Disclaimer : I don't own Skip Beat!

Chapter 13 : Problem With Mother?

The Tragic Marker finished filming two weeks later. Cain and Setsu said goodbye to the fellow casts and crews. Cain smiled coldly and Setsu smiled mischievously whilst they were at it. Most of crews and casts still found the siblings strange and weird. It had been a relieved for most of them that the filming had finished. Even though they found Cain Heel scary, they still greeted and thanked him for his hard work.

Murasame apologised for being rude to the two siblings in the end which was waved off by the two. They said sorry as well for making fun of him. The actor laughed it off and said, "See you two at the premiere." He then left them afterwards.

The couple would leave for London the same night. They wouldn't attend the ending party and told everyone they'd see them in premiere the next 4 months. Director Konoe came to their hotel and had a chat with the two of them. He expressed his gratitude and amazement towards the two's acts as siblings. He hoped that he could have both of them in his next project, and told them to look forward to it. The two actors smiled and thanked the director for his consideration. The director left and said that he expected to meet them at the premiere once more.

Cain and Setsu then proceeded to check out from the hotel. They had to meet Lory and Jelly at the hotel's basement. Lory grinned widely when the two of them stepped into the trailer. Both actors cringed at the intensity of the grin. They smiled nervously at him.

"So… how is it Heel Siblings?" Lory asked cheekily. "Finally finished. Thank you for the hard work, Ren, Mogami-kun."

"It's okay, I think. Thanks for putting her with me," Ren said and Kyouko blushed a little.

Lory noticed the blush and laughed maniacally. "I know what you two did when in the roles," he stated with a cocky grin in his face.

Ren and Kyouko were stunned. Some thoughts quickly rolled inside their minds. Did he know that we slept together? was the first to came into their mind. Ren was terrified. He crossed the line and if Lory knew, he would grill him for sure. Meanwhile, Kyouko was horrified as well. She didn't want anyone know about the particular matters. It was their secret to hold. It would be embarrassing if someone know about that. She was afraid that people would accuse her for that. Moreover, she was only 17 years old and Ren would be viewed as criminal for laying his hands on a girl under 18 years old.

"Hey, don't be so serious, you two," Lory said with his brows knitted after seeing them turned to stone over his words. He opened his notebook and showed them something. It was a blog. The blog'd got some pictures of Kyouko was looking down with a pen in her hand. She was seen signing something. Ren was seen behind her, smiling, and in his original hair and eye colours. There were several petals of Sakura fell down as well.

Ren and Kyouko's eyes widened. They recognised the photos. They were in Inokashira Park for a picnic and when some people recognised Kyouko as Mio. Both of them were relieved and at the same times got a little anxious.

"The pictures were so cute, if only Ren wasn't in disguise. You look good with blond hair," Lory said, deliberately left out the fact that he knew it was Kuon rather than Ren. "So, you two are dating, right?"

Both of the actors huffed in relief inwardly. They smiled and looked at each other. They seemed to contemplate what to tell him.

"Yes, we recently started dating," Ren confirmed. "Two weeks, right?" Kyouko nodded.

"Eh? But these pictures were taken earlier than two weeks." Lory looked at the pictures and pointed the picture submitted date. "And here I thought that you two will get married soon. What's the purpose of that paper I signed back then?"

"Well, for a game actually," Ren said hesitantly while looking at Kyouko anxiously. When he saw her smile, he was relieved.

"What kind of game?" Lory raised his brows. "Last time I heard her call you Dad… that game? So that paper was for marriage game?"

"Yes, it was gokko. It was a game to improve our acting," Ren said and continued, "But we did plan to get married in the near time… and the paper will be put to use anytime soon. We got a little problem though."

Lory grinned happily. "I bet."

"You bet?" both the two actors asked in unison.

"Mogami-kun is 17 years old now. She's underage. You need her mother's consent to legalise your marriage." He smiled mischievously. "Why with the rush? Not that I object to it." His smile got wider.

Both of them stiffened and felt nervous suddenly. "I guess I'm just impatient. Dad and Mom kind of suggested that when I called them last time," Ren managed to answer calmly.

A big question mark floated inside Lory's mind. He called them? He's ready to go back then?

"Kyouko knew about me, Boss," Ren added.

"Oh, I guess you have to tell her that." He chuckled. He told her that too? He's really ready to go back to Kuon, I think? That's a good thing if he can finally move on. "Well, I can't say anything. So, when can we announce your relationship? Soon? I'll have to ask our PR division to…" Lory was all worked up over the news. Both of them could see there were many love bubbles flowing around his head.

