The Heels' reunion in Guam

by Fwiiiiii

Contain spoilers from ch 209 and forward. This was a story about the Heels meeting in Guam but it has evolved into something bigger. This is about how Kyoko and Ren get help from the Heels, and other characters, to grow confident and mature in their feelings for each other. A lot of fluff, drama and, hopefully, Kyuu-ing. Slow with updates, but not giving up.

17. Chapter 17

Merry Christmas!

Love, from Sweden.

I'm so sorry for the long delay. I got pregnant and was extremely hormonal for about a year. And then I had a little one to take care of. I can't promise you when the next chapter appears as it is the new house boss that decide how much time I can spend on this. But the story still lives with me.

…..

Ren felt his heart jump around his ribcage like a scared rabbit. He felt frozen and didn't breathe until his body protested and bypassed his brain to pull some lifesaving air down his throat.

"Ren?" Kyoko asked worriedly and Ren blinked the dryness out of his eyes. The world came into focus and he felt himself smile.

"I'm sorry. I have never been called a fairy before." Ren laughed slightly and scratched the back of his head.

'It is a coincidence. She likes fairies…'

Kyoko's laugh stopped his thoughts and he turned to her again.

"It has been long, but I called you a fairy from the first moment I saw you, right?" Kyoko blushed beautifully and Ren's heart trembled.

"Wha…" Ren couldn't accept it. Kyoko must have felt his hesitation because she leaned in closer and spoke.

"You are Corn. My fairy prince." Kyoko said with full determination and Ren swallowed hard.

'How? When? Since when has she known? I mean… It can't have been before Guam right?'

'This will be fun. We kissed her then in case you had forgotten.' A small part of his brain chuckled his way and Ren seriously feared he would fry his brain and his pulse climbed again.

"How?" Ren choked out and Kyoko smiled.

"I think the thought was planted about when you had your acting test at the Dark Moon set." Kyoko said thoughtfully and Ren felt all blood leave his face.

'What!?'

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Kyoko could sense the turmoil inside Ren's body.

'You saw him kiss Corn, the stone, and you couldn't help but stare.' Natsu smirked in her mind.

'I subconsciously put the pieces together, however I couldn't accept them until recently.'

'And you told the President that you fell in love with him then.' Setsu said knowingly and both she and Natsu smirked Kyoko's way.

Kyoko felt a bit wronged but couldn't argue. She couldn't deny that realizing Ren might be Corn could have something to do with her helplessly succumbing to the feeling of love again.

Ren paled in front of her and Kyoko felt hesitation in her heart.

'Could it be that he didn't want me to know?'

"Since Dark Moon?" Ren huffed and Kyoko saw him clench his jaw.

"I wasn't certain." Kyoko tried to explain. "It wasn't until I learned that your name was Kuon that I accepted the truth completely." Ren inhaled deeply and Kyoko bit her lip.

Ren stared at her for a while and then laughed out in a defeated chuckle.

"Since Dark Moon." He chuckled and Kyoko frowned. Something was wrong with him.

"Is it a bad thing that I know?" Kyoko almost whispered and clenched her hands in her lap. Ren laughed even louder but it sounded strange.

"Bad." Ren only said but it didn't sound like an answer, more like a question. "I tried hard to not spoil your childhood memories, but it appears that it all was for naught." Ren chuckled again and glanced towards the wall with the door and projector. He didn't look at her and he pulled his leg up to rest his elbow against his knee. His hand found his neck and he scratched it slowly.

"My memories are not spoilt!" Kyoko exploded and crawled closer to him. She gripped his free hand and Ren tensed slightly. "I was really happy when I realized that you and Corn was the same person. It was like if I suddenly had my two…" Kyoko choked up on her words before she could utter them.

'Were you about to say that you were happy to fall in love with two men that you cherished?' Setsu guessed and Kyoko swallowed loudly.

'It doesn't matter if he knows… He won't hate me.' Kyoko forced herself to believe her thought and exhaled slowly.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ren asked and Kyoko bit her lip for a moment before she answered.

"Why didn't you tell me? You had the opportunity that time when I dropped Corn down the stairs." Kyoko asked to gain time.

She knew that their relationship was strained as best back then. Ren had no interest in her whatsoever. Why would he tell her? However, she felt like it would be bad to tell him her own reason.

"I didn't want to sullen your memories." Ren said again and Kyoko saw him twitch an uncomfortable smile.

"There is no way." Kyoko said and pulled his hand slightly to get his attention. "How can you spoil a cake by adding more toppings?" Ren lifted an eyebrow at her and the smile turned a bit more heartfelt.

"Then, why did you let me kiss you in Guam?" Ren asked and there was some reserve in his voice. Kyoko felt her face heat up and a warm feeling started to boil in her gut.

"That…" Kyoko swallowed loudly and glanced down on her folded hands.

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'Why did you even ask? You know that whatever her intention was, it will not be something you like." That small part of his brain asked when Ren caught Kyoko stumbling over her words and began to blush red like a beet.

"That…" Kyoko started again and Ren turned to her. As she was looking down on her hands it was easy to glance on her face. Ren tried to decipher her emotions but they shifted too fast for him to grasp.

"It was more of a subconscious feeling then but even if it was you, I wanted to help you." Kyoko almost whispered and Ren sighed.

'It could have been worse.' He admitted and glanced up in the ceiling instead. The small lights seemed to twinkle slowly.

"Even if you wanted to help, I went too far." Ren said to no one in particular. He only wanted to make himself feel worse. "I'm no better than Fuwa Sho." Ren frowned when he realized that the words were real. He had forced a kiss on her lips in the same way Fuwa had done on Valentine's day.

"No way! That was not the same!" Kyoko almost shouted his way and Ren jumped as he got startled. "Fuwa was only doing it to make me angry. I don't know why you did it, but I didn't dislike it!" Kyoko sought his gaze but he stubbornly stared towards the twinkling stars.

'She didn't dislike it.' Ren echoed in his mind and the hope from earlier fluttered happily in his chest. He didn't turn his face but kept it away from her. He had hope in his chest but if he saw her face and it somehow was a face that he could confuse with love, he knew that he would scare the girl away.

It was a safety precaution.

"It's good you didn't dislike it." Ren said and pulled a deep breath.

"It was my first kiss…" Kyoko whispered again and Ren could hear the smile in her voice. It hit him like lightning. He snapped up into a straight seating again. Memories flooded his mind.

'She said she wanted it to be her first kiss. Did she mean the one she gave me or the one I took?'

"The one you gave me. When you smiled and promised to see me again. I want to remember that one as my first kiss."

Ren wondered if she had read his mind. The whole thing had exhausted him, the time wasn't even 9 am and he was spent. The quick shift from hope to devastation and back again was taking its toll on him. He closed his eyes and fell back on the floor. Kyoko made a surprised yelp beside him and he could feel her scooting closer.

"Ren?" She asked worriedly and Ren cracked an exhausted smile her way. She seemed a bit stunned when she stared at his face. Her face turned even redder and she crumbled to his side. Déjà vu struck him from Guam when they had been in the same position. The air around them seemed heated from her blush and Ren felt the warmth spread through his body. She was close enough to let her breath tickle his shoulder and he closed his eyes to enjoy it.

'There are no more secrets left. She knows everything and still stays by my side.'

'Well, there is still the whole "I love you" – thing.' That annoying part of his brain commented but Ren choose to ignore it.

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Kyoko felt like she had been in a dream when she walked down the street in Setsuka's clothes. She wore the clothes and displayed the face of the confident sister but her mind was boiling.

'I told him that I liked kissing him, Ren.' Kyoko gasped inside her head.

'And you told him that you knew his secret.' Natsu said smirking and Setsu couldn't help but lift the corner of her lip in real life.

Kyoko pulled a steadying breath and focused on walking with more power.

'He got strange.' Kyoko thought and Ren's sad laugh echoed inside her head.

Kyoko moved faster and as she descended into the land of thoughts her feet led her towards LME.

She was supposed to meet Kanae for a long-awaited brunch together before the second Love Me member had to leave for an overnight shooting in Hokkaido.

Kyoko had planned to arrive earlier that morning but she had been out of sorts since Ren's strange behavior.

Kyoko walked with confidence inside the glass doors and no longer noticed the strange looks she received from the people she walked past.

"That's Setsuka Heel!" Someone suddenly called and Kyoko's mind snapped into place.

'What?' Kyoko lifted her head and saw several people stare at her with open mouths. Confusion rocked her brain but she managed to keep her face schooled.

