As usual, thank you for everyone who faved, followed, and reviewed the previous chapters.

A day earlier than my set date; I'm proud of myself. I'm glad that Yoshimoto received a pretty good response :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip-Beat!

Chapter 4: A Busy Night ~Parade of Parents~

Yashiro Yukihito just got off from the taxi in front of the main entrance of LME and started walking leisurely towards the elevators when he caught a glimpse of a black-haired woman clad in strict business attire standing in front of the receptionist desks.

The women behind the desk looked uneasy, and that made Yashiro a bit worried. What if this woman was a persistent fan who demanded seeing one of the talents? He once again had a good look at the woman, and instantly had deemed the woman as too serious to be an obsessed fan.

Nearing the elevators, he could hear the conversation clearly. "Do you think I can see your President?" he heard the woman speaking. He did not really liked her voice; it was unfeminine and authoritative, too straightforward.

The receptionist's voice had been heard next. "Do you have any appointment, Ma'am?"

"No. But this is urgent. Please tell him that."

"Your name, please?"

"It's Mogami. Mogami Saena."

Yashiro almost dropped his briefcase and ran into the wall. Fortunately for him, he did not, so he went unnoticed by the woman. He stared at her in disbelief.

Is she really who I think she is…?

"I am sorry, Mogami-sama. But it seems that the President is not in the office at the moment due to work. He will be back after 6 this evening."

Saena absentmindedly bit her nail on her right thumb. "Is that so… I'll come back, then. Can you please set me up an appointment with him?"

"Of course, Ma'am," the receptionist answered politely. "Is 6.30 pm fine for you?"

"Yes. Goodbye."

The bespectacled man watched Saena leave the desk towards the main entrance, and his mind and body began functioning again. He quickly reached for his phone, and dialed Ren's. His charge answered on the first ring.

"Good afternoon, Yashiro-san."

"Ren!" Yashiro almost screamed. "You won't believe who I just saw at LME!"

"Yashiro-san, calm down! Who are you talking about?"

"It's–"

The phone abruptly went off. Yashiro looked at his phone only to found out that once again, he had forgotten his gloves.

"NOOOOOOOO!"

Ren stared incredulously at his phone. The screen told him that the conversation had only lasted for 10 seconds before being cut off.

That guy… Don't tell me he forgot the gloves again? What makes him to be in such a rush? Anyway, what's that ability of him? Was he really an earthling?

His train of thoughts was cut off when Kyoko talked to him. "What's wrong with Yashiro-san?"

He looked at the curious Kyoko and sighed. "I have no idea. It went off."

"I see," Kyoko mumbled. Beside her, Marina glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

Ren decided to change the subject of the conversation. "But, Marina-san, I've never known that we're neighbors."

"Neither have I, Tsuruga-san," the older woman replied. "But it is actually understandable. We live at different floors, and each floor cannot be accessed by other people but the specific occupants. And I have never shopped at the supermarket below."

A 'ding' was heard and the elevator doors opened to reveal a hallway similar to Ren's floor. Marina fished for her card as they walked to a door by the end of the hallway. She unlocked and opened the door to reveal a spacious genkan. A shoe rack was located there, and above it was a long, narrow painting of a plum branch on wooden surface.

"Come in!" Marina said as she removed her shoes. "I will show you around."

Kyoko removed her boots and nervously followed Marina while Ren bent down to put one of her boxes and remove his shoes. Reaching the area of the living room – she based it on the floorplan of Ren's condominium – Kyoko gasped in awe.

The room was wide and bright. There were two comfy two-seater sofas covered in brown fluffy cloth and connected with a low side table that supported a table lamp. Near one of the sofas were a recliner and a low coffee table made of thick, tempered glass. Opposite them, a low television table was situated with a flat-screen television and a DVD player. Stacks of CDs and DVDs were kept on the cupboard next to it. And above it, 'Real Impression' was hung proudly in golden frame.

"A beauty, isn't it?" Marina whispered with a smile, looking at the painting as if she was looking at her child. "It is the best one Kento have ever painted, so far I know. Let's show you the dining room."

The next room was actually a part of the living room. However, it seems that Marina had decided to place the small dining table and chairs next to the large window to be able to enjoy the night view while having dinner.

The kitchen was located at the same spot as Ren's, but Marina's looked more crowded. It was bright colored, with the furniture made of oak. Pots of chrysanthemum and pansies were placed on every corner. The highest shelves were filled with family pictures; among them, Kyoko could see an old picture when Marina, Seijuro, and Kento had still been at their childhood age. The stove was large, and directly below it was a big convectional oven.

"You are welcome to use the raw food stored in the fridge and cook for yourself," Marina said. "Pans and pots are in the lowest drawer over there. And this room is the library."

The room next to the kitchen was the rarely used dining table at Ren's apartment. But here, it was transformed beautifully into a room full of books from the ceiling to the floor. Ren whistled in awe.

They continued to the doors. "That door leads to my room," she pointed to the door on the end of the hallway, which if Kyoko recalled correctly was the door to the master bedroom. Marina opened the door near it. "And this is your bedroom, with adjacent bathroom for you to use freely."