"Boss… wait up!" Ren immediately said before Lory got carried away.

Lory stopped in track. He pouted for being interrupted. "What?"

"Shachou. If anything possible, I think it would be best for Kuon and me to… just keep it for a while. I don't want to ruin his image." Kyouko fidgeted in her seat. "I'm not a very well-known actress as well, maybe after I got a little bit more…"

"No, you're wrong, Mogami-kun. You're in high demand now, thanks to those two awards. Even though most of it was modelling gigs and CMs as I saw. Have you reviewed your drama offers? Your Box-R will be finished filming soon, right?" Lory stated.

"Yes, it is. I haven't reviewed any of them yet. Most of it is still antagonist roles." She sighed when she thought back to the mountain of scripts she had accepted after she won the awards.

"Yes, perhaps. Mio contributed a lot to the offers. Antagonist roles require someone with top notch acting skill. Not everyone could play it. I think Kuu taught you that?" Lory pointed a finger at her.

She nodded. "It's not that I'm going to reject the roles. I just have no time yet with current schedule. I'll review it soon."

"You're going to need a manager." Lory typed something on his notebook and made a reminder.

"Eh? But…" She tried to protest.

"You need a manager, Mogami-kun. I can't let my rising actress managed her own schedule, right? Sawara-kun wouldn't have the time to." Lory waved off her protest. "So, how about the announcement?"

"I still think it wouldn't be wise for me to announce it for now. The public will think that I… use him to boost my career," Kyouko said. "Maybe after I debuted, but I have to wait till I turned 18 years old and graduated from Love Me first?"

Lory seemed to think. "It's not a problem if you want to debut anytime soon. Well, if we got the right role for you."

"Eh, but…then I'll need my mother's consent too. What about Love me?" Kyouko found it confusing.

"Ah, consent for work? It had been taken care of," Lory said with a grin. "And if you need consent for marriage, I can help you too."

Kyouko and Ren were speechless. What tricks did he hide under his sleeves?

"Hoho… of course, right? Your mother's consent is important in your current age. Why do you think you can go to high school? Why do you think you can act in Dark Moon then Box-R?" Lory smirked. "Fuh, don't underestimate me! It's not even funny if LME get sued for accepting an underage worker. It took time to find your mother, but she wasn't far from us. She's a lawyer right?"

Kyouko's eyes widened. "Um, perhaps? Mother went out of town a lot." She wasn't really sure about her mother's occupation. She always looked so busy.

"Mogami Saena, right? She is working in a law firm around here. She sometimes takes cases from LME. Well… for some actors' divorces," Lory huffed desperately. He didn't like the word 'divorce' since he was a big supporter of love. "She's a rikon bengoshi."

Ren cringed in the background. Divorce Lawyer? I think it will be tough to get her consent then. He sighed inwardly.

"It wasn't easy to persuade her at first. She insisted that you have to finish your high school and then go to the university as the exchange to allowing you to be an actress. She specifically told me to have you enrolled in Law School. The one paying for your high school tuition is her too. I think she wants you to be a lawyer like her. I haven't told you this because… you look very painful the last time you told me about your mother." Lory smiled sympathetically. "And also… she said not to tell you that till you finished high school. I signed several agreement letters with her regarding this too. So she would sue me if I'm not keeping my words."

Ren cringed. She sounded really strict.

Meanwhile, Kyouko's face changed when she heard Lory's long explanation. "If she was around here, why did she leave me in Kyoto?" Tears started to roll down her cheeks.

"For that, you need to ask her by yourself," Lory answered. "I'll give you her address."

Ren reached for Kyouko and enveloped her in an embrace. He stroked her back softly, soothing her. Lory smiled evilly upon the view though he tried to tone down. He was happy that his number one Love Me girl had found love. He was happy as well that the ren'ai onchi Ren fell so hard till he couldn't wait to get married. I'll definitely have to inform Kuu about this. He grinned widely.

"So, first thing first, you have to decide on your debut role. I believe not all of them are antagonist roles. Ren will help you with that," Lory turned to Ren and Ren nodded. "Make a wise choice. If possible, drama with many LOVES in it. You know what I mean…" Lory grinned.

Ren cringed. This love obsessed old man… Even Kyouko shivered a bit when she heard Lory's tone.