"It's really her! What is she doing at LME?"

"Do you think she is here to sign a contract?"

Several excited voices had begun to discuss her and as no one kept their voices down, she heard them clearly.

'What is this? How do they know me?' Kyoko stood still in the middle of the lobby without moving.

'The demon commercial must have posted your name.' Natsu provided and Kyoko remembered the commercial and the large billboards she had seen on the movie the night before.

'I have only been famous for a day and people recognize me?' Kyoko thought but then realized that the people that had been talking worked in showbiz. It was their job to know these things and recognize talents.

It would have been strange if no one recognized her.

More and more people gathered in the lobby and all were looking at her. Kyoko would have melted into a puddle if she had been the one in charge but Setsu ignored everything around her.

Setsu unlocked the frozen knees and walked with confidence towards an elevator that would take her to the room Muse had prepared for her.

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Kotonami Kanae couldn't help the complex expression on her face as she crossed her arms and shifted her weight to her other leg. The reason for her expression was the billboard in front of her. Kanae had glanced on the pictures all day until she caught sight of this one. She hadn't realized what pulled her attention until that last picture. She had gotten some hints from Kyoko during their lunch. The first love me member had seemed distracted and her face sometimes changed into one Kanae hadn't seen on the girl before. She remembered that she found it familiar and as she faced the billboard again she knew why.

'That is Kyoko.' Kanae said to herself and frowned. 'That means that the devil is Tsuruga Ren.' Kanae snorted in irritation and glared daggers towards the picture. She felt conflicted. She knew this would mean the world to Kyoko's future, but she didn't like the expression on her friend's face.

'That's love.' Kanae thought and gritted her teeth. She snapped her head around and left the billboard behind. 'She will leave me behind this way.' Kanae felt her heart drop. She had always known that Kyoko was talented but she had regarded her friend as equally lost in the land of love as herself.

Kanae's bad mood traveled her whole day and she couldn't hide it from the snooping President.

"Kotonami-kun, have you seen something that disturbed you?" The man dressed in the military winter camouflage asked and made the young actor jump.

'How did he know?' Kanae thought but didn't ask. The ways of the President were unimaginable.

"Ahh could it be… Mogami-kun?" Lory asked with a grin and Kanae saw the silly happiness in the president's eyes. 'Of course, he would be able to decipher her smitten look.'

"She is about ready to graduate from the Love Me section." Lory said with a happy sigh and Kanae flinched. "As soon as she has finished the shooting of Kurosaki's drama she will debut." Lory peeked her way and Kotonami bit her lip slightly. "And so will you." He finished and then turned to leave.

His last words didn't register until some moments later and Kanae flipped her head his way. She saw his white suit turn the corner and she ran after him on shaking legs.

"Me? I will what?" She called towards him and Lory stopped mid-step.

"Debut!" Lory said with a smile. It made the young actor freeze and stare at him. She wanted to ask him why but also didn't want him to change his mind. Lory's smile turned wider and he walked towards her again.

"I'm not particular of what kind of love you have learned to feel. Kyoko found romantic love again, but you found the love of friendship." Lory said with a wink and Kanae blushed slightly.

"President…" She stumbled over her words but couldn't stop the excited feeling in her chest.

"This will be a party like people never have seen before!" Lory called out and all the excitement in Kanae's body turned to dread.

'Oh no, what have we gotten ourselves into?'

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Kyoko blinked slowly, one eye at the time while she stared at the cellphone. She waited for some moments and then let go of a deep sigh.

She almost choked on the air when the phone suddenly lit up and a harmonious sound began to play. She quickly flipped the phone open and a smile already played on her lips when the call connected.

"God evening, Kyoko." Ren's voice greeted her and Kyoko felt like the world suddenly turned a shade brighter.

"Good evening, Ren." She smiled and the tiredness in her body dispersed for the moment.

"Ready for tomorrow?" Ren asked and Kyoko glanced towards the manuscript on the nightstand. She had handled it with the outermost care but the pages were curled and the paper had turned ruff.

"I'm ready." She smiled and climbed beneath the cover. "How do you think we should act tomorrow?"

"It's just a script-reading but we should go all out." Ren said with confidence and Kyoko giggled. She had guessed that to be his answer.

"I will wait for you at the door then." Kyoko said while fighting the blush.

"No, I rather shock them with our display during the script reading and not before." Ren said and Kyoko hummed. She would do it the way he wanted. Something felt strange about this project. She was excited but not nervous, and that was different.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow." Kyoko smiled and Ren paused for a moment. She could hear a slight chuckle travel through from the other end.

"So am I."

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Ren blinked awake when a distant bell chimed.

"Shyy Shyy." Kyoko's stressed voice sounded next to his ear and Ren couldn't help his wide smile. He glanced at the time and then stretched his whole length.

"Morning Kyoko." He said in a lazy tone and the girl's mumblings cut short on the other end.

"Good morning, Ren." Her embarrassed tone made his day. He could imagine that to be her tone the first time he convinced her to sleep beside him as a man and a woman.

Ren's smile turned a bit wicked.

"I'm late!" Kyoko squealed suddenly and Ren couldn't help his chuckle.

"I'll see you soon." Ren called and Kyoko said the same before she hurriedly ended their call.

She pulled a deep breath and then smiled more brightly than the sun.

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Ren had only seconds to spare to not break his never late record. The big room was filled with people when he arrived and his eyes immediately zoned in on the girl in pink coverall and chestnut hair. It was only good luck that he stumbled upon the director before he floated Kyoko's way. He gave his courteous greeting before finding his seat and only frowned slightly when he realized that they had placed the leading roles opposite each other instead of side by side.

Ren greeted the two actors on his sides and made small talk with them until someone called for their attention.

This wasn't his first script reading but a small pinprick of nervousness slipped into his heart. He turned his head to the director that had called for attention and a genuine smile spread on his lips.

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Kyoko glanced at Ren through the corner of her eye since he arrived at the reading. He hadn't acknowledged her yet and a feeling of unease spread through her body.

'Is he mad?' She almost trembled in her seat when the possibility dawned upon her.

'No, it doesn't seem like it.' Setsuka hummed when their antenna for danger didn't show any signs of awakening. She bit her lip slightly and peaked his way one more time before turning her attention to the director.

"You know what to do, dear people. The more feeling and character you bring to this now, the better it will turn out in the end." Kurosaki said with a smile. "That way we will be able to adjust to each other and make this, the masterpiece I know it will be." Kurosaki grinned and spread his arms.

"Now everyone introduce yourself and your character. Kyoko-san, please lead the way as one of our main actors." Kurosaki suddenly turned towards her and Kyoko felt her heart stop and restart. All eyes turned to her and so did Ren's. She knew she would have to speak to everyone and she had tried to prepare her heart. When she couldn't, she resorted to acting.

Ren sent her a small confident smile and the glimmer in his eyes made her pull a steadying breath and grip her papers. She called upon the character of the leading actress that would take the world through the screen.

"I'm Kyoko from LME. I'm portraying Mary Ann in this movie. Please take care of me during this project." Kyoko said with confidence and smiled brightly. Her whole demeanor had changed and the few questioning faces around the room was replaced with looks of interest. A jolt of surprise shook both Kurosaki and Ren when they saw the girl's manor.

It only lasted for a moment and then a wide smile spread on both their faces.

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Kyoko felt herself wrap into a cloud of happiness. She knew she would be able to do this project and half of her confidence came from the man in front of her. She carefully listened to her co-actors names when the other people introduced themselves and patted the script in front of her when she connected their faces with the characters. The wavy paper told of how many times she had read the printed words.

"Well then. I'm excited to meet your characters." Kurosaki said and gestured with his arms for the actors to begin.

A middle-aged man took the first note.

"This is the house I was talking about." He said with the sound of a seller. Kyoko felt a bolt of excitement hit her and she followed the conversation.

Ren's flawless English made many turn their heads towards him but they all accepted it as one of the actor's many talents. The scene changed and Kyoko closed her eyes and brought forward the part of her that represented Mary Ann.

"I know it will need some work but I'm sure you will love it!" Ren's voice called to her and Kyoko snapped her eyes opened. A smirk played on her lips.

"Does it have a complete roof?" She asked seriously and caught Ren's eyes with hers. She saw the small glimmer in his eyes when her tone of words registered to him.

"Tile roof. Younger than me." He said with confidence and Mary rolled her eyes.

"Windows?"

"All but one with glass." Ren countered.

"Running water?"

