Author's Note: Thanks for the anonymous reviews autumn (I do enjoy being called author-san, it has a nice ring to it) and Guest (Trix are for kids? haha, do they even sell that cereal anymore?). As for speculations, veronca55 was right! Damn that silent mode!

Now on to the story!

Chapter 4: Role reversal

"What do you mean, Mogami-san has disappeared?"

Excusing himself from the set, indicating the phone in his hand, Ren found a secluded area backstage. Thankfully he was only doing a cameo for a popular sit-com, and he'd already completed the majority of his scenes. He sat down on a crate, his mind already working on a reason to leave the studio that would be acceptable to the director.

It had only been this morning that he and Yashiro had met with Kyoko and the President to discuss her hiatus from her role as Setsu. Ren checked his watch: it was nearly 5pm. What could have happened to her in only a few hours? Or was this something the President had planned to get them together on White Day?

"Oh, so you aren't with her right now?" the President asked pointedly. "You didn't whisk her away for a romantic White Day rendez-vous?"

"I'm working," Ren dead-panned. "Either explain yourself properly or I'm hanging up."

He could almost hear Lory pout on the other end.

"Director Kazutoyo from [Box "R"] just called me," the President elaborated, "He said that no one has seen Mogami-chan since they broke for a late lunch about an hour ago."

Ren frowned. Was Lory saying that Kyoko was missing in the middle of the workday? If that was truly the case, then why was the President calling Him?

"That is troubling," he conceded. "But I don't understand why you are calling me."

"Don't be like that, Ren. Not when you're talking to me. I know how you feel towards that girl," Lory scolded, unable to hide his disappointment. Maybe this couple was doomed. It was like they were trying to infuriate him, taking one step forward only to take two steps back.

"Besides, this is a serious matter. I am deeply concerned that something has happened to Mogami-chan. And you should be too."

Sighing, Ren ran a hand through his hair. There was no way the President would make such an elaborate scheme as to involve Mogami's director and the staff at [Box "R"]. His heart constricted painfully when he imagined Kyoko in danger – especially since he felt powerless to help her.

"Then what is it that I can do? Do you expect me to ride down there on my white horse to save her?"

"Cut the sarcasm, Ren. I've tried calling her cellphone but she isn't picking up. Do you think you could try calling her as well?"

"Sure. Is that all, President?"

"For now."

"Alright. Goodbye."

He hung up and immediately dialed Kyoko's number. Despite acting unaffected for the President, he was extremely concerned himself. He couldn't deny that it was White Day, and Kyoko had given chocolates to Reino from the "beagles" (even if they were "hate" chocolates). If that man were to lay a finger on Kyoko… Ren could feel his anger bubbling to the surface. The empty ringing in his ear was not helping.

Yashiro peeked around the corner into the backstage area. Spotting Ren, he jogged over. He was surprised to find that Ren was on the phone, considering that he would usually let calls go to voice mail while he was on set. Stranger still was his demeanor. Ren snapped his phone closed angrily after 30 rings.

"Ren what's…"

"Clear my schedule. Something's come up."

"But Ren, there is only one short scene left to film," he coerced, as Tsuruga-san stood up as if he were about to leave the studio. "They're calling for you right now. That's why I came to find you. Couldn't whatever it is wait a few minutes until you're finished here?"

"Kyoko… Mogami-san has disappeared," Ren replied, looking Yashiro right in the eyes.

The manager was awestruck by the fear and worry that filled those eyes. Inside his head, Yashiro's hair stood on end. Kyoko was missing? Was she kidnapped? And on White Day, no less! This could be bad. Why are you still here?! We need to begin a search party! I'll call the police! Kyokoooooooo!

But, as a responsible manager, Yashiro forced his outer face to remain calm.

"The faster you finish the scene, the faster we can find her."

Ren exhaled sharply as he hung his head. His manager was right. Besides, what could he do that the director on set couldn't?

"Fine."

"Excuse me, are you the manager of Fuwa Sho?" asked Director Kazutoyo.

Shoko approached the man who she figured was the director. "Yes, that's me, Aki Shoko. Nice to meet you."

The director bowed hastily in response. "Kazutoyo Anna, director of Box "R", and this is Amamiya Chiori, nice to meet you."

"Director Kazutoyo, what can I do for you?"

"We have reason to believe that your client Fuwa Sho arrived on set about… how long ago?" he asked Chiori.

She looked at her watch. "Nearly 45 minutes ago now."

"Right, 45 minutes ago. He was seen talking to Mogami Kyoko, one of our actresses. We haven't seen her since then. Do you know where we could find Fuwa-san?"