"Second, regarding the announcement, I'll leave it to you two to re-think your decision. You'll get married after all. Third, get Mogami sensei's consent. Fourth, no more Love Me for you since you're considered graduated. I'll transfer you to Matsushima-kun instead. Sawara-kun can finally be relieved," Lory laughed when he said that. He then sighed when he saw Kyouko was still burying herself in Ren's arms. "You two are free to leave and Ren…"

Ren turned to look at Lory while he was still stroking Kyouko's back softly. "Yes?"

"She's difficult, I assure you. Good luck!"

Ren smiled. "Thanks, Boss."

Kanae and Kyouko were sitting inside the Karaoke Box where they usually met if they want to talk something in secret. Kanae stared at Kyouko intently while Kyouko shrank down being stared like that.

"You're cruel!" Kanae stated. "You left me in Love Me with Amamiya. You were the one who persuaded me to enter Love me and you left? I was really surprised when Sawara-san told me that last month. But since I was busy with that messy assignment, I couldn't contact you too."

"Err…" Kyouko smiled awkwardly. She didn't know how to start telling her best friend why she graduated from Love Me.

"What happened really? And you're so busy with your debut drama right after Box R finished filming two months ago. Your manager pissed me off too. Who does he think he is? Why did you even let him hold your mobile phone?" Kanae was really pissed off. She grumbled and pouted.

Kyouko's manager, Torii Ken, was a young man around Yashiro's age. He had been assigned as Kyouko's manager since two months ago. He was a bit clumsy but was good with his job arranging Kyouko's schedule so it wouldn't seem really hectic. He was good with gadget and was a good friend to Yashiro. Ren wasn't really happy when he knew that Kyouko's manager was a man, but he almost laughed out loud when Kyouko told him that manager of hers was interested in Yashiro. Torii hated woman even though he liked his charge. Kyouko wasn't a bratty and egoist celebrity like his previous charge who was a girl as well. She was quite mature and cooperative, which made Torii found her likeable. One thing he didn't like about his current charge was her low self-esteem. He thought that an actress should have self-confidence without being self-centred like most celebrities. He was working on it by reminding her all the time. He picked up Kyouko's phone when she was filming, and when he heard Kanae's demanding tone, he lectured her to be more polite.

Currently, Kyouko was filming her debut drama. It was an action romance drama with Ren as the male lead. There was no announcement made regarding their relationship in the end even though some people around them kept guessing. Both of them thought it was best for them to keep it private. They wouldn't want anyone disturbed their private moments with their schedules being so packed and they rarely had time together. They were in disguises when they went out but they mostly just spent their time cuddling on the sofa in his apartment and or cooking together. Sometimes they cooked in Daruma-ya. Taishou was quite happy and offered Ren cooking lessons. He liked Ren even though he didn't show it. Taishou showed his strict face all the time. Sometimes it was just Taishou and Ren cooking the meal whilst Kyouko and Okami were waiting in the dining room.

Meanwhile, Kanae was busy with her role in another family type drama. She hated it but she was starting to enjoy it. Moreover she worked with Hiou again and this time the role was bigger.

"So, you'd better spill!" Kanae said.

Kyouko flinched at her tone. "Um… well… it's because… I…" She was hesitating.

"Fine! You forget me as best friend." Kanae's tears dropped from the corners of her eyes.

Kyouko's heart clenched tight. She threw herself to Kanae and hugged her tight. "Mouko-san… No! Don't say it like that! You're my best friend… it's just…"

"Mou!" She tried to push Kyouko away but she didn't budge. "So what is it? How could you graduate and leave me alone to survive the pink curse?"

"I'm sorry. I…" Kyouko pulled away a little and murmured something.

"Mou… I can't hear you," Kanae said. "What is it really? Is it because you are dating Tsuruga Ren?"

Kyouko gaped at her. "How do you…" she couldn't continue her words.

Kanae smirked and said, "Most people had suspected that. You two were acting all lovey-dovey in that award ceremony. It was on the big screen, you know?"

Kyouko's eyes stared blankly. We did? Eh? We didn't play roles at that time though.

Kanae chuckled. "Really, you're so slow. I was right when I said he liked you romantically. Mou… and you said you couldn't even laugh because it wasn't funny."

"Because it was really impossible that time. It sounded like a joke."

Kanae snorted. "I wasn't even joking."

"Yeah but… he is the most desirable man in Japan. I was just a newbie actress who just started acting. Why did he want to do something with me?" Kyouko continued.

