-Oxford - Wednesday: Part 20-
Keiji was sitting in one of the chairs watching Ren through the mirror's reflection. What he had come to understand in the short time together was that he had some sort of inner rage, but that his own manager didn't seem to notice this meant that today must have just been an off day. Likely set off by his mother he mentally sighed. 'At least he has good control over that anger of his...' his eyes narrowed slightly as he thought about it. Ren Tsuruga was a puzzle to Keiji, he was clearly capable, he had full control over his emotions both of those he could say came with being an actor. Yet from what he knew Ren Tsuruga didn't grow up in the showbiz world, from what he could tell Ren Tsuruga seemed to appear two years ago. That wasn't such a surprise to him either thought if he thought about it either. A lot of people in the showbiz world had stage names. 'Then again Lory created a whole life for Kyoko...' no that wasn't exactly true either, it had taken a powerful person in Japan, his father. It had taken a powerful person in the United Kingdom, the Royal family. 'I'm getting a headache due to him.' He sighed as he placed a hand on his head. He hated more that he was no closer to an answer all he could think of was that Ren Tsuruga was a stage name like when Kuu had once been known as Hozu Shuuhei.
"Are you alright Keiji?" Yashiro asked him, "Do you want me to get you something?"
Keiji shook his head as his phone went off, "No I'm fine, thank you." he said simply as he pulled his phone out and looked at it, "Looks like I'm done watching over you Ren-chan." His eyes looked up towards Ren who was straightening his coat jacket. "Lory is here, so you won't be able to ignore him any longer," he said simply as he put his phone in his pocket, he noted the annoyance that crossed Ren's face. "Yet I'll let him know you were a very good boy Ren-chan. I'm sure he will be happy to know that." he turned towards Yashiro bowing his head. "Thank you for letting me join you today Mr. Yashiro, I look forward to never working with either of you again," he said smirking as he looked up at Yashiro who was smiling.
"It was nice to have you with us for the day," Yashiro spoke bowing his own head. "It was nice to have a small break actually," he said simply as he looked back at him.
Keiji stared at him for a moment before shoving his hands in his pockets. "I don't envy you." he said looking towards Ren for a moment, "I'll likely see you later tonight." Ren gave a small nod of his head before Keiji walked out of the room.
Yashiro watched the young man leave but Ren didn't seem to care that he was gone. "So is he watching you later tonight as well?" he said looking back towards Ren who only smiled at him, Yashiro pushed up his glasses, "I mean Lory did request he watch you today, and you haven't exactly shared the reason behind that." Only that it had happened while he went for his walk.
Ren straight the collar of his shirt as he looked in the mirror, "I'm sure Lory was just amusing himself." he said simply.
"Right... and he's never done this before." Ren watched as Yashiro eyes widen, "Is this because you are taking Kyoko-san on a date?"
Ren smiled brightly at Yashiro, "It's not a real date, she's far to young to be dating. It's just a lesson that's all."
Yashiro stared at his charge for a moment, "What kind of lesson requires you to go on a date?" he asked not really believing in what Ren was saying but the man only smile more and he quickly looked away, "Nevermind forget that I asked." he said thankful that there was a knock on the door. "Come in." It was the makeup artist who was going to do final checks before Ren went out to take the pictures.
Kyoko couldn't believe she was actually going to try and make Lory, her father not to do anything. The idea of telling him the truth and him listening to her? No that wasn't likely possible in her mind. He would do something, what she wasn't sure but she only knew that he was going to attempt to protect her which would just ruin everything she was trying to do. Actually, it wouldn't just ruin it would make it far more dangerous for her if Heth had to hunt her down. She closed her eyes, images of the women he had killed flashing through her mind. It took everything out of her to not shudder at even the memory.
Looking up at the ceiling as she paced she thought of how upset Maria had been at her when she had told the younger girl that she was going to go on a date with Maria. 'So happy she can't kill with that look of hers' she thought to herself. Yet Maria had calmed down enough when she had explained to her that she wasn't attracted to Ren, that she still didn't care for him all that much. 'At least not the person that Maria and the rest of the world seemed to know' she shook her head. It just worked, she needed his skills and she hired him, well actually Amanda had hired him for the date but she hired him to assure that things went as she needed it. Still a date? She found herself panicking a bit and that was causing her to not focus.
'Maria is shopping for a dress with Laura and Amanda and Ruto...' she nodded her head, she didn't have to think about anything dealing with getting ready. Well short of hoping that they didn't spend too much money, yet with Maria and Ruto there she shouldn't be in anything too revealing. Kyoko's hand touched her stomach slightly, 'It wouldn't look good if it was...' Ruto knew how bad they were, he would assure that whatever they picked would keep those hidden, they had to stay hidden. Her eyes turned towards her father 'But not from him...' she looked down slightly.