"It also changes from cold to almost warm." The grin grew wider on Ren's face and Mary smacked her lips in dislike.

"Is there anything that actually is new with the house?"

"It's owners!" Ren busted into a laugh and Kyoko dropped the manuscript onto the table and rubbed her face instead.

"I promised I would trust you with buying a house before I arrived but I didn't expect I would regret it even before seeing the building." Mary groaned and then let Ren trap her eyes. The script said that they would kiss then but two tables made it impossible. They stepped into their little bubble and people around them fell into their spell.

"You will love it." Ren said with the same confidence. "Almost as much as you love me."

"Not such a tall order at the moment." Kyoko said with Mary's mocking grin.

"Ouch." Ren faked a hurt expression and then broke the tension by pulling a deep breath and then turn the page in his manuscript. Kyoko blinked slowly like to reset her emotions again and then recalled the next scene.

"It's amazing!" Mary said in a blaming tone that poorly hid her amazement. "Like… Look at the size of the living room!"

"You like it?" Ren asked with a slight uncertainty slipping into his voice.

"I like this house more than you!" Mary said with the excitement taking over. Kyoko beamed in happiness and saw in front of her a beautiful castle with a beautiful lounge and comfortable chairs in front of a fireplace.

Ren snorted as an answer and smiled while he read the instructions on the script in front of him. Kyoko knew what they said. It was a lot of kissing and touching described that would have her to use those parts of Natsu and Setsuka that had no problem with pulling out her sexy affection.

"Me or the house?" Ren gasped suddenly and Mary licked her lips.

"About equal." She teased and Kyoko couldn't help a little blush at the actions that was described in the script. Nothing to graphic but it was pretty much her complete repertoire of Setsu's risky moves.

"How about now?"

"You are cute I guess." Mary triggered him with purpose and sported a smile while she breathed heavily.

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Ren had to fight the pictures that started to develop in his mind. The room slowly disappeared and soon there was only them. Kyoko had given Mary Ann life and he found himself molding his character around hers. He wanted to play with her and make her smile that sweet sexy smile that wasn't too far from Kyoko's real range of facial expressions.

It ended far too quickly for his like. Kurosaki's voice brought him out of the dream and into reality again. He couldn't help but feel a sense of loss when the room opened around him again. The only satisfaction was when he saw Kyoko looking equally lost as he felt himself.

Ren answered the questions that people asked him but he didn't remember what it was they had asked the next moment. The meeting came to an end and Ren followed Kyoko out the door.

"Mogami-san." He couldn't bear separating from her too soon and slowed his pace. He saw the faint blush on her cheeks and the heat seemed to travel into his chest.

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Kyoko didn't know if it was because it was her first character that didn't clash completely against her own interests, or if it was because she knew she was acting in love with the man she actually loved, but she had trouble letting Mary Ann out of her heart when the reading ended.

When Ren called out for her, she had to swallow the words that had been about to escape her mouth.

'I can't call him honey.' Kyoko blushed and thanked her lucky star that she had been able to stop the word in time.

"Tsuruga-senpai." Kyoko managed to choke out somewhat naturally. She lifted her gaze and saw the beautiful smile above her.

"Good work today." Ren said and held the door that would take them to the lobby.

"Thank you for your guidance." Kyoko smiled and bowed her head. She heard Ren chuckle above her and she sneaked a peak his way.

"I don't believe I did anything." Ren tilted his head slightly and Kyoko blushed slightly once again.

'I couldn't have done this without the feelings I have for you.'

'Please tell him that.' Natsu's smirk filled her head. The bully was bored and wanted to stir the pot. Kyoko frowned slightly but quickly schooled her face when Ren caught up with her after letting her through the door.

"What are you doing today?" Ren continued and Kyoko thought for a moment.

"I have an afternoon shooting of Box'R and then an early evening. I might help out at the Duramaya." Kyoko said and Ren nodded with a slight frown on his lips. Kyoko felt like he had wanted to ask her something and conflicting emotions began to trash around in her brain.

She probably should try to keep away from Ren until her emotions had recovered from the reading but her heart also wanted to spend more time with him. She still hadn't decided when they reached the elevator that would take them to the garage where Yashiro waited for them.

She returned the question to stall for time.

"I have a few meetings at the office and then an early evening show. I should get off about half past eight." Ren said and Kyoko's heart decided for her.

"That is early for you, senpai. Do you have any plans for the evening?" She asked as they stepped out of the elevator and got some privacy again.

"I was about to ask you to join me for dinner but I wouldn't want to keep you from anything." Ren smiled and Kyoko shook her head.

"Taisho and Okami-san always get worried when I help at the diner. They want me to spend my time with my friends I think." Kyoko gave him an opening and Ren didn't hesitate.

"Then, would you like to join me later?"

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Ren couldn't believe how easy he had become. Just because she had found an excuse for them to see each other again soon, his heart had picked up its pace and his gut was doing some kind of intricate dance with his liver and spleen.

"I could bring dinner." Kyoko said with a pointed look his way.

"I don´t want you to spend the evening in the kitchen." Ren said smilingly.

"I will bring something light then." Kyoko compromised with him as they reached their car.

"Have you finished?" Yashiro asked as he stepped out to open the backseat door.

"We floored them with our display of love." Ren smirked and dived into the car before Kyoko could react to his words.

"Ren!" Kyoko called after him when Yashiro blushed and began to squeal.

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Ren's mind wasn't in any of their meetings that afternoon. He was thankful for Yashiro that seemed to pick up on his mood and basically held the meetings on his own.

'She has gotten really good at creating a role.' Ren thought and recalled several of her expressions and tones from the script reading.

'She has no problem portraying Mary Ann at all.'

'Well, isn't that strange?' The Cain part of him mumbled and Ren had to stop himself from frowning. 'How is she able to portray a woman in love that convincingly?'

Ren realized that the English actor was right.

'Does she use the feelings she had for Fuwa Sho?' A thick cloud shrouded his heart and Ren felt that he was holding his breath.

'Of course not. I said a Woman in love, not a child. She wouldn't be able to show that sexy smirk or those hungry eyes if it wasn't a grown-up love.' Cain's voice snorted his way and Ren forced himself to take a breath.

'Then...' Ren didn't dare forming the thought through as he felt it would be disastrous for his mind. Yashiro took care of the meetings but he needed to nod when he was due and smile when it was required. The thought wasn't formed however it still slowly festered in his mind and heart.

He scared Yashiro in a different way when the manager drove him home for his early evening with Kyoko.

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Kyoko struggled with the bags when she tried to open the door to the lobby. The doorman recognized her from her time as a substitute manager and hurried to help her.

"Good evening, Miss." He greeted while he held the door so she could pass. Kyoko bowed the best she could.

"Good evening."

"You are going to apartment 1201 right?" He asked as he led her to the elevator. He pressed the button and the elevator doors opened immediately.

"Yes. I here to make sure he eats." She said with a smile and the man nodded.

"I'm sure he will appreciate a beautiful girl cooking him a meal. The attendant seemed a bit tired when he arrived a few minutes ago." He said and Kyoko was caught between a blush and a frown.

'Did something happen at work? Ren shouldn't feel tired this early.' She thought but only thanked the doorman for his compliment and stepped inside to let the elevator take her upwards.

A slight feeling of unease began to tremble in her heart when she stepped out on Ren's floor. It wasn't her antenna for anger that began to tremble but all the grudges emerged and soaked in the darkness that seemed to fill the hallway.

'Despair! Taste that sweet despair!' The grudges chanted in union and Kyoko slowed her steps.

The frown deepened for a moment and then she hurried her steps and rang the doorbell.

She waited a minute and then another. She knew he was inside but no one answered the door.

She paced on her place before she decided to try the code for the door that she had learned when the feverish Ren couldn't see the pad well enough to type it in himself.

She felt some guilt from trespassing but her feeling of worry won out in the end.

The door clicked and let her in and she used her feet to maneuver the door to close behind her.

"Ren?" She called out when she was met with the completely dark apartment. She listened for any movement and the distant sound of the shower told her of Ren's location. Kyoko exhaled and smiled. The air in the apartment was horrible but she knew where he was and why he hadn't answered the door. She kicked off her shoes and pulled the bags into the kitchen. She lit every lamp she moved past and the heavy air lessened somewhat.

She didn't know how long Tsuruga Ren showered for but she figured she had some time to prepare the food and the apartment before he was done.

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Ren let the water flow over his head in a steady stream. The water filled his ears and the white noise felt soothing for his mind. The thoughts that he didn't want to think had been gnawing in the back of his head all afternoon and he needed a break.

