Ren and Yashiro were hidden away at a table that was perpendicular to Kyoko's and Kanae. Within the dark but busy nightclub, several guests were watching Kyoko who was dressed as a Tsuruga Ren impersonator.
But no one noticed that the actual star was sitting only a few feet away. Yashiro smiled at the irony of it. Ren had left his hair fashioned as Cain in his haste to catch up with Kyoko. He was also dressed all in black and struck quite an imposing figure at that.
Without his usual Tsuruga Ren attire, he was safely unrecognizable. But the same could not be said about Kyoko. Table after table of gawking women were giggling and sending flirtatious smiles at her.
Yashiro had to stop himself from chuckling aloud at the audacity of the young actress. She was not only dressed as Ren but she even seemed to have his mannerism mastered very well. Did she know how good she was at imitating him?
Had they not followed the two from Kyoko's home, Yashiro wondered if they would have continued to have mistaken Kotonami's new love interest as someone other than Kyoko. Love interest? Yashiro frown when he realised his error. But what exactly was she then?
Staring at the couple, Yashiro watched as Kyoko leaned into Kotonami and whispered something to the actress that made her blush beautifully. The pair made a striking couple, which reminded Yashiro of something Kyoko had said about going on a date.
Had she been serious when she had let it slip that she was going on a date with Kotonami? But why would she have to dress up as Ren if she were doing such a thing? Yashiro was confused by Kyoko's actions. What was really going on between the two?
Could it be that the two members of the Love Me section were really lesbians? No, if that was so, why would Kyoko be in disguise as a male, and why as Ren? Yashiro pursed his lips tightly in contemplation.
Sitting back in his chair, he watched as Kyoko stretched out her hand and saw Kotonami pull one of Kyoko's gloves off her hand. There was something about that daring look that she was giving Kotonami that was causing Yashiro to worry over her gestures.
He stole a sideways glance at Ren, who was also closely watching the pair. Ren's face had darkened ominously and Yashiro swallowed audibly. Kyoko, do you have any idea what you are doing to Ren?
Yashiro was surprise to hear a groan come from Ren, worried that the young actress had done something wrong; he went back to watching her intensely. A slight frown of puzzlement crossed Yashiro's face at Kyoko's actions.
Kyoko was currently caressing Kotonami's face and head with her ungloved hand. The gesture was a little strange to Yashiro but when he saw Kyoko put her glove back on after the intimate gesture and heard another loud groan come from Ren, Yashiro couldn't help himself any longer.
"What's wrong?" Yashiro asked Ren.
Ren's eyes snapped up to Yashiro. A bright flicker in his steel grey eyes indicated the degree of apprehension that the young male star was feeling. But his tone of voice was cool and aloof when he answered, "Those two are acting in a very unusual manner."
"Yes, I was wondering why they were doing that. But maybe it's just how girls show their affection as friends for each other?" Yashiro offered as an excuse for Kyoko's behavior.
Yashiro's gaze returned to Kyoko who was now engaged in a conversation with Kotonami. His eyes narrowed, when Kyoko leaned over Kotonami and pressed a kiss along the side of her cheek.
What the hell was that for? Yashiro mentally screamed.
Shutting his eyes tightly to avoid seeing the burning glare coming from Ren who had also seen the intimate action, Yashiro wished they were anywhere but at their present place.
Kyoko-chan, if you keep this up, I don't think there will be anything I could do to save you from Ren's fury. Yashiro mentally warned the cross dressing actress.
But sitting only a few feet away, Kyoko was completely unaware of the mounting danger aimed at her. The night was getting late but Kyoko did not feel like going home. Wanting to release the pent up stress that she had been feeling within her, she was now unconsciously acting out the emperor of the night.
A drink arrived at their table and the waiter pointed at a table of girls indicating that they had sent the drink for Kyoko, making Mouko-san glare brazenly at them in full jealousy and causing Kyoko to beam with delight over her 'girlfriend's' jealously.
Clearing her voice, she said, "Don't worry, I only have eyes for you."
Kanae bit back an angry retort; instead she glared at Kyoko with fire in her eyes. She had been seeing red all night. Not only was she visibly angry over the girls that were trying to hit on Renji, but now she was even upset with herself for being so swept up by Kyoko's acting skills, that she just wasn't able to remain objective any longer.
How was it that Kyoko was such a good actress? Didn't they start off at the same point? Swearing under her breath, Kanae promised herself that she would not be defeated by her best friend's increasing talent.
