This is the revised version, enjoy!
…
Kyoko didn't wake slowly, nor suddenly. It was simply as if she had been dreaming, and then she simply knew she no longer was. As she fought for true wakefulness, a faint dream lingered on the edges of her consciousness. She grasped for it, only to get faint flashes: sunlight through trees, the sound of water, and the smell of freshly tilled earth.
Frustrated, and vaguely unsettled, Kyoko sat up in her bed, and rubbed at her eyes as she yawned. She stretched, casting a sleepy eye around the room and noticed the faint light coming in through the window. It was still early morning, so she must have woken before her alarm went off.
She ran a hand through her tousled hair and made sure to turn her alarm off before it could bother Moko-san. They'd not exactly planned to wake up at the same time, and Kyoko wanted to be considerate just in case Kanae was trying to sleep in that day. As she glanced over at her roommate, she couldn't help but smile. Kanae was twisted up in her sheets, one hand flung out dramatically, but for all intents and purposes, it was as elegantly done as everything she did while awake.
Fondness bubbled up in Kyoko as she took in the sight. Being able to have sleepovers with Kanae always seemed like a special treat. Rooming with her for an extended period seemed even more special. Almost as if, in all their times as friends, they'd manage to grow closer. Perhaps close enough to where Kanae could consider her, Kyoko, part of her family. It was a thought Kyoko liked to entertain, but privately, where no one knew.
With one more stretch, Kyoko padded over to the balcony, and quietly opened the door. As she inhaled deeply, she caught the scene of rain in the air, and an expectant heaviness in the atmosphere. She closed the balcony door behind her as she walked over to the railing to get a better look at the sky. She'd not checked the forecast since a couple days before, and hadn't realized a storm was brewing.
As she peered up thoughtfully, she figured they'd probably not catch the rain until later on in the day. It wasn't too cloudy yet. With Kyoko's curiosity satisfied, she turned her attention back to her weird wake-up. She pondered it, but got no closer to an answer; only gained too-vague half thoughts.
Kyoko sighed as she leaned on the railing of the balcony. Perhaps it was how she'd woken up, or the contemplative mood overcast days always put her in, but old memories were filtering into her brain that she'd mostly forgotten. She wondered if it was also an effect of growing older. Did you grow more reflective the more adult you felt?
She certainly felt like more of an adult than anything else these days. She knew she had some more time before she was truly an adult all on her own, considering she'd not even be turning eighteen for a few more months. Yet, the more work she took on, the more she planned past her high school graduation, the closer she felt to being an adult.
Often, this train of thought made her think of when she was younger. She remembered the Fuwa Okami-san speaking to her younger self about helping take care of the Fuwa Inn garden. And she remembered how it'd felt working outside in it right after a storm. She couldn't remember why they had, perhaps they'd had a prestigious visitor, but she remembered the smell of petrichor, the humidity of the air, and the feel of damp earth.
Kyoko inhaled deep again, relishing in both the feeling and in the memory. And she remembered also, running into a forest during a terrible storm, searching for her prince. Once more, that unsettled feeling returned. She turned it over in her mind, trying her best to study it objectively, to truly understand what she felt.
After a few moments of thought, the best she had was that her sleepy mind was connecting dots she'd rather it didn't. Remembering Corn, (as he had been with his bright laughter and the sun hitting his golden hair until it glowed) in that setting seemed almost always more fantasy than reality. She'd been so young when they'd met, that half the time she'd tried to seriously consider what it'd been like, she'd been nearly convinced that she'd magicked him up in her mind as a coping mechanism.
"But that's not the truth, hm?" Kyoko asked herself quietly.
No, the truth was, Kuon was very real. His kindness was real, his teasing, his passion; all of it was very, very real. And it was exhilarating. Terrifying, but exhilarating. But the Kuon of today was so beyond the memories of her prince Corn, she didn't really know what to think of it yet.
"You grew up so big and strong, you know?" Kyoko imagined a little prince Corn perching on her balcony railing and cocking his head at her inquisitively. She smiled at the thought.
"Truly. I wonder sometimes, about the possibility of going back in time and letting you know." She imagined herself patting his little prince Corn head. "You do fly and you do amazing things. Just you wait and see."
It was but a flight of fancy, Kyoko knew. But it didn't stop her imagination from wandering. But she grew more serious and she bit her lip.
"Corn, I am sorry you know. I wish, well, I guess I don't know what I wish. Back in Guam we said that it was our things we had to overcome that even let us make it this far. That we wouldn't regret it. And I guess I don't." Kyoko sighed but she knew how she truly felt, why she'd been unsettled when she woke. "I'm leaving Prince Corn to my imagination and my memories now."
She stared out at the sky, heart heavy as she quietly said this to herself, "I think I'm strong enough now." She closed her eyes as she leaned against the railing, "I am sorry, but there are people that are very precious to me these days. And they need my strength. I gained my strength from you, and I think it's time for me to repay that. Thank you, for everything."
The air felt very still as she leaned there against the railing. She opened her eyes after a moment's pause, and realized her fantastical imagination had left her alone in her thoughts. Kyoko laughed slightly as she studied the lush greenery, the sleepy town, and the mountain in the distance.
"Yeah," she whispered as the wind picked up for a second before it settled again, heavy and expectant, "Yeah, I thought you might agree."
She admired the scenery for a while longer, relishing in the quiet, before she was interrupted by some sounds below her. It sounded as if someone else was stepping out on a patio to enjoy the early morning. She knew cast and crew were on both levels of the building, and nearly all of them had access to either a balcony or a patio, so she figured she might know them.
Sure enough, she felt a hint of surprise as a familiar figure indeed stepped out below her where she could see him. She was a little entertained at such a coincidence as she thought back to her imaginings of how she might have magicked him up.
Ren yawned, stretched, and scratched at the back of his head in such a familiarly lazy gesture that she couldn't stifle her giggles. Unfortunately, it seemed that it drifted down to him, and Ren stilled, glancing around in curiosity.
Kyoko held her breath to keep quiet so she didn't interrupt his thoughts. After a moment though, she was unable to repress her urge to tease some more. She hooted like an owl and giggled again as he turned completely around trying to figure out where it was coming from. He finally saw her where she was hiding, and an adorable smile filled his features.
"Well, now that's a sight to see first thing in the morning." His voice was still husky from sleep and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Good morning Ren. Did you sleep well?" Kyoko was proud that her voice was strong and that it didn't waver.
"It certainly is a good morning now. And yes, I slept just fine. And you?"
