(A/N. This is the second of the new chapters I've posted. Read chapter 9 before this one.)

Ryu had driven back with a very excitable Kyoko. She was chattering non-stop about work.
"I have to catch up on so many scenes for Box-R, get back into Bo..."
Kyoko froze. Ryu glanced at her charge. She jumped up hitting her head on the roof of the car.
"Did you forget we were in the car?" Ryu chuckled. Kyoko's face gained a sad look.
"Did I say something wrong Kyoko?"
"No, not really. Tsuruga-san once said that to me after I got over excited in his car."
"So why did you jump?"
"I forgot the Ishiibashis!"
"No you didn't. Well I didn't. They will be at the Darumaya at 8. Everyone else will arrive between 7 and 9."

"Ryu-san! You're the most amazing manager ever! How did you know to invite them?"
"A little bird told me," Ryu said with a wink, "I have to have some secrets. Just know they will be here."

As soon as the car stopped Kyoko shot out of the car, muttering 'must make more'.
When Ryu caught up Kyoko was already flitting about the kitchen, with what looked to be a million different dishes on the go. She took a seat at the table and watched Kyoko. She was very graceful. Ryu pulled an ominous notebook out of her bag. She was going over things and making small notes when a spoon was thrust in front of her face.
"Taste this please." Kyoko ordered. Ryu complied. It was amazing!
"What is that and can I have some more?"

Kyoko giggled.
"It's called Kyoko surprise. I go entirely by instinct while making this. Is it really okay?"
"Yes! It's delicious! I can't wait for dinner."

By half 6 the table was groaning under various dishes settling in warming trays. Things were happily bubbling away on the stove, things were chilling in the fridge and there appeared to be a pile of plastic tubs on the ready.
~Just how much has she cooked~ thought Ryu.

**RUMBLE**

Ryu looked embarassed.
"Sorry, it just smells so good in here!"
"Thats okay. I'm going to phone Okami then get ready if thats okay."

Ryu said she would do some paperwork and organising. She promised she would answer the door and greet her guests if any of them turned up early.
Kyoko phoned Okami and told her the good news that the doctor had given her the go ahead to start working again. As she hung up with a smile, she thought about how happy Okami and Taisho had been. Taisho loved having her in the kitchen but he understood her true passion. They were both happy for her.

Kyoko stood under the warm water of the shower, nervous.
~Is Ren going to be here? Is everyone going to like the food? Did I make enough? Will everyone get along?~
She shook her head. Everyone loved her cooking. Everyone was professional enough that they could be civil to one another. Today would be fine. As she stepped out of the shower, debating what to wear. Drying her (thankfully) short hair she debated on a light blue summer dress she had. Pretty enough for a special occasion like tonight but practical enough that she could still serve food. Using the cosmetics that Kanae had brought her for her last birthday, she put just a light lipstick on and a small amount of eye make up.
~I wonder how Moko-san will beat this present this year. It's only a couple of months. I can't wait!~

Armour at the ready she skipped downstairs. 7pm. Her guests would be arriving soon.

At just gone 7pm, the entire street heard a shout.
"MOKO-SAN !"

Kanae let Kyoko launch herself at her. After a few moments of bone crushing hug, she started to prise Kyoko off of her.
"Mo! That's enough! Let go!" She sniffed, "mmm it smells amazing in here"
Kyoko blushed.
"Oh here, I brought this too."
Kanae handed over a large bottle of sake.

"Moko-san. You do know I'm underage right."
"Not in here you're not. Do you intend to go drink it outside on the street?"
"Well obviously not Moko-san."
"Well then there's no problem. Plus I thought you might like it after the week you've had. No one is going to tell and no one is going to blame you."
Kyoko smiled at Kanae.
~My best friend is so thoughtful! This must be her way of saying cheer up and don't worry~
Okami had given her sake before, when she couldn't sleep or she was really stressed. She was at home, with friends. What could go wrong?

"Sake it is. Would you like some now?"

Kanae and Ryu nodded. Kyoko searched the cupboards until she found the choko.

"KANPAI" chorused the girls.

"That one was for the celebration" Kanae said filling their cups again.
"This one is for the week"
Another refill.
"This one is for us girls"
Another.
"For Chiori-san! We send you luck on your shoot!"

Ryu chimed in.
"Kyoko got her all clear today so..." she nodded at Kanae to refill the glasses.
"To Kyokos health!"

"Right. I think thats enough for now," said Ryu, "if we carry on there won't be any left for anyone else."

Kyoko and Kanae giggled. They were sitting chatting when, 45 minutes later, (A/N it is now 8pm) there was another knock at the door.

