Hello loyal readers!
I'm again typing this as I'm running off to work!
I saw someone on the Facebook group I'm on shout out this story and it made me super happy!
If you're hurting for some more Skip Beat AU goodness, check out my other one-shot series, All The World's A Stage!
Until next month!
-x-
CH44
"Hello, Kyoko. It's so nice to finally meet my daughter after so many years."
The words rang, echoing in the empty room. And suddenly, just like that, the cavernous lecture hall seemed claustrophobically small. The world tilted on its axis, Kyoko's stomach churning.
Amidst the vertigo of utter shock and disbelief and denial, her mind resonated with the memory of Kimiko's words.
"Sorry, but it looks like your prince is in another castle!"
"You're wrong! There's no way you're going to save him that way!"
The leaden weight in her gut solidified until she almost felt choked by the gravity.
Not only had she wrongly assumed it was Ren she was fighting Kimiko to see, but Delta... the man who had ruined Ren's life, kidnapped her, and was attempting to take over the Japanese government through blackmail - was her father.
A violent protest rose up from within her — it was all a ploy, a lie! But she could see it now — from the amber flecks in his brown eyes, to the echo of familiarity in his mannerisms, to the gentle slope of his nose and cheekbones, features she surely did not inherit from her sharp-angled mother — he was telling the truth.
Contrary to all expectations, the man before her broke into a sheepish grin.
"My apologies, what a rude way to introduce myself," he said as he shot her an apologetic smile and offered a formal bow. "My name is Misonoi Kazushi. It is very nice to finally meet you, Mogami Kyoko."
Her mouth felt full of cotton, and when she swallowed, her throat was sandpaper. The only thing her brain could manage to produce was a weak protest. "Tsu — T-san said your name was Shizumino Kaiso."
"This is also true..." Delta heaved a heavy sigh and strolled lazily over to a table in the corner of the room. Atop the large table sat a wooden diorama replica of both the exterior of the Diet and the interior. Light from the projector screen glinting off his glasses, the man calmly picked up the wooden figure of the Diet building and held it up to the light, scrutinizing it. "Thanks to the Japanese government, I have been many different people... Sometimes I have a hard time keeping track of it all... But of all the things I lied about to your mother, my name was not one of them."
Trying desperately not to give into the horrid sinking feeling tugging at her breastbone, Kyoko shook her head and tightened her grip on the pistol. Only one shot left. But Delta didn't need to know that.
Her voice hard, she snapped, "I don't care who you say you are. T-san — he suffered so much because of you – because of what you did to Rick."
She watched his knuckles whiten as his grip around the Diet tightened. He opened his mouth, a frown washing over his previous smile – but with venom in her voice, Kyoko interjected, "And even though T-san blames himself for what happened, we both know whose fault it really was."
For a moment, his hand around the wooden diorama piece tightening, Kyoko was concerned that he was going to snap the thick wood right in half. Then his fingers relaxed, and he sighed, his tone mournful.
"Because of this cursed government, I also killed many people – some bad people, some good people, some people I don't remember..." He trailed off as he placed the model piece back in place and turned it so the wooden building stood straight and precisely where it belonged. The man – Kaiso, Kazushi, Delta – stared at the replica intently, his gaze lost momentarily in the past. "But Rick... Rick, I could never forget."
Uncomfortable seeing the man's clear vulnerability, Kyoko decided to turn the talk back to business. She grimly demanded with no little irony, "Have you kidnapped many people as well? Too many people to remember?"
Blinking himself out of his thoughts, Delta turned to her and laughed, his eyes twinkling. "I must say, you certainly inherited your mother's sharp wit. I've missed it."
Strolling past her over to the first row of seats, the dark-haired man sat and motioned the seat next to him, as if oblivious to the gun in her hands. "Would you like a seat? I would love some time to catch up with you."
A part of Kyoko surged in joy at the thought of a parental figure of some sort welcoming her into his life. But a sharp, bitter voice in her heart cried out in protest. Even more than common sense, the bitterness of abandonment won out in the end.
"Sorry. My adoptive parents taught me to never talk to strangers."
"Kyoko..." His voice was low and pleading.
"That's 'Mogami-san', if you'd please." She replied curtly, lining up the sights on her gun. "You're coming with me, Delta. We are going to stop this madness."