Kyoko, thankfully, was able to duck her head so he couldn't see her blush, "Yes, it was fine. I like rooming with Moko-san."
A familiar teasing glint appeared in Ren's gaze, "Well, now I'm jealous. Didn't you like rooming with your nii-san?"
Kyoko frowned down at him, "Hey! It's not fair of you to just bring that up so out of the blue. Be more considerate of where we are."
Kyoko eyed him, a bit peeved as his expression just grew more devilish. Ren bowed deeply and then spoke in a voice full of amusement, "My dearest apologies my fair princess."
A flush suffused her face, and she ducked behind the railing again, hoping to hide her reaction.
"O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art as glorious-"
"Ren! You did not just-!" Ren let out a loud laugh as Kyoko popped back up over the railing to send him a fearsome scowl.
"Though she be but little, she be fierce!" Ren's voice was still rich in amusement as he called up to her with this new quote.
Kyoko searched her brain for a way to respond so he didn't keep getting one over on her. She smirked as it came to her. Straightening up and leaning against the railing, she tossed her hair in a fair imitation of haughtiness and said,
"Tongue, lose thy light, moon take thy flight, now die, die, die, die." Kyoko stared down at him to see how he responded. She was satisfied to see Ren sending an admiring glance her way. He bowed again and smiled up at her.
"Well played, fair princess."
Kyoko sniffed and tossed her hair again, playing up the haughtiness and she heard him chuckle.
"Well then," Ren said, "I've got a little time, and if you do as well, may I do that something nice for you and escort you to breakfast?"
Kyoko was startled by the suggestion, before she remembered what she'd asked of him a couple days ago. She sent him a shy smile back and nodded. Ren surprised her by opening up his arms.
"Well, come here." Kyoko stared at him in confusion before he gestured again and it finally clicked.
"I am not about to jump down there," she hissed down at him in alarm.
Ren grinned, "It's maybe five feet. You're not scared are you?"
"I haven't even brushed my hair! And besides, I'm not about to go endangering myself!"
"Hopping from a balcony into my arms is endangering you? Don't you trust me?"
"What?! Of course I do! But this is far too reckless." Kyoko scolded. Ren remained stubbornly childish and he gestured again with his arms.
"I can promise that it'll be ok. Wouldn't it be fun to start the day doing something a little daring?" Ren raised a brow in challenge, and Kyoko's feathers grew more ruffled when he did so.
She peered down at him, studying the distance for a moment. She was then surprised to hear Moko-san's voice at her shoulder.
"You did more as a ninja then this. Where'd your courage go?" Kyoko's head swiveled around and she stared in surprise at her friend.
"Moko-san! I didn't realize you'd woken up."
"Well, there was a manzai duo pair hollering at each other, it was inevitable." Kanae's dry voice caused Kyoko to flush in embarrassment.
"I'm so sorry Moko-san." Kyoko said in a small voice and Moko-san rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. You gonna go, or just leave him standing there like an idiot? Either option entertains me."
"Moko-san!" Kyoko said, scandalized, "That's too reckless, right?!"
Kanae face-palmed in exasperation before she stepped out near the railing and called down to Ren, "Hey! Make sure to catch her. Here she comes."
She then proceeded to grab Kyoko around her back and beneath her knees, and lifted her up nearly effortlessly. Kyoko squawked at her manhandling.
"Moko-san!"
"You're not the only one who's kept up their training," said Kanae as she rolled her eyes. She lifted Kyoko up over the railing, and called back down to Ren, who seemed far too entertained, "Here she comes."
Kyoko nearly swallowed her own tongue in surprise as she dropped quickly and in less than five seconds, was ensconced safely in Ren's arms. Her own arm curled behind his neck for stability and she stared between Ren's amused face and Kanae's gentle smile.
"That wasn't too bad, hm?" Ren asked her quietly and Kyoko blushed but shook her head.
"Not too bad, I guess."
He set her down, and tousled her hair, "Good, shall we?" He gestured towards the direction of the dining hall and she nodded along, carefully studying the ground.
"Well, ain't that the cutest thing." Nick's voice came from the direction of Ren's room, surprising them, and Kyoko's head popped back up in concern. She'd finally met Nick the day before, and wasn't too sure of him yet. But the expression on his face as he leaned against the doorframe of their patio was amused, and didn't seem to be unkind.
"Nick." said Ren with a nod that Nick returned. Ren tossed a comforting arm around Kyoko's shoulder and drew her down the path towards the hall.
"Don't worry about him," Ren reassured her as Kanae and Nick waved them off from their respective places, "He likes to tease, but he's not mean about it."
Kyoko cleared her throat so she could respond despite how flustered she still felt, "It's fine. In any case, it's not like the recklessness was my fault."
She stared Ren down as he stifled another amused expression, "Quite so, quite so."
Unbeknownst to them, off in the distance, thunder rolled.
Takimoto Misaki was scouting out a good place to take some photos of flowers outside the building where they were rooming, when she stumbled upon an interesting scene. She'd just finished lunch, and had a pretty free afternoon before she needed to be on set again. She was taking this opportunity to add some pictures to her collection. An overcast day was a great time to do it, or so her photography teacher had informed her and the rest of her class. She was eager to test out the idea.
Those thoughts left her though, when she realized that Kotonami Kanae, Mogami Kyoko, and one Tsuruga Ren were out on one of the patios. She shuffled back around the corner of the building, as she didn't want to interrupt their quiet conversation. (And perhaps, maybe overhear something interesting).
She heard a quiet laugh and then heard Tsuruga say, "No, no. Not them. No, this is Mo Lowda-".
Misaki furrowed her brow, trying to decipher the English that had been at the end of what he was saying but she couldn't quite catch it all. She peeked back out around the corner and saw Kanae consulting a script as she leaned against the building, apparently paying them no mind while Kyoko-san and Tsuruga-san continued to discuss something in English. As much as she stretched out her memory to try to follow what they were saying, they spoke it too quickly.
She was about to give it up after another few minutes, before she heard steps crunching along the gravel of the landscape near the building behind her. She glanced back over her shoulder to see behind her, and saw Noa and Jin strolling along, looking back at her curiously.
In warning, she placed a finger to her lips so they wouldn't speak. She turned and studied the scene about twenty feet from her once more and felt them stop shortly behind her.
"What are you doing?" She heard Noa whisper.
"Spying." She answered. The three of them had taken lunch together a few times now, and she was comfortable enough with them to tell the truth.
"Spying on what?" asked Jin.
"Our stars, naturally."
