Natsu was exceptional today. Flawless, no NG's, no stuttering or slips. Ryu made a note that when Kyoko was in turmoil, she became extremely focused. On a break Natsu sashayed over to Ryu.

"Natsu-san. May I speak to Kyoko for a moment?"

She shook her head.
"She's... preoccupied. It's chaos in here." She tapped the side of her head.
"Her old self is arguing with her new self and everybody is throwing in their two cents. Once filming is over she'll be back, but til then it's me."

"Well it's always a pleasure Natsu-san. Will everything be okay?"

Natsu was inspecting her nails.
"Hmm? Oh yes. Once she stops freaking out. There are still some remnants of the oblivious, self conscious, no esteem wretch she used to be. It's rather tiresome."

Ryu settled in her chair and Natsu was called back to set. She sauntered over and hoped that Kyoko would be back after filming. She looked at all the paperwork in her lap. She had new offers for roles for Kyoko to look over, some apartments just in case.

She was just finishing up with scripts when her charge headed back towards her but she couldn't tell who it was.

"Kyoko, you in there?"

She nodded and stopped in front of Ryu.

"Filming is finished. Could we get some lunch first?"

Ryu looked at her watch.
"We have time. What would you like today?"

"I don't mind Ryu-san"

They bid goodbye to everyone and headed for the car. Ryu knew of a little sandwich cafe not far from LME so drove there. After ordering food, Ryu took a good look at Kyoko who was fidgety and nervous.

"What is wrong Kyoko?"

"I'm worried about what the President wants. Worried about saying yes to Ren and everything that comes with that. Worried, worried, worried."

Kyoko looked close to tears. Ryu placed her hand over hers.
"It'll be okay, you'll see."

The food arrived and the waitress recognised Kyoko and started gushing. Kyoko blushed but happly signed an autograph for her. She rushed off in a daze and about 30 seconds later two more waitresses and a chef were out asking for her autograph, heaping on praise and telling Kyoko who each of their favourite characters was. Kyoko signed the autographs and after a look to Ryu who nodded, let them take some pictures to. Ryu checked them over and gave her approval. They paid their bill and left some very happy staff behind.

Kyoko looked a lot happier.
"They actually recognised me!"

"I told you it would happen."

Kyoko practically skipped into LME.

"Natusko-chan!"

The Presidents beloved snake was in the elevator freaking out guests. People who worked at LME were more than used to random animals showing up.

Natsuko hissed at Kyoko and slid along the hand rail so Kyoko could stand next to her. Ryu stood in the opposite corner, she wasn't as comfortable with the snake as her charge. Kyoko idly stroked Natsuko, who slid across her shoulders and tickled her ear with a flick of the tongue.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Kyoko said hello to greet Sebastian as she usually did but he wasn't there.

~Odd~

Kyoko headed down the coridoor towards the Presidents office. Inside was unusually drab as was the man himself. Ryu and Kyoko hesitated at the door.

"Umm... President?"

Lory looked up.

"Natsuko-chan!"

The snake slid off of Kyoko and headed for Lory.

While watching the President roll around with the snake, Kyoko and Ryu took a seat. He suddenly got a dark look on his face and clicked his fingers. Natsuko slid away and the President brushed himself off.

"Good afternoon ladies. I wish I had excellent news, but I do have good news."

He shuffled papers on his desk.

"I have spoken to Ren in regards to your future plans. I would recommend waiting at least a month and you will have to go public with your relationship."

Kyoko nodded.

"I thought you'd be more excited."
He walked round his desk and sat down.

"I'm worried. I get hate mail from people already. When we go public it's only going to get worse! So many fans will hate me! What if they think I don't deserve him?!"

She was getting a little hysterical.

"Do you think you deserve Ren?"

Kyoko looked up, a little shocked.

"I-I-I don't know. Most of the time no, but there are times when yes I think I do."

"Do you love him?"

"Yes."

"Then what others think is irrelevant. If your fans cannot be happy for you then they are not really fans."

Noticing Kyoko looked conflicted, Ryu raised her hand and changed the subject.

"When were you thinking of going public?"

"A couple of weeks. I have an interviewer in mind. I've made a list of off limits topics. Here it is."

He handed Ryu the list along with some other paperwork.

"Here's the paperwork and and all the details."

She settled back and started working everything into the schedule. Kyoko looked as if the world was ending.
"It's the same as any interview Kyoko-chan and I know the host. Besides you'll have Ren by your side."

This brightened her slightly. Lory snorted.
"Did you think we were going to make you do it on your own?"

"Well I thought..."

She was cut off by Lory and Ryu laughing at her.

"You never have to do anything by yourself anymore. You have us."

This made Kyoko realise that she had not told Maria about her and Ren.

"Is Maria-chan here?"

"Yes. She is in what you two have delightfully dubbed the 'Curse' room"

"May I be excused so I can go see her? I have something to tell her."

"Certainly, but Itawa-san will have to stay here, we have some paperwork to go over, get your schedule sorted"

Kyoko bowed then wound her way through the coridoors until she came to the Curse room. She opened the door into semi-darkness. Maria was in the middle of the room surrounded by candles, chanting.

"Maria-chan?"

"reve ytrap tseb, one second nee-san, reve ytrap tseb."

She finished with a dramatic flourish that proved without a doubt she was the Presidents granddaughter.

"I was just casting a spell to make the grateful party this year the best one ever!"

"Maria-chan... this is only the second one!"

"I know... but enough of that!"

With that cry she launched herself at Kyoko for a hug. Kyoko returned it albeit half heartedly.

"What's wrong nee-san?"

"It's about Ren and me."

Maria looked up at her.

"You mean the fact that you two are a couple?"

The shocked look on Kyokos face said it all. Maria giggled.

"Of course I know! Anyone with two eyes would and you know I have better means than that. I'm glad its you, anyone else, well..."

She smiled an evil little smile.

"Plus I better be in the wedding."

Kyoko flushed and tried to protest but kept tripping over her words. She caught sight of Maria laughing at her and launched a cushion at the young girls head.

It descended into a pillow fight and when Ryu and Lory found them, they were a giggly heap on the floor surrounded by gently floating and settled feathers.

Ryu took a photo and sent it to Yashiro.

"Ahem," he mock coughed trying to hide the smile, "we are done for today. Ryu has your revised schedule, Jelly will do your make up on the day. I need to change!"

He swept from the room muttering about how he could be seen like this and debating what to wear.

"We have nothing left on schedule today so I am going to my office to do some work. Do not leave the building without me."

Kyoko nodded and picked feathers from Marias hair. She looked down at the girl.

"So. What shall we do then?"