His brown eyes sad behind his glasses, Delta shook his head. "If you're worried about Tsuruga Ren, he's safe and sound. Recovering from surgery as we speak."
Shocked, Kyoko almost lowered the gun. "You saved him? Why would you do that?"
"How could I stand to see my poor daughter cry?" Suddenly, the man just looked so very... tired. Tired and desperate. "Please, Kyoko-chan... Just let me explain..."
Her heart was again launched into turmoil. On one hand, she didn't have time for this... On the other, his pleading tone and weary eyes...
Delta patted the seat beside himself and smiled sadly, "Wouldn't you like to know why your mother left you behind?"
She was stricken. Her whole life, she had speculated that she was the reason her father and mother had left — because she was inadequate or... broken. Now, here was an opportunity to hear another explanation. One that would, for once, possibly not condemn her as the cause for her own painful upbringing.
Before she knew it, Kyoko had found her feet drawing closer. Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat and dampening the panicked voice of common sense in her mind, she holstered her weapon and slowly took the seat next to him.
"Thank you." Brightening a bit at her response, Delta admitted with a small laugh, "I haven't had much time to plan what I was going to say. I was actually assuming you were going to open fire on me." He paused, thinking, before saying slowly, "I suppose... I can start at the beginning..."
-x-
2001. Osaka, Japan
Kazushi arranged his notes and books on the table at the cafe. Tastefully frantic was the look he was going for. He glanced at his watch. 3:52pm. The bell over the door of the small, comfortable cafe chimed as a new patron walked in. He picked up his pencil and carded a hand through his long, dark hair as he snuck a glance at the young woman in the business suit walk gracefully up to the cashier.
'Right on time, Nigawa Makoto...'
Like clockwork, the young lawyer showed up in the cafe to get her hot house-blend pour-over coffee with one cream and one sugar. Misonoi knew from years on the job that coffee orders said a lot about a person. Nigawa Makoto was professional but approachable without excess or indulgence — but that was just the mask she wore for the benefit of others, judging by the extra two teaspoons of simple syrup she secretly added at the side table when the barista wasn't looking.
Kazushi knew where she worked - the Hashimoto Munitions Company - an independent contractor for the Japanese Self-Defense Force. She liked her office mates but wished she could have the window cubicle so she could look out at the downtown Osaka skyline from the 18th floor.
Kazushi knew that she worked a lot of overtime hours, sometimes staying until after the last train had departed the station and had to walk the twelve blocks back to her small studio apartment. She lived alone, no pets, no boyfriends - only casual acquaintances in her apartment building. She had a penchant for spicy food and oolong tea, mostly convenience store fare due to her busy lifestyle. She cooked when she could, but judging by the inedible mounds of char he'd found on occasion in her trash, apparently the culinary arts were not her specialty.
Kazushi also knew that every workday, at 3:30pm, she would indulge in a small luxury - a short excursion downstairs to the building's comfortable coffee shop. And he knew that she always enjoyed sitting in the small corner table by the large glass window - the very seat he was currently occupying.
As the young woman turned from the side table — still stirring two teaspoons of simple syrup into her coffee — he saw in his peripherals as she paused. Trying to appear preoccupied and non-threatening, Kazushi ran another distressed hand through his long brown hair, making the front stick up comically in the air. He listened as she settled into the booth at the table next to him, the only other seat open next to the window.
Pretending to look for an errant scrap of notes, he subtly closed the large bar exam study guide in such a way that the name on the spine was clearly visible to her. He had no way of checking if she had seen, but he increased his chances by fidgeting with his pencil next to the book's spine.
He sat in silence, pretending to read the notes in front of him studiously... biding his time until — 4:12 p.m. — Saena released a small sigh as she scooted out of her booth next to him, turning sideways to squeeze past his table, her back to him.
'Perfect.'
Just as she was about to walk by the cafe table, he subtly nudged a piece of paper until it fluttered off the edge and to the tiled floor. He quickly looked down and pretended to just be stretching his hand as she glanced back quickly to the piece of paper she had apparently knocked to the ground on accident.
Kazushi pretended not to notice as his mark stooped to pick the paper up, his heart racing at the thrill of the sting. And, just as he had calculated, there was a small, gentle tap to his shoulder.
Briefly reminding himself of the character he wanted to portray - flustered and clumsy, but endearing - the spy looked up, pretending to be startled. But for the first time in a long time, something went terribly, horribly wrong with Misonoi Kazushi's perfect calculations.