Lory watched his daughter pace back and forth, it was clear she was trying to get her thoughts in order with the way she moved. He poured himself another glass of bourbon as he sat back down on the couch, he really needed it in the long run. Lory had a good idea what was really going on, he had not been mistaken it did deal with Heth. The fact that the police was protecting him, as long as they were doing that the Ankou would not touch him not unless they really had no other way. Yet right now from what he knew they had another way. It meant his daughter, the fact it wasn't even their idea but hers bothered him more than he wanted to admit. He felt helpless in protecting his little girl who didn't want to hide or be protected. Keiji like Amanda and David wanted him to listen to her, to not act until he knew her reasons for this. 'Won't change anything, she's out of that world now, she doesn't need to do this' he closed his eyes pushing out Keiji's words "She wants this Lory, no matter what you or I or anyone else says unless we willing to lock her up, she will do this." he frowned as he thought about that, 'Could I get away with that?' he thought opening his eyes to see that Kyoko was looking at him, chewing her lower lip. 'Guess it's time.' he thought as he took a drink from his glass.
"I kissed and used Tsuruga against his will!" Kyoko had spoken fast but he had heard her clearly.
He started to cough, that he had not been expecting her to state she had kissed him let alone used him against his will. He mentally cursed himself for choking on his bourbon which just seemed to burn. Slowly he looked up at her, she looked worried and she moved towards him rubbing his back. The truth of the matter everything he thought would be dealing with right now, that had not at all crossed his mind. 'No one told me either!' he couldn't believe no one gave him a warning. "Go on..." he said once he was sure he could speak.
Kyoko sat next to him, "Well, it's like what I said. I kissed him... without his permission." she said softly, "I did apologize." she narrowed her eyes as she thought about, "He really shouldn't let people use him and be alright with it."
Lory wanted to laugh but he kept his face neutral, 'Oh no one uses Kuon sweetie, not as true self or as Ren.' He smiled some, "I'll make sure to talk to him about that. Just what kind of kiss did you give him though?"
"By the mouth." she said softly turning red, "I know it was shameless but I needed to make sure that it looked real." she said quickly as she looked down at her hands before standing up and pacing again, "I didn't think to ask him, I should have asked him. It's not right no matter the reason for why I used him. I still used him, I abused his kindness and in a way I still am." she said looking up as she held herself tightly, "I'm not much better than those people, I might be worse actually..." she said shaking her head, she already gone through this with Ruto she didn't need to do it again. "It doesn't matter the reason it doesn't matter at all..." she said looking at her father, "The point is I did it."
"You should have asked, I will give you that but, that doesn't make you worse than them. Clearly, Ren doesn't mind, he clearly understands that what you are doing required it." he closed his eyes, "But now that you know he will help you, you will know to ask prior. Might be best if you keep it with him for the time being." he said opening his eyes, not that he was happy with that idea still no matter how he thought about it. Kuon not so much Ren was the best protection right now. Lory knew that he would protect his little girl, he's already proven that much. 'I'm still uncomfortable about this date, with just Kuon... even if Ruto is there in the background it just doesn't set well I need to do more' he already was thinking of a plan. 'Won't even need Ruto if I do this right' he thought to himself. "
"That's a problem, it's not like I'm his friend," she said shaking her head as she looked at her father. "Fact I can't say I even like the person he pretends to be," she said frowning as she thought about it. "I do see a part of him that I trust though..." she chewed her lower lip, "But it only appears when he's really mad... I mean really really mad."
Lory stared at her 'He really has been slipping his mask' he smiled some, "Does it scare you? That anger in him?" He watched as she slowly seemed to think about it before shaking her head.
"No, I think that's when he starts to show his true self. That's why I can trust him." she said looking at him but not really seeing her father at the moment as she spoke, "If I'm honest, if I never saw that, seen his true self in that elevator with Heth... I wouldn't trust him at all." she said her eyes slowly refocusing on her Father.
To say he was surprised by it was an understatement. 'She is an amazing girl, but that's not a surprise that she doesn't mind that sort of darkness in a person's soul. The Son of the White Shinigami... she sees the only goodness in him and he's a man dripping in darkness.' still, the fact she wasn't scared or bothered by Kuon at all had to me something. 'Perhaps she will help bring Kuon back to us.' Lory nodded his head, "Well as you know he's an actor and actors hide behind their masks in public. I'm sure he allows his mask down when he's with close friends." he said looking at her she chewed her lower lip he could tell she was thinking about it but in the end seemed to push it aside for a moment.
"There is something else Daddy..." she said looking at him. "It's not as bad as it looks. I promise... I've had worse." she said kneeling in front of him some as she looked at him carefully, "But you need to understand that I need you, Maria and Ruto to leave. I need you to make sure Tsuruga goes too. It won't help me if you are all here... if he feels that he will have to deal with anyone who may protect me he won't do it. I also just don't want Maria near this." She said looking down slightly before looking back up at him. "I don't want her to worry at all. It's important she keeps the illusion that I'm safe."
Lory gave a small nod of his head, this had been what he had been expecting first not her kissing Kuon on the cheek. Then again to her, that was likely a big deal. "Keiji told me, I can't say I will agree to your plans but I did promise to listen." Kyoko nodded her head before standing up and lifting up her dress up and over her head. The bruises on her back, her stomach, her sides. It made him sick inside he ran a hand over his mouth, he felt choked again as if he couldn't breath, "That's not that bad?" his eyes drew up towards her own as she replaced the dress before looking at him she nodded her head. "Kyoko sweetie, that has got to hurt..."
