The rest of filming went by smoothly as Misako seemed to be ignoring them. Everyone seemed quite happy with this arrangement. By the end of the day, they even had scenes filmed and finished.
Kanae bid everyone goodbye in the studio foyer. Unknown to Kyoko but known to everyone else, she was off to find Kyokos birthday present. Ren offered a lift home to Kyoko, Ryu offered one to Yashiro. Ryu told Kyoko she would pick her up in the morning for Box-R. Kyoko waved goodbye to the managers from the car as they drover past.
"Would you like to go for dinner? Before I drop you home."
"No thank you. It would be nice to eat with Okami and Taisho. I've not in a long time. I barely even see them anymore."
Kyoko looked sad.
"Home it is then."
"Are you mad?"
"Why would I be? You love them and you miss them. I get to spend most days with you, I think I can leave some nights for them."
Kyoko placed her hand on Ren's leg.
"You know you're welcome to stay for dinner as well. Okami adores you and I think Taisho may even like you."
"Really?"
It seemed unbelieveable to Ren that Taisho could like anyone, save Kyoko and Okami.
"He's stopped glaring at you with very sharp things in his hand, hasn't he?"
"That's very true. The sharp things do seem to be getting smaller and less pointy."
Kyoko giggled.
"Less pointy? How eloquent of you."
They laughed and bantered in the car the rest of the way back.
It faltered as they reached the Darumaya. There was an ambulance and a police car outside.
Kyoko was out of the car before it even stopped and was inside the restuarant before Ren had gotten out.
He walked in to find Kyoko knelt next to Okami, who was being treated by a paramedic.
"Okami, what happened?"
"I'm not sure. We were shutting up for the night when I heard a smash. I went out front to check what it was and something hit me. I fell down and I heard running. Taisho came out to see what was up and found me."
The paramedic finished checking her over.
"She just seems to have a bit of a bump on her head and some grazes from falling. A cup of tea and some rest. If you start to feel ill or dizzy, please, go to hospital."
Okami said she would and put an arm around Kyoko, who laid her head in her lap. The policeman and paramedics bid goodbye and everyone thanked them. Kyoko went to make tea and Taisho took Okami through to the front room. Ren knelt beside her.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
Okami grasped his arm tightly.
"Do not let Kyoko see what is written outside. No matter what she cannot see it."
She was pleading with him and Ren did the only thing he could think of and nodded. Kyoko came back through with the tea and served everyone.
"Okami, are you okay?"
Okami looked at Ren and Taisho. The look in her eyes told them to stay quiet.
Okami smiled at Kyoko.
"I'm fine dear one. Really. I've had worse bumps from catching my head on cupboard doors."
Kyoko smiled. She had done this many times herself.
Ren asked, " Do you know who or what it was?"
Taisho grunted, "Probably some miscreant youths with nothing better to do with their time."
Kyoko looked deep in thought. She looked to Okami and Taisho.
"I have an idea. I would like to pay for a security service. Nothing big and fancy. Just some cameras to cover the doors."
"Kyoko, we can't let you do that. It's your money."
"But I want to. I'd like to know that if any like this happens again, we can catch the person responsible. I'd like to know you're safe."
Taisho and Okami looked at each other. They saw how much this meant to Kyoko.
"If it makes you feel better Kyoko, then we have no objections."
She nodded so fast it made her dizzy. She text Ryu to find a security company for the cameras. Ryu text back that she was on it.
"Tsuruga-san?"
"Yes Okami?"
"Would you please take Kyoko home with you?"
Kyoko started to protest but the three quietened her with a look.
"You want cameras, you spend the night safe. Somewhere with a doorman. The police are increasing their rounds but it's going to get noisy here. You need your sleep."
Ren had never heard the Taisho say so much in one go. Kyoko looked at Taisho and saw in his eyes that there was no point in arguing.
"Okay. That is if it's okay with you Ren."
He nodded.
"I will go pack some things. I will also let Ryu-san know about the change of plans."
Ren excused himself after Kyoko went upstairs. He stepped outside. Someone had defaced and damaged the front of the Darumaya. The shop signs were smashed and someone had spray painted 'back off thieving bitch or die' across the front window. He took some photos on his phone and sent them to Lory and Yashiro.
"You were right," he said coming back in,"Kyoko can't see that."
"Do you have any idea who could have done something like this?"
"No but I've sent photos to my manager and the president of LME. They will work with the police. If anymore comes of this we'll be ready. They'll also organise a cleaner and a repairman. To be honest it would surprise me if the president didn't already know and those services were already on they way."
Taisho nodded. Kyoko reappeared with her bag.
"Are you ready?"
Kyoko hugged Okami and bid the couple goodnight. Ren put an arm around her shoulders as they walked to the car so that she couldn't see what was written on the store front. He guided her round the car and into her seat, grateful for the way he had parked. You couldn't read it from here. She was so preoccupied that she didn't even notice the car pull away.
About halfway to Ren's she spoke.
"I feel bad about just leaving them."
"They'll be okay. Anyone stupid enough to try again is sure to discover how sharp and pointy the Taishos knives actually are."
Kyoko sniffed. Ren glanced at her and saw she was crying.
"Did this happen because I live there? Some over enthusiastic reporter? Or the person sending me strange things? Is this my fault?"
"No Kyoko, it's not. It's the fault of whoever did it. Though you do bring up a good point."
"What point?"
