You know those people who take photos with celebrities, and the gawk and point at them like they're the king of the universe? Well, that's how I feel with my beta reader: Runadaemon! If you like this chapter, thank her! Anyways, I will refrain from anymore mush…
Her whole body tingled, as if reluctantly awakening from a dream. She hadn't realized how warm he was until they pulled apart. Unconsciously flexing her fingers a bit in remembrance, the ghost of him lingered around her frame. The scent of him: car leather, liquor, stage make-up and something strangely "forest-y" hung and tickled her senses.
The loud repetitive buzz continued insistently on the television set, along with a scrolling line which repeated, "Please wait for emergency broadcast."
Kyoko took a quick glance at Ren, while he too waited for the emergency broadcast. Catching her gaze, he turned to look at her as well, his face turning back into a smile. Smiling in a way the princes in her fairy tales did; with enough warmth and love to win a princess.
Long ago, God created a box. A box with many locks. Every individual is given a sealed box from God, that only they themselves could open. This particular box looked plain at first glance, but once admired, shone of unexpected gold and radiant light. The box wasn't well cared for, but flourished in adversity and the promises of a magical, better life.
Unexpectedly, an evil blond demon caught the box's gatekeeper by surprise. Fluttering around and making trouble, he stole the key, unlatching all the locks in his evil fun. All the bolts fell with a clatter, and left the box unguarded.
Emerging from this box, unexpectedly free, were eyes. Eyes that were not accustomed to freedom, nor this new world. Caught by surprise, they peeked out in anticipation. The world the gatekeeper promised was one of beauty, fairness, magic, love.
What greeted the eyes was anything but those years of promises. Greed. Lust. Injustice. Enraged by the lies, the eyes became demons, imitating the first thing they saw; the demon who had let them out. Using their hatred, they flew out and prepared for war.
However, in the box hid one more. A pair of golden eyes that refused to look when she realized the box wasn't unlocked by the gatekeeper's own doing. Alone, without friends, she shivered in the tiny dark place, waiting for the correct moment. The moment when warmth would signal safety and give her freedom to spread her fairy wings to the true world their mother had promised them.
It was like a fire after an endless winter, sunshine after a lifetime of stormy skies. The warmth that suddenly wrapped around her, warmed the box as well.
Uncurling her little healed toes, sweeping her shimmery dress, and stretching her wings, she made her way to the edge of the box. Unlike the others, she didn't want to out craft the darkness, but simply soak in the sun she was promised.
Small hands caught the edge of the opening, and began to lift.
"This is a national weather alert. Repeat, this is a national weather alert."
The lid slammed shut. Both people returned their gaze to the anchorman.
"The region of Kanto, including the metropolis of Tokyo, is under a weather emergency. Large hail, freezing rain, and dropping temperatures are expected to increase during the night. The governor of Tokyo, Ishihara Shintaro has declared all public and private businesses to be officially shut down until nine am tomorrow morning."
Scenes of the current storm damage took up a quarter of the screen as he continued. "Down power lines, hazardous driving conditions, and life threatening sized hail has occurred and is expected to continue for the next three hours. We ask that you remain in a safe location, with proper supplies, in order to be prepared.
"We will now resume our original broadcast."
The silence barely lasted half a second, before Kyoko cracked. Running around the room, she clutched her cheeks in fear. "We have to get prepared, Tsugura-san! Do you have any extra blankets? Do we have enough food? I think I saw some candles in the storage cabinet. What are you going to do about your busy schedule?"
"Calm down Kyoko. Everything will be okay." The intimate moment was swept away as if it never existed as he watched her run around the room, pulling out drawers and piling supplies in the middle of the table. "Weather is always something people in the acting industry are prepared against. Yashiro has had to work with many studios to reschedule when outside circumstances interfere. Plus, I'm sure the storm won't be nearly as bad as they are predicting."
Winter storms, especially severe ice storms were rather rare, and it took all of her psyche to think about it. His disappointment was heavy, hoping that something would have changed after that dance. The triggered emotion, if she had had any, washed away.
"Still, what will we do if we run out of food! What about the Darumaya restaurant? I'll go run out and buy some food and supplies!" All of his assurances fell on deaf ears, as he noticed Kyoko was still in panic mode.
Grabbing her arm, Ren kept the flustered girl from running out into the dangerous storm.
"Kyoko, you're staying here tonight!" His voice was extra firm, obstinate, and unyielding. Her wriggling stopped immediately. "Everything is shut down. Everyone is inside and safe." His voice softened, worried about her lack of movement. "Just…stay with me, until the storm is over? I promise we'll go together tomorrow."
He was caught off guard by her large tearful eyes, turning around to meet him. He let her arm drop, but kept it in his grasp.
"But…What about the Darumaya? Moko-san?"
"I'm sure everyone is okay, Kyoko." Ren assured her calmly. "We'll watch the rest of the movie, then turn in and let the storm blow over, okay?" He slowly guided her back to the familiar table like a lost, docile child, and sat next to her to watch the remaining film.
Basically I wrote this story because, as wonderful as SB is…sometimes you can't help but want some real romance between Ren & Kyoko. I usually avoid writing the final moment Kyoko realizes Ren is in love with her because it's hard for me to visualize a good, plausible reaction from her. (Think Yashiro trying to imagine an overly happy Ren.) Sooo, I apologize if anyone seems OC. Tell me. I'm trying my very best to walk the line between love and being IC.