30th November
2 weeks after we left the girls in the Curse room.
Kyoko was nervous. Today was the day. Ren squeezed her hand. Jelly had done wonders, making Kyoko look slightly more mature so she matched Ren. Plus she had a reason (finally) to wear the dress Ren had brought her. She took a deep breath.
She focused and slowly felt herself slipping into one of her characters.
Jelly whacked her over the head with a make up brush.
"No Kyoko-chan! You have to do this! No characters!"
"Is admitting your dating me really such a horrible prospect?"
Kyoko turned to Ren and was hit full force by a Cain/Kuon puppy dog look. She knew then she'd lost.
"I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about the reaction."
Ren understood. He to was worried, but about Kyokos safety.
"It'll be fine, you'll see. Darling will have everything under control." Jelly said while fiddling with Kyokos hair.
Too quick the time came and they were heading for the studio stage. Everything was too loud, too bright. She closed her eyes.
When she opened them again she was staring right into the browns of Ren. He held her hands.
"Are you ready?"
He searched her face for fear, regret, indecision. Instead all he saw was determination.
"Lets do this."
They walked out onto the stage amid cheers and applause.
They waved and bowed and took their seats. The interview was going to start with some promo about Ever After.
"Good afternoon my lovely ladies and handsome gentleman! It's me! Rizuko! And just look who I've got for you today! The Tsuruga Ren and Kyoko!"
The crowd went wild again.
"Thank you for joining us."
"It's our pleasure."
"For our first portion we are all intrigued about your new venture, Ever After."
Kyoko and Ren answered all the questions relating to Ever After with what had been pre-approved by the Director and Producer.
They broke for commericial.
Rizuko read through her cards and was satisfied she had covered Ever After enough that she could move onto the next topic. As a very good friend of Lorys she knew exactly why these two were on her stage. She would owe him for the rest of her life for him allowing her to be the one to break the story.
"Are you two ready?"
They nodded and the producer signalled 5 seconds till air.
"And we're back! Now, now, now, I have come to my favourite part! Let's get to know our guests a little better!"
She smiled.
"Kyoko, I've heard a rumour that you've done actual service work! Restaurants and such."
"Ah yes. I have worked in the food industry mainly. It's great experience, taught me a lot and I have met so many amazing people through it all."
"So whats it like being a new talent? Scary?"
"It was when I started but with support from my company LME and of people such as Tsuruga-san, Amiyama Chiori and Kotonami Kanae, I am getting through, learning new things and experiences and having a lot of fun."
"Tsuruga-san. What is it like working with Kyoko?"
"She's a fantastic actress. She throws herself into each role and really becomes the character. Watching her bring the Princess to life in Ever After is truly amazing."
"What about on the set of Dark Moon?"
"She was amazing. Her Hongo Mio is truly terrifying. You can feel the change in the air when she becomes Mio."
Kyoko blushed.
Rizuko decided they'd had enough of standard questions that kept the guests happy. As per agreed she clapped twice. This was the signal she was about to ask THE QUESTION.
"Now Tsuruga-san. As Japans most eligible bachelor, the women and men must know. Is there a special lady in your life?"
You could have heard a pin drop in the ensuing silence.
"Actually..."
The crowd drew a breath.
"Yes there is."
The crowd gasped and went wild. While there were a lot of boos and crying coming from the audience they were soon drowned out by the cheers.
"I think we all want, no, NEED to know! Who is she?!"
Kyoko raised her hand, playing along with the script Lory laid out.
"Yes Kyoko, do you know who it is?"
"I do."
Ren smirked.
"Who?"
"A long time co-star of his. She is known but only by certain groups of people and very few recognise her as her characters. She's been dubbed a chameleon."
"A chameleon?"
"I know. I can see why but its not always nice to be compared to a reptile. I think its more of a compliment that you can't pick me out of a crowd when I'm not in character and I can become any character I'm needed. It's a compliment to my acting skills I think."
