Chapter 3 – Revelations
Kanae was lucking enough to find Kyoko in the LoveMe room looking like a stone statue. She started to walk back out hoping she wasn't noticed but froze when she felt that suffocating darkness surround her. Kanae twisted around to run for her life, but there was no door! It was like the exit didn't exist anymore. She twisted her head towards Kyoko who was looking at her like she was the new world savior.
"Moko-san!" she cried as tears were threatening to fall from Kyoko's eyes. Kanae knew she was doomed. She walked over and sat down across from her best friend.
"What happened?" Kanae asked defeated. It was probably about Ren. What does she think he is angry at her for now? She watched Kyoko get on her knees in front of her as if she was praying. Looking down to her overly emotional best friend she waited for the news.
"The president wants me to date!" Kyoko announced in a wail. The words that came out of her mouth shocked Kanae. To date?
"Who? Why?" Kanae asked dumbfounded. Kyoko shook almost violently.
"For practice," Kyoko explained. "He said that all stars do publicity dating to help with their careers at one point in time, and that I..." Kyoko stopped when she noticed Kanae roll her eyes.
"That's what you are worried about? I've been doing that for months now!" Kanae yelled out upset that Kyoko was panicking over nothing. When she looked down at her friend again, Kyoko looked hurt.
"Why didn't you tell me you were dating someone?" Kyoko asked with a hurt mousy voice.
"Because I really don't care about him. We are dating to promote my new drama. Why would I introduce a guy I don't like to my best…," Kanae stopped in mid-sentence. Kyoko's face turned bright, so bright that it hurt, worse than looking into sun.
"Best what, Moko-san?" Kyoko urged. "You were going to say Best Friend, right, right?" Irritated at herself for almost letting that slip, Kanae stood up to get her hideous uniform on and away from her friend's over eagerness.
"Mo! I was not!" Kanae snapped but was happy that Kyoko's eyes dried up.
"It's not a big deal," Kanae stated going back to the previous conversation. She zipped up her LoveMe suit and stuffed her bag in her locker. "I don't want a real relationship with anyone so this works well. No real attachment to someone who is going to want more than I can give, and I even get to promote my drama. I will doing anything it takes to get what I want. If I have to pretend to make nice with some guy, then so be it." Kanae finished and then got an brilliant idea.
"Hey, maybe Tsuruga-san could date you. Then you don't have to worry about the type of guy you will date. You already know him and there won't be any false pretenses," she said jokingly. Grinning, Kanae turned and left the room to once again have Kyoko in a stunned state.
One Week Later...
Ren and Yashiro walked into LME for a completely useless reason. Ren knew what his manager was doing. It was impossible not to. It was 1:30 on a Friday afternoon, and they had a long lunch break, in which Yashiro just so happened to need something from the office.
As they walked towards the managers' offices, low and behold Kyoko comes walking down the aisle towards them. Ren didn't know how he did it. Perhaps that was his gift in exchange for his ability to hold electronics without breaking them, but Yashiro had the ability to run into exactly who he wanted when he wanted, much to Ren's annoyance and yet... delight. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful Kyoko looked in a white sleeveless dress with orange and pink flowers at the hem. She walked towards them expectantly and gave a gentle smile in greeting.
"Good afternoon Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san." Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Something was probably bothering her, and Ren hoped he would be able to help her.
"Good Afternoon, Mogami-san, what brings you here today?" Ren watched her eyes fill with confusion.
"We are going to lunch, correct?" She asked unsure. Her eyes flickered to Yashiro then back at Ren. "Yashiro-san asked me earlier today. Was I mistaken and the invitation was for another day?" Worry decorated her face as Ren fought not to hurt his manager. The least he could do was tell him of the plans so he doesn't look like an idiot.
He felt his practiced smile form on his face and replied smoothly, "Not at all, today is perfect. It must have slipped my mind, my apologies. Why don't we go to the Oriental Lounge?" He offered as they started to walk out towards his car.
Kyoko shook her head. "Oh no. That's too far, and I need to be back here by three! I was hoping for something closer so I may walk back in time."
