Kanae, Ryu, Yashiro and Kyoko were sat around the kotatsu in the Darumaya's living room.

Yashiro and Ryu were comapring the schedules of their charges.
As they were both due to start filming the new drama, they mapped out pick ups, drop offs, lunches and dinners. Ryu was working on finding a balance between Box-R, Bo and the new drama.
"Ryu-san. Is it possible to have the 22nd of December free?"
"I can try. What would you like the time for? An audition?"
"Nope. I would like to go christmas shopping with Moko-san."

Kanae jumped.
"What? Don't just decide that on your own. I could be busy."

"Well are you?"

"No, but it would have been nice to have been asked first though."

Kyoko looked down.
"I'm sorry Moko-san. You don't have to if you don't want to."

Kanae groaned and covered her face. Kyoko had pulled out the puppy dog eyes.
"Ugh fine. On one condition."
"Anything Moko-san. Anything!"
"Girls only. No Tsuruga. No Yashiro."

Kyoko nodded.
"That's fine. We can have a girly day out. I'll invite Chiori-san to!"

Kanae groaned again. Ryu looked bemused. Yashiro looked upset.
Kyoko looked at the table and realised they were low on tea. She excused herself and went for more.

"So... it works on you as well?" Yashiro asked.

Kanae looked confused.

"The puppy dog eyes. Works everytime. I think she actually picked it up from Ren."
"MO! Right! I'm glad it's not just me that can't resist.

Yashiro nodded. He had fallen for that look a couple of times himself. From both Ren and Kyoko.

"You want to be careful Ryu-san. She'll get you too and then you'll never be able to say no."

Ryu agreed. She would have to develop a defense against that trick.
Kyoko returned with fresh tea.

"Talking of shopping, what would you like for your birthday Kyoko?"

Kyoko sat down. She looked deep in thought. Suddenly she raised both arms, waved them around a few times then started counting on her fingers. She shook her head muttering about retribution.

Kanae looked at her and placed a hand over hers.
"Kyoko-san. It's for your birthday. It's the one day of the year you can be entirely selfish and it's okay."

"But I don't want to be a bother. You guys are busy enough without worrying about my birthday or getting me a present."

"Kyoko-san," injected Yashiro, "we're your friends. You're so good to us and everyone else the whole year. Let us have one day where we can spoil you. To celebrate your birthday and give our thanks for all you've done."

This had been the trick he had learnt from Ren. Make it seem like it would be a bigger bother to not let them do it. Give more reasons than just 'it's your birthday'.

Kyoko thought about it.

"Plus you know that Ren-san and Maria-chan would love to be able to spoil you."

The three could see her wavering.
"Okay I guess, but there has to be a limit. Nothing really expensive."

"50,000 yen?"
Kyoko paled.

"No. That's to much."

"Not for us. Or you. Either way we have the money and it's up to us how we spend it."

Kyoko could see that she could not win. She glumly nodded. Yashiro squealed and text Ren letting him know.

They spent the rest of the day just talking and laughing. Kyoko felt fully relaxed for the first time in a long time.
As the evening drew on, Kyoko started saying goodbye to her guests. Kanae left first, muttering about having to go home before going home. Yashiro practically skipped out of the door.

Ryu was last and was informing Kyoko of her schedule.
Box-R filming from 1 - 10, then to Ren's. Kyoko asked if she could drop by LME first to do some work. Ryu agreed and said she'd come by and pick her up at 9am. They'd go to the office, have lunch then head to filming. After that Ryu would drop Kyoko at Ren's.

As Kyoko waved Ryu off, she thought about what Ren could possibly want.

THE SAME DAY... BUT WHAT REN DID

About half an hour after he had phoned the president, the president rang back to let him know that Jelly was available today only.

Ren drove straight to LME.
He sat in his car for a while. Could he do this?
Kyoko finally loved again and it was him she loved, but what he had to tell her could drive her away. She needed to know though.

He headbutted the steering wheel in frustration.

There was a small knock at his window. Maria was stood there with Sebastian stood behind her.
He rolled the window down.
"Hello Maria-chan, Sebastian-san."
"Ren-san. Grandpa sent me to get you. He looks really cross. Well not so much as cross but he's thinking about something to hard."

Ren got out of his car and took Maria's hand so she could escort him upstairs.
Natsuko was in the lift. Sebastian gently moved the python aside so he could get to the buttons. Natsuko flicked her tongue out at him and slid over Marias shoulders.
Maria tugged Ren's sleeve.
"What's wrong Ren-san?"

Ren looked down at Maria.
"Ah. It's nothing Maria-chan. Just thinking to hard."

Maria tried to read Ren's face but it was deadpan.

As the elevator door opened, Natsuko slid down Maria and disappeared down the corridor. Apparently today was Aladdin day. Ren walked down a corridor filled with exotic animals.
~Kyoko would love this~

The president was dressed as a Sultan, resplendant with gold braid, jewels and feathers. He was sat on a very large, very squishy purple floor cushion, petting a very large tiger.
Jelly Woods was sat on his desk.

"Ah Ren. To what do we owe this visit and the lovely Ten-san's company?"

"I am going to meet Mogami Kyoko."

The president looked confused.
"Didn't you just come for Kyokos?"

"Yes and no. I, myself, am going to meet Kyoko."

Jellyu started jumping up and down where she sat clapping her hands enthusiastically.
"Really Ren?! Oh, I'm so glad I brought everything with me!"

A lightbulb dinged on over the presidents head.

"You mean the you you not the you that is but the you that was?"

Jelly laughed at Lory's convuluted way of saying something so simple.

"Yes that's why I requested Ten-san."

Lory settled back on his cushion, an amused look in his eye and a smug look on his face.

~I was right! I made the right choice informing them.~

Out loud, to Ren he said,
"So what's your plan?"

"Now I know how Kyoko feels, I am going to tell her everything."

Lory sat bolt upright in surprise.
"Everything?!"

Ren nodded. He had thought about it and decided that Kyoko deserved to know. If she was willing to accept him, she had to know him. All of him.
He clenched his hands. He didn't know how she was going to take it but he couldn't lie to her anymore. If she rejected him, it would kill him but the thought of her finding out on her own and hating him was worse.

Lory was studying him.
Jelly jumped down from the desk, beckoning Ren. Ren stood up and made to follow her but Lory stopped him.
"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's time. Tomorrow night Kyoko will meet me."

He took a deep breath.

"Tomorrow night, Mogami Kyoko will meet Hizuri Kuon."