I'm back with another chapter!

Disclaimer: Sad to say that we do not own Skip Beat!

CHAPTER EIGHT

Words of Encouragement

"Kyoko, let's drop the act for a while. I mean, right now. We have to talk." he blurted all of the sudden with a serious tone in his voice.

'Great. I knew it! He's angry at me. Tsuruga-san! Don't eat me alive!'

"Tsuruga-san?" she asked innocently with hear cute eyes.

Ren sighed at her reply. "Didn't we agree that we should call ourselves by our given name when we are in a private setting, Kyoko?" he said and sighed for the second time.

Candidly, she is not used with their first name basis. She would freak out if he called her name without warning.

"Uhm… yes?" she answered timidly, avoiding the eyes of her senpai.

"Also, didn't we declare ourselves as close friends already? So try calling me with that name, okay? We've known each other for almost a year so it sounds weird for us calling each other our family names especially since we keep on meeting almost every day." He explained with an encouraging tone.

"I understand, Ren-san." She said and yet, she felt something is still wrong. She looked up to her senpai and saw the face that she didn't wish to see. 'Oh no, he's angry! What have I done? He just wanted me to call him by his first name and what went wrong?' she panicked to herself as she readied herself to be scolded. On the other hand, her demons are already enjoying the aura that was emitted from the other person.

"Drop the honorific, Kyoko" he ordered firmly.

"Eh? That would be disrespectful of me! For me to call my most respected senpai without an honorific? That's not good!" she explained while her voice stammered.

"No, that's not true. I give you my permission to call me by my first name without an honorific. You're just being troublesome to me if you don't obey the request of your senpai." He said hardheartedly.

Now he really did use his bait.

"I'm so sorry Tsu- Ren-san- ah! RRR… Re… Ren! Sorry for being such a lowly kouhai! I didn't know that I was already causing you so much trouble. Forgive me for being such a stupid being!" she begged tearfully with mercy while doing the dogeza on the floor.

Ren just wanted to laugh at her behavior. How can he stay mad at the woman he love?

"Hush, Kyoko. You don't have to be worked up with it." he kneeled in front of her and patted her head.

"Ren?" she looked at him pitifully.

He can't resist the look that she is giving him. She looks so drop dead endearing and it took a large scale of his self control to not to attack her. It's like torture for him!

"Now that's more like It." he smiled truthfully at her, scaring all her apparitions.

It amazes her how her beloved senpai could change moods quickly. Which reminds her, he wanted to talk to her earlier.

"Uhm, Ren? What do you want to talk about since you want to drop the siblings' role for a while?" she asked curiously.

"About that…" he started to look scary at her that wanted to curl herself like a caterpillar. Ren realized that she is at the verge to run away from him. So he composed himself and started again.

"Am I really that scary to you, Kyoko?" he asked quizzically.

"I.. It's not that you look scary Ren. Honestly, I'm just readying myself to be scolded by you." She answered nervously.

"Kyoko, do you really want to be scolded?" he asked

"Well, sometimes. Of course, like what I said before, I don't want to be causing trouble for you." She replied.

"Anyway, I'm not going to scold you or something. I simply just want to talk to you." He said.

She waited for him to continue.

"You know, before you came in the president's office, the president mentioned that you have some issues that he have to discuss with you." He said.

"So, did he tell you what it is?" she inquired.

"Unfortunately, that's the part that I wanted to know. While Woods-san is working with my Cain Heel makeover, I heard you screaming and it worries me. Will you tell me what's really bothering you and what the president did made you do?" he asked, using his level one puppy dog eyes.

"Geez, Ren. Why do you always use that look when you want something from me?" she complained.

"'Cause this is the only way that I can make you give in." he said straightforwardly with a smirk.

"Okay… okay… I was planning to tell you as well." She said.

She waited for him to say something but nothing came.

"In point of fact, I was called in the principal's office." She began with a doubtful expression

"Don't tell me you violate some of the school rules. That's so surprising of you, Kyoko. You, as one of the innocent students in the campus did something stupid that's why you are called in the principal's office. What did you do?" he assumed immediately with a tint of sarcasm in his voice.

"No way! When in this world will I do that! You're so mean, Ren! I didn't do something foolish! It's because I was called doesn't mean I will get scolded and got detention!" she replied immediately, starting to get angry.

"Oh, I'm sorry, really. That's the usual thing would happen when you were called in the office right? Anyway, I'm sorry for being presumptuous." He apologized.

