Kyoko's Secret: the birth of a Rose
Hello Everybody and welcome to another great chapter of Kyoko's Secret! I want to thank you all for being so patient with me and sticking it out with me even though (and I will admit it) I have a horrible habit of not updating quickly. I'm working to change that, so i thank all of you that remind me to update as quickly as I can. It really does help. I want to thank you all for your reviews and if you're a guest and I could not respond to you in a PM, your response is below and it goes as follows:
Guest (March 29, 2014): Man, has it really been that long since I updated? I am so sorry! I say this a lot but I really am trying to do better. It's thanks to everyone who continues to encourage me and review for me that keeps me writing. I'm sorry this update took so long, but I hope you find it worth it when you read this chapter. :) thank you so much for reviewing for me, I hope you enjoy it! -Kate
Harmony: Yes ma'am! As you've requested, I am continuing this story, and while it may take some time, I can promise you this story is no where near over, there are a lot more twists, turns and (perhaps crossovers) that I have planned for this! For now, as I get to work on the next segment, I hope you enjoy this chapter! I've added as much Kyoko x Ren fluff as I can muster and more secrets about Yori to be revealed! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! -Kate
Guest (March 31, 2014): If you would like you are more than welcome to slap her silly. I personally think she's earned some slaps as well :) She's definitely got an inferiority complex, now the question is…why? I try to be an author that listens to the readers and what they have to say, so if you look just beneath here, you'll find a new chapter, ready and waiting to be read by you :) I hope you enjoy it! Thank you so much for reviewing! - Kate
JeremyVD: Before I answer your review can I just say how awesome you are? I can always count on you to review and since you're a guest reviewer, it makes me even happier to know that you're reading my stories constantly :) thank you so much, I hope you're enjoying it! I also love the way you're putting this mystery together :) that goes for everyone too. I enjoy all the people trying to figure out what Yori's problem is. Something traumatic happened to Yori? You may be getting on the right track, the question becomes, can you figure out what that traumatic thing is? You're getting closer and closer to unraveling the real identity of Yori and why she is the way she is :) I look forward to seeing your next analysis after this chapter. Thank you so much for always reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter too! -Kate
Heartstop: I love your name first off, and after a long time of figuring out how to keep this chapter in the same standard of my other chapters, I have for you a brand new chapter just beneath here :) I hope you like it! You're right by the way. This does have something to do with Yori's parents. :) all shall be revealed in due time (of course, after working to get Kyoko and Ren together) :) thank you so much for reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter! -Kate
If you are a member, I want to thank you too! I love the great conversations we have and great friends I have the pleasure to make here's a shout out for ya'll too!
JapaneseAnimeChic: I'm so happy you're enjoying this story! I would love to answer your questions! It's not about the vibe they want in a photoshoot. Modeling is sort of different than acting. There's an old saying that says, "you can't act in front of a camera," which basically means that when you're a model, if you act it comes off as not genuine or fake. There's a better description in this chapter, but the reason why they told Kyoko that Natsu was no good was because it wasn't Kyoko. It was a character she created that would make the modeling look fake. Does that make sense? I have heard your plea and as you have requested, there is a new chapter just beneath here :) i hope you enjoy it and I'm sorry it took so long but I hope you like it! -Kate
Cheesehead101: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Sorry I keep hopping on and off the earth, I just get really busy and lose track of time…and days…and weeks…and so on. But I really enjoy talking to you too. I'm so glad you made a deviantart account! I'll have to go check it out :) By the way, everyone who reads this, this person is an incredible artist! Check out her stuff! Do it! It's awesome! Anyway, i've got another chapter here, so I hope you like it! Thank you so much as always my friend! -Kate
Yuki Suou: I'm so glad you like it! I have another awesome chapter here for you to read, and I hope you like it too! Thank you so much for reviewing! you're so awesome! -Kate
Hera sama: I'm so sorry I take so long to update. If you want, I have other fanfictions you can check out, and my favorite authors/stories page has some really good ones :) but, if you'd like, i have another chapter for you to read on this story :) Yori's hard to pin being good or bad, but there's a lot more to her than meets the eye. :) i hope you're enjoying the story. thank you so much for reviewing. I'm so thankful that you're telling me to update. It reminds me that I have an important job to do and gets my lazy butt in gear to do it, no matter how busy i am. never feel sorry because I don't find it annoying. On the contrary, I'm thankful for it :) -Kate
All-The-British-Fandoms1313: I'm so glad that out of all the incomplete great stories out there, you think mine's worth reading! thank you so much! I feel so honored. Hopefully this chapter is as good as my others :) thank you so much for reviewing and reading my story! I hope you enjoy it! -Kate
Data Seeker: Thank you so much for reviewing for me. You always do such a thorough job and I'm so thankful for that. I've taken your advice and toned it down as much as I could. Some things I can't tone down due to the nature of the subject, but hopefully you like this chapter. God Bless my friend and thank you so much for your review. -Kate
Moon Kingdom: As you wish :) it's taken some time, but I finally have another chapter finished and ready to be read! I hope you enjoy it! Thank you so much for your review! -Kate
EverlastingRyo: Yori's definitely weird. She always seems to contradict herself, but there's a method to her madness and a reason for it :) and you are coming closer and closer to the answer. She is being manipulated, but why and for what? I've got a hunch that your hunch is correct ;) Thank you so much for your review! i hope you enjoy this chapter! -Kate
Beauty's Black7: You're right :) I won't tell you on what you're right about, but you're right. That is the source of her envy. There is a little more to it but you're definitely on the right track :) I'm so glad you're enjoying the story and I'm sorry I took so long, but I hope you enjoy this chapter too :) it's taken some time, but hopefully it's worth it. thank you so much for reviewing! -Kate
EmmaLasagna: Yeah, you're right. She's been beating herself up for too long. Thanks for the criticism :) i took it and hopefully you can see in this chapter what i did with your suggestion. I even made Ren a little more forward and hopefully still in character :) I hope you enjoy this chapter too! Thank you so much for reviewing! -Kate
