Thank you for all of you who read, followed, favorited, and reviewed the first chapter. I noticed some followers of "True Reflection" also followed and favorited this story. You guys made me so loved :)
And also, thank you for the ideas for Lory's cosplays! I'll make sure to put them for good use.
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip-Beat!
Chapter 2: Urgent Situation ~Meet the Uncle~
Kyoko slowly opened her eyes to see rays of sunlight seeping through the closed curtain. She was lying down on her futon in her room at Daruma-ya, covered up with a thick blanket. In her grasp was Corn's stone, glistening beautifully against the little light in the room.
After the phone call from Marina last night – which had been taken over by Kuon much to her relief – he had driven her home in silence, waiting for her to talk to him about it patiently. But even until they had reached the restaurant, Kyoko had not said anything, leaving him with the impression that she had been still trying to get a grasp on whatever had been happening. Kuon had left after kissing her on her forehead and begging her to give him and Marina a call in the morning.
Her thoughts could not help but wander back to what Marina had told her on the phone. The older woman, her aunt she had just found out she had, had mentioned a letter from Kento.
Uehara Kento. Her father, who had been missing for 18 years. Kyoko squinted her eyes close, not able to think about the man without feeling hurt.
That was when she noticed the pretty loud noise of people chattering outside. At first she thought it was the noise of Daruma-ya's patrons coming to get breakfast, but a glance at the time on her phone told her otherwise. Kyoko frowned.
The restaurant isn't supposed to be open yet, she thought. Then, what's that noise?
Her phone vibrated just a second after that. Kyoko quickly looked at the phone and pushed the button. "Mogami speaking."
"Mogami-kun!" Lory's booming baritone voice was heard. "Where are you now?"
He seems frantic. Now this is new, Kyoko thought. "I'm in my room at Daruma-ya. Do you need me for something, President?"
"Is there any reporter there?"
Kyoko was gob smacked. "Eh?" She was quickly reminded of the loud noise, and instantly bolted to her window and opened her curtain.
The scene below her window was something she had never imagined to happen on her door. Reporters, journalists, and cameramen, at least 20 people in minimal total, were swarming right on the restaurant's entrance.
Met by Kyoko's awkward silence, Lory's voice was heard again. "Is there any other exit path at your place?"
"Well," the girl stuttered, "there is a back door at the kitchen…"
"I'll send someone to pick you up, so wait at the back door. Until then, don't you dare even step one foot outside your house. You get it, Mogami-kun?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Good. I'll see you soon." With that, the call was cut off.
Kyoko hastily grabbed whatever clothes from her small wardrobe and dashed to the bathroom to clean up. After that, while going over her schedule for the day, which actually consisted only of LoveMe work at LME, she walked back to her bedroom to fold her futon up and take her bag before going downstairs.
She was met by the worried and inquiring gazes of her landlords. The Taisho stood behind the counter with a frown, while the Okami was beside her in an instant.
"Kyoko-chan, what happened?" the plump elderly asked.
The girl could only shake her head. "I don't know either, Okami-san. But I guess it's related to the call from President earlier."
A honk was heard from the back door. Kyoko and the Taisho exchanged wary glances, before the gruff man strode to the kitchen to take a look. He then went back to inform her that her ride might have just arrived.
Kyoko opened the back door to stand face to chest with a dark-skinned, long-black-haired man she recognized as Sebastian – well, she did not know exactly what his name was, but calling him like the multitalented butler in a popular manga and anime she knew of seemed appropriate enough, and the man had not refused to be called with that name so far. From his position – one of his hand was frozen with his knuckle near the door until she opened it – Kyoko could guess that he was just about to knock.
"Good morning, Mogami-sama." Sebastian bowed to her, making her blush. "The President has instructed me to bring you to the office."
Kyoko nodded her head, and after saying goodbye to the couple, she got into the attention-attracting golden limousine – Lory's favorite – with Sebastian and was driven off to LME.
The heavy atmosphere in the large office told Kyoko that the situation at hand was indeed very serious.
Ren hurriedly got up from his seat and ran towards her. It took Kyoko quite some time to calm him down and convince him that she was fine, and only after that Ren released her from his embrace to circle one arm around her shoulder and led her to one of the couch.
