As always, thank you for you who faved, followed, and reviewed the previous chapters! I'm really sorry for not updating as often as I used to. Writer's block sucks :'(

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip-Beat!

Chapter 8: Father and Daughter ~Tale of the Coward~

Kyoko went back to Marina's apartment to find the ghostwriter busy in the kitchen. Whatever thing in the pot was simmering on the burner; its aroma spreading throughout the whole room. The oven was on, roasting some bread.

The owner of the condominium was in the middle of busying herself with a stubborn jar lid.

"Ah, welcome back, Kyoko-san," she said when she noticed Kyoko peeking from the living room. "I hope you are having your dinner here today. I am planning a feast."

"I-I'm home," Kyoko stuttered, not accustomed to the new environment. She quickly relaxed when she saw Marina's warm smile at her, and sauntered to the couch to put her bag down. "What's the occasion, if I may know?"

Her aunt stared at her in disbelief. "Is it not obvious enough?" she asked, feigning annoyance. "You left me to have my dinner alone yesterday I missed my chance to have a welcome party for you. Now I want you to sit tight or do any other things. I am forbidding you to enter the kitchen for tonight–"

Marina suddenly stared down at the jar in her hands, still refusing to be opened. Sheepishly, she looked up at Kyoko while offering the jar. "But perhaps you are able to help with this?"

The actress giggled at that. "Sure," she replied, taking the jar from her aunt.

"By the way, Kyoko-san," Marina said, looking at Kyoko who was trying to unscrew her so-called 'blasphemy', "I hope you do not mind, and do not take my intention in the wrong way, but I have invited Kento to dinner."

The unscrewing hand halted all its movements. The chestnut-haired girl stared at the older woman warily. "He's coming?" she asked nervously.

In the deepest part of her being, both her angels and demons were in an uproar of panic.

"Isn't it good? It's a chance!" Angel A said with overly sparkling eyes.

"Yes! A chance!" Demon C repeated with a killing grin on her face. "FOR REVENGE!"

"NO!" Angel B shouted, completely horrified at the idea. "Remember what Mama Julie said! Give him a chance!"

"But he abandoned Mommy for so long!" Demon B grumbled. "But it doesn't matter; the problem now is what Mommy should do when he comes! Mommy isn't ready to meet him again this quick!"

"You're right," Demon A agreed. "Angels! I propose a truce for now! We need to be united for Mistress' sake!"

"I agree!" Angel B replied. "So what shall we propose Kyoko-chan to do?"

Demon F chuckled evilly. "Why don't we let Mio handle him?"

"No can do," Angel A shook her head. "And no Natsu or Setsu either. Kyoko-chan needs to confront her father by herself, or else–"

"HE IS NOT MISTRESS' FATHER YET!"

"I'M NOT FINISHED!" Angel A yelled angrily at the demons, which instantly shrunk at her fury. She cleared her throat and continued, "Or else the problem won't be solved. You all know that running away won't do any good for Kyoko-chan at this moment, the same as when she had to confront her feelings for Kuon-chan."

"Kuon-chan?" Demon D sneered. "Are you seriously calling our Demon Lord with the suffix 'chan'? What the hell are you thinking?"

"He's the sweet fairy prince Corn!"

"It's not important for now, so can you guys stop it?" Demon A butted in monotonously.

Demon B sighed. "Why is the Demon Lord not here when Mommy needs him the most?"

Yashiro and everyone in the studio were gaping in astonishment at the sight before their eyes.

The hailed mighty actor and bachelor, Tsuruga Ren, was sneezing.

Not forgetting to mention, it was so sudden it did not look gentlemanly at all.

The tall dark-haired man quickly excused himself with a sheepish smile that was enough to melt all females in the room into puddles before walking towards his manager, who was staring at him skeptically.

"Ren," Yashiro started, "don't tell me that you're catching a cold."

"Hm? Of course I'm not," Ren replied with a frown. "I'm feeling just fine. Although I just got the impression that someone was talking about me."

"I wonder who that someone was," the bespectacled man said with his devil grin. "I bet it was definitely something related to Kyoko-chan."

"Yashiro-san," the actor sighed exasperatedly. "Why in the world do you always relate anything that happens to me to her?"

