AN: I've been attempting to update every 10th day of the month but got excited and updated early, hope you enjoy
Chapter Forty – Private Phone Call
Kuu looked at his son, watching him with both protection and interest. Only months ago, he had believed that Kuon had died in a painful murder and now he was standing here with his son, overlooking the sun going down over the ocean. Kuu put a hand on his son's shoulder as he saw him blink behind his glasses.
"I'm working on getting you back," he tried to tell Kuon who nodded, "Boss is working on it too and I know how creative Boss can be but he's also very effective. There are so many people who care about you…Yuusei," he told him and Yuusei nodded trying to get used to hearing that name come out his father's mouth.
"How's Mom doing?" Yuusei asked as he looked around to make sure that nobody was eavesdropping on their conversation. Kuu sighed and stretched his arms out.
"A little bitter and angry the last time that I saw her," Kuu commented honestly and Yuusei turned to him sadly. He looked down guiltily. If he hadn't been in such danger then he would have been able to have open communication with his parents. They were hurting because only a short time ago it had seemed that he had been viciously murdered. Despite that not being the case, Kuon still knew how hurt they must have been. He would have felt a wound if something had happened to either one of them.
"Dad, there is a way to make sure that everyone is safe," Kuon said painfully and then bowed his head. Kuu immediately placed a hand on his son's shoulder. He had an idea of what Kuon was about to say and he didn't want to hear it. He wanted to see his son stronger and not ready to give up on himself. His son's death and sacrifice was not an option.
"No," Kuu shook his head, only that one word being what exited his mouth. "No. I won't let you do that," he said and Kuon shook his head. Death was probably the easiest option but it was the most painful and damaging. If he died then that would be nothing like getting plastic surgery and entering victim protection. He would never get a second chance if he killed himself.
"I didn't mean dying," he sighed, "If I give myself over, become a low ranking, the lowest ranking part of their organization or at least offer it then they might spare my life and they'll definitely lose interest in my loved ones. It'd be something that I hate to do and I'd risk even more if I ever left but it is an option.
"Not a very good option," Kuu protested and Yuusei smiled.
"You're right. I wouldn't be able to marry Kyoko if I did that. Everyone is safe enough with me here, right?" Yuusei inquired and Kuu nodded as his eyes still shone with his honesty to the situation. He did fear for his son. If only there was a way of fixing this.
"I brought a second cellphone," Kuu told him and Yuusei looked at him confused. What was that supposed to mean? If he continually used the same number then they would probably find a way to bug the phone or at least trace the location of the call. "You haven't been able to speak to her, right?" he asked and Yuusei smiled. He had sent letters and the occasional email disguised as spam but hearing Kyoko's voice was a treat for him. He took the phone and hoped that she would answer.
"I'll be back in a little bit," he said before going towards a rocky area, a small cave that not many people knew about. He would call Kyoko there – given if there was cell coverage – and hope that he could contact the woman that he adored, the woman he planned to spend the rest of an ordinary life with once this certain situation had resolved itself.
…
…
Kyoko had been appearing on Kimagure Rock that afternoon for an interview. It wasn't something that she had to be Bo for anymore, they actually wanted to interview her. It was nice to be around the Ishibashi guys, they were all such kind and hard-working people.
"It's good to see you smiling again," Hikaru told her as they sat eating the strange snack that Kyoko was scared would make her gain far too many calories. Just looking at the food item made her feel that she was gaining weight and was going to balloon outwards. However, the guys seemed to enjoy it. Hikaru had also become a good friend to her. Kyoko knew that Hikaru was attracted to her but she had told him that she was still loyal to Kuon's memory and he had understood that.
"I feel a little bit better," Kyoko nodded although she looked into the distance, "I still really miss him. Some days are harder than others."
"Ren was always said to be a really good guy," Hikaru told her and Kyoko laughed softly before nodding. She was happy that people remembered the positives about Kuon and treated his work and his spirit with respect. She wished that when he was finally able to return, people wouldn't be too hasty with their judgements of him. In all honesty, Kuon hadn't wanted to mislead people and make them believe in his death, he'd rather be here. Hopefully people would understand that in the future.
"Thank you," Kyoko nodded before hearing her phone ring. She grabbed the phone before seeing that it was an unknown and withheld number. She felt her chest tighten slightly as she thought about all of the times when she had answered a call like this. She needed to at least hope that he was calling her though and if that was the case, he wouldn't have bought a cellphone with the name registered to it being Kuon.
"Hello, Mogami speaking," she said and heard a soft and familiar exhale, "Yuusei-kun?" she asked as she blushed a little and cupped the phone to her cheek with the expression of a woman in love. Hikaru dropped the bun and stared at her, mouthing the name.
"Surprised?" Yuusei asked from the other end of the line and Kyoko giggled a little.
"Yuusei-kun," she said as Hikaru looked at her in horror. "I'm sorry, Hikaru-san, I'm going to take this call in the next room," she pointed and Hikaru nodded. He continued to repeat the name though Kyoko hadn't connected the dots yet. "I'm good to hear from you. Are you okay? You're not hurt or anything are you?"
