Kyoko vowed to never let Sebastian drive her anywhere again. He had no regard for speed limits or road safety. She was clutching the handle above the door as if her life depended on it (which, she thought, with his driving might very well be the case).

The president looked pensieve. He was tapping away on his phone, oblivious to Sebastians reckless driving. Kyoko was worried. She had never been unable to contact Ryu before, unless otherwise stated. She had no idea what had happened and her mind was starting to come up with various scenarios.

In the hospital the President seemed to know where he was going and within minutes they were in a room that contained a very fed up doctor and an increasingly pissed off Ryu.

"Itawa-san. I cannot release you!"

"I know that! I just want to make one phone call!"

"And as the nurse told you, without being checked over the answer is no!"

"It's important you idiot!"

"Ryu-san!" Kyoko admonished.
Ryu jumped as she noticed she had an audience.

"Be nice to the doctor."

Ryu looked incredibly relieved and instantly relaxed. The doctor checked her over and aside from a sprain and some bruises she was fine. The doctor left the room and Sebastian closed the door behind him. Kyoko carefully sat on the end of the bed and looked Ryu over.

"Itawa-san. What happened?" asked Lory.

She recounted how she had been heading for LME to collect Kyoko when she became suspicious of a car following her. She hadn't been able to see who was behind the wheel. She took some random turns to see if it was just coincidence but they had followed her. She had headed for LME so the security in the parking garage could help her out but before she could the other car had clipped her sending her into the concrete divider. She had knocked her head and her phone screen had broken.

"The ringing was annoying. Couldn't answer and couldn't see who it was. Then when I got here they wouldn't let me make a phone call so I could alert you to the situation."

"Sebastian"

"Yes sir." He vanished in that way that only he could.

"Are you okay Ryu-san?"
Kyoko looked at her with watery eyes.

Ryu smiled.
"Yes Kyoko. I'm fine."

She caught sight of the time.

"We have to go! We're going to be late!"

Lory chuckled.
"There is a LME car with a driver outside. However you do not need to worry. I called TBM before we left and they are going to call in a stand-in today."

"That is unacceptable!"

Lory was left staring at the spot they had just left. If it wasn't for Kyoko shouting an apology down the hallway for their rudeness of not saying goodbye, he'd have thought that they had pulled a Sebastian.

In the car speeding towards the studio, Kyoko asked Ryu for what felt like the 1000th time if she was okay.

"Yes Kyoko. You heard the doctor."

Ryu glanced out the back window. Earlier had been deliberate and she did not want a repeat. She hated hospitals and Kyoko was in the car. Ren would never forgive her.

"Ryu-san... What are you looking for?"

"Just nervous I guess. Car accidents will do that to you."

The driver pulled up to the studio and Ryu stuck to her side like glue. They greeted the producer who was ecstatic to see Kyoko as they hadn't been able to find a replacement at such short notice. He waved off apologies and told her to go get ready. Ryu was still tense and vigilant.

Only when they entered Kyokos dressing room did she relax. She sunk into a chair.

"Ryu-san!"

The sharp tone made her look up. A very agitated Kyoko stood in front of her, hands on hips, determined face on.

"You will stay here and rest. No work until I get back!"

Ryu just gaped at her.

"I mean it Ryu-san."

Kyoko was staring her down. Ryu was about to object when Kyokos face changed.

It was full of worry and fear.

"Please."

At that Ryu couldn't say no. She nodded. Kyoko rushed out the door with an order to Ryu to nap if she could.
She did.

She awoke a few hours later to a very relieved Kyoko who told her filming was over.

"Also Sebastian is outside. The President wishes to see us."

The office was once again drab.

"Kyoko-chan. If you would wait outside please."

She nodded and left the room.

Lory steepled his fingers and looked at Ryu.
"Begin."

Ryu recounted how she had been driving to LME when she noticed a blue car not far behind her. She pulled off two exits early and it had followed her. She had taken some random turns and still it followed though it seemed to be losing interest. She decided that LME was the place to go so security could help out. When she got back on course and it became apparent she was heading for LME the blue car had sped up and nudged her rear end forcing her into the divider. They had then sped off. Other drivers and people around who had seen something called the police. She had not seen the driver. Any leads there were would be with the police. Lory nodded and sent texts out to his contacts in the department. Lory studied her for a moment.

"I will have a new car delivered as soon as I can. I am glad you weren't hurt worse."

"I'm glad Kyoko wasn't with me. Imagine Ren's reaction..."

Lory looked concerned. Ryu asked,
"Do you think this was aimed at her?"

"Undetermined at the moment but it does seem coincidental that when you started heading here once again, was when they ran you off the road. I think we need to keep a closer eye on her and those around her."

"Agreed."

"Sebastian."

He appeared out of nowhere and opened the door for Kyoko.
Lory beamed.

"Kyoko-chan! Everything is sorted. Ryu is fine, a new car will be provided soon and the police are on this. You need not worry."

"But..."

Ryu chipped in.
"No buts Kyoko-chan. I am fine."

As if to prove her point she stood up and stretched tall.
"See. Fine."

"You must know Kyoko that your tea cermony has generated a lot of interest."

Both girls spun to look at him, completely thrown off by the abrupt change of subject.

"EH?!"

"It was offered as an example on the invitations. You've already generated bids... though I'm pretty sure at least 3 of them are Ren..."

Kyoko blushed. Ryu was worried.
"But Presi..."

"Don't worry. All the pre-bids have been screened. Everyone is who they say they are. How do you think I know that Ren bid? Now. Home both of you. Rest."

Sebastian escorted them downstairs and left them with an LME driver. When he returned to Lory's office, the man was pacing up and down his office, spinning plates.

He watched one crash to the floor.

"Someone has it out for our girl."