Thank you very much for you guys who faved, followed, and reviewed. I honestly cannot go on without your support.

Disclaimer: I am seriously disappointed at Kyoko in Chapter 199. If I own Skip-Beat!, I'd made her confess to Ren already and give Sho the total defeat he deserves.

Chapter 15: Grateful ~Fairy Princess~

This won't bode really well with Sho, Aki Shoko groaned inwardly as she saw Tsuruga Ren kissing Kyoko on the lips while they were on the stage. Fortunately for the couple, the kiss was unnoticed by the other guests.

She and Asami Haruki, Sho's music producer, had been invited to the 'Grateful Party', and had not been surprised at all when they had found out the singer was not invited. Shoko had been dreading the moment when he discovered her going to Kyoko's party behind his back, but now she had another thing to not be found out by her charge.

She shifted her focus back to Kyoko who was blushing heavily as she took the Queen Rosa he offered. Well, I think not saying anything and letting Sho know will be the best, she sighed silently. They don't meet that often, anyway. It's safe for the time being.

Sometime later, Lory cleared his throat before gesturing to Kyoko. "Next, for our other stunning hostess, KYOKO! Perhaps her family wants to say something?"

Shifting awkwardly, the golden-eyed man Shoko recognized as Uehara Kento – who finally managed to calm himself down with the help of a smack on the head by Akatoki Marina, one of her bosses – reached for the microphone. He glanced at Seijuro and Marina, who only nodded. The artist sighed. "For the ones who don't know who I am, let me introduce myself as the father of KYOKO, Uehara Kento."

Gasps were heard across the room. He scratched the back of his head and continued. "Although I said I was her father, the first time I met her was only months ago. As a father, I missed a lot on the time when she grew up into such a fine young woman we all know as the actress, the best friend, the daughter for some people here," he eyed Kuu and Julie, and Taisho and Okami who were sitting a bit further from the stage. "And the first of the family she met wasn't me, but my cousins. I'm pathetic, aren't I?"

All people in the room could not help but chuckle. Kento smiled wryly and spoke again, this time looking directly at Kyoko. "But aside from that, although we all needed time, I was really happy when the both of us could come to terms to the fact that we are father and daughter. I still am. I'm honored to be your father, Kyoko."

Tears flowed down Kyoko's cheek as she sobbed with happiness. Ren put his hand on her shoulder in a soothing manner, and smiled gently at her. Marina and Seijuro chuckled at the scene, before signaling for the waiters to bring them three small boxes.

The three of them offered the boxes to Kyoko. "Remember that you'll always be our princess, Kyoko," Kento said before pressing his lips on Kyoko's crown. "We three are just giving you the symbols for that."

Confused, Kyoko eyed the boxes skeptically. Marina giggled and reached for one flat box wrapped with thin colored paper. "You mentioned once that you hoped you can have more accessories to fit Natsu," she said, unwrapping the box and opening it. "So these should be appropriate. I hope these are to your taste."

The teen girl gasped as she saw a pair of small white gold earrings adorned with little pink diamonds and carved roses. "These should match with your 'Princess Rosa', I suppose," Marina added, before she was tackled with a hug from Kyoko.

"Not fair, Marina," Seijuro pouted, opening another box. "You live with her; you know her taste more than us do." Kyoko turned to him only to be presented with a thin golden chain of bracelet.

"You're stealing my spotlight, you know," Kento grumbled as he put an intricately made bead-crown on his daughter's head. He hummed in satisfactory as he looked at her. "Now you're a princess for the day."

Kyoko hugged the three of them, sobbing in happiness. Kento then turned to Ren and said threateningly. "And I still don't approve of you, young man, remember that."

The young actor could only cringe. Kuu, on the other hand, took Kento's antagonism not lightly. "What's wrong with Tsuruga-san?" he growled with hostility – although still taking notes on keeping Ren's identity a secret in front of the public. "Isn't he perfect for Kyoko?"

The artist's eyes narrowed. He hissed back, "The thing is, Hizuri-san, I just can't give my consent to a man who hides his identity without a lot of people knowing. If his skills in deceiving people with his 'Tsuruga Ren' persona are so perfect, who knows that he won't ever deceive my daughter?"

Much to Ren's chagrin, the only reply from his father to Kento was, "You're actually right."