Mrs. Zala: Yes! I updated! and now I have updated again! (now if only I could do it on a smaller time frame so I can get chapters out quicker. One step at a time right?) my plot resembles yours? am i sensing a team up story in the future O.O that would be so cool! We shall see if your hunch is correct because right beneath this chapter comes the result! :) I am doing very well my friend :) a lot of good things are happening, and God is good :) how about you? -Kate
Muchachomomo: I'm so glad to see that Yori is not as much of a hated character as she is a villain :) you're right that there's a lot more to her, and all will be revealed in due time :) in the meantime, I've been missing some Kyoko x Ren fluff so this chapter won't have so much about Yori as it will about Kyoko and Ren, since they're the main stars of the story anyway :) I'm sorry I'm taking so long to get chapters out there. But I will never drop this story! I always do my best to finish the stories i start and i can't imagine what I'd do if I didnt find out what happened at the end of this story :) I have a feeling you'll be discovering if you're right about Yori soon. maybe…another chapter? who knows? :) thanks for always reviewing! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! -Kate
BlueTx: When I originally wrote this story, i meant it to be a comedy, but it's quickly turned into a drama that I never pictured it being. But I'm glad you're enjoying it all the same. I will give you a happy ending…it just depends on what you consider to be happy… :) Thank you so much fore reading my story. I'm glad you're enjoying it. thank you so much fore reviewing it too :) -Kate
claraowl: XD thank you so much for reviewing :) i'm glad you're enjoying the story! thank you! -Kate
blacknekohime: I'm so glad you've joined in reading the story! thank you so much for reading it and reviewing it! I hope you enjoy this chapter too! Thank you so much! -Kate
Socat 14: thank you so much for reviewing my friend! as you ask, I have a brand new chapter here so you can see what happens next :) i hope you enjoy it! thank you so much! -Kate
Alyssandrea: I'm sorry I took so long, but hopefully you enjoy this chapter which is the next installment. Thank you so much for being patient, i hope you enjoy the chapter! thank you for reviewing! -Kate
LevyxGajeelForever: she is related to Kyoko that is true. She's not exactly her sister though :). But, one of your scenarios is correct :) It does play a part into her attitude towards Kyoko so you're definitely on the right track :) but all will be revealed about Yori in due time :) thank you so much for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter too! -Kate
FutureMageOtaku99: I'm sorry I took so long, but I have a brand new chapter, here and ready to go! I hope you enjoy it! thank you so much for reviewing! -Kate
If you follow or favorite me thank you as well that is just as important as anything else (though if you have time and could review for me I would be eternally grateful) here's a shout out for all of you who favorite and follow Thank you so much for favoriting and or following my story :) most of the time I would write all of you here, but I've gotten so many now that it would take up a lot of room on the paper. But I wanted to thank you all anyway who favorite and follow, especially if you review. To all those that read my story, it makes me a better writer and keeps me going to know that you all are enjoying it. It may take some time, but rest assured i will finish this story for everyone! Thank you all so much!
Now I don't own Skip Beat and I certainly don't own Victoria's Secret, but Yori is all mine with that said on with the story!
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Ren was taking a break after shooting for three hours for RMandy. He took a swig of the bottle of water that Yashiro provided him, and listened half-heartedly as his manager nagged on about the next shoot he would be going to, but meanwhile his mind traveled into thoughts both worried and unwholesome of his precious kouhai and her strange new manager.
'Who was that Yori girl? I've never heard Kyoko mention her. Even when she was younger and I was Corn she never mentioned her to me. Who is that girl? What does she want to happen with Kyoko modeling for Victoria's Secret?'
Of course, that thought led to others that gave him a mixed range of emotions. Some were glad because the girl would certainly get more publicity and more press with this. She would be out of simple "bad girl" roles and able to move into real roles that she had been hoping for.
'This is also going to help her image. She'll be seen as the pretty girl she is. I dare Sho to even try and call her plain and boring after this.'
That thought brought to the surface the anger and fear he had bubbling just beneath ever since he had learned that she would be modeling for them.
'Most Victoria's Secret models become prime romance role characters. Especially if they have acting experience. Even if they don't, they become more and more popular with men. If that happens to Kyoko will I lose her for good?'
the combination of emotions that he felt beneath his cool exterior was enough to drive anyone insane. So it didn't help when in the midst of Yashiro telling Ren about his upcoming schedule, he said quietly, "I wonder how Kyoko-chan's doing?"
Ren turned to his manager with a bright, vivid smile and said as nicely as he could, "I'm sure she is fine Yashiro."
Yashiro cringed as he knew that in "gentleman Ren speak" meant, 'do not discuss this around me,' but he continued, "but that woman, Yori…she's planning something. I know it. Something tells me that she's not safe."
'I know that Yashiro. But until I learn more I can't do anything! I can't get involved! For now, Yori is doing her job as a manager.' It infuriated him as he thought about the cold-eyed woman. She made her intentions clear, she was going to pull him away from Kyoko.
'And I won't let that happen.' He thought determined as he crunched the now empty water bottle in his fist. Whoever this Yori was, she had declared a war, and he was going to win it. No matter what.
"Excuse me, Tsuruga-san?" he heard a high-pitched voice beckon him. Schooling his face into his gentleman's facade, he turned to see the model's assistant staring at him, her face nearly ruby in a blush.
"I-I'm sorry for bothering you on your break Tsuruga-san," she began, her eyes cast down as she tried to make sure he couldn't notice her ogling his body.
He smiled gently and ignored the lustful look she gave him, "it's alright, are we ready to continue?" He asked gently.
The girl felt her face light up in a flame and losing her ability to speak, nodded softly, her hands clasped together, "y-yes Tsuruga-san,"
Ren smiled as he looked at the young girl. Her brown hair was pulled up in a high ponytail, and he could tell by her speech she was trying to do her best at the job. In some ways, she reminded him of Kyoko by her respectful mannerisms. He couldn't stop himself from smiling at her and placed his hand gently on her shoulder, "Tell the director I'll be there in a few minutes alright?"
