A/N

1. I don't own Skip Beat;

2. I use italics to show characters' thoughts;

3. Plot of this story is happening after Ren decided to confess (after chapter 276 - keep it in mind);

4. English is not my native language that's why I kindly ask for your understanding.

Forbidden voices

Chapter 1 - The voice of lost hopes

Like never before Takarada Lory seemed to be pretty busy this day. Since early morning the phones at all LME's agency rang without mercy. It was all due to recent scandal involving their new stars. Or so Lory thought, because he commanded not to answer any calls in the building until they come up with a way to cover up the scandal.

"Grandpa! You have to see this!" a voice of Maria was heard in the corridor. Lory didn't even have time to think about what caused the sensation, when Maria ran into the office. The girl was visibly tired, but at the same time there was a familiar gleam in her eyes. Lory knew something was up.

Lory measured the look in her eyes for some sign of hint as she wasn't saying anything. Unable to catch her breath, the girl headed toward the giant screen and turned it on. Lory looked at his granddaughter suspiciously just to see how she says with tears in her eyes "Grandpa, she came back! Onee-sama is back!" After these words he looked at the screen in amazement.

The headline of TV news indicated that someone important had arrived at the airport. Then he saw her. Maybe in a slightly different hairstyle, her hair was now longer and in the original color. Her outfit also seemed different, like a mix of Natsu and Setsu's style. Perfectly white asymmetrical skirt reaching only half the thigh, black turtleneck with a cut neckline and thrown on the shoulders far too large double-breasted jacket of the same color as the skirt. In combination with black boots reaching above the knee, the whole set emphasized both femininity and attractiveness. It was modest yet revealing. She was different but he would always recognize her.

Something was off about this situation. Then he saw it. Sparks in her eyes, almost as if she was experiencing the happiest moments in her life.

"Could Ren get her back?" Lory exclaimed, clearly pleased. Then he saw the second hero of today's news. He knew this blond man, he remembered those green eyes. Journalists began to ask and he knew. "Problems will start to arise" It was his last thought before he called his assistant and gave further instructions.

12 months ago (3 weeks before departure)

After putting the Bo outfit back in place and saying goodbye to the crew, she intended to leave the TBM studio. She was already at the door when she saw him. He was talking to someone and it must have been quite a funny conversation, because he had this wonderful smile on his face. A smile that always made her feel better. But when she saw who he was talking to, she felt as if someone was sticking needles into her heart.

Morizumi Kimiko stood next to Ren, staring at him with her eyes full of love. He told her something and she immediately blushed.

"I will tell her everything. I'll tell her how I feel about her." Kyoko remembered Ren's words. It was only half an hour ago. However, he apparently did what he wanted. In addition, with the desired effect.

That was it. Although she knew this from the beginning, there was some small hope in her heart. However, two sentences managed to destroy everything. There was nothing left but pain and suffering.

"I'm alone now. He has his dream girlfriend, so I won't be needed anymore." she thought and left the building as soon as she could.

4 days before departure

She tried her best. Immediately after class she was always in the LME's building ahead of time. When she finished her assignments, she returned home as soon as she could. She didn't even pay attention to the people passing by which was very rude looking at Kyoko. All of this, in order not to meet him. She saw that he tried to contact her several times. There were several missed calls, messages and even emails. However, Kyoko did not have the courage. The outfit of Bo the Chicken suited her perfectly. She felt like an ordinary pathetic coward.

Honestly, she would rather never see him again than hear how wonderful it is to date his love. "Will I be like this forever?" she didn't even know when tears started running down her cheeks.

"Mogami-san? Did something happen?" she heard a concerned voice. As she was sitting, she looked up to see Sawara's worried face. Could she tell him? She didn't want him to worry. She didn't want anyone to worry.

"No, no. Everything is fine." Kyoko said wiping away her tears and trying to laugh. However, Sawara still did not seem convinced. "I read a beautiful story, there were fairies and princesses. I think I was touched that it was over." she tried to sound convincing. Most likely it worked, because Sawara grinned and changed the subject. He led her to his office and began a trial on how Kyoko is becoming famous and stuffs.

Then she heard a clap in front of her face. Sawara realized that Kyoko seemed to be in another world. "Are you listening because I can feel you are not. Whatever. Now I need you to listen" Kyoko decided to dismiss her thoughts about Ren and listen to Sawara. "There is a great opportunity ahead of you. You were offered a role in a movie! A movie! What's more, the main role. This will be your debut." he sounded excited, almost as if he were to play in the movie himself.

"Oh, did I? I'm so happy..." she tried to sound happy. She was happy. Since she found herself in acting, she wanted to be able to play the main role. So she was happy. Although her misfortune was greater.

Sawara didn't seem to notice Kyoko's humor and continued. "You will have to play the role of Sara. She was raised by her father, who wanted her to fulfill his dream from his youth. Become the best dancer of the country. However, Sara has a boyfriend who effectively pulls her away from dancing. The girl is torn, whether it's still her dream or just her father's. Does she even love dancing?" Sawara saw Kyoko's dismayed look. "Take it easy, this is not a romance. However, as this is an international film, I will understand that you may not want..."

"International? Will I shoot outside of Japan?" Kyoko sounded suspiciously curious. Sawara nodded in response. Suddenly Kyoko felt a strange surge of hope. If she was abroad for a while, she would probably be able to collect the remains of her feelings. Then the feeling of bitterness returned again. They won't start filming right away. It will probably take a month or maybe even two. It's too long.