Misunderstanding why Mouko-san was angrily mumbling, Kyoko tried to reassure her again, "Don't you know that unless you are by my side, I am never comfortable without you. I may as well buy a lock and chain and keep you permanently by my side, so that you could only be with me."
"A lock and chain? Wouldn't that be too extreme?" Kanae forced herself to smile coyly at Kyoko while she abandoned herself to her role.
"Then maybe I should do something else?" Kyoko asked, as she placed her elbow on her knee and leaned forward.
"Yes, that would be better than a lock and chain… I think?" Kanae answered after a slight hesitation.
With an elbow on her knee, Kyoko casually cupped her chin in a hand. Rubbing an index finger over her lip, she inclined her head to the side suggestively. Smoothly and huskily she asked, "Then shall I do what I want with you right now?"
"Right now? You mean while we are here?" Kanae's eyes widened at the possibility of what could happen. But pushing past the mounting anxiety of Kyoko's seductive insinuation from a sense of curiosity, Kanae blurted out quickly, "Yes, show me what you want to do!"
"May I engrave the proof that means that we belong to each other?" Kyoko asked while she stretched out a finger to trail along the side of Kanae's neck. She could feel the heat emanating off of Mouko-san and smiled at the anxiety that her friend was showing.
Inside, a miniature Kyoko was hurriedly tossing out images, from Kyoko's memory, of Tsuruga-san asking Kyoko should he do what he wanted to her, while at the Dark Moon party. It was also frantically tossing out images of Cain laying half naked on top of her and asking for permission to mark her the same way she had marked him on his neck.
Trying not to lose focus of her objective Kyoko's fingers trail down Mouko-san's neck until it stopped a few inches above the neckline of her blouse, and at the same place Cain had done with Setsuka-san. Pointing directly over her heart, she subconsciously asked in almost like fashion of how Cain had once asked Setsuka, "here?"
Kanae swallowed a dry lump in her throat. Could it be, was Kyoko suggesting to give her a love bite in the middle of a busy night club, while surrounded by several tables of interested onlookers? Some of which were even interested in Kyoko because she resembled Tsuruga Ren?
Self-consciously, Kanae removed a lock of hair that had fallen over her forehead. Tucking it securely behind her ear, she glanced about her surrounding to assess her current situation.
Should she continue with the charade or had she finally reached her limit? Thinking about what would happen if she said yes, she swallowed loudly, while she searched for an answer.
At that moment, her eyes wandered around the club and moved pass a pair of familiar dark eyes that were intently scrutinizing her, stopping short, they quickly returned and locked on.
Kanae stifled a gasp, had she not seen Kyoko's outrageous rebellious rocker outfit, she would not have known to expect Tsuruga-san's matching look. But sure enough, there he was, dressed in black leather and sporting an overwhelming amount of hostility aimed at her.
Kanae quickly looked at Kyoko who seemed oblivious to the stares of the daunting and imposing male figure sitting nearby. What was he doing here? And why was he so furious? Kanae wondered in surprise.
Did he know that Kyoko was cross dressing right now? Judging from his angry look, Kanae was almost certain that he did. Then if so, could this be that golden opportunity to find out if Tsuruga-san had any real feelings for Kyoko? Surely if he did, he would be jealous?
Taking a calculative risk, Kanae, tossed her hair over her shoulder and bringing her stubborn chin up, she shot Tsuruga-san a smirk before she leaned over Kyoko and rested a hand on Kyoko's forearm.
"Yes, Renji, I want you to mark me with your love but you must allow me to do the same to you first," Kanae's eyes held Kyoko's in a serious deadlock stare as she waited for a reply.
A small frown marred Kyoko's face before she was able to hide behind the mask of Renji. A tense smile spread across her lips but faced with Mouko-san's determined expression, Kyoko nodded her head.
Kanae suppressed a final apprehensive wince as she leaned across Kyoko. Licking her lips nervously, she lowered them towards Kyoko's neck. Telling herself that doing this was not any different from kissing Kyoko, Kanae forced herself not to over analyze the issue.
After all she was doing this for her friend's sake. Surely if Tsuruga-san felt anything for Kyoko, he would stop them. Hoping that he would, Kanae took her time. Sniffing at her friend's flushed skin, she could feel the angst radiating from Kyoko.