"There will come a time when it is not safe for you to remain at the Darumaya. You will be to popular and fans, reporters and others will descend on the resturant and won't be too fussy about how they get in. I know it's home to you and you love Okami and Taisho, but maybe you should start to consider moving."
"I know. I have actually thought about it. I just didn't think it would be so soon."
Kyoko fell silent. Ren gave her some time.
~At least this way we won't have to go behind her back.~
"I could have Yashiro send Ryu-san the details of my estate agent. He's very good and very discreet. He found me my apartment."
"Really? Do you think he can find an apartment for a normal sized person? If I get one like yours, I'll never reach anything!"
"Yes he can find an apartment for a short person."
"Hey! I'm not short! You're just too tall!"
Ren laughed.
"So seeing as you are having dinner with me tonight, what would you like? We could go out, pick something up. I could cook."
"NO YOU CAN'T!"
SHe shouted and waved her hands about.
"Thats not... I mean...I...You"
"Can't cook," Ren finished, "I'm well aware that I cannot cook."
Kyoko breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll cook."
"Kyoko. You've had a long day. We can order in. Maybe Chinese?"
"Hmm... Not today. I want to cook. It'll help calm me."
"If that's what you want."
Kyoko settled back in her seat. Ren loved being in the car with Kyoko. For however long the ride took, it was just the two of them. No one else, no trouble, no interruptions. It was his favourite time of day. He looked over at Kyoko, who had fallen asleep in her seat, head to the side, lips slightly parted. Ren pulled his car into his buildings parking and gently shook her shoulder.
"Kyoko. We're here."
"Hmm?" she blinked awake.
"Oh Ren, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"It's okay. Glad you find my company so interesting."
"No, Ren !..."
She started to apologise until she saw Ren was laughing at her. She opened the car door and got out. Ren called after her.
"Kyoko! I'm sorry! I couldn't resist!"
She turned round and stuck her tongue out at him. Ren caught up to her and gave her a hug.
"Do you want to take a shower before cooking?"
"OOO yes."
They were discussing dinner options in the lift, when it dinged and Ren let Kyoko off first. He instantly regretted it when he heard a shrill voice.
"What are you doing here you useless bitch?"
Kyoko stood stock still in the middle of hallway. She sighed. Misako was sat on the floor opposite Rens door.
"Good evening Misako-san." said Kyoko, ever polite.
Ren stepped up to her side.
"What do you want?"
"I've decided to forgive you for last week and earlier and let you take me to dinner to make it up to me."
She smiled at him, expecting him to be grateful for a chance to go to dinner with her. It faltered a little when she saw Kyoko was staring at her.
"What?"
Kyoko shook her head.
"Hmm? Oh...Nothing."
Ren glanced down at her, trying to figure out what was going on in her mind. He looked at Misako and the look of pure venomous look of spite on her face. He decided he needed to redirect her attention.
"Misako. Why are you here?"
"I've told you, so you can take me to dinner."
"Was I not clear enough last week when I said no? Or when I called security to remove you? Or the scene at lunch?"
"And I said I forgave you for that. You don't have to be sly in front of the talentless wench. I know you want me. We could have a lot of fun."
Misako stood up.
She slunk towards the duo. She swayed her hips, one hand on her hip, the other circling over her breast.
Kyoko figured she was trying for graceful, maybe sexy but she just looked a little drunk. Misako forcefully inserted herself between Ren and Kyoko and stuck her chest out. She tried to run a hand down Ren's chest but he took a step back.
"Come now. Don't be shy. Send the brat away and we can have some fun. You know, I'm often told that I'm a wildcat."
Kyoko looked disgusted. Innocent as she was, she understood innuendo.
Ren had had enough.
"First off. Her name is Kyoko, not any insult you can come up with. Secondly, I do not know how many more times I can say no."
Misako looked up at him smiling. She opened her mouth to speak but Ren raised his hand to stop her.
"I have no wish to date you, have dinner with you or socialise with you in any other way. We are colleagues at work and nothing more. We are barely even that. I have no interest in you sexually, physically or in any other way. I have tried to be polite about it but you just don't seem to get it. Leave now."
Misako gaped at him. Kyoko fought the urge to laugh in her face. Instead she leaned into him and whispered,
"Shall I call security?"
Misako remembered Kyoko was there and turned to her. She saw Kyokos overnight bag.
"I knew it!" she screeched, "I knew you got that part by sleeping with him!"
Kyoko stepped into Misako.
"You have already heard that that is not how I got my part. Don't tar me with the same brush as you. Ren-san is gracious enough to offer me the use of his guest room while my own room is currently uninhabitable."
"And he's doing this out of the goodness of his heart? Pffft how naive are you?"
"Yes actually. I don't know the kind of people you socialise with but if that's how it works for you then I would suggest finding new people. Ren is my... friend and is helping me out because thats what decent people do."
Misako was stunned. No one had ever spoken to her like this before. She stared at Ren, expecting him to do something. When nothing came she asked,
"You'd give up all of this," she said gesturing to herself, "For that?"
"Yes."
Kyoko placed a hand on Ren's arm.
"Come on Ren. Let's go inside. She isn't getting it."
Ren handed her his keys and she unlocked his door.
"This conversation is over. Please leave or I will call security again. If you enter this building again with the intention of harassing me, my guests or any other occupant of this building I will call the police."
He finished with a pointed look and strode inside his apartment. He shut the door in her face.
Misako stood, frozen, in the middle of the hallway and only moved when she heard the very definitive sound of the lock clicking into place.