"You better be or I'll let you consume 2 plates of breakfast meals tomorrow." She threatened.

"Seriously, Kyoko. I was joking as well. Please just don't give me that much of food. Anything but that!" He said with a little of embarrassment. There is no way he will eat that kind of amount for breakfast.

"Good. To continue where I left off, I don't know if I can consider this as good or bad news but…" her words trailed off when her mind somehow went somewhere.

"Okay, go on. I'm listening" Ren encouraged her to continue which bought her back to her senses.

"Actually, the principal told me that the student exchange program is given to me. I will be studying high school and acting in America." I don't know which state particularly…." She continued to share the story while Ren's thought tried to process of what he just heard.

'What? Did I hear it right? She's going to America to continue her high school? How long? Don't tell me that she'll finish her high school there. Wait, she's still freshman, right? If this is the case, she'll study there for two whole years! No! I don't want that! She'll be away from me for a very long time. No, I can't take it if she's not around in Tokyo. She's going to be far from my reach. This is terrible. I just can't go back to America just yet. I'm not emotionally ready. I think I'm not worth to come back yet. But I don't want her to go but… I think she deserves it. She works and studies hard for it. We're not even a couple to begin with so what right do I have to hold her back? How about me? I'm going to keep on missing her.' he kept on wandering on his own barely listening to her. His face started to show small flushes of red when he thought about them as a couple. He didn't know what to express. Happiness? Anxiety? Longing? Sadness? Authentically, he doesn't have any idea to combine all the emotions.

"Ren? Ren? Are you there?" She called while waving her hands in front of him.

Ren snapped out of his wonder. "I'm sorry, Kyoko. I was just processing everything you said." He scratched his head, which is unusual for him to do as a habit. 'What choice do I have? I have to encourage to her but she seems down of the news'

"That's absolutely great! You get a chance to study abroad. Now don't give me that kind of look. Who would feel lonely of the good news?" he asked as he raised her chin to meet his eyes.

"Honestly, I'm happy. Really." She confessed but hasn't recovered from being down.

"If that's the case, your answer doesn't matches with your face. What's wrong?" he inquired tenderly.

"The thing is, I am feeling doubtful of myself. What if my high school life would be more terrifying than here? I'm afraid of the thought that I will be left out and maybe I might not be able to cope up with America's lifestyle?" she confessed when a tear finally came out.

Ren completely understood her concerns. Looking at his beloved's features, all he wanted to do is to embrace her and comfort her with reassuring words. All of a sudden, he didn't have a second thought of it and did what he just wishes to do now.

"Come here." He said as he stood on his knees and pulled her to his chest. He settled himself on the floor and he positioned herself on his lap. Pressing her face on his chest, he also rubbed his palm on her back soothingly to calm her down.

'I feel so relaxed. I just began to think that Ren can be so comforting. Setting aside Setsuka's feeling, I also feel safe under his embrace. I can feel the security that there is always someone to look out for me. Ren is too kind for me and I think that I am taking advantage of it. Well, I may sound selfish sometimes but I'm so grateful that Ren is here for me to cheer me up' she thought as her face heated looking like a tomato.

"Kyoko, is that the reason that's holding you back? That you are reluctant enough to turn it down?" he asked by guessing.

She just nodded and didn't speak a word. Ren allowed her to give her time to calm down before they push forward.

A few minutes have passed and Kyoko was able to face him. He smiled to her which made her aware of the position that they were in. She tried to move herself off him but Ren pulled her back, never letting her go. He held her cheeks and stared at her swollen eyes. 'She looks beautiful at this state but she's prettier if she's really happy.'

"Don't worry too much, dear Kyoko. You'll do fine. I know that it will be a little bit rough for the first time but I believe that you can handle yourself. You're a strong person. I'm sure people out there would like to be your friend. You're not bad as you think. I could say that you're an ideal friend that a person yearns for. Trust me. You just have to believe in yourself more. There's nothing wrong to feel strange at first. But of you choose to open up with people then that way they will understand you more and be willing to know more about you as they want to have close relationship with you. Don't live on the negative side. Not every person is mean to you. I want you to see the beauty of every person that has uniquely. Just simply act as your true self then it will be easy for you to understand your new environment. You're friends will learn to love you for who you are. Just like you and Kotonami-san. You may differ in your personalities but you have this strong bond of friendship that cannot be easily broken. And I believe you can do better out there. You have to take that opportunity, Kyoko." He spoke as he caressed her cheeks, trailing the trace of dry tears then placed her pinkish strands behind her ears. 'If I let my selfish side dominate, I would tell her not to go. To stay with me... *sigh*. Surely, she has already made her decision. I'll just support whatever she wishes. After all, this is for her own good. She's still young and she deserves the chance to enjoy and explore more about her life. I will wait for her. That's what I will do. Before she leaves, I'll make sure to find ways to have her contact every month. No, that's too long. Every week, at least but if possible, I want it every day, every night in particular before I went to bed.' He noted to himself strongly not to forget everything.