"Kuu Hizuri came to visit his parents," Yuusei told her and Kyoko took a relieved breath in as she heard this. Kuon had been trying to hide out with his grandparents and visiting his parents was a very good reason for Kuu being there. It was nice to know that even though he was so far away from everyone, he had support. "Apparently they knew the secret."
"Ah, his parents, you mean?" Kyoko asked and Yuusei chuckled.
"Exactly," he replied, "and it turns out that his parents were supporters of Ren Tsuruga as well," Kyoko laughed, "They're going to give me a safe room and board, me and Cain."
"How is Cain doing? Is he settling in okay?" Kyoko continued to ask, putting a hand to her heart. She knew how incredibly important the dog was to Kuon. Cain had been his companion for such a long time and had been through some of the toughest moments of Kuon's life with him. Despite not being human, Cain had supported Kuon and Kuon had taken care of him as if his own child. When Kuon finally came back as himself, Kyoko wanted to spend time with the two of them. Hopefully Cain wouldn't turn cold towards her.
"Cain really enjoys the island," Yuusie commented, "how about you? How are you doing?"
"I miss you," Kyoko whispered. "I want to know when you can come back and we're all trying our hardest to help. I'm concentrating on work but that doesn't mean that I don't miss you," she said before trying to hide a sob that she wasn't expecting to come out.
"Thank you," Yuusei replied, "I really do love you," he told her and Kyoko smiled as her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red.
"I love you too," she told him before her body stiffened. She wasn't sure whether to tell him that Sho had a suspicion that Kuon was alive and somewhere out there pretending to be somebody else. She wasn't sure what harm Shotaro would bring and if he would even care about protecting her feelings. Some days Kyoko thought that Shotaro valued her feelings and their memories of childhood but on other days, his dislike of Kuon overruled.
"Anything else that I should know about over there?" he asked and Kyoko bit her top lip.
"No," she lied and somehow even she believed in herself when she said that. "Take care of yourself, okay? I love you. I need for you to take care of yourself," she stressed.
"I'll do my best. You do the same, promise?" he asked her and Kyoko grinned as she got off of the phone.
"Promise," she told him before they wrapped up their phone conversation and Kyoko deleted the interaction from her cellphone before anyone could get the information from her. She went into the next room and saw Hikaru staring at her wide-eyed.
"That phone conversation," Hikaru said and Kyoko's eyes snapped open. She hadn't thought that he would question her about it. Hikaru seemed much too respectful to be asking her and Kyoko hesitated. Maybe she had placed too much trust in him. "Is Yuusei your boyfriend now?" he asked and Kyoko nodded causing the surprise in the man's eyes to increase.
"Please don't tell anyone though," she said weakly, "I don't want anyone to know," she came closer to him and put a finger on her lips. "Do you think you could keep this a secret?" she asked and Hikaru nodded. Hikaru continued to watch her as if he were in a daze.
Kyoko hadn't realized that in HIkaru's mind, the name Yuusei was Yuusei Ishibashi one of his closest friends and team mates. Since Hikaru was in love with her, Kyoko wasn't expecting the trouble that would come from this.
….
…
Kyoko needed comfort and she had decided that one of the best ways of getting that kind of support was to take a trip to Daruma-ya. The owners had been like parental figures to her or how parental figures were always said to be in the fairytales. She couldn't rely on her mother for support but Taisho and Okami-san might be able to help her in the areas needed.
As she entered the restaurant, her eyes caught onto a blond that was sitting at the bar and eating a bowl of ramen. She looked around. How had people figured out that she was going to come here or had Shotaro just made a lucky guess.
She approached him before putting a hand on her hip, "What are you doing here?" she whispered so that none of the other patrons could overhear what she hoped was a private conversation. Shotaro watched her before bowing his head.
"Just enjoying the food right now," he replied and Kyoko raised an eyebrow. "I've decided not to tell anyone, it wouldn't be right and you seem to be too sensitive about the issue anyway."
"I seem to be too sensitive about the issue?" she asked and Sho sighed as he brought the bowl to his mouth.
"I won't tell but in return…" he started and Kyoko cut him off.
"I'm not going to be your slave," she said bitterly and Sho shook his head.
"Not my slave but how about we try to restart our friendship," he said as Kyoko looked at him in shock. This was a more mature move than anything she had expected from him. "I mean, looking at you, it seems that you need for someone to talk to you."
Kyoko took another breath out before nodding. She sighed and bowed her head.
"Yes," she agreed as she looked at him nervously, "We can at least give it a shot."
End of Chapter Forty
Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated
Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Thirty Nine
Brennakai, Guest (x3), Kaname671, misherukuro,
Author Response:
I'm going to try to be kind to Kuon/Yuusei but I can't promise anything 😉 Ren being public is definitely something to consider. Thank you for all the support