Chapter 10 - Love
Kyoko was called in to find out her travel and living arrangements for the shoot at Hokkaido. They were scheduled to stay for five days and four nights, but if everything goes smoothly, they could come back early. She walked up to Sawara's desk and bowed in greeting.
"Hello, Sawara-san. Do you have my information?" Kyoko prompted. Sawara nodded, found a manila envelope with her name on it and held it out to her.
"I've gotten another offer for you. This one you may be able to take. This is your last week of the movie right?" He handed her the script as she nodded. "You can give me your answer after you come back. Be aware that you will be busy with the movie premiere and such, so you will be very busy if you take up the new drama for a week or so."
"Thank you, Sawara-san." She bowed again and walked out. Today was relatively calm.
Kyoko tucked the script under her arm and opened the manila envelope first, inside was a key, plane tickets and the schedule for the week. She departs on Sunday afternoon to arrive late afternoon. Shooting starts Monday. She had all day Saturday to pack and get ready for her trip. She took out the key. It was a simple basic key with nothing attached to it. The simplicity of it made her frown. Normally hotels used card keys that she would pick it up at the front desk. Maybe they were renting out old cabins since she was going to a national park. She shrugged, put the key away and closed the envelope up.
She spent most of Saturday working at Daruma-ya as she was finally able to and give her dues to her favorite landlords.
"Kyoko-chan, you don't have to help out. You are very busy. You should rest on one of your few days off," the Okami-san told her worriedly while Kyoko was wiping down a table, dressed in a simple pale red kimono.
"I enjoy working here with you," Kyoko reassured the kind older woman and then apologized, "I'm sorry I don't get to do it as often as I should." The motherly figure shook her head with a smile and let the child help. Kyoko stayed throughout the day and into the evening. On Sunday morning, she mentally checked off her items preparing for the flight. While in her room, her phone rang. Unknown Number flashed on the screen. She smiled.
"Hello?" Kyoko answered already knowing who it was.
"Kyoko-chan, How are you today?" Ren's deep smooth voice greeted her making her smile widened.
"I'm doing well, Ren-kun, yourself?" Kyoko sat on the floor with her suitcase in front of her.
"I'm good. I wanted to see if you were ready," he asked.
Kyoko nodded even though she was on the phone. "Yes, are you coming over now?"
"I'll be there in half an hour," he replied sending her into overdrive to get ready. She knew she was done, everything was in her suit case, but she liked being prepared. Thirty minutes later, she was down stairs and saying goodbye to her landlords as Ren pulled up with Yashiro.
"Good morning, Kyoko-chan. Ready for the trip?" Yashiro asked as he opened the door for her, and Ren placed her luggage in the trunk. Yashiro offered her the front seat like usual, but she actually preferred the back seat. While it was mostly out of respect, she also got a much better view of the person driving than she would sitting in the front. Once they arrived at the airport, she found out they were going to fly in LME's private plane.
"I thought we were going to fly with everyone else?" Kyoko asked timidly. She was sure that everyone was flying at the same time.
"Each agency made arrangements for each of their talents, so everyone's is different. President Takarada allowed this since it was only the three of us," Yashiro informed her. Kyoko didn't question it any further but the moment she stepped into the aircraft, she wanted to argue. It was lavish. She really hadn't been in a plane before but this is something out of a movie with couches and tables instead of pint sized air craft seats. The whole plane looked like some long living room, complete with a mini bar and an entertainment center. It was like a living room with wings.
"Is this really what you fly in all the time?" Kyoko asked Ren with her eyes dancing with excitement as she looked around.
"No, actually, this is the President's personal plane," Ren told her. "Since we are only going to Hokkaido, it can be back by the end of the day and be ready for him should he need it." Ren sat down in one of the oversized chairs as Yashiro sat at one that was more desk-like. Kyoko climbed onto the seat across from Ren and looked out the window.
"Is this your first time flying?" Ren asked. She nodded excitingly.
"I took the train when I moved to Tokyo. Honestly, I thought we would take the train to Hokkaido too, but I gather that wouldn't be safe for you." Kyoko's mind flashed to images of waves of women trying to get a piece of Ren. She shook her head.
"President Takarada wanted to make this special, I suppose," Ren mumbled softly though she didn't hear him. Kyoko finally settled down as the plane prepared to take off. She set her bag down next to her and buckled in the seatbelt. Never taking her eyes off the window she watched as Tokyo grew farther and farther away until she saw nothing but clouds. Ren didn't take his eyes away from her the entire time. Her face showed innocent amazement at something he took for granted. He'll admit the president's plane was nicer than usual, but he always found any flight he took boring.