As he turned his face upward, prepared to launch into the act, Kazushi's eyes met hers and he stopped. The care emanating from her expressive brown eyes was palpable, and though a deep frown marred her brow, he could instantly tell it was a byproduct of concern and not malice.
Her petite mouth was moving, but he somehow wasn't registering the words. Her elegant brow furrowed deeper, and he snapped back to reality.
"Are you ok?" The young lawyer was saying, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"Yes, no, I mean, no you didn't startle me. Just surprised me." The words popped out of his mouth, and he internally cursed himself. He was a professional, wasn't he?
"Well," Makoto shifted awkwardly, hand outstretched with the paper. "I just wanted to apologize. I think I knocked this to the floor when I walked by."
Kazushi glanced down at the paper, or rather at the falsely low score on his "practice test". Trying desperately to meld back into his character, he laughed sheepishly and took the proffered paper with a small, seated bow. "Oh! This! It's just a practice test. Thank you though..."
Leaving a silence was a gamble. If he hadn't drummed up enough of her interest, she could very well do what any polite Japanese citizen would - excuse herself from the conversation and return to work. But she hesitated. Kazushi held back his grin.
"Are you studying for the bar exam?" She finally blurted out, slender fingers playing with the plastic rim of her coffee cup lid.
More back to himself, the spy proudly nodded his head then pretended to wilt. "Well... This may be the last time..." He looked up quickly, making sure the corners of his smile were too tight. "A man can only stand so many rejections in a row, you know?"
"Well, I can see why you failed, with a score like that—" Instantly mortified, Makoto's hands flew up to cover her mouth. The frown immediately replaced her look of horrified shock. Kazushi could tell that she was going to bolt.
But he genuinely laughed, honestly surprised at her candor. Shoulders heaving forward in apparent relief, Makoto's frown lessened and she quickly apologized with a small bow. "I am so terribly sorry. My coworkers all say I need to learn how to hold my tongue."
"Please don't!" He grinned boyishly up at her. "Your honesty is refreshing." And he meant it.
Clearly flustered and trying to hide her obvious blush, Makoto coughed into her hand. "Well... As restitution for my insult, if you would like, I could... try to give you some study pointers. I took the bar myself two years ago."
Kazushi brightened. All going according to plan. But in his gut, something that felt like doubt began to take root. He shook it off. No time for that now.
She bowed politely. "My name is Nigawa Makoto."
He had already known that, but somehow it felt different hearing her say it.
"My name is Mi— Misonoi Kazushi." He realized his mistake as soon as the first syllable left his lips. He was supposed to be Sakamoto Shin. He had gotten caught up in the flow of things, and — Why did this woman make him feel like a complete novice?
But as she repeated his name – his real name – Kazushi felt in a deep part of his being that he enjoyed the way she said it.
-x-
Present Day
"Councillor Mogami..." Ren prompted gently.
The older woman blinked rapidly, her eyes coming back into focus as if cast back into reality from the depths of her story. The frown on her brow deepened as she glanced away. "My apologies... I seem to have lost my train of thought."
As Ren sat back in the cement cell, he experimentally prodded the wound on his side. The pain wasn't completely resolved but was tolerable now after injecting the medicine that Saena had brought. While the two had been waiting for the medicine to fully take effect before attempting their escape, Ren had started asking questions about her apparently reluctant ties with Delta. If her rebellion indicated anything to Ren, it was that Kyoko's mother was just another pawn in the mastermind's nefarious schemes.
"That's right..." The dark-haired politician began again slowly, the weight of regret clear in her voice, "After that day, that man began burrowing himself deeper and deeper into my life. Study sessions turned into coffee dates which turned into home cooked meals, which..."
She trailed off. Ren offered mildly, "You eventually became lovers."
Saena's lips thinned, and the frown on her brow grew deeper still. She gave a curt, "Yes. I grew comfortable... and careless."
-x-
His superior's rebuke echoed in his ears.
'Where is the document? Our window of time is shrinking. The boats — which had been planned for month in advance — are still in Japanese waters. But they've been there for almost a week now and are going to have to leave soon before they gain too much attention from the military. What the hell are you doing?'
The implication was clear.
Get results NOW — or else.
