The following morning, Kuon's kitchen was a flurry of activity. Kyoko was rushing around making both breakfast and Kuon's lunch at the same time. She had gotten up early, leaving Kuon to sleep in. Before she had started making food, however, she had made a very important phone call.

"Good morning, Yashiro-san!"

"Kyoko-chan, good morning! How is Ren?"

Kyoko smiled brightly to herself. "That is exactly what I was calling you to discuss. He is doing well, but he is definitely not ready to go back to work."

Yashiro smirked to himself. "So you're calling to let me know that if he calls me and begs and pleads to go to work today, I am to tell him, 'No.' Is that a correct assumption?"

"You're not the best manager in the world for nothing, Yashiro-san."

He laughed. "I promise you, Kyoko-chan, Ren will definitely be staying home today."

"Thank you so much, Yashiro-san. I really appreciate it."

"Not at all, Kyoko-chan. Give my best to Ren."

"I will! Goodbye!"

With that business taken care of, she had hastened to grill some fish, fire up the rice maker, and make some curry udon to put away for Kuon's lunch.

"Good morning, Princess."

She looked over to find him standing in the doorway in a suit with his contacts in. She shook her head. "No. No no no no no. You go take that suit off right now."

He chuckled. "You don't beat around the bush when you want to see a man naked, huh?"

Her cheeks flared. "That is not- KUON HIZURI you are NOT going to work today!"

He pouted at her. "But I feel fine."

"NO. I already called Yashiro-san, the answer is no." She marched over to him and shooed him back toward the bedroom. "Comfy clothes, NOW. You have a concussion!"

He turned up the puppy pout to a 12, and Kyoko averted her eyes. "NO. I'm NOT looking. You're not winning this time!" She pushed him all the way back into the bedroom. He frowned.

"But what am I going to do all day without you here? Just lay around?"

She narrowed her eyes on him. "Yes, Corn. The doctor said no work for a week!"

"But I'm gonna be all fidgety and bored!"

"Fidgety, bored, and hopefully not injuring yourself further!" She sighed, exasperated. "Will you just do as I say so I don't have to worry about you the whole time I'm gone?"

He pouted, "But Kyoko-chan-"

"DO NOT MAKE ME CALL YOUR MOTHER."

He froze. "You wouldn't."

She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. "Do you want to test that theory?"

He deflated. "Fine. Is there at least anything I could do around the house for you? I need something to do, Princess."

She patted his cheek. "What I really need you to do is to not overexert yourself. Do you remember when you got dizzy last night? What if that happens, only you fall on the floor, and I'm not home to help you?" Her eyebrows were knitted together in worry.

He sighed, hating to see her upset. "Okay, Princess, you win. I will behave myself and be bored all day. All right?"

She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Corn."

She left him to get re-dressed in something more appropriate and went back to the kitchen. She finished up with the food, and put the breakfast out on the table. Kuon sat down at the table, now back in his pajamas, and his contacts out. "Thank you for breakfast, Kyoko-chan."

She nodded, shoveling her food into her mouth. Her argument with Kuon had cost her precious time; her meeting with Sho and Lory was only an hour and a half away and she still had to shower and get dressed. She finished quickly and rushed to go shower. She washed up quickly and blow-dried her hair. She reached for her clothes. Oh no.

She had forgotten to grab her outfit and bring it to the bathroom. Her mind raced. I could wrap up in a towel and go get it… but then what if Kuon sees? Or I could have him bring them to me… but then he'll have to touch my panties. She hid her face in her towel, ready to scream.

"Kuon!?"

He blinked from his spot on the couch. "Yes, Kyoko-chan?"

"Um…" she sounded so embarrassed, "Could you get my clothes for me? I have them on the bed in the guest room."

"Of course. Just a minute." He got up and went to the guest room. She had laid out her LoveMe jumpsuit… and a simple white cotton bra and panties. He folded the jumpsuit over his arm and then picked up the unmentionables. He chuckled to himself, remembering his dream. Not pink lace…

He took the clothes to the bathroom and placed them on the floor outside the door.

"They're just out here, Kyoko-chan."

"T-Thank you, Kuon."

He left the room to go back to the couch, and Kyoko cracked the door and reached out to retrieve her clothes.

When Kyoko appeared fully dressed in the living room a few minutes later, Kuon shielded his eyes. "It's been a while since you've worn that."

She giggled. "It's definitely more harsh on the eyes when I don't wear it for a while. But I figure if Sho's going to be wearing one soon, then it might make him feel better if I wore mine."

Kuon got up from the couch and came to stand in front of her. "I sincerely doubt that Fuwa would look as cute in it as you do." He bent to kiss her and whispered in her ear. "I definitely love a girl in uniform."