For half an hour did he manage to channel out everything from his mind and he felt a little bit better.

Ren flinched suddenly when one thought made it through the haze.

"Kyoko." She was on her way to him and he shouldn't linger in the shower in case she arrived. Ren turned off the water and climbed out. He dried himself quickly and jumped into comfortable clothes before realizing that something was strange. He didn't remember putting out clothes for himself and he was pretty sure he hadn't brought a towel.

The mystery thickened when he opened the door and a delicious smell filled the flat. Realization began to dawn on him and he hurriedly tied the straps on his pants and dragged his hands through his hair to flatten it somewhat.

He stepped out barefoot and headed for the living room. He passed several scented candles that was lit in the hallway and his confusion reached a new high.

He stepped out into the living room and saw two plates placed on the table by the sofa. A dozen additional candles were lit around the room and set a cozy mood. He saw a bunch of DVDs on the floor beside the sofa and he walked up to it to try to figure out what happened around him. He saw that every label was from a different genre and everyone had a sticker where the word rental was printed.

He couldn't figure out what was happening but he was pretty sure of the culprit.

"Kyoko?" He called out and an educated guess made him turn and head for the kitchen.

"Ren!" Kyoko answered and confirmed that his guess was right. He took some last strides and peeked inside his own kitchen. A smile couldn't help but sprout when he found her.

Kyoko was cluttering around in his kitchen, putting together a handful of small dishes by the sight of it.

"What are you doing?" He couldn't help but ask when the girl in the apron put some finishing touches on something hidden by the kitchen counter.

"I hope you forgive me for entering your apartment by myself." Kyoko said and Ren stopped to stare at her. She used the casual way of talking and Ren couldn't help but feel ridiculously happy. He had no idea why she suddenly talked to him in that way but he was not stupid enough to point it out as he feared she would stop.

"I don't mind. Treat this as your own home." Ren said to her in the same way of speaking and he grinned when she first looked devastated but then swallowed her complain and instead blushed slightly. It felt like an earth slide victory. "But can I ask what you are doing?" He asked again and Kyoko pulled off her apron and walked up to the table and gestured towards it.

"I hope you forgive me for my selfish request but I wanted to do something I never had before!" She said and her eyes began to glimmer with a passionate fire. Ren gently nodded to encourage her to let him in on the request. Something seemed to stop her from speaking any further and she bent her head down and pulled at her shirt. Ren looked at her with confusion until he noticed that it actually wasn't her shirt but his. She almost drowned in his big t-shirt and sleeping pants. Ren had to pinch his own leg to not reach out for her adoring figure.

The clothes however gave him some clue. They were both dressed in sleeping wear and she had made a lot of healthy snacks and even rented movies. He began to put the pieces together.

"You want a slumber party?" He guessed and Kyoko made a little jump at that. He watched as her face turn red and then when she nodded. He caught her mumbling something and he leaned in closer.

"Never been to a slumber party before. And I wanted to have one with my childhood friend." He caught her words and she glanced up at him.

Ren didn't know how he managed to keep his arms to himself when the cutie-honey herself begged him for understanding with her eyes. She was so cute his heart ached painfully.

"Kyoko you don't have to ask for something like that. I love spending time with you and a slumber party is a perfect way to do so." Ren said and gave her his best smile.

The blank face that met him made him think of blue screen again.

He patiently waited for her systems to reboot while he continued to pinch his own leg painfully.

"I'm not asking for too much?"

"You can even ask for more." Ren assured and Kyoko began to smile brightly. It felt like the room turned several shades brighter and he saw flowers. There was no pinch in the world that would be able to stop him when that smile hit him. He reached out for her and pulled her closer. He enveloped her in his arms and squeezed. He marveled about how well she fit in his and embrace and how entrancing her smell was. Ren was in pure bliss for some precious seconds.

He realized his mistake only moments later but then it was too late. Ren feared that he had broken the happy mood that had replaced his despair with his reckless action but suddenly, Kyoko's arms lifted and hugged him back.

.

.

.

Kyoko had planned for a light evening snack and had bought several things depending on what Ren would want. She had spent ten minutes to prepare when she glanced towards the bathroom.

She had told herself over and over again that it was okay to check him up as the mood in the hallway had been so poor. She also excused herself with wanting to confirm that he hadn't slipped and hit his head again.

She was a bit confused when she opened the door to the bathroom and realized it was dark inside.

'Is he showering in the dark?' Kyoko wondered and peeked inside. The clear glass wall didn't hide anything and she saw her Senpai stand in the stream with closed eyes. She watched him for a minute before she was certain that something was very wrong.

'I have to do something.'

'We don't even know what it is all about.' Setsu sighed loudly inside her head.

'Ask him then.' Mary Ann rolled her eyes at their stupid behavior. 'He is my husband. He has to tell me if I ask.'

'I know you are new to this. But there is no way Kyoko will be able to ask him. Unless they against all odds decide to play truth or dare.' Setsu said mockingly towards the newcomer and Mary Ann hummed.

'Well do that then. Play truth or dare.'

'Is she stupid or what?' Natsu snickered Setsu's way while she gave Mary Ann a pitying gaze.

Kyoko shook her head to silence the many voices inside. She however had gotten some help from their bickering.

'Truth or dare. It's like a slumber party. I never been to one but I heard my schoolmates talk about them.' The thought quickly spun out of control and Kyoko suddenly rushed to finish everything, hoping that Ren would forgive her selfish action.

She put his clothes and a towel inside the bathroom and then took an own set. Her own skirt and blouse didn't actually yell relaxed the way she wanted so she borrowed clothes from Ren. She realized she missed a few vital things to throw a slumber party and she rushed with all her hidden power to the market that was connected with Ren's building. She didn't dare look at the prices but only gathered a few things and rushed back to Ren's apartment. She could still hear the shower and she quickly changed and began to light the candles she had bought. She put the rental DVDs by the sofa and stepped back to evaluate her progress.

She blushed brightly when she saw the cozy light in the living room and then rushed back to the kitchen to pull the last things together.

She heard the shower turn off and got a minute warning before Ren joined her.

'What if he doesn't want to? What if he regrets calling us friends?'

'Stop that. Kuon is your oldest friend remember? The fairy prince. Would Kuon ever deny you this?' Setsu said and Kyoko felt the other two give their support to that statement.

'How about you use casual speaking?' Mary Ann suggested. 'It will set the mood and you actually used to talk to Kuon like that when you were younger right? Men like feeling nostalgic. And if he does return to speak casual with you, you will know that he sees you at least as a friend.'

Kyoko felt her heart hammer hard in her chest by the thought of Ren speaking casual to her. However, she soon realized that the new persona in her head was right. 'You are right. He is also Corn. And I speak casually with Corn.'

"Kyoko?" She could hear the questions in his voice and she wiped her hands on the towel.

Ren didn't mind her slumber party idea. He even switched to casual language with her. Tears almost welled up her eyes when she realized how well he treated her. She wanted to express it someway but didn't know how. It didn't help that Ren's superpowered heavenly smile short circuited her brain.

"I love spending time with you." Those words weakened her defenses and she had to force them back up to not start imagine that they meant something more.

It was hard to stop the thoughts when Ren pulled her inside his arms and held her tight.

'Why is he hugging me?' Kyoko thought for a moment.

'Maybe Nii-san decided to come out?' Setsu asked hopefully but pouted the next moment as the air was too soft for Cain Heel.

'It's probably only a thank you hug. He realized I wanted to make him feel better.'

'Well he is American. And he knows you know it.' Setsu sighed. Natsu and Mary Ann shook their heads Kyoko's way. They both felt that this wasn't a simple hug.

Kyoko felt their protest but ignored it. Setsu's words were a lot easier to handle. She lifted her arms to return the hug. She felt a slight tension in Ren when she did but it disappeared quickly. She smiled and then laughed softly. Ren turned his head towards her.

"What?" He asked but he smiled too.

"I have to remind myself that you are American." Kyoko smiled but stopped when Ren smile turned a bit stiff.

"I'm sorry, Kyoko. I feel very relaxed with you and aren't as careful as I should be."

"D-don't worry. I might still get surprised, but I don't mind it." Kyoko hurried to reassure him against her better judgement. The sash from the "Personal-space-protection-party" wailed in complaint from the corner of her mind. The smile returned in full force and Kyoko felt like it turned a bit hard to breathe.

"Is there anything else that needs to be prepared?" Ren asked and loosened his grip of her and nodded towards the kitchen.