The girls eyes couldn't remove themselves from the sight of THE Ren Tsuruga's hand on her shoulder. She nodded and bowed her head deeply trying to remember her professionalism as she resisted the desire to melt into a puddle right there. She could tell she was failing by the fact that her body was trembling in pleasure as his warm hands met his warm smile, "y-yes sir, I will." she managed to stutter out. She turned to leave when she heard Ren's warm and smooth voice flow out a thanks. She managed to get out the door before melting into a puddle of goo right on the floor.
"You know, you really are scary." Yashiro said, watching the poor helpless girl now completely under the will of Ren Tsuruga.
"What did I do? I was just thanking her for her help." Ren said with an innocent smile (that Yashiro didn't know if it was actually innocent or trickery).
"You know what pisses everyone off?" Yashiro said with a half hearted glare.
Ren looked honestly taken aback, true he hadn't been trying to woo the girl (even though he could see that she had been seduced) it was just the gentleman thing to do to smile at women and remember to thank them. Besides, he really was grateful. "what do you mean?"
"You don't even try to seduce women and yet you succeed with every single girl you come into contact with. Without even trying. That pisses a lot of guys off." Yashiro said with a matter of fact tone.
"I think you're reading too much into this, Yashiro; most of them probably think I'm a playboy." Ren said, with a stab in his heart as he thought of the girl that never seemed to have a qualm about calling him that.
"Sure the men think you're like that, but the women don't. Which pisses the men off even more. Honestly, the only girl who thinks you're a playboy is probably Mogami-san." He had really meant to shut his mouth. He really had, but sometimes Yashiro's words got carried along faster than his brain and common sense could keep up. His face went pale as he found himself staring into the bright smile of death that could only belong to one Ren Tsuruga.
"I'm aware of my failings with Mogami-san, I don't need you to remind me." in other words, 'this is your last warning, do not speak of this again or I will kill you.'
Needless to say, Yashiro got the message loud and clear, "so umm…I'm going to head out to the set and make sure they are set up." And with that, before Ren could move from the couch, Yashiro fled from the room where the man sat, dwelling on his current predicaments.
'Why does she still think of me as a playboy? She trusts everyone almost immediately and yet she still won't drop her guard around me. Dammit why?'
Of course, Kuon came along and was no help in comforting the man, 'duh, she trusts you too much. You're her "sempai" after all. You do anything that breaks that relationship, she'll feel like you betrayed her and she'll never come near you again. And you know it. Heck, even she and Yori have a closer relationship than you and her do.'
That pissed Ren off. Especially because of how true it was. Yori told Kyoko of an opportunity and without even thinking about what it could be, Kyoko jumped into it.
'I wish she trusted me that much. Is everything I'm doing for nothing? Maybe my progress doesn't even matter. She's sworn off love, she'll never let me get that close. Heck, I've never even been able to help her with the exception of Natsu. It's always been Kotonami-san, or Yashiro, or heck even Shotaro has helped her more than I have! I'm just useless to her. She's always helping me and I can't do anything for her right now.'
Ren looked into the mirror and saw a pair of depressed, and helpless eyes staring back at him. He growled at that face and fixed his expression. He wasn't that kid anymore. He didn't get bullied by others, nor did he have to be the bully to survive. No, he was Ren Tsuruga now. Popular actor, most desirable man in all of Japan (except to the one girl he wanted to desire him, but he pushed that away for now). He was the cool, composed, always regal Ren Tsuruga. That's who he needed to be.
He fingered his hand across his wrist when he remembered that the watch was no longer there. He touched the cool spot where it used to hang heavily on his wrist. "I'm okay, I'm okay." He repeated to himself, his mind searching for the only thing that let him remember that he was okay; Mogami-san's kiss in Guam.
'That's right. She broke the spell. I'm no longer bound by that person. I'm okay.'
He took a deep breath and prepared to go back out there to resume the shoot, when his cell phone rang. He gave a sigh and halfway considered not answering it. It was his policy after all to never take a call while at a job, but he was technically still on break and something inside him told him it was important. As he flipped open his phone, he was never so happy that he hadn't hung up as the words form caller id flashed in front of him and gave him both a shot of nervousness and delight as he stared at the name, "Kyoko Mogami."
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Kyoko waited in the dressing room, her hands nimbly picking at the cloth that covered her body. She had to admit it was beautiful. The silk fell around her body and pooled around her legs as though it was soft water dripping down on her skin. It was a pale pink, soft and beautiful to mask the white pure lingerie that lay delicately on her body. But it was because it was so beautiful, that she knew she could never wear it.
"It wouldn't fit me. I'm too plain, too boring, and I can't do this." she said to herself sadly as she held the phone to her ear, unaware that the recipient of the phone call could hear every word.
"Mogami-san?" his low, soft voice spoke.
Kyoko jumped as she had forgotten that she had been calling Ren Tsuruga! 'stupid! I forgot and now he probably heard me! What will I do?!' but if he had heard what she said, he didn't mention it. "Mogami-san?" he repeated, his voice as gentle as it could be.
Kyoko felt her heart flip in her stomach as his deep voice caressed her. Ever since she had learned that she loved him, she felt her annoying feelings springing up in her more and more. 'I won't let it happen! I won't!' she thought.
"Mogami-san? Are you alright?" Ren asked, and Kyoko realized that again she had been inadvertently ignoring her sempai…and she had been the one to call him!
"I'm so sorry to disturb you Tsuruga-san! You're probably really busy and I am so sorry that I have made you wait for me because I wasn't thinking!"
Ren gave a silent sigh and Kyoko gulped as she heard the dreaded NG sigh. 'He's going to think horrible of me because I decided to do this and now I'm wasting his time!'
"Mogami-san, it's alright. Is everything okay?" he asked gently, as though trying to coax a frightened animal from their den.
