Dear Sempai

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat! or any of the characters from the Manga.

Summary: Lory has conceived yet another devious scheme, wrapped in the guise of a LoveMe assignment. All the girls have to do is to write at least one letter a week to the person they respect the most. Simple… right?

Letter 12

Dear Mr. Tsuruga Ren, (The following letter was never sent)

I feel that it is perfectly natural for me to worry about me "brother." It is not necessary for you to tease me in such a fashion. Need I remind you that my "brother" has many poor habits? He does not take care of his body though proper nutrition. He smokes. He works entirely too hard (though I do acknowledge that he is highly in-demand). He does not get enough sleep, and sometimes he seems to need… to have his "sister" nearby [the calligraphy seems a little erratic here]… when he has had a bad day.

I am not suggesting that you are dependent upon me… or that, as you suggested, I am worried that you will find another "sister." I was only worried that [whatever was written thereafter was too scribbled-out to be legible]. I simply asked that you wait. If you do not choose to do so, then I will not bother you any further. Good day!

Dear Friend, (this letter was sent)

I choose not to respond to your teasing and will pretend, hereafter, that no further words were spoken on the subject. You may choose to do as you wish and I am confident that everything will be fine when I return to Tokyo.

Okaa-san is absolutely wonderful! As soon as we arrived in New York she was surrounded by famous people such as designers, retailers, and fashion magazine reporters. I intended to make myself as invisible as possible so that I wouldn't embarrass her, but she insisted that I remain by her side and she introduced me to everyone as her "protégé." That was embarrassing, of course, since I am not a fashion designer, nor a model, nor in any way suited for such pursuits. Nevertheless, she must have anticipated her reception because she had already dressed me in one of her newest designs. It fit me perfectly, though I still feel that it would have been more appropriate to have a model show off her design first.

After several conferences, we escaped from the press of people and she took me shopping. Despite my protests, she insisted on having me try on dress after dress, and then she chose her favorite ten outfits and she insisted on paying for them. I don't know what to do about that because I don't know how I can ever pay back even a portion of the cost. The thing is that she gave me the same sad puppy-dog look that you gave me as Cain when you wanted me to choose several outfits. Are you sure that the two of you aren't related?

After shopping we went back to the Waldorf-Astoria, a stunningly beautiful older hotel in downtown New York City. Julie-san fit the hotel perfectly, but I felt like a fraud. We ate in the hotel restaurant. I know that it seems silly, but for just a while I pretended to be an Ojou-sama, or perhaps even a princess. I had the most perfectly prepared salmon that I have ever enjoyed. Okaa-sama had a steak that looked like it should have been dipped in gold. Of course, after seeing the prices perhaps it should have been.

We spent the remainder of the evening with her crew, putting last-minute touches on her new line, meeting with the models, and talking with the sponsors. The show will be tomorrow and I feel as nervous as if it was my line of clothing that was to be presented. Okaa-san didn't seem nervous at all, of course.

Is it wrong of me that I pretend that she truly is my mother, even for a little while? She is so beautiful, so graceful, so kind, and so very wonderful to me that I can't help but wish. It makes me feel sad just to think that I will be flying away soon.

ooOoo

It is morning now. I meant to send this letter last night, but now I'm glad that I didn't. So much has happened this morning. We woke early and went to breakfast at a tiny little restaurant that I wouldn't have ever known about if it weren't for Okaa-san. It turns out that the restaurant owners have been friends with Julie-san's family since she was little. The lady, Susan Wilson, went to elementary school with Julie-san and is even the godmother of the Hizuri's son, Kuon. And that is why I saw it!

Ren-san, you will never believe this! In truth, I still can't believe it or understand it… but pictures don't lie: Hizuri Kuon is my Corn! At least, from the picture that is sitting on the Wilson's mantle, he looks exactly like the boy that I met so many years ago in Kyoto. It doesn't make any sense, really, but I have to find out more.

Okaa-san, who is normally very forthcoming, seemed to clam up as soon as I reacted. She seemed very startled when I told her the story of my childhood, but all she said was, "Oh! That explains why he…" But she wouldn't say anymore, nor would she allow the Wilsons to say anymore.

Do you suppose that their son Kuon knows who I am, but just doesn't want to meet with me again? He was so kind to me at the time, but perhaps he is so disappointed in what I've become that he has decided to never meet me again. I hope that isn't true. It makes me feel sad to think that I am an embarrassment to him. Then again, I shouldn't be surprised at this.

I felt excited when I started writing this, but now I only feel sad. But don't worry, I know that I have to support Okaa-san in her show today, so I won't let my feelings show. To paraphrase your own words… "even if your childhood friend chooses to reject you, you can never let is show when you have a job to do!"

I apologize for burdening you with this. Tonight we probably won't be able to talk on the phone, since the fashion show will be followed by other meetings and a party. By the time you receive this I will most certainly overcome this rejection and be ready to perform my duties as a true professional.

Your humble kohai,

Mogami Kyoko

Dear Moko-san,

This is a post-card of the Waldorf-Astoria, where I spent last night and where we will also stay tonight. Isn't it the most beautiful hotel you've ever seen? I feel like I am in a magical castle!

Can I stay the night with you when I return? Something odd happened and I desperately need a friend to talk to about it. I'm sorry for being cryptic, but I promise to explain when I get there. Is Chiori-san back from her trip? If you want, you can invite her as well.

Your friend,

Kyoko