She blushed, and an alarm sounded from her pocket. "Oh, I have to go." She turned the alarm off. "I made you lunch, it's in the refrigerator. Don't do anything crazy while I'm gone, okay? Please just stay on the couch and watch TV." He walked her over to the front door. She continued to rattle off instructions as she slipped her shoes on. "Maybe don't watch too much TV, okay? And you should take a nap. Naps are good when you don't feel well. If you need anything, you can text me, but if I don't respond, text Yashiro-san. If you can't get a hold of Yashiro-san, call the off-," he pinned her against the wall and slipped his tongue into her mouth. He kissed her until she was breathless, and then released her.

The Emperor looked down at her and ran his thumb along her bottom lip. "I will be fine, Princess. I promise not to do anything that I shouldn't." He opened the front door and pushed her gently out into the hall. "Go save Fuwa's career."

She blushed scarlet, nodded at him wordlessly with a goofy grin on her face, and walked toward the elevator. Kuon watched her get on the elevator, shut the front door, and then picked up his cell phone.

20 minutes later, Kyoko got out of a taxi in front of LME with five minutes to spare until the meeting. She looked around the front of the building, and her heart sank when she didn't see Sho. She pulled her phone out and called him.

"Where are you!? We have five minutes until the meeting!"

"What the hell do you mean? I'm literally right in front of you."

She blinked and looked ahead. Her mouth fell open as she hung up the phone. "Your hair's black!"

He nodded. "Yeah, I decided black is more practical for right now. Blonde is expensive to maintain." He ran a hand through his hair. "I probably look plain as fuck now."

She shook her head. "Looks fine. We need to get inside." Almost as soon as they were inside the doors, Ruto appeared. "Mogami-sa-," when he saw Sho, he stopped. He blinked confusedly. "May I ask why Fuwa-san is with you?"

She smiled nervously. "We have a meeting with President Takarada in," Kyoko checked her phone, "Now, actually. Could you please take us upstairs?"

Ruto turned on his heel. "Right this way." He led them up to Lory's office and opened the door. "Mogami-san… and Fuwa-san here to see you, sir."

Lory was reclining on his couch, dressed as a sultan. Natsuko was draped across his shoulders as he puffed on a hookah. He put the mouthpiece down and sat up. "Fuwa… as in Sho Fuwa?"

"Yes, sir."

He was suddenly all business. Natsuko slithered off of his shoulders to go lay in the sun by the window, away from her master's sudden sour mood. Kyoko and Sho entered the office, and Lory looked Sho up and down.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in. Akatoki's golden boy."

Sho bowed to him. "President Takarada. I appreciate you giving me a meeting today."

Lory frowned. "I may not have done so if Mogami-san had mentioned who it was that she was bringing to see me." He narrowed his eyes on Kyoko, who swallowed hard. "I suspect that's why you were so vague with your request?"

Kyoko bowed deeply to him. "My apologies, President-san. I know that given my history with Sho, this is probably a surprise."

Lory laughed drily, "No, my dear. A surprise is finding that you have a new baby on the way, or perhaps getting a new puppy on Christmas morning. This is a shock. An unpleasant one." He turned his eyes back on Sho. "So. I'm going to give you five minutes to explain to me why I should help you after you've spent the last two years forcing yourself on Mogami-san and picking fights with my top talent, Ren Tsuruga."

Sho sat down on the floor in seiza. "You shouldn't."

Kyoko stared at him in shock. "Shotarou! No! Explain-"

"Mogami-san. Let him finish.," said the President, leaning forward with his hands clasped in front of him.

Sho swallowed hard. "I've been a prick. I used Kyoko to pay my bills and abandoned her in a city she was unfamiliar with. I treated her like she was my property. Then I shit all over her talent, and kissed her without permission. And I am sorry for all of that. That is no way to treat a friend, let alone one that I was raised with. If I could take it back, I would. As for Tsuruga…" A sheen of sweat had broken out on Sho's forehead, "I think he's gotten his revenge. My singing voice is trashed. But honestly? I deserve it for the stupid shit that I said about Kyoko."

Lory frowned. If Sho had been hoping to shock Lory with the news that Ren Tsuruga had choked him, he was going to find that the field in which Lory grew his fucks was barren. "No hope for the voice to come back then?"

Sho shook his head. "I don't know. The doctor said it could come back with time. But it's definitely not back yet."

"Then what use are you to me, Fuwa?"

Sho swallowed. "I'm not sure, sir. Whatever use I can be so I don't have to go back to Kyoto with my tail between my legs in shame."

Lory hmmed and sat back on his couch. "And Akatoki let you go?"

Sho shut his eyes. "Yes, sir. My former manager got me out of the non-compete clause in my contract as her last act of goodwill toward me."