Yashiro gaped once again. "What are you saying?" he asked in disbelief. "Ren, she's practically the axis of your life now – aside from work that is. She literally controls your moods."

"Okay, I won't deny that," Ren said after mulling over it for a bit. "But I heard that usually people sneeze like how I did whenever others talk badly about him, no?"

"That's not always the case," his manager denied. "It happens whenever other people talk about you passionately."

"Then it doesn't have to be Kyoko, right?" he continued with a small knowing smile. "It can be anyone. My fans, perhaps."

Yashiro's grin grew wider. "But you do hope that the one who was talking about you passionately was Kyoko-chan, right? Right? Right?"

"Damn, Yashiro-san," Ren sighed again. "You're starting to sound a lot like my old man. There's no winning with you guys."

"I'll take that as a compliment," his companion gave him a cat-like grin. "By the way, how was yesterday?"

The actor was a bit startled at the sudden change of topic. "Ah, yeah," he stammered. "It was great. Nice place; fitting her taste, at least."

"I bet Akatoki-san had a set of Baroque-style furniture in her house," Yashiro nodded to himself.

"Err… Actually, it was more to modern country-styled, homey rooms. Except for that Egyptian recliner she had in the living room. You have to see her library; it was unbelievably massive." Ren paused for a while, suddenly reminded of something. "Yashiro-san, you called me yesterday afternoon, right? What was that about?"

Yashiro stopped at his place and slapped his forehead hard Ren was sure it would leave a mark. He exclaimed, "How could I forget about it? Look, Ren, you'll never guess who I saw yesterday!"

"Yes, you said it yesterday," the younger man retorted. "Now tell me who you were talking about."

"It was a woman named Mogami Saena!" Yashiro continued. "And she was so persistent, demanding to see the president and saying that it was urgent. I don't know why, but I just had this impression that that woman was–"

"Kyoko's mother," Ren continued for him with a sour expression. "Yes, Yashiro-san, she is. And I also heard from Marina-san about the reason why she was there."

"And that is?" the manager asked with nervous anticipation.

Ren sighed. "I don't know, Yashiro-san. I don't think it's really my place to tell you. It's Kyoko's private family problem. Oh, and by the way, I think you know her new manager well."

Yashiro's subject of interest was successfully changed. "Really? Who?"

"Your friend, Yoshimoto Tsukumo."

"Ah! Yoshi!" Yashiro exclaimed happily. "Damn, I miss that guy! The last time I saw him is when I went to his wedding reception. So he's working for LME now?"

"Apparently yes," Ren shrugged.

The bespectacled man got a dreamy expression on his face. "I'd like to catch up with him some time," he said. "He was so good and always up to date with gadgets, and he used to always have good games in his cell phone."

Ah, I think this is what Yoshimoto-san was talking about, Ren thought. Now I undeniably pity the guy.

"People, places!" the director called. Ren glanced at his watch – a new one to replace Rick's due to Kyoko's insistence. 7.30. I wonder why she hasn't called to pester me about dinner.

Good Lord, Marina thought, completely irritated. How in the world does the atmosphere become like this?

Kyoko and Kento were seated in front of her sight, silently and awkwardly nibbling the dinner. The two were so fidgety Marina was sure they would jump really high when startled. Beside her, Seijuro was thinking hard about the ways to break the uncomfortable silence.

The older of Akatoki siblings reached for his wine glass and took a sip, frowning a bit at his cousin and the chestnut-haired girl. "So, Kyoko-chan," he began casually, "I heard that you came to Tokyo almost 2 years ago?"

Kyoko's attention was shifted to Seijuro's friendly yet desperate attempt to start a comfortable conversation. "Ah," she mumbled. "Yes, that's right."

"Do you go to high school here?"

"Yes. President Takarada is kind enough to enroll me into Shimada High School," Kyoko elaborated, feeling that her uncle's smile was infectious.

Seijuro's brows furrowed a bit in recognition. "Shimada High…" he muttered, tapping his chin. "Where have I heard it before? Did that ring a bell to you, Marina?"

"It might have," Marina replied, inwardly thanking her usually goofy brother for breaking the awkward situation. "If I reckon correctly, some of our talents, including Nanokura Mimori are enrolled as students at that school. It is one of the only few high schools which accommodates teenage stars, after all."