Kyoko shook her head as she felt tears prick her eyes before she remembered that Ren couldn't hear her head shake. "No. I'm so sorry sempai, I failed you! You trusted me to make something great with this Victoria's Secret shoot and now they told me I'm no good! fry me sempai! flay me with your swords and make sushi out of me! I'm so sorry!" she screamed into the phone.
It was quiet for a moment and then Ren slowly, and with a deep voice asked, "who was it that said that you're no good?"
Kyoko stopped and thought before she corrected herself, "well, they said that my characters are no good. I tried using Natsu but they said she was too intense for the shoot. I didn't want to try using Mio and the angel wouldn't fit the scene."
More silence from the other side of the phone before Ren responded, "they said your characters were no good?"
Kyoko nodded before she remembered that Ren can't hear her head, "yes. How can I act in front of a camera if I can't act?" she asked.
She heard some rustling over the camera and a small snort from her sempai. Her eyebrows knit together. "Tsuruga-san…are you making fun of me?" she growled.
More silence and then Ren responded, "no Mogami-san I'm not. I'm relieved because what you first said and what you now said are two different things. Mogami-san, the characters you've made won't work in front of the camera. That's why they told you they're no good." he explained.
"But why?" Kyoko demanded, "How am I supposed to be in front of a camera and not act?!" she screamed.
More snorting from the other side of the camera before Ren responded, "Modeling's not exactly the same as acting Mogami-san. You can't act in front of a camera. Your real emotions will show in front of a camera." he told her gently.
Kyoko paled and her voice shook as she responded, "Angel said the same thing, what does that mean?" she asked.
Ren was silent on the other end of the phone before she heard his deep and gentle voice come to her ears again. "As a model, you have to tell a story without speaking. At the same time, the character of that story has to be you. If you aren't genuine, the clothes that you're selling won't be genuine to the people you want to buy them. Think of it like this, if you were going into the store and you saw Natsu staring down at you from a poster would you want to buy what she's wearing?"
Kyoko thought about it and in her mind she saw a chibi version of Kyoko walking into Victoria's Secret. After pushing past the lingerie with her face lit up in a flame, she looked up to see a large poster of the intimidating Natsu staring at her. Her face went from a bright red to pale and the little chibi Kyoko ran from the figure at fast as she could. "no. I couldn't. Natsu is far too intimidating. I couldn't buy what she was wearing. I'd be too busy paying attention to her."
Ren chuckled and responded, "that's why characters won't work in front of the camera. To be a good model, you have to show genuine feelings in front of the camera."
Kyoko paled. "B-But how could I do that?! I'm plain and boring! If I'm not a character they won't want me!"
Ren gave another NG sigh and responded, "you're not plain and boring Mogami-san. But if that's how you feel, that will show on the camera."
Kyoko pushed away the compliment as she fell into her own thoughts. Could she be genuine in front of a camera? As far as she knew she was always acting. She acted like nothing bothered her when she was with Sho. She acted like a perfect daughter for her mother, and a perfect Ryokan owner for Sho's parents. Honestly the more she thought about it, the more she realized that she couldn't remember the last time she was truly being genuine.
"How can I act genuine Tsuruga-san? How do you act genuine in front of a camera? How can you?" she asked softly, hearing the sad tears choking in her voice.
There was silence for a while before Ren responded, "let the cameras melt away. Imagine yourself in the scene. Picture people around you that you would want there. Just be yourself. Yourself is beautiful Mogami-san. I can't imagine any person that doesn't like you when you are yourself." he said, the proud smile and gentle eyes appearing in Kyoko's mind as he spoke to her.
Kyoko bit her lip and shakily responded, "but I'm too plain, I don't think I can do this."
Ren's harsh voice now cut into her, "are you quitting Mogami-san? You are a great many things but I never believed you were a quitter. You are bringing shame to me as a senpai. I do not mentor kouhais that are quitters."
She felt a warmth bubble in her stomach as a mixture of anger and determination roiled in her stomach. Kyoko felt her confidence return with a vengeance as she remembered that Tsuruga-san only had her as a kouhai. He never mentored anyone else but her. He believed in her that much. She wasn't going to let him down. She reached into her bag and pulled out Princess Rosa. She had brought it for her next set as Natsu, but could Princess Rosa's magic work here again? She placed it around her neck, and unlike when she wore it as Natsu, she didn't feel as powerful and mean, but she felt ready and confident. She felt like a real Princess.
"I want to try again Tsuruga-san." She said with a determined smile.
Tsuruga's proud smile and sparkling brown eyes appeared in her mind as he responded, "I know you can. Once you're done, I'll be there to celebrate your success, so I want to see a bright smile when I get there, understand?" he commanded.
Kyoko smiled as she jumped up with her fists clenched in determination, "Hai!"
She shut her phone shut and looked up with a bright smile. "I can do this! I will do this!"
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Ren shut his phone shut as a mixture of emotions traveled through his mind. He was confused at first. 'who's Angel?' But now was not the time to ask. For all he knew it was one of Kyoko's "fairies" that only she could see. He was angry and upset at Yori for getting her into this when she had no prior experience to it and he was excited to see what kind of performance Kyoko would give in front of the camera now.
" 'I want to see a bright smile when I get there'? Are you her sempai or her father?" He heard Yashiro chuckle behind him.
Ren's face lit up in a flame and it quickly fell from his face as he spun around. "There was nothing else to say to her. Just make sure my schedule is clear tonight. I want to keep my promise."
Yashiro gave an exasperated sigh, "at this point, you'll be 50 by the time you get Kyoko to even agree to a date! You know that right?"
Ren smirked and turned to him with a playboy smile, "If I'm still this handsome when I'm 50, I won't worry about the age."
Yashiro growled and followed him out of the dressing room as Ren walked back to the shoot.
As Ren walked back, he remembered when he had his first shoot at RMandy and discovered that he had to be genuine. He had felt so much fear at letting Kuon out of his prison and not being Ren Tsuruga.
"I'm sorry Tsuruga-san, but I'll need you to retake these pictures. It's not giving the right vibe for this." The photographer said cooly.