"Yeah, but he did want to do something with you. There's no way a man would give such an expensive jewel for a girl who meant nothing to him. Mou… you're hopeless. So you'd better spill now. Why was there no announcement? Since when did you start dating? And…" Many questions came out from her mouth.

Kyouko answered it carefully, leaving out the private information since she was too shy to share it with Kanae. Everyone has one or two secret they didn't want to tell even to a best friend. She thought inwardly. Sorry, Mouko-san…

"Married? WHAT?" Kanae gaped. "You're just 17 right? Why with the rush? Are you pregnant or something? Isn't that a crime then?"

"No, I am not," she answered with red face. "Why do you think so?"

"Mou… it's just a hunch… but if it's not the case, well, I'm sorry." She huffed.

Kyouko cringed.

"What? That's actually quite common for celebrities to have shotgun wedding. I heard a lot about it. I don't really agree with it but it's people choice," she said with a smile. "And… I have to tell you this. I really don't want to have a love me assignment 'taking care of Tsuruga's kid' or 'babysit Kyouko's kid'. Don't you dare to…" She pointed a finger at her. "How can you tell an actress to babysit? Mou…" She looked frustrated. That old man will definitely have me do that one day. No! I got to graduate fast.

Kyouko laughed. "Don't worry, Mouko-san. It's not that it is going to happen anytime soon. I need my mother's consent if I want to get married. Whilst I…" She sighed. "Don't have any courage to meet her."

"Why?" She found it amusing.

"Ah… I was not really in a good term with my mother," she said sadly. "She left me when I was twelve in Fuwa Ryokan. My mother was a perfectionist. She expected me to always get 100 for every test. Shachou told me that she was actually around here. She's a lawyer. I didn't even know that."

"Wow, that's… too much actually, but…" Kanae patted her on her shoulder. "Getting married or not, I think you have to go meet your mother especially if she is around. It has been a long time since you meet her, right?" She blushed brightly upon a realisation. Great! I, who hate being with my family actually gave her advice regarding family matters. She had affected me too much.

"You think so?" Kyouko looked at her with her puppy dog eyes.

Kanae smiled nervously. She was trying to hold herself from hugging her best friend. She is too cute… just like a lost puppy. She nodded profusely. "Yes. I think so… maybe you can make things clear with her. Maybe after these years you've separated from her, she'll at least miss you or something? Well, just go to her and make sure!"

Kyouko considered her words and then nodded. "Thank you for you encouragement, Mouko-san," Kyouko said. Her face lit up. She looked at Kanae with hopeful eyes. Kanae could almost see her tail wagging furiously. She shifted a little and squeaked when Kyouko threw herself at her and hugged her tightly.

"MOU! GET OFF ME!"

"Kyouko, come!" Kuon was waving to her. They were in his apartment's kitchen, doing their usual cooking lesson.

Kyouko came close to him and noticed the freshly baked sponge cakes. "You want me to try it?"

He chuckled and nodded. "Hopefully today's trial is a success. I really measured the ingredients carefully this time…" He said. "Wait a minute while I'm decorating the cake." He sliced the cake into two parts. He put cream on top of it. He arranged the strawberries on the cake. He put the other parts on top of the strawberry. He put the cream, covering all the cake's surface and side. He decorated it with strawberry again afterwards. Kyouko watched him with a smile. She had seen him did it often. This was their 20th attempts on Strawberry Short Cake. He sliced it and put it on a plate. He handed it to her.

Kyouko took the cake and scooped it. She ate it and savoured the taste. "It's so fluffy and… not really sweet. The cream is just right. It's delicious. You made it right this time." She smiled. "Here, taste it!" She held out the spoon with cake and he ate it.

"You're right. It's delicious. Finally after… twenty attempts!" He laughed. "Really, I think my effort for this cake was almost in comparison with my effort to get you to acknowledge my feeling for you."

She giggled. "I'm sorry that I was being so stubborn, blind and stupid."

"No, you are not stupid. I knew why, but well… I have to say that you were really persistent. I told you outright and you still denied me," he said with a smile.

Kyouko shrugged and smirked to him. "I can't help it."

He laughed and said, "Cheeky girl."

The two of them then settled in the living room sofa after eating. Kuon rested his head on her lap.

"I like your blond hair. Too bad that you had to dyed it black," she said whilst stroking his hair softly. "It's still so soft though."