"Yeah, that's it." He nodded. "So, how's school, Kyoko-chan? I bet you're pretty popular, with your epic performance as Mio in Dark Moon and all."

As expected of Seijuro-niisan, Kento thought, sweat-dropping. No wonder he was called the Master of Flattery. His gaze shifted to his daughter, who was fidgeting with embarrassment.

"I was only an amateur that time," Kyoko mumbled, smiling nervously with a blush peppering her cheeks. "Although it makes me happy that people love my performance as Mio, calling it epic is a bit–"

"No, I'm serious, Kyoko-chan," Seijuro said, all humor gone from his jolly face. "I knew very well that you were a complete amateur – aside from doing wonderfully in our Sho's 'Prisoner' – and that's why I said your Mio was epic. Now, where were we? School?"

Kyoko was taken aback at her uncle's pace. "Err… School's really great," she stammered. "But I won't dare say that I'm popular; in fact, I don't think I have any single friend there."

The three adults gaped at her. Not any single friend? Kento repeated inside his head disbelievingly. Seriously? Even when there are a lot of people paying attention to her in the media?

"You are graduating soon, aren't you, Kyoko-san?" Marina asked, calling Kento's attention back to the dinner. "Have you had any plan for after you graduate from high school?"

The girl suddenly had the urge to play with her fingers. "I don't know," she said, focusing on the entangling digits. "I haven't thought about it in details, but I do hope I can still continue acting, and paying President Takarada back for the acting school."

"You do love acting, don't you?" Kento blurted out.

Instantly the room fell into another awkward silence. Oh great, Seijuro groaned inwardly. After all my efforts, you just blurted out one sentence and they were all ruined. Damn you, Kento.

But to everyone's surprise – and Marina's relief – Kyoko gave out a sweet, friendly smile at Kento. She answered happily, "Yes, I do. Very much."

"Good for you," Kento said, smiling warmly as well to his daughter. "Do you model as well, Kyo-Mogami-san?"

The budding actress was silent for a while, scaring the three adults who were looking at her intently. "…fine," she mumbled.

"Eh?"

"Calling me 'Kyoko' is fine," Kyoko repeated with a low voice, blushing fervently. Her eyes stared at Kento nervously from aside.

The artist gaped again. "A-ah…" he stuttered. "If you say so… Kyoko… san."

Good for you, Kento, the Akatoki siblings thought, completely relieved for their poor cousin. Good for you, although we still think you kind of don't deserve it one bit.

"I also have to admit that I am curious myself," Marina added. "I gather that your popularity as a recognized beauty in show business world has shot up due to your portrayal of Kitagawa Natsu in 'Box-R', so I am rather surprised to discover that you have not had any modeling experience so far. Do you not have any interest in modeling?"

"No, it's not that," Kyoko denied, shaking her head rapidly. "Father – I mean, Hizuri-san once told me to specify my career pathway to acting in dramas and movies, and so far there hasn't been any offer to model…" Her voice gradually turned into nothing but whispers.

"But if there's an offer, will you accept it?" Seijuro asked.

Kyoko shook her head again. "I don't know. I think it will also depend on President's decision. I'm still practically in his special division, you see."

To her irritation, Seijuro burst into a hearty laughter. "I-I've heard about that d-division," he tried to talk while struggling to calm his mirth down. "It's called 'LoveMe Department', no? And the members have to wear a shocking pink work overall?"

"Yes, that's right," the girl replied in annoyance, her voice dripping with venomous honey. "And in fact, I have one of the cursed overall in my room; do you want to try wearing the infamous 'LoveMe overall', Uncle?"

All blood drained from the neat man's face. He shook his head fervently. "No, Kyoko-chan, I'd rather not, thank you. And it won't fit me, anyway."

Marina snorted at her brother's terrified face.

"Do you have interests other than acting?" Kento asked Kyoko earnestly, wanting to know more about the girl.

"I have to admit that I enjoy doing housework, especially cooking," Kyoko said. "I learned cooking when I lived in Fuwa Inn, and I worked at Daruma-ya until yesterday. I feel really happy when people enjoy my cooking."

Especially when Ren say it's delicious, she added silently. Now that I mentioned it, I wonder whether he has had his dinner. Better call him after dessert.

