Does anyone else feel Christmassy yet? It snowed on the first and my toothbrush has frozen a couple of times this past week. You got any Christmassy Winter stories?

If you don't you should probably start singing carols or something. Heh heh - everyone feels Christmassy when forced to sing carols.

Dedication: To the reader in Singapore who had given me my first hit literally in 30 seconds of posting. I am inspired by your awesomeness and I wish I knew your name to dedicate this to you properly. This chapter is also dedicated to Devilishduck who read and reviewed practically all of Advent '07 before reviewing all of Advent '08. Thanks to both of you!

Warning...again: Obviousness...again.

(Too bad Kyoko doesn't get it)

Advent '08

December 5th - 20 days to go

Standing in the locker room of the L.M.E. building Kyoko tugged nervously at her uniform. Kanae was watching her from where she stood by her own locker but Kyoko ignored her.

Peering into the small mirror on the inside of the door Kyoko fluffed her hair, trying to brush it into something that resembled a style.

"You know, it doesn't matter how much you try to tame it. Your hair seems to have made it's own decision."

Kyoko sighed in resignation and closed her locker door. Kanae narrowed her eyes.

"Just why is it that you seem to be spending so much time on your appearance today? You don't normally."

"Um…no reason. There's no reason at all."

"It's just that I wonder. Is there something special that you're doing today?"

"No!" Kyoko cleared her throat in embarrassment "I mean…no. There's nothing. I just have to see Ren that's all."

Kanae's eyes lit up with an evil glint. She smirked as she crossed her arms and leant against the lockers.

"Ren, eh?"

Kyoko shivered like a rabbit caught in headlights. She glanced at her friend warily.

"…Yes?"

She knew immediately that this was the wrong thing to say.

"So, let me get this straight. You're making yourself look pretty for Ren?"

"No. It's not…that's not…"

Kanae raised her eyebrow at Kyoko's fumbling. Her smirk turned into a full grin when Kyoko started to blush.

"You're not making yourself look pretty for Ren."

"No…"

"Which is it then?"

Kyoko took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.

"Well. It's a bit of both. Yashiro-san came up with this plan -"

"Yashiro? You and he have a plan?"

"Yes."

"Involving Tsuruga-san and you looking pretty for him."

"Yes. No. Yes. Well…"

"Well?"

"Sort of…? It's Yashiro-san's plan. He just wants me to try and convince Re…Tsuruga-san to go to this award ceremony thing at Christmas."

"Oh, hey! I heard that that was on. I've always wanted to go. It was like, the prettiest award ceremony slash ball ever."

"Yeah, so you see. It's nothing really. Yashiro just wants Re…Tsuruga-san to go and he has a plan."

"Involving you."

"Yes."

Kyoko tugged at her hair once more before pushing past Kanae and out of the room. Kanae stared at the shutting door.

"Ren, eh? I think I need to have a little chat with Yashiro-san."

---/---

It was the middle of the morning before Kyoko got the message from Yashiro to implement their plan.

Standing behind a corner she nervously tugged at her hair before peeking into the corridor beyond. Ren and Yashiro were deep in conversation walking towards where she was standing. She leant back against the wall and took a couple of deep breaths before stepping out with a smile on her face.

"Tsuruga-san."

Ren blinked at her sudden appearance before he smiled softly.

"Kyoko-chan, is there something you wanted?"

Kyoko felt warmth spread throughout her body at the sound of his voice. Then she realised what he had asked and balked. Yashiro hadn't ever given her an excuse to talk to Ren, just that she had to convince him to go to the awards.

She glanced quickly to Yashiro but the look on his face led her to believe that he had just come to this conclusion as well. She fumbled for something to say for a moment, tugging on her cuffs. Ren stood patiently, waiting for her answer.

Kyoko glanced at Yashiro again and this time Ren followed her gaze, raising his eyebrow when he saw who she was looking at. The smile dropped from his lips.