At the sight of sadness in Kyoko's eyes, Sawara felt an understanding of the likely dilemma of the girl. "Mogami-san, no. Kyoko-chan. I understand that it will probably be difficult for you, especially since they want you to stay in London for a year before they start filming." Kyoko questioned him with her eyes. "You know, for you to acquire behavior from a foreign country. England is different from Japan. People are different there. They'll probably let you go in a month or two if you can't do it so early..."

"Will I be able to leave this week? Can I do it earlier?" Sawara looked suspicious, so she added "Sawara-san, you know how seriously I take my roles. I should not shorten my preparation time just because it will be difficult for me to leave the country. This is not a professional's behavior."

Despite a moment of reflection from Sawara, he seemed finally convinced. "Yes, it is possible. In that case, as it is Thursday today I will book you a flight on Monday." He suggested, but in the back of his head he still wondered if she should fly there so early.

After 2 hours, Kyoko left the office holding the received documents. There was an outline of her character's personality and of course the travel plan with the flight ticket she had already received. She was so busy thinking about the whole situation that she didn't even notice people on the way and bumped into someone.

"Mogami-san, what a pleasure to finally see you." She knew that voice. Just as she knew the smile that accompanied him. She did not see him yet, but the aura surrounding her told her that he was angry. Ready for what this meeting could bring, she looked up and met Ren's eyes. He seemed to be trying to read her, clearly confused. "Am I wrong for thinking that Mogami-san avoided me lately? Did I do something that deserves such treatment?"

Now, now she was scared. She didn't know how could she annoy someone with a lack of contact. He had his love. They probably met every day and chirped like those birds. "No, of course not. I was, well... I was busy!" Although she tried, her voice was shaking anyway. His eyes seemed to be checking if she was telling the truth. Suddenly his eyes softened and that beautiful smile settled on his face.

"In that case, if you are not busy at the moment, I would like to talk. How about coffee? Yashiro-san has to go to President for a while anyway. So I also have time now. What do you say?"

Ren looked at his assistant and Yashiro knew immediately, he was not desired here for a while.

"Oh, right. I have to...hmm. Get my phone. Right, my phone. What a stupid me, I left it with President. I don't know how. Ha ha." Yashiro grinned and left clearly pleased. "Maybe Ren will finally take a step. And then his and MY dreams will come true".

Kyoko followed Ren. Then she found herself in his dressing room in LME's building. "Why are we here? I thought we're going to grab a coffee?" she asked, however, she sat down in the indicated place.

"We can drink coffee here. Mogami-san, do you doubt my coffee making skills?" he chuckled. When he gave her freshly brewed coffee, she suddenly felt relaxed. It wasn't as scary as she thought. "Mogami-san, regarding the case I want to talk about." he started.

Kyoko felt her body tensed again. "Is he going to tell me about his new relationship? About how happy he is?" she looked at her hands. They were holding a cup. Oh, how she wished it was his hand instead. But it's reserved for Morizumi-san. She felt the tears on her cheeks again. Why was she so weak?

Ren looked at Kyoko. He didn't know what to do, he wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her. But he couldn't, not now when something was clearly bothering her. "Mogami-san, I can see that something is going on. Will you tell me what is it?" However, in response he only got her shaking her head. He was worried, but could not help her if she refused help. He knew the feeling himself, he did the same. "Maybe I'll take you home? Yashiro-san told me that you have nothing more planned today. You will be able to rest. And our conversation ... It can wait. Maybe Tuesday since we both have time all evening?" he proposed.

Then he saw the corner of Kyoko's mouth rising. Was she smiling? He could wait. For her happiness, he could sacrifice his own. He took her home a moment later. Kyoko said goodbye to him politely as usual. However, there was something unspoken in her eyes. Ren decided not to focus on it. Something was bothering her, but she could manage. She always does. Instead of thinking about it, Ren focused on the more important one. Tuesday. Their date. At least he wanted her to treat it like a date after his confession.

Monday

There was a crowd at the airport as always. Mondays were like that. People liked to start the week with traveling. Probably in the hope of finding new happiness. She has already arranged with Sawara a replacement for her role as Bo. She also said goodbye to the Darumaya couple who were extremely understanding. It was harder with Moko-san. She knew something was wrong. And it's not just the sadness of leaving for so long. She didn't feel the energy beating from Kyoko. Instead, it felt as if she wanted to run away.

Kyoko still had one thought in her head. Should she tell Ren about going abroad? She didn't want him to wait for her tomorrow. Even if the thought of him hurt her, he was still her respected senpai. It would be appropriate to inform him about the trip. Even if he didn't care. That would be appropriate.

Ren was about to start his break. The next scene was supposed to be more demanding, so he should rest for a while. He noticed Yashiro walking towards him. He had that strange expression on his face and it worried Ren. "Did something happen? You broke my phone again, right?" he asked when he saw the phone in the hand of the assistant.

"That's true... I broke it. But that's not the case" Yashiro started and explained that he broke Ren's phone in the morning and tried to find a new one. "You see, Kyoko-chan called you. Several times to be honest."

Ren smiled honestly. It was a smile he had on his face mainly for Kyoko. He took phone from Yashiro's hands before he could say anything. He dialed the number to Kyoko but something was wrong. "Strange as if the phone was turned off. Oh, she left me a voice message." he grinned and listened to the message. Somehow, from second to second, Ren's smile disappeared. Instead, there was shock and sadness in his eyes. When the message was over he hung up the phone. He returned the phone to Yashiro. "You may as well destroy it."

Ren approached the wall and hit with his fist. Yashiro ran to Ren, trying to pull him away from hurting himself. He asked several times what happened. Then he saw it, Ren's eyes were blank. "She left. She's gone. She left me." and then Yashiro saw the actor's tears for the first time.