In the morning Kyoko felt that maybe it had all been a dream. She dressed slowly and crept downstairs. Taisho was in the kitchen and he smiled as he saw Kyokos head pop round the door.
"Good morning Taisho"
He nodded and returned to chopping the vegetables for the day ahead.
"Can I help?"
Taisho looked at her out of the corner of his eye.
"I promise to take it slow and easy, but I cannot stay in bed all day."
Taisho deliberated. He did enjoy her company and he did understand how frustrating it could be to be told you had to rest and take it easy. He gave her a sharp nod and pointed to the rice cooker and other pile of vegetables. Kyoko smiled and went about her task. There was no need to talk. The rythym of the chopping in the companionable silence was all they needed. Within seconds they were in perfect sync. Okami stuck her head round the kitchen door.
"Have you eaten breakfast Kyoko?"
Kyokos chopping faltered. Taisho and Okami frowned.
"Not yet." Kyoko looked sheepish.
Okami huffed and bustled about the kitchen. Within minutes there was a simple breakfast of porridge and fruit.
"Here. Something light but nourishing."
Kyoko hugged Okami. She sat down and slowly ate her breakfast. Once finished she thanked Okami and washed the dishes. She returned to helping out the Taisho.
She enjoyed the lunch rush. Due to work she hadn't been able to help out at the restaurant much. The regulars asked how she was, if she was taking it easy and if they could expect to see her in anything new soon. She smiled at them slyly.
"Well I have a new job coming up soon, so watch out for that. Though I can't tell you much. It's a secret." she said with a wink.
The regulars laughed and promised they would look out for it. She was heading back into the kitchen when she caught sight of the clock. It was 3:15. She had to meet with the president in 45 minutes. She walked upstairs and grabbed her phone and bag.
She started to vibrate violently about halfway down the hallway. She flicked open her phone.
"Moshi moshi"
"Ah Mogami-san," it was the president, "there will be a LME car outside the Darumaya in 15 minutes to bring you here."
"Ah president, that is... that is"
She remembered his words.
"Thank you very much sir. I will see you soon."
She hung up thinking how much a pain this promise was going to be.
In his office Lory grinned. It was working. Okay so it may have only been getting her to accept a ride but with Kyoko any progress was good progress. He touched the paperwork laid outbefore him. Some more information on Kyokos new drama, a possibilty of a manager and some consent forms and such. He had preparations to make. He couldn't wait to see her face.
It was the same driver as yesterday. She bowed.
"Thank you for being my driver again today."
He smiled, inclining his head and holding open the back door for her. She slid into her seat and winced as her seatbelt caught her bruise.
She'd seen it this morning. Roughly the size of a 500 yen coin, she was pleased it wasn't bigger. She could cope if seatbelts were the only thing that was going to cause her grief with it. Also this morning, she'd noted with satisfaction that the doctor was right. The incision was tiny and wouldn't leave a scar. She'd dealt with worse.
She was jerked out of her daze when the car pulled up into the car park at LME. Kyoko ducked down when she saw Ren's car, with said man inside of it. The driver chuckled.
"Mogami-san, he cannot see you so you have no reason to hide."
"But he's looking right at me!"
"That may be but he can't see you. This is a LME car. The back windows are coated with a one way film. You can see him but he can't see you. No one can."
"Really?" Kyoko looked hopeful. The driver nodded.
Kyoko slumped in relief. Not entirely trusting the glass, she peered just over the edge of the car door out of the window.
She was watching Ren in his car. She leaned up a little to be able to see him better when he got out of the car. She ducked back down to her original position. He really was tall. As he started walking to the elevator, Kyoko thought to herself she had never seen him like this before. Cat like gracefullness, his stride smooth and sure. Sleek and elegant, always ready. The data she had previously collected was allowing her, in vivid detail, what Ren's bare skin would look while walking. Muscles gliding under skin. She was so intent on her thoughts (That she tried to rationalise as purely data gaining) that she didnt realise she had risen up or had gone a very impressive shade of pink. She was angry at herself.
"It's not for data baca, you just enjoyed watching him."
She smacked her head on the window.
The dull thump echoed around the garage and Ren looked around trying to locate the source of the sound. In the safety of the car, Kyoko had thrown herself down onto the back seat and frozen.
~BACA! How could I have made such a noise! Alerted him to my presence! Oh, wait... The driver said this glass was one way! He can't see me!~
Cautiously she at back up and looked through the window. Ren was no where to be seen. Kyoko let out a huge sigh of relief, then another of sadness.
~Well, brightside. Successfully avoided him again.~
She gathered her belongings and got ready to leave the car. A flash of colour and a chuckle from the front seat made her jump, then turn a spectacular shade of red.
The driver was still in the car!
She started apologising for her behaviour, thanked him for the ride and stumbled out of the car. Today was going to be one of those days. She shook her head and started walking towards the elevator.