She was crouched around the corner near the flowers, and felt the pair of them shuffle closer to peer around the corner too.
She heard Noa sigh, "Kotonami-san is always pretty, isn't she?" Then, his voice raised a little as he let out, "Ow!"
Misaki stifled a laugh as Jin must have smacked Noa one. When he spoke up, Jin's voice was slightly scolding.
"That's what you get from this? Honestly. Aren't you more interested in how well Kyoko-san speaks English?"
Noa and Jin must have shoved each other as Misaki found herself having to restabilize her crouch. She forced a hand between the pair and hissed in warning, "Knock it off. We don't want them to know we're here, you idiots."
Guilty looks came across their faces and they mumbled apologies.
"Jin-san, what are they saying exactly? They're speaking it too fast for me to follow."
Jin and Noa quieted so they could hear better. Noa said after a moment, "They're talking about an album from a band Tsuruga-san likes. Don't recognize it though. He might like indie music? I'm a bit of a music nerd so it's rare for me not to know."
Misaki studied him thoughtfully, "Wait, are you guys immigrants? I thought you guys just spoke English well."
Noa shook his head, "My Mom's Japanese, but my family and I are actually from Hawaii. She moved there when she was a teenager. I'm just here for school."
"Huh." She turned her look on Jin, who shrugged.
"Nissei. We're both American."
"Oh, alright then. Well, that does make your casting make more sense." Misaki said eventually.
"Yeah, Tsuruga-san cast us for that reason." Something about that struck Misaki-san strangely.
"Wait, how did he know you?"
Noa and Jin glanced at each other, and shrugged, "R'Mandy modeling."
Misaki thought that over for a moment as she studied the trio out on the patio. Kyoko-san said something that made Tsuruga-san toss his head back and laugh. It was a cute scene to come across and she caught herself smiling along. Something was tickling her mind though. Why he'd been part of casting at all, which she knew from her research was unheard of before now. Why he'd been cast in the role of an American Lieutenant Colonel, and why he was so comfortable speaking English as he was now.
Now that she had more than one unusual piece, the puzzle quickly formed a more complete picture.
"He must be American too. It's the only thing that makes sense really. I wonder why he's so private about it." Misaki wondered aloud.
Behind her, Noa and Jin exchanged another glance.
"A lot of reasons to be private about it." Jin said. "He's got a certain reputation in the business. Maybe the typical stereotype doesn't fit his image. Or, people have discriminated against him when they've known. I could go on."
Misaki winced, "Ah, yes, well." She stood suddenly, discomfited, and dusted off her hands.
"Well," She redirected, "I must be off. There's an assignment from my professor I need to get to." Misaki smiled brightly and hurried away, hoping her discomfort had been hidden well enough. A guilty feeling of taking her prying and curiosity too far threatened to take over, but she shoved it down deep. So long as she stopped that behavior, and left it alone, there would be nothing she should feel guilty over.
We found such joy in our family and in our home, and we strived to remain focused inward, on them, as outwardly, the world continued to grow ever more fraught and dangerous. I noticed it first at my university, as less and less students were able to enroll and graduate in my field. I thought to myself then, what a shame, all those bright minds going uncultivated.
I was foolish. I had no idea yet what was to come. Our leaders had promised you see, promised us that they would win us everlasting glory. I had thought it normal, the belief that the world slowly spun out of control as you got older and are better able to realize everything going wrong.
Little did I know the truth then.
It is typical for things to change as your children grow up. In some instances, you are forced to change. What we went through, it is hard to describe. And you think it normal at the time. That every generation has its burden to bear.
But what of my children? What of the world we are leaving to them? I am older now, and too tired now to retain my anger at the disservices done to us. I can no longer think of that without bitterly resenting the burdens we brought to bear on ourselves. No, it is better to think of my children, of what I can do to help them before I am gone.
Ren watched with interest as the editing team spliced together miscellaneous footage for Yoneda-sensei's narration to run over. He'd been curious when Kyoko had mentioned being impressed by Kawaguchi-san's gravitas when speaking it in the voice-over booth and had wanted to to experience it himself.
She'd been right. Kawaguchi-san's impressive narration was going to be the perfect hook to bring in a certain demographic. Ren imagined Shingai and Takashi had planned it for exactly that reason. Especially his ending narration. At the end of the first act, in a twist no one would see coming, as it was primarily a fictitious action, the embassy detail that would include Yoneda-sensei and Yoneda Yayoi's husband was to be ambushed by Communist spies. They would plant an explosive in one of their vehicles and then attack in the chaos that ensued. Yoneda-sensei would die protecting Yayoi's husband, in the reverse of an action Officer Yamamoto took to protect Yoneda-sensei earlier in the episode.
Ren watched as they looped that footage again and tried overlaying more of the monologue with it. They'd been able to shoot that scene the previous day, and so far there was no need for reshoots. Ren was thankful, he had to do a scene with Kawaguchi-san that'd been pushed aside when the permissions to use the location that allowed explosive special effects had come through. Seeing the footage with the dialogue made both parts doubly impactful, and Ren once more appreciated how special this story was.
I look around, and I know, undoubtedly, that these men are not my enemy. They are but a symptom of a corrupt and avaricious disease. My beliefs were shattered many years ago. They were twisted and defiled and forced into a shape not of my making. I look around, and I do not see enemies. I see only people, morality twisted beyond recognition. It is not fair. It is not right.
I can only pray that the future holds something better than what I have left behind.
The footage the editing team had picked for final sentences of the narration was quiet, with a close-up of Kawaguchi staring out at the enemy, resignation mixed with despair on his face. It transitioned into some shots of men trying to flee the scene, or trying to get to where Kawaguchi-san was positioned in a protective curl over Officer Yamamoto's body. As the script had elaborated, the officer had been trying to grab Yoneda-sensei, but the sensei had heard the beeping of the explosive about to go off, and had instead hurled himself over the officer as he'd come near. The stuntmen at the scene when it'd been shot yesterday had timed that exceptionally well. And that was the primary reason for why there were no reshoots to be done so far for it.
The scene that ended the episode, however, had yet to be decided. But Ren knew he was partial to the shot that showed Kawaguchi-san's hand reaching out to the fallen enemy that had been caught in the blast of the explosive, trying to cross the chasm between them even in death. In Ren's mind, it was a fitting end to the sensei turned diplomat.
Ren's phone buzzed, breaking him free of his thoughts. That was his timer letting him know he needed to get to makeup and wardrobe for the work he had coming up. He quietly thanked the editing team for letting him sit in while they worked and then hurried off.