She watched as a droplet of sweat ran down the side of Kyoko's neck and waited until it past her, before Kanae hesitantly pressed her lips lightly against Kyoko's neck. The slight touch brought a shiver down Kyoko's spine and Kanae pulled away quickly from Kyoko's neck.
Both girls stared widely at each other. Both had a thick sense of dread and apprehension on their face. But only Kanae had a deep sense of determination on her face.
Instinctively, she knew that Kyoko would want to flee from her grasp but not allowing her friend to make any sudden moves, Kanae held her tightly by the shoulders. Slowly, she descended her face towards Kyoko's neck again.
Saying a quiet prayer that Tsuruga-san would quickly interrupt, she waited as she bought time by blowing softly at Kyoko's neck. She heard Kyoko's sudden intake of breath and fought not to push Kyoko away.
Instead, Kanae brought a hand over to Kyoko's head and tangling it into her hair, she pulled Kyoko's head back to expose more of her friend's neck. Sliding her eyes sideways to see if Tsuruga-san was watching, she brought her face closer to Kyoko's neck.
Kyoko whimpered softly and her eyes were shut tightly. The moment was coming when she would feel her best friend's mouth on her neck and remembering's Tsuruga-san's words not to let these kinds of things get to her should she want to be a highly esteemed actress, she forced herself to relax.
A loud crash disturbed their intimate moment. A glass had come crashing to the floor at a table nearby and Kyoko opened her eyes to follow the commotion of the disruption. She was thankful for the brief reprieve, until her eyes settled on the inhabitants of the table and she started to whimper again but this time for an entirely different reason.
"Pretend you don't know them," Kanae whispered into Kyoko's ears as she followed Kyoko's eyes.
"Do you think they don't know who I am?" Kyoko asked as she started to tremble in fear.
"I can't be certain but it's worth a shot, don't you think?" Kanae asked. She didn't believe for a minute that Tsuruga-san did not recognise Kyoko.
But not wanting her friend to interrupt her premeditative plans of assessing the true nature of his feelings for Kyoko, she decided to ignore this fact. At any rate, she expected Tsuruga-san to expose his feelings for Kyoko soon.
"Just keep acting as Renji, and everything should be fine." Kanae stated calmly while trying to encourage Kyoko.
"But they are coming over this way." Kyoko's lower lips trembled as she looked with wide eye fear at her friend.
"Don't worry. They won't know it's you, if you just act as Renji perfectly." Kanae replied, taking Kyoko's hand in her own, she squeezed it supportively.
"Alright, I will try but please forgive me should I fail," Kyoko squawked in answer.
Her voice held a tinge of anxiety as she fastened her worried filled eyes on Mouko-san's sturdy profile. Her own hand shook while it held tightly onto Mouko-san's. Kyoko drew strength from her friend's reassuring grip, while Kanae only nodded in consent before continuing with their ploy.
A dark shadow fell across the table and Kyoko was reluctant to look up. Yashiro and Tsuruga-san had made their way to Kyoko's table. Her inner radar could sense a dark mood coming from Tsuruga-san without her needing to look at him.
Now what exactly should she be doing again? Her mind drew a blank as she tried to recall what Mouko-san had just told her.
"Kotonami-san, how nice to see you here," Yashiro stated as he stood beside the table. His eyes drifted over to Kyoko and expecting her to greet them in her usual manner, while he waited patiently for her to acknowledge him.
"Ah, Yashiro-san, this is a nice surprise! As you can see I am currently with my friend Renji and we were just enjoying ourselves in this late evening," Kanae stated matter of factly, as she met both Yashiro's and Ren's gazes.
"Renji?" Yashiro asked in bewilderment before turning a curious look towards Kyoko. Was she in character? That would explain the unusual circumstances they were currently in. But did that mean Kyoko had no intention of breaking from her character?
Yashiro pondered that possibility as he continued to watch Kyoko avert her eyes from them. He had to hide his grin when a thought suddenly occurred to him. Was this his chance to help Ren find out if Kyoko had any real feelings for him?
Thinking about how this would be a golden opportunity for him to discover Kyoko's feelings, a cat like grin flashed across his face. But first he would have to find an excuse to remain at their table.
Thinking quickly on his feet, Yashiro suggested, "Well, this came as a nice surprise then. We are fortunate to have stumbled upon you since we were out for a quick diversion from work. May we join you then?"