"You know Mogami-san, headbutting windows is not a great idea."
Kyoko jumped about 10 feet into the air. She turned a very fetching pink but didn't turn to face him.
"I have no idea what you are talking about Tsuruga-san. Now excuse me"
She made to get away but with astonishing speed Ren grabed her arm. Kyoko froze.
"Ren. Please. I have to go see the president. Please let me go"
Ren released his grip immediately. He had grabbed her like Sho did and Reino did.
~She still won't look at me though~
"Kyoko. I'm sorry. I didn't think. I didn't mean to scare you."
"I have to go"
Kyoko started walking away. She tried to remain as cool as possible while waiting for the elevator doors to open. For Ren to catch her. The doors opened and she got in. As we all do when we enter an elevator, she turned to face the doors.
She ended up looking at Ren. At the heartbroken look on his face. The pain in his eyes.
Her eyes glittered with tears.
~What has caused this? Is it my avoiding him?"
The last thing she saw as the doors closed was Ren stretching a hand towards her.
Kyoko clutched a hand to her chest. That look! Had she caused that?
She shook her head. Of course it couldn't be her. She was just a plain, boring, no sex appeal girl. His lowly kouhai. She had no right to think of him like that. Or that his troubles where anything to do with her. Something must have happened with his high school girl. Yes, that was it.
She resolved to start talking to him again. She was an actress and she could hide these stupid feelings. He needed a friend right now. She would endevour not to be left alone with him though.
*Ding*
The elevator had arrived at the presidents floor. She walked slowly to his door. She was hesitant to knock. She remembered the last time.
~Please not the 60's again~
Taking a deep steadying breath, she knocked on the door. Sebastian opened it.
"If you would follow me Mogami-san"
He led her through what appeared to be a tunnel made from roses. It was very dark though.
Suddenly it became very bright and she had to shield her eyes. As they grew accustomed to the light, she removed her hand from her eyes and took a look around. The president had turned his office into a garden today. It was beautiful. Flowers in full, glorious bloom were everywhere. She could make out the heady scents of gardenias, roses and jasmine. The floor was springy. She looked down and saw grass.
The president sat at a table wearing a very worn but elegant top hat and possibly on of the gaudiest cravats she had ever seen. There were other costumes pieces on the table. On one chair was a tail and a pair of purple cat ears. Another a set of small, brown round ears. Another a pinafore.
"That one is for Maria but she is on her way to America"
"Oh no! I was going to goo see her off. Oh I hope she isn't made at me!"
The president could see Kyokos distress.
"It's fine Mogami-san. In fact Maria said that I wasn't allowed to let you go see her off. She said you had to recover and take it easy and that she looks forward to seeing you when she disembarks the plane."
Kyoko smiled.
"Now that I can do"
~With a very big, very glittery sign. Maybe even a new Ren doll. Travel sized for journeys~
"Let us get down to business. Sawara has your new daram script. The filming starts in 3 weeks. Do you still want to do it?"
"Yes sir. I am looking forward to it greatly"
"Now. You left your manager candidate choices to me. I have a possibilty if you would like to meet them."
"Right now?!"
A new voice came from the tunnel.
"If that's convienient for you Mogami-san, then yes right now"
A small blonde woman emerged from the rose tunnel. She was slightly taller than Kyoko. She wasn't wearing any make up and had strong, angular features that were not unfeminine. She had a purposeful stride and gave off a strong aura of confidence.
"Hello Mogami-san. I am Itawa Ryu."
She bowed to Kyoko.
"I hope you will consider me as a candidate to be your manager."
The president hid the smile on his face as he looked at Kyokos face.
"I have her resume here if you wish to look over it Mogami-san" he said, holding out a folder. Kyoko took it and read it over.
Itawa Ryu was impressive. If she could half the things her resume said then not only would she make an amazing manager Kyoko would be happy to have, she would also be a force to be reckoned with.
22 years old. 2nd in all of her classes throughout high school and university. Black belt. Experience with swords. Majored in business, minored in drama. She spoke fluent English.
"I would be happy to accept Itawa-san as my manager. She seems very capable and I hope I can one day be as accomplished as her."
Ryu looked at the floor, embarrassed.
"Mogami-san. I have seen your resume and watched everything you have done. I would say you surpass me already. Dark Moon, Box-R, Setsu, Bo"
Grinning at the shocked look on Kyoko's face she continued.
"Yes I know about those roles. As a candidate for your mnanager I have seen EVERYTHING you have done. I have also signed an NDA so you do not have to worry about me telling anyone. I look forward to seeing you act in person."
The president turned to Ryu.
"Can you start Monday? That's when Kyoko will be starting work again."
He looked at Kyoko.
"Light work only" he added with a strict tone.
Ryu bowed.
