4

Hearing Kyoko say those words to him made his heart leap. She loved him. She had really just told him that she loved him.

'Wait a minute – how did she realize she loved me? Could she have been hiding it as well?'

Snapping out of his thoughts, he concentrated on Kyoko sitting in front of him, tears continuing to run down her cheeks.

"Kyoko-chan – why are you crying?"

With a waver in her voice, she replied "Kyoko –"

"What?"

"Just Kyoko – now you know, so there's no need for the chan – right?"

"Kyoko" He said with a large smile on his face, "but, please tell me, why are you crying?"

"Because – I never thought I would fall in love again and I never thought you could actually love me."

"What? Why?"

"Ren-kun –"

"Ren – just Ren, if I am going to call you Kyoko, you are calling me Ren."

"Yes Ren," an intense blush seeming to cover not only her face this time as she said the actors name without any honorifics.

"I just – I always thought you needed someone exquisite and beautiful to be with you, not someone like me, an upcoming actress that has yet to match up to you and who isn't nearly as beautiful as most of the costars you have had."

"Kyoko – you are by far, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. None of those costars could ever compare to you, in any way, shape or form. You are the only woman I love and could ever love."

Tears continuing to stream down her face, Ren then said, "So, stop crying Kyoko, this is all real. Every single part of this is real. I promise you it is."

"I know. Now I am just crying because you make me so happy Ren."

Pulling one of her hands towards his face Ren kissed the palm, inciting the continued blush on Kyoko's face.

"I love you Kyoko – and I will say it however many times you need so you can accept it completely."

Kissing her hand one more time, Ren began, "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love – "

A giggle escaped from Kyoko and she attempted to interrupt him, "Ren, you don – "

"I – love – you – Kyoko."

Looking at her in the eyes, he ran his hand along her cheek, "Believe it completely now?"

"I do – Ren – thank you for loving me."

"No Kyoko – thank you for loving me back."

Smiling at each other, their moment was suddenly interrupted by the knock on the door, followed by the entrance of the waitress that had guided them in."

"Excuse me, Tsuruga-san, Kyoko-san, are you perhaps ready to order?"

"Miss Shuurei – could you please bring us a bottle of sparkling cider?"

"Of course, Tsuruga-san."

"Perfect. When you come back, we will place our order."

"Yes, Tsuruga-san. I will return momentarily with your cider."

Turning away from them, their server walked out of the salon and left them alone once more.

"Ren – what will we say tonight? Should we call Yashiro-san and let him know? After all, he is your manager and he will be there with us tonight and he could help us with what needs to be done and said as we walk the red carpet together. I don't want to jeopardize your career in any way, I am after all just emerging and – "

"Kyoko – calm down. We can tell Yashiro on the way to the party. As for what people will think, I don't care. I can date whoever I want and everybody loves you Kyoko. You are becoming more popular than even you realize. No one will think I am too good for you. To be perfectly honest it's the other way around –" taking hold of her hand, he continued, "I am the one that's lucky to have you."

"But, Ren – what about your fans?"

"What about my fans? They fantasize about me, yes, but that's it. While I appreciate their support, I don't care what my fans think about me dating. All I care about is you and I."

"What will we say tonight then? – You know – when they ask why we've arrived together. Do we tell them we're dating? Do we say nothing? Do we have to announce it?"

"We could say we're dating, but this is technically our first date isn't it?"

Blushing crimson again, Kyoko looked to the side, "Yes, this is our first date."

"I don't want to spoil it by having to say anything to anyone. We'll have Yashiro intercept the interviewers on the carpet beforehand and ask them to not ask if we're dating and to please focus on the reason we're at the party in itself. He can also tell them that if they ask, neither of us will respond anyways."

"But – Ren – won't the interviewers get upset that we're not responding to their questions?"

"They might."

"What if they spread rumors about us?"

Ren shrugged and Kyoko gave him a firm glance.

"I don't like it when you do that. It makes me feel like you have no input into what will happen and like you could care less Ren."

"It's not what I meant – it's a force of habit sometimes is all – let them. We'll make an official announcement when we're ready. Don't you think that's what's best? Besides, isn't tonight all about Box "R," we don't want them to forget that right?"

"You're right, I don't and I do think it's the best thing we can do."

Smiling at Kyoko, Ren slowly squeezed her hand.

"I'm not letting go tonight Kyoko, even if everyone takes pictures of us holding hands, I'm not letting go."

"Ren – "

"I can't help it if I am the happiest I have been in a while Kyoko."

"I have never been so happy in my entire life Ren. I really feel like Cinderella. I'm all dressed up and ready for the ball and I found my prince charming."

Smiling at Kyoko at hearing her words Ren thought to himself, 'I did it. I said it and now she's mine.'

"Kyoko, this is only the beginning for us and for our relationship. Now…..let's open up these menus and actually pick something to eat or we won't make it in time for the party."

Grabbing their menus they looked over their options. It was a restaurant that only served French food and Kyoko had no idea what was better.

"Ren – do you perhaps have any idea what you want to order? What's good? I don't know what to pick."

"We could order frogs legs."

Looking at his serious face, Kyoko screamed.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooo."

Suddenly, Ren burst into laughter.

"I was joking Kyoko. I'm sorry."

"You're so mean." The pout on her face was tempting Ren to kiss her, but he couldn't. Not so quickly.

"Kyoko, maybe you should freshen up. I'm afraid I made you cry and you may want to make your makeup perfect again."

"You didn't make me cry. I was just – happy."

Ren smiled at her and she thought she was about to melt.

"Go now if you'd like. I promise to pick something I know you'll like."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

"Good. I'll be back shortly. Ren – ummm – where is the ladies room?"

The beautiful blush made its way onto her face again and Ren couldn't help, but think that she may never stop blushing while they were together.

"There is a private restroom in here – it's that door beside the end of the large window."

"Thank you Ren, I'll be right back."

She stood up and walked toward the door to enter the restroom.

He couldn't help but watch her walk towards it. She really did look gorgeous in that dress. He couldn't wait for the rest of the night now.

Looking back at the menu Ren looked it over to pick what they should have.

The door to the private salon opened and the waitress walked in with the cider. Placing two glasses she popped open the bottle and filled both.

"Are you ready to order Tsuruga-san?"

"Yes, could you please bring us foie gras de canard as a starter, followed by the French sea bass with braised fennel and for dessert may we have les petit fours and café to end."

"Of course, after you finish the main course the dessert trolley will arrive so you may select your petit fours."

"Thank you."

"I will return shortly with your starter."

The waitress walked out and closed the door and as she walked to the kitchen to place the order all she could think about was if Tsuruga Ren was dating Kyoko and how cute they look together.

Inside the salon Ren sat, anxiously waiting for Kyoko to come back out.

He couldn't wait to have her near him again. This night would be too short for him, but it was fine, because it wouldn't end tonight. Ren had one very specific thought running through his head at the moment.

'Tonight is the beginning of the rest of our lives together.'

Author's Note:

A new chapter cranked out!

I am testing some new ideas this time around.

In case you couldn't tell, all thoughts will now use ' 'quotations instead of italics.

I hope you all liked it!

To those who reviewed the previous chapter, thank you!
As well as a huge thanks to those who have continued to add the story to their story alerts and favorite stories.

Love you guys for being so supportive! :D