It was Hikaru.
"I'm sorry Kyoko-san. I'm afraid I'm the only one who could make it. My brothers had other plans"

"That's fine Hikaru-san. Come in, follow me. Would you like a drink?" Kyoko turned round to get his response when she saw he was stood just inside the door, gaping at her.

"Hikaru-san. Is something wrong?"

He shook his head vigourously, as if to shake off water.
"No, no. Everything is fine. It...uh just smells so good in here I was temporarily distracted."
Kyoko giggled. Hikaru blushed. She showed him to the biggest private room. Kanae and Ryu were already seated. From the look of it more sake had been consumed.
"Moko-san, Ryu-san this is Ishiibashi Hikaru. I work with him at TBM."

"Call me Hikaru." He said, bowing slightly. He took a seat and accepted a choko from Ryu.
It apparently meant sake for everyone. Hikaru looked at the girls and realised one bottle was not going to cut it. He slapped some money down on the table.
"Hikaru-san. You don't have to pay. Moko-san brought this bottle."
"Ah. That's all well and good but this is for the bottles I'm about to buy from this shop right here."

Kyoko smiled and ran to the kitchen. She came back and presented the new bottles of sake, like some secret, precious treasure.
"KANPAI!"

Ryu had vanished while Kyoko was in the kitchen. Kyoko was just about to ask where she was when she appeared in the doorway, clutching an arm. There was a tall, bespectacled man stood behind her with an awkward grin on his face.
"KYOKO! YUKIHITO-KUN IS HERE!"
Kyoko claped. Yashiro blushed furiously. With a confused glance he looked to Hikaru for an explanation of the girls behaviour. Hikaru was still sat in his seat, shaking with supressed laughter. Yashiro gave him a quizzical look. Hikaru couldn't contain it anymore and burst out laughing.
"I think the girls started early. Wait for it."

Kanae filled the chokos. One for Hikaru, who was still laughing quite hard. One each for the girls. One for Yashiro.

"I'm glad I brought this with me. Room for one more?" said a deep voice from the doorway. Kyoko nearly choked on her sake.

Ren was standing in the doorway.

Yashiro looked around the room.
Kanae and Ryu had gone very still. They were watching Kyoko.

Kyoko's mini grudges popped up.
~Mistress. Feel the delicious anger on Kanae. Let's use it. Let's give it to him.~

"Of course Ren-san. The more the merrier... and we can interrogate you."
She grinned evilly.
Rens shock of Kyoko actually inviting him in was replaced with the shock that she had used his name.
~She called me Ren... and hasn't batted an eye.~

He gulped.
"How exactly are you going to interrogate me?"
"Sit down. We'll discuss it over dinner."
Ren groaned. She knew his weakness.

**Itadakimasu**
The phrase rang through the room. Silence ensued only punctuated by praise and happy moans of deliciousness.
After an appropriate length of time and after complimenting the food, Ren spoke up.

"I would like to talk to you all about what happened on Monday."

Kanae broke in.
"You were smooching your girlfriend in our room. What more is there to say?"

Kyokos grudges basked in Rens anger.

"She isn't my girlfriend. She's barely even a friend. Her name is Misako Mia. She is my co-star in one of my dramas. It is nearly the end of the drama and since she has had no luck catching my eye over filming, she had decided to be a little less... subtle about her attentions. The 'smooching' you refer to Kotonami-san was her latest attempt to persuade me."

Hikaru looked shocked.
"So, she just walked up to you and kissed you?"

Ren nodded.
"She isn't used to being rejected. Isn't used to not getting what she wants."

Kyoko sniggered. All attention turned to her so everyone missed Hikaru whispering "What is your secret?!" to no one in particular.
Kanae had whispered something in Kyokos ear.
"You're right Moko-san. It would look great with that awful hair and tacky make up."

Ren leaned closer so he could hear. Suddenly, both girls shrieked with laughter and collapsed against each other. Hikaru looked worried. Ryu and Yashiro were both laughing at Ren's astonished face and the fact that their good girl Kyoko, could be quite bitchy.

Kyoko took a deep breath and still trembling with laughter, turned to Ren and asked, "So she's not your girlfriend then?"

"No. If not for the fact we're co-stars in this drama, I'd never go near her."
Yashiro gasped, "Ren thats a little over the top isn't it?"

Ren hadn't noticed. He was watching Kyoko. Had that been relief in her eyes?

Ryu handed out sake. This would be Kyokos eighth or ninth. Possibly. Honestly she had lost count.

"Kyoko," Ryu looked at her, "Kyoko. Didn't you invite us all over for a reason?"
"Huh? Oh yes!"

