Hello loyal readers!
Thanks for the reassurances by those who reviewed. On one hand numbers are just numbers, but I think numbers also are a way to guarantee that other people will read the story too. Hence, the insecurities. Haha
Anyhoo, this week we see a little bit of Kanae at her long-term assignment, a bit of broody fan-service Ren (not too much, don't get too excited ;D), and another peak at Delta, the Big Bad. I wonder if anyone will guess his true identity before the big reveal? ;)
Hope you all enjoy!
CH12
"Prime Minister Ogata," Kanae called, head buried in her handheld tablet as she walked briskly into his office. Her skirt suit and high-heeled pumps were, as usual, impeccable and business-like. "I've left the latest update from the budgetary committee on your desk for you to review. Then at 17:00, you have a meet and greet with the winners of this year's Summer Koshien high school baseball tournament. And then at 18:00 is dinner with Asami-san…"
The soft sound of weeping interrupted her. Kanae sighed and looked up from her tablet. PM Ogata Hiroaki sat in his regal, high-backed, burgundy leather chair in front of his official, polished cherry-wood desk and snuffled ungracefully, his face buried in his hands.
"What is it this time?" The dark-haired woman asked, tapping her tablet impatiently against her nylon-clad leg. "Did someone say something about your father?"
PM Ogata didn't reply. He just shook his head miserably.
"Is it the re-election again?"
A head nod.
Kanae sighed again. Goodness, she was going to get so many wrinkles working for this man. She crossed the room and sat down in one of the worn wooden and leather chairs across from his desk.
"Prime Minister," she began haltingly. Giving encouragement and praise was never one of her strong points. But she had been getting better at it after working for such a thin-skinned, delicate man. Maybe it was all part of the President's ploy. "I've told you this before, but regardless of what the public thinks, you're still a great man. You've done many positive things for Japan over the past few years. And it's been a privilege to work with you and Asami-san…" Kanae mumbled the last part, her gaze sliding off to the side.
Ogata sniffled again, looking down into his lap. He finally replied, "Kotonami-san, thank you for your kind words, but it's not the public's opinion I am afraid of losing."
When he looked up again, the fierce determination in his gaze nearly took Kanae's breath away. Sometimes she forgot that there was no coincidence why this man was the youngest democratic leader Japan had ever known.
"We have a more balanced budget than in the past three decades; the economy is booming and has broader international trade; more people are getting affordable urban housing; and we have greater education opportunities for children in rural areas," Ogata swiftly ticked off on his slim fingers. Kanae watched with swelling pride as her boss's eyes shone with eager conviction and hope for the future.
Then his gaze fell. "But it might have all been for nothing… Unfortunately, there are those who have different ideas about the future of Japan… And they're not without powerful friends."
"Prime Minister…" Kanae paused, her brow furrowed again. "Who exactly is running against you in December?"
A knock sounded at the door behind Kanae. She almost jumped in surprise, but smoothed her motions over by tucking some loose hairs into her braid at the nape of her neck. The door opened to Minato-san, Ogata's secretary.
The middle-aged woman bowed before announcing, "I am sorry to intrude, Prime Minister Ogata-sama and Kotonami-san. But I am afraid the Prime Minister has some… unscheduled visitors."
The secretary's voice faded away as a man and woman strode confidently into the office. The man was dressed in an immaculate gray suit and wire-rimmed glasses, which glinted in the indoor light. His dark hair was slicked back to reveal a small widow's peak.
To his left, the woman wore her black pinstriped skirt-suit with a crisp white blouse, her bun not allowing a single hair to escape out of place. A deep frown marred her brow. Both bowed at the waist upon entering.
Kanae heard Ogata muffle a yelp behind her.
Hoping to stall for him, the agent swiftly stood and bowed deeply, the tablet folded under her hands in front of her. "Councilor Toudou, Councilor Mogami. What a pleasant surprise."
And in some ways, it was a pleasant surprise for Kanae. She hadn't expected that her prey would waltz right into her lap.
"Indeed, welcome." The Prime Minister said in a tight voice as he also rose to greet the intruders. Kanae prayed he wouldn't faint. "Please, be seated."
