Cain lifted Setsu up effortlessly from the taxi and placed her on the sidewalk. Tugging at her hand, he led her through the large glass doors of a Harry Winston's jewelry store.
"Wait Cain! Where are you taking me?" Setsu asked as her eyes scanned the posh store. Kyoko had once heard about the store's rich reputation in lavishly garnishing it's clientele with only the best of high end jewelry.
She recalled how Shoutaro's mother used to mention the store's jewelry to her husband over the years. Didn't the Prime Minister of Japan recently buy his wife's anniversary ring from here? Kyoko's jaw mentally dropped open.
Her nerves were heightened as she took her first step into the thick pale carpet of the store. Sales clerks dressed in black bowed formally as they entered. But she could feel their rude scrutiny as they watched her and Cain approach the jewelry cases.
Lifting her chin up in a haughty angle, Kyoko forced herself to act out Setsu's persona. With an indifferent look on her face she ignored her surroundings while she fixed her eyes on Cain.
"I'm going to show you that we can belong together," his voice was clip and his manner was impatient. While he showed no reaction to the snobby sales clerks, Cain seemed intent on his mission.
Dragging her towards a case that was displaying rings, he pointed at them and said, "Pick one."
Relief flooded her entire being and the tension she was carrying in her stomach dispelled. She wasn't sure what he had meant when he told her he was going to seal himself to her but her heart was now pacing at a normal rate. Now that she realised that this was what he had meant.
Briefly, Kyoko remembered Tsuruga-san's warning about allowing a man to buy clothes for her. Scrutinizing him while he stood a few feet away from her, she wondered what the significance would be if she allowed him to buy her a ring.
Scolding herself because she had once again forgotten herself, Kyoko re-gathered her thoughts. If I'm supposed to be Setsu then surely I would be delighted to be pampered by him in such a manner right?
Drawing a pleasure filled grin across her face, Setsu cheekily asked, "Are you sure about this?"
Cain's eyes flashed with a devilish glint as he answered her in a slow and precise manner, "I'm absolutely sure."
"What if I pick out the most expensive ring they have, is that okay?" Setsu asked casually. Her voice was laced with charm while she tapped at her cheek with her small index finger.
"Get whatever you want, I'll buy it for you," Cain said as a slow smile broke across his face.
Satisfied that he had been reasonably cautioned, Setsu made her way over to the display case. Her hips swayed sexily from side to side, as she freely strolled from one end of the show case to the other.
Taking her time to glance at several items in the case, before she finally stopped and rested both small hands lazily on the glass enclosure. Within the case was a heirloom looking platinum and diamond ring that drew her attention immediately.
The band had a romantic array of diamonds sandwiched in between a string of smaller pave diamonds. The center stone was a princess cut diamond that stood slightly elevated above the band and was accented on each side with two smaller but similar cut diamonds.
This won't do! It's what I would want for myself and not what would be expected from Setsuka-san! Kyoko mumbled under her breath. Forcing herself to concentrate on finding a more suitable ring, she bent her head over the show case to study a different ring.
Pointing at several rings nearby, Setsu went about trying on the different styles available. Slipping each individually onto her slender finger, she would stretch out her hand in contemplation, and then shake her head in rejection.
After several tries, Kyoko was beginning to get frustrated with ring shopping. Unknowingly she let out a soft sigh. The more she tried to look around for something suitable for Setsu, the more Kyoko's eyes kept on wondering back to that particular elegant diamond ring.
Noticing that she was casting yearning looks at an opulent antique looking ring, Ren straightened to draw the attention of the brunette sales clerk. Pointing a long index finger at the item, he asked the young sales woman to show it to them.
He could tell from the uncharacteristic slouch in Kyoko's shoulders that she was beginning to lose hope in finding a suitable substitute. After noticing her pining for that specific ring, he was determined to get her the ring.
Although he appreciated her restraint in trying to select a ring that would suit her role as Setsu, he couldn't bring himself to allow her to do that. With a sardonic twist of his mouth, he thought about the irony of the ring he was about to purchase for her.
