AN: Thank you guys so much for being patient with me for the update of this chapter. I hope you enjoy it 😊 Lots of good chapters ahead as Kyoko and Kuon will be together physically in the next few chapters

Chapter Ten – Through Arrivals

Kuon nervously finished his piece on the piano. He had been studying for only two weeks and his dad had already had time to teach him a couple of songs and they had moved quickly onto level two piano basics. Kuon was still a little shaky in how he was playing. His dad was such an expert at playing the piano and he didn't want to disappoint him but Kuu was beaming with pride as he stood there gazing at his son.

"That was amazing," he said proudly before gently putting a hand on his son's head and ruffling his hair. "That's definitely going to help you with your acting even if you just continue doing voice roles."

"Is there something wrong with doi-" Kuon started but Kuu quickly cut him off.

"Not at all. I don't know how well I would perform at voice acting. There's a certain level of difficulty there that only someone knowledgeable about the acting style would be aware of. I love seeing your work. You definitely are able to put forward a lot of character in your voice and they expanded your role didn't they?" he asked and Kuon nodded.

"Do you think that I'm playing the piano okay?" he asked and Kuu nodded.

"You're just learning and thinking about the fact that you've only been learning it for a couple of weeks. Well, I'm impressed by your work ethic. You already have your homework which I've seen your excelling at, your work as a voice actor, and now you're playing the piano. You must have all of your mother's best genes," he commented and Kuon smiled.

"I think it's a combination of both you and mom. You have some great genes too," he said and Kuu looked surprised but then very happy. Despite the fact that Kuu had been raised to have a spectacular work ethic and Japanese directors knew about this, Boss knew about this, he felt that he had made the right choice to cut down on his work. Acting was fun and he loved his job and exploring new roles but if he hadn't have slowed down and if he hadn't have taken the classes he did on child psychology, he might have neglected his son. Juliella and Kuon were more important than his career, he was glad he realized that in time.

"Are you looking forward to Kyoko's visit?" he asked and Kuon smiled before nodding.

"I hope I don't let her down this time. I know that I've hurt her before but I really don't want to make her upset or anything," Kuon told his father. He felt glad that Boss was coming with her so that they could stay in a hotel. He felt that he wasn't the best person to protect her in this country but he did want to see her. Hopefully he had matured since the last time that they had spent time together.

"Kyoko is resilient," Kuu commented and Kuon looked at him.

"Just because she's strong doesn't mean that it's okay if she gets hurt. Quite the opposite. I really hope that I can make her happy," he grinned and Kuu smiled. It was true. His son really had matured and he hoped that this new acting job was the cause of it. Just seeing his son turn towards his future made Kuu both happy and proud of what he felt his son deserved.

…..

…..

"How do you feel that that went?" the music instructor asked as she looked at Kyoko who was holding the flute. Kyoko grinned as she held the instrument close to her. It was such a gorgeous item and she wanted to take care of it. It was now one of her prized possessions. She had been so thrilled when her father had told her that he was arranging music lessons for her and with every moment she wasn't occupied with art, fashion design, or school work, she was practicing with her flute.

"I really enjoyed it but I want to hold the notes for a little longer," she grinned and the instructor nodded.

"I thought you played very well but I am happy that you understand the areas in which you need improvement. I also think that as you practice, your hold on the instrument will approve as will your being able to reach certain notes. You're a beginner so make sure that you continue your practice," the instructor commented before writing some things down for Kyoko.

"Thank you, ma'am" Kyoko smiled in a way that could brighten anyone's day.

The instructor handed Kyoko the note which had some suggestions on ways that she could practice to improve her weak spots. Sometimes the students would get disheartened with the criticism and she was nervous that they would give up playing – despite that not being in the so-called Japanese work ethic – but Kyoko seemed different. Kyoko genuinely seemed to want to know her mistakes so that she could work on them. It was as if the girl was more uncomfortable with compliments than criticism.

"So, for our next class, I'd like it if you could pick one of these five brief pieces and work on it. If you can't complete it then there won't be any disappointment as long as you play to the best of your abilities," she said and Kyoko nodded with a smile which made the instructor love her even more.

"Do you think that I'm improving?" Kyoko asked, "I really want to play something for my father. I think that he really likes music and he told me there was a flautist in one of his romance games," she said eagerly and the instructor's eyebrow rose.

"Is that so? Is this a romance video or a romance game?" she asked concerned. It wasn't her position to talk about Lory Takarada's life but she didn't want for any child to be involved with pornography. She truly hoped that it was something much tamer than that.

"It's stories," Kyoko smiled, "He plays matchmaking games. He likes making the characters fall in love," she grinned and the instructor smiled.

"The kind of game that high school girls play?" the instructor tried to confirm and Kyoko nodded.