He laughed softly. "I like your black hair and here you are having orange hair." He reached his hand to her head. "And I like it long… but whatever you look, I love you the same."

She blushed. "Uh, you're saying things like that again." She hit his arm playfully.

He sat up and pulled her into his arms. "Cause it's true…" He stroked her head softly and kissed her forehead.

She looked up to him and smiled tenderly. "Thank you for loving me."

He smiled and leant down to kiss her softly. "Kyouko, when will we meet your mother?" he asked against her lips.

She didn't answer. She looked at him with teary eyes. She seemed wanted to say something. Kuon was waiting. He knew that he couldn't rush her. "Soon… when we have time," she finally answered.

Kuon's eyes softened. "You don't have to force yourself. I can wait. If you're not ready yet, we'll wait."

"I'm scared." She trembled and he hugged her tighter.

"I know. That's why I said I can wait."

She wrapped her arms around his torso. "Um… are you sure? I don't care if it was just me but… I was afraid that… what if she refuses to sign? What if she treats you badly?"

"Kyouko, that's my risk. Even if she refused, I'll try and try again."

"I don't want her to hurt you."

Kuon laughed. "No, she won't hurt me."

"If you say so. I will be with you whatever she said to us. Let's arrange a day to meet her!"

Kuon smiled. "Okay…" He leant down to her and kissed her soundly. She kissed him back playfully.

"I really want to be with you, to see you there when I open my eyes, when I go to sleep. It's killing me to separate with you each night," he said between their heated kisses. "It's a good thing we are co-starring in the same drama."

"I'll stay tonight if you want me to," she said and moaned softly when she felt him kissed her neck.

"Eh but I promised Taishou to have you back before 10." He pulled away.

"Eh… you did?" she asked, surprised.

"Yeah. He's like a father to you. I respect him so… I promised him to take care of you well. Moreover, I don't think I can hold myself if you stay tonight." He laughed softly.

"He is…" She chuckled. "You don't have to hold yourself, Corn."

"Hmm… don't tempt me honey. I'm trying hard not to mess things up. For our second, I'll wait till marriage," he said meaningfully.

She hugged him tighter.

"Please look forward to it, because I won't let you sleep at all," he said seductively.

She pulled away in surprise. "What do you mean?"

He chuckled. "You'll know when the time comes." He stopped and sighed. "It's 9. I'd better drive you home now. You have curfew, honey."

"You're the one who made it so." She pouted.

"Come on!" He stood up and pulled her with him.

"Yes… yes…"

Two weeks later…

Kuon and Kyouko stood in front of "Kataoka and Partners" Law Firm's reception desk. They were in disguise. Both of them looked nervous.

"How may I help you?" the receptionist asked with a warm smile.

"We'd like to meet with Mogami Saena sensei," Kuon said.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, under the name Hizuri Kuon."

The receptionist stared at them with an indescribable look. Are they divorcing or? Doesn't seem so to me. No way would they come together if they were to divorce. She made a call to Saena's room. "Mogami Sensei, Hizuri-san wished to speak to you," the receptionist stopped and listened. "I understand. Yes." She put down the phone and smiled to the couple. "She is waiting in her room." She waved her hand and a young man came. "Okamura will take you to Mogami-sensei's room."

"Please follow me!" Okamura said.

Kyouko gripped Kuon's hand tightly. She was nervous. It had been a very long time since she last saw her mother. They arrived shortly in front of a room. Okamura knocked the door. "Sensei, Hizuri-san and partner are here."

"Come in!"

She heard her mother's familiar voice. Her heartbeat sped up. Kuon realised her nervous state.

"Kyouko, I'm here with you, okay?" he said with a low voice.

She looked up at him and nodded. She felt a little at ease with Kuon by her side. "Let's get in!"

Kuon and Kyouko sat down on the sofa while waiting for Saena. Both of them were nervous. Saena walked over to the couple and sat down, facing them. She smiled coldly.

"I apologise I made you wait, Hizuri-san," she said.

"No, it's okay with us," Kuon said, trying to sound calm. He could feel Kyouko's deadly grip on his arm.

"How may I help you? It seemed to me that you came here not for a divorce matter?" She smiled when she realised how nervous the two persons in front of her. She saw how the couple trying to comfort each other.

"Actually, yes. We aren't coming for divorce. We have a favour to ask from you," Kuon stated slowly. "I and my girlfriend are going to get married."