Lory was sitting on the couch Ren led her to. It looked like that he did not want to joke around, from the way he was dressed almost civilly in black tuxedo and white cravat. However, Kyoko soon realized that it was yet another costume of the cosplay-lover man when she caught a glimpse of a white mask in his hand.
Facing the phantom, Marina, wearing a beige suite over a cotton turtleneck sweater, sat on the other couch, totally furious. It made Kyoko wonder if her boss had done something to upset her aunt, which was not impossible. The woman was frowning deeply, as if glaring at someone.
Next to her, sat a man Kyoko did not recognize. He was tall, although not as tall as Lory or Ren, with black hair that was swept back tidily and well-shaven face. He looked slightly older than Marina, but still in his 40s. Dressed smartly in white shirt, grey suit, and maroon necktie, the man showed elegance but not as flamboyant as Lory. He stood up when he noticed Kyoko and Ren walking towards them.
"And this must be the Kyoko we were talking about!" he said with an easy smile. He offered his right hand to Kyoko. "Akatoki Seijuro. You might've heard about me from Marina, if she's ever mentioned me before."
Startled at the man's sudden introduction, Kyoko hesitantly shook his hand before bowing down. "Mogami Kyoko. It is nice to meet you. May I assume that you are Akatoki-san's older brother?"
Seijuro laughed. "Yes, yes, I'm the older brother," he replied. "But you're more than welcome to call me Uncle, though."
Kyoko could only laugh warily. Ren squeezed her hand lightly to with a grin of his own to relax her and brought her to sit down next to Lory before sitting down at her other side.
That was when she saw the bottle blonde singer slumped next to Marina. Fuwa Sho, much to her surprise, did not dress up in his usual visual-kei style. What's he doing here? She thought. Kyoko dared a glance from the corner of her eyes at her boyfriend, and was not surprised to find him glaring a death threat at the boy.
"Okay," Lory began, straightening up. "Mogami-kun, have you read this morning's newspaper?"
Not understanding what her employer was talking about, Kyoko shook her head. Lory pursed his lips for a while before taking a marked newspaper from the coffee table and gave it to Kyoko.
Her eyes widened when she saw the headline of the gossip column.
LOVE CONFESSION FOR THE ANGEL!
By: Sanada Mikako
Rock singer Fuwa Sho has declared himself not available for love confessions, as he himself is declaring his own to his co-star in 'Prisoner', KYOKO.
In the personal interview with Fuwa, he admitted that his newest single, 'True Reflection', was meant to be a love declaration for the actress playing the angel who killed the demon he played. Also, KYOKO has been officially announced to have agreed to reprise her role of the fallen angel for the still unreleased promotional video of the single.
An anonymous source mentioned the relationship of Fuwa and KYOKO, stating that they were childhood friends. KYOKO, born Mogami Kyoko, was abandoned by her mother when she was 8 years old, and since then had lived together with Fuwa and his parents. A plan of marriage between Fuwa and KYOKO was also mentioned to be a definite case in the near future.
Up to this moment, there is no official statement from Lory's Majestic Entertainment and KYOKO in regards to Fuwa's statement.
"WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?" Kyoko and her little grudges screamed, shivering in fury and disgust, while Ren had to do his best to reign Kuon in so that he did not commit a bloody murder.
Marina shrugged her shoulder while trying to bore a hole into Sho's head with her narrow glare. "I want to know the answer myself. That is why we brought this git over here."
"ATTACK!" the head grudge shouted. In an instant, there was an unexplainable explosion in the large room, causing several dents to form on the ceiling and walls. All people in the room were agape, staring at Kyoko who currently had a demonic look on her face.
She stood up, strode her way to Sho, and yanked him up by her collar. "Why is it implied that we're engaged, you pig head?" she growled angrily.
"But it's the truth, you know?" Sho spat back. "You were arranged to marry me, anyway. What's the harm of announcing it?"
Kyoko groaned in agony. "First, Shotaro, we've never had any romantic relationship. Second, I'm currently seeing somebody who is definitely not you."
Sho could feel an invisible arrow shot through his heart.
"Third, I've never heard about marriage from your parents."
"You were trained the tea ceremony by my mother. That's only for Okami and future Okami to do," Sho counter-attacked. "Isn't that proof enough?"
Kyoko's eyes got narrower. "And why are you bringing this up now? You don't want to marry me, anyway."