"Do you enjoy flying, Ren-kun?" Her voice snapped him out of his daze.
"I really don't think much of it anymore. After being in a flight for 12 hours straight multiple times, it loses its appeal," he said thoughtlessly.
"Your family lives in America, right?" Kyoko asked. He hesitated but felt there was no harm in answering her question and nodded. I need to tell her. He watched her as she shuffled through her bag and came out with a script. Later.
"What's that?" Ren inquired. She didn't seem to mind his lack of interest in talking about his family. That or perhaps she thought there was nothing more to say.
"A new script. I haven't accepted yet, but I thought I'd get a chance to review it since Sawara-san gave me this week to look at it." She opened it up and started reading.
Ren stared out the window. How am I going to tell her? They are getting so close now. She accepts his every invitation and even offers to cook for him without Yashiro's interventions. Even Yashiro noticed a change in her attitude towards him.
Do you remember, Hizuri Kuu? I'm his kid. Ren rolled his eyes. Of course she does, you idiot. She is always calling him, more so than his own son.
Did you ever wonder what my real name was? Well, it's Kuon. No, not corn. K-U-O-N. Yes, Kuu's son. Yes, I'm Corn from your childhood. No, wait please don't go. Kyoko's fleeting image scampered away from him in his head. Ren shook that image out of his head and sighed. What if he dyed his hair back blond and hoped she would connect one and one together. He smirked to himself. She would probably get 11 instead of two.
Ren was deep in his thoughts and didn't notice Kyoko's eyes watching him. She had her eyes raised and watched him from behind her lashes while pretending to read the script hiding most of her face. What is he thinking about? Hopefully he doesn't catch me staring. Kyoko blushed at the thoughts entering her mind.
The flight was over quickly, and they disembarked. Yashiro found the driver holding the LME sign and directed them to it. Their car was, of course, a lavish limo making Ren sighed.
"You know the president." Yashiro laughed. They hopped in and drove in silence as they rode through the beautiful park. They were to film near Asahidake Onsen, a small village that catered to the tourist. Once they reached the village, Ren was surprised to find themselves passing it and taken to large vacation home about ten minutes outside of the village.
"Where are we, Yashiro-san?" Ren asked.
"This is the President's home. Since he found out that you two were shooting out here, he figured this would be nice. This is peek time for tourist, and he didn't want you two in a hotel filled with them. He said there were plenty of room for you two," Yashiro explained, and Ren found his wording odd.
"You aren't staying with us?" Kyoko asked confused. She had turned away from the scenery finally paying attention to the conversation.
"No, I have family here. I didn't tell you that?" Yashiro said innocently. Ren felt his face slipping.
"No, you didn't," Ren said darkly.
"I do. My sister lives here, she is all about saving the rainforest and all that stuff. Save the world one plant at a time." He didn't sound like he cared for such things. "Anyway, I'll be staying at her place in town. I don't have many opportunities to see my family being your manager and all." Yashiro gave him big sad puppy dog eyes. "I do hope you don't mind. I will be there for the shoots as usual ,and we can get together early every day and discuss what events are happening for the day. I would very much like to see my nephews and nieces before they don't know their uncle anymore," Yashiro said with a pleading voice.
Ren couldn't take it anymore and agreed, "Ok, ok!" Yashiro smiled in triumph.
"I'll catch you two tomorrow then, 8 o'clock." Yashiro waved good bye and took off with the limo. Their luggage was already put inside during their conversation with Yashiro.
"Shall we get settled then?" Ren stated but there was no reply. He looked around and found he was talking to himself. Kyoko was already wondering around the area looking at things that only she could probably imagine.
He walked over to where she was. He saw her sort of dancing around between the trees. It reminded him of the days he spent with her near the spring as they were children. Perhaps this won't be so bad after all, Ren thought with a playful smile.
"Kyoko-chan, let's unpack and we can try and take a little walk before night fall," he offered. She turned and looked at him with a smile then nodded. She walked up a small incline to reach him, and they headed to the house.
It was huge and mostly western style. The door opened to the living room with a dark brown sectional couch that curved around taking up most of the floor. The first thing they noticed was the windows. There was no actual wall just a long set of folding windows that made a wall. She ran over and started to open them up, they were set on a track and slid easily to the side folding along the way. She stepped out onto a large patio with an outdoor fireplace and the grandest view of the park. It looked like there was an acre of land in front of her and then it descended downhill allowing her to see the lush valleys beyond. She looked over to her left and found the house was L-shaped. There was an extension from the house, and she ran to look inside.
