AN: I really hope you enjoy this chapter

Chapter Nine – Young and Talented

"Are you serious?" Kanae asked as she raised an eyebrow and looked at the man in front of her who looked less like the president of an entertainment agency and more like a cowboy from an old Western film complete with neckerchief. Kanae was almost convinced that she had seen somebody taking a horse out of the building.

"I don't kid about great acting skills," Lory said as he aimed his fingers like a gun at her before pretending to fire at the wall, "And I feel right on the money about you. Now, there's no audition needed but you do need your parents permission. Let's just say that we'll allow the tuition cost to reflect what your parents are able to pay."

Kanae put her hands up, "that's really not a lot that my parents are able to pay," she flicked her hair behind her, "I might as well leave now if you're not -"

"Well, if they can't afford it then I'll take it out of your salary once you get famous," he winked, "and I'll add onto the contract that I make with them that you are to be an exclusive LME actress until the money gets paid back or you tire of acting."

Kanae grinned back with a smile, "That might take years, are you sure that you're okay not getting your money back for that long Takarada-sama?" she asked and Kyoko smiled at her. Kyoko could tell that her new friend was nervous about being taken to their impressive house and being asked to act on cue but she had been able to do so.

Kyoko felt great about this. Although Kuon and Kanae were different ages and wanted to go in different directions in terms of where their acting took them, they were going to be going to the school together. A part of her wanted to join them but she wasn't that interested in actually acting for herself, she already felt a little bit overlooked and to force herself into the center didn't seem like a fun alternative. No, she'd have fun watching her friends act and perform.

"Here's my card for your parents," Lory told her, "Kyoko, what did you think?" he winked at her and Kyoko looked across at Kuon who had recorded the whole thing on his digital camera.

"I think it was amazing," she said as she clapped energetically, "You're amazing! That was unbelievably super cool amazing wonderful! You're amazing!" she said again and Kanae blushed.

"Well, yes, of course I am," she said with a smile as Lory laughed and stood up.

"Now I think I have some work calls to make," Lory said before hugging Kyoko again, "Thank you for rustling up some talent my adorable little cowgirl," he winked again and Kyoko smiled before seeing him go back to his office.

"Your dad is….really weird," Kanae said in a whisper so that she wouldn't be heard.

"I love that about him," Kyoko nodded. She turned to Kuon, "I never would have met him if it wasn't for Corn. He adopted me from when I used to live in Kyoto and my…" Kyoko shivered as she thought about how her mother had just abandoned her freely as if that was an okay thing for a parent to do. Kuon had noticed this and was hugging her.

"It's okay, yeah, boss adopted Kyoko due to complications with her own family. I had some trouble with my own parents so I came here for a little bit to heal," he said as he helped Kyoko by wiping away some of her tears. "I'm only here for a few more months but my parents, especially my dad, though that it would be good for me."

"I…I don't have any problems with my family but my parents are kind of poor and then they go on these trips and my siblings kind of…." Kanae said as she looked around. How was it that she had such a low economic background compared to the two of them and yet she felt happier and more fulfilled with her biological family. Was it really true that rich people could afford to have more problems, it seemed so?

"Do you want to get some ice cream?" Kyoko asked as she pulled on Kanae's hand.

Kanae stared at her, what kind of ice cream did she have here? Was this where she could try the gold ice cream? Was that such a thing that rich people ate. "S-sure," Kanae nodded, "I love ice cream. Thank you."

Kuon looked at them before calling out to them, "Kyoko, I'm going to go and wait for my dad's call," he said. This was the second time they had met with Kanae and whereas Kuon was interested in how this girl and Kyoko were getting along, he wanted to show the video to his father and see what his response was. He hoped that he wasn't causing his dad too many additional problems.

As he got to his room, Kuon connected the camera to his computer to upload the file and then sent it in an email attachment to his father. He wanted to see his dad and hear what he had to say about this girl. Kuon waited for about twenty minutes before hearing the phone ring and picked it up.

"Hi, Dad, how are you?" he asked and Kuu laughed.

"Somebody sounds happier, I take it that you've decided to live in the moment, smart decision," Kuu said as Kuon could tell he was smiling on the other end of the line.

"There's been some good things happening for Kyoko and I'm excited to train as a stage actor," Kuon said truthfully. He waited a moment before asking, "Dad, did you see the video file I just sent you?"

