swore he would.
She kneeled on the ground, setting up the picnic blanket and pulling items out of the basket they'd brought, and as the sunshine glimmered through the boughs of the trees, highlighting her eyes as she smiled up at him, Ren caught his breath. Their hike had led them to a very particular part of this riverbank, and he suddenly needed to make sure she heard what he had to say.
"You know," he began, "Just because your first choice of prince let you down, doesn't mean you still don't deserve a prince coming to your rescue."
Kyoko giggled at his droll tone, "It's ok Tsu-, I mean Kuon. Kuon, I promise I'm fine."
He knelt down next to her, tossing his scarf around her shoulders and securing it tight.
"I ran into him as he was coming in last night. He said his parents were due a visit. But obviously, he probably came because of the promotional schedule of our production. I'm sure his manager gave him the details," Ren sighed, as Fuwa's appearance had certainly grated on him.
"But…here we are now," Ren continued, and in a more amused tone, he said, "Here I am, here to rescue you. I was so good at it before you know. I promise I'll be even better now."
Kyoko sent him such a fond look, he blushed.
"That's a very kind offer," she smiled, "But, I promise I'm fine. I gave him some shit for old time's sake, that's all. He actually complimented me on my work though, if you can believe it."
Ren couldn't, actually, and crossed his legs into a more comfortable position, taking one of her cold hands in his. He blew on it, then rubbed it between his palms to help warm it back up. He was surprised that she stopped him after a second, and glanced at her curiously.
She'd leaned in closer, and searched his features, her eyes bright from a combination of the light of the sun, and the warmth she had in them.
"Kuon?"
His breath caught in his throat, and his reply was strangled-sounding, "Yeah?"
"Why do you love me?"
Kyoko said it so casually, so matter-of-factly, that he thought he'd misheard, "I'm sorry?"
"Why do you love me?"
So he hadn't misheard then.
"I...well…" he swallowed hard, but she still kept looking at him, her gaze still as expectant as when she'd first asked.
A wry smile crossed his face, as he realized exactly how prepared he was to answer this question. He reached out, and tucked a lock of hair behind her hair, and gently stroked her cheek.
"Well, Kyoko-chan, you're incredibly easy to love."
They looked at each for a long moment, and a hint of pink began to crawl across her cheeks.
"That can't be right," she mumbled.
"Oh it's the truth," he said, and knew his smile was as big as it'd been when she'd first kissed him. He took a deep breath, a deep satisfaction unfurling within him. It was like the final chains holding him back from speaking the truth had shattered into thousands of pieces, simply by way of the gentle look in her eye, and the knowledge that she knew he loved her.
"You're very easy to love Kyoko-chan," he said again, "Your smile, your courage, your kindness, I fell in love with all of those things."
A bright blush had overtaken her whole face, and he tossed his head back, his laughter loud and easy, "Of course, I also fell in love with your zany imagination, your incredible determination, and that fiery look in your eye that you get when you want to prove me wrong."
"Ok, you can stop talking now," she said, hurriedly pressing her hands to his mouth. He dodged her, and laughed again, dropping little kisses on her palms and fingers where they were still stretched out trying to stop him.
"Sorry Kyoko-chan, I just thought of five other things I fell in love with."
"No, no no-"
"Your laughter, how your hands feel on mine-
"Kuon! I said you can stop! Stop-
"The way you kiss, the sound of your voice-
"Kuon!" This was a shriek of both laughter and frustration, and he reveled in it, "I said-
"And all those little things you do, that show me how much you love me too."
The clearing by the riverbank settled into such a sudden silence, that Kuon and Kyoko could only look at each other, breathless with the naked honesty of that quiet moment. It seemed as if in that moment, they could both see each other as they had been, and saw all that they could grow to become. It was a moment that Kuon knew he would remember forever: her bright, shocked eyes, the trembling of her lips, the sound of the river running over the stones.
"Kuon," she whispered, leaning closer.
"Kyoko," he whispered back. Their mouths met in the next second, and their lips slid over each other as they kissed. He cupped her face with his hands, his heart full and warm in a way it so very rarely ever was, except with her.