"Oh. No, I think everything is ready." Kyoko smiled and mirrored his movements. They were still in a loose hug and waited for the other to make a move. Ren dropped one of his arms but let one still rest on her back.

"Tell me what to do." He said and Kyoko pointed at some plates.

"Would you carry them to the table? I will get the drinks." Kyoko said and Ren nodded. They lingered one second but then moved to gather their treats.

When everything had been brought inside the candlelit room they sat down on the rug on either side of the table.

Kyoko opened the night by asking Ren about his day and he then returned the question.

The air was easy around them and they nibbled on some carrot sticks while they talked.

"Should we put on a movie?" Kyoko asked after a while and Ren glanced at the titles.

"Not yet." He smiled but Kyoko noticed that it wasn't completely real. Some darkness surfaced in his eyes. "Let's play some games."

Kyoko's heart jumped in her chest.

"Then how about truth or dare?" She asked when Ren didn't give a suggestion himself. She could see his head snap her way. He seemed to fight his facial expressions until they settled as inviting.

"Sure. How about you ask me first?" Ren said and Kyoko nodded.

"Truth or dare?"

"Dare." Ren picked without hesitation. Kyoko called for a mental meeting with everyone in her brain.

'Something not too hard at first.' Mary Ann decided and Natsu's smirk turned into a sigh.

'Why? We can ask him to do anything!'

'Well we have to work our way there. It's no use if he calls off the game too early.' Natsu couldn't complain against that reason and shut up.

'How about…' Setsu smirked as she laid out her plan to the others.

"Call Yashiro and compliment him until he quit the call." Kyoko said and Ren looked completely taken by her request. He however obviously accepted the challenge as he opened his phone and put it on the table between them. It had already connected the call and Yashiro's voice left the speakers.

"Ren. What's wrong?" He sounded rushed and Ren glanced at Kyoko before he smiled and turned to the phone.

"Must there be something wrong for a charge to call his competent manager?" He asked with a silky-smooth voice that made Kyoko shiver. There was a moments silence on the other end.

"Are you drunk?" Kyoko almost burst out laughing at that.

"I'm sober. I just realized that I haven't told you how much I appreciate you." Ren continued and Kyoko covered her mouth in case the continuation would make her laugh. "You never complain. Your vigor brings joy to my workplace. Your dedication leaves me in awe." Kyoko felt her face heat up from the blush. She felt embarrassed and could only imagine what Yashiro felt as Ren's voice left no doubt that he was speaking the truth.

"Yashiro, I want to tell you how mu…"

"I don't know what has gotten into you but I will hang up now and we will speak tomorrow." Yashiro said all businesslike and then hanged up the phone without waiting for an answer.

"That was quick." Ren said and Kyoko burst out in a laugh. Ren joined happily for a while and then turned to her. "Truth or dare."

"Dare." She said and Ren immediately looked a bit wicked.

"Act me for 5 minutes." Ren said smirking and Kyoko blinked slowly.

"Act you?" She asked and Ren tilted his head in question.

"What? Can't do it?" The challenge in his voice hit her hard and Kyoko's fighting spirit began to burn strongly. She lifted her hand in the air and closed her eyes.

'Kuon, Ren and Corn. Their essence. His essence, come to me.' She clenched her hand and brought it to her chest. She opened her eyes and easily slipped into Ren's teasing smile.

"Of course I can do it." Kyoko said and her eyes burned with hidden flames.

.

.

.

Ren watched as she lifted her hand and grasped the air.

'What is she doing?' He wondered but at the same time saw her determination. She brought the hand to her chest and when they touched her face changed.

A shiver ran down his spine when she opened her eyes and grinned towards him.

"Of course I can do it." She said politely in a way that was acutely familiar. He had seen the same expression and way of tone in the mirror when he practiced his character for Ren. However, her eyes were lit with Kuon's flame.

"I have observed you." Kyoko said and her smile turned a bit wicked. "I have observed you closely." Ren's eyes widen when the flame turned scorching hot in her eyes and his gut twisted in delight. He swallowed slowly in a try to gather himself. 'Is this the way she sees me?' He wondered.

'If this is anywhere close to the original. How can't she realize my emotions for her?' It was evident to him. That fire couldn't mean anything else. He stared at her while the vexing emotions began to shift.

'So how is she able to imitate my emotions?' The darkness in his heart that he had been able to suppress since he got out of the shower began to slip out again.

His head lowered as he fought to reign control over his emotions.

'Someone has broken her def…' His thoughts came to a stop when he felt a hand on his head. The warmth felt soothing and the gentle touch halted the darkness in its path. He lifted his eyes to Kyoko and found her with her face in her hand, smiling towards him with a gentle warmth. She was still in the act and Ren couldn't' help but stare.

"Don't let the darkness eat your happiness." She said with a calm and confidence that threw his mind of course. He only stared into those beautiful eyes and felt for a moment that her words were the only truth he needed. It lasted for some moments until his mind caught up again. His brows twitched in a frown.

'She is only acti…' Once again was his thoughts disrupted by her actions. That's because her hand slipped from his head to his chin and she lifted it as she leaned forward. Ren stared in surprise when she moved so close that their lips almost touched. In the last moment did she tilt her head to the side and placed her kiss on his cheek rather on his lips.

.

.

.

Kyoko enjoyed playing Ren. She used the actions he had done to her and she giggled in her mind.

'What will he think about being treated by himself?'

She was completely sure she could deliver a convincing acting. There wasn't anyone in her life she had observed as closely as Ren. She said her lines and watched his expressions. He didn't react like she thought. Instead of laughing and teasing her, the darkness returned and his face fell. She almost burst out and asked for forgiveness but the situation reminded her of Tragic Marker. His lost expression pushed her buttons and she gave herself even more to the act.

The pat on his head was a reenactment of what she imagined he had done to Manaka. She hoped she would be able to distract him but his eyes still looked lost when he lifted them to hers.

"Don't let the darkness eat your happiness." The line was delivered from the bottom of her heart through the act. His eyes cleared up for a moment before slipping again.

'What can I do to distract him?'

'Well remember what Ren did to distract you from your thoughts about Shotaro?' Natsu said while acting innocent. Kyoko knew of what she hinted and found no reason to not act it out. She couldn't help to inhale his scent when she moved close to him and then linger the kiss only for a moment longer than Ren had kissed her. When she returned to her seat she dared to let her act go and met him as herself.

Her antenna for danger and darkness was completely quiet and she realized why when she saw his shocked expression. She had never seen him like that before and she quickly clenched her jaw to not laugh out.

She must have let some sound escape anyhow because Ren's eyes snapped into focus and he turned to her with suspicion on his brow. Kyoko swallowed loudly but the act still lingered in her body. Ren the gentleman could clench the laugh in his chest and she schooled her face carefully.

Ren's eyes narrowed before he huffed a short laugh.

"Wow. You HAVE observed me closely." He mused as he stroked his cheek gently. Kyoko let the spirit leave her and a burning blush climbed her cheeks. She made herself smaller in case his mood would turn to anger. Her stance seemed to make him laugh again and she allowed herself to relax when her antenna stayed slumbering.

"It's your turn to ask." Ren said with a gentle smile.

"Oh." Kyoko pulled her hands from her lap to the table. A smile couldn't help to sprout on her lips.

'He approved of my acting!'

"Truth or dare?" She asked and Ren took longer to think before he answered.

"Dare." He said again and Kyoko felt a pinpoint of disappointment before she realigned her thoughts on the task ahead.

'Any ideas?'

'Something to do with acting.' Mary Ann quickly said with her fighting spirit out in full force.

'Ohh! I know!' Natsu smirked and she laid out her proposal. The personas in Kyoko's head reacted very different towards the suggested act. Setsu felt pity both for Kyoko and the man that used to play her brother, Mary Ann squealed with mischief burning her lovesick heart and Kyoko felt mostly confusion. She couldn't figure out why the suggestion would make them feel that strongly but as she couldn't come up with a plan herself, she decided to use it.

"Act as a cat for 5 minutes!" She dared him with confidence and fire in her voice.

'Acting something that isn't even human! Even the mighty Tsuruga Ren might struggle with this one!' Kyoko felt more confident with her request for every moment until she felt the absolute glee from Natsu and realized there was something she had missed. The suspicion only grew when she saw the slight blush on Ren's face.

'Wha..?' Her thoughts got interrupted by the sudden appearance of the emperor of the night. She forced herself not to bolt up out of her seat when she felt that heavy glance move the molten liquid in her stomach.