Dad, you're a damn traitor, Ren grumbled inwardly. Couldn't you at least back me up?

Kuu then continued. "But I do believe that this young man here is the best man for my daughter, so Uehara-san, why don't you just stop being stubborn and approve them dating?"

Kento raised one eyebrow. "Your daughter?" he asked skeptically. "As far as I know, Kyoko is my daughter, not yours."

"She's already like a daughter to my wife and I," replied the Hollywood actor. "Besides, I can assure you that she's going to be our daughter pretty soon."

Ren's eyes widened in panic. Shit. Dad, you're cutting it pretty close. Thank goodness Uehara-san already knows my real identity.

"In your dreams, Hizuri," Kento growled.

"That was shocking," Kanae retorted once she met up again with Kyoko after the three families stepped down the stage, this time with Chiori. "Who would have guessed that you actually have two super doting fathers instead of one?"

Kyoko's face was beet red. "Please don't mention that," she grumbled. "I've never once thought that those two men could argue over such matter."

The ravenette shrugged nonchalantly. "Mo, that showed that they care great deal about you. And by the way, I didn't forget this year." She shoved a paper bag towards her best friend, who received it with sparkling eyes and a loud squeal.

"Kyoko-senpai, are you forgetting about me?" Chiori teased with a grin, in her hands a paper bag similar to Kanae's. "I'm here too, you know."

"I'm sorry, Amamiya-san," Kyoko apologized, her arms still wrapped around Kanae's slender neck – "MO, KYOKO, FOR LORD'S SAKE, GET OFF ME!" – before loosening and trapped the shorter girl in an embrace. "And thank you very much; I really appreciate it."

Chiori returned the hug easily. "No problem, Kyoko-senpai. I hope you like the present."

The chestnut-haired girl pulled away to cast a questioning look at her colleague, but before she could ask anything, she was called by the Okami and Taisho of Daruma-ya.

Kanae rubbed her neck in an almost irritated manner and nudged Chiori on the ribs. "What did you give her?"

"You see," the other girl explained, "once when we were shooting for Box-R, I caught Kyoko-senpai browsing in a particular section of the shopping centre, so I thought I might as well get her some–"

She was cut off by Kyoko letting out a short scream. They turned around to see the birthday girl turning bright red on the face in severe embarassment, Chiori's paper bag on the floor. It was positioned at such a perfect angle for Kanae to have a look at the content, which was –

"Seriously, Amamiya?" the second LoveMe member asked in disbelief. "You gave her panties for birthday present?!"

"Actually, a set of lingerie," Chiori added innocently, hoping to help her senior get a better picture. "The high quality French-laced super sexy one."

"Why in the world did you give her those?" Kanae exclaimed with furrowed eyebrows.

An offended look crossed Chiori's face. "I can't help it!" she retorted. "When I caught her browsing at the underwear section that time, she was looking at those laced thongs longingly!"

The long-haired girl was completely stunned. She then strode over to where Kyoko was standing, surrounded by the elderly couple from Daruma-ya. The Taisho was looking at the young girl with utter disapproval.

"KYOKO!" Kanae hollered. "Since when do you like these types of… of… THIS! MO!" She gestured wildly to the undergarments in the paper bag on the floor, gasping for dear breath due to her own embarrassment of the issue.

The red on Kyoko's face got ten shades deeper. "MOKO-SAN! DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO RUB IT IN?"

Much to Kyoko's discomfort, the Hizuri family – including Ren – approached them. Julie instantly looked at the discarded paper bag together with its content and hummed in appreciation. "The newest lingerie set from Victoria's Secret," she mumbled while squatting down to have a better look at the apparel. "A really nice piece, with the high-grade silk and all. Where did you get this, Kyoko?"

Kuu was the one getting angry over the matter in the stead of currently speechless Ren. "WHO THE F*** DARED GIVING MY LOVELY INNOCENT DAUGHTER INDECENT UNDERWEARS?"

Finally, Kyoko exploded. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"They are really loud, are they not?" Marina chuckled happily. Beside her, Shoko and Asami were sweat-dropping. "I have never seen Kyoko-san in such a high spirit like tonight."

I do think that she's fired up in a not-so-good situation, Shoko mumbled silently. Now I really see how good it is that Sho's not here.