It was so much easier to communicate his feelings to her, while under the guise of Cain. He wondered if a day would come when she would welcome his attentions outside of Cain's character.
Kyoko's head snapped up with elation when the ring that she really desired was taken out of the case. She wasn't even able to contain her surprise that Cain would have selected it. Did that mean it was fine for Setsu to have such a romantic looking ring?
Ren could read the longing look on Kyoko's face. He could see her delight and watched as she tried to conceal her joy behind the cool facade of Setsu. He was secretly just as delighted that she could find so much joy in the moment.
Lifting her left hand up, he slipped the ring onto her fourth finger. The ring fit perfectly. His eyes never left her face as he witness the look of happiness beaming brightly from Kyoko. Eyes that were lit from within, and features that were classically elegant and refine, set among skin that held a healthy flush.
A wide smile added to her current beauty. He was astonished at how much he wanted to kiss her incredibly alluring mouth, as she wet her lips in tense anticipation. Ren had to remind himself that behind her unintentionally stimulating action was a very naïve and innocent girl.
"Does it suit me?" she asked with a tone of uncertainty while she looked skeptically at the ring.
"Yes," his eyes darkened as he continued to study her face. With a gentle hand he stroked at her moist mouth. He watched in fascination as the vivid color of her eyes changed from a bright metallic to a darker sheen.
Despite trying to mask the growing warmth she was feeling from his soft touch, she turned her chin slightly away from his fingers and licked her lips again. "You don't think this is too gaudy?"
The nervous action brought Ren back. Pulling himself up, he brought both hands to her cheeks and pinched hard while he stretched them apart. "Is this the feisty mouth that dares call what I select gaudy?"
Pointing at her mouth, Setsu countered, "No! Those are my cheeks. My mouth is here!"
As if not hearing her, Cain pinched harder and repeated, "Is this the feisty mouth that dares call what I select gaudy?"
"No, no. My mouth is here! Look it's here!" Setsu exclaimed as she pointed with feverent at her moist lip.
Ren's eyes widened fleetingly on her mouth before he abruptly released her. Turning his head from her, he calmly stated, "Good. Let's quite playing around and get back to our selection."
Pointing at the ring laying within the case, he indicated to the sales clerk that they wanted to see it as well. "Now then, try this matching wedding band on with it as well. I think it will go very nicely together." Cain answered.
Handing the ring to Cain, the sales lady who was initially doubtful of making a sale, was now bursting with excitement over the possibility of making two sales. She was eagerly nodding in agreement with Cain when Setsu looked over from Cain dubiously.
Fingering the delicate ring, Cain lifted it up and studied it against the light. The platinum band was in the same classic design as the engagement ring but the middle row was set with square channel diamonds and aligned with round pave diamonds on either side.
Reaching for her hand he slipped the second ring on. With tender emotion in his voice, Cain stated, "This would be your wedding band that you must promise never to take off."
Scarcely noticing the deep feeling emanating from Cain, Setsu coolly admired both rings as they encircled her slender finger together, before she asked, "But how does this mean we are sealed now?"
Holding up his left wrist, Setsu emphasized, "Doesn't this only mean that I am sealed to you, while no one will know that you are sealed to me?"
Nodding in understanding Cain pointed at a simple platinum band and stated, "We'll take that ring as well."
The sales clerk practically squealed in delight at his comment. Hurriedly she took out the ring and gave it to Setsu, who without any hesitation slid the precious metal onto Cain's finger.
Their eyes locked and they exchanged a look that went beyond their prospective characters. But neither of them understood each other's understated feelings. Kyoko's face began to burn. She leaned back to quickly turn away, breaking the spell of intimacy.
Taking his cue from her, Cain completed the transaction of his purchases. Placing the receipt in his pocket when he was done, he turned towards Setsu with the intent of leading her to their next destination, when he caught a glimpse of her pained filled face from the corner of his eyes.
Whirling her around to face him, he stiffened as a small frown marred Setsu's elegant features. "What's wrong?" Cain asked in concern.
Lifting up eyes that were sunken with distress, Setsu looked at Cain before shaking her head. Tears glistened at her eyes before she nervously looked away.
