Yashiro was sitting across from Ren in the tiny dressing room of the photography studio. The smell of hot coffee was intoxicating to him as he took another sip and savored its rich dark flavor. His face mirrored one of complete bliss and he released a happy sigh from deep within his chest.
He and Ren loved the decadent dark coffee and Ren's suggestion at getting coffee was a much welcomed one. Yashiro's lips smacked together tensely as he thought about the event of obtaining the coffee.
While at the coffee shop, he was used to the frenzied whispers that Ren's fans evoked. He had even prepared himself to ward off any overly eager fan with the icy glare that he practiced just for those special occasions. But his mask had slipped when he noticed that Ren had spotted someone whom he had recognised.
In fact, it wasn't just anyone that Ren had been headed to. It was Kyoko's friend Kotonami Kanae, the same girl that Yashiro had recognised from the Kurara commercial. Yet it wasn't that fact that had surprised Yashiro.
No, it certainly wasn't that at all. It was more the fact that the young girl was openly engaged in such blatant intimacy with another person that caught him off guard. Although Yashiro had little contact with Kyoko's friend, he had always thought of her as more of the tsundere type of person.
This was why his jaw had nearly hit the floor when he saw what she was doing so publicly. Surely, this couldn't be her true nature? Sitting on a man's lap with her hand wound in his hair and her lips glued onto his mouth.
Wasn't she even groaning loudly? Well, if you could call that groaning. Yashiro winced as he recalled the ear piercing noise that was coming from her. And the man that she had been kissing was equally shameless in his actions! Wasn't he holding on to Kotonami-san and kissing her as if it was the end of the world? How could they be friends with the holy maiden Kyoko?
He made a mental note to discuss this with Ren. As it would be bad should such people corrupt the pure and innocent love of Ren's heart. He did not want to think about the possible consequences that Kyoko could face, should Ren ever discover her in such a precarious position.
Shaking his head mentally, Yashiro assured himself that the Love Me number one member would never be involved in such lewd actions. He couldn't even begin to picture Kyoko kissing anyone so publicly.
Yashiro frown as he suddenly did remember a time when Kyoko had been involved in a rather ardent kiss while with Fuwa Sho. But wasn't that incidental? Didn't she even consider that kiss as an anteater siphoning bait from her mouth?
Nodding to himself, Yashiro sighed in relief. He told himself that it was definitely not in Kyoko's character to kiss anyone in public. No, not the holy maiden Kyoko. No, it would just be impossible.
Furthermore, the person that Kanae was most ardently kissing looked quite astonishingly like Ren! The concept of a doppelganger flashed briefly in Yashiro's mind. Would that mean Ren would be dying soon?
Pinching himself from thinking such randomly irrational thoughts, Yashiro shook his head. No, that was certainly not a doppelganger! It was nothing more than just some ridiculas Tsuruga Ren imitator.
Even Ren had seen a number of his fans play tribute to him by becoming copycats of his style and image. Smiling, he comforted himself that Ren would not be offended if Kyoko's best friend had taken a fancy to someone like that. Perhaps it would even be a boost to his ego?
Especially when the original was already taken. Well, almost taken, Yashiro corrected himself. Since, Ren was unlikely to date anyone except Kyoko. A sad smile crossed Yashiro's face as he contemplated the likelihood of Ren and Kyoko ever dating.
Scratching his neck, Yashiro tried not to think too much on the sad state of affairs between the relationship idiot and the holy maiden. With Ren's current state of affairs, he would be surprised if their relationship ever headed in any romantic direction. Hell would probably freeze over before that day would come!
Trying not to think about the depressing situation, Yashiro turned his gaze to Ren, while he continued to enjoy his coffee. Ren was certainly good at putting up a front. Although he appeared to be in a good mood, with his dazzling smiles; and was unnecessarily enticing every female staff within the vicinity; Yashiro doubted the sincerely of his bright mood.
Was living with Kyoko taking its toll on Ren? Yashiro understood by now that the brighter and more charming Ren became, the harder he was hiding what he was actually feeling. He was determined to get to the bottom of Ren's fake smile by the end of tonight and was looking forward to having dinner with him
Watching as Ren was discussing his appearance with the make-up artist; Yashiro took another sip of his coffee. He released a relaxed sigh at the same time Ren's phone began to ring. Pursing his lips together, Yashiro was mildly surprised that Ren had not turned his phone off.
Expecting to see Ren ignore his phone, Yashiro watched as the actor lifted the phone up to check the caller I.D. A slight frown crossed his brows before his long fingers hit the answer button. Shooting the make-up artist a quick apologetic smile, he answered the call.
Yashiro couldn't help the look of amazement on his face, when he saw Ren immediately answer the call. When was the last time Ren had done such an outrageous act? Searching his memory, Yashiro couldn't remember ever seeing Ren answer a call while in the middle of work.