It was as large as Ren's guest bedroom, but looked larger with only a large bed, dressing table with mirror, and chairs; all made of wicker. There was a built-in wardrobe next to the dressing table, and the armchair was put facing the curtained window. The room was decorated with pots of pansies and sunflowers.

A room fit for a respected young lady. Before knowing it, Kyoko squealed happily. "Thank you, Marina-san! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Err… You're welcome," Marina replied while sweat-dropping. "I will go back to the parking lot to take the other boxes. You can unpack now if you wish to."

And with that, the vice-president of Akatoki Agency left Kyoko and Ren alone in the room. Ren put the box he was carrying down near the bed while Kyoko was busy in her la-la-land, imagining her sleeping on the bed like a princess.

"I have the absolute feeling you'll love being here," he chuckled, snapping her from her thoughts. He brought her closer to him by gathering her by the waist. He murmured huskily, "Are we still having that dinner later at my place?"

"Of course," she answered matter-of-factly. "Someone has to make sure you eat something."

He grimaced inwardly, regretting ever mentioning dinner.

When Lory came back to LME, it was already 6.15. He was longing to have a nice dinner together with Maria, his lovely granddaughter, and thinking to call her and ask if she's running around the building doing something he did not know what, when his secretary buzzed him.

"Yes?" he answered.

"Sir, the girls from receptionist informed me earlier that a woman named Mogami Saena made an appointment to meet you at 6.30."

He could sense a headache coming. "Alright, let her up whenever she comes."

Things better be good now.

Kyoko was already starting dinner at 6.30. As usual, she danced around the kitchen flawlessly, grilling chicken and mixing a large bowl of salad. And as usual too, Kuon was banished from the kitchen after he got the pans and pots down from the high shelf, finished setting up the rice in the rice cooker and prepared plates and bowls for her to use.

He was admiring the efficiency his girlfriend showed in the kitchen and hoping that he would get to see her in his kitchen every night he got back from work from now on, when he heard the doorbell chimed.

Kuon exchanged a puzzled glance with Kyoko. "Did you invite Marina-san for dinner?" he asked.

"No," Kyoko answered, as much confused as her boyfriend. "She said she had to finish a manuscript tonight, so she declined my dinner invitation."

He walked towards the door and hesitantly opened it. In an instant he was hurled back as a blonde-haired woman launched herself at him, encasing him in a bear hug. Behind her, a dirty blonde man stood, grinning at him.

"KUON!" the blonde woman cried out. "Oh, my baby, I missed you so, so much!"

"Mom?" he choked. "Dad?"

Kuu Hizuri grinned at him. "Hi there, son," he greeted, walking in and closing the door behind him. "It's great that you look good."

"How…?"

"Hmm? Oh, how we got in here?" Kuu's expression turned sour. "Your mom convinced the concierge to let us up."

Juliella Hizuri grinned in satisfaction. "No one can ever deny a beautiful woman."

Kuon could not help but sweat-dropped. Just in time, Kyoko's voice was heard. "Kuon, who's there?"

He was released abruptly as Julie ventured further towards the kitchen, meeting face to face with a surprised Kyoko. Immediately, the girl was enveloped in a crushing embrace.

"Oh my Lord! She's adorable!" Julie squealed. "Is this the one you told me about, Kuu?"

"Yep, she's the one and only," Kuu said, ruffling Kyoko's hair. "How are you, Kyoko?"

Kyoko could not answer as she felt herself suffocated. Noticing this, Kuon yanked her from Julie's hug. He sighed. "Kyoko, meet my mother, Juliella Hizuri."

After taking some deep breath, Kyoko could finally see Julie clearly. The older woman was an epitome of beauty; long slender legs, curvaceous body, fair skin, green eyes, and shiny blonde, curly hair. Kyoko could feel herself blushing at the sight. "N-nice to meet you, J-Julie-san."

"What?" Julie pouted. "You call Kuu 'Father' but you won't call me 'Mother'? I want a daughter, especially one as sweet as you!"

Kyoko flinched at the sound of 'Mother'. "B-but, won't it be inappropriate–"

"Non-sense," the blonde goddess cut her in. "You're our daughter and that's final. Now call me 'Mother'."

"A-alright, M-Mother," Kyoko stuttered. After that, she was enveloped in a much gentler embrace by the Hizuri couple. Kuon smiled gently at them.

"We're home, Kyoko," Julie whispered kindly.

Kyoko could not help but smile. Once she was released, she was reminded of the cooking dinner, so she sprinted back to the kitchen while Kuon led his parents to the living room. Once they were settled on the sofa, Kuon asked, "So what brought you here to Japan?"

"I was on Skype with the Boss two days ago," Kuu began. "We were talking about an offer for me to act in a movie–"

Kuon's interest was perked straight away. "A movie?"

"Yeah, offered by this Ogata kid. I worked with his father once; I want to know how it's going to be working with this guy. His 'Dark Moon' was a kick-ass, you see." He grinned proudly towards his son. "But that's out of question. So, we were on video chat when his secretary told him there was an accident at your location, and the one involved was Kyoko. It sounded really big, so I bought the ticket straight away."

