Author's note: Here we go, second chapter. I was wondering if I should change the summary... -.- what do you think? Let me know. ^^ Thank you all for reading my story! ^^ And even more thanks to those who offered their help to beta-reading everything...sorry, Sapphi-chan has the precedence. ^^ Thank you! * bow *

Disclaimer: same as 1st chapter

Note: thoughts

Speaking English

Chapter 2: Training & Cooking Pasta

Two days after the audition, the Antel-G team met their two models again.

Angelo showed them the gym where they would train and explained how the machine worked.

The Antel-G was composed of a big tapis roulant inside a huge metallic capsule; it was possible to see inside the capsule thanks to three screens, two lateral and one frontal. There was a little flip in the back to enter the capsule and all the electronic controls were in the front, easy to reach and manage.

Ren and Kyoko went in the dressing room and changed into the sportswear the company provided them. Kyoko looked in the bag with a troubled expression. She hoped it was a plain jersey. She was wrong. There were a pair or tight shorts and a top too closely fitted that showed a great deal of her belly, too much for her own comfort,. She sighed. She already knew the commercial had to show a sportive and athletic girl...but to be almost naked!

She sighed deeper. She couldn't back away and she wouldn't, either. Determined, she decided she wouldn't let embarrassment and her Japanese sense of modesty take away from good opportunities. She put on the clothes and went out without checking the mirror, in fear she would scream in horror.

Until that moment the guys in the Antel-G team weren't really convinced by Angelo's choice. The girl was indeed cute and athletic, but she didn't seem anything special.

Then, she entered the room.

Every male in the room stopped and stared and every female glared enviously.

She wasn't cute, she was beautiful. The clothes showed her fit and proportioned body. A cute blush enlightened her face.

And a dark aura was hovering right behind her.

Ren gave a murderous glare to every male who was staring at her with improper eyes. His murderous eyes worked as he wished and everyone went back to their tasks, but they couldn't help themselves from stealing glances at the beauty in front of them.

Kyoko, focused on not blushing too hard, didn't catch the stares at her nor the deadly aura surrounding her. When she turned towards Ren with her little embarrassed smile, he had a pained expression "Are you alright, Tsuruga-san?" she asked worried.

He nodded slightly his head, but didn't answer, not trusting his voice to betray his lustful feelings.

Her worries doubled, but his reassuring and still pained smile asked her to not inquire anymore.

Angelo entered the room and greeted them with his usual friendly smile "Good morning, Ren and Kyoko!"

She was shocked by his informal greeting and seeing her expression, Angelo explained "We will be working together for a while and in Italy we don't like to be so formal with our colleagues. I hope you don't mind" it was a partial truth, but Angelo wasn't going to tell them.

Ren grasped the unexpected opportunity "Indeed, Mogami-san, I was thinking this for a while. Can't we drop the honorific? We've known each other for a long time" You don't know how long, actually... "And I would be honored to call you by name, as friends do".

Kyoko was horrified "I can't absolutely disrespect you by calling..." she was cut off by Ren

"You will let a stranger call you intimately, but not me...? That hurts..." the final touch, the Puppy-Dog face.

She couldn't resist "Al...alright...if it's fine with you...Re-Ren...san" she chocked on her own words, but as soon as she looked at him, she wished she could hide her blinded eyes. That smile...argh!

Angelo smirked. First goal, reached. He didn't understand what they said, but he guessed the whole exchange when he heard Kyoko call Ren by his name.

The night before he searched the internet for some information about Japanese customs. After he learned what he needed, he planned the "Cupid Project" step by step, like he would do if it was one of his high engineering projects.

Then he searched about the two models. He knew about Ren already, but didn't know almost anything about Kyoko, apart from that they were from the same agency and they were obviously in love with each other. When he googled "Kyoko Mogami LME", he discovered a new world. He saw the Kyurara commercial, then was shocked at seeing a bit of her television series Dark Moon and Box'R with subtitles. She was such a polite and cute girl...how could she pull out such scary and realistic roles?

But the real surprise was the music video of an unknown rocker. It was the reason why he didn't even flinch in the morning, seeing Kyoko in the gym outfit. In the music video she was breathtaking. She wasn't his favorite type, but he could understand Ren now.

He snapped out of his memories and explained what they had to do.

Ren was first. He managed two steps in the correct way, before tripping. He didn't fall thanks to the anti-gravity system. Kyoko looked with her mouth wide open. She never saw her tall and gracious sempai trip or fall... then she stepped on the Antel-G and managed one step before she tripped, too.

It was even more difficult than it seemed!

After a week they mastered the basic running. The most difficult part of the training would start then. For the commercial and conferences they had to synchronize their running, and that would be tricky.

First day, Kyoko wasn't even able to enter in the Antel-G without blushing hard due to the close proximity with Ren. First step and she tripped over him. He grabbed her naked waist... and a shriek froze everyone in their place.

Kyoko repeatedly bowed and apologized, while Ren had to suppress fit of chuckles. She glared at him and stomped in her dressing room for her ten-minute break.