A younger Tsuruga Ren felt indignation and anger as he heard the photographer critique him. How on earth was he supposed to portray the right emotion for this?
"Forgive me sensei" he said with a bright smile, "but because I'm new I don't quite understand how to show the emotion. Can you give me any advice?" he asked, gritting his teeth. He was determined to not need any advice and be the perfect actor for this. 'damn that manager for getting me into this mess! I'm an actor not a model!' he thought bitterly.
Then he stopped as he remembered that his mother was a model, and one of the best. He said he was going to trump his father in acting ability but would he always live in his mother's shadow?
What he didn't realize as his emotions flashed through determination, anger, pain, and frustration, the photographer clicked his camera rapidly.
Ren woke up as he heard another camera click and looked up to see the photographer, "what the hell are you doing?!" he demanded.
the photographer gave a smirk, "I believe I'm taking pictures. And these are a lot better. Would you like to see?"
Curious, Ren walked out of the set and up to the photographer who went to his computer where the photos were being processed. Ren watched as a dark Tsuruga Ren showed on the screen, and while at first he was disgusted by the sight, the picture looked more natural than the other did. What he also didn't realize is that he had unknowingly taken the jacket he was modeling and flipped up the collar to frame his handsome face and show off his set jaw and the determination that flashed in his eyes to win. It was an intoxicating picture.
"is that really me?" he asked in disbelief.
The photographer smiled, "yup. That's the real Tsuruga Ren. True, it's a bit sloppy and you have to work on your posing in order to show the clothes more, but that emotion," he said pointing to the flashing brown eyes, "that's what will sell. That's the Tsuruga Ren I want to work with."
Ren smirked as he reached the photo room and took a deep breath. This set was designed to be for lovers about to share an intimate night. As he opened them he saw Kyoko standing at the set, her golden eyes alit with fire and love as she smiled back at him. Ren felt surprise at first before he smirked and unbuttoned his shirt for two buttons as he walked onto the set, fire glaring in his brown eyes and wanting her. "Kyoko" he whispered as her face lit up in a blush. Fire roiled in his stomach at her soft red face that he caressed softly. He spread his legs out to capture her small body on the wall and spun to hold her close to his chest. He captured her chin and as he lifted it up to kiss her as he had been dreaming about for so long, "CUT!"
He woke up and turned to the photographer who gave him a cool smile, "I may have to cut some of this since this shoot is only supposed to be PG-13 but it was good. Great work Tsuruga-san."
Ren shook himself from his fantasy and pushed down the guilt of using the woman that he dreamed of in order to show a good emotion of love as he nodded, "what's next sensei?" he asked with a smirk, folding his arms over his nearly completely unbuttoned now shirt.
the photographer returned the smirk and leaned against his camera, "I told you the natural Tsuruga-san is the one I want to work with. Let's get started." he said, his finger itching on his camera to shoot his favorite model.
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Kyoko gave a small sneeze as she wrapped the robe around her body tighter. Was someone talking about her? She shook her head from that thought as she remembered her mission. As she reached the photography room, she saw Athena now taking pictures. She was wearing a pair of short running shorts and sports bra. Her long blonde hair was tied in a pony tail and she gave a challenging smile to the camera as she leapt into action as though the starting gun had given her the cue. She ran fast, though she never moved forward. Kyoko could almost see the wind blowing past her face as she sprinted as fast as she could. The studio melted away and all of a sudden she was on the track, watching as Athena ran in front of all her competitors, smiling at the millions of fans watching her win the contest.
Athena'a chest lifted up and down in heavy breaths as she stopped and smiled at the camera, the joy and euphoria of running showing blissfully on her face. She took a towel and wiped her face with it in a tired but happy sigh. She sat down on the ground and stretched her long legs in an arc to show off the dexterity of the new running shorts. she stood up and lifted her hands high in the air in a stretch to show the flexibility of the sports bra. "CUT!" Mr. Nickenson called out.
All of a sudden, the track and stadium vanished from sight, and Athena turned back to Arissa. She stood up with a enthusiastic smile, "thank you so much!" she waved before getting a bottle of water and wrapping a robe around her body. She spotted Kyoko standing not far from the set. She smiled widely and walked up to her, "hey Kyoko, you feeling any better?"
Kyoko blushed at the thought of causing trouble and ignored Arissa's informal use of her name. She was used to it after all, it was an American thing. "yes! I am fine now, I am sorry for causing so much trouble." she said in English.
Arissa smiled and gave a shrug, "don't worry. We all go through the first day roughly."
Kyoko nodded and then turned to Arissa, "Why do you call yourself Athena? Characters aren't shown in front of the camera, so why?"
Arissa smiled and placed her hands on her hips as she thought about it, "when I was a runner in college, I was called "Athena" by my team. They used to say I was as tough as I was wise. When I came to be a model part time, I was told that I would be mostly modeling athletic sports lingerie. I was so nervous at first. They had approached me because I was mostly thin and athletic and had a good face for modeling, but I was a child's counselor not a model! When Angel told me just to find a piece of me that would be comfortable in the sportswear, I remembered my "Athena" days from college."
Kyoko's eyes went wide, "So it's always you? You don't act?"
Arissa nodded with a laugh, "I model because I don't know how to act. I'm actually horrible at acting. But when I model, it's a piece of me that I don't get to show very often anymore. When I'm here, I can be the Athena I was in college. I can be competitive and determined and beautiful all at the same time. It's what's great about being a model. You can be a part of yourself that you can't be anywhere else."
Kyoko thought about that as Mr. Nickenson saw her, "Ah! Ms. Mogami! Have you thought about your poses? Are you ready to try again?"