"As you wish." Ren smirked and Kyoko felt herself holding her breath. She had no idea what to expect when Ren moved backwards.

Ren stayed on his knees and suddenly stretched his arms in front of him along the floor. His body turned more fluid than Kyoko ever thought possible when he arched his back in a perfect imitation of a cat. The movement was almost sensual and Kyoko inhaled sharply as the color deepened in her face. Ren got up on his four and turned towards her slowly.

"Meww." A soft sound filled the room and Kyoko was brought out of her frozen state to turn her head from side to side in search for the origin. "Meww." Another call made her snap her head towards Ren and she realized he had moved closer during her confusion. Ren made the sound again and her mouth fell open when she saw that he was the one to produce the impossible sound. She had thought the sound to high pitched to have been him but he proved her wrong. That was when she noticed how close he actually was. She froze again as Ren pushed his face to her shoulder and closed his eyes in content. Kyoko began stammering in chock as he rubbed his head more eagerly against her arm and then clavicle. She suddenly felt his breath against her neck and she squealed slightly as her heart tried to set a new record for beats per minute.

"Ren." She managed to say and he mewed back at her.

'This is even better than I hoped for.' Natsu chuckled inside her mind.

'He's sooo cute!' Mary Ann sighed and she pushed Kyoko to do something other than stay frozen.

Ren had moved from her shoulder to her hand by nudging her elbow until she lifted it. He moved forward and Kyoko couldn't help the squeal from slipping her lips again when he stretched out in her lap. He rested his whole weight on her legs and she was trapped. Ren turned away from her and Kyoko saw before her mind a black cat that feigned disinterest.

Her hand half lifted in the air suddenly tingled and she saw Ren glance at it quickly before he began to clench and unclench his hands into the rug.

'He… he wants me to pet him?' Kyoko realized and she swallowed before she lowered her hand into his hair.

Ren immediately pressed into her palm and pulled his hands under his head and laid it down on her legs to rest.

Encouraged, Kyoko pet his still damp hair and a smile began to paint her lips.

'Well, act with him for real!' Mary Ann eager her on and Kyoko gained confidence. She shifted hand to pet his head with one and his back with the other. Ren made a small sound of satisfaction and Kyoko's smile bloomed into a soft gentle curve of her lips.

She altered between patting his hair to drag her nails gently over his scalp and she felt Ren relax even further.

Completely smitten by the adoring way he acted she let loose. Her left hand tended to his head while the right one moved to his chin. She scratched him gently and felt the stubble against her fingertips. She then moved it to his back again and continued to scratch gently over the broad shoulders.

They stayed like that for far longer than five minutes but neither wanted it to stop.

Kyoko felt Ren's hair dry beneath her fingers as she moved over his head and it was the only tell of how long they had stayed in that position. The hand stroking his back felt his breaths turn slower and Kyoko stilled her movements.

'Had he fallen asleep?' She wondered and leaned a bit forward in an attempt to catch a glimpse of his face.

She was met with beautiful eyes and a sly smile. Like that, the spell was broken and Ren moved in her lap. He stretched again and then sat up beside her with a wide grin.

"Thank you for taking such good care of this lonely cat." Ren smirked and Kyoko felt the blush that had stilled during their pet flare back up on her face.

"Oh. Sure." She averted her gaze as she tried to convince her heart to stop racing. She saw him rise beside her and sit back down across the table. Ren leisurely picked up another carrot stick and nibbled on it while she collected her mind again.

'Natsu! I'm never listening to you again!' Kyoko whimpered in her mind and Natsu snickered in delight.

'Don't even try to convince me that you didn't like it.' The girl hummed and Kyoko wanted to deny but she couldn't do it convincingly. Ren as a cat had been lethally sexy, but also so incredibly cute.

"Your turn." She managed to say and lifted her gaze a bit.

"Truth or dare?" Ren asked and Kyoko hesitated.

'I can't act now with my heart pounding.' She concluded and folded her hands in her knee.

"Truth." She said and in a moment, the air in the room turned dark. Kyoko's antenna vibrated to life and moved towards the source of the despair. Chocked, Kyoko snapped her gaze up to see Ren's face twist in pain. He hesitated for a moment but soon clenched his jaw in determination and stood up. Kyoko couldn't help but flinch when he suddenly moved but he didn't do anything but walk to his jacket and retrieve something.

Confusion and fear fueled her heart as he returned to his seat.

"Ren?" Kyoko asked in confusion but he simply held up a square piece of paper and she saw some pain on his face when he looked at it. He suddenly put it upside down on the table and pushed it towards her.

"Tell me…" Ren seemed to fight with the words. "what happened in this photo?" He finished and returned his hands to rest in his lap.

Kyoko turned to the paper and felt like it would jump up and bite her. Whatever was on the other side turned her Senpai into a vessel of darkness and it scared her. However, it also was a clue to his mood and Kyoko felt determination fill her for a moment and she reached out and flipped the photo.

She gasped when she saw what was on it and the darkness thickened around her until it got hard to breathe.

The photo was taken in the dark and showed two people that was acutely familiar to her. Kyoko felt the anger bubble up in her gut as she recognized the singer. The photo brought back a memory that she had suppressed and anger filled her very soul.

"That damn cockroach!" She gritted out and slammed her hand a bit harder into the table than she had indented. She gripped the photo and brought it to her eyes to force the memory closer to the surface.

.

.

.

Ren couldn't suppress the darkness at all when he realized that he had to ask her a question. There was only two things he needed to know and he retrieved the photo that had burned a hole in his pocket for a few days.

He could see the fear in her eyes mirror his own when he asked his question. Ren felt a pang of guilt when he noticed she was afraid of him rather than the photo but it soon got drowned out by the crippling fear.

He almost regretted it when she turned the photo over.

There was a moment of suspension and then he jumped high when she suddenly yelled out in anger.

"That damn cockroach!"

'Angry? She is angry?' Ren felt his heart twitch in the small ray of hope that passed by. His shoulders dropped and he could only wait for her to speak again as he didn't trust his voice or words at the moment. Kyoko lifted the photo to her eyes and he could see the emotions boil on her face.

"I had forgotten he did that! I will find him and roast him over an open flame for three days and three nights to atone for this!" Kyoko had gotten to her feet and clenched a fist and threw it into the sky to emphasize her words.

The darkness in Ren's heart stilled for the moment as he watched the furious beauty in front of him. He had seen her express many emotions during their days but anger was rare and he couldn't help but admire what the emotions did to her demeanor. She glowed and was filled with power. Ren found himself drink her in with his eyes for the moments she raged. Kyoko stomped with her foot and Ren's spell was broken in the best way. He felt relief and happiness again and he chuckled at her adorable gesture.

Kyoko froze when the sound traveled to her and she slowly turned to look at him in confusion. He could see her mind work as she seemed to remember where she was.

"Ohh I'm sorry Ren." Kyoko got back down on the floor and put the picture back on the table. Ren wanted to laugh when he saw the twitch of disgust on her face when she glanced on it again.

"What was the question again?" She asked obviously relieved when the air between them returned to its cozy state.

"Never mind." Ren laughed again and reached out to put the picture away.

"No let me answer! It's the rules of the game!" Kyoko said quickly and Ren smiled towards her. He saw her determination and he sighed before nodding.

"I wanted to know what happened in this photo." Ren repeated and Kyoko nodded.

"Oh. Yes. Humm." Kyoko frowned and Ren felt the giddiness leave him but the air stayed positive. He waited patiently.

"It was the night my Mother was on TV." Kyoko said slowly and Ren glanced at the timestamp on the photo.

'I knew that. It was taken only minutes before she met me.'

"Shotaro know about my mother and came to… I don't know what for." The anger began to color her voice again. "He wanted me to talk about it I guess, but he was the last person on earth I wanted to speak to then. Then he kissed me! I have no idea how that pea-brain of his works but he wanted me to be angry at him or something! Like who does that?!" Kyoko was back up on her feet and began to pace back and forward. Ren felt the smile return to his face. "He kissed me without consent because he can't comfort me like a normal person. Because he is a pea-brained cockroach that needs to be roasted over a fire for three days and three nights!" Kyoko shook her fist again in anger and Ren's smile turned warmer.

"Then you found me." He said and he could see how she deflated and how the blush climbed her cheeks again.

"Yes." Kyoko nodded and returned to her seat. The silence filled the room while they both thought back to their meeting that evening. They both smiled after a while and Ren took the picture and threw it away behind him with a smooth flick of his wrist.