After wardrobe cleared him as ready, he was off to the Inn set that he and Kawaguchi-san would be working in for most of the afternoon and evening. He greeted the other actor quietly, and the older man returned it with a smile before returning his attention to his script. Ren was curious, but maintained his patience until the other actor set it aside.
"Kawaguchi-san. Do you mind satisfying my curiosity?" Ren asked him quietly.
"Looks like lighting is still being adjusted, so sure thing. I think we've got a moment."
"Much appreciated. Ah, I was a little leery about the narration some of us had. Um, I just got to hear yours, and I was really impressed. But, well, I guess I'm not so confident about mine. I could use some advice I think."
Kawaguchi studied him thoughtfully. "What are you not confident about?"
Ren thought back to the documents he'd received just that morning. "I think I like the words themselves, but my tone of voice when I recite them to myself isn't hitting the right notes for me."
"Hmm, how did they make you feel?"
"Mostly, it inspired a sense of despair. I know the Commander is depressed through most of this series, and I understand why. But the point of his role is to grow from that state of mind into something that resembles healing and hope. I think it's more that part of it that frustrates me."
Kawaguchi propped his chin up on his hand as he spoke, "You might just be thinking too logically about it. You need to feel the differences from the beginning to the end. Commander Taylor feels lost, and set adrift. That is apparent even in this scene we're about to do."
He was quiet for a moment as Ren thought about that. Kawaguchi then said, "Even as he feels that, his path gets darker before it gets lighter, and it's only at the end when he decides enough is enough. Can you feel that yet?"
Ren folded his hands and stared down at them with a frown. He supposed he hadn't. Had he been thinking so much of the big picture that he'd forgotten to remember to feel the delicate nuance? He wouldn't put it past him. Eventually, Ren looked back up at Kawaguchi-san.
"Thank you Kawaguchi-san. You're as wise as Yoneda-sensei I think."
Kawaguchi chuckled, "Well, they didn't cast me only for my good looks."
That sparked a bark of unexpected laughter from Ren. The two then turned to less heavy topics until they were called onto set.
The scene they were to do was a scene chronologically set in the first act, right before Yoneda-sensei and Officer Yamamoto went to the embassy in Tokyo for the last time. This scene just wouldn't be seen in the series until the second act. Yoneda-sensei and Commander Taylor, in the commander's time near Mt. Oguso, had cobbled together something of an oddball friendship around their mutual enjoyment of philosophy and the classics. When Commander Taylor was off duty, he sometimes took his dinner at the inn, so he and the sensei could discuss things as they liked.
Ren settled into the proper position at the table in the room on the Inn set, and pulled on the cloak of Lieutenant Commander Jack Taylor. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep as he gathered the last vestiges of Jack.
When Shingai called action, he settled himself into a more relaxed position, as if he'd already drunk a few cupfuls of sake after dinner.
"Now what I don't understand, Commander-san, is how you know Camus. Of course I do, I was a professor, but how did you come across him?" Kawaguchi-san, as Yoneda-sensei asked.
Jack slouched more and shrugged, "Except for a couple others I keep close, I mostly keep to myself. Books are relaxing, and enthralling."
Kawaguchi-san, as Yoneda-sensei, shook his head and said almost absentmindedly, "Always there comes an hour when one is weary of one's work and devotion to duty, and all one craves for is a loved face, the warmth and wonder of a loving heart."
"I'm not quite so far gone as all that sensei." Jack shot him a teasing glare.
The other man waved him off, "Bah. You young things like to appear so put-together these days. So focused on the work. Whatever happened to relaxation and the warmth of a loving home?"
Jack stilled, grief crossing his face that the sensei seemed to catch. The older man stared at him from under a furrowed brow, concerned, but knowing that he'd stepped on an old pain. Yoneda-sensei cleared his throat and said, "Well nevermind all that. What's been a favorite quote of yours from something you've read recently?"
Jack's face seemed to lighten and he thought for a second, then said, "Well, you can certainly ask that, but I am determined for us to continue our discussion of the Odyssey sometime tonight."
Yoneda-sensei chuckled but nodded in agreement. Jack shot him an amused glance, then said, "A man sometimes devotes his life to a desire which he is not sure will ever be fulfilled. Those who laugh at this folly are, after all, no more than mere spectators of life."
A fond look crossed the sensei's face, "You've started reading Akutagawa then?"
"Yes. It's been an interesting read."
"I imagine so." The sensei said. Then his face grew more serious. "Commander-san, I have appreciated our varied discussion topics, and our many interactions that have dealt with our politics and the like, and I feel as if this might be ok to ask of you."
Jack studied his somber countenance, and straightened up to give the older man his full attention. "Certainly Yoneda-sensei. Feel free to ask what you like."
Kyoko had gotten to set in time to witness some of the scene between Kawaguchi-san and Tsuruga-san before she was also called onto the set. She appreciated this, as she was curious about how those two acted against each other. She was not disappointed as she analyzed how well they played off each other. It made her all the more eager to act against Ren again as Shingai called cut on the men's scene together, and she was hurried to the place where she was to enter.
She quickly got into Yayoi's mindset as Ren retook his place on the set. Ren and her were only able to exchange a quick nod of hello before Director Shingai called action. She didn't mind though, as this scene was, by far, something she wanted her full focus on.
Lieutenant Commander Jack Taylor stood as Yoneda Michitada dismissed him and they said their cordial goodbyes after discussing what he'd wanted about Homer's Odyssey. And Jack made sure to keep close to heart Yoneda-sensei's request. He should do the man no less than what the sensei deserved, he felt. Many a long night they had whiled away over sake, debating western and eastern philosophy. Jack could confidently say, aside from Lieutenant Burnham, he probably had no one else he could comfortably discuss such topics with while he was stationed here. He was grateful to have found a kindred spirit.
Ren, acting as Jack, gently closed the room's doors behind him, turned, and barely stifled a soft exclamation of surprise. Yoneda Yayoi stood near the door, rather close to him. She was dressed as casually as he had ever seen her, and from the looks of it, she perhaps might have been coming back from the baths. She held a ribbon in one hand and it appeared that she'd paused from undoing the ribbon from her other braid. Jack swallowed hard as his eyes roamed over her features, absorbing every aspect of them with a fascinated abandon he couldn't quite keep under control, from her unruly hair to her piercing gaze.
Jack bowed a little in her direction, "Yoneda-sama."
She surprised him by answering him in English, "I caught the end of Homer through the door. You know the Odyssey?"