Kyoko fingered Princess Rosa around her neck and watched as the set changed to a green forest, 'it looks like the one I played with Corn in.' she thought. She remembered when she was a child how wonderful it had been to play with her fairy prince, and how many times she had fantasized becoming a fairy too. the lights and cameras faded away as the set seemed to come to life as the beautiful forest and spring she would play in as a child. As she shed the white robe, she found she wasn't as frightened as she was before. Her heart was pounding but not as much with nervousness but with the excitement of seeing Corn again. She remembered as children playing in the forest and watching him fly. She remembered in Guam when he had appeared form the sea like a merman prince and how she had helped him conquer his curse.
As she walked into the forest, she closed her eyes and when she opened them, Corn was standing there with a gentle smile, like the one he had in Guam, "I've been waiting for you Kyoko-chan. Where have you been?" he asked softly. The other fairies gathered around her, playing and tugging on her clothes mischievously as she smiled back. "I'm sorry I'm late Corn."
Her lingerie didn't seem to be on her mind anymore as she twirled in the forest, the fairies dancing about her arms and legs. Her short orange hair was fire in the forest like a beautiful and delicate flower swaying in the wind. Her golden eyes sparked with beauty and grace as she danced with the fairies in the forest.
Mr. Nickenson watched with wonder. Was this the same girl that had been a frightened animal only minutes before? As she danced on the set, the soft white lace top billowed out like a princesses gown and the boxer shorts only showed the lace ring around her thighs as she danced. It was seductive, but innocent and oh so beautiful. What looked before like fairy wings were now alive with flight as Kyoko jumped throughout the set. She stopped before the camera and gave a kind and mischievous smile as she grinned. Mr. Nickenson tracked her movements as she bent down and lay in the grass, tired and exhausted, but still happy, her face flushed red with sheer joy. Her toned and small stomach barely showed through the white lace top as she lay her hands across her chest, her golden eyes smiling before she closed them in a peaceful sleep.
Kyoko on the other hand, was still in her fairy paradise. Corn had been dancing with her throughout the forest and jumping and playing with her. Now as they lay on the soft grass, sleeping like they had done when they were children, he brought her orange hair to his lips and smiled, "you look so beautiful Kyoko-chan." he spoke with Ren's deep voice.
Kyoko blushed as her sempai's deep voice and Corn's face threw her heart for a loop, forcing her to close her eyes to keep her heart from pounding too hard. "that's not polite you know Corn. You shouldn't touch people if they don't want to be touched."
Corn gave her a smile and played with her hair, "you don't like it?"
Kyoko blushed more as she felt determined to keep her eyes shut as she nodded, feeling almost annoyed at Corn's mischievousness. He hadn't changed a bit, still not respecting the modesty that she held herself to. Unbeknownst to her, Corn's blonde hair became darker as he repeated in a slow, deep voice, "Are you sure you don't like it Mogami-san?"
Kyoko opened her eyes in shock and looked in shock as the face of Corn melted away to see Ren Tsuruga standing before her, his dark brown eyes fiery like the Emperor of the Night. Kyoko felt her blush rise as she remembered that she was in lingerie! This was too dangerous! She quickly sat up and covered her body as best as she could, "senpai! what are you doing in the forest?"
Ren smiled and came closer, lighting Kyoko's face in a red flame that started at her cheeks and ended at her neck, "I've been here the entire time Kyoko-chan. I've never left you. Shall we dance?"
Kyoko was confused. What did he mean? Where had Corn gone? She thought about this until she began to think the impossible…was Ren Tsuruga Corn?
She shook her mind at the impossibility but couldn't understand why her mind was showing her this. What was happening? Even though she was nervous, and scared and her heart was trembling in fear of love and love itself she found herself slowly stretching her hand to her sempai's.
'Love is bad! stop this! Don't let him in!' her Kyoko demons shouted and she started to pull her arm back to herself when she heard Athena's words enter her mind.
"It's what's great about being a model. You can be a part of yourself that you can't be anywhere else."
'that's right.' she thought, feeling courage rise up in her for the first time in a while, 'Here I don't have to be afraid of love. surrounded by fairies and protected within the secret of the forest, I can love Tsuruga-san. I don't have to shove it away and push it down. I can love him! And unlike in reality, he'll love me back here! I can have the love I've always wanted!'
With this new knowledge in mind she smiled and stretched her hand to her sempai, love sparkling in her eyes as she reached toward the esteemed sempai that she accidentally fell in love with.
"CUT! That was great Ms. Mogami! Beautiful! Perfect for a Princess model! Beautiful!"
the forest faded away and Ren's soft smiling figure dissipated like a ghost as Kyoko was thrust back into reality. The blush she felt when standing around her sempai disappeared into a blush of embarrassment as she leapt up to find her robe and wrap it as quickly around her body as she could. She couldn't even speak and didn't even notice the claps around her until Julianna, Arissa and Susan came up to her.
"That was amazing! That was incredible! How did you do that?! Unbelievable!" Arissa shouted, wrapping her strong arms around Kyoko and squeezing.
Kyoko felt winded, dazed, and confused. Why were they all complementing her?
Susan pulled Arissa off and gave a warm smile, "In all my years as the Princess model, never have I seen anything like that. You danced to music only you could hear, and created a magical atmosphere of a fairy princess. It was beautiful Kyoko." she nodded with a smile.
Julianna who had come in as Kyoko took her next chance at the modeling, smiled and clipped Kyoko's shoulder fondly, "it was beautiful honey, absolutely beautiful."
Kyoko was stunned as they all gave her complements, even Mr. Nickenson, who was scrolling through the pictures to choose which one would go to the promo of the outfit, turned to her and gave her a smile and a thumbs up.
Kyoko felt a warmth gush through her chest as all the people gathered around her. It felt similar to when she heard compliments from the cast of Dark Moon about her Mio, and Box R about her Natsu; but it was different. They weren't complementing a character or her acting skills…they were complementing her.
She turned and saw Yori standing stiff and straight as a board, her blue eyes hard and wide with her arms crossed tightly around her chest. 'I thought she'd be happy for me.' she thought, but that thinking was pushed from her mind as the models surrounded her to complement her.
"We'll have to go out for drinks tonight to celebrate and initiate our new Victoria's Secret Angel, Rose!" Susan spoke loudly above the jabbering crowd.