"Thank you for telling me." He smiled and Kyoko fidgeted in front of him.

"Do you want to ask anything?" He guessed and she quickly nodded.

"Where did you…" She gestured behind him and Ren smirked.

"The President of course. He stopped the photographer from publishing it and asked me if I knew anything about you having a boyfriend." Ren twisted the story a bit to assure himself and he got the reward immediately when Kyoko's chin dropped in devastation.

"I don't have a boyfriend! And I rather commit hara-kiri five times over before have that pea-brained cockroach as a boyfriend!" Ren felt his heart leap at her words.

'No boyfriend.' He sang in his mind and the darkness in his heart was repressed further. 'Noone has captured her yet. No man had taught her grown-up love. She probably only took her feelings from before and used them as reference. I overreacted for nothing.' Ren chuckled at his own haywire brain. The was only one question left to still his heart completely.

"Noone that has captured your heart yet?" Ren asked her lightly to confirm his thoughts and felt his heart stop when she froze.

'Wait. What?'

"I-its my turn to ask now right?" Kyoko obviously stalled him and Ren could only stare. He could see that Kyoko didn't want to answer the question but her refusal was proof in itself.

"You have someone you like?" Ren asked again and even if he tried to sound light on his tone, he knew the darkness was slipping through the cracks again.

.

.

Kyoko wanted to die of shame. She was an actor but she couldn't even deflect the question that she had suspected would appear from the moment she suggested the game.

She had thought she would ask that question and then have it thrown back at herself. However, he flipped the order and she failed. She hadn't gotten enough time to prepare. If her epic blunder wasn't enough, her antenna for danger and despair began to vibrate violently.

"I-its my turn to ask now right?" She had to stall for time to be able to answer him. The spread of the darkness exploded and Kyoko felt herself shiver under its assault.

"You have someone you like?" Ren's voice cut her like an ice-cold sword. She folded her arms around her upper body in an attempt to hold the two pieces together.

'Help me!' She begged into her mind.

'Confess!' Mary-Ann said quickly as she hid from the snow and ice in their mind.

'I can't.'

'Then don't. Lie, if you believe you will get away with it.' Natsu offered and Kyoko immediately knew she wouldn't be able to lie. She couldn't tell the truth or lie.

'Then say the truth but don't say it is him?' Setsu offered a middle ground and Kyoko felt a spark of hope. She peaked her senpais way and saw his burning eyes aimed at her.

"Yes." Kyoko whispered but Ren obviously heard as he flinched visibly.

"Yes?" He repeated weakly and Kyoko nodded quickly as she didn't dare say the word again. She glanced at him and saw the fire die and the temperature of the room seemed to drop a few degrees.

Kyoko didn't say anything for a long time as she saw Ren turn his gaze away to something on the bare wall to their side. He frowned and Kyoko quickly lowered her gaze down to her hands. A myriad of thoughts called for her attention but she ignored them. This wasn't the time to get lost in her own head. She would have to act on a moments notice to protect her secret.

She didn't fear him finding out her emotions per say anymore. But she didn't want the evening to end too soon and she didn't want her emotions to be their topic. She organized this slumber party for him and would not spend their evening talking about her. She would end this quickly and then move on. Striving to reach the comfortable mood that they had shared only minutes earlier.

.

.

.

"Yes." The word bounced around his aching heart and bruised brain forever before he could process it.

'Yes… She DOES love someone.' Ren forced the revelation to burn into his cells. He had wanted to know and now he did. Ren lifted his eyes towards her and saw the girl tremble in front of him. Her eyebrows were knitted and he saw her bite her lip so hard he wouldn't have been surprised if they drew blood.

'Okay. Now I know.' Ren pulled a deep breath and rolled his shoulders to force them to relax. 'I know now. I already suspected it. What kind of man am I to scare the girl I love to this extent only because I can't handle my jealousy?'

'Be happy! She has found love again. She is able to love again. Don't you want her to be happy?' Ren clenched his hand until his fingernails dug into his palm. The feeling of pain seemed to collect him and determination began to burn in his empty heart again.

'I want her to be happy. There is no way I can contribute to her happiness in this state. I have to…'

Something in the room changedand Ren caught Kyoko's shoulders tense up as she recognized it. She patted her head suddenly and then glanced around from side to side only to land her eyes on him. Ren felt himself smile as his heart twisted with pain.

"I should have realized after the audition. Your emotions were too convincing." Ren tilted his head and smiled again. It didn't even feel faked.

Kyoko relaxed and dropped her hand from her head and she looked like she tried to process his words. A slight frown passed her forehead before she bit her lip again and a blush climbed her cheeks.

The pain in Ren's chest almost robbed him from his air as the cute girl in front of him looked like she started to glow from within.

'I have been so blind.' Ren gasped silently as he recognized the expression. He had seen it before. 'I didn't want to realize it. I have been in denial for too long.' Ren couldn't help the sad laugh that slipped his lips. He immediately tried to make it more neutral.

He dared another glance at her and met her eyes head on.

"We seem to have moved on to another slumber party activity." Ren heard himself act unbothered.

'Fake it until you make it.'

"Oh?" Kyoko tilted her head and he read her confusion.

"Talk about each other's love interest." He chuckled and the actions became more fluent. Kyoko opened her mouth like to protest but stopped herself.

"Or do you want to continue playing?" Ren asked and realized at the same time that he couldn't handle more revelations for the evening. "I have a lot of embarrassing dares to try if you want." He grinned and effectively put the final nail to the idea. He saw her shy away from the suggestion and he knew he had won.

"No this is fine. Talking." Kyoko said and nodded like to set herself on a new track. "Then it's your turn to answer, Ren." Ren knew the words out her mouth before she said them and he cursed himself for walking into his own trap. "Who is your special someone?"

'...'

Not the words he had expected at all.

"Why do you think that I have someone special to me?" He said with a fake smirk to hide his surprise and wanted to exhale in relief. Teasing was good, teasing was safe.

"Because you were able to return as Katsuki." Kyoko deadpanned and Ren flinched before he could stop himself.

"You knew about my problem displaying love?" He gasped.

.

.

Kyoko was ready. As soon as the despair and anger suddenly disappeared and Ren began to tease her, she was ready. She had the full help of the characters in her head and she desperately wanted to steer the conversation away from her own emotions.

"It wasn't that hard to figure out. With the love-crazed President taken such interest in the whole acting test. I knew love was somehow a topic. And that was the first scene with real love."

She saw Ren nod his head and glance her way for a moment.

"I see." He seemed to ponder over something for a moment and then the smirk grew wider on his lips.

"Well I have several special 'someones' in my life." Ren said and Kyoko bit back the reflexed 'playboy' on her tongue. She knew he only loved one girl, the high school girl. This was teasing and she had to brace for what he would say.

"Really?" She humored him and the mischievous glint in his eyes began to burn again.

"Yes. Of course my parents that puts up with my unreasonable requests. Yashiro for making my work easy and sustainable. The President for giving me a chance. And of course, you." Ren said and Kyoko felt herself stop breathing. However, his expecting face made her able to steel herself again.

"Not that kind of special. I asked who you love!" Kyoko attempted to steer the conversation to the obvious heartbreak that waited her before she read too much in his earlier words.

"But I love you all." Ren pouted and Kyoko couldn't fight the blush that burned her cheeks. She turned her eyes away and missed the soft smile on his face before he turned back to the tease. "I told you in Guam if you don't remember." He said and Kyoko flipped his way so quickly that she felt her neck protest.

"That was Kuon!"

"And as I am Kuon. I do love you, Kyoko." Ren said and the smile turned a bit too serious for her heart to take and she crumbled to the floor.

'That play..'

"I'm not a playboy." Ren guessed her thoughts and Kyoko flinched just enough to give her away.

"You mean a lot to me. You are very dear to me." Ren's voice was heavy with emotions and Kyoko stayed on the floor to still her emotions. It took some time but finally she could straighten her back and meet his gaze again. His smile was soft and a bit sad. She didn't know why but if it was because she hasn't returned his affection, she could fix it.

"Y-you.. you are v-very dear to me too, Ren." She managed to mumble out and lifted her gaze to meet his eyes quickly. The raw emotions in his eyes made her feel like he saw into her soul and it made her face burn bright red again.

"Reeeeeeeen." She whined and saw his confusion of her reaction.

"What is it, Kyoko?" The use of her name only made it worse. She bit back the complaint about that he should only look at his girlfriend like that.