Taking her small chin in his large hand he tilted her face back to his and asked with more force, "What's wrong?"
Kyoko was feeling overwhelmed as she felt her left finger weighted down with two cold metal rings. Was this really happening to her? Did Tsuruga-san really purchase not just an engagement ring for her but a wedding band for her as well?
It had been ages since she last allowed herself to believe that she would one day be wearing such momentous pieces of jewelry. But what exactly did this mean? Wasn't this just an act?
It was that idea that everything was only just an act that brought an indescribable wave of emotion through her. Swept up to the point of nearly bursting, Kyoko needing an outlet, swallowing hard, she blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.
I can't let him see me like this! I'm supposed to be happy not sad. Setsuka-san where are you when I need you? Kyoko wailed mentally as she struggled to compose herself.
With an unsteady voice, she managed to croak out, "It's just that, I never thought it could ever happen…."
"What could never happen?" Cain became worried as he watched her begin to quake beside him.
Fighting desperately not to let her own personal history affect her portrayal of Setsu, Kyoko tried to find the right words. After being so overwhelmed by the wedding band, her body was tensed with turmoil and she couldn't stop herself from trembling.
She wanted nothing more than to be honest about what she was beginning to feel inside but she bit her lower lip hard as she remained silent. Digging her nails into the palms of her hands, she tried to still her tumultuous body.
She could see the thugs of her subconscious take a predatory step closer to her. But she was unable to defend her case. Residing to open herself to their harsh bullying, she took a deep breath ready to admit defeat. But a sudden notion occurred to her.
Perhaps, there was a possibility that what she was feeling was really only Setsu's pathological brother complex. Perhaps she was only reading too much into her character's own feelings.
Betting on that with all her might, she took a long quivering breath in and as she exhaled, she released her tension with her words, "That you and I could ever become one, like man and wife. That you would ever really find me attractive enough to want to spend the rest of your life with me, or that you would really find someone so inexperience like me good enough for you"
She lifted up a small unsteady hand and wiped at the beads of sweat that were formed over her temples. Shifting her weight from side to side, she deliberately avoided Tsuruga-san's eyes. She didn't want to know what he could possibly be thinking, whether it was as himself or as Cain.
Coward! The thugs of her inner conscience were laughing and sneering at her. Kyoko mentally sank her heels into the ground as she prepared herself for their verbal abuse.
Coward! They yelled at her again. But their words held little impact since Kyoko had already accepted that this was true. She already knew that should she ever acknowledge that she had any real feelings for Tsuruga-san then she would have become a greater fool than when she had feelings for Fuwa Sho.
No, I will never admit to having any such thing. This is all just an act. It has to be. She persuaded herself.
Convinced that it was so, she was finally able to faced Cain. Her quivering was gone. Slowly, she released her tight fists; she could still feel the painful nail marks that were embedded in them but she was still feeling a little better about herself. Her eyes were brightened with a new fire although her face had paled by her inner struggle.
Ren did not register Kyoko's struggle in portraying Setsu. In fact, he had been temporarily stunned speechless as he accepted her words. Was that how Setsu really felt about Cain?
As Cain, how should he respond to such heart felt emotions? This was the second time that Kyoko had shocked him with her acting. Internally he was flustered and mentally shaken by her performance, although on the outside he was still able to maintain Cain's usual demeanor.
His admiring thoughts were intercepted as Setsu continued, "I know it's a ring but the truth is since we aren't really married…." Setsu let her words trail off as she allowed herself to feel misery over their doomed fate.
Gathering her gently into his arms, Cain assisted Setsu out of the store. "Follow me," he whispered softly into her hair. Kissing the top of her head, he was glad she was compliantly moving beside him.
Kyoko's performance as Setsu must obviously mean that as Setsu, she was expecting more from Cain. Ren's lips set taut into a determined line. He was definitely in awe of her acting but he'd be damned if he allowed his own talent to lapse behind.
Hailing another taxi, he ushered her in and gave directions to the driver. Several minutes later, the car pulled up beside a two story office like building that had a large sign over the top stating that it was a Japanese Municipal government office.
