Kyoko awoke next morning and briefly wondered where she was. She recognised the guest room at Rens.
~I must have fallen asleep on the sofa.~
She heard her phone going off in the front room. She looked down and vaguely remembered, that at some point during the night she had awoken. She had been too hot and seen the pyjamas laid out for her and changed. It was a purple silk nightgown.
Her phone started ringing again. She dashed into the living room and snatched it up.
It was a hysterical Ryu because Kyoko had an interview in an hour.
Ren came out of his room to find Kyoko in a dogzea on the floor.
"Im so sorry Ryu-san!"
"Kyoko," Ren said from his doorway, "as much as I am enjoying the view, Ryu-san cannot see you."
She blushed from head to toe. Ren was stood behind her and she was in a nightgown!
"Also a few points, you have clothes here. I have two bathrooms. You are more than welcome to change and get ready here and have Ryu-san pick you up."
Ryu had heard everything and was singing Rens praises.
"You're a genius Ren-san! Kyoko you have half an hour!"
Ryu hung up.
"As much as I would love to stay and hang out in our pyjamas all day, Ryu and Yashiro will have our heads if you don't get moving."
Kyoko nodded.
"You can use the bathroom down the hall. Clothes are in the guestroom."
"Ren... how do you have my clothes?"
"Technically they are Setsu's but there should be something you can wear."
"Ren you really are a saviour!"
She jumped up off the floor, gave Ren a kiss on the cheek and dashed from bedroom to bathroom.
~I could put monks to shame with this kind of control~
Ren was sitting on the sofa, still in his pyjamas, when Kyoko came out. Kyoko had found a pair of black trousers, a red top and a pair of boots. She did a spin.
"Is this okay?"
Ren took her hand and pulled her down beside him.
"Surely asking me is bias Kyoko. I think you look great in everything you wear. Even when you're half duck."
"Eh?"
He clucked at her.
She still looked lost.
"Kyoko I know."
"Know what?"
Her phone started ringing. Ryu was waiting downstairs. She gave him a quick kiss and dashed for the door.
Ren called after her.
"I know you're Bo!"
Kyoko nearly fell down the stairs. How did he know!?
She slid into the car and after greeting Ryu, pulled her phone out.
How do you know?K
You told me. At your party.R
?K
When you thanked Ishibashi Hikaru.R
A memory flooded into Kyokos mind. She had thanked them for helping her at Kimagure Rock and as Bo. In front of Ren.
I'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner. I will explain all.K
I look forward to it.R
Kyoko sighed. Ryu looked at her in the rearview.
"Kyoko, what's wrong?"
"I completely forgot that I revealed I was Bo in front of Ren!"
"He'll understand."
Kyoko looked glum. Sensing the need for a change Ryu asked Kyoko how the date had gone. Kyoko brightened immediately and launched into an incredibly descriptive account of the date. She was still telling it when they got to make-up.
"So he brought you the dress?"
Kyoko nodded, beaming.
"Are you going to wear it to the grateful party?"
"No. That has a theme so I can't. I will find an occassion though."
"How's the planning going for that?"
"Great! Maria-chan is one hell of a party planner. I see it in her future. The menu is done. Decorations are ordered. With the menu being sorted and being simple I will even be able to enjoy the party as I won't be in the kitchen all night."
"That's good. I heard last years party was a huge success."
Kyoko nodded. She loved remembering last years party.
The make-up artist stepped back declaring her work done.
Kyoko looked amazing. The make-up artist had co-ordinated it with her clothing. She looked mature and sexy. She felt very Natsu.
Todays interview was Box-R promo. Kyoko was breezing through it, answering questions precisely and clearly but with humour and teasing. Ryu was watching from the sidelines.
~Kyoko is so charismatic. I don't think she realises the effect she has.~
This was thought at at the same time as the host dropped all of his question cards. He had been caught off guard by Kyokos smile.
The host started stuttering.
"CUT!" yelled the director, "TAKE 5!"
Kyoko looked bemused.
"Don't worry Kyoko-san. It has nothing to do with you. It appears our host needs a few moments to compose himself."
The host was profusely apologising while picking up his cards. Ryu brought Kyoko some water.
"You've got to learn to control that smile. It's hazardous."
Ryu chuckled.
Kyoko looked at her questioningly and Ryus only response was to gesture at the host. Kyoko still didn't get it. Ryu could only hope that one day she might.
The director called order to the set. The host seemed to have regained his composure and someone started counting down. He apologised for the last time and the director called action.
Kyoko was asked more about Box-R and what they could expect to happen. After a few basic questions, it was over. The host apologised again before scurrying off to his dressing room. The director apologised for the trouble the host had caused and praised Kyoko on keeping a cool head.
Ryu and Kyoko said thank you, good bye and headed out.
"Is there anything else today?"
Ryu shook her head.
"I left your Sunday quite open so you could get a last read through of the script, get into it, relax a little."
"I appreciate it Ryu-san but I think I should go explain things to Ren."
The ride back to Rens was tense and silent. Ryu knew better than to interrupt Kyoko while she was planning on the best way to explain things to Ren.
Ryu gently touched Kyokos shoulder.
"We're here. Are you ready?"
"Not really but I have to do this."
She steeled herself. She took large deep breaths as she went to Rens apartment. She knocked on the door.
"Are you mad?" she asked as soon as he opened the door.
"Come in Kyoko."
~Well at least I'm still Kyoko~
She followed Ren in.
"Ren. Are you mad at me?"
He took a deep breath.
"I was, but I hid Corn and so many other things. I can see why you hid Bo. I'm guessing you thought it was because I wouldn't have told you things and let me help if I knew it was you. At that point we weren't on the best of terms."
"Thats actually exactly it... How'd you do that?"
Ren shrugged.
"I know you."
"So you're not mad?"
Ren laughed.
"No Kyoko. I even understand why you did it. Now my lovely chicken, with that resolved, would you like to do some script work? Drama starts tomorrow."
"Ah Ren I'd love help with my script."
"OH, ummm... Kyoko?"
"Yes Ren?"
"It's actually our script... I'm the knight. I didn't want to tell you because at the time because when I found out you would be in the new drama, it was after the Misako incident. With all that's gone on I completly forgot to tell you."
"Well..."
Ren prepared for a telling off.
"That makes it easier to practice having my co-star to practice with."
Ren looked at her in shock. She smiled at him and they spent the next few hours practicing lines and scenes, trying to get a feel for the characters and moods.
"I think there is a good place to stop for now. I hope it gets given a name tomorrow. Kyoko in 'untitled movie'" said Ren.
Kyoko laughed.
"Tsuruga Ren in 'what's this called?'"
They were both laughing and batted about a few more silly ideas.
"Ren I hate to interrupt a good mood, but could you give me a ride home?"
"Of course"
Speeding through the night they debated what the drama could be called.
Kyoko said 'the rightful queen'.
Ren reckoned 'happily ever after'.
They decided to make it a wager. The closest to the actual title would win. The loser would have to take the winner out on a date. Terms settled, they agreed and set the bet.
Ren pulled up at the Darumaya. Kyoko leant over and gave Ren a kiss goodnight. She disappeared into the resturant.
They were both happy.
But they had forgotten something.