She attempted to stand up. She swayed slightly where she stood.
She raised her choko to Hikaru.
"To you, Hikaru-san and your brothers. I want to thank you for helping me when I first started and continuing to support me through my career on Kimagure Rock and as Bo. Thank you for looking out for me."

She pressed on regardless of the fact that Ren was staring at Kyoko, open mouthed. Yashiro was looking between the two and decided more sake was a good idea.
They drank to the Ishibashiis.

She turned to Ryu.
"Ryu-san. Thank you for being my manager. Thank you for taking a chance on me. For trying your best to know me. For helping me."
Kyoko and Ryu had started to tear up. Kyoko raised her glass and toasted her. Everyone gave them a moment as they hugged.
They drank for Ryu.

Kanae started to shake her head.
~No. Not me!~

"Moko-san"
Kanae groaned.
"Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for being my first friend. You always know what to say to me and give it to me when I need it. You dont give me false platitudes or half truths. And even though I know you don't really like my affection. I'm glad you occassionally let me hug you. I see you as family. You are my best friend."

Kyoko started to cry.

"I'm thankful for the day at the CM audition when you worked with me and we became friends. I am thankful for everyday you choose to be my friend. I am thankful you let me be yours."

While the others toasted Kanae, the person herself was awkwardly patting a crying Kyoko. She leaned down and whispered in Kyokos ear, "I'm glad for every day you continue to be my best friend."
"Moko-san!" came with a fresh wave of tears.
"Thank you!"

Kanae whispered in Kyokos ear again. She sniffed and nodded her head.

"Are you good?"
Kyoko nodded.
"Good. Now play host."

Kyoko excused herself so she could sort her face out. A few minutes later she returned to the room, where everyone waved away her apologies.

"I'm sorry." She smiled. She took a drink.

She raised her glass again.
"Yashiro-san. Thank you for helping me. For giving me great advice. For being good for Ren. You are one of the best managers I know."

They drank to Yashiro. Everything was getting a little fuzzy for Kyoko.
Ryu lent over and pulled Kyoko down to her seat.
"I think you should continue while sitting down."

Kyoko thought this was a fantastic idea.

"My last thank you. Ren-san. I don't even know where to begin. Helping me on set, in life, with teaching me to walk properly. For helping me with scripts and characters. For teaching me proper conduct in public. For helping me get over my revenge and teaching me it's okay and some emotions are alright. For scolding me."

"Mogami-san. How much have you had to drink?"

Kyoko shrugged at Ren. Kanae and Ryu held up their hands. Kanae had all ten fingers up. Ryu only had five.
"15" he mouthed. They both nodded.

"Tsuruga Ren! Do not interrupt me! It's rude!"
She crossed her arms and had a very cute angry face on. The whole table gasped. For Kyoko that was almost rude. They looked at her face and almost started laughing. They were tempted to so she could scold them to. It was quite funny.

"Anyway. I thank you for showing me something. For showing me that not all love is bad."
Kyoko started crying again. She continued in a rush.
"I am so thankful you're not dating that woman. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get your help again or I wouldn't be able to cook for you anymore. I thought about it and it made me sad because I'd miss you."
She paused for a second and got a far off look on her face.
"Not that I don't miss you anyway but I supposed that's what it's like to be in love."
Kyoko was talking to herself now, as if no one else was in the room.

"It's not so bad being in love with Ren. It's almost warm. A safe feeling. Like something comfortable and familiar.

The entire room had frozen.

Yashiro was the first to move, texting all this information to the president.
Ryu was scribbling furiously in her notebook. She swore in what appeared to be Russian, dove into her bag and pulled out another one and continued in this new notebook.

Kanae didn't know what to do.
On the one hand she was happy for Kyoko, but she would have to share her with Ren now. He had made her cry and Kanae was still furious with him.
Kanae glared at Ren.
Hikaru looked despondent but as he looked at Ren and Kyoko, he saw that he had never stood a chance anyway.
Ren was on his feet.

In a split second he was around the table, Kyoko in his arms.

"I love you too Kyoko"

He pressed her to him and gave her a soft and gentle kiss.
Kyoko tingled from head to toe. Everything wavered.
She couldn't deal with the sake and Ren kissing her.
Why was Ren kissing her? She didn't understand. Then his words clicked.
Had she spoken out loud?

It was too much.
The sake, the emotional week, the relief, Ren kissing her. It had all caught up to her.
It hit her full force and embraced her in a blissfully dark and silent embrace.
Ren caught Kyoko as she passed out.

He held her, surrounded by friends, happy for the first time in a long time.