Dragging Setsu into the official building, Cain headed towards the main window. Grabbing two separate documents at the front of the window, he handed one to her. Pointing at a pen he instructed her, "Fill this out."
Without waiting for her to answer, he began to fill out the other form in his hand. His movements were brisk and efficient as he printed and signed his name on the bottom of each page after rapidly skimming though each one. Flipping page after page, he raced through the process while completely ignoring Setsu.
Kyoko was visibly trembling as she held the form in her hand. Her eyes had enlarged to the size of saucers while she read the dark bold print. She almost cried out in fear but spurted out a hoarse cry instead, when she realised what she was actually holding in her hands.
Forcing herself not to toss the document aside, she held it away from her body with only her thumb and index finger. Glancing up at Cain, she was surprised that he was already half way through filling out the pages.
But how can he be doing this? She wondered. Weren't they supposed to be siblings? How can they really expect to legally fill out a Kon-in Todoke?
Although her face was a taunt mask but her voice became an entire octave higher as she slowly asked, "But how will this be possible?"
Ren looked up at her and as if seeing her for the first time, he regarded her intensely for a long moment before replying, "Just don't write your real name down."
Gasping in shock, Kyoko stood motionless as she contemplated his actions. Was he about to call for a CT? Was she failing in her rendition of Setsu? Was that the reason why he stared at her?
Wanting to show him that she was more than capable of performing Setsu, Kyoko strengthened her resolve. Snatching up the pen that was laying nearby, she followed his lead and began to fill out each form.
But as the tip of the pen touched the blank line at the bottom of the first page, she paused. Chewing on her bottom lip, she stared at the empty space that was waiting for her signature. A bead of sweat began to trail down the side of her small temple and she could feel her heart beginning to beat irregularly in her chest.
Surely this won't work if she wrote Setsuka Heel. Giving Cain a fleeting sideways peek she tried to see what name he was using. Suddenly, like a switch that was suddenly turned on, Kyoko came to an awareness that this was all just an act.
Only now did she finally realise that he was probably using Cain Heel for each of his signature; therefore, she would probably have to use another name to make this appear proper. Chuckling softly to herself, she chided herself for being so daft.
Kyoko nodded that that was likely what he had meant, when he said for her not to use her real name. Thus, instead of using Setsuka Heel, she decided to use one of her other names. Happy to have solved the problem, she went about signing each page with the same tenacity as Cain.
It wasn't until she had completed the entire application before she looked up at Cain with a satisfied gleam. "I'm done," she stated saucily as she handed it to him.
Smiling in answer, Cain took both their documents and headed towards the open window. His heels clicked heavily on the laminate floor. Following only a few steps behind him, Setsu came up to the window several moments after he had already started talking to the teller.
Standing beside him, she glanced around her, not really paying any attention to what Cain was saying or doing. And not really registering what was occurring between Cain and the elderly officer at the window, Kyoko started to exam her whereabouts.
The old building had white washed walls and Kyoko made a mental note to remark to Cain about how gloomy the place felt. Wrapping her arms around herself, she brushed off the urge to shudder. Although Japan was rich with ancient traditions, their municipal building was cold, grim and bare.
The heat that was blowing out of vents by the side of each window was making a soft humming sound. Staring out the window, Kyoko watched as the sun slowly began to decline into the horizon. Was it already evening?
Kyoko was startled at how time seemed to fly by so quickly. Soon, she would be making her excuse to end the date and to resume her normal identity again. She grimaced as she recalled having to meet up with Mouko-san later tonight to give her a blow by blow of her date.
Cain shifted slightly beside her, stirring her attention back. She looked up to see as he drew out his wallet and pulled out his identity card. His long fingers were tan and the slim ring over his left finger shone in startling contrast.
A quick glance down at her own finger made Kyoko realise how different her rings looked on her finger. Though her skin was pale, the shiny metal blended in. In fact, if it weren't for the brilliance of the large middle diamond, the ring would have made even less of an impact over her skin tone.