Yashiro felt like kicking himself when he realised that he might have exposed Ren while he was in character. Expecting to see Ren's look of displeasure, he was relieved when a sideways glance showed Ren to be preoccupied by Kyoko's sunken head.
Expecting the two men would turn away after they exchanged pleasantries; Kyoko was surprised when Ren pulled out a chair and obstinately sat down next to her. Yashiro soon followed suit and it became unbearably obvious that neither of the males had any intentions of leaving the small table.
Taking a deep breath, Kyoko fastened a brilliant smile onto her face before lifting her eyes to look indifferently at the two intruders. If Mouko-san was correct, then neither of them should be able to recognize her true identity as long as she played Renji's role well.
Ren was fuming as he sat beside Kyoko. He was irritated that she was blatantly disregarding him instead of greeting him, especially when he had been worried sick that something bad had happened to her.
Did she really intend to discount him while he sat beside her? And what was she thinking of to impersonate him? Did she really call herself Renji, was it a play on Ren? This was not like the last time when she had impersonated the child Kuon for his father.
What she was currently doing was placing herself in sexually scandalous situations, while dressed up as him and gallivanting all around town. Didn't she understand the potential dangers that she was risking? And what exactly was her and Kotonami's relationship.
Gritting his teeth painfully, Ren shook his head. It didn't take a genius to figure out what that relationship was, judging from the intimate gesture of their locked hands. Ren shot Kanae a freezing smile as he looked up from their joined hands.
"Tsuruga-san, may I introduce you to my boyfriend Renji?" Kanae asked in a tone that reflected her daringness.
Gasping in shock, Kyoko looked up at Mouko-san. How was she able to tell that Tsuruga-san was who he was, especially when he was dressed as Cain? Kyoko wondered suddenly.
Her eyes showed her surprise and at the same time, gave away her pretense of being Renji. Both Yashiro and Ren picked up on that fact immediately but neither of them chose to comment on it.
Openly staring in amazement at Mouko-san's astuteness, Kyoko missed the exchanged look that passed between Ren and Yashiro.
"Renji, it is nice to meet you, my name is Tsuruga Ren but you may call me Ren for short. May I also introduce you to my manager, Yashiro," Ren nodded his head at Kyoko as he waited for her to acknowledge him.
"Tsuruga-san, it is an honor to meet you."
"Please, call me Ren," Ren replied as he bowed his head.
Kyoko's eyes met his boldly as she said, "Ren, it is an honor to meet you."
"The honor is all mine," he smiled at her but there was no warmth in his eyes as he took in her unease.
A long pause of silence ensued as all eyes focused on Kyoko who was doing her best not to look away from Ren's challenging look.
"Please tell us a little about yourself," Yashiro suggested during the long pause of silence.
Kyoko snapped her head over to Yashiro and was about to answer when Mouko-san interrupted, "Renji is a fellow actor that recently started out and he is also an accomplished model as well. Aren't you my darling?"
Leaning into Kyoko, Kanae looked adoringly up at her and waited for Kyoko's reply. "Eh…yes," Kyoko quickly responded while looking nervously back at Kanae.
"Well then what jobs are you currently in?" Yashiro asked, already sensing the unease coming from the young actress.
"He's currently starting in a few projects but they are all so new that you wouldn't be interested in them. Anyway, Yashiro you still have not mentioned what bought you two out tonight?" Kanae questioned as she changed the subject.
"Um, it was nothing too important. Actually, we were just looking for something."
"Looking for something? What do you mean by that? Are you saying that you were looking for someone or do you mean you were looking for something, as in a good time?"
Smiling at Kotonami's boldness in cross examining them, Yashiro decided to be just as bold, "Oh we were definitely looking for someone at first but now looking for a little fun might not be too unreasonable as well, right Ren?"
In reply, Ren nodded while he leaned in towards Kanae, presenting her with one of his brightest smiles.
"Fun? You mean you were going out on a Thursday night to find something fun to do and you ended up at a nightclub. How interesting…." Kanae's words trailed off as she smiled back at Ren.
"Yes, it is so. We were out looking to have a little fun," Ren announced, as he tapped a long index finger on the table and looked around.
"Well then have you found what you are looking for?" Kanae countered, waiting to discover the hidden truth behind his sudden change in attitude. After all, wasn't he furious with them just a few moments ago?
"Perhaps-" Yashiro's words were interrupted when Ren replied, "I am still looking for something fun to do. Tell me Kotonami, are you two having a good time?"