"Feeling heartened by her senpai's words, she gave him a grateful smile and engulfed him in a big embrace. "Thank you, Ren. You made me feel better. I guess my worries are lifted off my shoulders. Maybe I should really take it. I also want to experience America as well." She said, hugging him tighter.

Ren returned the hug and kissed her hair.

"Feeling better, already?" he asked softly while playing with some strands of her blonde hair.

"Because of you, I never feel so good before. Thank you for your words of inspiration, Ren. It really helps a lot. I hope someday I can do something to help." She said gladly.

'You have saved me many time already' he told himself.

"Ren, do you love me?" she asked hesitantly, not sure how to put her ideas together.

This shocked Ren so much that he was telling himself that he just heard it wrong.

Seeing his shocked look, she hurriedly spoke.

"I mean… as a friend. I love Moko-san as my bestfriend." she clarified.

Just when Ren was about to jump for joy, his heart suddenly sank, discouraged of what she added.

He answered. "Of course, I love you (romantically crazy), Kyoko. You're the best kouhai that I could ever have. I never knew that I would have a loyal Kouhai who is eager to have my advices. I'm so thankful that we have met." He rubbed her back tenderly.

"I'm glad to hear that from you. I love you as well, senpai." She confessed looking back at him.

Ren's heart felt tight. Oh how much he wanted to see him as a man. To make her realize that he love her as a woman. He badly wanted her to return his feelings but no, he can't just do that. Now he's blaming the Gods for giving him a life like a living hell. Well, he did accept that it is the punishment from the Gods but he can't bear the feeling. He can't just accept this.

'Well, at least that she welcomes my existence in her heart. I'll just have to work harder to win all of her heart.' he thought with pure determination.

Sho: Hey, you! *pointing at Ren* You really do love acting lovey dovey to that plain and boring maid,

huh? Oh, I feel jealous. Tell me, Tsuruga. What is it like to have Kyoko in your arms?

Ren: Honestly, I felt love. Thank you for being honest with your words, Fuwa-kun. I didn't know that

acting with Kyoko makes you feel jealous.

Sho: Don't just assume things, you pretty face! And since when did you have the right to call her by her

given name? What privilege do you have to caress her!

Ren: Uhm, since I was 10 years old? *innocent look* We're close friends. Friends find ways to comfort

each other, right?

Sho: What? 10 years old? You're kidding me, right? And you're being just a pervert!

*Kyoko entered*

Kyoko: *slap Sho on the face* How dare you call Ren a pervert? You stupid Shotaro! * Throwing her

minions on him demons* Didn't you get it? It was just acting!

Sho: *Attacked by demons* Nooooooo! Get the hell out of here!

Yashiro: *took out his cellphone with his hands covered with gloves* Hello, security, there's a crazy idiot

here and he's trying to destroy the set. Please come here immediately to get rid of him.

Sho: You….. *glaring at a smirking Yashiro

Five securities came and carried Sho out of the studio then kicked him off the building.

Sho: You better pay for this!

Author's words of request:

So, any words you can say about this chapter? By the way, thank you so much for adding this story in your alerts and favorites. Somehow, honestly, I feel disappointed. There are many people who added this story but didn't leave a review. I'm sorry if I sound a little demanding.

I just want your reviews guys for me to know what you think about this story. This is the longest story that I have written so far. Since I have reached this length I just want to know some things of what I lack of things that I need to improve.

Also, I want to know your feelings about this story whether you like it or not. I feel insecure of the thoughts you have. And I'm pretty sure some fanfic authors will feel the same way I do. Honestly, I feel nervous every time I received a new review.

But still I'm happy to those who gave their beautiful reviews. It inspires me to create more ideas.

Reviews can boost my writing appetite. I guess that's how it works with other authors.

Anyway, I'm just simply asking for your reviews…. Thanks so much!