Kyoko looked up from the center of attention, "Rose?" she asked, her face lighting in a blush.
Susan nodded, "of course! The way you looked there, you looked like a fairy princess, if I were to think of any name for you, it would have to be Rose."
Arissa nodded, "Definitely! I think it fits!"
The others nodded and Kyoko felt abashed by the praise and overwhelmed by the sound of her new modeling name. Julianna, being the mother and doctor she was, saw this. "If you don't like it, you can say something Kyoko." she said softly.
But Kyoko felt soft tears rolling down her face. She looked up with a bright smile and a blush that highlighted her cheeks, "you really think I'm like a Rose?" she asked quietly.
Julianna smiled and nodded, "you're not like a Rose, Kyoko; you are one."
Kyoko's smile grew brighter as she walked out with the other models around her, still gushing and talking to her about her great performance. Yori on the other hand, was stock still on the wall, frozen in shock and anger.
'how?! How did she do it?! I thought for sure she wouldn't be able to do it! I thought for sure I had broken her! Why?! Why was it so easy for her to take my place?! Why is she that damn good?!' she thought bitterly, clenching her nails into her forearms to keep from screaming out in anger.
"Better than you thought she would be?" Yori turned to see Arissa staring at her, her blue eyes piercing Yori's own. "or do you need another presentation of what she can do?"
Yori glared at Arissa and let go of her arms, shaking off and pushing down the anger to fight a smirk to Arissa, "as if. She managed to get one shoot right after an hour. But walking down the catwalk is a lot harder. She's got a long way to go before they'll ever consider her to be a serious Victoria's Secret model. She's just getting started. Are you sure you should be blowing up her head as big as it is? If and when she fails next time, it will only crush her harder."
Arissa glared at Yori now. After hearing what had poured from the vile woman's mouth, she was sure that there was no remnant of her once dear friend. "I don't think you're giving her enough credit. It wasn't just by your recommendation she got the modeling job you know. Daniels is a lot more strict than his appearance would show. He checked with her references and past acting jobs and they all agreed that Kyoko could do anything she put her mind to, once she got her mind wrapped around a character or a scenario, she was set. And as we've just seen, she has no problem being genuine in front of a camera. I think you're scared because you know that she's better than you. And whether you like it or not, she's going to replace you and be better than you."
Yori swallowed the grimace and sneer she felt rising in her throat to then respond cooly, "then you must be losing your touch, because that's not it at all. Kyoko's career is like a firecracker. She explodes with talent, but sooner or later, she'll fizzle out. You're thinking so much of her now, wait until the actual show in December and tell me then what you think of her. There's eight months before the show, and you of all people know that a lot can happen in eight months."
Arissa looked like she was about to respond, but Yori cut her off, "I have to go now, unlike models that rely on their bodies to get them anything, I have to work for a living." with that last biting comment pulled herself off the wall before leaving Arissa in the now dark set room. When she sure she was alone in the hallway, she sneered at the picture of Lily hanging on the wall.
"I don't have that much time! I have seven months and two weeks before this needs to be resolved, what do I do? I thought she would fumble and fail, but she rose and beat what I didn't think she could! Dammit! According to her file she hates love, she hasn't been herself for so long I thought for sure she would fail at this! Dammit, Dammit, Dammit!"
Yori felt her heart clench and she quickly grabbed at it, waiting until it calmed and taking deep breaths. "Plan A failed. I'll have to resort to plan B. No matter what, I have to get Kyoko out of show business."
With a newfound determination she nodded at the once forgotten model, Lily and walked down the empty hallway towards the source of celebration, Kyoko.
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Kyoko was overwhelmed by how happy the models seemed to be. They were partying and celebrating the newest model, her, and they were playing music, talking to her, and drinking soda and sparkling water that she assumed they had gotten from the machines outside her room. She listened to the upbeat music playing loudly in the room and wondered if this is what a party was like. She had never been to one (because all the girls had hated her because of Sho) but she had to admit, it was fun.
She was starting to laugh and let loose like the other models when she felt her cellphone vibrate. As she looked at the number on her caller ID, she recognized the combination. It was Tsuruga-san.
Embarrassment and happiness flooded through her, as she remembered the strange happening that had occured at the photoshoot.
"You look so beautiful Kyoko-chan"
"Are you sure you don't like it Mogami-san?"
She shook off the imagery from what had occurred at the photoshoot, knowing it was bad manners to be imagining her sempai like that. He didn't like her anyway, so why get her hopes up? She excused herself from the celebration, knowing that she had to answer the call.
"Hello Tsuruga-san," she greeted politely, working to keep her composure as images and imaginary Tsuruga-san's voice pestered in her head.
"Hello Mogami-san, how did the shoot go?"
What a question. She panicked, flustered for a while, trying to find a way to answer him, without telling him all that had happened. "it went well. Your advice really helped. Thank you Tsuruga-san. You've helped me again, thank you for your guidance."
Yori turned down the hall and watched silently as Kyoko talked to Ren. She clenched her fists as she watched Kyoko's expression, becoming softer and kinder as she talked with Ren. Whether she knew it or not, her face showed the truth that she loved Ren. 'it's not fair. She can't have it all. I won't let her. She doesn't deserve it.' She thought bitterly, trying to think of a way to stop Kyoko before her time ran out.
"Tsuruga-san, did you not eat properly again? Food is an important resource, you can't keep skipping meals! It's not healthy!" Kyoko chided as she heard Yashiro screaming over the phone that Ren had once again skipped his dinner while doing his photoshoot.
Kyoko's face turned to nervousness and her eyes glanced over to Yori's, who had now schooled her expression to a cool, calm, collected face that hid the anger and hatred boiling underneath. "Yori," she asked, as Yori's blue eyes bore into her gold ones, "Yashiro-san would like me to go over and make sure Tsuruga-san eats tonight. Will that be okay?" she asked quietly, watching Yori's expression.