"Kyoko, I love you."
"Me too, I love you too. I can't...I don't…"
"Hey, hey it's alright," he shushed her gently, as tears dripped down her cheeks. Kyoko sniffled, and wiped at them, and he let out a soft chuckle as he used his sweater sleeve to help clean up her face.
"Hey, don't worry about the rest right now, alright?" he said.
She nodded, still wiping at her cheeks. He brushed his nose against hers, and pressed another soft kiss to her lips. His heart sang in joy when she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him back twice as hard.
"I do love you Kuon, I love you so much. And I wish I could have said all this sooner. You deserved to know," she said thickly, her voice still shaky.
"And I wish I could have done the same for you. You deserve to be told that you're loved, every single day."
"Quit making me cry!" she exploded, her head thumping hard against his chest, even as she still gently cradled his face. He let out a low laugh, and brought her hands to his lips, and kissed her fingertips.
"I'm sorry Kyoko, I promise I'm not doing that on purpose."
She peeked up at him, and he reached out a hand to stroke her cheek. When she leaned into it, his heart tripped over itself, and he sighed, helplessly enamored that she reacted in such a way. He was pretty sure she didn't do it on purpose, which made him love it all the more.
And there they sat, quietly at peace, and basking in the sunlight that danced along the river.
When Kyoko next returned to Tokyo, after the delightful day off she'd had with Ren, she was almost immediately ushered towards another meeting about the movie she'd auditioned for. Yashiro had informed her while in Kyoto, that she'd passed the audition. The news had been thrilling, and she was near bursting with excitement. It was a full cast meeting, but Kyoko only knew one other lead-Maruyama Marumi.
They let out a couple giggles as they waved at each other, and then turned their focus towards the meeting. Kyoko was evidently going to be working pretty closely with Rumi-chan again, as their parts in the movie revolved around them being new college students that were investigating an aspect of the mystery that the movie was about. Kyoko, much like she'd marveled over her change in circumstances while in Kyoto, was amazed to realize that Rumi-chan had been wanting to act with her again, and in a less intense way than Box 'R' had allowed them.
It was a good reminder, to Kyoko at least, that she needed to reach out more feelers to other cast members she worked with. She had thought that through much of the Mt. Oguso production, and that had fallen somewhat to the wayside in her return to Tokyo. Rumi-chan had had a lot of experience networking with a lot of people, and as she explained it to Kyoko as they went out to a cafe afterwards, networking was a great way to try to get involved with people in the industry-especially those that were good actors that were fun to work with.
"I know we're kind of new to this," Rumi-chan continued, "But that's some of the best advice my talent scout ever gave me."
Kyoko nodded along, "I was never scouted, so I really am coming into this kind of…backwards, in a way."
Rumi-chan let out a soft laugh, "I remember! And yet still…it wasn't us more experienced types that had a solution to all that Box 'R' drama…it was you! I'm a little scared what kind of star power you would have had if you'd actually grown up in the theater, or grown up acting!"
"Eh, that's a nice compliment, but that really was a group effort. I'm understanding more and more that a lot of this…well, you can't make it without friends, is what I'll say."
She and Rumi-chan shared another smile, and as they finished their chat, Rumi-chan spoke up, but quietly, almost in an undertone.
"So, how is it? Dating Tsuruga-san?"
Kyoko paused, staring blankly at the table as the last of her pastry fell back down to her plate as it slipped through her suddenly numb fingers. She chanced a glance back up at Rumi-chan, and the knowing look in her eye made Kyoko wince. She had a sudden flashback to Misaki-chan asking her advice in the editing room, and swallowed hard.
"Ah…" Kyokko hesitated.
"It's okay, I don't think I know anyone else who knows anything about it."
"Then how…?"
Rumi-chan shot her a secretive, but pleased, smile, "Oh it was a guess. But you just gave me the answer."
Kyoko shot a hand out to grab hers, and in a fierce whisper, said, "Tell no one!"
Rumi-chan winced at her tight grasp, and gently pried off Kyoko's fingers from hers, "Wasn't planning on it. I'm just fascinated by how it happened, frankly."