Surely, the person on the other line was someone important? But who could that person be, except maybe….His mouth widened into a knowing smile as Yashiro thought of the only likely important person to Ren. Leaning forward in his chair, Yashiro tried to listen in on the telephone call.
Was Kyoko the person on the other line? A chuckle escaped Yashiro before he could suppress it, making the make-up artist look over to him in inquiry. Quickly coughing to hide his amusement, Yashiro pointed at his coffee and stated for her benefit, "I drank this too fast and it went down the wrong pipe."
Nodding in understanding the pretty brunette returned her gaze back to Ren while she waited for him to finish his call. Her impatience was beginning to show as she tapped one of her make-up brushes against the hair spray bottle.
But Ren was immune to her gesture. He hardly even noticed Yashiro's reaction. His full attention was on the busy signal coming from his phone. Had he just been hung up on? His frown worsened as he dialed Kyoko's phone number.
He had not expected her to be calling him. However, after the odd manner she had left the hotel room this morning, he was certain something was not quite right. Was she ok? He hoped he was not responsible for her current manner.
He listened intensely to the phone as it began to ring, hoping that the line would not drop his call. Sure enough, a deep and sexy voice answered after several seconds.
"Hello?" a husky and deep female voice answered the line.
"Hello, Kyoko is that you? Did you just call me?" Ren asked, concern was evident in his tone.
"No, Nii-san, it's me Setsu." Kyoko answered smoothly as she willed herself not to hang up again. She had to remind herself to breath as she continued to portray the calm and sexy younger sister of Cain.
Silence awaited her on the other line as she waited anxiously for him to answer.
Hoping that Ren would not notice the tone of apprehension in her voice, she continued to speak, slowly and huskily into the phone. "Nii-san? Are you there?"
"Setsu?" Ren breathed out in a rather stunned voice.
Giggling to cover her nervousness, she answered, "Are you surprised to hear from me so soon?"
"Umm, are you doing ok? Is anything the matter?" Ren asked, unsure of what to expect from Kyoko's unexpected call. Why was she acting as Setsu? Wasn't she headed off to school today? Shouldn't she still be in the middle of class now? His bewilderment was mirrored on his face as he waited to hear her explanation.
Purring into the phone Kyoko answered, "Silly Nii-san, are you worried about me? Are you afraid I might be in danger? Don't be so overprotective."
"Wait, why are you calling me then?" Ren asked, his tone indicated a ting of uncertainty over her teasing admonishment. He was getting more and more confused by her overtures, what exactly was she trying to elicit from him?
His question was answered shortly by a soft laugh, as she explained, "Nii-san, I missed you and was wondering if you had a little time today to spend with your cute sister?"
Ren's mouth felt dry. His tongue hung to the roof of his mouth but he forced himself to answer, "Of course I'm free. Did you want to get together today?"
Clenching her teeth as the last stings of hope left her, Kyoko replied, "Yes of course I do. Don't you remember promising me that you'd take me out on that date to explore the city when you aren't so busy?"
Laughing into the phone, Ren happily replied, "Well then where would you like to go?"
"How about we finish sightseeing Tokyo?" Kyoko replied as she tried to find a safe way to pass the time with him. Surely in the middle of hundreds of people she would not do anything stupid to risk making a further fool out of herself? Happy that she had thought of it, she finally relaxed.
"I'm in the middle of finishing up my photo-shoot right now but should be able to meet you back at the room in two hours," Ren stated, as he finally became aware that the make-up artist was listening attentively to their conversation. Shifting his weight in his chair, he turned his back to her as he waited for Setsu's reply.
Kyoko waited a slight second too long before she replied in a tone that denoted Setsu's rebellious nature, "I don't want to have to wait alone for you in the boring hotel room for the next two hours, how about I wait for you in the lobby of the hotel instead."
Ren heard the hesitation in her voice and wondered at the cause. But eager to get off the phone with her, so that the curious make-up artist would stop eavesdropping in on their conversation, he accepted quickly.
Staring at the phone after he hung up, Ren couldn't believe his luck. But after he looked over to Yashiro who was smirking at him, he realised his troubles had only just begun. Ren groaned internally. How was he going to hide his impromptu date with Setsu from Yashiro?
Thinking quickly Ren feigned a look of obliviousness as he went back to allowing the make-up artist to finish with her work. Signaling for her to continue, he rested back in his chair and lifted his face for her, while closing his eyes. The make-up artist was eager to complete her task and with efficient hands, she began to apply a thin layer of moisturizer to his face.
Yashiro had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from questioning Ren about his recent phone call. Gleefully he rubbed his hands together as he thought about the reasons for the phone call.