"HE HAS HIS OWN OUTDOOR HOTSPRING!" She yelled astonished.
"You don't have to yell. I'm right here." Ren was leaning against the door frame. He was smiling at her as she ran around the house looking at everything. He was impressed as well but the way she found things in the house was more entertaining than checking things out himself.
"This is too much!" Her eyes wondered the area.
"He probably bought this land simply for that spring. You should see the kitchen," he mentioned and Kyoko's eyes widened as she brushed past him and ran looking for the kitchen. By the time he found her again, she was on her knees on the verge of tears. Right in the middle was not one but two long islands, each with its own sink. One of them had a huge gas cook top stove with a large vent over it. The walls were covered in more windows and there was a large fireplace next to some simple seating to the right side of the room, the left had its own room for baking with another large island and two large ovens. It had items in this kitchen she had never in her life used before. She thought cooking for Maria's birthday party was fun, what could she do with this kitchen?
Ren watched as she explored every nook and cranny of the kitchen and took a mental note. Build a custom kitchen only for her. She would have been happy in anything but he would have to give her what she wanted. Plus, she could cook meals with my father. Kyoko finally finished taking one last look at the huge kitchen and walked over to Ren.
"Let's go for the walk," she suddenly exclaimed.
"Are you sure? We can stay here and look at the house. We haven't unpacked yet or anything," Ren offered unsure but she shook her head.
"I heard running water nearby. I want to see it," Kyoko said excitedly. Ren nodded and followed her outside. The day was still bright, but it was getting late. If they took too long he would be forced to take them back before sunset. Luckily, the stream was actually really close to the house. The trees crowded the bank, but it was very shallow and was warm out, so Kyoko kicked off her shoes and splashed around. Ren sat with his back to a tree and watched as she held her skirt up and kicked the water around. His mind was in a haze as he watched her play.
Kyoko watched him from the corner of her eye. He looked so comfortable in the shade. There was an relaxed expression on his face as if nothing in the world bothered him. It reminded her of the carefree days of their past. The way Corn would lay on the ground as she chatted his ear off. She smiled to herself. Well that didn't change much. He was still a great listener. It's time. Let's see how he reacts. She took a deep breath, and she looked mischievously to Ren.
"Hey, Kuon, this reminds me of time we played together in Kyoto as kids, huh?" she said casually.
"Yes, it does," he replied without thinking. Her smiled widened as he stiffened in shock. She watched him process what she said as she took a few steps towards him.
"How… when… But I…" She giggled as she stopped in front of him and crouching down before him. Her head tilled to the side slightly, her eyes sparkling with laughter in them.
"It was a few weeks ago, when I asked you to call me by my first name. The look on your face and the way you said it… I remembered your face. " She looked to the ground blushing, and he sat before her stunned.
"Once I saw you again, it was completely obvious." She looked up at him with concern and sadness over her face and whispered, "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, Corn," she looked away again, "I was so blind, will you forgive me?"
Ren couldn't believe his luck. This had to be a dream, one he never wanted to wake up from. While she was looking away, awaiting his reply, he leaned forwards and took her in his arms. She squeaked in response, and he crushed her against him. His whole body enveloped her.
"Kyoko, Kyoko. I wanted to tell you so many times, I was afraid you would hate me. I wanted to keep you around for as long as I could. I should be begging for your forgiveness, keeping this from you." She wrapped her arms around him, and he pulled away to look at her face.
She was looking at him with the same expression she had when they took her photo at the movie promo, her eyes were sparkling and her face was radiant with love. He slid his hand from behind her and caressed her cheek.
"I love you, Kyoko. I always have since we were kids," he confessed suddenly. She stood there shocked in his arms. Once she realized who he was, the fairy prince from her past, she thought she had regained her long lost friend. Yes, she fell in love with him, but it yet another unrequited love. Never did she expect a confession from him after revealing what she knew. Still the moment he said it, she thought she was dreaming. He held her face in his hands and tears fell from freely from her eyes as she leaned into his hand. She looked into his face and saw that he meant what he said.
"You do? Me? You love me?" She choked on the words a little. He leaned down and stole her lips for the first time. Her eyes fluttered shut and her hands clenched his shirt as they share their first of many kisses. She pulled back far enough for their lips to break contact with her eyes still closed. That kiss was enough of an answer for her.
"I love you, Kuon," Kyoko whispered back.