Ren tossed a bored look in the direction of Kyoko before he came back to smile broadly at Kanae. His index finger had found its way across the table and was now only inches away from Kanae's and Kyoko's joined hands.
"Us? Of course! Why wouldn't we?" Kanae stated, while she looked across the table to Ren. Her eyebrows were half raised as she felt his hand flicker across her forearm and pull her away from Kyoko's hand.
"Surely, we could entice you to have a little more fun since neither of you appeared to be even smiling when we interrupted." Ren stated while he grabbed Kotonami even more tightly and pull her towards himself.
"What do you mean by that?" Kanae asked while a shocked Kyoko stared at Ren.
Gripping Kotonami by the shoulders, Ren pulled the actress up against his side as he waved a hand back at Kyoko and flirtatiously suggested, "Why don't you let me show you then?"
Uncertain of what was transpiring, a miniature Kyoko poked its head out to assess whether Tsuruga-san was still in a bad mood. But there was no way to tell and Kyoko was at a temporary loss, even her radar was not able to pick up any anger vibes from him.
In fact, the only thing she was beginning to sense was that Tsuruga-san was deliberately trying to charm her best friend. Was he giving Mouko-san his emperor of the night smiles and wasn't his arm slung too casually over her shoulder?
Would it be wise to let Mouko-san leave without being sure there would be no consequence? Worried that her friend may be walking into a trap, Kyoko stood up from the table and asked, "Wait, where are you talking my girlfriend?"
"We're going onto the dance floor to have a little fun," Ren smiled, his white teeth shone brightly against his thin lips.
"I am not sure if my girlfriend wants to dance," Kyoko replied, while she reached out a hand to pull Mouko-san back from Ren's grasp. She was not about to let her best friend leave with Tsuruga-san when it seemed obvious the he was trying to seduce her.
Looking down at Kotonami, Ren lifted an eyebrow in question at her. In reply, Kanae glanced up and nodded at him before replying, "Eh Renji, if you don't mind, I would like to dance after all."
A satisfied grin crossed Ren's handsome face as he led Kanae out towards the dance floor. He was glad that he was finally able to separate the two girls and he was even willing to do whatever it would take to keep them from each other. Maybe flirting with Kanae wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.
A wide smile drifted across Kanae's face as she followed the tall actor to the dance floor. Was he seriously trying to flirt with her while Kyoko was watching? What was he trying to pull?
Kanae's curiosity surfaced as she allowed herself to be tugged onto the dance floor. One way or another, she was definitely going to find out Tsuruga-san's real feelings for her friend tonight.
Kyoko watched in silence as Ren pulled Mouko-san into his arms. Their bodies entwined suggestively, while they danced and Kyoko had to look away, while a sudden flush began to heat up her skin.
"They look like they are having a good time, don't you think?" Yashiro asked.
"Yes," Kyoko replied quietly.
"Seems to me that Kotonami is a really good dancer," Yashiro continued.
Looking back at the dancing couple, Kyoko's eyes glazed over in sadness before she replied, "Yes."
A sudden flashback of Shotaro openly flirting with a classmate came to Kyoko's mind. Her heart stilled in dread at the sense of dismay that she had felt at that moment. It was similar to how she was currently feeling.
She recognised this feeling. It was the same feeling she had been trying so hard to hide. Why did it have to come out now? The mounting tide of despair filled her as she sensed all the locks on the box that was hidden in her heart falling away.
Closing her eyes tightly, Kyoko tried not to fall under the spell of depression, as she shut out the image of her best friend dancing in the arms of her beloved. Her face paled notably and her body began to tremble visibly.
"Kyoko?" Yashiro's words interrupted her and Kyoko lifted up surprised eyes to his.
"You knew who I was all along?" Kyoko asked.
Nodding, Yashiro replied, "Yes but are you feeling alright? You look pale."
Ignoring his question, Kyoko held her breath as she asked, "Then does Tsuruga-san know who I am as well?"
"Yes," Yashiro's single answer shattered Kyoko. She could feel herself falling off the cliff. This time it was really too late. Not only was she in love with her senpai but he was so much of a playboy that he was even openly flirting with her best friend. What was she going to do?
A/N: Hi everyone, hope you are enjoying the story so far. I am always happy to hear from you all, so please keep your comments and reviews coming.
For those interested, I did pull up a few of Ren's popular moves from SB ch 174 (p13) and ch 193.