Kyoko leaned back, her concerned gaze darting around the cafe. But it seemed that their ballcaps, and lack of fancy clothing, was hiding them pretty well. She blew out a relieved sigh. Rumi-chan was sly, but had never been anything but kind to Kyoko, and so Kyoko slowly drew her wrist back, playing with her bracelet.
"Well…it happened slowly…that's what I'll say."
"Because of your agency? LME is pretty on the level. I can't imagine they let very many of the stars cause scandals."
Kyoko shrugged, "I'm not sure what LME would say, actually. No…uh…it happened slowly because well, to be honest…we didn't really like each other at first. It took…uh...a lot…to get us here."
Even as Kyoko said the words, she was still thinking back to the day before, and how even a year ago, she still hadn't really thought Ren would have been able to trust her enough to let down his walls. It had really, truly, taken so much to get them here. He'd gotten under her defenses so easily…and she'd struggled with acknowledging it for so long…
Her train of thought was interrupted when Rumi-chan patted her softly on the hand, "It's ok Kyoko-chan. I'm not going to pry. I had just thought…well…I don't know much. But I do know that you're a good egg. If you're happy with him, I'm very, very happy for you."
And as Kyoko felt her heart swell at Rumi-chan's encouragement, Rumi leaned back and started chatting loudly about how exciting it was to be a lead in a mystery story. Kyoko sent her a grateful look, and Rumi-chan just smiled. But the whole interaction inspired Kyoko to send out a text later that day. She and Misaki-chan had been a bit uncertain where they'd stood over the last couple months, and Kyoko should have seen to dealing with that sooner.
Wanted to treat you to lunch soon and say sorry for being an ass that one time. Whatdya say?
She got a swift response, Sounds great. Apology accepted. And Kyoko-chan? You weren't fooling anybody. That denial was more obvious than the Nile.
Kyoko's face burned in embarrassment, but she accepted the jab as gracefully as she could manage and just sent back a dogeza emoji.
When Kyoko entered the LoveMe locker room the next morning, she was startled to see both Lory and Maria, and the faintly stunned countenance of Kanae.
Kyoko glanced first at Maria, "All of the details are already sorted for the party, right?"
Maria nodded, glee filling her features.
Kanae's mouth opened, and then shut again. And Kyoko glanced between her and the president.
The president smiled indulgently at them both.
"I promise. I'm not lying, Kotonami-san."
"Sir?" Kyoko started.
Lory sighed, "Your time as LoveMe members is coming to end, my dears. Your last task is simply to attend our LME Agency awards ceremony."
Kyoko gaped, her knees buckling to drop her into a seat next to Kanae, "Really?!"
Kanae nodded, still stunned by the announcement.
Lory held his arms out to Maria as she jumped into them.
"A week from now my dears, make sure you're there!" Both grandfather and granddaughter let out soft laughs as they exited, and after a moment, Kyoko dashed back out into the hallway.
"President!"
The pair stopped, and turned back to her.
"President…I get it now. I thought… I, I thought I had started to, months ago, when you last asked. But I do. I do get it now."
"When you met me, I had sacrificed everything I could to help someone else. I did this in the name of some grand love I thought would make me happy, when really, I was just scared of always being alone. And I swung from that extreme to another and was this hateful, bitter person, and I… That wasn't right.
"That might have been how I needed to...to cope or something, but it wasn't healthy. And it made being a decent person, a good-hearted person…difficult. Kindness is a choice we must make. Even within the smaller microcosm of life that is this industry, being an actress also means you have to set a good example for the people you're working with, and for all the fans. You're their inspiration, the reason they get through the day sometimes, and you can't treat that lightly.
"You need to accept both your strengths, and your shortcomings, and you need to love yourself anyway. Because that's what makes you try to be a better person. And this whole time… that's what you were trying to teach me.
"Right president? Love is essential, if we don't have that...if we can't understand that, we can't have the rest.
"…Thank you for letting me be here. And thank you for giving me the chance to learn that."
