Kanae couldn't believe her eyes. She had to do a double take as she stared disbelieving at the person that was fast approaching her. Was this Kyoko?
Dressed in a white sleeved shirt with an accompanying grey vest, that drew attention to the daring display of skin from her collar bone down to the first two unfastened buttons, Kanae had to wonder just how tight Kyoko had to have bound her breasts to hide her feminine figure.
However, her slender figure was not hidden in the dark blue jeans, which hugged the curvature of her hips. Nevertheless, the person headed her way was in no way standing out based on her outfit. It was the fact that she was a bishounen that captured her notice.
Furthermore, there was something about her that seemed familiar to Kanae, but she could not quite put her finger on it just yet. Continuing to scrutinize her as Kyoko approached, Kanae became more and more aware of how well Kyoko had thought out her appearance. The attention to detail was obvious.
Kyoko was remarkably able to fashion her hair into tight waves that framed her face instead of her usual discarded and causal hairstyle. Did she use gel? Somehow Kyoko even seemed to have gained a few inches. Was she wearing heel inserts within the pair of sporty yet sophisticated black loafer shoes?
Kanae had to admire the trendy new look that was so unlike how Kyoko would normally appear. Even the black thin leather strip that she wore around her neck, though very mannish with its metallic circular figurine, was something Kanae would not have expected Kyoko to wear. Kyoko completed her masculine transformation with a metal linked watch that expanded across her wrist.
Although everything she wore did add a fashionable edge to her current image, it was definitely outside of Kyoko's true nature. Now that she thought about it, Kyoko's current assemble reminded Kanae of something Tsuruga Ren would wear. It was that very fact that brought a knowing smile to her face. Was Kyoko trying to imitate Tsuruga-san?
The more she looked at her friend the more convinced she became. As she studied her, Kanae was surprised that even the way Kyoko was moving seem similar to the run-way model stride that Tsuruga-san used.
With her hips thrusted slightly more forward then the rest of her body while her shoulders were held back; and her head held straight with her chin up; and her heels landing symmetrically parallel with each step, she was definitely evoking Tsuruga-san's walk.
Trying hard to hide her amusement, Kanae forced herself to keep a straight face as Kyoko strutted over towards her. After all, it wasn't that Kyoko wasn't good at mimicking Tsuruga-san; it was the fact that she was rather good at it that made the image all the more hilarious.
Was she really going to have to go along with this? Somehow it felt a little unsettling that Kanae would be pretending to be in love with someone that was likely pretending to be Tsuruga-san. Wouldn't that be similar to pretending to be in love with Tsuruga Ren?
Trying hard to not over analyze the process, Kanae decided that it shouldn't matter since this was all an act anyway. Wasn't this all for her own benefit anyway? Realising the goodness of Kyoko's gesture, humbled Kanae. A warmth stirred her as she started towards Kyoko.
Glancing at Kanae, Kyoko said sheepishly with a wide grin, "Well, what do you think?"
"I'm speechless," Kanae said with a twinkle in her eyes, as she gave Kyoko a more thorough inspection. Walking around her friend, Kanae took her time before she finally answered, "You look very different from what I had expected."
"Different in a good way or different in a bad way?" Kyoko carefully asked as she began to fidget with the buttons on her vest.
She was worried about Kanae's intense scrutiny and what it could imply. Did Kanae want to give up this idea? Kyoko was hoping to get a chance to prove to her that she could inspire her to act in love. Was there a way she could convince Kanae before she changed her mind?
"I'm not quite sure yet, it's because you don't look like yourself but you look a lot like someone else -" Kanae began but her words were cut short by a desperate Kyoko.
Without giving Kanae a chance to clarify herself, Kyoko rushed into an intense monolog, "Eh but Mouko-san before you quit on me, why don't you give this a chance, I'm sure with just a bit more practice, I can make this work."
Clenching a tight fist to her chest, she continued, "As actresses, we should take any and all opportunities to enhance our skills and even though this is something new, we should give it our one hundred percent!"
Forcing herself to be heard, Kanae shook her head as she tersely replied, "Kyoko, that's not what I meant to say."
