"So, how did I end up on Kimagure today then?"

Kyoko explained all about Misakos attitude and her very rude, very live comments. By the time she was finished Ren was tightly clutching the steering wheel.
"How entirely unprofessional and stupid."

Kyoko nodded.

"What do you want for dinner tonight?"

Ren did a double take.
"That was rather an abrupt change of subject. What's wrong?"

"I don't want to talk about her anymore. She badmouthed you, the brothers, our shows, our fans."

"Okay then. Omelettes?"

Kyoko shot him a sly sideways glance.
"Was that a chicken pun?"

Ren laughed.

This caused a discussion about eggs and the fact that Ren didn't have any.

"So I have to go to the store?"

"I'm sorry."

"Well then pull over here."

"What? Why?!"

"I'm going to buy that cashier some flowers."

Ren pulled the car over to the side of the road, just outside a florists. Kyoko dashed inside. She chose a small multicolour bunch of roses with a card that read; 'Thank you for everything, from your actor friends.'

Back in the car she showed Ren. He agreed that the card and flowers were lovely.
He pulled into his space under his building and Kyoko hopped out of the car and made for the store. Ren smiled and headed up to his apartment. When she walked into the store, she headed straight for the tills.
It wasn't the usual girl on the till. She asked the girl if she knew where the other cashier was, and the girl informed her she was out back on break and she was welcome to go back and see her.
(A/N. Everyone who works in the store near/in Rens building knows who she is. Think of how many times she's been in there.)

Kyoko found her in the break room.

"Kyoko-san! Is everything okay?"

"Ah yes! I would say hello properly but I'm afraid I don't know your name."

"I'm Kotaru Aoi. It's very nice to meet you Mogami Kyoko."
She bowed deeply. Kyoko wondered how Aoi knew her proper name. She had never told anyone here and it wasn't public knowledge.

"You know who I am?"

"Of course! You've been here many times, and I'm a huge Box-R fan."

"But how do you know my name?"

"Oh. I...um.. have heard Tsuruga-san call you Mogami-san before. I'm sorry for eavesdropping."

Kyoko was relieved. It was purely a coincidence.
"Thats fine. I mean you must have heard it a lot so it was sure to stick with you."

She looked at the girl and presented her the flowers.

"These are from myself and Tsuruga-san. To say thank you. You are very polite and discreet and caring. To thank you for being a fan."

Aoi started gushing. She found the card in amongst them, read it and got a strange look on her face that was gone almost as quick as it arrived. Kyoko missed it.

"I'm sorry. I have to go now. I have someone waiting."

"Is it Tsuruga-san? Are you cooking for him?"

Kyoko nodded. Aoi smiled.

"Good. He always eats properly when you do."

Kyoko laughed. All those arguements about food this girl must have overheard. She bowed her apologies and headed back into the store proper, where she picked up some basics. She thanked the cashier for her help and with a wave, headed to Ren's.

Stood in the lift she could hear a faint thumping coming from somewhere in the building. She prayed it wasn't the cable and breathed a huge sigh of relief when it stopped safely on Rens floor. The thumping had been getting louder and when the doors dinged open it was even louder still.

There was now an indistinct voice mixed in with the thumping. She turned the corner and located the souce. Misako was outside Rens, hammering on his front door. Taking a deep breath she walked down the corridor. Towards Misako. Who had a look of utter disbelief on her face when she realised who was walking towards her.

"Uh. What are you doing here rookie?"

"I am here to see Ren-san. Can I ask what you are here for?"

"Same thing as you. Except I don't think he's in. I've been knocking for ages."

Misako stepped back from the door and slid down the opposite wall til she sat down with a bump.

"I wanted him to take me for dinner to make up for the awful day I've had."

"He could have plans already or still be at work."

Mia glared at her.

"May I try?"

Misako gestured to the door.
"Have at it."

Kyoko stepped up and lightly knocked on the door 3 times. Almost immediately the door opened and there was Ren, surrounded by a very strange aura. He was conflicted with happiness at seeing Kyoko and irritation at Misako.

"Come in Kyoko. Misako-san. Please leave before I call security."

"Why?" Misako whined.

"You've been hammering at my door for a while now, disturbing me and my neighbours."

"Then why didn't you just answer?"

"I was busy."

"But you answered the door for her," Misako spat, pointing at Kyoko.

"She was expected. Obviously I do not open my door to just anyone. My building security is very good, but there are some very determined fans out there."

Misako was still slumped against the wall. She started trying to get up but couldn't find the purchase in her heels.

"Well you've opened it now. I'll just come in and wait while you get changed. Then you can take me to dinner."

"No."

It rang with a serious finality and Kyoko flinched at the Demon Lord aura radiating from him. Misako was totally oblivious.

"Okay, prude. I'll wait out here."

"No. You will leave or I will call security."

"No I won't!" Misako screeched, "Why won't you take me to dinner?!"

"I have plans with Kyoko."