"Kyoko, you're supposed to be mine!" Sho snapped. "Is it wrong for me to try to get you back to my side?"
"Then why did you dump me in the first place?" Kyoko retorted with a sarcastic tone.
Before Sho was able to say anything else, Seijuro stood up from the couch with a wary smile. "Now, now," he said. "Why don't we all just calm down and discuss this in a more civilized manner rather than just engaging in a shouting competition?"
Kyoko threw another glare to Sho before going back to her seat next to Ren. Her grudges, which had come back from their recent attempt to harm the teenage boy, swirled around him, captivated by the Demon Lord. She, on the other hand, gulped audibly.
After Sho and Seijuro sat back down, the older Akatoki took a sip of his tea before speaking up again. "So yes, Kyoko-chan, we're here to apologize to you for causing you so much discomfort. And also, to discuss the countermeasures necessary."
"We have to arrange immediate press-conference," Marina mumbled. "Someone has to make a clear statement about things; preferably Kyoko-san. The childhood, the abandonment, the marriage–"
"What about the paparazzi?" Ren asked, cutting Marina off when she was about to continue with the topic he dreaded the most. "There's no way they'll back off just because we tell them there'll be official statement."
Lory nodded while focusing his gaze at the Akatoki siblings. "He got a point. Since Mogami-kun's debuting soon, I think it's appropriate to assign a manager that can act as a bodyguard for her. We also have to consider her accommodation."
Kyoko lifted her head in surprise and frowned. "But I love living at Daruma-ya!"
"But it's no longer safe, my dear," Seijuro said patiently. "If I'm not mistaken, it's a restaurant right? Public places for home, a big no-no."
"Besides," Ren added, rubbing her arm to comfort her, "think about how Taisho and Okami-san might be discomforted because of their presence. Those reporters are persistent bastards, Kyoko, and I doubt they will go leave Daruma-ya just because it's bedtime."
Kyoko was still against the idea, but no longer protested, as she could not find any other argument to present to Ren and the others.
"We need to find some place with high security…" Marina drifted off.
Sho glanced around from person to person nervously – clearly feeling a bit guilty, just a bit – and mumbled, "If I may give a suggestion–"
"No," Marina snapped harshly. "You, young man, have talked too much for your own good. Now be silent like a good boy and sit tight."
It was an absolute command. Sho could not help but cowering in his seat, and Ren had to use all his might to contain his smirk when he saw that.
"I know!" Lory exclaimed in a eureka moment. "We can have Ren marry Mogami-kun, and prove that the arranged marriage was invalid. And that'll solve the housing problem as well."
Seijuro and Marina stared at him as if their flamboyant friend's eccentricity had gone past the level of insanity. "No," Seijuro shook his head. "Actually, I was about to suggest to hide their relationship for a while. With the arranged marriage known by public, if we suddenly announce that Kyoko-chan and Tsuruga-kun are dating, it might ruin her reputation. People might think she's a floozy or something."
Lory hated to admit that his rival was right.
"Now that you mention marriage," Marina spoke up while taking out a piece of paper from her purse. "Takarada-san, you mentioned about Kyoko-san debuting soon. But I believe that there are some legal issues left to be solved, am I correct?"
The phantom just nodded in curiosity. Marina smiled and said, "I think I have the solution for that problem here."
She spread the paper on the coffee table for everyone to see. Kyoko soon figured out that it was a letter written in an elegant script.
Dear Seijuro or Marina (whichever of you who's reading this at the moment),
First of all, I think I'll just introduce myself again, as I just realized that we've never been in contact for… I don't know, 10 years? May be more. Oh well, this is Kento writing for you from… I think you'll know from the stamp.
And I'm writing this because… How to say this? I left years ago to escape my problems caused by… you know who. It still pains me whenever her name's mentioned, even by my own mouth. And when I thought about it; perhaps the fault was with me. So I decided to travel the world as a self-discovery journey, along with the means to look for more inspiration for my muse… You do realize I need them for living, don't you? And don't you dare call me pathetic; I'm just melancholic.
Anyway, I'm rambling here. Let's just say that I think my journey has come to an end and I finally deem myself ready to come back and face my problems. I know she won't forgive me easily; hell, you might as well want to scream bloody murder at me, but at least I want to try to face it by the new self I've discovered in me.