Her voice quivered with emotion as she said those last words, and she bowed hurriedly, trying to hide her face. It was all for naught, as she felt warm hands pull her back up, and she inhaled in surprise as Lory squeezed her tight into a hug with all three of them. He tucked her head into his chest, and she nearly got a mouthful of Maria's curls, but his voice was tight with emotion when he spoke.
"I am so, so very proud of you Mogami Kyoko. I have waited, and waited for this day. You're a firecracker my dear, and the sparks that fly off of you ignite a fierce, fiery admiration in everyone around you. Even an old man like me."
He pulled her back away from him, squeezing her shoulders, and they just looked at each other for a moment, tears trailing down their cheeks. They smiled through them, before Lory spoke again.
"Well done my girl, well done. Don't stop here, keep going. I can't wait to see what you'll do next."
"Thank you President."
"You are so very welcome."
Even as she turned away, and he began to hear the loud exclamations between his first two LoveMe members echoing out in the hall, Lory sniffled.
"Grandpa, are you gonna stop crying anytime soon?"
"Maybe Maria-chan."
He chuckled as he heard his granddaughter's exasperated tone of voice as she called him silly, and ruffled her hair.
"Don't grow up too quickly Maria-chan. I think I've had quite enough of my kids growing up on me to last me a few years."
"You're so weird, grandpa."
"So long as you'll love me anyway."
Maria tsked and rolled her eyes, "Obviously."
Kyoko arrived in the foyer, and quietly shut the door behind her, exhausted after the day's work. She paused there a moment, marveling over her and Kanae finally graduating from LoveMe, but still so touched by Lory's kindness that she could only stare, baffled at the arrangement of plates filled with food on the dining room table as she stood next to it.
Ren smiled at her from the doorway. "What are you doing all the way over there? Aren't you hungry?"
"You… didn't.. Did you actually make dinner?!"
Ren chuckled, and walked towards her to pull off her jacket and hang up her bag.
"I got out early and wanted to surprise you. Do you like it?"
He pulled her into a tight embrace, tucking some hair behind her ear and Kyoko was so overwhelmed in that quiet moment, that she buried her face into his chest and struggled not to sob. Of course. Of course it would be just a little thing that makes me feel this way. So overwhelmed by love for him that she struggled to even form the words, she instead choked out the following:
"It's wonderful. Thank you."
Of course he was home to her. How could he be anything else?
Mogami Saena stepped uncertainly into the festive hall, Todoh at her side, murmuring soft reassurances. She first noticed the lavish decorations, apparently the theme was something to do with ikebana, as arrangements were spilling out of multiple areas. The second thing she noticed were the A-list celebrities.
"Well, I certainly can't fault her good taste," Saena muttered.
Todoh simply sighed, "It might do you some good to simply be kind."
Saena let out a soft snort, "Don't expect too much."
"Oh I don't," he said wryly.
They faded into the background for much of the festivities, and near the time they were about to leave, were approached by an older couple.
It was the older woman that first spoke, "I'm so sorry to bother you. I'm almost certain you are Mogami-sensei, yes? From that one interview earlier in the year?"
Saena gave her a curt nod, quickly analyzing their garb and coming to the conclusion that these must not be celebrities at all. This was quickly confirmed when the older couple introduced themselves as owners of one Darumaya Restaurant. Saena stiffened as she realized the significance of that.
It was the woman that sent her a reassuring smile though, as Saena hesitated, then said, "Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
It was a statement that was a stuttered mess of a thing, but Saena at least had enough wits about her, to bow in gratitude.
The woman's smile grew wider, "Your daughter loves with all that she is, and well..we know her only because of you. Thank you." The bow was returned.
Todoh watched the complicated expression cross Saena's face, and he gave her a soft squeeze on her shoulder as Saena mumbled another thank you. Her brow furrowed deep, and Todoh interrupted, "That's not an angry face, she's just uncomfortable."
Saena did scowl then, but small smiles crossed the faces of the Takasutkis, and they let it drop as they turned away to leave.
As they did so, Todoh gave Saena another soft pat of reassurance, "That was rather kind you know."
