1
Kyoko was nervous.
She was nervous enough to be walking up and down her small bedroom for the better part of an hour.
Takarada-san had agreed to send her Miss Woods to get her ready for the night. Apparently Ren-kun didn't need her to help him get ready and if there were any last minute details he knew she'd catch them as soon as he arrived to pick her up.
She was excited to have the opportunity to be dressed up and made up for the night, but that didn't mean she wasn't nervous. She couldn't remember ever being this nervous.
"Hmmm….maybe I am nervous because I will have to walk a long red carpet before going in? But…..I asked Ren-kun to come with me….everything will be alright, I know it will."
As Kyoko's inner monologue continued while she impatiently waited for Miss Woods, her grudges were fighting a losing battle with her angels.
"She's getting her important feeling back! It'll happen tonight! I know it will! She will realize the truth about Ren-kun and finally be happy again!" said an angel.
"Noooooooooo….we….we'll disappear, she can't make us go! We have gotten her this far, you will not win this time! We will be the victors!"
"Stop it! She has to get it back! You know very well that she has to. Besides, even you like Ren-kun, admit it!"
"Fine…..but we refuse to leave don't we?"
"YES!"
A loud knock suddenly drew Kyoko out of her internal monologue.
"Come in."
"Kyoko-chan! I am so excited to see you! I can't believe I get to help you get ready for tonight! Not only is it the finale party, but it's your first date with Ren-chan!"
"Uhhhh….Miss Woods, Ren-kun and I, we aren't…dating….he's just going with me….as a friend."
"Kyoko-chan…..I don't think Ren-chan thinks it's just a friend going with a friend." She giggled.
Kyoko felt butterflies in her stomach.
"Now then, let me work some of my magic on you Kyoko-chan. By the time I finish, you will be the most beautiful woman Ren-chan has ever set his eyes on. That's a promise."
Ren was nervous.
He had gotten dressed early and was already sitting in his parked car in front of the Darumaya. Tonight he would not be driving; instead, the President would be providing a limo to take them both to the finale party. He was certain that Kyoko didn't even know about that.
He looks at the time and realizes he still has to wait another 20 minutes before he can go in.
"Why am I nervous?"
He knew why, this was the first time that he would openly show affection towards Kyoko. He was going to let her know he liked her. He had to.
He kept thinking that he wasn't worthy of love, but all the time they spent together as Cain and Setsu made him realize that no matter how dark he had acted, especially while he was struggling to control Kuon, she still stood by him as his support.
His charm.
He knew that when the time came, he would explain everything in detail to her.
He also knew that she would be a bit angry, but in the end, she would understand why he hadn't been able to tell her just yet. She would understand what it means to do something for oneself.
Sitting in the silent car, he started thinking about how Kyoko had asked him to accompany her to the party.
"Tsuruga-san!"
"Ah….Mogami-san….how are you today?"
"I'm good." She said while blushing and turning to look away from Ren.
"Is there something you needed from me Mogami-san? Some…..advice?"
"Well….ummm….no….not advice, but THANK YOU FOR OFFERING!" she said, with a bow for emphasis.
Smiling gently at her, he continued. "Tell me then, what can I do for you Mogami-san?"
Fidgeting and not being able to look him in the face, she started to reply "Well….you see….I…..well….I wanted to….ask you for a favor Tsuruga-san."
Turning to look at him, she noticed his smile and she continued.
"You see…..Box "R" is airing its final episode in a few days and there is going to be a huge finale party….and well…..I remember you had mentioned when we had the party for Dark Moon that if I needed something or some help I could come to you and well…..I was wondering if perhaps….only if you have the time….you don't have to say yes….I will completely understand if you say you can't because you have some prior engagement and I would be imposing on your own time and…."
Cutting Kyoko off "Mogami-san….ask me what it is you want to ask me….I promise you are not imposing unless I say otherwise. Continue. Please."
"Well…..would you please accompany me to the finale party?"
"You want me to be your date then." Ren smiled.
