Kyoko was staring at her phone. No messages, no texts, no missed calls.
It was half 5. She'd barely slept last night and she'd been filming since 1. Most of the night and day had been spent with various scenarios for tonight running through her head.

~What if he says he didn't mean it? That it had been an act, to help me save face.~

She sank low on her chair. At least in the dressing room she was unlikely to be disturbed and pestered with questions about what was wrong. Ryu came in with a bottle of water.

"Kyoko, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, not..."
Kyoko stopped when she caught sight of Ryu's raised eyebrow.

**SIGH**

"I'm nervous about tonight. What if he says he didn't mean it? I don't think I could go through that again."

Ryu laughed at her charge.

"Kyoko," Ryu grasped her hand, "anyone who looks at Ren when he's looking at you, would see a man in love! It will probably be about how to announce it to the media, or if you want to keep it private for a while. Knowing him it is probably something practical."

Kyoko smiled.
"That's possible. We're both actors. We would need to announce it. Oh! It could be about meeting Taisho. He can be quite scary."

"See. He's just as nervous as you."

Kyoko looked at Ryu. She saw the unwavering belief in her eyes. It would be okay. Ren was just nervous to.

"Yes! Be positive! Just as the president said!"

Ryu just gaped at Kyoko's sudden mood change. Kyoko was beaming and when the AD came to get Kyoko for filming, she skippd off with a wave to Ryu. Ryu chuckled. Kyoko certainly was something else. While she was making great leaps in some areas but in others she was still totally dense.

She flicked through some offers Kyoko had recieved. She would have to turn most of them down. Kyoko just didn't have time for another drama just yet. She was looking at booking interviews, commercials and other small bits like that. It would give her the publicity but she wouldn't burn out trying to do to much at once.

She turned her attentions to plans for Kyokos birthday instead. It would, once again, be held at the end of the grateful party.
(A/N. This is what my Maria decided it would be called. Lory can't say no to an excuse for a party.)

She wanted to get Kyoko an outfit, with each person buying a piece. She was trying to decide who to assign to each piece.

She had decided on the dress by Ren and make up by Kanae, but that still left shoes and accessories. She was deliberating between herself, Yashiro and Chiori for the last pieces when Kyoko came bounding back through the door.

"Hey Ryu-san! I didn't get NG'd today ! It's a sign! Today will be a good day!"

Ryu glanced at the clock and did a double take. She'd been so into her paperwork she hadn't realised it was half 9.

"Wow! That's great Kyoko! Sorry if my reaction seems off. I just realised I got so immersed in my paperwork, four hours flew by!"

"Really? Amazing! Ryu-san, you're so hard working and focused. I hope I can reach your level one day!"

Ryu blushed.
"T-thank you, Kyoko. I think."

Kyoko smiled at Ryu and beamed at her with unbridled awe.
Ryu cleared her throat.
"Seeing as you have finished early, we have time for you to stop home and change if you wish."

"Oh yes please! I'd like to shower to if I have the time."

Ryu nodded and gathered her things. They hunted down the director and said goodbye.
In the car, Ryu had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing at Kyoko. Positive and shining one moment, gloomy and dark the next. Repeat. For the entire drive to the Darumaya.
Ryu was grateful when they pulled up and Kyoko flew inside, shouting over her shoulder that she would be twenty minutes or less.
As soon as she was inside Ryu started laughing. She laughed until she wept. Breathing deep to try and settle herself down, she had to keep retrying because she kept laughing.
She was still chuckling softly to herself when Kyoko came back out. She had obviously showered as her hair was still slightly damp and she had changed into a dress.
It was white at the top and gradually faded into a dark purple at the hem. She looked beautiful.

Ryu was smiling as Kyoko got back into the car. She told Kyoko that she looked beautiful and Kyoko blushed.

"I hope Ren likes it." she whispered.

She looked nervous again. Ryu had no idea what to say to her to make it any better. By the time Ryu pulled up to Rens building she was almost as nervous as Kyoko. Kyoko was trembling. Ryu had a sudden flash of inspiration.

"Kyoko"
She turned to look at Ryu.
"Silver linings."

Kyoko looked thoughtful for a moment. She slowly smiled and nodded at Ryu. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.

With a steady, purposeful stride she headed into the building. The door man held open the main door for her, and one of the desk staff hurried over and called the lift down.

Kyoko hummed to herself and checked her hair and make up in the mirror. She had butterflies in her stomach.

**DING**

This was it. Kyoko smoothed down her dress.

She knocked on Ren's door.

She rocked on her heels while she waited.

She heard the lock click.

She smiled expectantly as the door opened.

She saw Ren.

Her smile faltered.