Kyoko leaned back against the seat of the car and stared out of the window. She tried to ignore the manager who was driving the car and the young singer that was acting unusually cheerful beside her.
But it was hard. Shoutaro was not behaving as his usual self. In fact, he was being unusually kind and considerate of her. He had not only volunteered his manager to take her to LME, so that she could meet Mouko-san but he had insisted on accompanying her there as well.
And while walking towards the car, he wanted to carry Kyoko's handbag, asserting that it was too heavy for her to carry. Didn't he even open the door for her when they reached the car? What was this man trying to do, Kyoko wondered as she inched another few centimeters away from him, in the back seat of the car.
There was a time when she would have been over joyed with his behavior. There was a time when she dreamt he would act so gallantly. But those times have passed and she no longer wanted Shoutaro to be her prince. In fact, she needed him to remain his usual narcissistic, self-centered and egoistic self, so that it would remind her not to ever succumb to her feelings of love again.
This man that was acting sweet and kind to her was beginning to get on her nerves. She could accept that they were now friends but she was not going to be fooled into caring for him as she once did. She was in enough trouble just trying to keep herself from caring too much for Tsuruga-san.
You mean Kuon, don't you? Kyoko winced, when her thoughts reminded her of his real name. She hated the idea that her childhood fairy prince was the same man. If she hadn't been so romantically involved with Tsuruga-san, perhaps she would have been able to laugh off the matter. Perhaps she would have even found it amusing.
But that wasn't the case. It was even in her B blood type personality to be overly sensitive and passionate. She loved him and everything she now felt only intensified and mattered more. Especially the humiliating moments, since not only was she in love with him, but she had even been acting like a senseless idiot in front of him all this time.
And he let her! All along, he knew who she was but he had kept his identity a secret from her. It must have been entertaining to him to watch her make such a silly fool of herself over the blue stone he had given to her in Kyoto. Why didn't he understand how much all of that had once meant to her?
He even once laughed when she told him she still believed in fairies and why. Her skin heated up in embarrassment, when she recalled him patronizing her with her belief in the magical powers of Corn to remove all negative feelings. He even reinforced her belief in the spiritual arena when he gave her the rose that held Princess Rosa. He probably implanted Princess Rosa into that rose!
Was it so that he could continue laughing at her? How was it that the only times she had fallen in love, were with people that would laugh at her? How could they find it so enjoyable to watch her, as she humiliated herself before them? It was cruel and she was tired of being taken for a fool.
She was not going to allow anyone to laugh at her any longer. She was not going to allow him to hurt her any longer either. She was determined to abstain from letting her emotions get away from her. It was too poisonous a feeling to allow out. She needed to strengthen her heart.
Bowing her head and shutting her eyes tightly, she begged god to grant her a heart that would not succumb to that poison. A heart that would not beat erratically whenever, she was near Tsuruga-san. She could no longer trust herself not to become like a smitten, hamster imitating, fool that Manaka-san was becoming over Cain.
Her stomach churned in protest as she remembered how irritating Manaka-san was behaving over Cain. Yet, this was how that poisonous feeling would trap a person. If she wasn't careful with her box, she would go back to that time when all that mattered was love. She would end up lost and confused, without being able to develop.
Never, never, will I let him call me a stupid, perverted, masochist, who is incapable of learning her lesson. I won't let him think I have betrayed him with my weak will. I won't let him become disappointed in me and label me as a weak frivolous child! Her inner voice screamed with gusto.
The car jerked as it turned into the driveway of the LME parking lot, pulling her thoughts towards another predicament. She hardly knew who Kuon was. Was she even married to him? The man she had thought she was married to was Tsuruga-san but she now knew him as Kuon Hizuri.
He had obviously officially changed his name, or otherwise she would not have been able to legally wed him. They even had a marriage certificate to prove they were lawfully wed. Looking back, she tried to recall what Kuu Hizuri had said about Kuon. But the truth was, no matter what she could recall, this was someone who was completely foreign to her.
He wasn't even Japanese! Didn't he even admit to having blonde hair and blue eyes? Kyoko stifled a groan when she thought back upon the matter. She really had no idea what he even really looked like. Yet he probably could detail her even if she were naked. How could she have been so deceived?
Grabbing her head in her hands, she sank into despair. Her soft groaning increased in volume, alerting Sho that something was amiss. Not knowing what to do, he instantly froze. Like a deer in the headlights, he recalled Kyoko's crying as a child and how he would be unable to react to her.
He couldn't let her think that nothing's changed. He needed to act. Taking a chance that she needed his consolation, he wrapped an arm around her. Awkwardly pulling her towards his chest, he attempted to ask her tenderly, but his voice cracked and he barely croaked out, "What's wrong?"