"Not date….It's not a date! I mean, how could I ever date someone like you Tsuruga-san! It's just…..I thought that since we'd also gotten closer and I didn't want to go by myself, since I know Moko-san is busy….I could only think of you. When I thought of who I could go with, I only really thought of you Tsuruga-san…..BUT IF YOU CAN'T….it's ok." She turned away again with a deep blush on her cheeks.
"I would gladly accompany you. But….I have one small favor to ask of you."
With a wide smile and gleaming eyes, she looked at Ren "Yes?"
"You have to call me Ren from now on."
Kyoko's eyes opened wide and she gaped "But….I…..I can't! I'm your kohai! I can't do that!"
"Please do. We're not just acquaintances anymore. We have spent time together outside of work on many occasions. You and I have gotten to know each other very well. We're more than that, aren't we?"
"Well…yes, we aren't just acquaintances anymore, but…."
"But nothing. I want you to call me Ren. Now my one question is, can I also call you by your name and not just Mogami-san?"
"You can call me Kyoko-chan..."she said with a blush, "but Ren-san…."
"San? If I can call you Kyoko-chan, you could at least call me Ren-kun, can't you?" Suddenly, Kyoko was being subjected to those puppy dog eyes Ren was so good at making when they were Cain and Setsuka.
"Ren-kun."
"Good. Now tell me about the party."
Coming back to present day, Ren looked at his watch and noticed he was about 1 minute away from the time they'd agreed to.
Quickly getting out of his car, he made his way to the door and knocked.
The Okami-san opened the door, "Good evening Tsuruga-san."
"Good evening. I am here to pick up Kyoko."
"Oh yes, please, do come in. I am going to go upstairs and see if she is ready now. I'll be right back Tsuruga-san, please take a seat while I return."
"Thank you."
Turning to look to his left he noticed Taisho looking straight at him. Needless to say he always felt nervous around the man and today was no exception.
"Good evening, sir."
"Hmmm."
Turning to look at the wall instead, he suddenly heard him speak.
"Take good care of her tonight and do not bring her back too late, even if it is a formal event."
Looking at him, Ren gave him a reassuring smile.
"Of course sir, I would never dream of bringing her too late."
Hearing footsteps coming, he turned to the staircase.
"She will be right down. Miss Woods is just helping her put on her shoes."
"Thank you."
"It wasn't any problem dear."
Once again footsteps could be heard and they both turned.
"Ren-chan!"
"Miss Woods. How are you?"
"What have I said about calling me Miss Woods!"
Ren gave her a devastating smile and she suddenly stuck her tongue out at him.
"You're not getting off that easy! That's beside the point right now though. Kyoko-chan will be right down! She looks so beautiful and elegant! I think you're going to be the luckiest man tonight with a beautiful girl like that on your arm Ren-chan!"
"I wouldn't think of it any other way." He said with a smile.
Hearing the click of heels, all three turned.
What Ren saw, took his breath away and in that one moment all he could think of was.
I love her.
Author's Note:
Surprise Surprise Everybody!
I hope you all liked the new chapter.
I was feeling very motivated and excited and once I started writing my imagination took off.
Thank you to everyone who has added the story to their story alerts and to their favorites list.
I also want to say thank you to the three people who have given this story 3 reviews.
I had no expectations for reviews so quickly, so Thank You!
I read them and am taking it in.
I am glad you're all so excited and happy with the story and I can't wait to see where Ren and Kyoko will lead me throughout this story.
To the reviewer who wrote in spanish:
Espero que te guste el desarrollo de la relacion entre Kyoko y Ren.
Muchas Gracias por leer y aprecio mucho el hecho que le tomaras interes.
Check out those mad spanish skills...I am sure my parents are proud they taught me español now :D
I wanted to let you all know I went back to the prologue and corrected some minor grammatical errors I caught last night after I had published it.
I re-read this chapter before I uploaded it, but I might have missed something, so I apologize.
If anyone is interested in being my beta, please contact me.
Thank you for reading!