"Oh, ah, yes. Now that's one tale that's kind of been a faithful, life-long companion for me. Your father has been kind enough to let me discuss things like that with him, when I'm off duty and have the time." He shot her a faint smile that she returned.
"I see. Ever the hard-working and loyal officer?" If Jack didn't know better, he'd say she was teasing him. He glanced down at her, subtly trying to tell without her noticing, but she caught him and her lips twitched, the corner of her mouth curling up in amusement. Ren recognized the familiar look on Kyoko's face, but made sure to keep Jack close.
Jack swallowed hard to see such an expression on her face, but hurried to agree before she realized. "Yes, as best as I can, I strive for that ideal."
Yayoi tilted her head slightly, and softly said, "...'Much have I toiled in the perils of waves and war; let this be added to the tales of those'."
Jack's eyes widened as she quoted the Odyssey, her inflection precise and perfect. The sweeping feeling of meeting another kindred soul left him breathless and he could only croak out a stunned response, his voice raspy.
"And if some god shall wreck me in the wine-dark deep, even so, I shall endure." Delight crossed her face as he responded appropriately, and it left Jack feeling wildly uncertain, but deeply attracted. Ren could sympathize.
Jack tried to hide the trembling of his fingertips that wanted to reach out and see if she was truly real, and made of flesh and bone, same as he. He then abruptly scolded himself for such an odd notion.
Yayoi spoke again, "I suppose it does make sense for a naval officer to admire the Odyssey. I like to think you had to write about it in your special officer's school, or something to that effect."
The gentle humor she was so comfortable expressing, now made Jack see her in an entirely different light. It made him want to touch, rather than just admire a fragile and distant beauty. He curled his hands tight to stop himself, and ducked his head again.
"Sorry to disappoint Yoneda-sama, the academy was nothing so interesting as that."
"Their loss I suppose." He caught another slight smile from her and shyly returned it. They murmured soft goodbyes and then turned away from each other to continue on their paths, her up the stairs to their sleeping quarters, and he to the exit. As he passed her though, Yayoi stopped him with a soft,
"Commander-san?"
"Yoneda-sama?"
"If the Odyssey has been such a faithful companion to you for so long, then what of your Penelope? Is she out there, awaiting your return?"
Yayoi studied him thoughtfully, peeking up at him in far too close quarters for him to be comfortable with. Jack stepped away from her, swallowed, and glanced away. There was a heavy moment of silence and he almost immediately regretted not answering.
She sighed, and he felt the air shift as she went ahead around him.
"My apologies Commander-san, for asking too personal of a question."
There was a subtly hurt note in Yayoi's voice that Jack could pick out, and he found himself speaking, disregarding how reckless it was.
"No. No, I have no Penelope." He bit his lip as he stared determinedly at the floor so as to avoid her gaze burning in between his shoulder blades.
"Well. That…that's very unfortunate indeed, Commander-san. My apologies for prying." Yayoi's gentle voice had him turning around so she could see his sincerity herself as he talked.
"No, no it's fine, I promise. It's natural to be curious after all." Jack wondered if that was as reassuring as he wanted it to be. He gazed at her in concern, but Yayoi only smiled back, and he could not fathom what else might have been on her mind.
"I leave you to it then, Commander. You've been very kind to indulge my curiosity." Yayoi bowed politely, which he returned.
"Of course Yoneda-sama." He stayed there, staring at the wood grain of the floor until he heard her footsteps on the stairs to the second level.
One small detail caught Jack's eye as he straightened back up. A yellow ribbon, innocently resting on the bottom step of the stairwell. He slowly walked over, hesitantly taking it from the floor and running it through his fingers as he looked back up at where Yayoi had gone, more intrigued by it then he would admit, even out loud to himself.
Almost hypnotized by the implication, Jack raised it to his face, and a whiff of her shampoo lingered as much as her own individual scent. Inadvertently, the ribbon was crushed as his hand curled into a fist over it as he cursed himself in his mind. But, still, he did not release the ribbon. Jack let his eyes fall shut, and breathed deep, unable to stop himself.
Jack's eyes popped open wide, as a noise startled him. He found himself stuffing the ribbon in his uniform pocket, hoping beyond hope that no one had just seen him. He strode for the door, intent on leaving as soon as possible and got his answer as the staff member that closed the inn up shuffled in, yawning, his storage crates banging about. The man waved at him sleepily and Jack nodded at him in return.
"Ah, Commander Taylor-san. Did Yoneda-sensei turn in for the night then?"
"Indeed. And so, I'm off. See you again soon, I'm sure." Jack brushed past him, trying to maintain a thin veneer of politeness as the staff member returned his farewell.
As he cleared the inn porch though, Jack couldn't help but let his hand linger over his uniform pocket protectively. Something deep inside him recognized the ribbon for what it was, a precious and irreplaceable talisman. And he would keep it safe for as long as he could.
Ren paused there, waiting for some sign from Director Shingai, and the scene was cleared as the clapperboard snapped shut and the Director called, "Cut!"
Then, Shingai said, "Kyoko-san, Ren-kun, to me please."
Kyoko sent Ren a curious look that he returned, but they hurried to the Director's side.
He clapped a hand on each of their shoulders, "Ren-kun, Kyoko-san. I just feel a need to reiterate here."
There was a long pause and Kyoko and Ren glanced at each other in concern.
"You two are like firecrackers. How do you do it?!"
He then let out a stream of compliments that left Ren and Kyoko blushing fiercely. To their relief however, the assistant director was able to grab his attention after a few minutes so they could move on.
Ren and Kyoko, once the Director's back was turned, exchanged smiles of victory and bumped their fists together.
Ren yawned as he plugged in one earbud into his ear and flipped on his music. It was becoming a routine for him to take a jog every night before he went to bed. There was a high level of privacy around their little encampment here on location, so he was rarely bothered unless it was by other cast or crew. It was kind of nice to get into such a habit so he could relax before bed and not be up all hours of the night. With the harsh physical training he was undergoing for the shooting, it had become imperative that he had a more regulated sleep schedule.
And it lets me turn off my brain, which can only do me some good so I'll stop fretting so much over one kouhai in particular. Will I ever get an answer over the Atsushi thing? His aggrieved train of thought was pushed aside as he stepped out of his and Nick's room and focused on some quick stretching before he began his light jog out into the night. The storm had yet to break, so he assumed he had some time to spare for an outside run.
He had found that this particular playlist was very helpful in maintaining his focus so he could pace himself well, as the music set him in just the right rhythm. It wasn't until he rounded a corner about ten minutes later and stumbled upon Director Shingai himself that he realized he'd only been lapping the housing facility they were in.