Of course, Shoko thought, every time he's with Kyoko he pulls something like this.

"I'm sorry, I don't know where Fuwa-kun is," she replied apologetically. "But I'll try calling his cellphone now, if that works for you."

"Yes, please, go ahead!" the Director responded, relieved that someone could help.

Looking up at Sho's arrogant face, Kyoko panicked.

What was he planning on doing?!

Finally the reality of the situation dawned on her: she was alone in a room of a Love Hotel with a half-naked man… and no one else knew where they were. But, that man was Fuwa Sho. That was the silver lining. He was the man that, at every opportunity, reminded her just how plain and unattractive she was. They'd even lived together, for crying out loud! At that time he'd admitted outright that, to him, she was nothing more than a maid. So, out of every other man in the world, she was (in a way) relieved that she was alone with Sho.

So… what was the point of all this?

Caught between Sho and the bed, Kyoko's mind worked against time to come up with a solution. Surely he wasn't going to do something inappropriate to her! The situation seemed all too familiar, though the perspective had changed. In the scenes she'd just finished filming she'd been the predator advancing on the scared innocent girl.

Was that it? Was Sho just bullying her the way Natsu did to Chitose?

The idea of it made Kyoko angry. To think that she'd followed him in on the pretense of hearing some awful news about his parents, and all he'd done was play with her for his own twisted satisfaction. Well, that was about to change.

With a breathy gasp, Kyoko sprawled herself back onto the bed. Gazing up at him through her long eyelashes, her eyes narrowed seductively.

"Well, what exactly did you have in mind?" she purred, much to Sho's confusion. The man stopped in his tracks and just stared at her, perplexed.

Then she lifted herself up onto elbows, which caused her school uniform to tighten noticeably across her chest.

What the hell?

"What did you think I would give you? Or," she smirked wickedly, "had you just planned on taking something by force?"

"I – ah…" Sho fumbled, at a loss of what to say.

Hadn't Kyoko been flushed and flustered two seconds ago? Now she was looking up at him like she was the seductress and he was the innocent one. He gulped, not wanting to be caught by her trap. It was impossible to deny that he was interested in this version of Kyoko, but admitting that would be like admitting to defeat. What if that was what she wanted?

No matter what, he wouldn't lose to her!

He pointed an accusatory finger at her.

"Whore."

Kyoko's jaw dropped, completely casting off Natsu's character. "What?!"

Sho had already turned away and was retrieving his shirt. Casually, he said, "Sorry, but I'm not interested in that kind of girl."

"So? Who said I wanted you to be interested in me?!"

Sho ignored her as he picked up his things.

"Hey, at least answer me when I'm talking!"

With the tension dissipated, Kyoko got off the bed and chased after Sho. Grabbing his wrist, she turned him around to face her.

"Stop acting like such a jerk!" she shouted into his face.

The physical contact and the fact that she was back to being the normal (though slightly angry) Kyoko pushed Sho over the edge. He closed the distance between them and kissed her.

Crrraaaccccccckkkkk!

The sound of thunder broke the atmosphere, making Sho jump back in surprise. Kyoko reached into her purse and pulled out a different cellphone than the one she normally used.

It was then that Sho noticed that his phone was ringing, as well.

With a glance between them, they both opened their phones and shouted, "Hello?"

"Sho, where have you taken Kyoko?" Shoko demanded without any preamble. "Her director is furious."

"Relax, Shoko, I'll bring her down."

"Down?" Shoko emphasized. She glanced over at the others and then covered her mouthpiece with her hand as she whispered, "Are you saying that you're in a room in this hotel?!"

"We were just talking," he said as he stared over at Kyoko who was talking on her own phone.

"I don't care what you were doing! Just bring her back immediately…"

Sho hung up.

"Mogami-san?"

Kyoko was silent for a second. This was Setsu's phone. There was no reason that anyone should be calling it, especially now that she was on break from the role until after her exams. But yet, at the very worst moment possible, Tsuruga-san had broken the rules.

"Tsu – Tsuruga-san?" came her hesitant reply.

"Yes, it's me…." He paused as well, hearing the smallest change in her breathing. Something had happened. She was scared. What was going on?

"Are you… alright?"

"Yes, I'm…" Kyoko hesitated, looking over at Sho. "I'm fine now."

"…"

There was another pause in their conversation.

She said "now" as if she hadn't been fine previously. But, even if he asked, he knew she'd be quick to reassure him. The important point was that she seemed to be out of danger. There was so much he wanted to force out of her, but now was not the time for that.

"Well, I received a call from the President a while ago, and he mentioned that you'd gone missing during filming of [Box "R"]."

