Disclaimer : I don't own Skip Beat!
Chapter 5 : Father and Son (Part 1)
Cain blinked. He wasn't sure with what was written on the paper. He closed his eyes and opened it again, hoping he misread it somehow. Yet, the roles written on the paper were still Father and Son.
Setsu smiled slyly whilst Kyouko was shivering in fear inside. She didn't know what the Demon Lord would do about the role. From the last roles they did, it seemed to her that he wasn't on good terms with his father. Why am I so unlucky and picked this role?
"You actually wrote something like this, Setsu?" Cain asked. He sounded calm but he was really confused. How the hell I'm going to act as a father? I'm just 21 years old. Is she throwing a challenge to me? I'm so unlucky. It has been three times in a row from her. When will we get to play those roles? He thought back to the roles he had written. He sighed inwardly.
"Yes, is it wrong?" Setsu asked with bored expression.
"No. I thought that you would have written something like Queen or Cinderella something. Despite your outlook, don't you like those roles a lot?"
"Um, I just wanted to try something new… Why? You don't have confidence to play a father?" she teased. Stupid! Don't rile him up, Setsu! It's already good that he didn't seem to get angry. Kyouko shouted inwardly.
"Not really. Why didn't you write daughter instead?"
"Hmm… daughter is too common. Someone told me that there's no guarantee I will always get a girl role. I might get some guy roles too. I enjoy challenge, niisan," Setsu said. "Ah, as for this role, please call me Kuon the next time you wake up."
"Corn?" he said, trying to sound amused. He laughed inwardly but happy at the same time. She really loves playing as me? I'm flattered, Kyouko.
"It's Ku-o-n. Not Corn," Setsu corrected him.
"Kuon. Okay." Cain nodded. So, this time I get to see her full version of me. If she were to play me, then I'd just have to play my Dad. Dad is… He grinned. Well, let's wait and see…
"Niisan, if you don't mind, I'm turning on the television now."
Cain nodded. Setsu pressed some button on the remote and the title 'Box-R' was displayed on television screen. Setsu froze and quickly changed channel. No! I forget that Box-R started airing tonight. There's no way I could let him see my lousy acting. I'm not good enough yet.
"Why did you change the channel, Setsu? Go back to the previous one!" Cain said. "I want to watch that one."
She stared at him with her cold gaze as usual. "Why though? I'm looking for a foreign channel. Want to watch Hollywood movies instead…"
"I want to watch that one." Cain pouted. He gave her his maximum level of puppy dog eyes.
Setsu stopped in the track. He's using puppy dog eyes again. That's cheating… He must have known that I can't resist to it! She gave up and gave him the remote and sank herself down on the bed. She pouted. Cain smirked upon seeing her distress state. He pressed the button and sat up silently watching Box-R first episode.
Setsu was watching as well though Kyouko was cursing him inside her mind. Tsuruga-san is so mean. I don't want to watch myself. Look! Natsu is so cruel, she cried inwardly.
Meanwhile, Ren was fascinated upon seeing Natsu. Perfect walk, perfect posture! Sexy and seductive… why did she act so seductive? He sighed inwardly. He stole a glance at the girl beside him and noticed she was watching the drama in silent with bored expression. His eyes turned back to the television. Nice arse, he commented inwardly and he was feeling to tease her suddenly. "Nice arse…"
"Huh?" Setsu turned to look at him and raised her brows in confusion.
"See! That girl! Natsu? She's very sexy and got a nice arse. On top of that, she got a pretty face," he said again. "I wonder if I could get to know that actress. I want to meet her in person."
Kyouko blushed furiously whilst Setsu still maintained her bored and cold expression. What did he just say? He said that Natsu got pretty face and nice… what the…? Is that Tsuruga-san or Cain? Must be Cain. Tsuruga-san won't think anything of me as sexy. I'm just a child in his eyes. "Which part of her is sexy? I'm sexier and prettier," Setsu said. WRONG WORDS, SETSU! Are you out of your mind? Kyouko shouted to her inside her mind.
"Heh… my baby sister is getting jealous over some Japanese chick?" Cain smirked.
"Because… isn't that true?" Setsu got off her bed and walked around, imitating Natsu.