"Do you want to talk to Yashiro-san, Mogami-chan?"

"No!"

Kyoko blushed as Ren raised both eyebrows at the forcefulness of her rejection and Yashiro turned away to try and muffle his amusement.

"I…I…actually…wanted to talk to you. Alone."

Ren's smile returned. He glanced at Yashiro who made shooing gestures at him to tell him it was ok before turning back to Kyoko.

"Lead the way Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko led Ren into the nearest unused room which just happened to be a storage room for costumes. Ren closed the door after them and leant against it, watching as she stood, biting her bottom lip in worry and embarrassment.

She had dragged Ren here and had absolutely no idea what to say or do to justify it.

Sometimes she hated her impulsive nature.

Frantically, she cast around in her mind for something to say or ask. Anything really, anything to break this awkward silence.

Ren seemed quite happy to stand in silence looking at her, but she was sure that his mind was on something else and that he was silently thinking that she was wasting his time.

Suddenly a thought popped into her head.

"Um…" she started, unsure where her thought was going to lead her. "Tsuruga-san? I was wondering if I could ask for your advice?"

Ren looked interested.

"Of course you can Kyoko-chan. What is it that I can help you with?"

"W-well…you see…there's going to be a short video shot at our school. A winter romance."

Ren stayed silent, allowing her to work through what she was going to say without pressure. Kyoko breathed in deeply.

"I was asked by the director to take the main female lead."

"And you're worried because you're unsure whether you can get the character right?"

"We-well…sort of. I don't know whether I can act romantically with my co-star but I want to do this well. I don't want to be seen as being unprofessional or as someone who can't act certain roles. Asami-san chose me specifically because of previous experience and I don't want to let her down either."

"Ah, I see. Well, it's good that you don't want to let down your director."

"A-and there's another thing."

"Hmm?"

"It's a music video. For Sho Fuwa."

Ren stiffened, his face a blank mask. Kyoko stared at him. Why had she decided that this was the right topic? She was supposed to get him to go to the award ceremony, not tell him about her own problems.

Yes, Sho was a problem but she couldn't for the life of her work out why she had told Ren. It wasn't necessary for him to know.

It had just seemed like a good idea and she had blurted it out.

She felt chills creep up her spine when Ren smiled at her.

"Well. I'm sure that you won't have any trouble acting out the part once you start. Now, if you don't have anything else, I need to go."

Still smiling, he turned and went to open the door. Knowing that something bad was going to happen if she let him leave Kyoko did the only thing she could do and grabbed the hand that was on the handle, holding it there so that he couldn't leave.

Her eyes widened at her own audacity and she hung her head, not allowing herself to meet his eyes. She could feel his gaze, hot upon her skin, almost as hot as his hand under hers. Her heart was thundering in her chest.

"Wait."

Her voice was faint and sounded scratchy. She cleared her throat.

"Wait…I. I really need your help."

She was begging but she didn't really care at this point.

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to work with him but I can't let Asami-san down and I don't think I'm going to be able to do this properly."

Silence. Kyoko held her breath while she waited. It had cost her a lot to admit this to Ren and she wasn't one hundred percent sure why she had, but when she felt him relax beside her she felt relieved.

"Okay."

She looked up, her cheeks flushed. Ren cleared his throat.

"Don't worry Kyoko. You're a good actress. You've managed to work with him before, haven't you? Just…take your determination to not let down the director and channel it into your acting. You'll get it."

"Is that what you do when you work with someone you don't want to?"

"Yes."

Kyoko smiled.

"That must be why you're such a good actor. All that determination? Your fans love you for it."

Ren tensed but stayed silent.

"I heard you were invited to the Winter Award Ceremony. Is it true?"

"Yes, it's true."

"Well, it wasn't like there was any doubt really. Everyone loves you Tsuruga-san. They're going to love seeing you on television there."

"Really?"

"Oh yes."