Her breath hitched and her eyes became saucers. She was supposed to be on set! Her watch told her that lunch break had been over for 20 minutes already.

"Ah-h. I'm sorry to have troubled you!" she apologized quickly. "But I must be going now!"

"Alright, goodbye Mogami-san. Be safe."

Kyoko hung up. Sho was also off the phone. A strange tension filled the room as they looked at each other. Knowing that she had to return to work immediately, she'd just wanted to run out without another word. But the look Sho was giving her made it impossible. They had to say something. She bit her lip in discomfort.

'What was with that kiss?' she wanted to ask. But in asking… she'd be giving him power over the situation. He could spin it in whatever direction he wanted. The truth was, though unexpected and unwanted, something about that kiss had raised butterflies in her stomach. It had been completely different from what he'd done to her on Valentine's Day, which had been like a battle he'd fought with his tongue. This time it had been… gentle. It had felt… not terrible.

She didn't like the situation at all. Surely he'd use this to break her even worse than he had before.

Sho was just as dumbstruck. He hadn't planned on kissing her. Now things were just awkward. He was supposed to hate her guts.

"I'm… leaving now."

"Wait – Kyoko," Sho called, extending his hand towards her retreating back. She turned around, but her eyes pleaded him not to say anything else.

"The reason I called before…" he said, for lack of anything else to say. "I just wanted to warn you about getting close to Tsuruga Ren."

"I'm sure you've already covered that," she replied flatly, hiding her eyes behind her bangs. "I promised you, didn't I? That I'd never fall in love with someone like him."

"No, I mean – well yes, that too – but…" Sho stuttered, his emotions a jumbled mess. "I, well… just be careful around him, alright? He seems to have a dark side that could be dangerous. That's all."

A warning: to watch out for Tsuruga-san's dark side. That's what the phone call that had brought out his dangerous behavior four days ago had been about. How ironic.

On her way out the door Kyoko muttered to herself, "Well, he's not the only one."

The twenty flights of stairs that led down to the lobby were mercifully deserted. Kyoko had a lot on her mind, and she was glad that she could take the time to sort through it all in silence.

Every step she took was heavy with guilt. She had promised the president that she would take her acting seriously in order to rise to the very top, yet all she'd done is muddle through her character's emotions and cause trouble for everyone. Her behavior was inexcusable. She needed to do better. Tsuruga-san would never have left his set during filming.

The pit of her stomach dropped. And there it was: the true source of her guilty feelings. This day had been nothing but broken promises. Somehow, her promise to Tsuruga-san about the actor's "kiss rule" overshadowed all the others. She'd told him she'd guard her chastity with her life! But then she'd willingly entered a hotel room with the one man that always, always caused trouble for her. If Tsuruga-san ever found out...

Her heart squeezed painfully. In the middle of the staircase, she crouched into a little ball.

No! He must never find out!

Trapped in a whirlwind of anxiety, Kyoko held herself tighter. It was the only way to keep her skin. She had to keep it a secret.

For a while she just sat there, unable to move.

"Hmm…Very convincing performance," said an unwelcome voice from above. "Is that a soccer ball, perhaps? Or maybe a bowling ball?"

"Shut up, Sho."

The pop idol jogged down the remaining steps between them. Kyoko hid her face between her knees.

"Go away, I don't want to talk to you."

"If you don't hurry, you're going to be fired for sure," he said, as if it didn't matter to him either way.

Kyoko shuddered. That was the last thing she wanted. She knew she needed to get back to the set, but she didn't want Sho to think that he'd helped her or anything. Slowly, she got to her feet, keeping her gaze steadily in front of her and away from Sho.

Again, the silence that surrounded them begged to be filled.

"So… How are your parents?" Kyoko asked as they descended the stairs together, much to her chagrin.

"Good, I guess," he replied simply. "I don't really hear from them much anymore."

They were approaching the door to the lobby. Kyoko wanted to make a run for it, if only to escape this awkward atmosphere. However, she forced herself to walk calmly. It wouldn't do to let Sho know how much he'd rattled her. At the bottom, he reached for the handle and opened the door for her with a gentlemanly courtesy that looked forced – and a little silly. Kyoko held in a laugh as she stepped out of the stairwell and into…

Blinding flashes of cameras and microphones thrust in her face.

A/N: So I realize that this story is looking a lot like Sho x Kyoko. I assure you that it is not. But well... Skip Beat! has always been a love triangle (if you disagree, please see the "unexpected love story" arc). The point is... Ren will get a bigger role in the chapters to come. Hehehe...