Kyoko slapped a hand over her mouth, as scripted, as if she'd let some huge secret out.
Ren, Rizuko and Kyoko couldn't look at each other for fear of laughing.
"So... You're dating Tsuruga Ren?"
She flushed a perfect pink and nodded. Kyoko went into a daze, oblivious to the reaction of the crowd. Ren was recounting their story but Kyoko was only vaguely aware. She jumped when he clasped her hand and looked into Rens smiling face. Audience members were fanning fainted friends and that was just the backwash.
Kyoko got him full force and she was awestruck. She forgot how to talk, nearly forgot how to breathe. This was a whole new level and she was totally unprepared. The few remaining grudges were saved only by Setsu and Kuon shielding them.
Rizuko was asking her a question.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Then she bowed.
"So even after all this time it still affects you?"
"Hmm?"
"The smile?"
"Oh yes. It gets me every time. I don't think I'll ever become resistant to it."
"I hope you never do" Ren chuckled lowly.
The sound reverberated through the studio. They shivered but not in the bad way.
Rizuko smiled and sighed.
"You are very lucky."
"I am. Sometimes I don't know how I got so lucky."
Rizuko caught sight of the producer who was nearly having a fit. They were so over time, even if this was the biggest story in Japan right now.
"Well that's all the time we have! Join me again next time! Thanks for watching!"
Ren whisked Kyoko backstage and straight to the room that Jelly was in. She greeted them at the door with tears in her eyes.
"That was beautiful Ren!"
He sat Kyoko down and knelt in front of her.
"Are you alright?"
He held her face in his hands and was staring at her. She smiled at him and touched her forehead to his.
"That went better than I thought. They didn't hate me."
"I told you."
Jelly was packing up.
"Well Darling thought you looked adorable. He sent a copy to your parents Ren."
"He what?"
"Well he sent it for the purpose of showing Kuu-san how well his other 'son' is doing, her reaction, and well the whole piece starring his two adorable children."
"Mum and Dad will be ecstatic."
"Of course! I have a feeling we may be seeing Kuu soon."
Ren sighed.
"And I don't think there is a force on Earth that could stop Julie from coming."
Ren groaned.
Kyoko froze.
"Your mother will be coming?"
"It's very likely. Ten-san is right. Nothing will stop her now."
"Nononononono..."
She started shaking and crying.
"I can't. She'll hate me!"
(A/N. for the purposes of my story there was never reconcilliation between Saena and Kyoko. I hate Saena.)
Jelly looked astonished. Kyoko seemed terrified at the prospect of Hizuri Julie coming to Japan. She giggled and Ren sent her one of his demon lord glares.
She apologised.
"Come on Kyoko. I'll take you home," Ren said gently, pulling her to her feet.
Ren looked at Jelly on the way out.
"Ask the President."
The drive home was silent. Kyoko seemed to have slipped into a state of shock. He escorted her in and handed her off to Okami.
"Kyoko. I will see you tomorrow. I will talk to Ryu-san about your schedule, see if we can find some time so you can see Father."
Some light briefly appeared in her eyes, then died.
"Ryu-san is away tomorrow morning. I'll be making my own way to LME. I have already checked my schedule. You will already be on set when I leave. It is just for the morning. Ryu-san will meet me there. I'll take my bike."
Ren didn't like it but nodded. He'd been raced to location by Kyoko via bike. He had felt a little like a parcel but he knew how fast she could be.
He kissed her on the forehead, bowed goodnight to Taisho and Okami and left.
Okami took her to her room and laid her down. She handed her some sake.
"To help you sleep dear."
Kyoko took it numbly and threw it back in one go. Okami left the bottle. She gave Kyoko and hug and Kyoko burst into tears. Okami just sat there, holding her, until she fell asleep. She laid Kyoko back down and kissed her on the head.
"It'll be okay sweet child."