The emphasis was significant and Kyoko's ears perked up in optimism. A wide smile heightened her face. Like a child with eager expectation, she burst out, "That's not what you mean?"
Agreeing wryly, Kanae nodded. How could she even argue? She ruefully asked herself. Especially with the abundance of joyfulness spewing from her friend, Kanae could feel herself drawn deeper and deeper into the chiasm of her friend's enthusiasm. Was it too late to escape?
"Then you agree that we should give this a chance?" hope filled Kyoko's eyes as she looked pleadingly at her friend.
Disgruntled, Kanae began again, "Yes, but what I wanted to say was that you don't look like you normally do and that-" once again her words were cut off by an overly zealous Kyoko, who was fearing Kanae's rejection.
"Well, Mouko-san if you think about it, I'm not supposed to look like my normal self, right?" with her hands on her hips, her tone was tense but firm. Her reasoning was acute as she targeted her friend's rationale.
Speculating that her friend was bound to object to the notion of practicing this act, Kyoko fortified her stance. She needed to enact a more forceful countenance to stir her away from quitting.
"Yes but-"
"No 'buts' Mouko-san. I can understand that you're not used to this different appearance of mine but as a man, I will want you to accept me as who I now am." Kyoko insisted with a stance that was amazingly domineering and somewhat beguiling to Kanae.
Kanae was still unsettled about the idea, yet her need to improve her acting skills for the sake of the drama she was currently struggling in, had her capitulating. With a heavy sigh, she raised conceding eyes to her friend and asked, "Then who are you supposed to be and what should I now call you?"
Kyoko beamed in relief, "How about you give me a name, and decide on my identity, that way you won't easily forget who I am?"
"Your name is Renji. You're a male actor and part time model," Kanae stated without any hesitation. She cast Kyoko a sardonic smile. She would have loved to name Kyoko's new character Ren just to see what her reaction would be. But the spark of fire in Kyoko's eye made Kanae unwilling to undermine her friend's efforts.
Ren was half an hour early for his next scheduled photo-shoot but since he was able to finish his commercial shootings without any NGs, he was not surprised. Yashiro had mentioned that there was a possibility that they might have a dinner meeting with Director Hiromitsu for an opening in a new film.
However, since the popular director also played a role in the film, he was likely to have a meeting with his production crew first before coming to the dinner. On the chance that the director would be tied up with the production meeting, they had decided on having the dinner time remain unscheduled instead.
Sitting in his car, he waited patiently while Yashiro confirmed the possibility of his dinner meeting. Casually observing the passersby, he noted a rather interesting couple as they neared the car. On further scrutiny, he recognized the girl as Kyoko's friend, Kotonami Kanae.
Absorbed by the approaching couple, he watched as she held her boyfriend's hand and entered into a nearby store. For a second there, he thought that her boyfriend looked somewhat familiar to him. However due to the angle of the sun and the position of the person's body, Ren only had a view of his side profile; thus, making it too difficult to be certain.
On the other hand, Ren was glad that Kanae had a boyfriend. This must be something new. Ren was certain of that fact since Kyoko and Kanae had been busy making Valentine's Day chocolates, not so long ago, and that Kyoko would have mentioned Kanae's boyfriend had she had one at that time.
The thought brought an optimistic smile to Ren's lips. He was used to Kyoko being absorbed by her friendship with Kanae. So much so, that Kyoko often spent her free time with Kanae.
Would this now mean Kanae would no longer take up Kyoko's time now that she had a boyfriend? His eyes lit up with this new prospect. Hoping that he was guessing right, Ren was tempted to leave his car and follow the couple into the store.
But his intention was interrupted when Yashiro got off the phone and drew his attention. "Ren, the director said that he would likely need to reschedule with us for the dinner. That means that you should be free after the photo-shoot tonight."
"That's fine Yashiro. I don't find a problem with that."
"Well then Ren, we still have some time before your next appointment. Would you like to kill some time before you go in?"
"I don't mind getting a real cup of coffee instead of that instant stuff they serve in the studio," Ren stated as he started up the car.