'Well. That is the problem, isn't it?' Kazushi mused to himself. Because he was pretty sure he had fallen madly in love with the very woman he was supposed to be manipulating. How ironic that it had been his job to woo her with his charms, and the exact opposite had happened.
When exactly had he fallen in love with the young lawyer? Kazushi couldn't pinpoint an exact instance when he knew. It was more a slow creeping feeling, like a sunrise dawning over the horizon…
He loved the way she became so easily flustered at his teasing. He loved the way her smile lit up when's he saw him, how it warmed his heart to a depth he had previously thought impossible. He loved the way she devoted herself to her work, endlessly passionate for her job and for helping her coworkers.
However, it was that very job that was going to tear them apart.
Lost in thought, Kazushi absent-mindedly thumbed the object in his pocket like a talisman. Even though he had bought it as a prop in this game, as another tool with which to con Makoto, with each passing day, the prop became more real than the charade that had produced it.
His breath puffing clouds of mist in the frigid December air, the reluctant spy climbed the two flights of stairs to her apartment. He found himself taking the stairs two at a time, ever eager to see her, despite the turmoil and dread weighing in his heart.
There was just something about her smile, her presence that cut through the fog of doubt and duplicity. Her smile made madness seem like sanity. And made all that he had thought sane like madness.
And when Makoto greeted him at the door, her smile did not disappoint. She lit up as she saw the grocery bags in his hand.
"Misonoi-san! You're early! Oh, you're going to cook tonight again? You really ought to be studying, you know!"
During dinner - spicy pasta with clams - smiling and laughing with her over the most mundane things – and yes, he really could believe that the feisty neighborhood stray had gotten Mirai-san's cat pregnant again – he was able to almost pretend that this was all there was in his life.
'It could be,' whispered a hopeful voice in his mind as he and Makoto washed dishes together. 'Run away, hide, be happy together forever.'
However, as Kazushi settled down into his 'study notes' at the kotatsu, he knew that it wasn't that simple. For one, it would be nearly impossible to escape the reaches of the PSIA. Not entirely impossible, but very nearly.
For another thing, he had a mission to do. A mission to help his country – that was all he had ever known as a spy. To throw it all away for a woman was fundamentally insane.
But the biggest reason weighing in his heart, if he were to be honest with himself, was the stomach-churning, soul-crushing fear that Makoto would reject him were she to ever learn the truth. After all, why shouldn't she be appalled that everything they had built their relationship on was a lie?
Maybe it was fated that they would never be together. As much as fate had seemed to initially draw them together, it was also pushing them infinitely apart.
"—sonoi-san?"
Her voice broke through his heavy thoughts. Kazushi glanced up sharply. Amused smile on her lips, Makoto was leaned over him, waving a hand in his face. Her long, dark ponytail fell gracefully over one shoulder as she bent down.
She chuckled. "You must really be focused on your studies tonight. I called your name three times."
Shaking off his previous thoughts and trying not to feel slimy again taking on the mantle of deception, Kazushi grinned back apologetically. "Sorry! I hadn't heard you at all. What were you asking me?"
"It probably works out better this way, that you're so focused," his girlfriend said with a relieved laugh. "After all, your exam is in less than a month, right? I just wanted to let you know that I can't help you too much tonight. I have some work I had to take home."
Kazushi's heart sank. It wasn't a coincidence that Director Goro had called him today. It was time.
Managing some sound of understanding, he pretended to return to his studies but watched her out of the corner of his eye as she took a large hard-shelled case out of her workbag. Innocent to the gut-wrenching turmoil of her companion, Makoto flipped open the clasps on the case to reveal a soft foam bed that contained three floppy disks.
Heart heavy, the spy stood slowly and made his way to the kitchen. His hands shook as he prepared the drink and emerged from the kitchen with a cup of steaming oolong tea with two spoonfuls of sugar – just the way she liked it.
Makoto turned as she heard him approach from behind, and her eyes lit up at the sight of the drink. By sheer reflex, he managed to return her smile as he handed over the teacup, even though his mouth felt like it was full of sand – dry and disgusting.
"You really shouldn't be peeking at my work, you know," Makoto joked, her dark brown eyes shining in humor as she nursed the warmth from the ceramic cup. Kazushi could only watch helplessly, a smile plastered on his face, as the steam from the tea curled up like evil tentacles.
"But thank you for the tea," she was saying, a twinkle in her eye. "It's perfect."