Her train of thoughts was cut off when Marina spoke again. "So, Asami-san, is it ready?"

Smiling, Asami reached for her purse and took out a master CD from it. "Ready whenever you're ready to show it, Marina-san. This will also be aired in 'MUSIC STATION' this morning."

"That is good," the vice-president replied. "This can be a very good opportunity to promote the single and at the same time show the guests how Kyoko-san has progressed in her career as an actress. I will tell the staff to have it played after the dance."

"So Amamiya-san caught you when you were acting as Setsu, huh?" Ren repeated after Kyoko explained about the embarrassing moment with the unexpected pieces of clothing. At the moment, the dangerous gift was in Julie's possession, and Kuu had not stopped glaring at guilty-looking Chiori.

Kyoko only meekly nodded. "I was so caught up in her character that I didn't realize that I had ventured into that section. When I came into it after Amamiya-san called me, there was already a pair in my hands and–"

"I understand, Kyoko," he cut her off when he saw her stuttering with a bright red face. "It's not your fault, okay? She meant well, and no one got harmed anyway." Although I won't say the same for my self-control. That lingerie was so hot – what the hell am I thinking?!

The music changed into the infamous 'Beauty and the Beast', and the room's light got dimmed. A female singer – one of the singers who had sung along with Bridge Rock – got onto the stage and reached for the microphone. Ren took this as a cue. He bowed before Kyoko and offered one of his hands. "Can I have this dance?"

Thinking that she might be dreaming, she took the offered hand and gave a little curtsy herself. "I'd love to." She was then whisked onto the dancing floor and immediately fell into a graceful waltz with Ren.

"Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly"

"Don't you think the lyrics match our relationship?" Ren whispered into her ears while they were dancing around the dancing floor together with some other guests.

Kyoko looked up at him. "Well, it's true that I used to see you as a despicable person."

"I have to admit that I used to be such a jerk," he chuckled. "But I'm no longer someone you hate, right?"

"Do you actually wish for me to hate you?" she asked, smirking at him.

His face paled slightly. "Please don't."

"Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

"Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise

'Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong"

"This one I can also relate," Kyoko murmured into Ren's chest. "By loving you I can feel myself change from the foolish girl I was into such a person filled with happiness."

"Do you?" he smiled onto her crown. "I'm glad." He then spun her around at her one foot, her gown fluttering like an opened blossom.

"Certain as the sun rising in the east
Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

"Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast"

The music slowed down into the ending, and the lovebirds found their faces very close to each other. While they kept swaying left and right on their feet, Ren whispered on her mouth. "I have something to give you after the party. Your birthday present."

"So I'm not only getting Queen Rosa this year?" she rose an eyebrow at him. "Why not now?"

"I want this to be a moment just for us."

She gave him a gentle loving smile. "Okay."

After the music died down, to everyone's curiosity, a screen was craned down above the stage. A spotlight blared on to revealed Asami standing near the rose-covered balcony railing.

The busty woman – who was dressed in a shimmering black chiffon dress – cleared her throat before speaking into the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's the greatest honor ever given to me to be invited to this party. I am really grateful, and I'm sure every one of us thinks the same. Let's give a huge applause for our kind and astonishing hostesses!"

The claps roared in the hall, and after it died down, Asami continued. "Although I've only worked with KYOKO-chan twice, I feel really honored to see her growing from such a novice into a flourishing, highly-talented actress that nobody can replace. And I think it's only fitting to share how she has grown into the KYOKO-chan we all love. Rather than telling you stories about it, what other best way to show it rather than just let you see it for yourself?

"Therefore, I now present to you, KYOKO-chan's most recent project with me this year, and the first project done together by LME and Akatoki Agency. Ladies and gentlemen, Fuwa Sho's 'True Reflection'."

The wide room was once again filled with applause as the spotlight dimmed down and the guests were enticed by the heartbreaking love story between the fallen angel and the halfling.

It was 3 am when Kyoko and Kuon entered his apartment with heaps of birthday presents. Of course, Chiori's gift was included in the pile.

"Do you think this reach a hundred in amount?" he grunted as he put the presents on the floor near the couch.

"It should be less than that," Kyoko replied, toeing off her high heels. "Not all people I invited got me presents."