Saena sniffed, and stalked out of the hall.
Todoh raised his glass to Kyoko as she caught sight of them from a table some feet away, and mouthed to her, "Happy Birthday!"
Kyoko's brow furrowed, just like her mother's, and Todoh took that as a sign to make a quick exit before anything else could upset the tenuous balance between mother and daughter.
One Momose Itsumi studied Kyoko from a distance, surrounded by veteran cast and crew of Dark Moon, and some tipsy directors. She cocked her head as, almost unconsciously, one Tsuruga Ren placed a hand on Kyoko's shoulder, and whispered something in her ear. The pair took no notice of other celebrities that were covertly taking glances at the table they were occupying along with one Kotonami Kanae, and the writer Takashi-san.
Kanae evidently was noticing though, and sending out scowls to anybody that thought they could creep closer to overhear what the small group was discussing. Kyoko's distinctive giggle drifted Itsumi's way, causing her to smile, as Kyoko and Ren shared a rather loving expression.
Oohara-san leaned in close to her, "Do you suppose we should tell them to oh…I don't know…keep that under wraps better?"
Itsumi shrugged, smiling, "Nah. This is a party, and no one would believe party gossip. Not about…ah…loving smiles anyways."
She and Oohara shared a chuckle. Itsumi took notice of Ogata craning his neck around in the same direction as he overheard them.
"Ya know…I've had my suspicions since Karuizawa," he said softly, and more bluntly than normal since he was obviously tipsy.
"I understand why," Itsumi replied.
Oohara smiled, "It took them a while, but I don't think they actually started dating until after the Mt Oguso production."
One of the other tipsy directors, whom Itsumi had been introduced to just that night, one Kurosaki, shook his head, "Nah, Shin-kun and I definitely saw one of their dates. It was at Narisawa's, mooonths ago."
Ogata nodded along, "I met Konoe-san at the LME parking lot once upon a time, also some months ago, and we heard Tsuruga-kun ask Kyoko-chan if she'd be his date at the TraMa premiere."
Itsumi blinked slowly in surprise. The Actor X reveal had been a shocking one, but she'd not ever thought more deeply about checking out that interview. She was now sad that she missed the photos of the pair together. They'd looked stunning at the Dark Moon wrapup. Even as she thought this, Ogata was pulling out his phone.
Much of the group gathered around in a huddle, straining to see it, and whispers broke out as they all saw the picture in question.
Oohara studied it thoughtfully, "Wait…the premiere…oh, how interesting. That was before the ending of Mt. Oguso. Hmmm…"
Shingai-san finally spoke, "They've known each other well…a while, as a matter of fact."
The rest of the group turned their attention to this new reveal and Itsumi arched an inquisitive eyebrow.
Shingai-san gestured in their direction, "Her first job was as temp manager for Ruriko Matsunai on my set for Ring Doh 2. Tsuruga looked obsessed, if I do say so myself. That was nearly two years ago now."
Itsumi gasped, "So long?! They'd known each other for so long even before Dark Moon?!"
This information caused a whole new round of whispers to break out. Unbeknownst to the couple in question, before the end of the evening was over, the new open secret of their industry friends was that the Tsuruga-Mogami connection must have been a hell of a slowburn. And bets were promptly taken about how long it'd take before they'd receive wedding invitations.
Ren struggled mightily with suppressing his nerves as the acting section chief presented the Best Newcomer award to an elegantly delighted Kotonami-san. Ren's presentation was up next, and he'd clenched his hands together tightly in his lap to stop himself from readjusting his tie every five minutes as his time got closer and closer.
He stood up and cleared his throat as the emcee introduced him while the acting chief took his seat, "It's our pleasure to present Tsuruga Ren, who will be presenting the LME Spirit Award this evening. Please, a round of applause, it's his first time." The emcee winked and the audience chuckled and applauded.
Ren bowed politely as he took the podium. "Everyone, thank you so much for all your work this year. And thank you doubly for giving me this opportunity. It may surprise you, but I'm quite touched by the honor." He cleared his throat nervously, and the audience stirred slightly amongst themselves in surprise, to hear a less refined tone from him than what they were used to.
