Dear Senpai

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 32 – Revelation and Reactions

Dear Chiori-chan,

How is filming in Singapore? Has it been difficult playing a blind girl?

Life has been very eventful here. I am sure that you've seen at least the rudiments of Ren's revelation to the Press, even there in Singapore. After all, he is famous throughout Asia, not just in Japan. Tsuruga Ren stepped up to the podium at 9:00 am this morning in front of a packed room of reporters. He stepped up wearing a hoodie, which was strange enough… but then he pulled out his contact case and took out his brown contact lenses… and removed his hood. Everyone was too stunned to respond at first, but then everyone began speaking at once.

Ren… Kuon lifted a hand and everyone went silent. I am always amazed at his acting. I knew that he was very worried, but nobody could have told as he began speaking. "Ladies and Gentlemen, my real name is not Tsuruga Ren. That name is my stage name… though it is the only name by which I was known for the past seven, almost eight years. My real name is Hizuri Kuon. I am the son of Hizuri Kuu and Julie." You could have dropped a bomb at that moment and it would not have had the same impact as those words. The frenzy only got worse when the Hizuri's stepped out from the side-entrance.

Otou-san and Okaa-san flew in the previous day. We had a nice private dinner at Ren's apartment. It was the first time that I was able to see the Hizuri family all together. I had once seen Otou-san and Ren together, but I didn't make the connection at the time. Ironically, I was acting as "teen-Kuon" at that moment, and the embarrassment of the unexpected meeting with Ren disconcerted me. Now it seems so obvious. Hizuri Kuu and Kuon look so much alike, though Kuon is [a little of Kyoko's normal self must have come out here. Her calligraphy is slightly erratic, showing embarrassment for her words] even more handsome.

I am enclosing the article from Tokyo Entertainment Daily because the article is honest and because it has the best picture of Kuon… with his blond hair and China Blue eyes. I will let the article speak for itself. Ren[crossed out] Kuon (is this as confusing for you as it is for me?) was expecting more of a negative reaction, but the Press was actually kind; even after he revealed that he got into a lot of trouble in his teen years. I think that Takarada-Shacho did a lot of behind-the-scenes work to ensure a positive response. I'll let you read the article. It says it the best.

Please take care in Australia. The airplane scenes will have a certain amount of danger, even if the "airplane" is actually a fuselage in a studio.

The next letter that I send you will have a different type of insert.

Sincerely,

Mogami Kyoko

[Inserted article clipping from Tokyo Entertainment Daily]

Tokyo Entertainment Daily – August 14, 2012

Tsuruga Ren is Hizuri Kuon! From Troubled Teen to Renaissance Man

By Shigaruwa Michikuga

Tokyo was stunned this morning when Tsuruga Ren, Japan's Top Actor and Most Desirable Man, held a press conference to reveal one of the most well-kept secrets in the entertainment world: He is actually Hizuri Kuon, the long-lost son of one of the entertainment industries most famous and beloved couples: Hizuri Kuon and Julietta.

Seven, almost eight years ago a the Hizuri's son… who most would have described as a "troubled teen" and who others described as a hooligan… fell off the face of the planet. Hizuri Kuon, at the age of fifteen, had already been in various different films, television shows and modeling jobs. At the time his producers and directors often described him as reckless and temperamental, though he did have a reputation for reliability. Rumors of a series of questionable fights began to reach the press and his reputation was becoming worse. Then Rick Thomas, another young actor and the man who was rumored to have taken Kuon under his wings died suddenly in a tragic car accident. Further rumors placed Kuon on the scene, but this was never confirmed. The investigation labeled the death as an accident.

Shortly after that incident, Hizuri Kuon dropped of the Hollywood landscape, though it was almost six months later before people began to ask questions. The Hizuris never replied to any inquiries at that time or in the following years. When one ambitious reporter checked with the local police she was assured that his whereabouts were known and that he was safe. No further information surfaced until this surprise announcement today.