Lory got up and stood in front of Sho. "Fuwa-san," he started, "I am a good man. Though eccentric, I am charitable and kind. But," he paused, looking into Sho's eyes, "That should not suggest that I will not run you out of town if you besmirch my agency's good name. I know people in very high places, Fuwa-san, and it will be as though you never existed, as though you never sang a single bar. Do you understand me?"

Sho nodded, an uneasy tingle running the length of his spine.

Lory held out his hand to him. "Sho Fuwa, welcome to the LoveMe Section."

Sho took his hand, and Lory helped him to his feet. They shook hands. "Thank you, sir. You won't regret this, I promise!"

Lory fixed him with a smile that could have graced the face of Satan himself, "See that I don't." He turned to Kyoko, "Mogami-san, may I speak with you privately?"

Kyoko bowed. "Of course!"

Sho left the room and Lory went back to his couch. He patted the cushion beside him. Kyoko took a seat.

"So. I am unsure if Kuon has told you, but I am very well aware that the two of you are dating."

She blushed. "Y-yes." It was so strange to have someone besides his parents call him by his true name. Lory nodded.

"I am very happy for both of you, truly. However, I worry that things might be progressing… a bit too quickly."

Kyoko almost burst into flame. "I-It's not like that, President-san! We haven't been doing t-that!"

He chuckled. "I figured that might be the case, as I know you to be a modest girl with a good head on her shoulders, even if Kuon himself is sometimes… wild and impulsive. That being said, I just want to caution you to be careful. I gave Kuon the same warning, but being that he is Kuon, I didn't know if he would heed it or not."

"He has, I promise!" She wasn't about to tell him about the phone sex, or the picture Kuon had sent of his butt. Some things aren't your business, old man.

Lory nodded. "Good. I very much appreciate that I don't have to turn the hose on you two like a pair of alley cats." He picked up his cell phone, pushed a few buttons, and held it out to her. It was a tabloid article with a picture of Kuon leaving the hospital with bandages around his head.

"Oh. They've started reporting on it. I wondered how long it would take to get out."

Lory chuckled. "You didn't read the title, did you?"

Kyoko looked above the picture and blushed.

Mystery Woman Scares Nurses Away From Ren Tsuruga

She cleared her throat. "They were being indecent."

He turned the phone off and put it on the side table. "Be that as it may, jealousy is a very powerful emotion, Mogami-san, and it needs to be kept in check." He smiled gently at her. "I worry about the two of you going public. I worry for you. This has to be done carefully and strategically. A little bit at a time. Carefully curated until the public sees what the rest of us do; just two crazy kids in love."

Kyoko frowned and nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

He patted her hand. "Don't be. Just be more careful next time." He checked the time on his phone. "Ah. My 1:30 is going to be here very soon. I'm afraid I have to cut this short."

Kyoko got to her feet and bowed to him. "Thank you for giving Shotarou a chance."

Lory waved his hand at her. "He's interesting. I've never tried to reform an asshole before. I like a challenge. Have a good day, Mogami-san."

Kyoko went out in the hallway and found Sho leaning against the wall. "Oh, I thought you'd have left."

He shook his head. "I wanted to ask you about Tsuruga. Is he okay?"

Kyoko nodded. "He's got a concussion. He's off work until next week."

Sho frowned. "He saved me. I was… surprised that he would do something like that."

Kyoko giggled. "Honestly? Me too."

Sho ran his hand through his hair. "Well, he better not be expecting a thank you. But I guess we're even now."

Kyoko rolled her eyes. "I guess you are. Anyway, have you found a job yet? LoveMe work will keep your name in the business, but it won't pay your bills."

Sho stopped. "What!? Then what the fuck is the point!?"

She glared at him. "The point, stupid Sho, is that you're still in the industry."

"But there's no money!?"

She smiled. "Nope."

He collapsed to his knees, and she pulled his cell phone out of his back pocket. After typing "jobs in my area" into the search bar, she handed it back. "Good luck." She left him wallowing in despair in the hallway.

She went outside and caught a taxi to the Darumaya. The Okami smiled at her as she came into the kitchen. "Kyoko-chan! How is Tsuruga-san?"

Kyoko smiled nervously as she put her apron on and started working. "Resting comfortably, or at least I hope so." She had been honest with the Darumaya couple about where she would be spending the next few nights. The Taichou was less than thrilled, but the Okami was more understanding.

"Well, make sure when you leave tonight that you take some dinner with you, okay?"

"Thank you, Okami-san!"

Kyoko worked her scheduled shift, and then went up to her room to get a fresh change of clothes. She boxed up some leftovers and went out to put everything on her bike.

"Kyoko-chan!"

She blinked. "Yashiro-san?"

He was hanging out his driver's side window. "Ren sent me to come get you."