Kyoko was shocked into rigidity by Sho's strange actions. Immobilized and unable to resist his peculiar behavior, she sat with her head pushed into his chest for a full minute. But it didn't take her long to pull away from the singer, only to have him shove her head back into his chest.
"Stay like this for a little while," he suggested softly, almost kindly, while he laid his cheek against her hair.
The sweet fragrance of her shampoo was intoxicating to Sho and he only wanted to extend the moment of bliss that he was experiencing. He never would have known how much joy it was to just be able to hold the love of his life in his arms. The sensation was foreign to him, and his arm tightened possessively over her.
But Kyoko was not comfortable with Sho's attempt at comforting her. She felt like he was stifling her instead, shoving him away, she angrily cried, "Get off me."
Her eyes were charged with annoyance as she looked up into Sho's half hooded eyes. The handsome childhood friend was oozing with sensuality and his voice was husky when he apologized, "I'm sorry, I thought you were upset and needed a hug."
Shaking her head, Kyoko gritted out, "Before, when I was a child you never once offered me your shoulder to cry on, why start now?"
Sho recognized the bitterness in her tone and swallowing past his anxiety of offending her, he tried to explain, "I was young back then and didn't know what to do. I didn't want to try to console you back then because I was afraid that it would come off like I was boasting, when I had such a different upbringing then you did. But it was never because I didn't want to."
"Don't force yourself now, Sho. We are only friends now and I don't need or want anything more than that from you," Kyoko almost snapped out.
Her glare warned him that her hurt had not been overcome by their new friendship. Sho was also aware that he had a huge obstacle to climb if he wanted her to be more than friends. Self-consciously patting her hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I just am here if you need me," he softly said and presented her with a weak, apprehensive smile.
Shaking his hand off, Kyoko looked away. She couldn't stomach the sincerity in Sho's words. She just wanted him to stop being so nice to her. How was it that he couldn't understand that she didn't want what he was now offering her? And what made him think that she would be receptive to his touch?
The car came to a halt and Kyoko was relieved to get out. She was having a difficult time just maintaining her proximity to Sho. She didn't even have the energy to argue with him when he took her handbag and carried it for her. Following intimately close beside her, he kept a fake smile on his face, obviously trying to diffuse the charged atmosphere.
Ren was busying pulling into the LME parking lot when his phone rang, "Yes?"
Yashiro's voice was high pitched when he answered, "Hi Ren? Are you here yet? I just got off the phone with Kotonami-san, and she said that Kyoko was coming here to meet her."
"Yes, I am here in the parking lot," Ren stated mildly as he followed behind a pale blue sedan.
"Well, we are upstairs in the Love Me section, so come up here when you are done parking," Yashiro informed Ren.
"I'm on my way," Ren answered before he hung up. A slight frown marred his face as he watched the passengers in the back seat hug. For a second there, he thought it was Kyoko and Fuwa Sho.
Stepping on his acceleration, he inched closer to the car to get a better look. The pair was now talking and Ren was able to make out the familiar blonde profile of Setsu. Following the car closely, he pulled up a few spaces away and watched in silence as the now parked car emptied of its passengers.
A dangerous glint crossed his eyes as he watched Sho pull Kyoko's bag from her and carry it over his shoulder. The intimate gesture reminded him of how a romantic couple would react. Did he think he was her boyfriend? A sudden fury gripped Ren's heart and without further consideration, he vaulted out of his car to follow suit.
Trailing behind the two, he noted the closeness that they were sharing. His eyes turned cold with disgust when he saw Sho smile happily down at Kyoko. It was then that Fuwa Sho's words chose to replay in Ren's mind.
She told me, even should she make a mistake, she would never foolishly fall in love with someone like you.
And like fuel to a flame, his rage grew. Deliberately stalking them like prey, Ren waited until they reached the elevator before he showed himself. Like a cornered animal, both parties turned around in surprise at his arrival, and both had an equal amount of apprehension caused by his menacing stance.
"Setsu, it's so nice to see you again. This is an interesting pairing. What are you two doing here together?" his smile was deceptively bright but its intensity was outshone by the ire in his eyes.
Kyoko turned white when she met his gaze. Her inner anger meter was on red alert and she took a small step back. But Sho sensing Kyoko's alarm stood grounded and forcing an equally, brilliant smile, scathingly retorted, "It's none of your business why we are here!"
Quickly finding her voice Kyoko, unsteadily answered, "I am here to meet Mouko-san."
Her heart was pacing irregularly and despite the fierce fire burning in his eyes, Kyoko just wanted to throw herself in his arms. Even her eyes were drawn to his strong lips, lips that were thinned in anger, lips that she wanted so desperately to kiss. Lips that she wanted to lose herself to.