Was Ren really going to go out to meet with Setsu? Based on the snippets of what he was able to hear, Yashiro was able to discern that the two had just arranged to meet up. Not only had they decided to do so, but Ren had also done so right under Yashiro's nose!
Did Ren forget about his promise to have dinner with him, in order to fill him in on Cain Heel? Deciding not to be offended by the slight injustice of probably being stood up, Yashiro had to contend himself with the likelihood of getting to play cupid to the two.
This brought a delightful chuckle to Yashiro. He rubbed his hands together in glee as he thought about the possibilities. His face took on a cat like demeanor as he continued to smile widely. What luck!
"What?" Ren asked, slightly offended as he had already guessed at the cause of his manager's speculative looks.
Yashiro's smile widened as a gleam of mischief entered his eyes. Wanting to tease Ren, he suggestively stated, "So Ren where should we have dinner tonight? There's a new restaurant around the corner from here, should I make a reservation for us? Say in about 2 hours?"
Ren's eyes held Yashiro's in a steady stare before he sighed and looked irritably away. The make-up artist pretended not to notice the clenching of his jaw as she applied blusher to his cheeks.
"I can't make tonight's dinner with you, Yashiro," Ren gritted out in clenched teeth.
Ren knew from the moment he saw that glimmer in Yashiro's eyes that this was coming. Hating that he even had to put up with the teasing manager, he wished the make-up artist wasn't around to bear witness to the humiliating moment. Sinking deep into his chair, he closed his eyes hoping to shut out Yashiro's presence.
Yashiro just couldn't help himself. It was beyond his ability to stop himself. Placing his cup of coffee down, he leaned forward with a hand cupping his ear and he pretended to listen closely. "Oh, and why is that?" Yashiro smiled brightly.
Ren's eyes snapped open as he took in Yashiro's annoying demeanor. "Something important just sprung up," Ren answered curtly with a bedazzling smile.
Yashiro smile vanished immediately. Leaning back in his chair, he swallowed audibly. As quickly as the urge had come for him to tease Ren, it had also fled with the onslaught of Ren's sudden smile.
He recognised that particular gentlemanly smile. It was the kind of smile that would elicit an equally bright smile in return, should the receiver not understand Ren. But for Yoshiro, he instead started to feel sweat form at his brow, from Ren's gentlemanly smile.
Shifting nervously in his chair, Yashiro gave up trying to tease Ren. Not wanting to upset the young actor any further, he quickly acknowledged. "Well then I'm sure we can reschedule this for the following night then."
Neither of them had anything else to say while in the presence of the make-up artist. But immediately after she had completed her task and left, Yashiro brought up another matter that had been eating away at his gut.
While Ren was slipping an arm through the sleeve of his shirt, Yashiro asked him in a mild voice, "Ren did you notice the kiss between that guy and Kyoko's friend?"
Nodding, Ren continued to dress as he waited for Yashiro to make his point, "Well, there was something about that young man that made me think that he really resembled you."
Nodding again, Ren tried not to picture the incident in his mind. But his mind kept on replaying that passionate kiss. There was something about that moment had struck Ren as being extremely odd.
But it was not something Ren could easily identify. Frowning, he stopped in the act of buttoning up his shirt as he tried to understand what it was about the way the young man and their kissing that reminded him of being so out of place.
"Yashiro what are you trying to say?" Ren asked after realising that Yashiro was waiting for his reply.
"Well, the mere fact that the person that she was kissing had a striking resemblance to you made me wonder if she could possibly be attracted to you as well. And what that could imply." Yashiro lifted up his brows as he tilted his chin to an angle, while he regarded Ren.
"Are you suggesting that since she's dating my look-a-like, she's attracted to me?" Ren choked out that question. The absurdity of the idea made him draw in his eyebrows tightly.
Even if the likelihood existed, Ren would not even know where to begin to diffuse that possibility. And the scope of what Yashiro was implying was somewhat disconcerting to him. No, that was too disturbing an idea to entertain.
Interrupting his train of thought, Yashiro clarified, "Yes, I was thinking that. But even if that were the case, I am sure it won't affect your stance."
While assessing the value of his consideration, Yashiro paused momentarily to rub the bridge of his nose, where his spectacles rested. "But just in case that were the case, I personally don't think it would be a bad idea to use a little old fashion jealousy to get the girl you like to acknowledge her feelings."
"Yashiro, have you gone mad?" Ren did a double take of his manager and friend. What was he up to now? His eyes narrowed in contemplation.
In contrast, Yashiro's eyes widened with excitement. "No, what I am saying is if there is a possibility that Kyoko may like you, don't you think having her friend be interested in you will cause some kind of reaction in her?"
Ren met Yashiro's comment with a blank stare. But Yashiro's voice held more and more excitement as he gained momentum with his explanation. With his hands flailing around he persisted, "For example, if Kotonami was trying to make a play for your attention, this might cause Kyoko to want to stop her or at least it will increase the chances of her confession."