She smiled. Of course he did. She went to the passenger's side and got in the car. "You didn't have to do this, Yashiro-san. I could have taken my bike."

He shook his head. "Nonsense. You really shouldn't be out this late on a bike anyway. Too much potential for danger."

"So," she started, "Did he call you?"

Yashiro laughed. "Seven times."

She bonked her forehead on the dashboard. "If he's not there when I get back, you should call him another ambulance."

Yashiro smirked to himself. He's there. I know he is. Yashiro wasn't about to admit that he had answered all seven of those phone calls and had done Kuon's bidding over the last few hours. Especially not after Kuon had sworn him to secrecy.

When they pulled into the parking garage, Kyoko smiled at Yashiro. "Thank you for the ride, Yashiro-san."

"Not at all, Kyoko-chan. Have a good night."

She carried her bag of food and her separate bag of clothes over to the elevator. As she had Kuon's apartment key, she was able to use the elevator without having to go through the doorman downstairs. Her exhaustion finally started to hit her as she walked down the hallway to Kuon's door. She opened the door, and promptly dropped her bags on the floor in surprise.

The lights were off, but the light from a few dozen candles was enough to light the delicate glittering paper butterflies that were hung all over the ceiling. But the biggest surprise was the enormous pink silk princess castle in the middle of the living room. She picked up her bags and shut the door behind her. "Kuon!?"

"In here!" His voice came from inside the castle. Kyoko set her bags down and went to the front of the castle. When she lifted the flap, she found Kuon resting on a mound of pink pillows. "Welcome home, Princess!"

She giggled and curtsied. "I see you've been hard at work in the kingdom, Prince Corn."

He smiled proudly. "Yashiro shopped for, and assembled, most of it."

"So that's why you called him so many times."

"Indeed. I did as you asked. I stayed home all day. I did have to hang the butterflies, though."

She looked around the room at them again, her eyes threatening to spill her happiness down her cheeks. "They're beautiful. Thank you."

He crawled over to her and took her hand and kissed it. "You've worked hard all day. I have a bath waiting for you. Go take it and come back to me."

She did as he asked and went to the bathroom. She found a brand new blush pink silk nightgown that looked like something royalty would sleep in hanging on the back of the door and squealed over it. The tub was full of pink and purple suds from a bath bomb. She slipped into the water and relaxed for a few minutes. Yashiro-san must have texted him when he picked me up so he could have this ready when I got home, she smiled to herself.

When she was finished, she dressed in the nightgown and headed out to the living room. She picked up the bag of food she brought from the Darumaya and brought it into the castle, where Kuon was waiting. Kyoko handed him a box of food and sat down on the pillows.

"I'm almost scared to leave you to your own devices the rest of the week. You might end up redecorating the entire apartment." she giggled. He pulled a small white remote out of the pocket of his pajama pants. She tilted her head to the side. "What is that for?" He hit a button, and the walls of the castle lit up with pink and blue fairy lights. Kyoko's eyes lit up, and her hands jumped to her mouth. "Kuon, it's beautiful."

He smiled. "I didn't know how else to thank you for taking such good care of me. I can't take you on a proper date just yet, so I wanted to make this one a step up from the last one we had."

Kyoko wiped an errant tear from her cheek and smiled. "You didn't have to do all of this. I like taking care of you."

He shrugged. "And I like spoiling you. This just seemed like a really great excuse for that."

She giggled. "Well, thank you."

"So," he set his chopsticks down, "How did it go with Fuwa?"

She narrowed her eyes. "The President put him in the LoveMe Section, but he's being an ungrateful ass about it."

Kuon chuckled. "I would be more surprised if he wasn't being an ungrateful ass about it."

"He's mad that LoveMe jobs don't pay."

"Did you tell him to get a job?"

She smirked. "Googled it for him and everything."

He nodded. "That's my girl."

They finished eating, and Kuon rolled up the flap on the front of the castle and blew out the candles so they could watch TV. They fell asleep cuddling in the castle.

:D I let myself get distracted this week writing Halloween one-shots and now I'm only three chapters ahead of this one! I'm also trying desperately to wrap this story up so as not to have it jump the proverbial shark. I only hope that the quality is not falling and that everyone is still interested in reading it. x'D I was hoping to have enough chapters to get me through November so I could focus on an original story of mine for NaNoWriMo, but we'll see if I pull that off. (I also have another idea for a long fic that is BURNING ITSELF INTO MY SKULL. I'm over here like, "Nuuu I got this OG story to write leave me alonneeee." and it's like, "Nuuu, bitch! WRITE ME." So. There's that. To those of you who have been here since day one, THANK YOU. To the new people, THANK YOU. Now, I need to go and actually finish chapter 20 and get on with chapter 21. ALL OF MY LURVE - BO