A small smile curved at her lips as she thought of how satisfying her emotional performance must have been while at the jewelry store. The way she had felt extreme happiness and then sadness at wearing the wedding rings were important sentiments.
Even her physical reactions of trembling or the way she had to fight to regain her composure was surely something quite notable. While the most important impact to her performance was the psychological feeling of wanting to spill out her soul, which somewhat was surprising to her.
She took all these reactions into account as future reference for Mouko-san, while she pursed her lips tightly. This was definitely a great learning experience for them both and something any person in love would probably have done.
Abruptly, Cain turned towards Setsu and with a slight inclination of his head, indicated for her to give the short teller her identification. Setsu responded without any hesitation.
Quickly Setsu searched her purse for the needed identification and handing over the plastic card, she watched as the teller, verified their information. After a few official looking stamps were placed over their paper work, the teller broke out into a warm smile.
Kyoko refused to acknowledge the reason for his smile. She returned his look with an empty stare of her own. Even when he made an astonishing statement, she only blinked impassively and made no other response. By now, she was in total denial of what was happening. After all, wasn't this just an act?
"Congratulations, Mister and Misses Tsuruga, I hope your marriage will be filled with happiness and prosperity," the short teller stated as he bowed slightly at them. His face was gleaming with happiness for the strange looking couple.
It wasn't often that he would see such a young pair come in to get married. Being old fashioned, he approved whole heartedly at their willingness to commit to matrimony, as more and more of the younger generation were just living together and forgoing marriage altogether. Japan needed more devoted youths like them to increase its aging and diminshing population.
Feeling the urge to applaud their devotion to the traditional ways, he added, "I hope your marriage will stand strong and firm despite these trying times, Mister and Misses Tsuruga."
A tiny voice replayed all his words in Kyoko's mind. But void of any cohesive thoughts, her mind was incapable of believing in the possibility of his two comments. Perhaps she had imagined it and her mind had formed a Freudian slip on her own for him?
Believing that to be so, she validated his friendly gesture by returning his smile and replying, "Thank you for your kind words, may you have a marriage that is filled with joy, tranquility and one that will last through this troubling era too!"
The elderly teller was bewildered by her words. He scratched the top of his balding head in confusion. "Thank you, Tsuruga-san but I am already nearly fifty years old and am still not married."
Kyoko went stiff. Did that man just call her Tsuruga-san? Unsure that her mind was playing tricks with her hearing, she corrected him by pointing at the document still in his hands.
"Um, pardon me but my name on that document is Mogami Kyoko," she smiled politely as she corrected him.
"Yes, that is correct, but I assumed that from now onwards you would now be using your husband's name instead?" the man replied, just as politely.
Kyoko smile weakened but she continued to ask in a formal manner, "My husband's name?"
"Yes, shouldn't your name now be Tsuruga Kyoko?" the teller suggested with a friendly countenance.
The smile on Kyoko's face vanished. Startled by his response, she shook her head. Offering up a startled laugh, she shook her head again, frowned slightly, and then shook her head for the third time.
Sure that she was just hearing things, a bemused smile took its place on her face. Lifting up an index finger, she adamantly corrected him, "No, you must mean Kyoko Heel, right?"
Cain grew impatient over the back and forth banter between the two. His mood was beginning to darken as well. Deciding it was time to interject; he placed a firm hand on Setsu's arm and began to lead her away.
Turning on his heel, he dragged Setsu away before she could ask the middle aged teller to repeat his sentence. Her head and shoulder were still turned back and facing the short man who was now talking to a coworker, while Cain walked her down the hallway.
"Cain," Setsu began, "Cain, did he just call you… Tsuruga-san?" her voice was shaky as she turned worry filled eyes up to the imposing actor.
Without slowing in his steps, Cain looked down into her blanching oval face and answered succinctly, "No, he called us Tsuruga-san"
Kyoko's mouth fell open, it was then that she finally believed her ears.
A/N: Hi everybody, it was very encouraging to hear from all your reviews. Thank you all for them.
I have often been asked to write about Ren and Kyoko's wedding, although I doubt if this is what anyone would expect, I hope this will do for now.
In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks again for your support and critique.