"Mogami-san, I'm driving, and my next appointment is around the corner from here at three as a matter of fact. I can have you back without any issues," Ren informed her. Once again pleased that his manager had such handy -yet vexing- skills. As they reached his car, he turned to find her with a faint blush adorning her cheeks.
"Ok, thank you, Tsuruga-san," she spoke softly and opened the door to sit herself in the back seat. Ren was momentarily stunned, fighting the strongest urge to pull her into his arms. People always thought his face was lethal, but it was always her face that caused his heart to stop. As always, Yashiro offered her the front, but she adamantly refused. Ren hoped one day she would feel comfortable enough to take her place by his side in everything - including riding in his car.
"Kyoko-chan, why do you need to be back by three?" Yashiro asked always the first to break the silence. Ren really couldn't complain though. He was always able to learn new things about Kyoko albeit not always good things but new nevertheless. He glanced at her from the rear view mirror and noticed her discomfort.
"Well, I have a meeting with Sawara today," she replied to the floor mats. Ren noticed the turn off to the restaurant and pulled into the parking lot. He turned to find a parking spot as Yashiro pressed on.
"Oh? May I ask what about?" Ren rolled his eyes at how intrusive Yashiro was. Pulling into a spot, he looked back at Kyoko once again waiting. She was fighting something internally. Her eyes were tightly shut tight as she took a deep breath.
"IHAVETOSTARTDATINGSOMEONE," Kyoko blurted out incoherently. Both Ren and Yashiro twisted in their seats and stared at her.
DATING? Did I hear that right? Ren was frozen with so many thoughts running across his mind, he really couldn't make sense out of any of it. Shock, anger, fear, depression, and even a little hope were all fighting an internal battle inside of him. He wasn't sure what expression he was showing at the moment, so he turned back, facing the windshield instead of looking at Kyoko.
"I'm sorry, Kyoko-chan, did you say you are going to be dating someone?" Yashiro paused taking a small glance at Ren but continuing, "Why would you need to see Sawara for that?"
Kyoko seemed to have curled into herself as she answered, "President Takarada assigned me a LoveMe task to do publicity dating last week."
Ren's fist was clenched and turning white. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Everything made more sense now, the odd request from Lory last week and her hesitation to Yashiro's questions. Once I get my hands on that man… Ren thought angrily making Yashiro coughed. Ren's face turned for the worse and had to be snapped out of it before Kyoko dissipated into herself from fear of his anger.
"Why don't we continue this inside? I'm sure Kyoko-chan is hungry, and we do have a time limit," Yashiro said logically. He was the first to leave the car and opened the door for Kyoko allowing Ren time to sit in his seat and try to calm down. As soon as the back door shut, he was Tsuruga Ren again and left to join them.
It wasn't difficult for them to get a 4 seated table, a secluded one of course. Ren slipped into the seat with his back facing the restaurant, he was wearing his normal cap and plain clothes, a white shirt with a black button up and blue jeans. Kyoko slipped to the side on his right, and Yashiro sat straight across from him. The waiter delivered their water and menus and promised to come back in a few minutes.
Once they were alone and Kyoko was looking way too hard at the menu, Yashiro decided to pick up the conversation again.
"How did this happen?" Ren saw her look up from the menu she was trying to hide behind. She peeked over the menu to the two pairs of eyes awaiting her response.
"I accepted a new role that the president didn't approve of, so he thought that if I got out and started dating that it would help me I guess. Moko-san said it will be a good thing. That everyone does it, and it helps out a lot. They told me it was only going to be for a few months to help get my name out there more. That nothing I didn't want to happen would. It will be like playing another role," Kyoko explained trying to sound optimistic, but everyone could tell she was trying to convince them just as much as herself.
"At least, I don't have to play a bully while dating, right?" She tried to sound hopeful but was failing miserably.
They sat in silence as the waiter came by for their orders. Ren didn't want to believe that Lory did this to him, that it was even happening while he was still alive.