"Ren-kun, I thought you'd have turned in by now," Shingai looked him over, curiosity lighting his features.
"Ah yeah, this is just my daily jog time, then I'm headed to a shower, then bed."
"I see. So the training is going well then?" Shingai asked.
"Yes sir. Turning in late yourself?"
Shingai sighed, "Yes, I didn't anticipate how much editing I was going to do this evening. I started out by simply looking a few things over and then well, I look at the clock and it's three hours later."
Ren tried to hold in his amusement as he watched the director shake his head. The two of them ambled into the building as they chatted some more while Ren wiped at the sweat that had accumulated during his jog. While summer had left its high temperatures behind in the previous weeks, the heaviness of the humidity of the season was still having an effect.
"But I tell you what, I'm having the damndest time trying to pick the young Taylor kid. The casting calls from the American base and the town we're near have been pretty helpful, but you know, I just wanted this particular look…" Shingai was saying and Ren stopped when a thought suddenly struck him.
"Sir, do you know why I picked the Taylor role? Or did Takashi-san just inform you that I had?" Ren asked and Shingai stopped next to a water fountain to think for a second. Ren took that opportunity to lean down and get a drink. As he was wiping his mouth dry, Shingai finally responded.
"You know, I don't think anyone told me why, I was just relieved that casting had gotten that much easier. I'd just met Miura-san over the interpreter Tanaka role, and was relieved that I could actually offer it to him."
Ren winced as he remembered how difficult he'd been for the casting team earlier in the summer. He cleared his throat some and wiped at his face with his towel again, his stomach tightening from nerves. As Shingai studied him carefully, Ren sighed. He couldn't stall forever when he'd been the one to bring it up.
"Here, follow me will you? There's something I should show you." Shingai murmured his assent as Ren started walking back to his room, the director following close behind.
He entered, relieved to see Nick must still be out, and pulled out his wallet from his bag while Shingai looked amusedly at one neatly tidied side of the room, and a horrendously untidy half. Ren couldn't stand mess, but Nick didn't particularly care. But, they got on well enough for it to not be an issue.
Ren tapped his wallet nervously against the palm of his hand, "So, that locket that my character has, it's supposed to have a picture inside right? Have you picked one yet?"
The question seemed to throw Shingai for a loop and he frowned, "Well, we're not shooting those scenes for a couple weeks yet, so I hadn't thought much of it. Was mostly just letting the Creative Director and the wardrobe staff handle it. Why?"
Ren forced himself to quit tapping his wallet nervously and glanced away from Shingai's shrewd gaze before he said, "Alright…so… this role means a lot to me, and for reasons I don't particularly want to get into in depth. But, here."
He flipped the wallet open, and gently pried out a small two-by-three inch photo from its innermost pocket. The edges were worn and the picture itself had some creasing, as if it had been folded many different ways, only being opened to be studied and then folded up, over and over again. But the image was still clear; a young boy sitting on his father's lap, with his father holding one of his hands, while a beautiful blonde mother was tucked in close to the pair of them, the father's other arm around her waist and her holding the boy's other hand. They were beautiful, and frozen in time in a moment of spontaneous joy underneath a cherry blossom tree.
Ren silently handed it over and saw the exact moment when Shingai realized what it was. Before the older man could say anything, Ren spoke again.
"I didn't have much when I left the States. Just my passport, and well, this."
"Ren-kun...I...I don't know what to say."
"Can you use it? Is it ambiguous enough?" Ren's determined gaze seemed to get through to Shingai and the director let out a disbelieving huff of laughter.
"Yeah we can make a couple copies, maybe have the creative team doctor it some. Are you sure about this Ren-kun?"
Ren set his jaw and nodded, his resolve reaffirmed as he saw Shingai stare down at the picture in amazement.
"Ren-kun, seriously, I'm about to do something really embarrassing, and if you tell me those two people are your parents and that they are who I think they are-"
"They are." said Ren, determined to be honest.
He was ill-prepared for Shingai to pull him into a tight hug, then pull back and start shaking his hand like it was a sport he was trying to medal in, babbling almost incoherently over how honored he felt that Ren had told him this, and wow, he was a huge fan of Juli Hizuri and-
Ren cut him off, "Director. There's a reason I keep this quiet. Not even Takashi-san knows this. Do not make me regret telling you."
Shingai froze as he heard the subtle threat in Ren's voice and took one giant step back away from the younger man.
"Ahem, my sincerest apologies Ren-kun. I got quite carried away." Shingai swallowed nervously at the glint in Ren's eye. But a moment later, as Shingai really started to sweat over it, Ren said,
"Now you know." Ren leveled an even stare at the director.
"Indeed. Ahem. Well, I'll get this to the team, shall I?"
"Sounds like a good plan." Ren sent the man his usual smile as he tried to gather up his Tsuruga Ren facade again. Shingai nodded, still somewhat nervous, but turned to leave. Ren was staring at his wallet, questioning what he'd just done when he heard Shingai speak up.
"You know Ren-kun," He saw Shingai hesitate at the doorway, but then he continued speaking, "I don't know your story, and I'm certainly not going to ask for it. However…"
Ren's eyes narrowed on the director, suspicion beginning to cloud his thoughts.
Shingai must have noticed his expression and he hurried to continue what he was saying, "This is just a thought, it really is. But the sixth act, that scene at the end that we need Taylor's family for, what would be better than the real thing? Think on it, hm?"
The director then scurried away, rightfully realizing that he might have just pushed too much. Ren was left staring after him, his heartbeat double-timing as he tried to digest Shingai's last words. He tossed his wallet back into his nightstand drawer, then sank onto his bed and groaned softly.
Director Shingai, don't hope for the impossible.
After a few more moments of staring into space and questioning his life's choices, Ren realized he was still too wound up to finish his nightly routine. He took a quick look outside, and while the wind had picked up, there was no rain yet. He blew out a sigh and leaned down to tighten up his shoelaces. Another jog would probably clear his head considerably.
Kyoko had been meandering around after dinner when she came across the part of the building the post-processing team had commandeered for their work. She assumed this at least, when she came across a room that had Shingai staring thoughtfully at a screen as it played, the sound off. After a brief explanation of how he was just reviewing footage, Kyoko had shyly asked if she could join him.
They'd sat in silence for a bit, getting comfortable in their chairs while the footage played. After a moment, Kyoko realized it was the jazz club scene they'd filmed a couple nights ago. She was right; there'd been a lot of detail shots. The footage was raw, disjointed, and obviously not chronological but she was fascinated by it anyway.