"That's fine by me but when your next appointment is over maybe we should just get dinner by ourselves and perhaps you can fill me in on your current role as BJ?"
Nodding in agreement, Ren parked his car and together they headed out towards the streets. Thoughts of Kanae and her current boyfriend had already escaped his mind as he instead began to think about his current situation as Cain Heel.
Kyoko was feeling elated. She was happily strolling down the street hand in hand with a somewhat reluctant Kanae. Her heart was finally feeling care-free and she was completely oblivious to the disgruntled mumblings from her companion.
Finally, Kanae could no longer grit her teeth in her turmoil. She jerked to a halt, pulling Kyoko away from her reverie. She just couldn't take the overwhelming cheerful composure of Kyoko any longer.
Nor could she abide the absurdity of having to hold her hand. Choosing to focus her displeasure on the lesser of the two evils, Kanae turned a baleful stare at Kyoko and pointing a finger at their conjoined hands, while she asked, "Are you sure we need to hold hands, Renji?" Her voice held more than a tinge of resentment.
Why was this happening to her? What would happen if someone suspected that Kyoko was pretending to be a man or worst her boyfriend? Could it adversely affect their reputation should they be caught holding hands like lovers, while strolling down a busy shopping area?
These were disparaging thoughts that kept plaguing Kanae as she tried once again to pull her hand free from Kyoko's. But to give Kyoko some credit, the girl was definitely doing everything in her power to maintain a manly front.
Grasping tightly to Kanae's sweaty hand, Kyoko looked her straight in the eyes as she said, "Kanae, don't you trust me? As lovers, isn't it normal to hold hands?"
"Yes but are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Kanae wailed and had to swallow the lump of frustration and alarm building in her throat.
With forced effort, Kyoko shrugged off Kanae dissatisfaction, while telling herself to remain as Renji. "Kanae, what are you supposed to feel towards me?"
"I am supposed to be in love with you," Kanae mumbled while looking positively irked.
"Then as someone in love what should you want to do with me?" Kyoko interjected with a composed emphasis.
"But that's my point; I am not sure what I would want to do. This is just too difficult for me to imagine," Kanae snapped as she tried again to pull her hand free from Kyoko's unrelenting hold.
"Kanae, how about we take a break and find a spot to watch and learn from all the examples of couples that we are surrounded by," leading her into a nearby coffee shop, Kyoko dragged Kanae.
Kanae clinched her jaw tightly shut as she followed unwillingly behind Kyoko. Together, they sat by the window and began to study the other couples that were walking by. Kanae began a vigilant survey of the environment.
As couple after couple walked by, Kanae began to realise that no one around them even seemed remotely fazed by Kyoko's appearance. Did this mean that no one has seen though Kyoko's disguise?
The thought helped settle a few of her nerves. But the assumption was soon challenged when she noticed a group of teenaged girls enter the coffee shop and immediately started to giggle as they headed in the direction of their table.
Kanae was shaken at the possibility. Her breathing quickened and she could feel herself drowning in a sea of mortifying embarrassment. Giving them a scornful look, she watched as they brushed past her.
Had they suspected that Kyoko was not a man? Just then, a waitress came to collect their orders, Once again, Kanae noticed that the waitress seemed to pay particular attention to Kyoko as she took their orders. Could it be that Kyoko's demeanor appeared too girlish to her?
Narrowing her eyes on the waitress, Kanae had to use sublime effort not to scream at the gawking waitress. If need be, she herself will help lend credibility to Kyoko's manly role. In fact, even if she had to help Kyoko by acting like a smitten teenager faced with an overwhelming first love, she was prepared to do it.
After the waitress returned with their drinks, Kanae had decided on the idea of making her first move on Renji. This would act to prove her point and dissuade the annoying waitress. But before Kanae could think of what she would do; the waitress asked a startling question. Kanae blinked twice just to digest the question.
"Excuse me mister, but are you in anyway related to Tsuruga Ren?"
The question both stunned and alarmed Kyoko as she choked on her iced tea. Sputtering the cold liquid out of her nose, she reached for a napkin to dab at herself before answering the waitress.