Cain's eyes followed her every movement. "You know, if you were not my sister, I'd have jumped you by now. You kind of turned me on with that impersonation of her," Cain said casually. "Don't worry! You're still my best girl."
Setsu stopped and froze. She turned to look at him. "Oh wow, it sounded so incestuous, niisan. I'll take that as compliment though, because it means I'm sexier than that chick," she said with a wink. "Anyway, if you were not my niisan, I'd have jumped you too," she replied seductively. WRONG WORDS AGAIN, SETSU! What the hell is wrong with these stupid siblings! Siblings can't do that. Why the hell they can talk about things like that so casually? Kyouko shouted to Setsu's spirit inside of her. She could almost saw her staring at her with her bored expression and mocking her for her modesty. I'm going crazy… I need to get out fast.
Meanwhile Cain grinned when he saw her walking fast towards the balcony afterwards. She looked calm as usual but there was something off. Hee… She's upping her level as Setsu? She could actually reply so casually about that particular matter. Sibling roles give more advantages to the closeness, but well… not enough to make her see me. I'll have to wait till at least that role.
"Dad, wake up!" Kyouko or rather Kuon shook Cain up.
Cain grunted unclear. American accent?
"Dad, wake up! You're going to be late for job."
Cain opened his eyes and sat up. His eyes widened when he saw Kyouko's impersonation of himself. Kyouko wore a short blonde wig. The wig styled exactly like his hair when he was young. He was amused even more when he saw her eyes were green. He looked at her clothes. She wore a buttoned up shirt and a pair of jeans shorts. She even wore some necklace which he had to agree. He did wear necklace all the time, even now. She made a perfect impersonation of the ten years old me, I must say. He almost laughed. I know she is trying to portray 15 years old me, but… the more I look at her, the more she resembles to 10 years old me. This is her Corn, supposedly. Bring it on! I was curious about her whole play as me after all.
"Good morning, Kuon," Cain said with tender smile.
Kyouko's breath hitched. She quickly composed herself and return back to her Kuon role. "Dad, you might as well go take a shower and then we can have breakfast."
Cain composed himself and tried to remember Kuu's expression. He smiled and got off bed. He patted her head and said, "Okay, son." He then left for bathroom.
Kyouko was in daze when Cain patted her head. He is like Hizuri sensei at a second there. She laughed a little when she heard him sing inside the bathroom. His voice wasn't really good but it was nice and right on tone.
She quickly fixed their beds and arranged breakfast on the coffee table. Cain smiled when he noticed the mountain of messy charred eggs and the whole loaf of bread covered in many type of jams. Did she really expect me to be like my Dad? I can't eat this much actually.
"Thanks for the breakfast," Cain said and ate his first scoop of eggs. Even the egg shells. He wanted to laugh badly. "Kuon, you should wake me up earlier so I can cook the breakfast for us."
"Ah, sorry, Dad. You know I can't cook." Kuon looked apologetic.
"That's okay for me but… what's with this bread? At least toast it or slice it," he said whilst lifting up the whole loaf of bread. Thank God I had learned how to cook. Next time I'll make breakfast. Her interpretation of me is right though. I was that horrible huh?
"Hmm… you'll eat it anyway. No problem right?"
She expected me to eat all of it? Oh man… Dad, you're killing me. The real Kuon cursed inwardly.
Kyouko was really eager playing Kuon for the second time. She had thought that it'd be an interesting experience. When she arrived at hotel as Setsuka after her job later the night, she hurriedly changed to Kuon's outfit, waiting for her 'father' to 'come home'.
"Dad…" She hurriedly went to the door when she heard it clicked.
"Hey, son… I'm home," Cain said and hugged her tight. She froze in place. She froze even more when Cain kissed her on her forehead. "How's my boy today?"
"Dad, can't breathe…" She pushed him a little. "I'm doing fine, Dad." She pushed him again when she felt he didn't budge.
"What's with my smart and handsome boy? You're being difficult," Cain said and kissed her full on her face. "Daddy loves you, Kuon. Now, I'll get ready and we can go downtown."
Kyouko stood stiff in place whilst Cain walked into the bedroom. What kind of father is he? He actually kissed his son full on face? Kyouko felt her face hot.