Kuon went into the kitchen and fetched them two glasses of water. He walked back to the living room and offered one to his girlfriend, who gratefully reached for it. He then sat down next to her on the comfortable sofa. "Do you want to open them up now?"

"At least I have to know what Moko-san, Okami-san, and Taisho gave me." She stood down and took two particular bags from the huge pile. She first opened the bag she received from Kanae and immediately squealed in excitement. The girl quickly turned around to give Kuon a look.

In the box was a complete makeup set shaped like Faberge eggs lined with gold-like lacquer, with a hand mirror, cheek brush, body soap, and makeup pouch. On each of them, a small plate with a queen embossed was placed on the center. Kuon whistled in awe. "Another makeup set, huh?"

"Les Merveilleuses de Laduree!" she squealed giddily. "Moko-san, you're the best!"

Hoo, so up to this far Kotonami-san is the winner, huh? He mused inwardly while trying to contain his uncomfortable smirk. Let's see who the final winner will be after I show her those. "What about the one from Taisho and Okami?"

Kyoko gently put the makeup set down and reached for the other bag only to take out a big pouch. They looked at each other questioningly before she opened the bag. Various cooking knives came into few. She gasped in surprise.

"These are," she stuttered, "these are the complete equipment for katsura-muki!"

Kuon noticed a card fluttering down from the opened pouch filled with knives, so he bent down and picked it up. "Dear Kyoko-chan," he read. "Thank you very much for inviting us to the party again this year. We know this is not much, but we hope this can help encourage you to keep your passion in cooking alive. We always hold you dear in our heart. Happy 18th birthday! From Nakamura Mitsuo and Airi."

He glanced at Kyoko and smiled sadly when he saw her already sobbing in happiness. He quickly drew her into his soothing embrace. "They really love you," he murmured, pressing his lips against her crown.

Kyoko kept crying for a while, and after she calmed down, he tugged her up and led her to the guest room. "My parents left their present for you here," he said. Once they reached the room, he switched the lights on and opened the wardrobe.

The golden-eyed girl gasped in surprise for the umpteenth time when she saw the closet already filled with fairytale-themed outfits. She gingerly fingered the satins and chiffons of the princess gowns and maiden dresses. "Well, I did tell Mom she made too much," Kuon told her while rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"You mean, Mother made all this?" she asked in awe, her mouth wide-opened.

"Of course all of them were tailored, but the designs are all Mom's."

"I'm giving them a call first thing in the morning," she stated, once again fingering the soft materials of the outfits. Julie even filled half of the closet with everyday clothes, and Kyoko did not know whether the American woman only had the intention of giving her a birthday present or actually insinuating for Kyoko to move in with Kuon. She turned back to her lover. "And? Where's yours?"

Kuon grinned while he pulled out his arms from behind and Kyoko's eyes widened. It was a bottle of perfume, with its cap shaped like a short-haired fairy with butterfly-like wings, the figure entirely made of glass. When she had a very close look at it, she realized something.

"It's me," she said under her breath.

"Uh-huh," he hummed. "At least, that's how you looked like in my eyes." He fingered the little fragile cupping hands of the fairy. "And I think you'll like the little addition I specifically asked the artisan to include."

She narrowed her eyes to focus her sight, and she was able to see a piece of stone colored differently from the transparent glass figurine. "It's Corn!" she breathed.

He smiled and cupped her cheek before kissing her passionately. When he pulled away, he asked huskily, "So who's the winner this year?"

Kyoko smiled widely. "It's you."

"Damn right I am," he muttered before pulling her for another kiss.

Additional Disclaimer:
- 'Beauty and the Beast' is copyrighted to Alan Menken.
- I do not own MUSIC STATION, Victoria's Secret, and Les Merveilleuses de Laduree. They exist in reality.

So! Ren and Kyoko dancing to 'Beauty and the Beast', checked (I hope this makes your day, kaitlynchosenisme). People giving Kyoko fairytale-themed presents (most of them), checked. 'True Reflection' being launched, checked. More RenxKyoko fluffs, checked. Some embarrassing moments, checked. What else did I miss except giving Sho and Mori Kogoro another appearance?

And this concludes 'Grateful Party' arc! Unfortunately, things have become unbelievably hectic, so I might not update for a while :(.

Please review :) Thank you!