"No, no. I'm not!" she half roared and half coughed out. The notion of being a relative of Tsuruga-san was too outlandish for her to even consider. Surely the waitress was just being facetious.
In her belief, Kyoko cast the waitress a disapproving look and curtly added, "I can't imagine why you would think that."
The degree of her response came as a surprise to the waitress. Her eyes widened at the somewhat defensive tone.
Replying in awkward embarrassment the waitress hesitantly stated, "Sorry, it was my mistake then. It was just that you look so much like him that I just thought that you could have been a relative."
"Thank you for that. I will consider that a compliment but unfortunately, I am not his relative." Kyoko grimaced at her own statement as she leaned closer to Kanae.
Her arm rested casually over the back of Kanae chair as she crossed her ankle over her knee and turned away from the waitress. It was clear by her pose that she was dismissing the waitress and as if on cue, the young waitress tipped her head in a slight bow before walking away.
"Phew! Now where do you think she could have gotten that crazy idea?" Kyoko mumbled as she shot Kanae a puzzled look. Without expecting an answer, she turned back to regard the waitress but soon began to analyze a couple that was seated nearby.
Kanae had to bite her tongue not to answer Kyoko's question. It was hard for her to believe that Kyoko really had no idea that she was imitating Tsuruga Ren. Yet with this latest revelation, she had to conclude that it was in fact, likely that Kyoko had no idea that the man she was pretending to be was Tsuruga-san.
Was that why the teenaged girls that were now seated across from them, were still giggling as they continued to look her way? In fact, it was beginning to become clearer and clearer to Kanae that the looks that they were giving Kyoko, were actually bordering on flirtation.
Gasping as the thought sunk in, Kanae realised that if that was indeed so, then Kyoko had in fact succeeded in making others believe that she was male. So if that were the case, wouldn't it behoove her to act as a jealous lover in return?
A new found resolve entered her as she cleared her throat, "Umm…" Kanae hesitated briefly as she wondered which name she should address Kyoko by.
Tossing her hair off her shoulders in a determined manner, she began again, "Renji, I think I now have a clearer image of how we should behave."
Smiling affectionately at Kyoko, she reached across the table and self-consciously rested her hand over Kyoko's, "I'm sorry for my earlier attitude, and I would like for us to begin again."
Taking a quick glimpse to notice the looks of jealousy she was receiving from the table of teenaged girls, she continued in a soft voice, "Will you forgive me?"
Pleased by the initiative that Kanae was displaying, Kyoko offered up her brightest smile. "Of course I do. You know how crazy I am about you. As long as you continue to always look at me, I will live as yours."
Her words astonished Kanae and she became dumbstruck as she stared at the sudden seriousness burning within Kyoko's eyes. Kanae's cheeks heated up, how was she to respond to such a provocative line?
As it was, she didn't have to. It was the sudden silence within the once noisy coffee shop that broke the spell that Kyoko had weaved. Scanning her environment to determine the cause of the now sudden eruption of whispers, Kanae soon found the reason.
Standing in the doorway was Tsuruga Ren and his familiar sidekick of a manager. Kanae frowned as she stole a quick glanced at Kyoko. However, her friend with her back to the door, did not notice the interruption stirring the coffee shop and was still staring intensely at Kanae, expecting to hear her answer.
Not wanting to allow the interruption to drag down her acting, Kanae decided to ignore the intrusion of Tsuruga-san. Hoping that he would not notice her sitting in the corner with Kyoko, she resisted the urge to watch him but instead kept her mind focused on her acting.
"I think keeping my eyes on you forever will be an easy feat for me," she finally answered. Her hands were enfolded securely in Kyoko's and she watched as Kyoko reached over to plant a kiss over them.
Her lips did not actually touch Kanae's skin but to give her credit, it elicited a telling blush from the pretty actress. Trying hard not to feel uncomfortable about the intimate moment they were sharing, Kanae squeezed Kyoko's hands to reassure her.