"I did and Kuon, that girl is extraordinarily talented. I'm really glad that you showed me that, are you becoming a talent scout?" he tried to joke and Kuon laughed.

"No, it was more that Kyoko wanted to see a stage play and especially when I told her about how I wanted to study stage acting and then we saw her act and I think she's one of the best child actors I know well, better than -"

"I still think the best actor is an eleven-year-old boy who sometimes thinks too far ahead but is still the best son a father could ask for," Kuu replied and Kuon looked down with a soft smile.

"Thanks Dad, but this girl, she doesn't come from a rich environment and it's just a shame that -" Kuon said before Kuu cut him off.

"If boss isn't going to sponsor her than I am," Kuu laughed, "You know that's one of my joys in life. Finding and nurturing young stars who might have difficulties because of their social, racial, or ethnic classes.

"I know, thank you," Kuon smiled as he started to realize that he and his dad were talking to each other without a feeling of their being something between them that they had to cross through. It was just their father-son bond again. "Dad, I'm excited to learn about stage acting, I'm not sure if I'd want to do it forever but -"

"You know, if you do become a Broadway actor which I have no doubt you could do, I don't think I'd ever get your mother to leave New York," Kuu joked. "Anything else you want to talk about?" he asked and Kuon nodded before entering a conversation with his father.

…..

…..

Kanae looked over at Kyoko as they got the ice cream. She rubbed her arm a little as she hated to be nervous and have that anxiety show on her face. "Kyoko-chan, about what everybody here is trying to help me with, about all the kindness that you've all given me, I -" she dropped down into a bow, "thank you so much for everything. I'm truly grateful."

Kyoko wrapped her arms around her in a hug, "It's good to recognize talents in other people. That's what Kuon did for me," she smiled happily and Kanae looked at her.

"Is he related to you?" she asked and Kyoko hummed.

"Not yet," she said before her eyes widened and she went to grab the sprinkles for their ice creams. She tried to ignore the fact that she had just said that. She knew that Kuon didn't have any dreams of marrying her and she should give up on this fairytale desires of hers but she did want to think that there was some possibility of becoming his bride.

"Not yet?" Kanae asked before smiling, "You like him," she stated and Kyoko blushed.

"Yes. Yes, I do. I think he's my best friend," she said before looking down at her ice cream, "or at least my most important friend. We've known each other for a long time ever since he got his injury and couldn't move his arms or legs."

"He…got hurt that badly?" Kanae asked and Kyoko nodded.

"It was a while ago but I don't think he's fully recovered. I think I'd always like to stay close to him. His parents took care of him when he was hurt like that but they both work and are very busy," she tried to explain. She thought about all the times that she had been through with Kuon and all the pain that she had had as well. It was all worth it though when it got to the good times that the two of them shared together.

"He doesn't show it, he seems to move around a lot, is that why he came here?" Kanae asked and Kyoko looked down.

"I don't want to say any more. I'm sorry, that's Kuon's story to share. I don't want to betray his trust. If you had a stor-"

"I understand," Kanae smiled as she looked over at Kyoko. She didn't want to make the young girl feel hurt about what was going on and she didn't want to hurt their newly blossoming friendship. She could see already the love that Kyoko had for this older boy and their friendship was already special. Kyoko's family was doing so much for her.

Kyoko looked at the food thoughtfully before her eyes brightened as Kuon came into the room, "How did the phone call go?" she asked and Kuon gave her a thumbs up. "Did you tell your parents that I said hi to them?"

"I told them how excited you were to see my Dad and how you said hi to them. Of course, I did. I also talked to them about Miss. Kotonami's audition and my dad thinks she's really talented." Kuon smiled as he looked at her, "I think my dad is a genius," he said and Kyoko laughed before flinging her arms around Kanae again.

"Did you hear that!? A genius said you're talented!" Kyoko told her and this time Kanae blushed a little.

"Kyoko-chan," Kanae said awkwardly, "Would you like to come and see my home?" she asked and Kyoko's excitement grew at that as she nodded eagerly, "Kuon can come as well."

"I think maybe just the two of you but thank you for the offer," Kuon tried to say respectfully whilst Kyoko was looking excited that her new friend liked her so much that she could come to her house.

End of Chapter Nine

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