The weekend flew by. She spent it either asleep, helping out Taisho in the kitchen or the main restaurant with Okami.
Come 9am Monday morning, Kyoko was washed, dressed and fed. If only the bruise would stop aching, or the incision would stop itching as it healed. Apart from that she felt nearly good as new. She was helping Taisho prepare vegetables for the day when Okami came in and told her she had a visitor. Kyoko went into the foyer and found Ryu was waiting for her.
"Good morning Kyoko-san. I thought it prudent that I meet your landlords. I'm hoping it will give them peace of mind when you are with me."
Kyoko looked shocked. It was very thoughtful of her. She motioned Ryu to follow her. In the kitchen she introduced her to Taisho and Okami. Ryu explained that she was Kyoko's new manager. She would keep her safe, ensure her health and be her friend. She said it with such vindication that Taisho was the first to respond. He looked her right in the eye and gave her a curt nod. He turned back to his food preparation.
Okami gave her a smile.
"Thank you for looking after our girl."
Ryu looked confused.
"Forgive me. I wasn't aware you were related."
"Unfortunately we're not. Not by blood anyway. If we could adopt her we would but we can't."
Taisho grunted "For now"
"Hmph. For now she's as good as our own daughter."
Ryu took a small notebook out of her pocket. She started making furious notes. Kyoko asked her what she was doing.
"I am making a note, that after the president, Taisho and Okami are the first to be notified of anything relating to you. The president is only first because he is down as your guardian."
Okami looked touched. Ryu flipped through some more pages. I have looked at your schedule and others and Friday is the best day for your celebration. The only thing you have on that day is the appointment with the doctor."
Kyokos eyes lit up. She turned to Taisho and Okami if it was okay to book the private room for her celebration. Okami replied that they could have the whole restaurant as they wouldn't be here on Friday. They were going to visit her sister.
Kyoko did a small happy dance.
"Ryu-san. If it's not to much to ask could you please invite Tsuruga-san, Moko-san, Chiori-san and Yashiro-san to come here Friday? You're obviously already invited"
"Of course Kyoko-san, and of course I'll attend. I've heard good things about your cooking. I will collaborate with everyone and find a suitable time."
She made some more notes in her book.
With some hesitation she asked Kyoko a question.
"Err... Who is Moko-san?"
Kyoko giggled.
"Oh yes. Sorry. I forgot you haven't met her yet. Moko-san is Kotonami Kanae, my colleague in the LoveMe section and my best friend."
More notes.
Ryu looked at her watch.
"It's 9:30 Kyoko-san. It is time we were leaving."
Kyoko said goodbye to Okami and Taisho and grabbed her bag. She followed Ryu outside to her car. It was a non-descript car. Silver, 4 doors. Very subtle as it didn't have LME emblazoned across the side.
~Though I will miss those windows though~
Ryu held open the door and Kyoko slid into the backseat. After about 5 minutes of driving, curiousity got the better of Kyoko and she had to know more about the little notebook Ryu was scribbling in almost permenantly.
"It is to help me remember. I will soon not need it but for now it helps me remember things about you and those close to you. It's also a to do list and a list of important things. Actually, it would help if you could tell me a little more about yourself."
"Like what?"
"Favourite food, music, job. Things like that."
"Ohh...Like an icebreaker?"
"Yes! Exactly like that!"
"Hamburger steak with an egg on top. I'm not sure about music as I dont listen to it a lot. I love all of my jobs."
She went on. When she started on about fairies, she blushed pink and stopped.
Ryu caught sight of her face in the rearview.
"There's no need to be embarassed Kyoko-san. I too like looking for fairies when I am away. I like to think there is a bit of magic in the world."
This started Kyoko off on her tale about Corn. The first meeting, the stone, meeting him again in Guam. Ryu smiled at the daydream face Kyoko had.
(A/N: Just wait until she finds out about la-la land)
"Kyoko-san. This is your only job today. What would you like to do with the rest of your day? I have picked up your assignments from school so you don't have to worry about that. "
Kyoko looked thoughtful.
"I could start deciding what to cook for the party. Maybe do some homework. Do we have the script for my new drama yet?"
"Not yet. I will get it tomorrow."
Kyoko had a sad look on her face. It had occured to her she would usually go to Rens. Cook him dinner, do some homework.
~But I can't do that yet. Not until I get these stupid feelings under control. I am a professional. I can do this.~
Ryu saw the pensieve look on Kyokos face and left her to her thoughts. She didn't say anything to Kyoko until the pulled up at the shoot.
Kyoko summoned Natsu. Getting out of the car, she nodded to Ryu and stalked off to find the director. Ryu went to find water and stake out a seat.
The shoot went smoothly. Whole cast shots, group shots, individual shots. Natsu was enjoying herself, pulling out provocative poses and sultry looks. These photos were for the drama promotion in magazines and on posters. She grinned. She was going to be amazingly popular.
~Though Boss Lady is freaking out. Maybe I went to far?~
The photographer shouted out that he was done and congratulated everyone on a great shoot. Kyoko banished Natsu to the back of her mind. She had been having far too much fun with the shoot, getting into ridiculous poses. These posters would be seen. They were embarassing!
Kuon nudged the presidents word to the forefront of Kyokos mind.
"Think positive. Think positive. There must be a silver lining."
It hit her.
"Ah yes! Think of all the attention the drama will get thanks to the posters. Box-R will become the Number 1 Show!"
She had started off muttering but had gradually grown louder. Everyone jumped when she shouted out 'Number 1 show'. Then what she said and how loud she had said it sunk in. Everyone put it down to Kyokos quirky personality and excitement for how popular Box-R was surely going to become. Some started laughing. Others clapped.
Kyoko shone like a scarlet beacon and performed a little half bow half pirouette and said sorry.
She hurried over to Ryu.
"Oh Gods that was so embarassing! I didn't realise I was talking out loud."
"It's fine. From what I can gather this is what you're like on set. No one seems angry. If anything it cheered people up and seems quite normal."
She smiled and after a brief second so did Kyoko.
~She's right. Everyone clapped and cheered. No one was angry at me. If I made people smile a small amount of embarassment is nothing~
"So... Back home now?"
"Ummm... Could we go to LME? I can do my homework in the LoveMe room, maybe catch up on some paperwork."
Ryu nodded and after being released by the photographer and director. they bid goodbye to everyone. Ryu drove to LME.
They stopped in the lobby.
"I am going up to my office. I have some things to sort out, some paperwork to attend to. Call me when you are ready to leave."
Kyoko said she would and headed down the coridoor to the LoveMe room.
She was hesitant about opening the door. What if Ren was in there again? She didn't know if she could face him right now.
Taking a deep breath, she clutched the door handle and slowly counted to 10.
She flung the door open, ready to apologise for startling anyone who might be in there.
Her jaw hit the floor.
She fell to her knees.
What she was seeing couldn't be real, could it? She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