"Sir?" she asked after another moment.
"Yes Mogami-kun?"
"Do you mind if I take notes?"
Shingai shook his head free of his thoughts and stared at her quizzically.
"Oh, it's this presentation project thing at my school. You can either create your own project or substitute your own work experience, so long as you keep notes on everything you learn and have some footage to turn in as well." Kyoko explained.
"Ah, what a practical assignment for a performing arts course." Shingai said approvingly.
Kyoko tilted her head to the side in confusion, "You never did something like that?"
"Mmm, not really. But it's been sometime since my college and highschool days, I could just be forgetting about it." he laughed lightly and then noticed the time on his watch. "Wow, I've actually been here this long? Unbelievable." He muttered to himself, while Kyoko smiled. As put-together as he seemed to be, she was glad that even Director Shingai could lose track of time like that. She could relate.
"Here Kyoko-san, we're shooting together tomorrow morning, so I'll leave you the key to this room. Just lock up after you leave and bring that back to me in the morning. But don't stay too late, alright?" Shingai gathered his things together and handed her a key from his keyring.
"Are you sure sir?" She asked him, worried that he was entrusting such a thing to her.
"It's not a problem, I know how difficult it can be to set aside time for homework. My girls are struggling with it right now. Turn in at a reasonable hour, and we'll call it even, alright?"
He sent her a reassuring smile that she returned with a bright one of her own, "Definitely sir! I'll make sure to get this back to you. Thank you so much!"
He shook his head in amusement and they said their goodbyes. Kyoko leaned over the table to grab the remote from where it had been and pressed play. The scene started back up and she studied it carefully. Then she rewound and watched it from the beginning as she took up a spare notepad and pen from where the tv was at.
Carefully she worked through the scene, notating hand gestures, tilts of heads, how lighting struck profiles for dramatic effect, and the list continued on. As she rewatched the footage for the third time, she noticed something else.
While the cameramen had done their best to leave Tsuruga-san in shadow, the close-ups on each individual's face remained. Presumably, his would be cut later, but she had the opportunity now to watch his expression again. She had studied Ren at the time as she had been Yayoi, but all she had thought of was Yayoi and the Commander and what was very carefully not said.
She paused as she watched herself stand up from her seat and look up at Lieutenant Commander Taylor. The lighting was dim, but you could clearly see the commander swallow, look away, his brow furrow, a muscle jump in his cheek, and how thinly he pressed his lips together, as if to stop himself from saying something. Kyoko caught herself rubbing the chainwork of her bracelet in between her fingers as she replayed this part of the scene.
I know…I know this. I've seen it before. Where? It was a damned frustrating thing and she couldn't, for the life of her, figure out why it was sticking out at her.
"Mogami-san?" Kyoko froze as she heard that achingly familiar voice.
Before she thought much of it, she smashed the pause button on the remote and whirled around as she stood up from her chair, chirping excitedly at the man that had just appeared in the doorway, as if summoned by her own thoughts.
"Tsuruga-san! Wow! I didn't know I'd see you around tonight. Let me guess, you couldn't sleep and you're about to sneak a drink? Really, how many of your Cain habits are actually just yours?" She giggled, before she fell silent as she saw his face. She wondered vaguely how often he switched between his hazel-colored contacts and his brown ones these days, as his eyes were the familiar brown of Tsuruga Ren.
Beyond her musings on that however, was the abrupt recognition of this being the first time they'd truly been alone together in person since that time at the observatory. There'd been that brief moment outside that morning, but even at breakfast they'd not been truly by themselves. She'd very carefully made sure to be around Kanae, or near others, at all times she knew she'd be around Ren since they'd come onto location a few days ago.
"I was out for a jog. Well, Shingai interrupted my first one, so I took another. I was just coming back when I saw the light on in here." Ren said as he took another few steps into the room, letting the door fall shut.
"Ah, I see. Storm yet to break then?" She kept her saleswoman's smile plastered on her face, repeating Kanae's mantra frantically in her own mind.
"Hasn't broken yet, nope." He stepped ever closer to her. Her hands where she'd clasped them tightly together in front of her started to tremble, which hopefully escaped his notice.
There was a quiet moment, so quiet that Kyoko could hear his breath. And he was near enough that she could smell the sweat from his jog and he'd brought in with him the earthy scent of the humid night. Unfair, she cursed him in her own mind.
"Good night for notes, huh?"
"What?" She blurted out in response, and he stared down at her in amusement. He arched a brow and she followed his gaze to her notepad and the ever so conspicuous scene at the jazz club. She'd paused on the Commander peering down at Yayoi, a gentle look in his eye.
Oh no, she closed her eyes, hopelessly embarrassed that Ren had caught her doing such a thing. Then she straightened back up and stared him down, "Well, it's for school. There's a project there I'm working on."
Ren's lips twitched as he tried to smother his amusement, "Moved on from the stars have we?"
Kyoko could help but flush as she heard more suggestion in his words than he probably intended, "Well you see, there's multiple subjects, and we get exams in them all." She said this as sweetly as she possibly could and was rewarded by that irritated tic he had of his muscle jumping in his jaw and his lips thinning.
It was like a lightbulb went off in her head, the thought was so sudden and striking.
"Oh," She breathed, delighted and Ren's gaze swung towards hers, confused, "You thought something just now, what was it?"
Ren stared at her, nervousness crossing his face and she was pleased that she could inspire that. Kyoko found herself grasping his shirt in her excitement, "Go on, tell me what it is you wanted to say. I promise, I'm only curious. You just stopped yourself from saying something, didn't you?"
Ren's eyes flicked from where her hands held his shirt, to her face. She was nearer to him then she'd been in a while and he found himself continuing the reckless behavior he'd already started that evening with his run-in with Shingai.
Ever so slowly, he raised her braceleted wrist to his mouth, his lips grazing it slightly and smirked down at her. A beautiful blush suffused her face and she tried twisting her wrist away but he held it tight.
"Do you really want to know Kyoko?"
"Don't say my name so-"
"I'll only tell you if you say please. How much do you want to know?" Ren was thankful that he was able to surprise her enough to at least momentarily, gain the upper hand in this battle of wills, as she shot him a frustrated glance.
She tugged at her wrist again before snapping crossly, "Fine. Keep it to yourself. It's not like you're not easy to read. I'll figure it out myself."