Kyouko followed him and tried to not get flustered when she saw him changed the clothes in front of her without restraint. Cain deliberately changed his clothes in front of her. He threw away his shirt and picked a buttoned up shirt and a pair of jeans from the closet. He smirked when he saw her eyes on him when he unzipped his pants and stood in his boxer briefs.
Now, what'll you do, Kyouko? If you wrote daughter instead of son, I wouldn't do this though…it's kind of embarrassing to stand like this in front of her, but she asked for it. You play Kuon, I give you Kuu Hizuri. Ren laughed inwardly. Dad was like that whenever he got home. Ah, not the part when he was practically assaulting mom and made out without restraint. He was annoyed. I was there, old man. How dare you guys got all lovey-dovey in front of a kid. He huffed.
He actually stripped in front of me. Tsuruga-san, are you out of your mind? So shameless. Kyouko wanted to shout the words but she realised he was only playing the father. Was his father like this at home? I should have written daughter instead. She cursed herself inwardly. Even though so, she felt she couldn't turn her eyes off him. She watched his every movement. She saw him putting on the jeans and she blushed red when her eyes followed his hands' movement. He's big… She gasped in surprise for her dirty thought. NO! I'm so dirty. I actually think about his 'thing'? She cursed herself more.
Ren put on his clothes in a silence. He didn't see Kyouko blushed. He was being disappointed once again when he saw her composed face. He sighed inwardly. Not working again? She still doesn't see me as a man.
"Wait a minute, kid," Ren said and walked into the bathroom.
Kyouko waited for him outside the bathroom. When the bathroom door clicked, she gaped at the view before her. Ren put on blond wig and revealed his green eyes. Corn? I can't possibly forget this face. I can't possibly wrong. He looks exactly like Corn, only older. Corn was 10 when I met him, so he should be 21 now. Their ages matched.
"Kuon, what's wrong?" Ren asked. Did I just give my real identity away? Hopefully no… it has been 11 years since then. If I hadn't found the stone for her, I myself wouldn't have recognised her as well. She must be the same.
"Nothing, Dad," she managed to keep herself composed over the sudden discovery. She was partly sure he was Corn but couldn't ask him yet. Tsuruga-san's original hair was dark. Corn's hair was blond. If he were Corn, then did that mean he dyed his hair? If he were really Corn, I'd have his head chopped down for deceiving me. She imagined herself in front of the soon to be guillotined Ren. Instead of frightened, Ren smiled wickedly and said, "I won't die easily…" and revealed his Demon Lord form.
Kyouko shuddered at the thought. Right… He's a fairy. What's with this Demon Lord look? In short, he can't die easily. Amamiya-san said she could see fairy and the fairy was Tsuruga-san. But… then it meant he completely made fun of me. Her face darkened and turned back to normal fast before Ren realised it. But, if he were Corn, he'd at least recognise his own stone. Wait, he knew I was from Kyoto. There's no Corn Stone in Kyoto. I'm sure of it. And he knew my birthday. I had only told Corn about it. Other than that, only Shachou and other division heads knew about it. On top of that, he must have deliberately made that big patty of hamburger. Only Corn knew that all. He MUST BE Corn. Why didn't he say anything? Why, Corn? She felt a bit sad suddenly. She quickly calmed herself down. She didn't want him to get alert. I should stop thinking about this for now. I can always find out later. "What'll we do downtown?" Kyouko asked casually.
"You'll know, kid," Ren said.
"What do you think of these, son?" Ren asked whilst handing her some airsoft guns of Glock Series. "Which one you like the best?"
They were in Tokyo Maru outlet in Adachi, Tokyo.
Kyouko's eyes widened when Ren handed her the guns. Heavy! She was in a daze. It was a surprise for her when they arrived at the said outlet. She didn't understand why he took her to an airsoft gun shop.
"Any other gun you like, Kuon?" he asked. "USP? Colt? Beretta?"
Did he play guns with his father before? That's dangerous. Kyouko was getting more confused with his acting. How do I suppose to know which gun? I have never played with a gun before.
"Err… Dad… we are going to play with the gun?"
"Yes. Hmm… we supposed to play in the sports field with some AK-47 or MI-16, or those bigger airsoft guns but… I can't always get here and have a play, so we might as well play this inside the hotel? That's why I'll just buy some handguns for us," Ren said. "These guns usually being used in a movie too. You said that you want to follow my footstep being an action star before so you might as well learn how to hold a gun."