The slight hint of encouragement was all Kyoko needed to continue. Shifting her chair closer to Kanae, she tilted her head in Kanae's direction and whispered, "I don't want to swear to God that I can keep this promise but I would like to swear that to you, if you would allow me to."
Swallowing audibly, Kanae was transfixed on Kyoko. How was it possible that Kyoko could come up with such mesmerizing lines? Her heart had even quickened by Kyoko's soft breath, which she could feel against the side of her neck.
It was at that moment, while leaning in close enough to Kanae, that Kyoko was able to notice the tall figure that was walking towards them. Freezing her motionless, Kyoko felt her heart slam against a ribcage in fear. She wanted to bury herself and hide behind her friend.
No! This can't be happening! How did he find me? Her inner voice asked in fright. Surely there was no way he would have known that she was here.
Wait! Maybe he hasn't recognized me yet. I'm not even dressed as my usual self. Maybe he's only headed here to greet Mouko-san! Deciding that that was most likely the case, Kyoko hid her face from Tsuruga-san by strategically turning herself, so that her back was towards him.
In an obvious panic state of mind, she whispered urgently to Kanae, "Mouko-san, please forgive me but Tsuruga-san is here and I can't have him recognise me like this!"
Sneaking a quick peek at the fast approaching actor, Kyoko quickly looked back at her best friend. "Please I need to hide," she begged frantically. Her eyes were wide with apprehension and nervousness.
Noticing the level of alarm in Kyoko, Kanae was temporarily startled. Understanding the likely embarrassment that Kyoko would endure, should she come face to face with Tsuruga-san, made Kanae sympathetic.
But unsure of exactly what she could do to prevent the interruption by Tsuruga-san inhibited her from immediately reacting. How should she stop Tsuruga-san from coming over? Should she create a scene? Perhaps something that was so nauseating that he would want to avoid their table?
Struggling with the paralyzing fear in her friend's eyes made Kanae's mind stretch for something embarrassing. Should she start a fight with Kyoko? Something like when they were auditioning for their Kurara commercial? Should she slap Kyoko?
But wouldn't it be more likely to cause Tsuruga-san to come over to break up their fight, if she did that? Then what could she do? She needed to do something so outlandish that no one in their right mind would want to intrude upon.
A sudden thought struck her and she swallowed a horrified gasp at the idea that she was entertaining. But surely this would be so dramatically nauseating that it would prevent him from wanting to interrupt?
Hoping that her efforts were worth it, she gave a frustrated groan at Kyoko before hissing, "You owe me big time."
In slow motion, Kyoko watched as Kanae shifted discretely in front of Kyoko and threw herself directly onto Kyoko's lap. Without hesitating, she locked her arms around the back of Kyoko's neck and shoved Kyoko's face into her hair.
From where Tsuruga-san was standing it would appear as a romantic embrace. Surely that would be enough to stop him from wanting to intrude?
Pretending to be in the throes of desire, Kanae stole a sideways glance at Tsuruga-san to ascertain his position. Damn that man, he had initially stopped moving but it was only momentarily before he soon started towards them again. Couldn't he read the atmosphere?
"Did it work?" Kyoko asked against the side of her nape.
"No! He's still headed this way." Kanae whispered back.
Pulling away from Kanae, Kyoko nearly choked in her dread as she sobbed, "We can't let him see me like this!"
Kanae's head snapped back up at Kyoko. She was about to launch into an admonishment, when the trembling of her friend's sunken form made her change her mind.
"God help me if this doesn't work!" Kanae stated before she lifted her face up to a near hysterical Kyoko and pulled her friend's head towards her. She planted her lips firmly over the top of Kyoko's, while smothering Kyoko's cry of surprise with her warm mouth.
Something about their actions felt completely out of place. But to Ren, as he stood in the middle of the coffee shop watching the daring public display of affection between the two love birds, he just couldn't bring himself to interrupt.
Turning away from the couple he took a brief second to compose himself before he walked steadily away. Beside him Yashiro was openly gaping at the kissing pair. One of which reminded him a little too much of Ren.
A/N: Hi everyone hope you are having fun reading my new story. I welcome all your comments, so please feel free to drop in a review if you can.