Ren held his own hands up as he interrupted his wishful thinking manager. "Yashiro, what you are suggesting may not work. Will you take responsibility for it if your plan fails?"
Ren's look of discontent was mingled with a slight warning before he went back to putting on his jacket. Trying not to allow his intrusive match making manger mingle in his love life was becoming a new habit for Ren. Shouldn't he have already predicted Yashiro's moves by now?
"Well, it's just a thought, so you don't have to act on it if you don't want to." Yashiro mumbled, as he looked away in embarrassment. His tone indicated his hurt over Ren's instant rejection of his idea. However, regaining his composure, he quickly changed the subject.
"But that isn't my only concern," Yashiro professed, while he waited for Ren's eyes to acknowledge him before he continued.
"It's just that she being Kyoko's best friend, and her doing such lustful acts, while in public causes me to worry about her effect on Kyoko. Well, what I am trying to say is that there might be a possibility that she could negatively influence Kyoko." Yashiro stated seriously while his face scrunched up in concern.
Yashiro watched as a flicker of anxiety flashed across Ren's eyes. Burning with a new intensely, Ren's face flushed a telling red. Did Ren understand the dangers of Kotonami's influence on Kyoko?
Ren went rigid as he thought about the consequences of Kanae's influence on Kyoko. Was there really a risk that Kyoko could become just as brazen as Kanae? The idea was disconcerting to Ren and he scowled as he asked, "What do you think I can do about that?"
"As her senpai, couldn't you caution her against being friends with Kotonami-san?" Yashiro answered as he stood up from his chair and walked over to Ren.
"I could but I doubt that Kyoko would receive that easily." Ren answered while his scowl deepened.
"Well, why don't we just keep a closer watch on her then?" Yashiro suggested as he reached over to place a reassuring hand on Ren's shoulder.
"Yes, but it's something we are better off doing from a far though. She might not want us intruding on her personal life" Ren shuddered as he thought about how upset Kyoko would be should she discover their ploy.
Yashiro's heart went out to Ren as he noticed the degree of worry that the young actor held within him over Kyoko. Squeezing Ren's shoulder briefly before he removed his hand, Yashiro answered, "I agree."
Kyoko hung up the phone. Her hand began to tremble with the effects of holding the cell phone so tightly but try as she might, she couldn't make herself release the phone. Her eyes were still glued on the offensive object when Kanae pried her hand off the cell phone.
"Are you done?" Kanae asked while she took a seat next to Kyoko.
"I think so." Kyoko solemnly replied, without looking up.
"What do you mean by 'you think so'?" Kanae asked midway from sitting down in her chair. She was staring intensely at Kyoko, waiting for a reply.
Glancing up at her friend, Kyoko brought a weak smile to her face and nodded. "I mean, yes."
Relaxing down into her chair, Kanae keenly asked, "So when are you meeting him?"
A surprisingly fierce look of excitement flashed over her face. The look on her face reminded Kyoko of a tigress that was staring hungrily at its prey. Gasping at the implication of what Mouko-san was probably thinking, Kyoko shook her head vigorously. "No, don't even think it. You can't watch us while we go on our date."
"Why not?" Kanae asked as she jutted a stubborn chin out. What was it about this 'dangerous mission' that Kyoko felt so compelled to keep it so surreptitiously. Why couldn't Kyoko trust her? Kanae was beginning to get annoyed as she thought about the matter.
"Because I told you we are to be in character! Besides, it's supposed to be a secret," Kyoko let out a small wail in fear that her friend would compromise Ren's role as Cain Heel.
Watching her friend closely, Kyoko's chest tightened in anxiety. How was she going to explain this without disclosing more of the Heel sibling's existence? Already, she could tell by Mouko-san's tight lipped demeanor that she was getting impatient by her evasiveness.
Recognizing the look of desperation in Kyoko's eyes, Kanae decided to let go of the idea. "Fine but how will you teach me how to act then?" Kanae asked instead.
Kyoko was suddenly at a loss for words. "I…" shaking her head in frustration and trying to give the matter further thought, Kyoko exhaled uncertainly, "I'm not really sure."
"Well then, should we just continue with you acting as my boyfriend then?" Kanae offered. Her own aspirations of learning from watching Kyoko's interaction with Ren may have been squashed but she did not entirely see any obstacle in rehearsing the reenactment of their date.
Not entirely certain of what Mouko-san expected from her but running out of viable options, Kyoko nodded weakly in agreement. She could almost picture herself falling head first off the cliff, while the snickering of her psychological thugs filled her subconscious mind.
A/N: Hi everybody hoped you are enjoying this story so far. I was very encouraged by all your comments and support. I hope you continue to read and review.