"But father says that there isn't any maximum age requirements for video games and that it's just a guideline," Kyoko smiled and the instructor nodded before hearing that the man of the house had just arrived home.

"Why don't you go greet your father and I'll tell him about the progress that you've been making. It's my understanding that we only have one more session together before you go to America on your vacation. Are you going to practice your flute there?"

"Yes because I want to play for Kuon," Kyoko grinned excitedly. "He's my best American friend. I really want to show him that I'm doing well at it and I bet he'll encourage me. Sometimes Kuon can be a little short sighted but he's really friendly and supportive. I really want to see him smile," she said and the instructor nodded.

"I think he'll like watching you play," she told her before Kyoko rushed out of the room but not before bowing and thanking the instructor. As she ran to the front door, Lory opened his arms wide and scooped her up in them, kissing her cheek.

"How did your lesson go today?" he asked her with a kiss on her forehead and Kyoko let her head rest on Lory's shoulder.

"It went well. I think that I'm improving but I want to get even better. Do you think that Kuon will be happy to hear me play? He's always so excited when I show him something new," Kyoko laughed and Lory nodded, holding her close.

"I think that he'll be very impressed. I've heard that he's been learning how to play the piano but he's still quite fresh at it. It would be fun to hear him play too, right?"

"Yes. I'll look forward to that," Kyoko smiled as she closed her eyes and held her flute to her. Kuon still was extremely important to her despite being so far away. She wanted to practice and get even more skilled. It would crush her if he told her that she wasn't good at it or that her playing was hurting his ears. He wouldn't say something like that, would he?

…

…

A week later Kyoko was holding Lory's hand as they went through the airport security. She was glad that she was with her father this time, it made everything seem so much less scary and she wouldn't be left alone like the previous time. She would have someone who was on her side. Still, seeing her friend was more important to her.

As they got to the arrivals gate and Kyoko noticed Kuon and his family, she ran over and jumped up, throwing her arms around Kuon and he managed to catch her. The adults smiled at their interaction and Kyoko pulled back, grinning at the golden-haired preteen.

"Kuon!" she giggled, "Corn, it's so good to see you," she said loudly and Kuon grinned at her, hugging her close again.

"I'm glad to see you again as well," Kuon said as he gently placed a hand and she held it there whilst blushing. He had very smooth, soft, and warm skin. It was very special to her that he had placed his hand there. She pulled back and grabbed her case carrying her flute. "What's that?" Kuon asked as he tilted his head to the side. "Is that your flute?" he asked and Kyoko nodded eagerly. "Will you play for me at my home?" he asked.

"I'd love to," Kyoko smiled widely, "but we have to make a deal. I'll play my flute for you but I want to hear you play the piano…if that's okay, of course."

"Of course it's okay, I want to play for you," Kuon emphasized before pausing and looking down, "Well, I would like to play for you but I have to admit that I'm not very good at it. I've just started so what I play for you isn't really that good. Dad says I've been doing well but I'm very new at is," Kuon told her. He didn't want to let her get her hopes up. There was no chance that he'd be delivering something of the level of Mozart or Beethoven. He could barely play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star without looking at the music book.

Kyoko blinked, "Of course you won't let me down. I'm just happy to see you face to face, to be able to hug you," she smiled and Kuon nodded.

"I also asked my director if you could come and watch me act but you don't have to. You and Boss have to sign some NDAs and he has to come with you but because it's my first request and other people have done so, my director said that you could come and watch….if you want to," he said and Kyoko nodded eagerly.

"That's awesome!" she said and then looked at her father, "We can go, right? We can watch Kuon act, right?"

"It would be my honor to watch a young star at work," Lory nodded and Kuon looked down a little embarrassed before deciding to have confidence in himself. He looked up and then looked at Lory before turning his gaze to Kyoko.

"Thank you," he told them before Kyoko hugged him again.

End of Part 4 Chapter 10

Thank you for reading

Thank you to the reviewers of 4.9

Kris XD, ktoll9, paulagato, RedtheWolf2

Response to Reviews

I definitely believe that there is a connection between the two of them and that's why (I don't know if it's just me) I get annoyed by Kuon thinking that there is a link between Sho and Kyoko. Yes, the two work in different worlds of the entertainment industry but them meeting each other isn't a miracle. They were both there. They both went in to be performers (Kyoko's still in talent department if I'm remembering correctly) and so they met numerous times.

Now, what really is a connection is an American boy being on a trip with his father meeting a girl in one part of Japan and them not meeting again until many years later in a completely different part of Japan in the same agency despite her not showing any interest in performing. Now I think that that is some special bond.

I really hope you guys enjoy the next chapters and Kuon is definitely more mature than the last time that Kyoko visited him.