The fake personal assistant bowed again out of deference and moved away from the seats in front of Ogata's desk. Keeping one ear open, she calmly walked to the corner of the room that held the electric hot water pot and green tea.
"Prime Minister Ogata," Mogami Saena intoned. "I will be blunt. I refuse to vote in favor of your upcoming bill this Monday."
Kanae picked up two ceramic teacups, careful not to let them clank together as she eavesdropped. She heard Toudou laugh, a polite but amused sound.
"My apologies, Prime Minister. Mogami-san can be a bit blunt. We wanted to discuss some concerns about the burden that this legislation would have on certain… concerned parties."
As Kanae mixed the matcha powder into the hot water, she felt relieved to hear the Prime Minister's voice begin to swell in confidence.
"Do you mean the social, emotional, and financial burden placed on pregnant women in the workforce? Or could you perhaps mean the dip in fiscal gains by the major corporations who fund your campaigns back in your district? One month of paid maternity leave is a small price to pay in order to stymie the alarming trends of decreasing Japanese birth rate and increasing rate of suicide among young working women."
The LoveMe member had to remember to hide her smug grin as she turned around, tray with tea in hand.
"You all know as well as I that the Japanese culture is so work-driven that it makes it nearly impossible for working women to have job security if they choose to have children," Ogata finished, impassioned.
Councilor Toudou merely nodded and held up his hands, a gesture of surrender. He thanked Kanae as she handed him a cup of steaming tea.
"Women who desire to have children should have no place in the Japanese workforce to begin with."
Kanae nearly spilled Councilor Mogami's tea on her lap. A quick glance up at her face revealed a cold, stone-faced frown. But instead of feeling intimidated, Kanae bristled in outrage. If this woman really was Kyoko's mother, what right did she have to be saying such insensitive things?
"Surely, Councilor Mogami," Kanae interjected coolly, hiding her anger. She also ignored the hard stare Saena directed at the interrupting assistant. "You yourself know the struggles of a Japanese woman in the workforce."
'Yes, leave just enough implication for her to respond about her daughter without outright accusation,' Kanae thought. It was time to get some answers for her best friend.
Unflappable, Saena looked Kanae directly in the eye, her frown now a jagged line down the middle of her brow.
"I have never had children," Saena declared bluntly, "nor have I ever had the slightest inkling of a desire to retain something as burdensome as a family."
Shocked, Kanae could only watch as Councilor Mogami rose from her seat, ignoring the tea that had been poured for her, and turned to face the Prime Minister.
"If these weak, pandering policies are all that your administration produces, Prime Minister Ogata, I should warn you that many in the Diet would prefer a change in leadership."
With a slight sigh, Toudou handed his unfinished tea back to Kanae, and he flashed her a grim, apologetic smile as he rose as well.
With a small bow from both Diet members, they excused themselves from the Prime Minister's chambers. The door shut firmly behind them on the way out.
-x-
Ren relished the cool solidity of the tatami mats under his feet as he moved fluidly through the stances of the Uesugi-style kata. The LME dojo was empty, and Ren felt fortunate because while he could put up his gentleman's front, he felt exceedingly exhausted.
He had come to clear his mind, not the entertain others.
However, even though his was the lone 'kiai' that echoed through the room, bouncing hollowly off the wooden walls, Ren found his mind more muddled than ever.
Finishing off his current kata, Ren brought his hands up and down, breathing in then out deeply. Relaxing the tension in his body, he walked over to his water bottle for a quick guzzle. He had been at it for at least an hour, and the contours of his body were slicked in a sticky sheen of perspiration, causing his t-shirt to stick to his skin.
He brought a towel up to his face, wiping away the sweat.
Kyoko.
Groaning, Agent T crouched to the ground, hanging his head between his knees.
"Just stay out of my head," Ren whispered fiercely to the face that popped into his mind. There was only one other time in his life that he had felt more trapped. But his feelings toward Kyoko were running a close second.
Lost in thought, Ren could scarcely feel the beads of sweat that traveled in small rivulets down his cheekbones to collect at the tip of his chin.