"I don't see your point there. I don't think it has something to do with me," Saena said with her brows knitted.

Kyouko smiled nervously. She took a deep breath. "Hi Mother. It's me, Kyouko," she said and took off her blonde wig and revealed her black hair. She dyed her hair back for the purpose. Her hair had got longer as well.

Saena's eyes widened. "Kyouko?" She couldn't hide her amusement.

"We came here to get your consent. We are going to get married," Kyouko said. Her golden eyes stared straight into Saena's dark eyes.

Saena blinked. She couldn't believe that her daughter came to see her. On top of that, she was asking her consent to get married. That old man… he isn't keeping his words. Saena was furious. She forced herself to stay calm. She had to know why her daughter would even want to get married so fast. There must be something. "Kyouko, it's been a very long time." She tried to smile but failed miserably. She couldn't say that she was happy with this. "Why do you want to get married so fast? Pregnant or…"

"No. I'm not pregnant," Kyouko answered immediately.

Saena sighed in relief. "Then why?"

"Mogami-sensei, I'm serious about your daughter. I love her and I want to be with her. I don't think there's too fast for this. If you can give us your blessings, it'd be the best," Kuon said.

Saena turned to see Kuon. She seemed to consider something. "How old are you, young man? Where do you come from? You're a foreigner? You got a Japanese name though…"

"I'm 21 years old. Yes, I am a foreigner. My father is half Japanese half American thus the Japanese name, and I am an American," Kuon answered with a smile.

"17 and 21 eh? And you're an American, Hizuri-san?" Saena smiled cynically. "I guess this is running in the family."

Both of them raised their brows, confused with her statement.

"I was married at 18 actually, and my ex-husband was 22 years old at that time. He was an American as well," Saena said. She looked frustrated.

Kyouko was surprised. This was the first time her mother had ever talked about her father. My father is an American? she thought incredulously.

"Are you sure that you can give my daughter happiness? What's your job?" Saena asked sternly.

Saena's question gave both of them hopes.

"I'm sure and I will work hard for that. I am an actor," Kuon answered firmly.

Saena was stunned. "So I guess you two met on the set? That's the basic reason for actors to get married fast and then split not long after, did you two know?"

"Mogami-sensei. I never thought about divorce. I love her too much for that. We didn't meet on set actually. We were childhood friends," Kuon said.

"Good if you think so and keep your words!" Saena pointed at him.

Kuon were getting his hopes up. "I will…"

"Speaking of which, you said you were Kyouko's childhood friend? I never saw you around. I only know Shoutarou," Saena said. "Where's he now? And I actually thought that someday you'll come here because I told that old man to tell you that I am here after you've finished high school. You haven't even finished high school. That old man! He isn't keeping his words." She paused and took a deep breath, "To be frank, I never expected you'd come here with another man. I thought it will be with Shoutarou. I think Shiho-san was pretty interested in getting you as daughter in law. Shoutarou is supposed to be 18 now?" she rambled non-stop.

Both Kyouko and Kuon cringed. Kyouko knew her mother well. She didn't really like Shou as far as she knew. And here she was talking about Shou. Kyouko was afraid that Kuon would get offended. She looked at Kuon and found him as astonished as she was. She smiled and cringed at the same time. Her mother was still rambling in the background.

"But…then I don't like that brat actually. He was really spoilt. And I certainly will not let my daughter being an inn's proprietress. It's good for you to learn manner there but being an Okami? No no no, I don't want that," Saena still continued with her rambles. "At least you need to go to university and get some skills there, and being a lawyer like me. That's why you have to get 100 in every of your test. Losing a case is frustrating. That's why I changed my speciality to divorce instead."

Kyouko and Kuon gaped at her by the time she finished. They didn't understand where the conversation went.

"Fuh… I think that was my longest rambles ever," she said and turned her cold gaze to the couple.

"Mogami-sensei, can we get your consent then?" Kuon asked after he overcame his astonishment. He was dying to know whether it was red light or green light he would get from his mother in law to be.

"NO!" she stated outright.

Kuon and Kyouko turned to stone. They were petrified at their seat and it seemed their souls were sucked. When Saena saw their expressions, she laughed and startled them.

"I'm not that cruel, youngster. Even though I'm a divorce lawyer, actually we worked hard to prevent divorce too, but well… mostly didn't work," she said. "I don't have problem with giving you consent, but I have several requests you both needed to fulfil."

Kuon and Kyouko sighed in relief.