"You think I should go?"

Kyoko crowed on the inside. Finally, she could answer and convince Ren that he should go and show Yashiro that she was reliable to help him.

"Of course! Who wouldn't want to go? It's one of the best awards out there and it's making its comeback this year! It's going to be a landmark event with millions tuning in to see their favourite stars! It's an honour just to be invited! I'm sorry that I'm going to miss being there in person."

Kyoko nodded before peering closely at Rens face. From where she was standing and the shadows cast by the light, it looked like his cheeks had been tainted a faint pink. But that was ridiculous and she brushed away the idea.

She was just happy that she had turned the conversation towards the awards and from the sound of Ren's replies, he wasn't that put off of the idea of going.

Her smile increased at the thought that she had managed to convince Ren to go in such a short time.

They stood in silence for a while, Ren thinking over what Kyoko had said and Kyoko just watching him, happy that she had helped Yashiro. The plan seemed to have worked.

It wasn't until Ren stared at her intently that she started. Mortification rushed through her as she suddenly realised that she was still holding his hand over the handle. She let go as if she had been burnt and blushed furiously.

"Um…um…I…thank you for the help." she managed to stammer out as she stepped back and away from where she was blocking the door.

Ren looked at her for a moment longer before smiling and opening the door

"You're welcome Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko dropped her head into her hands as soon as the door clicked shut.

---/---

Yashiro was waiting quietly outside the door the entire time, wondering just what they were doing that was taking them so long.

His eyes widened as a thought occurred to him. Ren couldn't…could he? He blushed at the thought and cursed under his breath at the thickness of the L.M.E. doors and the fact that he couldn't hear one thing that was going on.

He would, quite happily at this very moment, give up his right arm to hear what was being said…or done…behind that closed door.

Pacing in frustration he was entertaining the thought of just barging in and making up some excuse. The only thing that held him back was the thought that Kyoko might be in the middle of trying to get Ren to go to the awards and if he barged in at that delicate time then his plan would be ruined.

He needed Ren to go to the awards and he needed Kyoko to convince him. His own plan wouldn't work if it was anyone other than Kyoko and there was no way that he was going to give up this plan now. Not after the last plan turned into such a failure.

He was reliving the spectacular failure when the door in front of him clicked open and Ren emerged from the room.

Yashiro managed to get a quick glance at a blushing Kyoko before the door shut. Turning Yashiro focused all his attention on Ren who had resumed walking with him and waited for Ren to say something.

Ren, however, was staring at his hand in what seemed to be equal parts amazement and bemusement, opening and closing it slowly as if he was trying to get the feeling back.

Curiosity turned to irritation when Ren showed no signs of talking.

"So?"

Ren blinked and visibly came back from his own thoughts. Yashiro had never seen him so open before.

"Hmm?"

"What did Kyoko-chan want to talk to you about?"

"Oh. She was having a little trouble with a new role and asked for my help."

Yashiro frowned.

"Really? Was that all?"

"Of course. Why would there be something else."

"It's just that…if she was just going to ask for your advice…wasn't dragging you into a storage closet a little much."

Yashiro smirked inwardly as Ren tensed.

"No. There was just that. She wanted to know how I coped with working with people I don't want to. I told her."

"And?"

"And that was it."

"You were in there an awfully long time for just that."

"Well…the conversation turned to the awards that are coming up at the end of this month."

"Oh really?"

"She seemed interested in them, saying that she was sorry that she was going to miss being there."

Yashiro had to stop himself from laughing out loud. Kyoko had completely surpassed his expectations.

"It sounds to me like she wants to go."

"Hmm…"

Ren fell silent in thought as they walked and Yashiro allowed a small smile to cross his lips. His plan seemed to be working perfectly. He walked in silence next to Ren as they passed in to the next corridor, neither of them noticing the sharp gaze on their backs.