Stop it Kyoko! You are one step away from becoming like that trapped hamster cosplayer, Manaka-san! Her subconscious warned her.
Taking a step towards her, Ren pinned her with a foreboding look. "Well then please let me escort you, since I know exactly where she is."
Sho took a step forward, intercepting Ren. His eyes were filled with hatred as he clipped, "She already has me as an escort."
Standing within a few feet of the teenager, Ren continued to direct his full gaze on Kyoko, while he took another step forward. "If you think I have the time to play around with your childish antics, you are wrong. Now get out of my way."
A loud curse left Sho before he shoved a hand at Ren's shoulder. "Why don't you try it and I'll have the police escort you out for violating our privacy."
Ren answered with a dark and savage smile. His body became poised for a fight as he balanced himself on the balls of his feet. "You might never be able to escort anyone anywhere if you think you can threaten me."
"I'm not afraid of you. You are nothing more than a platform wearing, crappy actor that gets his kicks from targeting underage minors."
"Get out of my way!" Ren snarled. His patience was running thin and he was only inches away from bashing Sho to a bloody pulp. He could barely restrain himself from letting his wife leave him for Fuwa Sho either. All he needed was an excuse to let his fury out and the idea of using Fuwa Sho as a suitable punching bag was quickly gaining appeal.
Unwilling to budge and therefore appear uncool in front of the woman he loved, Sho decided it was time he fought for what he wanted. This might be his only chance to show Kyoko how much he really cared for her. Charging at Ren, he threw himself at the taller actor in a fluid motion.
Both men went sprawling onto the ground and within minutes, it was apparent that Ren was the first to regain his balance. Rolling on top, he seized the singer by his hair and began to plummet the youth's face with a large fist. The sounds of Ren's strong fist connecting with Sho's face reminded Kyoko of the snapping of a twig.
A loud grunt escaped, when Ren next punched him in the stomach. It didn't take long before the singer was buckling under the heavy actor. It was obvious that Sho was helpless to remove the stronger actor from his supine position. And the horror of watching him beat at the younger male forced Kyoko into action.
Diving into the middle of the two men, she landed hard on top of Ren. Her abrupt entry into the fight caused both males to stop instantaneously. "Stop this. Stop this," her tear felt cries echoed loudly in the parking lot.
Within seconds, Ren scoped Kyoko up in his arms and in one fluid movement, disappeared with her into the opened elevator. Leaving behind the bleeding Sho, who was still laying on his back, with the on the hard cement floor, while the elevator doors closed shut.
Dropping the actress to her feet, Ren turned his back to her. With both arms bracing his weight against the walls of the elevator, he hung his head in shame. "Why?" he finally breathed out after an intense moment of silence.
Kyoko was trembling so hard that she could feel her bones rattling inside her. With extreme effort, she had to bite down her jaw to stop herself from collapsing onto the floor. Her eyes widened in disbelief when she heard his soft question.
Trying not to think about whom this person was, who was asking her this question, she forced herself to remember the gentle kind man that Tsuruga-san was and not the intense, dangerous stranger that had just emerged.
Her voice was shaking slightly as she replied, "I had to. I'm sorry."
Ren's head snapped towards her at her reply. He couldn't believe that she offered no tangible excuse for her behavior. Punching the wall with a fist, his face became a mask of rage as he bit out, "I thought you were done with him. Haven't you had enough of that man? Why are you always with him, even when you've said you hate him?"
A full blast of understanding finally came to Kyoko as she realised that the man standing in front of her was no longer Tsuruga Ren the actor and senpai that she worshipped. Was this Kuon? Somehow, he did not resemble the child by the stream that Kyoko remembered. But the manner that he currently interjected also reminded her of what Reino had once cautioned her about the owner of Corn.
That rock has absorbed the negative memories of its' previous owner. It is full of violent energy. Throw it away. When the past owner had it, he was just a child but he was no ordinary child. He was deep in sadness and despair, so much that should he continue that way, he would be broken or dead, as an adult.
Seeing his handsome features tighten with cold fury, Kyoko swallowed. This man reminded her of BJ. Was Kuon really that similar to the serial killer that Cain was portraying? Did he have a sad or violent past? If Reino was correct, then Kuon was violent and that would explain Tsuruga-san's past and current state.
Forcing herself to not appear afraid, she cautiously asked, "Nii-san, do you really expect me to feel anything for him? It's impossible that I could feel anything for anyone else but you. Am I not your wife, Tsuruga-san?"
Ren's eyes widen when she mentioned her new surname. Slowly turning towards her, he leaned back heavily against the wall. Closing his eyes, he softly asked her, "Are you really my wife?"