His father—the fairy King, must be an actor as well. Kyouko sighed inwardly. But well… it's interesting. Maybe I'd get a role in an action movie someday? "Dad, I'll go along with your choice. It's not that I really know which gun is the best so you should be the one picking it."
"Sure… if you say so," He said and turned his attention back to the shopkeeper. "Can you give me the uniform as well? My little guy here is the beginner," he switched to Japanese when he talked to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper cringed when he saw the father and son. He was thankful that the father could speak Japanese. The son seemed only could understand simple Japanese. He took some uniforms from the display and handed those to them.
Ren flipped over the uniforms and took one set of it. "Try this on, Kuon!"
Knowing his direction of play, she took the uniform and smirked at him. "Kay, Dad!"
Kyouko was back several minutes later and showed him how she looked.
"Look! My son is very handsome with the outfit. On top of that, he's smart, adept in martial arts, great in acrobatic…" Ren kept rambling about Kuon's attributes and made both the shopkeeper also Kyouko cringed.
He's an oya-baka like Hizuri sensei. His father must be an oya-baka too. Kyouko wanted to laugh so badly. Ren was really funny when he rambled. He even got on a chair and declared those attributes like an award announcer.
"See… you've heard how amazing my son. So, I think I'll take this uniform and then this and this and this…" he pointed to BB bullets, gas tank, guns which were Glock series 19. "Not to forget this," he pointed to the eyes protector.
The shopkeeper cringed and nodded. He smiled awkwardly and got the orders up.
"Dad! What about your uniform?" Kyouko asked. "You have to have one too."
"Oh, that's right, smart boy," he said and patted Kyouko's head.
They finished shopping in that shop and went out to find some food. Deep down, Kyouko was screaming in glee inwardly because he actually remembered eating. She cringed once again when she saw what he had ordered for them. He ordered a whole load of foods. The waitresses and waiters in the restaurant they were in cringed when they scribbled down the orders.
When their foods finally arrived…
"Kuon, now eat this first," Ren said and held out a full spoon of mashed potatoes and shoved it into her mouth without waiting for her to react.
She almost choked on it. She was surprised when she saw him shoving food into her mouth. She gasped in horror when she saw him eating with the same spoon casually. He fed her and himself several times before 'Kuon' started to throw a fit.
"Dad, I'm no longer a kid. I can eat by myself," she protested.
"Oh, okay… well, you don't usually eat well. Either your mom or I have to force you on it. Ah, how can you grow tall if you eat so little, son?" Yeah, that's what was he said before. Ren sighed inwardly. Playing Dad is tough. I can eat no more.
Geh! His father did that to him? Well, I'll let it go this time… but it's so embarrassing. Kyouko scooped some mash potatoes and ate it slowly. She noticed how he ate in super speed. She gaped at him. What the…? He's just really like Hizuri-sensei. "Dad, eat slower, won't you get choke if you eat it so fast?"
Ren smirked. "No… I'm perfectly fine." In fact, he almost threw up but still managed to grin widely. Dead! I'd be dead anytime soon. I don't get a black hole for a stomach after all.
It was already late when they arrived at the hotel. Ren felt his stomach would explode anytime soon. He wanted to throw up so badly. He went into the bathroom directly when they got into their room. Kyouko smiled upon realising why he looked so miserable on their way back to the hotel.
He definitely forced himself to eat. Kyouko shook her head. She headed to the bedroom whilst bringing all their purchased merchandises. She put down their purchases on the table. She then looked for digestive medicines. When she found it, she put it on the table as well. She then waited for him to come out of the bathroom whilst looking at their purchases.
She took one of the guns and put some bullets into it. She sighed. Argh… I should have brought that bastard's poster so I can practice on it. She tried to pose with the gun and did some mini actions from what she had watched on television.
After some time past, Ren got refreshed. He had thrown out and it relieved him. He also took a quick shower. He laughed silently when he got out of the bathroom and found her playing with the gun. She seemed like wanted to kill someone with that look on her face. She must be imagining someone… His face darkened when Shou's face came into his mind. Must be that guy…
"Kuon," he called out to her.
Kyouko stopped her actions and turned around to see him. She saw him wearing bath robe and his wig was off. "Dad," she called and walked up to him. "Are you alright?"