Ren couldn't help but feel a bit challenged by that, "Easy to read, eh? Is that why you were looking at this? Studying me for the future so you can get one over on me?"
She scoffed, "As if. This is a school thing, like I said."
Ren used her wrist to tug her slightly closer, smiling at her cross behavior, "Well go on, what have I taught you here then?"
"That asking you questions will get me nowhere, you infuriating ass." Kyoko snapped, aggravated beyond belief that she couldn't figure out how to get her way. Sometimes she felt she had a good handle on him, and then at other times, he wiggled away just when she thought she had a good grasp on him. It was maddening. Ren let out a small chuckle.
Perhaps he was enjoying riling her up too much, but honestly, she'd been dodging him a while and he felt she deserved it a little. After a moment though, he felt bad enough to offer up a peace offering.
"A deal then. Or a dare, rather. I'll tell you what you want to know, and I dare you to tell me what Atsushi-san said to you."
Kyoko froze as she remembered why she'd been trying to avoid him.
Ren waited a moment longer and then raised a brow, "Oh, not a good enough offer, hm? That's too bad. And here, I thought you wanted some insider information for that project of yours." He let her wrist go and stepped back, wondering if his bluff would pay off.
He turned slightly, as if he was going to walk out again, and he felt her grab his shirt again. Then, in a very quiet voice, "Atsushi-san was just explaining to me how some relationships get started. Because of you know, Daisuke and Yayoi and well, you know, how friends can get to uh, more than friends. If you, like, find someone especially charming, or um, stuff like that, it might mean you're actually interested in that person and um, maybe you think of them as more than friends and uh…"
Kyoko's already quiet voice trailed off into mumbling. Ren turned the right way round again and stared down at her flushed countenance and took in how undeniably flustered she was. It was adorable. He gently nudged her chin upward and definitely heard a faint squeak that had him struggling to keep control.
"Hey, look at me," Ren waited patiently as Kyoko finally glanced up at him. He smiled down at her, relieved to finally get the full story, "I was just trying to make sure he didn't make you uncomfortable, ok? Maybe I was being too pushy, I'm sorry for that. I was just worried, alright?"
Amusement filled him as she gave him a small nod, seeming terribly flustered still. After a moment, she began to stare at him expectantly. Ren arched an eyebrow down at her. Kyoko stomped her foot in exasperation.
"You tell me your thing now!"
Ren felt his lips curve into a wicked smirk, but couldn't help himself, "Oh look at the time, where is Kotonami-san? I could have sworn we had a scene we needed to rehearse-" He mimed studying a watch, then snickered as outrage filled her face as he mocked her early behavior.
"Tsuruga-san!"
"Oh, bad news, I can only answer to Ren tonight." He turned back around and took a few steps away. He was delighted that his childishness could stoke her fury so, and he heard an aggravated growl come from her direction. He took another step and then felt the air move and then shortly after, felt her landing on his back, her legs scrambling around his waist and her arms grabbing him around the shoulders, effectively stopping him by impromptu piggy-back.
He stood still a moment, entertained beyond belief that he could wring this type of behavior from her. "Well then, that's one way to do this." He had not thought through what having her so close to his ear would mean however.
Kyoko's voice was a purr that was remarkably reminiscent of Setsu and she spoke into his ear, making him shiver, "Reeeen. What were you going to say to me then?"
By god woman, that is outright unfair. Ren could feel himself tense as she wiggled herself onto him more, trying to have a more secure position. The heat of her, the smell of her, it left him breathless and wanting. And he was most likely going to need a cold shower. He tried to withstand it, and tried to maintain his imitation of her behavior. But, with one more wiggle that brought her chest pressing deeply into his shoulder blades, he knew he was a goner if he didn't extricate himself from this position.
He reached around and grabbed at her thighs, manhandling her as he'd sometimes done when they'd been Cain and Setsu, and swung her around to the front of him and placed her firmly on the floor. She seemed as pleased as the cat that ate the canary, and he felt his frustration mount. Ren folded his arms and stared down at her implacably.
Kyoko let this go for only a short moment before her hands curled into fists. "Well?"
Ren let out a shrug and glanced away. Kyoko's sharp gaze caught the muscle twitching in his jaw.
"And there it is again!" She blurted it out unconsciously, and Ren couldn't stop himself from scowling.
"Are you doing that on purpose!?" Kyoko asked, disgruntled that he'd stayed quiet for so long.
"No, it's not on purpose. I didn't even realize you had noticed that I had a tic like that, most people don't." Ren felt like pouting. The more Kyoko got to know him, the less he could hide from her, even stupid things like this.
"I bet you'll feel better if you just tell me so you can leave."
"I'll bet I won't."
"Do it anyway."
Ren arched an eyebrow at her, amused despite himself, "So demanding these days."
Kyoko flushed, and responded hotly, "Whatever, you like it."
Her eyes widened as she caught the words coming out of her mouth and she covered her mouth with her hand, wishing those words had never left her. Ren stared, as surprised as she was. Kyoko nervously stepped back as he stepped forward and uncrossed his arms, determination filling his features.
"Yeah, yeah I do." He stepped closer, and she stepped back again, until the back of her thighs hit the table's edge. He planted one hand on the surface of the table to the side of her, crowding in close. His voice grew huskier, and more suggestive, as he spoke again.
"Go on Kyoko. Be demanding. Be sarcastic. Be rude. Be a little spoiled. Show me all those sides of you that you like to hide away."
Kyoko wanted to lean away, wanted to get away, but his gaze was fierce and demanded she not look away. Ren inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a second, before they opened and his heated gaze caught hers again. No doubt, this was the most attractive he'd ever been while around her and she couldn't help how she responded.
"Ren, Ren please-"
"Please what?"
She felt weightless, and like she was soaring as high as she could ever go, and she was terribly frightened all at the same time.
"Please don't show that look to anyone but me." Kyoko's words were softly whispered as her hand reached out to curl into his hair. Ren almost let his control snap right there; it was so damned provocative.
He let out a soft groan and tugged her in close so her head was nestled in under his chin.
"Kyoko, I can promise you this, there is absolutely no one else that can inspire such a reaction in me. That's for you, and you alone."
Kyoko held in a squeak as he squeezed her tighter still and she found herself grabbing at the back of his shirt just as tightly. And Kyoko had to smile ruefully. I guess we are pretty hopeless at this. But at least we can be hopeless together.
They paid it no mind, but lightning split the sky outside, followed by a tremendous crack of thunder, and rain began to pelt the windows of the room.
...
Edited for clarity and redundancy. Thanks again for reading.
-artsy