"Well, this is actually the first year we've had this award. It was a bit of a brainchild of the president's, as I'm sure many of you know." Ren tapped his fingers against the podium as he thought of the way to word this.
"The president came to many of us senior staff and asked us who we thought fully represented the spirit of our company. We weren't allowed to just pop off with any name that came to mind too. We had to have proof. Anybody who had this happen to them, you know this pain." More polite chuckling swept the audience.
"From the administrators, to the talentos, to the musicians, to the acting section, many, many names came up. But it's because of one in particular that I'm the one up here presenting this." Ren ran a hand nervously through his hair. He could tell that the audience was growing more intrigued by this lack of self-control with his fidgeting. He bit the bullet and just came out with it.
"I confess Mogami-san, I had to fight quite a few others for the honor of presenting this to you."
The gradual realization of who was being awarded swept over the auditorium, and some light chatter began as the audience started looking around for Kyoko. She sat, stunned, in the third row from the stage, next to a gleeful Maria-chan. Ren smiled down at them, "Not to worry Mogami-san, I have a couple more things to say, then you're more than welcome to come collect your award."
"Going back to my original point about having to fight for this honor though. I, thankfully, could pull the seniority card as we've worked the most together on various projects." Ren coughed to hide a smirk as the crowd laughed at the joke. More and more smiles were showing up on their faces. To say Kyoko had acquired some fame, or infamy, around LME would be a bit of an understatement.
"I met you your very first day here. Right after section chief Sawara in fact. Way back before you even auditioned to be a talento. I think we can be honest with everyone now when we say we didn't make that great of an impression on each other. But looking back on that now, I am humbled to see your progress."
Ren was relieved to see people nodding along in the crowd as Kyoko appeared less and less like she'd been thunderstruck.
"I'll try not to take up too much time, but I do feel the need to explain why I'm here. Everyone here, I'm sure, knows how private a person I am. But, uh, in the past few months, some people have shown me a great deal of compassion, and sympathy, as they have, in their own ways, recognized that I was struggling. They never asked me for my story, never demanded it of me, they only urged me to take chances I might not otherwise take, all in the effort of perhaps helping me grow.
"I will forever be grateful to those people, because it has landed me on the path that I walk now. And maybe it's the romantic in me, but I like to believe," he paused for a moment, searching out Kyoko's eyes in the crowd and meeting them, smiling as he did, "Well, I like to believe that this path first began when I met a little girl in a forest in Kyoto when I was ten."
"At the time, all I remember was that I was so upset with myself, because I had thought I'd let my parents down, that I had disappointed people I worked with. I felt like I didn't belong and I felt like a fraud. All these feelings were boiling over for the kid that I was. And then, I met you." Ren couldn't tell if the gobsmacked expressions starting to appear on people's faces were mimicked by the people behind him on stage, but he was gratified that Kyoko held his gaze, sure and steady.
"Even a kid like me could recognize that the situation you were in had striking similarities to my own. Feeling like you didn't belong, like you couldn't make the ones that mattered, proud of you.
"But together, as kids, we could just play. We could make up stories, play make-believe. We could let all that go, and just be kids and have some fun. That time we spent along that riverbank, even after all these years, I still think of it as our own little fairytale. And I'll treasure it forever.
"It was only a short time, but it left a lasting impression. When I was at my lowest, when I was down on myself the most, I thought of that time. I drew inspiration from how we played make-believe, I drew strength from remembering your support, and I was happy to think that maybe I had made a difference, little though it may have been. I may not have mattered much to anyone else, but to one precious little girl in Kyoto, I could be a prince." If he wasn't mistaken, Kyoko and Maria might have been holding each other as they sniffed back tears.
"When we first met again, ten years later, I didn't even recognize you. When I did though, my first thought was that life had done us both a bad turn. I was disappointed at the time, thinking that it wasn't fair that life had dealt us those hands.
"But, ever so slowly, I came to realize, as much as things had changed, they had also stayed the same. We were lonely, scared kids, and we were still just struggling to find our way.