Tsuruga Ren appeared on Japan's entertainment scene six months after Hizuri Kuon disappeared. His modeling work saw immediate success, but it was another six months before he began to achieve any recognition in film. Tsuruga-san has since performed in over fifty commercials, twelve dramas and sixteen feature films. These numbers are unprecedented and unmatched by any other actor, but it is part of the legend of Tsuruga Ren. He has a reputation as a consummate professional and a gifted actor, but he is known best for two other qualities: He is called the "hardest working man in entertainment" and "the co-star killer."

Ren earned the first title because he often works every day of the week from early morning until late into the night. His manager, Yashiro Yukihito, is said to be the most efficient manager in the business, and he needs to be. On any given day Tsuruga Ren might be seen on two or three different filming sets and often posing for modeling work. And still he has earned a golden reputation for always being on-time, on-task, and being a one-take king (meaning that the director seldom has to have the man re-film a scene.

His second title as the "co-star killer" has to do with two things. First of all, whenever he is on-set with another actor or actress he often performs so well that he leads his fellow actor, often drawing out a better performance than was expected. Second, due to his handsome good looks and kind demeanor, the female actresses almost invariably fall in love with him. Although he has almost never been involved in any type of scandal, he has still managed to leave many longing hearts and hungry looks in his wake. Now that he has revealed his "true colors"… namely blond hair and blue eyes (see photo)… his appeal may only grow stronger.

There is another quality that few other actors share: he is a Renaissance Man, able to quote Shakespeare, speak multiple languages, shoot several weapons with pinpoint accuracy and play a piano and guitar beautifully. Most of these skills were ones that he learned in order to perform well in one film-role or another, often learning the new skill only shortly before or during filming.

But if you are still holding out hopes, ladies, you might want to reconsider: Hizuri Kuon left the press conference with his arm over his current love interest, actress Mogami Kyoko. From what this reporter observed, not only was the couple still very attached to each other, but the young actress seemed to be on intimate terms with Kuon's parents. One reporter who was close to the couple distinctly heard the young lady… a rising star in her own right… addressing the elder Hizuri couple as "Otou-san" and "Okaa-san"… which implies that this relationship is much deeper than suspected. (For more on Tsuruga Ren, a.k.a. Hizuri Kuon and Mogami Kyoko, see the article "From Paris with Love?" on page 3).

The Hizuris, father, mother and son have consented to an open interview this afternoon. An article on that interview will be available in tomorrow's paper.

oOoOOoOo

Dear Kuon,

I asked Yashiro-san to give you this letter just before your afternoon interview. I'm very sorry that my own schedule precludes my attendance; I wanted to be there to support you.

It was obvious that this second meeting with the Press was almost more intimidating to you than the first. I thought that this was because you were concerned about what Otou-san and Okaa-san might say, but now I understand your true concern: you didn't want any negative questions to be directed at your parents concerning your decision to leave at such a young age. I suppose that I can understand such a concern altogether too well… since you have often berated me for my own tendency to take the blame for every little thing. Now it is my turn: whatever happens, whatever is asked, neither you nor your parents have any reason to hang your head.

To me, your decision to relocate and reinvent yourself is the bravest, noblest, and most amazing accomplishment. Other people wallow in their mistakes and never move on. You took a huge step, shook off your past, moved out from your father's shadow and made yourself into an incredible person and an amazing actor. Long before I was ever able to accept my true feelings for you, I respected you more than any other man. You wiped off the dust of the past and became Japan's foremost actor... and a good man.

As far as your parents are concerned… I hope that you will not feel that I overstepped, but I spoke with your mother. Both your father and mother are inordinately proud of what you did and of the man that you have become. Whatever might be asked, they are more than prepared to weather the storm with you and support you… even if it leads to ignominy and scandal… which neither I nor they believe it will.

So hold your head up high, Corn. You have earned the right.

And although it is embarrassing to write, I will do so anyway: I love you for who you are, who you were, and who you will become in the future. To me they are all the same: My Corn.

Love,

Kyoko