Tuesday 15th November
Ryu and Kyoko were sat in the LoveMe locker room.
"The security cameras will be up at the Darumaya on Thursday."
Gaining no reaction, Ryu turned and looked at her charge. Judging by the look on her face, she was not in the realm of conscious thought.
"I have your filming schedule for Ever After. I've managed to work it so you have the 22nd til the 28th off."
She gained a vague nod for this.
"Don't forget on the 22nd you are going shopping with Kotonami-san."
"Uh-huh"
"I think you should shave your head for the grateful party."
"Yep."
Ryu sniggered and waved her hand in front of Kyokos face.
"Anyone home?"
Kyoko started and flushed.
"I'm so sorry Ryu-san! I just...got lost in thought. I was listening though, I promise!"
"Really? Prove it."
"Thank you for organising the security company, thank you for organising my schedule and Muse-san would have a fit if I shaved me head."
Ryu was astounded.
"But...how?"
Kyoko smiled shyly and looked a little sheepish.
"It wasn't me, per se, that was listening."
"Well I'm glad at least one of you was."
Ryu was getting quite used to the eccentric way Kyokos mind worked. Suddenly Kyoko sat bolt upright and Ryu would swear she saw Kyokos ears twitch.
"Oh no! He's coming!"
She cast about for somewhere to hide while Ryu looked on amused and bemused.
"Who is?"
"He is!"
Kyoko dove behind the sofa. Ryu didn't have to ask again who it was when she heard the hooves.
The door burst open and a Roman Emperor swept in, leaving a horse led chariot in the hallway. Two Praetorian guards behind him held Kanae and Chiori. They greeted Ryu and then sat at the table.
"Kyoko-chan! I know you're behind the sofa!" Lory sang.
The fluffy head of the number one LoveMe girl popped up.
"Heh... Hello President."
She slunk back to the table.
Ryu, ever the consummate professional, started.
"Hello President. What can we do for you today?"
The three LoveMe girls just stared at them.
He beamed at the assembled girls.
"I have some tasks for you! As you know the grateful party isn't that far away and Maria-chan has had a brilliant idea! We're going to have an auction!"
Kanae scoffed,
"Do you plan on selling us off?
Kyoko went white. Lory chuckled.
"No, no, nothing like that! Well not exactly. We're going to auction off experiences and such!"
All 3 girls eyed him warily, worried about what he had planned.
"Kotonami-san," she sat bolt upright, "I would like you to wear a kimono that has been designed by a friend of mine. If you could model it for her, show it off at the party. She's offered the experience of having a one of a kind kimono made."
Kanae nodded and even grudgingly admitted it may even be fun.
"Amiyama-san, I would like for you to escort a guest around. He's a charming gentlemen, albeit a little blunt."
"That's it? Escort duty?"
"That is it but don't expect it to be easy. He's made many a girl storm off and cry."
"I accept," Chiori said with a glint in her eye.
"Now Kyoko. I would like to offer a talent of yours as an auction experience if I may."
He could read the confusion on her face.
"Talent, sir?"
"Yes. I would like you to perform a tea ceremony for the highest bidder."
Kyoko blanched and remembered the last time she did. Then she thought that it was under different circumstances this time, and with it being a LoveMe task, it wasn't exactly voluntary.
She sighed and with a slight huff accepted the task.
"Wonderful! Obviously there will be safeguards in place. Kotonami-san, you will have someone with you at all times, just in case. Amiyama-san, you do not have to be with him all evening, only if he seeks you out after introductions and a brief chat. Kyoko-chan, we will be keeping an eye on the bidders and you will be chaperoned at all times when performing the ceremony."
Two of the three girls visibly relaxed. Kanae was a little miffed she'd have a shadow but she'd put up with it, because knowing the President he could come up with something worse.
Kyoko raised a hand.
"We won't have to wear our LoveMe uniforms will we?"
Chiori looked horrified! Why would she even bring that up?!
"Heavens no! I'm all for the LoveMe section, but Kyoko-chan and Maria-chan have worked hard on the party and the theme. With the exception of Kotonami-san, you may wear what you like..."
Lory caught the warning look in Kyokos eye.
"Ahem... within the constraints of the theme of course."
"That includes you President! You must stick to the theme as well."
Lory looked crestfallen.
"And no animals either."
Ryu looked at Lory. She thought he was going to burst into tears. She thought of maybe defending him but one look at Kyoko told her that that was her final word.
He shook his head and immediately perked up.
"One last thing. Kyoko-chan. I need to see you in my office. About 3pm."
The last was more of a nod to Ryu, who nodded and made a few notes.
With all apparent business concluded, Lory swept from the office and mounted his carriage. With a crack he was gone.
"Well at least it wasn't to bad. Oh. Oh! I just realised! I'm only in the kitchen for a little while, then I'm free. I'll keep you both company! I could switch or we coud all hang out together!"
Chiori, Kanae and Ryu smiled at the girl lost in La-la land. They got lost in conversation about the party and their assigned tasks.
At 10am Ryu stood and apologised but they had to go. They were filming some final Box-R scenes today. With waves to Chiori and Kanae the two departed.
They were in the car on their way when Ryu spoke.
"There is another matter to discuss."
Kyoko tensed and Ryu noticed.
"It's fine! Nothing bad! I thought we might start discussing the possibility of you moving from the restaurant."
"I...um... well I had already thought about that. Ren is going to get Yashiro to send you the number for his estate agent. He actually checked his building but those apartments are way out of my price range."
Ryu pulled the car into a spot at the Box-R studio. She switched off the car and Kyoko started to get out. Ryu laid a hand on her arm.
"You are a very interesting shade of red."
It deepened.
"What happened?"
"Ren... he... uh... heaskedmetomoveinwithhim!"
Ryu took a moment to slow the sentence down in her head. What-ifs and maybes flashed through her mind.
"I told him I'd think about it."
"That was a very good move Kyoko. Do you want to?"
"I practically live there anyway," she said with a chuckle, "but I thought I'd ask you though."
"You can if you want but you will have to go public with your relationship first."
Kyokos eyes lit up in fear and hope.
"You will have to discuss this with Ren. Going public, moving in, how you will present it."
Kyoko nodded, already on the phone texting Ren. She put her phone in her bag and took a deep breath. When Ryu looked round after collecting her things, she saw Natsu sat in the passenger seat.
"Ready Natsu-san?"
"Always" purred Natsu.
She exited the car with elegance and swayed into the studio. Ryu sighed as she followed. It was going to be a long day.
This is the first of many chapters to come in the next few days (max a week). Life got bad. I'm sure some of you can understand.