"And something special started to happen. I watched what you did, how life knocked you down, and how, despite all that, every single time it happened, you just got back up and you tried again. You inspire hope in a lot of people, Kyoko, and we'll thank you every chance we get for that.
"Your dedication, your passion, your strength, that is what has moved you forward. That is what the LME Spirit Award is about. Of all our potential nominees this year, your name came up the most. And from a great deal more people than even you might think of. Don't ever forget the effect you have on others Mogami-san. Our company, LME, is enriched just because you are such a strong presence here."
Ren motioned for her to come forward onto the stage and Kyoko stumbled out of her chair, towards the stairs, as applause rang out around her. Stepping onto the stage, Ren hugged her quickly and had her stand next to the podium before he turned to look Kyoko in the face.
"I fought for the honor to present this to you not only because I personally have seen your progress on our projects together, but because of us and our friendship.
"From one troubled soul to another, I present to you Mogami Kyoko, LME's Spirit Award. You have earned it through your kindness of spirit, your generosity, your passion for what you do, your unceasing perseverance and strength, how you help wherever you can, how hard you try despite all odds, and with all the grace and honor of the spirit we look for here at LME."
With a flourish, he pulled out the award from the shelf beneath the podium, a stone, measuring roughly at a foot in any dimension, that had a remarkable similarity to her Corn stone. It was emblazoned with the kanji for spirit and attached to a base with a plaque that had the number of the year. It was both simple, and perfect.
"Mogami Kyoko, I am humbled to know you, and I cannot wait to see where you will go from here." He gave her a deep bow and nearly made it all the way up out of it before she crashed into him, throwing her arms around his neck and sobbing wildly.
The uproarious applause from the audience as they stood to cheer her made him almost miss Kyoko snuffling a comment in his ear, "Baka Kuon!"
He squeezed her tightly as he laughed, lifting her slightly off her feet, before he set her back down with the award clutched tightly in one of her hands. He took her free hand, presented her to the rest of furiously clapping LME talent, and together, they raised their arms and took a bow.
When Kyoko is 18 and Ren is still 21, they attend an international awards ceremony for Tragic Marker and his parents meet them there. When TraMa wins best director and best villain, Ren is surrounded by the people he loves most in the world.
(And his friends send him many, many congratulations.)
When Kyoko is 18, and Ren is 22, they take a vacation. They watch a Shakespearean open-air play from a darling group of community theater kids, and visit a tea house afterwards.
(They dress so anonymously they can safely tangle their fingers together and never let go.)
That same year, Ogata taps them for leading roles in a movie, once Spring at Mt. Oguso has premiered, and their popularity soars to new heights.
(Kyoko is installed in her own LME-controlled apartment, all the better for them to sneak away for weekly dates, when they can.)
When Kyoko is 19, and Ren is still 22, they attend another international awards ceremony. This time it's for Spring At Mt. Oguso. It wins best ensemble cast, best screenplay, and best director for televised drama.
(The friendly cast make headlines, and paparazzi follow them to the dinner that's hosted for them afterwards. New photos are blasted on social media sites of an incredibly tender congratulatory hug between one Tsuruga Ren and Kyoko, and the first rumors begin of the onscreen romance having its roots in something deeper.)
When Kyoko is 19 and Ren is 23, Konoe urges them to audition for an internationally-produced heist film. Kyoko is an ojou-sama for the yakuza, with a hidden dark side, and Ren is her faithful right-hand man.
(It's not caught on camera, but even their fellow castmates begin to murmur about them due to the frequency of them spending all their time together, outside of filming.)
When Kyoko is 20 and Ren is 24, Mogami Kyoko and Hizuri Kuon attend an international premiere of the heist movie. Picked up by spotlights, and the frequent flashes of cameras, is the very noticeable engagement ring that glitters on Kyoko's hand.
(It bears an uncanny resemblance to other jewelry Kyoko wears: a necklace and a bracelet that she's very rarely seen without.)
...
Thanks for reading everyone. It's been four frickin years in the making, but finally! The end!
-artsy