Saena gave them a bunch of papers to read. She wanted them to sign prenuptial agreement before married. She told Kyouko to definitely finish high school and university. She threatened Kuon if he ever let her daughter cry, she would sue him till he was penniless. She hugged Kyouko at the end.

"I'm sorry for my harsh treatment, Kyouko dear. It's all for you. I don't want you to be spoilt like Shoutarou. I want you to have skills in order to survive life. I had wanted to pick you when you finished middle school but Shiho didn't know where you go," Saena said. "She only said you ran away with Shoutarou. I was surprised when Takarada-san found me and told me that you were working for LME as an actress. I made him promise me that you'd finish high school as an exchange for the consent."

Kyouko cried in Saena's arms. "I thought you hate me."

"Ah… there were times I felt that I hated you so much," she admitted.

Kyouko stiffened and pulled away from her. She had been hopeful at first but hearing her said she hated her, she was terrified.

"You're too alike with him especially your eyes." Saena smiled sadly. "Well, don't mind me! Since you came all the way here, maybe you can stay for today?"

"Eh?" Kyouko looked hopeful. "I can stay?"

"Of course, maybe we should have family talk. You can join, Hizuri-san."

Kuon nodded with a smile.

Later, they had dinner together in Saena's apartment. She lived near her workplace. She told them about Kyouko's father in detail. Her father divorced Saena when Kyouko was only one year old. Saena had just graduated from university that time. Not even Saena knew where her father was. She also told her the reason she left her in Kyoto. She was a lawyer specialised in crime before and she thought that it would be too dangerous to have little Kyouko with her. She faced dangers several times and she had to hide Kyouko in Fuwa Ryokan when she sensed the danger was coming. She just changed to divorce lawyer for two years and were living a more peaceful life.

The reasons she entrusted Kyouko to Fuwa couple was because she considered they got a child around Kyouko's age and that they were from a ryokan, so Kyouko's would be well educated in manner. She had told Shiho, the Okami, that she'd come pick Kyouko when she finished her middle school. She kept track on her education till she found out Kyouko ran away with Shou. She was frustrated and tried to find her to no avail. When Lory came to get her consent for Kyouko, she was surprised that he even found her when she got no clue where her daughter was. She agreed at last with term of agreements between them.

"Remember! Don't ever make Kyouko cry," Saena said with serious face when she bid the couple good bye.

"Yes, Mogami-sensei," Kuon answered.

"Come here whenever you can, Kyouko, and you too, Hizuri-san."

Kyouko nodded. Saena had offered Kyouko to live with her but she said that she would still live in Daruma-ya instead, and Saena could say nothing. She understood that her daughter might not feel comfortable as well. They had just reconciled and they had too much misunderstanding in the past. Not to mention, she treated her badly in the past when she was in a bad mood. It was lucky for her that her daughter still forgave her for being a bad mother. She'd take time to slowly get along with her daughter.

"One more," Saena said with a smile. "Don't get her pregnant before marriage and tell me when you two settled the date. You know what will happen when you break your promise, right?"

Kuon cringed. She's scary! "Yes, I understand."

The couple left and bid her goodbye. The three of them were relieved. Saena was relieved that she'd got her daughter's forgiveness and that she could talk again to her. Kyouko and Kuon were relieved that Saena wasn't really difficult as they'd first thought. Her threats were scary though! Kuon thought. Kyouko was relieved and happy that her mother didn't hate her like she thought. She felt content.

A/N : Yes, an unpredictable Saena I think? Any thought? I thought a lot what to write actually. I had wanted to write about Saena in a different way. I was hoping it wasn't bad. I made her a lawyer. Her attires reminded me of Kisaki Eri from Meitantei Conan. LOL. That's why I went with the idea. And yes I made her a divorce lawyer, inspired by drama Rikon Bengoshi. Most women lawyer/attorney I read in Japanese manga got the almost same type. Strict and well… bossy! Saena's characters in here were derived from Eri and Takako as well. She was strict, can be really harsh but also kind sometimes. :D Maybe boring well… I must admit that I got stuck at one time.

Also I'm sorry if you dislike my Saena. I don't want to portray bad Saena here.

Thanks for reading. Next will be or will not be an epilogue. Depends. This chapter got quite long as well.

Note on Terms:

Ren'ai onchi = someone who was stupid when it came to love matter.

Rikon Bengoshi = divorce lawyer

Okami = proprietress in a traditional inn, restaurant