Taking a few steps forward, Kyoko nodded. She couldn't stand the tortured expression on Tsuruga-san's face. Her heart ached to help him resolve his pain. If what Reino had said was correct, then Kuon had a very miserable past that far exceeded even Kyoko's own sad upbringing.
Stopping in front of him, she whispered, "I am really yours and only yours."
Ren opened his eyes and stared down at the beautiful, petite girl who was his wife. His heart was divided, he was unsure if she was really being truthful in her comment. Searching her face, he hoped to find an answer.
Unwavering, Kyoko knelt down before Ren, her voice was strong and convincing when she said, "I am sorry that I upset you. Please forgive me, husband."
Ren watched as she then prostrated herself before him. A sharp pain jabbed at his heart and he had to force himself to breathe. Sucking in a tidal volume of air into his constricted chest, he lowered himself to kneel beside her.
His voice was raw with emotion when he spoke, "I never intended to show you that side of me. I'm sorry, for a minute there; I let my old self take over."
Kyoko's eyes flew up to meet his. Slowly and consciously, she asked him, "Are you talking about Kuon?"
Ren's eyes dropped down and with great humility, he whispered, "Yes. I used to be a very bad person, full of violence and rage."
Listening quietly, Kyoko kept a calm composure, while she waited for him to continue. The proud and distinguished man that she once knew was gone, replaced by a dark and broken figure. His face turned white and he was visible trembling as he knelt beside her.
His eyes never returned to her but in a hoarse and constrained voice he began to explain, "In my violence, I even caused the death of my best friend, Rick. He was the only person outside of my parents that ever cared about me as a person. Yet I betrayed every good thing he tried to teach me and by doing so, it resulted in his death."
His confession tore at Kyoko's heart. She tried to remain still, she wanted to remain as Setsu but her instincts took over and within minutes, she was hugging Tsuruga-san tightly. Cradling his head against her chest, as she gently comforted him, "But you're no longer that same person any longer right?"
"I don't know who I am any longer," Ren whispered brokenly. His arms hugged at Kyoko's waist, while he braced himself for her rejection. He knew she could never want to have anything to do with him, now that she knew the kind of person he really was. Closing his eyes, he waited for the words that would put an end to all his happiness.
But Kyoko's resolve stuck him and he was stunned when she answered firmly, "You are Tsuruga Ren, the man that I married."
Looking up at her with an amazed look on his face, Ren asked, "Are you really my wife then?"
His voice sounded desperate and filled with pain causing Kyoko to hesitate. Trying to clear her thoughts, she blinked then blinked again. She could hear the loud beating of her heart as it pounded against her chest. Holding her breath, she doubtfully asked, "Do you really want me to be?"
Without any hesitation, Ren answered wholeheartedly, "I wouldn't have married you if I didn't want that."
Kyoko swallowed back tears of elation, as she softly stated, "Then yes, I really am."
The once locked box in her heart began to crack. Its lid flew open loudly and Kyoko closed her eyes as she succumbed to the poison that was invading her being. She could no longer contain herself; she wanted so badly to love this man.
It didn't matter that he was Kuon, a man that had a sad and violent past. It didn't matter that he was Tsuruga Ren the most desirable man in all of Japan. It didn't matter that he was her senpai, someone that she aspired to become like. What mattered now was that he was her husband and he really wanted her as his wife. She would give her all to become his wife.
Just like you once gave your all to Shoutaro? A small voice asked her in the back of her mind but Kyoko resisted the reminder. She wanted to feel the poison that was seeping from her love. She needed to feel it. At that moment, it was a drug that she desired more than anything else in her life.
The kiss they shared in the elevator was heated with intensity. By the time the elevator reached its final floor, both of them were panting deeply. The doors opened widely and Yashiro and Kanae were standing on the other end. But Ren did not acknowledge them as he reached out and pressed the door close.
Quickly, without blinking, he pushed the button to go back down to the parking garage. "I'm taking you back home where you belong," he firmly asserted when her eyes questioned his actions.
A slow and timid smile spread across her face and she laid her cheek against his chest while she snuggled up against him. Could this be real? She wondered as she allowed herself to hope that they could actually become a happily married couple.
A/N: Hi everyone, I hope you are enjoying this story so far. For those reading wondering, Ren has not confessed his feelings to Kyoko yet, only his identity. At this point, Kyoko is wavering between Setsu and her true self, just like in the latest SB ch 200.
There were a lot of comments about Sho appearing in this story but it is my opinion that Kyoko and Sho have to sort out their differences before she can really learn to love.
I welcome all your reviews and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you to all of you that have favored my story, I appreciate your support.