"What role did you take, Mogami-san?" Ren spoke up after the waiter left. He tried to make his voice as calm and cool as he could manage. It seemed to have worked; she didn't look at him in fear but instead faded into a further depression.
"Another bully role," she spoke to the table in a dreary voice. She didn't want to look at anyone as she yet again accepted a role that wasn't her ideal.
"Oh, that's not so bad. What is the drama called?" Yashiro spoke up hoping to find out something he can use to cheer her up.
"Well, actually it's a movie," she corrected. Ren and Yashiro smiled at the news.
"This is great, Kyoko-chan! Your first movie, this is your debut. You should be more excited. You will get so many offers after this. Your career will surely skyrocket! What is it called?" Yashiro was laying it thick trying to get Kyoko out of her mood. As Ren saw it, however, it didn't seem to be working.
"Embrace No Evil," she murmured. Ren was once again shocked, and Yashiro was actually speechless, which says a lot. Ren cleared his throat. She must be in a little part, but for the life of him he couldn't think of any other "bully" roles in that movie other than the main one.
"I'm sorry, Mogami-san. You say Embrace No Evil, correct? What part are you going to play?" Ren held his breath in vain. Kyoko twisted her face as if she was waiting for a blow.
"Oonishi Masami," she said softly.
"THAT is NOT a bully role, Kyoko!" Yashiro almost screamed his outburst. He coughed, leaned forward and yelled in a hush tone.
"That's the main role, the serial killer! Did you know that taking the job? How could you take that role? That character is sick, insane, cold, heartless, disturbed, disgusting, bloo…"
"I think she gets it, Yashiro-san," Ren interrupted. Kyoko was looking at her lap. The waiter came by and delivered their food. I don't think any of them were very hungry now.
"May I get you anything else?" The waiter asked politely, and Yashiro answered with a no.
"Mogami-san, are you sure you are ok with this role? I'm sure President Takarada can pull you out of the movie if you truly wanted to do something else. It doesn't start till Wednesday," Ren offered as he watched Kyoko shake her head.
"I will play her! I will not back out of a role I have already accepted. That would be unprofessional, and I cannot have that on my conscience." She looked so determined. His father was partially to blame for that not to mention himself. He sighed. Kyoko then looked up at him confused.
"How did you know the start date for the movie, Tsuruga-san?" Ren cursed himself for that. Well she is going to find out anyway, he thought ruefully.
"I play Satome Kyou, the detective that is tracking her case," he answered calmly and watched as Kyoko's eyes widen.
"So… so… so… You are going to... and…" Ren nodded making Kyoko nodded with him in understanding. They both looked down at their food not really wanting to say it. Silence filled the little lunch table as everyone absorbed everything that was revealed.
Ren tried to eat some of his lunch, but it didn't taste like anything. It is nice that we will be able to shoot the movie together. We will be able to see each other a lot more now; however, the roles we are playing are enemies. They will be worse enemies than they ever were in Dark Moon, because her new character does not bluff or threaten. She simply does.
Yashiro spoke up trying to put a positive spin on things, "It's just another role, and it is a movie. I'm sure once done it will be a huge plus for you the future, Kyoko-chan." She nodded with a fake smile on her lips. It was a big role, but one that was surely going to type cast her in the future. She could only hope that father's advice would work out for her in the end. Portraying each antagonist role different would help her land something she actually wanted to play, like a princess.
Not much was said as they forcefully consumed their meal, and the ride back was just as silent. They arrived at LME 15 minutes till three and dropped Kyoko off. She bowed down in thanks and looked through the passenger side window.
"Thank you for lunch, Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san. I guess I will be seeing you on Wednesday then." Her smile was small and his wasn't real at all as Ren bid her farewell. He pulled away from the parking garage, anger radiating from his being.
"Yashiro," Ren's tone matched his angry appearance.
"I know, a meeting with President Lory. Do try to not get physical, Ren." Yashiro was already on the phone, glove on, with Ren's schedule in his lap. He would get Ren the earliest possible time to see Lory. Canceling what he could and arranging the meeting for him.