Seijuro whistled in awe. "So, did you make any contribution in this," he gestured to the lavish dinner on the dining table, "Kyoko-chan?"

She shook her head while having a small smile on her face. "I just helped opening a jar lid," she murmured sheepishly, triggering another of Seijuro's jollity.

Kento raised his eyebrows in amusement. "I didn't mean that kind of interest, although that one is good, too," he said. "Do you read books?"

"I do."

"What kinds of books?"

Kyoko's lips were clamped shut again while her expression got flustered. Marina only snickered. I bet she is embarrassed to admit that she likes fairytales with princesses and fairies, she guessed.

"Kyoko-san has a soft spot for fantasy stories, hasn't she?" the younger Akatoki spoke on her niece's behalf. "For example, the story of Cendrillon or Briar Rose. She even likes 'True Reflection' very much."

"Yeah right," Seijuro retorted with sarcasm. "Stories with royalties and ethereal creatures and magic; I just can't understand the charming point of those. I mean, okay, I can stomach 'True Reflection', since it's about angels and demons, but everyone should know that a happy ever after never exists in reality…"

His voice trailed down when he realized three pairs of angry eyes boring holes on his head, and he could not help but gulp audibly in fear.

"It's really nice to have a chance to talk with you, Kyoko-san," Kento mused to the young girl beside him while Marina sent Seijuro out the door with a venomous sweet smile.

Kyoko stared at him nervously. "No, that's alright," she replied meekly. "The pleasure is mine."

He gave her a small wry smile and sighed. "So you like fantasy stories," he confirmed. "Do you want to hear one?"

Hearing the words 'fantasy stories' mentioned, her ears perked up in interest. Kento had to contain his chuckle when she turned to him with eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Okay," he sighed. "Once upon a time, there lived an innocent young man who had been sheltered pompously by his family. He knew no hardships of work, but he was no stranger to being all by himself."

What innocent young man? Marina sneered in her mind when she caught up to their conversation from the hallway to give them privacy. You were far from innocent when we were children, you know.

"His life somehow got better after he was introduced to two children by the same age. From then, his little world expanded as he began to know the beauty of arts and ethereal creatures whenever he stepped out of his dark home. Having only those for his entire being, he was sure he was happy.

"But when he grew up and stepped in into the society, he met a woman who was the exact opposite of what he was; she came from a poor family, she was familiar to hardships her entire life and she strived to make her world better. The woman was shunned by other people, but somehow the man knew that she might be better than what she seemed."

Hang on, this does not sound as a fantasy story, Marina thought, sweat-dropping. Kento, you are practically telling her about your life realistically! At least put Saena as a witch or something similar to that!

"They fell in love with each other deeply," Kento continued, letting out a sad smile, "or that was how he thought it was.

"The poor woman wasn't good with people, and she had ambitions for her life, which did not include him. He knew that, and he felt really insecure. One day, because of her darkening heart she blurted out something really bad, and it hurt him.

"He started wondering if it was his entire fault, and if he hadn't known enough of the vast world. So he left on a journey to see the world, without knowing that he left behind a precious treasure. During his journey, many times he wanted to go back and see her, but got scared when he started to think, 'Have I seen enough of the world?' And without realizing it, a long time had passed before his eyes.

"When he finally summoned all his courage to face her again, he found out that he had lost her and his precious treasure, and that was when he realized how cowardly and stupid he was," Kento finished the story. He glanced at Kyoko, who was looking at him wide-eyed. "I admit that I'm a coward, and because of my indecisiveness, many people were hurt. But I also understand that things can't go on like this, and I can't make myself run away anymore. I just want a chance to make things right and atone for my faults."

Kyoko could not say anything. He sighed and took out a small notebook and a pen from his pocket. He scribbled something on the book and ripped the paper off before giving it to Kyoko. "I know you still need time to discern everything, so I'll give you some time," he said. "On this paper is where I'm staying for the moment. Come see me whenever you make your decision on how to act on the situation."

He got up and walked towards the hallway, smiling knowingly at Marina who was staring at him with mixed expressions. "Thanks for the dinner," he murmured.

Kyoko heard the sound of the front door opening and closing, still not able to say anything, the paper grasped tight in her hands.

I'm not sure if what Yashiro said about the sneezing is correct. If I made a mistake, please do notify me!

Please review :) Thank you!