Heart sick, Kazushi watched her turn back to her computer screen. But at the last moment, she turned, tucked a strand of errant hair behind her ear, and leaned forward to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.
His heart broke. He couldn't do this anymore.
As she blew the steam off the top of the cup and leaned down to take a sip, Misonoi Kazushi saw his life at a crossroads — one road with her, and one without. The latter option was nauseating and horrifying and bleak.
"Wait!" He leapt forward and slapped a hand over the mouth of the teacup. Makoto looked up at him in shock as he snatched the cup away, tea sloshing out.
"Misonoi-san..."
"The... the tea bag was expired," he stammered out the obvious lie. Then covered by laughing. What he meant as a sheepish laugh came out stilted and forced. "I... I didn't realize until now. I'll make you some new tea."
Without waiting for her reaction, he strode to the kitchen, purpose in his steps. Pouring the drugged tea down the sink, he glanced at his coat on the rack by the door. The talisman seemed to draw his gaze from the pocket.
He was going to do it. Some how, some way, he was going to tell Makoto the truth and get her out of there. Even if the whole world came against him, he was never going to throw her away. To protect her, to keep her – he was willing to do anything, even change fate if he had to.
-x-
Sorry again for no update in December! Don't forget to leave an encouraging word in the reviews if you can. Love you all!
MAILBAG
MWEH – LOL, I feel like you know me so well. "I knew [the reunion] wouldn't come" haha Have my twists become predictable in that I love to draw out the drama too much? Just kidding, I'm glad you enjoyed the fight scene! As for the manga, this last chapter would have been unbearably cringe-worthy if it wasn't for that last page with everyone's reactions to the Okami-san bringing the ring out. Hopefully Ren and Kyoko get to talk it out before they go to work! Hopefully Nakamura-sensei will put us all out of our misery and not just skip forward to some insignificant scene next chapter and will actually show us the drama about to unfold! Hopefully Skip Beat will not fall into the trope of piling on misunderstandings about love rivals just to create dramatic tension! Alas, I fear all of my hopes will be ground into dust in a week or so when the new chapter comes out… *cries* Thanks again for leaving a thoughtful review as always even though I'm sure you were busy with holiday stuff! Thanks again MWEH!
A Musing Brunette – Thanks for going through from the beginning! I've been re-reading too just to make sure I'm tying up all the loose ends as I plan the next few chapters. My writing in the beginning is a lot different than now, and I'm glad that I've been able to shake off a lot of the writer's rust (prior to writing this fic, I hadn't written anything in over 4 years!)
Guest (12/15/18) – Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful and encouraging review! I'm glad some of my readers were able to pick up on the idea that defeating Kimiko is indeed like catharsis for Kyoko. Hope to keep you with fresh questions and keep you guessing! ;) Leave a name next time so I know who to shout out in the next Mailbag!
kittiesama – Haha, yeah Kyoko's interactions with Kanae and Chiori are oftentimes the funniest. Especially when they get in trouble with the President for letting their dark thoughts percolate together. Thanks again for leaving a review kittiesama! Hope these next few chapters are to your liking!
Jellyfishhh – Surprise! It wasn't Ren! Lol, I'm glad I got at least someone with that twist! Thanks for stopping by and reviewing Jellyfishhh!
Guest (12/1/18) – LOL, evil Santa here to give you plot twists and coal for Christmas! Leave a name next time so I know who's reviewing! 3
brennakai – I'm really happy you liked the kick-butt LoveMe girls! Unfortunately, Delta's hideout isn't below the Diet! That'd be absolutely diabolical if that were the case, but how the heck would he hide that? Where it is, though, is a non-essential mystery. But it is definitely a weird building. It has giant conference rooms, jail cells, janitor's closets, warehouses, and lecture halls built in. lol
Guineapigs1 – Haha, about that countdown… I feel regretful that I didn't leave more time for Delta and Kyoko to talk. It says that they only have 11 minutes to talk, but TBH, their conversation would take like half an hour minimum – and what kind of proper main character stands around and lets the bad guy monologue for 10 whole minutes as the clock ticks down? Argh… I wish I had calculated the time better! It kind of takes away the dramatic tension to know that Kyoko is kind of having a long conversation with Delta as the clock winds down… We'll just pretend that the whole world is frozen in time in the way animes tend to do when a character has flashbacks to fill in the backstory. LOL.