"I'm used to it, actually the girls back in my middle school were a lot worse." she said kneeling in front of him, "I've had broken ribs from them." she said softly, "He's at least not the type to break bones unless you make him mad... fact all he does is make you really sore if you don't fight it, if you don't make him mad. It's when you make him mad when you upset him that he gets really scary and cruel... so very cruel."
"Kyoko I don't like this..." he said taking her hands in his own.
"He will only hunt me down, if he has to take me by force it will be a lot worse for me and whoever is with me at that time." she said softly, "I need you to trust me on this. I need him to want to settle, to not make a case. We can't let him drop it either because if he drops it, then that means I'm prey I can't be prey. I can't..." she closed her eyes trying to keep herself calm, "I know what he does to his prey... his real prey. They don't come out alive Daddy. They don't make it." she opened her eyes looking at him, "It doesn't matter how much I shut myself down. I can't survive it if I become prey." she lowered her head. Lory pulled her into his arms and kissing her crown he was at a lost of what to do.
Lory rested his elbows on the table. The talk with his daughter made him more unsettled than he wanted to admit but for now, he told her he would think about it. He had not missed the fear in her face, the way she was trying to be brave at the moment, she was scared. 'It's what she wants though' that was the only thing that kept echoing in his mind 'What would Aunt Leiko say?' he didn't know. He would call her and ask her for her advice on this matter, he needed someone who had dealt with the darker side of things he supposed in the end. Lory had spent most of his life trying to make the world seem brighter than it really was for everyone. In hopes that love would overcome everything in this world. 'In a way she's doing this for the future of those other women, to get back for those women who had not made it out alive, that's a kind of love isn't it?' It didn't change the fact that he hadn't thought this sort of love would be the way to fix things but maybe that was where he went wrong.
Lory turned his eyes towards the young man in front of him. "How much do you know?"
Kuon had been watching the man since he sat down. He figured this would be the question but not right off back, he ran a hand through his hair as he leaned forward resting on his arms on his legs. "I know enough that this apparently is her plan." He sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "She was really hurt by her action. It wasn't a big deal." He wanted to say more like how she was able to hide her pain but he knew he wasn't supposed to know that so he kept that to himself at the moment. "I think David and Amanda's idea for this date is to help her really put her plans into place. I'm not against that."
Lory threw the contract he had, "I saw that the fact you even told her lawyer who you are, you signed with your real name on this one." he said tapping the contract, "Yet apparently not on hers." his eyes narrowed, "You do realize that they very well may want a copy of this right?"
Kuon smiled some, "That lawyer is pretty damn amazing, he thought of that. That's the real one but the other is just as real." he said looking down.
"Why would you risk it though?" he said leaning back in his chair.
"I just want to help her..." he said softly, "I don't know why. I just know that I will do whatever I can to help her." No the truth of the matter is he knew why. She was the girl from his childhood but he dare not say that to his Godfather. Kuon knew that even that wouldn't be enough of a reason either "Yet she wouldn't accept my help in another way." he said simply as he looked at Lory, "I don't plan to leave, Ren will, of course, be leaving..."
Lory shook his head, "No you will be leaving both of you and if I have to have your father take you back to Japan I will." he said simply "If you want to help her, do what she requests."
"And you?" there was a hint of anger in his voice but Lory was used to his real temper.
"I'm her father, and you are not even her friend." he said standing up as he turned his back to Kuon, "You are hired by her. She hired you as Ren but you signed it as Kuon." He mentally sighed as he straightens his shoulders, "You will not break that contract with my daughter. Do you understand me?" Kuon glared at him. "Do I need to bring your father in?" Kuon sighed.
"I understand. I'm not happy about it, but she can't be leave unprotected" he had seen those marks he knew what that man could do to her if allowed.
"What kind of father do you think I am?" he said turning to look at him, "Now I need you to get ready for your date with my daughter" he sighed "I never thought I would be saying that to you..." he muttered heavily. "I will make the arrangements and you will go where I tell you. It's for her protection do you understand?" Kuon sighed but agreed.
After Kuon left Lory sat down looking out towards the balcony window, he trusted his godson but it wasn't enough for him. No he wanted to make sure that this didn't backfire somehow, he grabbed his phone and texted Kuu: I need you to babysit our children. Take Juliena out for a wonderful night. I'll make sure arrangements are made, I'll give you the information here shortly. - Lory
He placed the phone down looking out the window, 'If there are true stars in the same place then it will be less likely that they draw as much attention, this is for the best, Just enough attention to attract Heth… like she wants.' he ran a hand through his hair. "Kyoko…" he said softly before closed his eyes "Why is this what you want to do? There are so many other things out there in this world can't you just stay on this side?" he knew that answer deep down, she wouldn't likely ever be able to stay on this side she been far trapped too long by that other side, by her mother, by the fears of a small child being abandoned, by her childhood friend who proved all those fears, and lastly by those men like Heth. It gave her the ability to do something he never been able to really do, 'Aunt Leiko will know what to do.' he said turning to his phone to call the elderly woman.