At the mention of her name, she slid along the wall and into the safety of Rens apartment.

"You'd rather spend the evening with that, that newbie than with me?"
She tried to gesture to herself sexily, but it failed, what with her being sat on the floor still.

"Yes."

The grudges were dancing in a conga line to the tune of three different peoples angers.
Misako went pale with rage.
"What are you?! BLIND? She's so, so ordinary. So ugly and plain and about as sexually attractive as a doorknob."

Ren took a subconcious step forwards. Kyoko grabbed the back of his shirt and he stopped. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
~Not now Kuon~ he thought.

"What does she have that I don't?"

A personality - laughed Rens Kuon.
Dignity - said Mio
Dress sense - scoffed Natsu
Charm - Kyokos Kuon sniggered
Wouldn't know where to start - Setsu added
Bo was squawking some very vulgar words. She had ruined the show and abused fans.

Ren didn't answer. Kyoko wisely chose to keep the others opinions to herself. Instead Ren closed the door in Misakos face. She scrambled across the hallway and started hammering on the door again.
A few minutes later two security guards appeared. Misako blinked at them disbelievingly.
~He really did call security~

They grabbed an arm each and pulled her to her feet. She started struggling so they let her go. Misako instantly took the chance to begin banging on Rens door again. The security guards grabbed her arms again and began pulling her towards the lift. She was dragged away, screaming that Ren didn't know what he was missing and that he was crazy.

Ren leant against the door and sighed. Kyoko dropped her bag and hugged him. Ren startled.

"What was that for?"

"For handling that amazingly well. For protecting me."

Ren squeezed her.
"I'm so sorry Kyoko. That woman does not understand the word no."

"It's fine. It's me your having dinner with."

Ren kissed her on the top of the head.
"One of these days I might deserve you," he mumbled against her hair.

"It's something we can work on together."

Ren kissed her again, this time properly. It became more passionate and when they finally broke apart they were both gasping for air. Kyoko blushed. Ren grinned.

"Oh! The eggs! I dropped them!"

"Then we'll just have to have them scrambled."

"Ren," Kyoko giggled, "put me down! If you want dinner then you're going to have to release me."

"Don't want to" he growled into her ear.

"Have you even eaten today?"

Rens stomach grumbled. Kyoko cocked an eyebrow at him. It rumbled again and he released her, putting his hands in the air.

Kyoko managed to put together dinner with only minor harrassment. Ren text Yashiro and Ryu all about Misako while watching Kyoko work in the kitchen.

Dinner was subdued, with most of the noise coming from cutlery and the TV that was currently showing todays Kimagure Rock it had recorded. Kyoko jumped when Ren burst out laughing at Bo's ridiculous poses on the catwalk and Hikarus stunned look.

"I see I taught you well" he choked out while laughing.

Kyoko threw a cushion at him.

"It was the only thing I could think of! And it worked didn't it?"

Ren was still laughing, tears rolling down his face. Kyoko looked down at the table.

"Ren"

She sounded so solemn that Ren instantly stopped laughing. He wiped his face and looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

"Thank you so much!"
She flung herself into a full dogzea.
"I'm so sorry that I had to ask for this favour and interrupted your free time."

"Kyoko, I told you, anything for you. Plus it was fun and I helped the show. I will always be here to help you no matter what. I know you'd do the same for me."

Kyoko mumbled into the floor. Whatever she said was lost to the carpet.

"Kyoko. Would you please talk to me and not my carpet?"

She turned her head so she could peek out from behind her hair.

"Do you mean that?"

Ren sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I wish you'd stop doubting me. I am here for you. Always and forever. I may have kept things hidden before but I will never lie to you. What will it take for you to believe me?"

Kyoko shot up and started waving her hands in the about.

"T-thats not what I meant! I just - I'm not used to this. Reciprocal love where I don't have to do things for your attention and affection. I believe you, I do. I'm just waiting for it to hit me that it's real. I'm so scared because I don't know what to do or say. I don't know what I'm doing and what if I screw up and I break us?"

"Kyoko. I literally threw you out of LME. I was quite mean to you. I lied."

"That was the past and is forgiven."

"Then we can get through anything then."

Kyoko looked at him, really looked. She saw that the thought of her not believing him had hurt. She scrambled across the carpet and into Rens lap. She snuggled into him.

"I'm sorry. I'll be better."

Ren wrapped him arms around her.

"You are perfectly fine the way you are now."

He kissed the top of her head. Kyoko felt safe and warm. She tilted her head back so she could meet Rens lips. It grew deeper and more passionate. Ren pushed her gently down and started running his hand along her arm. Kyoko put her arms around his neck. Rens hands had slid down to Kyokos waist and slightly raised her top. His thumb was making small, slow circles on her waist. He started laying light kissed from collarbone to ear and Kyoko froze and gripped Rens shoulders, torn between desire and the thought and need to push him away because this wasn't what proper young ladies did.