"Yes sir, that will be fine. i am aware of Mogami-san's condition at the moment and will make sure she sticks to light duties only. Can I have her schedule and anything else I will need so I can start compiling it?"
The president nodded and handed her a rather thick folder. It looked like a substantial amount of paperwork.
"You are dismissed" he said with a wave of his hand.
Ryu turned to Kyoko and bowed to her again.
"I look forward to working with you."
Kyoko returned the bow with a soft, "Please take care of me Itawa-san"
"I think, seeing as we will be spending a lot of time together, you should call me Ryu."
Kyoko flustered.
"I can't do that! it's so informal. So improper. W-w-would Ryu-san be okay?"
"That will be fine, Mogami-san"
"You can call me Kyoko with any honorific you would like. Or just Kyoko... It is my stage name after all" she giggled.
Ryu bowed again and glanced over the paperwork in her hand.
"You have a shoot at 11am Monday morning. I will be outside your residence to pick you up at 9:30am to make sure we are there on time. Now if you'll excuse me."
"Oh, R-ryu-san. Umm one last thing if it's not to much trouble. Would it be at all possible to find me a day off? I would like to host a small celebration."
Ryu nodded.
"I will see what I can do."
She bowed to the pair again and left the room.
"So... you like her then?"
"She's wonderful president but I can't help but wonder if maybe she should be assigned to someone busier? I am just starting out and as lucky as I am to have Ryu-san as my manager, there must be someone else who could benefit from her more."
"She may be incredibly accomplished but you will be her first charge. She is new to the industry."
"Then I am happy to have her as my manager."
"I'm glad to see what I said to you in the hospital is sticking with you. It still stands though. You may go now Mogami-san."
Kyoko bowed and practically skipped down the rose tunnel to the corridor. She had a manager. She was allowed to still do her new drama. A female manager. Maybe they could be like Ren and Yashiro. Close friends.
The thought of Ren was like a spike of ice through her heart.
~I know! I'm going to have the small celebration for my first lead and getting out of hospital. I'll invite Ren!~
Now a girl with a mission, she started off to hunt down her Senpai and invite him to the party.
An hour later and she still had no luck. She decided to head to the LoveMe room and do some paperwork. Paperwork was light duties. They couldn't argue with that.
As she opened the door, she got a huge surprise. Ren was sat on the incredibly lurid pink LoveMe sofa, reading a script.
"Tsuruga-san! There you are! I've been looking all over the building for you! Wait... What are you doing in here?"
"It's peaceful and empty. Perfect to go over a script"
He waved the script in the air for effect.
"Ah right..." Kyoko looked at the floor. The man on the sofa was making her heart race.
"Oh yes. Tsuruga-san. Can you get Yashiro to give Ryu a copy of your schedule please?"
"Who is Ryu and why would I do that?" he said with one of his gentleman smiles plastered on his face.
"Oh I'm getting ahead of myself! Ryu-san is my new manager! I would like her to have a copy of your schedule as I would like to hold a small party and want to make sure you can attend."
If Kyoko wasn't looking at the floor she would have seen the flash in his eyes and his gentleman smile change into a soft gentle smile. Had she looked up Kyoko wouldn't have been able to continue speaking.
"Of course Mogami-san. I would be happy to do so. How can we contact her?"
Kyoko smacked herself on the head. She explained that she didn't have Ryu's number and that it might be easier if he contacted either Sawara or the president.
(The author would like to chip in here. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Yashiro already has Ryus number, has caught her up on the fledging romance between their two charges and swapped schedules so that he can work it so they can spend a lot of time together. Yashiro is totally oblivious to the fact that the two really aren't talking at the moment but when it comes to Fan Girl Yashiro, there's no stopping him. Ryu is quite happy to play along. Happiness of the charge and all that.)
"I will message you when I know the date and time. If you'll excuse me I need to get back to the Darumaya before Okami worries."
~I can't do paperwork with him in here~
She bowed and left a stunned Ren alone. Kyoko walked to Reception and asked for a car at the main desk. 5 minutes later she was sat in the back of a LME car on her way home.
Ren, on the other hand, was still sat on the sofa, head in his hands.
~She escaped from here as quick as she could, but she was looking at me. She finally spoke to me. She invited me to her party.~
He smiled.
Things were looking up.
With a slight skip in his step, he set off to find his manager. He tried to school his face but knew that it would be no use. There would be no Tsuruga Ren mask today. His smile couldn't be contained.
Yashiro saw Ren coming down the corridor. He muttered a quick goodbye into his phone and snapped it shut. He looked guilty but Ren was to happy to notice. Yashiro looked at him.
"What's with that face?"
Ren didn't say anything, just smiled a little more, though it was slightly becoming a gentleman smile.
This was going to be a long car ride.
Author here. I know last chapter I said I was going to let you guys decide where the story went but it worked itself out in my head. It's coming along and I hope you guys like it!