"Sure, why?"
Tsuruga-san's great. He's definitely not okay with eating so much yet he still stays in character. I have to do my best. "No, I thought that you ate too much but it seems that you're fine, Dad. What if you get sick?"
"I'm fine." He patted her head and continued, "Go get some shower and I can teach you how to play with our new toy."
Kyouko grinned and said, "Sure, Dad!"
"Nice face there, you little rascal."
Yes, he's just like Hizuri-sensei. Funny but true. Kyouko smiled and off to bathroom.
"First thing first, don't ever shoot someone or animal using this gun, okay?" Ren said, reminded her whilst they were loading their guns with BB bullets.
"Yes, Dad." She grinned.
"Okay now, let's learn how to shoot first then. We don't want to damage the hotel's property."
He took one gun and headed to balcony. Kyouko followed him out. "We're firing it from balcony?" Kyouko asked in horror. "What if someone get shot?"
"Don't worry! BB bullets have range limits. And we'll only fire it to the open space anyway. No worries."
Kyouko cringed but when she looked at the open space and the fact that they were on the quite high floor, she felt a bit relieved.
"Okay then…" He reached for her right hand and made her grip the gun. He took her left hand and made her hold the gun with two hands. He made her lift the gun. "Can you imagine your target there?"
"Y—yes…" She felt a bit nervous. Ren stood right behind her, practically enveloped her small frame with his body. She could felt warmth radiated from his body. When he gave her instructions, she felt hot. His voice sounded husky and it tickled her ears. Her eyes were set on his hands on hers. It felt intimate to her.
"Are you ready?" he asked. He let go of her hands after he felt her steadied herself.
She nodded. She couldn't think with him being so close to her.
"Fire!" he commanded.
She fired the gun and her body was pushed back a little by the force. That was a nice feeling for her. She shouted in joy. Ren smiled upon seeing her cheerful state. Both of them had fun firing the gun from the balcony in turns. They laughed when they realised they had used up one bottle of BB bullets.
They went back into the room. Ren sat down on the chair and pulled her to him. She ended up sitting on his lap.
"What do you think, son?" he asked and kissed the top of her head.
She blushed brightly without him noticing it. She was freaking out inside when she ended up on his lap, plus the kiss made her embarrassed. She told herself inwardly that it was just a role. Bear with it! He's your father. "It's very fun, Dad." She answered calmly.
"Glad you like it. So you won't get bored," he said and hugged her waist from behind. He kissed her head again. "Sorry, son. Because I'm too busy with my work, you end up alone in the hotel. You can go with me to the set like usual. Don't you usually like it?"
She was stunned. Eh? How do I answer this? I can't think with him so close like this. "Really?"
"Yes," Ren answered. He was reminded of himself when he was small. He sat on his father's lap, and listened to his story about his work.
"Dad, I will be an amazing actor like you and make you proud of me," Kyouko said. Supposed to be like this? Kuon is father's boy after all. Hopefully I'm doing fine.
"Good kid!" Ren felt a bit melancholic after hearing those words. She portrayed me right on spot. Can I ever go back to this state? He almost let out a deep sigh. He hugged her tighter.
Kyouko reached for his hands on felt his hands cold. What happen? "Dad, are you okay?" She couldn't turn her face to him. She was afraid he would recognise her blushes. She was worried about him. She wanted to comfort him. She thought for a while and leaned back against his chest since she couldn't turn away and hugged him. It will be too embarrassing.
He felt her leaning against him and realised she wanted to comfort him. He smiled. "Thanks, son. I'm fine, really. I'm just tired." I shouldn't let my real feelings out. Being a father is difficult. I feel tired emotionally. Dad, I'm sorry. I'll definitely go back to you guys after I defeated Kuon. "Shall we go to sleep, son?"
A/N : Glock, Berreta, USP and Colt were some of the gun's brands. Tokyo Marui was quite well known for airsoft guns. Actually, I'm playing airsoft gun as well, that's why I decided to write airsoft gun in there. Glock is my favourite. I noticed that Kuon must have playing with guns when he was small. I think I read it in certain chapter. Thank you for reading and I hope you like their new roles. :) Review if you'd like to tell me what you think.
Note on terms :
Oya-baka : Idiot/doting parent.