That was the last thing Yori wanted. The longer they were around each other, the harder it would be to separate them. However, she needed time to put together her next scheme to pull Kyoko out of show business. That would take research. Not to mention if she said no, Tsuruga would be even more suspicious of her, and if he brought his concern to Lory, she would lose the trust she had worked to get. "Of course Kyoko. I understand the need to make sure Tsuruga-san is alright. Just don't stay too long, you have a few scenes for Box R tomorrow that you have to be ready for okay?" she said, forcing a smile on her face.
Kyoko nodded and told Yashiro she would be at the apartment soon. Tsuruga agreed and said that he would come by the studio to pick her up, to keep Yori from having to go out of her way, (though Yori had suspicions it was to keep her from finding out where he lived). Kyoko was apprehensive at first about forcing Ren to go out of his way to get her, but with a little coaxing and the realization there was no other way to get her there, she reluctantly agreed.
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Ren was over the moon with happiness (though he was good not to show it) It wasn't very often that Kyoko came over to his place anymore (the whole thing with the Heel siblings had put her guard back up around him) and she had accepted him taking her in his car. If it weren't for the fact he was concerned what Yori's plan was, he could really enjoy this.
But Yori was on his mind. The woman had made no secret of her desire to keep Kyoko from him, so why would she allow Kyoko to have dinner at his house? Did she think that he would blow it on his own without her interference by moving too fast? 'I've been moving slow with her for a year now, I can hold out!' he thought defiantly, forgetting the instances that his control had nearly slipped from him, and the times his possessiveness of her had caused him to manipulate her unintentionally. But if that wasn't the reason, what was Yori planning?
"I can keep an eye on Yori for you, you know. All you have to do is ask." Yashiro said form the passenger seat, his eyes trained on his charge.
Ren glanced over to Yashiro before refocusing on the road, "why would you say that? I'm not concerned with what she does." he said with a bluff.
Yashiro scoffed, "When Kyoko asked Yori over the phone if it would be okay, your eyes showed the same look they show when Fuwa-san's involved. You were pissed off."
Ren glared at the road, knowing that his manager was right. "if you say so," he said cooly.
Yashiro grimaced with frustration, knowing that Ren had slipped from telling the truth again. "Fine. If you don't want me to watch her, I will. I'm worried about Kyoko-chan, and I don't trust that Matsua woman." He said crossing his arms. 'besides, since you're moving so slow, if she succeeds in separating you and Kyoko-chan, I'll lose all the profits I would make on the fanmade preordered "Kyoko x Ren" stuff.' he thought.
Ren was secretly thankful to his ever watchful manager. He couldn't ask him to keep an eye on Yori, but he was happy that Yashiro would do it anyway. silently he thanked his manager, even though his eyes remained firmly on the road and his mouth remained shut. As they reached the studio where Kyoko was having her shoot, Ren's heart began to beat out of his chest. The combination of what had occured in the LoveMe room this morning coupled with the imagination scene he had pictured during his photoshoot was now causing his nervousness to skyrocket.
As he parked he saw Kyoko leaving the studio, Yori in tow. He could tell from the woman's posture that something had occured that did not make her happy. But Kyoko had said the shoot had gone well, so why was Matsua-san so upset?
Yashiro was curious about the same thing, "I'm going to ride with Matsua-san. That way you can enjoy some alone time with Kyoko-chan." he said with a smirk before climbing out of the car.
Kyoko felt her nervousness climb as Ren's car pulled into the lot. She remembered what had happened this morning in the LoveMe room and even her audacity to actually imagine he loved her during the photoshoot. She was determined to not let him find out what she had thought of during that time.
"Kyoko-chan!" She heard Yashiro shout. She turned to see the always happy and bright manager smiling at her. She smiled back and bowed in respect, "thank you Yashiro-san for telling me about Tsuruga-san."
Yashiro smiled at the thought that Kyoko was acting just like a wife. "of course Kyoko-chan. I figured you would want to know about it. By the way Matsua-san. I have business back at LME that I need to finish up, it's too far out of the way for Tsuruga-san, so would you mind taking me back?"
Yori's posture stiffened but she responded as kindly as she could muster, "of course Yashiro-san. I'd be happy to give you a ride."
Yashiro nodded and Kyoko thanked Yori profusely for helping him before leaving to get into Ren's car. He had stepped out and was standing on the passenger side door, opening it like the gentleman he was, "good evening Mogami-san, did you have fun?" he asked.
Kyoko remembered about her promise to her sempai and her face broke out into the biggest smile as she saw his gentle face staring back at her, "I did Tsuruga-san. I really enjoyed myself."
Ren smiled back as Kyoko climbed in, trying desperately to quiet his heart as he prepared to spend a dinner with the woman he loved.
Yori sneered with distaste as she watched the nauseating display. "Thank you for giving me a ride Matsua-san." she heard Yashiro say.
She wanted nothing more than to out his real motivation, but she couldn't afford that, knowing that the manager would snitch anything she said to Tsuruga. She smiled back, "of course Yashiro-san, I'm happy to be of help." she lied, trying to find a way to expose some secrets of Tsuruga that she could use in the future.
For both couples in the car, it was surely going to be an interesting night.
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So first off, I'd like to apologize for the fact that this chapter took so long. I was on writer's block for a while to figure out how I wanted to write this and put it together. Now it's complete and I hope you all enjoy it!
As for the next chapter, you all have come up with some great ideas as to who Yori is, why she's acting the way she is, and what her true character is. Well, after a little dinner fluff for Ren and Kyoko be prepared because all the questions in regards to Yori shall be answered! with that said, because I love to hear from you all, PM or review your questions that you want to know about her, because all will be revealed during the next chapter! see you then!
By the by, this time December, I will have a book being published! It's called Chosen Child and it's the novel I have been working on for years. Now it's ready and being published! It'll be published under the name Anilyn Shaw, so I hope if you like Christian Fantasy, you'll like this book of mine!
same song same rule,
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Hope everyone's doing well!
-Kate