Kyoko. He couldn't get close… but he couldn't stay away…
An image of Fuwa's smirking face flashed through Ren's mind. Instantly, Ren shook his head violently, flinging perspiration across the room and dispelling the memory. Rising to his feet, Ren quickly strode across the floor to the center of the dojo.
Thinking about Fuwa, Ren let out a violent, 'KIYAH!' and shot forward into a close-handed strike. Continuing through the forms – stance shift, pivot, block, strong strike, stance shift – Ren knew that Fuwa was another reason why Ren could not stay away from Kyoko. There was something in the hotel heir's gaze and accusations that spoke of affection toward Kyoko – twisted and immature or not. And even though Kyoko was now far away from Fuwa, somehow fate kept drawing the two back together.
More viciously than necessary, Ren cut through the air with an aggressive frontal kick. He felt a small protesting twinge in his calf muscle and drew a calming breath. Refocusing himself, the senior agent continued with the last form in the kata, actually paying attention to his stance this time.
Another deep breath, and Ren began to repeat the same kata.
He'd be damned if he let Fuwa hurt Kyoko ever again. But what else could Ren do?
The President's creation of Setsuka Heel had ended Ren's attempts at avoidance. Yokohama was no longer a solo mission. It was now a torture session for two, just waiting to happen.
He could try to verbally force her away, but… Kyoko's tear-streaked face at the gala crossed his mind. No… His rejection might be the final nail in the coffin of her self-confidence.
He could pursue her. He could try to start over.
Ren realized that he had stopped practicing. He stood in the middle of the empty dojo and stared down at his hands.
For a moment, Ren could have sworn they were covered in blood. Then he blinked, panicked, and the harsh fluorescent light shone along his sweaty but clean palms. A familiar feminine voice echoed in his mind. Murderer... Murderer…
Fighting off the cold, gut-wrenching shiver that clawed its way up his spine, Ren set himself in the beginning stance of the kata and began again.
Years ago in America, Lory had asked him if he wanted to start over… Every time Ren was with Kyoko, it felt as though her light and life could banish his darkness. Automatically, like a moth drawn to a flame or a wounded animal running toward home, Ren turned to her. He was ensnared by her and the idea of a new life of love and happiness.
The little scenario on the stone bench had proven that where Kyoko was concerned, all logic and forethought flew right out the window.
But Ren just couldn't let that go. Wasn't starting over the same as running away, shirking his responsibility, turning his back on Rick?
Back then, Kuon had turned his back on Rick one too many times, and now Kuon was a Murderer.
For the second time, Ren realized that he had stopped, mid-form. With a heavy sigh, he walked over to the side, abandoning the half-finished kata altogether. Leaning back against the wall, he closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. Maybe he could just wing it…
Biting back a scoff, Ren admonished himself. Tsuruga Ren – Agent T – did not just 'wing it'.
But…
With another heavy sigh, Ren glanced at the clock above the door and clambered to his feet. It was time to meet her, and he had no plan. What other choice did he have?
Things would probably work out for the best… Right?
-x-
Miroku sighed and ran a hand through his long, dyed-blonde hair.
"Mu. You're worried."
At his superior's voice, Miroku glanced up, slightly annoyed. Of course he was worried; his best friend was still in captivity with that stupid LME group. Who knew what they were doing to Reino – while Miroku himself was being forced under orders to sit around and twiddle his thumbs.
As if reading his mind, the dark-haired man sitting across the desk from Miroku said, "If you're worried about Rho, don't be. The LME unit doesn't torture for information."
"But what about the PSIA!" Miroku demanded, his frustrations exploding. "They don't give a damn about—"
"Mu…"
At Delta's warning tone, the assassin's jaw snapped shut. Despite the fact that Miroku had dozens of high profile kills under his belt, the master spy still scared the living shit out of him. Miroku had heard the stories.
Meanwhile, Delta was calmly sorting through a folder of papers on his desk. The light caught the reflection off his wire-rimmed glasses, and the Vie Ghoul assassin shivered at the illusion that his superior had no eyes.
"I didn't call you in today to talk about Rho's capture," Delta said as he flipped a lengthy document over. "I wanted to let you know that the Vie Ghoul are off the next target."