I'm pretty sure that you guys are so kind that you keep track of her and, may be, our child. I'll be staying at Osaka for a while for an art exhibition (my works are being displayed there) before going to Tokyo for good.
Just expect me soon on your doors.
Your cousin,
Uehara Kento
P.S.: I think there's something wrong with my feelings, or they're may be playing pranks at me, but the fairies told me to grant you the rights of guardianship for my child in case something happens.
Seijuro laughed heartily while Sho and the three people from LME were in the middle of trying to digest things. A while later, Ren had to struggle to stiffle his laughter, making Kyoko glared at him. On the other hand, Marina was not entirely happy.
The president of Akatoki Agency took some moment to calm himself down before going down with tears and aching ribs from his laughter. "I have no more doubt; this is Kento alright!"
"18 years and he only sent this," Marina grumbled. "Furthermore, it was just his way to prepare us for his return. I swear to the heavens, the first time I catch sight of his face, I will definitely tackle and strangle him to death."
"Now, now, Marina," Seijuro grinned while patting her sister on the shoulder. "We still need him alive."
Lory closed his eyes and rubbed his temple in circles with his knuckle. "So the parent has granted you the guardianship over Mogami-kun, if this letter proves to be true?"
"I believe that is correct," the younger Akatoki said curtly. "And after a discussion between my brother and I, it is decided that the one taking responsibility of Moga– I mean Kyoko-san, will be me. And it brings us to the solution for Kyoko-san's accommodation issues."
"You want her to move in with you," Ren speculated, raising an eyebrow.
Marina nodded. "Although there will be issues about why Kyoko-san chose LME to work at in the first place rather than Akatoki Agency, it can be solved if we manage to give the press a good enough answer to quench their curiosity. I am not against her moving in with Tsuruga-san," she looked at Ren pleadingly, "but she is still a high school student and underage. It might ruin not only Kyoko-san's reputation, but also Tsuruga-san's, and we do not want more problems to arise."
"I don't understand," Sho finally found the courage to speak up, making everyone turn their heads to look at him. "This Uehara Kento – he granted you guardianship of his child. Why does this involve Kyoko? And anyway, scandals between her and this man," he pointed at Ren in disdain, "is of Akatoki's concern, right?"
Seijuro and Marina speechlessly looked at each other before addressing their employee. "I can't believe you don't catch the bait, Sho-kun," Seijuro said, shaking his head in disbelief.
Sho had to control himself to not punch his boss in the face.
"Mogami Kyoko here," Marina said slowly, pushing her patience to the limit, "is the daughter of Uehara Kento, our cousin. This means that she is our distant niece, a family. We do not want anything to tarnish our family's dignity, and that involves scandals."
Ren basked himself in a smug glee as he enjoyed the view of Sho's face draining of its color, and he cursed himself inwardly for not bringing a camera to capture this moment.
But then, Kyoko's problem had been the first priority.
He turned to look at his lovely girlfriend, who seemed to be in the middle of weighing her options. "Kyoko," he whispered, gaining her attention. "They're doing everything they can, and I think what they offer is the best course of actions we can have so far."
Kyoko looked at his eyes deeply for assurance before lowering her head in defeat. She sighed, "Let me tell my landlord first."
"Yes, you do that," Lory said in sympathy. He knew how his favorite LoveMe member was very attached to the elderly couple. "In the meanwhile, I'll arrange you a manager as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning at the latest, I hope."
"And you can talk to me when you want to move in, so I can arrange my schedule to help you through it," Marina added with a soft smile for Kyoko.
The teenage girl was on the verge of crying. "Why are you so kind to me?" she asked. "We barely know each other."
"Non-sense," Seijuro replied as he and his sister approached her to envelope her in a hug. "You're Kento's kid, a family; that's enough reason."
Nothing is known about the president of Akatoki Agency, so I created this OC, Akatoki Seijuro, to play the role. Because Marina is serious and motherly in nature but a bit Shakespearian, and Kento is all 'going-on-my-own-pace' with inability to anchor himself entirely in reality (with his ability to see and communicate with fairies), I figure that it will be nice if Seijuro is a friendly, happy-go-lucky sort of guy with a lot of common sense.
And this is my first time writing a gossip column! What do you guys think?
Now that Kento has made a sort of appearance, someone that some of you might not like will make an appearance and make everything more topsy-turvy. Stay tuned!
Please review :) Thank you!