chapter 1

6 months ago

Kyoko was hiding in the LoveMe room. She had a couple of hours before she had to be Bo and she liked to come here during her down time. She had a Ren doll out and it was giving her a lecture about professionalism, time keeping and anything else Kyoko could think to berate herself about while it was running through her mind. She'd overslept this morning making her late for her Box-R shoot, which had caused it to run over. This had caused her to rush to LME to check her offers and see if there were any LoveMe jobs needed doing. This had led to her narrowly avoiding being hit by Ren's car. Yashiro jumped out to check on her but Kyoko was already gone.

"Ren?"

"Yes Yashiro-san" he answered with a sigh.

"ummm... what did you do to Kyoko-chan?"
Yashiro was looking at Ren with a mix of horror and pride.

"I haven't done anything to warrant that look from you. Besides its not necessarily me. It could be a job. There are other reasons than me"

Ren was now glaring at Yashiro, who stammered out an apology and something about paperwork. He too ran into the building.

Ren rested his head against his steering wheel.

HE really had some weird people in his life. He smiled. One of his real, grudge killing, heart melting smiles. He wouldnt change the people in his life for anything.

Kyoko was currently trying to become one with the corner of the LoveMe locker room. It looked close to accepting her so she shimmied a bit further in.

Ren was going to be so angry. So disappointed.

Since the last lock had broken she had been avoiding him, hoping to squash the feeling back down into the box. Every time she saw him her heart skipped a beat. She missed him, wanted to run to him.

But she was his lowly kouhai and had no right. A plain, boring girl like her had no right being with Japans Number 1 Bachelor. She would disappoint him. He would get bored and throw her away. Her heart would be shattered and she didnt know if rejection was something she could take from Ren. She couldnt go throught that again.

A cloud of doom started seeping out from under the door. It had already filled the entire locker room. Kanae stood just outside, debating on whether to go in or not. She warred with herself, but the side that loved her best friend and wanted to help won out and she stepped into the room.
Closing the door behind her, she braced for the inevitable impact of Kyoko hurtling towards her.

It didnt come.

Kanae opened her eyes. Kyoko was still one with the corner, black miasma surrounding her, staring at the wall. Approaching Kyoko as one would a wounded animal, Kanae placed her hand on Kyoko's shoulder. Kyoko didnt jump or scream. She just glanced round, said a very quiet 'hello kanae-san' and went back to staring at the wall.
Kanae was shocked. Kyoko always called her Moko-san, (the only one to get away with it) and her usual bright, shiny eyes were dull.

"Kyoko, whats wrong?"

"Nothing Kanae-san. I'm sorry but i have to go. I have to be at TBM soon. Please excuse me"
She stood up as if yanked by strings, bowed to Kanae and headed off.
Kanae stood staring at the closed door. What had just happened? What was wrong with Kyoko? There was only one conclusion... whatever it was... it was bad.

"TSURUGA!"

Kanae has hunted Ren down at LME.

"Ah Kotonami-san. How are you?" Ren asked with a gentleman smile on his face.

"Don't give me that crap. What did you do to Kyoko?"

Kanae was furious. Ren sighed.

"Just what am I supposed to have done now?"

Kanae glared at him. She explained that not only had Kyoko NOT launched herself at her, but she'd also called her Kanae-san.

"so what does this have to do with me?"

Ren was losing his patience. Not everything wrong with Kyoko was his fault!

"Well you spend a lot of time with her, she trusts you, oh and you love her! Surely she must have told you something?!"

"No actually" Ren looked exhausted and ran a hand through his hair. "As we are both aware, Kyoko doesn't tell anyone anything because she doesn't want to be a burden to us"
"But she's not.."
Ren interrupted her. "We both know she's not a burden. We both love her. She, however, doesn't believe that"

Kanae pondered on this. He was right.
"I suppose. I am sorry for blaming you"
"There is no need to apologise Kotonami-san. It's nice to see that Kyoko has someone like you in her life"
This was accompanied by one of his real smiles and even Kanae couldnt help the light blush that raced to her cheeks. Kanae shook her head. She glared at Ren, huffed and stalked off formulating a plan. Ren, watching Kanae walk away, also started thinking.

Kanae thought sleepover. Ren thought cooking. She loved these things.

They say great minds think alike.