Shit. Miroku bit back his curse. He'd been waiting to finally stick it to that uppity creep of an accountant – especially after having to babysit his greasy ass for so long. However, it made sense, given that Reino was not available, but then who else would Delta dispatch?
"Oh no." It dawned on him. "Kappa?"
Delta merely nodded and picked up another paper. "Yes, we need to plug the leak that Yamashita has somehow opened."
The assassin tried to avoid wincing; he never liked Kappa.
While mulling over his distaste for the field operative's underhanded tactics, he caught a glimpse of a photograph on his boss's desk.
"Who's the scary chick?"
A small smile ghosted across Delta's mouth, thoughtful but twisted with irony.
"Councilor Mogami Saena," Delta pulled the headshot of the female politician to the center of his desk. He looked up at Miroku, and his smile broadened.
"She is the future."
-x-
A couple of notes:
.As far as my research shows, elections in Japan are pretty different than elections in America. Instead of a proxy "popular" vote through the electoral college that somewhat directly impacts the election of one official or another for President, in Japan, the population votes for local officials (House of Representatives and House of Councillors) who then convene and elect the Prime Minister. Some House of Councillor members are not appointed by a local district but by an internal vote of some politicians. This is how Saena and Toudou have been appointed.
.In regards to Saena rejecting Kanae's tea, it's considered poor manners to outright reject a drink that has been prepared by a host. Hence, she's very blunt/rude. However you want to take that.
.Also, tidbit of juicy world-building that didn't make it into the main plot, but Asami Haruki and Ogata Hiroaki are married with a toddler son. Asami has kept her maiden name since she is a well-known producer, and her name holds sway in her industry.
.And Miroku is Reino's friend from Vie Ghoul, for those who have trouble remembering him. He's the one who convinced Reino to join the band in the first place, and I'm pretty sure that Miroku is the drummer... Don't quote me on that.
MAILBAG
Frozen in Idaho – Thank you so much for the review! It's such a compliment to hear that I've managed to keep the great things about Skip Beat, just transplanted everyone into a different world. That, in my opinion, means it is at least a half decent AU story. :) Thank youuuu!
MWEH – Chapter 427 is up on most of the manga sites! I feel like the audition is exciting because it's very action-packed, but the emotional impact and the gravitas is less than her Mio and Natsu creation arcs. Maybe because we don't have a direct Ren-helping-Kyoko-develop-her-character scene. Haha, but I feel like Nakamura-sensei still has some tricks up her sleeve, so I'm withholding judgment until the end! Thanks for the reassurance that the plot wasn't lagging. I feel like I'm moving things forward… but I also am heavily biased. Lol. It's always nice to get another opinion. Thank you again for reviewing!
cleocat333 – Yeah, I don't like this scene either in the original work, not only because Kyoko falls for Sho's manipulation, but also because at that point in the story it just seems… off, somehow. Like Kyoko is coming to terms with the fact that she really does love Ren, and has taken steps to overcome her thirst for revenge. This scene kind of always seemed slightly OOC because it's such a step back for her… which is why I plopped it much earlier along the plot. Because it fits her emotional and mental state now, not later when she's already in love with Ren. I dunno. Just a strange choice from the author IMHO. BUT I still love SB :3 And thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement! They were very much appreciated and precious to me. Thank you!
Shizuhoe – Question answered! Ren is in the dojo working off some steam. Hehehe As for Yashiro and Maria, we'll get a glimpse of their reactions next week! And maybe get a glimpse much later of how good Maria is at cursing people… Muhahaha The Heel Siblings are a little while off, but mostly because I decided to stick a couple chapters of straight up (purposeful) fluff after the interrogation. Heh heh heh… I had a LOT of fun writing those! Thanks for reading and reviewing as always!
Aikori Ichijouji – Thanks for the review! And Maria-chan says thanks as well. ;) Maria is indeed an oasis of childish sass and innocent wisdom, and I love her so much for it.
JeremyVD – HAH! That's a great loophole that I hadn't even considered! As for DarkRen… Muahhaha… You shall see, you shall see… ;) Thanks again for the review and the encouragement!