**RING**

Kyokos phone started ringing. She unfroze, grateful for the distraction. Ren headbutted the floor. He moved to the side so that Kyoko could get up. Kyoko sprinted for her phone. He rolled onto his back and flung an arm over his eyes. He huffed. Ren knew she was talking to Ryu as she had said her name a few times now. He propped himself up on his elbows so he could watch Kyoko.
She did not look happy. Ren frowned. She uh-huhed and said yes a lot. Her frown deepened.

"No. I'm at Rens right now. Straight after. No. What time? Yes, it was live. Okay. I'll stay here. See you soon."

Kyoko hung up and phone and started shaking.

"Kyoko are you okay?"

"I'm not sure."

"What did Ryu-san want?"

"Someone left a package for me at the Darumaya. Okami smelt it and called Ryu-san."

Ren looked confused.
"Did you say smell?"

Kyoko nodded.
"Apparently it is supposed to be an effigy of me. It's made out of some not some very nice things."

"Maybe it's something from Maria-chan?"

Kyoko snorted. She explained that the president had given them a room at LME for that purpose."

Ren looked bemused, but shook his head. He would probably never understand the girls curse obsession or why Lory indulged such things.

"Why did you say it was live?"

"Oh. I apparently assaulted a photographer outside of a bar this afternoon. At 3pm. I was at TBM."

Ren started laughing.
"Ren," she slapped his arm, "this is not funny!"

"Yes. Yes it is. Think about it! Whoever did this trying to get you in trouble picked the most impossible of scenarios! You at a bar? You hitting someone? In public? It's hilarious. They couldn't have picked anything else!? Anything else would have been more believable!"

He started laughing again. Kyoko stared at the man who was now rolling around in mirth on his floor. He occassionally gasped out the word impossible before laughing thought about it. Once the shock of someone attempting this to ruin her name had worn off, she saw it from Rens view. Pretty soon they were both rolling around laughing.

Someone started knocking on the door.
"Gods, that better not be Misako."

Ren jumped up off the floor and checked through the spyhole. It was Yashiro. As soon as the lock had cleared the frame, Yashiro burst in.

"Kyoko...package...trouble." He gasped.

Then he blinked and momentarily forgot about breathing all together. Kyoko was still sat on the floor, looking decidely rumpled. Yashiro turned to Ren with a big grin and raised his eyebrows. Ren shook his head and Yashiro looked mildly disappointed but he understood that even this was great progress.

"Good evening Yashiro. Kyoko is fully aware of the situation. Ryu-san phoned her not moments ago."

"Oh"

Yashiro looked deflated.
Kyoko sniggered.
"Ryu-san is her own brand of super."

"Why aren't you upset? Usually you'd be wailing and apologising by now."

"Hey!," Kyoko looked indignant. Then she thought.
"Yes okay in the past I would have. But I'm different now. Plus Ren helped me see how preposterous it all is."

Yashiro spluttered and tried to keep a straight face but he made the mistake of looking at Ren who had laughter in his eyes.
He burst out laughing.
"It's like they didn't even try! Did they pick a name at random or something?"

The three collapsed laughing.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the three picked themselves up. Ren went to get drinks, Kyoko let Kanae know what was going on and Yashiro did whatever supermanager thing he did. Yashiro was mainly reporting to the president that Kyoko had been informed, was fine, and how he had found their favourite couple when he gained entry to Rens apartment.

All 3 sat on the sofa and Ren showed Yashiro Misakos outburst on Kimagure Rock. Yashiro was shocked. He had never seen anyone so unprofessional. Kyoko told him all about the behind cameras stuff and the three of them discussed the story of Misako at the door.
"She thought you could edit live TV? And thought you'd take her out to dinner?"

Kyoko nodded.

Yashiros face darkened.
~Maybe Misako sent the package and the fake report. ~

~Nah she wouldn't have touched that package.~

He turned to look at his favourite couple.

"Kyoko-chan. Due to the package would you please stay here tonight? I'm sure everyone will sleep better knowing you are safe."

Kyoko looked at Ren who nodded.

"Okay. But just tonight. I won't be scared out of my home."

Ren grimaced and began planning ways he could get Kyoko to move. He hated himself for plotting against her, but was sure he could get everyone in on it.

Yashiro shot up from the sofa after looking at the clock.

"It's past midnight! I'll take my leave now. You two, bed."
Realising what he said, he added,
"Separate ones."

Kyoko flushed scarlet. Ren put on a fake smile and saw Yashiro out.

"As annoying as he is, he's right." Ren sighed.

Kyoko looked alarmed.
"Of course we'll be in seperate beds!"

Ren laughed.
"You'll have the guest room as usual. You have some clothes in there. They are Setsus but there should be something."

Ren kissed Kyoko on the forehead and turned to leave. Kyoko held his arm.
She stepped in close and kissed him properly.
"Good night Ren" she said and disappeared into guest room.

Ren spent the night thinking of Kyoko.

Natsu spent the whole night smugfaced.