---/---

It was near the end of the day when Lory sent out the message that he needed to see both Kyoko and Kanae in his office before his visitor arrived for their appointed meeting.

The girls both arrived quickly and stood to attention on the other side of his desk. If they were a little put off by his sombre appearance neither of them said anything. He smiled at them.

"Girls. I have a favour to ask of you. Is it possible for both of you to come in over the weekend to decorate?"

He knew he was asking a lot. Both Kyoko and Kanae weren't supposed to work weekends because they weren't legally adults but he was stuck for an alternative.

To their credit they both didn't immediately turn him down on principle. He watched as they thought through his request before glancing at each other and conducted a silent conversation between themselves.

After a few moments they both turned back to face him.

"Yes, we can come in."

He smiled widely and held his arms out.

"Wonderful!"

He was interrupted when his door flew open and a garishly dressed woman strode into the room.

"Ah, Harumi-chan. You're early." He turned his attention back to the girls. "Kanae-chan, Kyoko-chan, thank you for your help. Please be here at eight tomorrow."

They nodded and shot curious glances at Harumi before the door closed behind them. Lory sighed and turned his attention back to his guest. He frowned when he saw that she was staring at the door, a cunning look plastered across her face.

"Lory-kun, which one of those was Kyoko-chan?"

Lory's frown increased. He had to be careful around this woman. She was an old friend but she didn't hesitate to use anything and everything to satisfy her own agenda. Despite this Lory couldn't think of any reason not to differentiate the two girls.

"Kyoko-chan was the one with the short hair."

Harumi smirked and sat down in the chair in front of his desk. Suddenly Lory had a bad feeling.

"Really? Now that's interesting."

He shuffled some of the papers on his desk, weighing the pros and cons of asking her just what was interesting. Business won out in the end.

"It may well be interesting Harumi-chan, but I was wondering if we could discuss the award ceremony at the end of this month?"

She waved him off, completely uninterested in the subject.

"It's all on schedule. You know, I still have no idea how you managed to convince me to bring it back, especially after what happened at the last one."

Lory knew how he had managed to convince her and his bank account was still recovering.

"Nevertheless, I still think we should discuss arrangements as too -"

"Did you know," Harumi said, cutting him off, "that that Kyoko-chan is part of some plan concocted by Ren-kun's manager?"

This caught Lory's attention.

"She is?"

"Cunning piece of work he is. If I was twenty years younger…"

"Harumi-chan," Lory said patiently, bringing her out of her musings, "What plan are you talking about?"

She grinned at him.

"Oh, I don't know the details but it seems to me like it's not just one plan either." She leant forward and whispered conspiratorially, "From what I could make out, it sounds like he's trying to get Ren-kun and that girl to go to the awards together."

"Really."

"He's playing them like fools!"

She laughed joyously at the idea. Lory leant back in his chair and thought about what he had just learnt. This was very interesting. His attention was caught again as Harumi motioned at him.

"I was wondering Lory-kun, if you wouldn't want to make a little wager on the situation."

"A wager?"

"Yes. For say…half of what you paid me to bring back the award ceremony?"

Lory raised his eyebrow and steepled his fingers.

"And what exactly did you have in mind?"

"I say that even if those two go the ceremony together, nothing will happen. From what I remember of Ren-kun he's a stubborn boy."

Lory had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from celebrating.

"Then I say that something will happen."

"But we can't get involved at all. Is it a wager or not?"

He shook her offered hand, inwardly smirking.

"No involvement. It's a wager."

Ha ha - just looked at what I have planned for tomorrow. It's probably going to be a short chapter...though I keep saying that and they stay the same length...but no - this time is definitely going to be a short chapter.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed todays update. I'm goin got go and start on tomorrows update so...see ya! :D

If you're not Christian then have a happy holiday (if you get one). If you don't have a holiday then I wish you peace and goodwill anyway and have a happy holiday the next time you have one.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la la la laaaaa la la la laaaaaa…

DS