"What about your work?" Kuon asked. "You're just taking a break like that?"

"Of course not!" his father exclaimed. "I just finished filming and nothing on my schedule for at least 3 months, so I thought this was a perfect chance for a vacation."

Kuon turned to Julie. "And how about you?"

"Aw, Kuon," she whined. "Are you forbidding me from my holiday?"

"Err… No, but–"

"And I wanted to meet you! When Kuu told me that you and Kyoko might be hurt, I felt like 5 years of my life evaporated away, you know?"

"Okay? So where are you staying?" Kuon asked.

"At the Boss' place," Kuu said. "We're going to LME after this to finalize my contract, and after that we're going back to the house with the Boss."

The dark-haired actor hummed. "I see… How long are you gonna stay in Japan?"

"It depends," his father answered, leaning back to the couch. "I think the filming'll take about… let's say one year, give or take. Of course, I have to go back and forth between the States and here, but I think it's gonna worth it. By the way, I read the newspaper."

Kuu glanced to the direction of the kitchen, and Kuon instantaneously knew what he was referring to. "It's gibberish," he spatted.

"But I don't think it's a complete lie," Kuu added. "Judging from her reaction when I praised her for her cooking as you, I think the abandonment part is real."

"Well, that's–"

"I'm more concerned about the arranged marriage, though," the blonde man continued grimly. "That part, if not clarified properly, will cause further problem, especially when you decided to come clean with your relationship with her. It won't be good for her reputation."

Kuon sighed. "You're right."

"Err… Guys?" Julie spoke out. "What in the world were you talking about?"

So much for having another person living here, Marina sighed inwardly. She was eating dinner alone at her small dining table, facing the big window. Now she regretted declining Kyoko's invitation for dinner up at Ren's apartment.

The sound of her phone ringing called for her attention. She stood up and walked towards the phone in the living room, picking the receiver up. "Akatoki speaking."

"Marina? It's Kento."

A vein popped up on her forehead when she recognized the voice. "Who are you?" she snapped angrily.

"Aww, come on, Marina, it's me! Don't tell me you've forgotten about me already?"

"I wish I could forget about you," she replied monotonously. "What're you calling for?"

Kento gave out a shaky laugh. "Are you angry?"

"Of course I am! You have left for 18 years, for goodness sake!" Marina cried out.

"I know! I'm sorry!" Kento said. "But that's not what I'm calling you for."

Marina did not know if she could be angrier than this. Kento spoke again on the other side of the line. "Did you read the newspaper this morning? I think it was Hinokuni Shinbun."

"I did. Why?"

"On the gossip column, there was a picture of a girl looking almost strikingly like me! Do you know who she is?"

Marina was gob smacked. "You finally read newspapers?"

"Marina, that's rude!" Kento huffed. "Now, who is she?"

She was silent for a while, calming herself down. "Mogami Kyoko," she finally said. "An actress under LME, and I don't think I have to mention her mother's name."

"Mogami… Kyoko…" Kento muttered. He then laughed shakily again, as if laughing at his foolish self. "So Saena really gave birth, huh? I thought she had aborted the child straight away."

"Apparently not," Marina mumbled. "Kento, may I ask you something?"

"Huh?"

"What exactly happened between you and Saena 18 years ago?"

"Ah, you see–"

Marina's mobile phone rang, cutting Kento off. She reached for it and looked at the screen. Her brows furrowed. "Kento, I think I have to hang up," she said. "Can you give me your contact number?"

After Kento gave her his phone number and they exchanged short goodbyes, Marina answered her ringing mobile phone. "Good evening, Akatoki speaking."

"Ah, Marina-chan," a baritone was heard. "I almost though you wouldn't answer."

"How may I help you, Takarada-san?" she enquired gently, but with sharp anticipation.

"You might want to come here. There's this Mogami Saena woman looking for your niece."

"I want you to annul your contract with my daughter."

Lory had been completely taken aback when Saena had entered the room, walked straight towards him, and uttered that sentence without any preamble. "And you are…?"

"Mogami Saena, Kyoko's mother."

"Nice to finally meet you, Ma'am," the tall mustached man had stood up and bowed to the woman. "Please sit down."

When the two of them had been sat down on the sofas, Lory took a deep suck from his cigar and huff the smoke out to calm himself down. "Now, about Mogami-kun's contract, I believe I cannot annul it without consulting it first with her and her legal guardian."

"What?" Saena had snapped.

"Mogami-kun has been given legal permission to debut by her legal guardian, and sudden annulment without any discussion with them is not permitted," he had explained as professional as possible.

From Saena's sour expression, Lory had known that she did not like the situation at all. She then had hissed calmly, trying to mask her fury. "I'd like to talk to this 'legal guardian' of hers."

Therefore, Lory could not express how relieved he was when the Oompa Loompas opened the door to reveal Marina, who had a 'fight-on' expression on her face. The younger of the Akatoki siblings walked calmly down and nodded to him as her only greeting, seeing how urgent and serious the situation was. She then snapped her head only to glare at Saena.

His relief was indeed short-lived.

About the next chapter: TOTAL CHAOS. Stay tuned! (Should I try putting Reino somewhere in this story?)

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