"Noone has ever said that to me before. I don't know what to do." She said and saw Ren straighten in his seat.

"No one?" He sounded doubting and Kyoko shook her head.

"Then I'm glad that I got to say it first, and second." Ren said with a heavy sigh that made her still her fidgeting hands. She didn't know how to continue. The air was calm once again and she found courage in it. It was time to change the topic back on track.

"You are avoiding my question." She said and Ren's eyes lost the glow that had burned inside them for a while.

"Well. I'm also curious of your special someone." Ren said and Kyoko's face flamed up again.

"It's not fair if only I have to talk about that."

"Well then. How about we both answer? Everything we ask, we have to answer too?" Ren seemed very eager to hear about himself, even if he didn't know it was him. However, it was a fair deal.

"Sure." Kyoko picked a cucumber stick and nibbled on the end to keep her mind focused.

"Then tell me, do I know this person that has caught your interest? You know mine." Ren said and Kyoko tried to not let her brain process the information too much. She would be able to do that later.

"Yes, you know them." Kyoko said and looked down on her hands.

"Oh." A slight vibration in the air made her lift her face but Ren's face didn't show anything out of the ordinary. He gestured towards her and Kyoko fidgeted with her hand again.

"How did you meet?" She asked and Ren waited for her to answer first. "I met them at LME." Kyoko remembered their first horrible meeting. She now knew that it wasn't their true first meeting. But she had fallen in love with Ren before she knew he was Corn and she met Ren at LME for the first time.

"I met them in a forest." Ren said and Kyoko frowned. There were very few actresses her age that she knew would spend time in a forest. Especially Morizumi, that looked like she would cry if she saw even a bug.

'Let's include all the girls my age I know to not miss anyone.' She thought before moving on with her thoughts. The forest was still strange, she knew that apart from Tragic marker, none of Ren's movies starred in a forest. She had watched everything he ever been casted in so she should know.

"What made them break your defenses?" Ren asked suddenly and cut her thinking short. She waited for him and Ren scratched his neck.

"They brought back the memory of the joy of acting. They were very hardworking, failing but never giving up. I fell quickly for that fire in their heart." Kyoko tried to not cry when he spoke. She somehow managed but she didn't know how. It pained her deeply hearing him talk about the high school girl with such affection.

"Their kindness. They never stopped encourage me and helped me with all kinds of unreasonable requests. The more I saw them, everything they did convinced me that my heart would be safe with them. When I saw their own imperfections and insecurities, I knew I lost." Kyoko tasted the vibrating emotions from Ren. They felt a bit citric and dark but not enough to mirror his earlier darkness.

"Do they know how you feel about them? Mine does not." Ren asked, throwing away Kyoko's time to think.

Kyoko recalled his question and then shook her head.

"No. Does they have feelings for you?" Kyoko whispered and Ren put his arms on the table while folding them.

"It doesn't seem like it." Ren exhaled sadly and frowned. "You?"

Kyoko couldn't help but laugh. It was ridiculous. Her love was in front of her, making hot eyes about some other girl. It was the easiest question but also the most painful.

"There is no way. He loves another." She said dejectedly and the strange vibration disappeared immediately. They both stayed quiet for a long time, too caught up in their thoughts.

'Ren loves the girl he met in the forest. She doesn't know about his feelings. She doesn't love him yet.. is sounds more and more unlikely that it would be Morizumi. But that doesn't change the fact that there is another girl out there.. and what kind of girl would not fall for Tsuruga Ren? It's only a matter of time…' A choked sound threatened to slip her lips but she swallowed it down. Her eyes burned from denying them the tears that wanted to fall.

.

.

.

'I'm horrible!' Ren clenched his hand and stared at where his nails bit into his palm. 'How can I feel relieved that she had a one-sided love? How can I feel happy about her despair? I'm horrible.'

"Why.." Ren peeked her way when he heard her speak. "Why don't you tell them how you feel?" Kyoko asked with a slight tremble in her voice.

Her face was turned down and he saw that she was fidgeting with her hands. The thorn in his chest burned even more painful the more he looked at her.

"Why don't you?" He asked and he saw her shoulders rise and fall.

"He loves someone else. I'm too selfish to risk our relationship for something impossible." Her voice was shaky and he didn't want anything else but to pull her to his frame and hold her until everything was well again.

'Well that's what friends do right?' A small voice in his head said and Ren got up on his feet. She didn't make any sign that she noticed him getting up. He sat down behind her and wrapped his arms around her tight. He expected her to tens up but she relaxed at first touch and molded herself to fit his frame. He held her tighter until they had to breathe in sync to make it work.

He didn't know when he began to stroke her hair or humm deep in his chest as he was too occupied with holding back the words "Choose me instead!".

.

.

They sat in silence for a while as Kyoko's shakings subsided and finally stilled. She couldn't help but smile when she realized he held her with firm arms, like to keep her together. She was fine again and remembered that he hadn't answered her question.

"Why." She began, licking her lips to separate them enough to speak. "Why don't you tell them?"

"Why indeed." Ren said and sighed. "I'm not good enough for her." He said and she felt him sigh against her head. However, his words made her angry.

"Not good enough for her?" She repeated with poorly hidden anger.

She felt Ren loosen his grip of her and she glanced up at him. "If you are not good enough for someone, then no one is!" She said with firm resolution. No expression passed Ren's face as he kept their gaze locked.

"Why wouldn't you be good enough?" Kyoko was too stunned about how blind he was that she couldn't filter her mouth. "You are talented beyond anyone your age. You are kind and generous. Generous with your time, care and knowledge. You would treat her like a princess. Spoil her every day and always protect her from sadness. How... how can you say you are not good enough for her?!" Kyoko had turned his way and sat on her shins.

Ren slowly blinked her way as she turned completely and gripped his face like to try to make him focus.

"Thank you." He finally said and the smile turned blinding. Kyoko forced her mind to cling to reason when it hit her and she managed just barely.

The smile lasted for some moments before it dimmed down to a sad turn of his face. "But you know my history. You know what I d.."

"Yes, I know. And it only makes you even more amazing. You were able to change the path you were treading and you succeeded in changing your fate. You weren't able to save your friend, and you know you would have if you were able to!" Kyoko stroked his cheek with her thumb to accent her words. "But even after that tragedy, you moved forward. You are strong." Kyoko said and she saw Ren drink her words.

"You make me sound amazing." He said after some time. The words still held some reservation.

"You are." Kyoko said, more sure of this than anything else in her life.

"Then why haven't you fallen for me then?" Ren asked with a soft smile. Kyoko felt her inner freeze and how the words threaten to spill her lips.

"If I haven't already it's only a matter of time." Kyoko heard herself say. Mary Ann and Natsu apparently felt that they could answer in a safe way and hijacked her mouth. Kyoko proofread everything and it barely made the cut past her lips. She didn't regret it as she saw what it did to the man in front of her. Ren's face suddenly looked so much younger. Like if he was witnessing a wonder. She let the next words through without censuring. "We are working together soon in Kurosaki's production. And if your reputation of a cowork-killer is anything to go by, I'm helpless." Kyoko smiled and exhaled shakingly.

Ren smiled wide and leaned into her hand.

"I will look forward to that time." He said and closed his eyes while he laid his hand over hers that still rested on his cheek.

Kyoko looked on his relaxed face and saw something happen to it. The forehead relaxed and he pulled a deep breath that left his mouth soft and slightly curved into a smile.

'Kyoko.' Mary Ann called her attention. 'He is in love with you.'

'Of course, he is.' Natsu sighed. 'But try to convince her of that.'

Their conversation was blocked by Kyoko as she felt like her brain had began to melt just from his expression.

His smile slowly grew wider and Kyoko relaxed her hand and he guided it into her lap. A happy sigh left him and Kyoko smiled wider.

"What should we do now?" Ren asked and Kyoko glanced around.

"Movie or more games?" She asked and Ren tilted his head.

"You decide."

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…

Authors note:

No cliffhanger this time! I have learned my lesson and won't put you through it again.

I really like my slumber party. But as you can see… I'm not a huge fan over how sure Sensei's Kyoko is over Morizumi as Ren's love interest. I couldn't put it in here as I have made Kyoko too confident in Ren's character. She thrust him so much in this story that she wouldn't be able to accept such a flawed woman to catch his eye.

My son is the new boss at home and I can't promise you when the next chapter will arrive. Still, I have already written about 10 pages and I believe I will have time to finish it soon. Still, no promises about the timeframe.

I hope these 29 pages will bring some joy to your holiday! Love from Sweden.