She breathed in and out, repeating to herself that the warmth of his hands was a normal consequence of their training and she didn't feel anything apart from surprise when he touched her...

She didn't scream the second time, but she was rigid, the very image of a robot, and she wasn't even able to take a step into the Antel-G.

Ren's schedule allowed him just half an hour per day to train. Those thirty minutes were the most funny and treasured. His enjoyment lasted till the third day of the special training, when he arrived at the gym to find Kyoko in the Antel-G with another guy, who was explaining her how to run together with another person. She didn't seem flustered by him as she was by Ren, she was listening carefully, sometimes nodding.

Anger rose in Ren, he glared at the man who hurriedly excused himself.

As soon as Kyoko met his stare, she started bowing and apologize "I'm so sorry, Ren-san! I'm so sorry I'm so stupid and unprofessional..." but the Antel-G was still on, so the anti-gravity system unbalanced her and she was doomed to bump her head hard on the controls panel if he didn't grab her shoulders in time.

"I'm not angry at you because the job is difficult, Kyoko. But you should train with me, because I am your partner, right?" the gentleman smile frightened her. She nodded vigorously, but she kept thinking 'He is not angry at me because I didn't synchronize with him in one take...but because some other guy was helping me...? Why?'

They started the synchronizing training again, but Angelo arranged a mat on the floor and the flip if the Antel-G opened. If they faltered, they would be thrown on the mat by the anti-gravity (none saw Angelo increasing the power of the machine).

That led to interesting poses and casual body touching neither the models considered.

Angelo smirked seeing the two models flustered. They spent more time on the mat than on the Antel-G.

Every time Kyoko landed on the top of Ren, his hands lingered on her waist, shoulders or hips, making Kyoko's face redder and redder.

At the end of the second week of training, Kyoko's nerves were on edge. There wasn't a moment of the day where she wasn't his touches re-playing in her mind.

His gentle caress of her cheek, his casual brush of her hair, his firm grip on her waist, his long legs tangled with hers, his face so close... the light brush of his knuckles on her breast... his parted lips brushing her temple, her shoulder... her neck... Argh!

This has to stop now! she decided that day.

After hastily changing (Damn clothes! How can they call these things clothes!) she met Ren and Angelo outside. She didn't hesitate "Ren-san, can you help me with...?" but she was cut off by Ren himself

"Actually, Kyoko-san, I was just going to ask for your help. I thought we could try to walk together, first, without any anti-gravity system hindering us" Kyoko's eyes sparkled with gratitude and excitement

"Gladly" and she smiled happily. Too happily for her own sake, Ren gulped and tried to smile back at her, but Angelo said

"Ren asked me if tonight we can start our cooking training. Do you mind, Kyoko?" she shook her head and thanked him.

But somehow knowing that she and Ren weren't alone was disappointing...What am I thinking? She mentally slapped herself.

Cooking pasta with Angelo and Ren was one of the funniest things she had ever done.

First ingredient in the Italian cooking was joyfulness or the food would turn bitter, Angelo said. He even insisted to buy all the real ingredients, almost demanding and scolding Kyoko.

Ren smirked at her when she pouted, muttering that it wasn't necessary to buy high quality food. At hearing this, Angelo posed as one of those shocked matrons in the soap operas "How could you say that?" with one of his hands on his forehead, the other one clutching his heart, like he was going to have a heart attack. He was so theatrical that Kyoko was speechless. People glared at them and she tried to revert Angelo to his serious self, but he was still talking with a high pitch voice, accusing Kyoko of being a bad daughter-in-law. Ren was trying to contain his laughter, seeing Kyoko flustered.

As soon as they were in Ren's apartment, Angelo changed character. Previously he said they were going to try the Roman version of the tomato sauce, called "Amatriciana". Thus, he decided he would direct the two of them as one of the generals who governed the ancient Rome.

He even changed his way of speaking, sneaking one or two Latin words here and there. He was posing so regally, his back right and firm, his eyes intransigent, that Kyoko almost admired him. Almost, if he didn't carry a celery as a scepter.

Then he started to give orders so absurd, Ren and Kyoko were laughing too hard by the time they were eating.

"Romans don't like to eat healthy, so Kyoko put more salt in the sauce!"

"Romans never eat pasta without a good wine! Ren, open that bottle I brought!"

"Romans dance when they are cooking, so Kyoko, dance the Macarena, now!"

When Kyoko looked at him blankly and asked what the Macarena was, he shouted "Every Roman knows how to dance the Macarena! I'll show you! Come on, put your arm there, the other one too. Yeah, like that! Now, do this...now this" Ren was glaring at him grabbing her hands and putting them on her hips, then Angelo shouted at him too "What are you doing, there, second in command? Why haven't you taught our soldier how to do the Macarena? Come here right now, teach her!"

But Ren didn't know the dance either, but Angelo's hard stare compelled him to do so. So they ended up knocking their heads a few times, clumsily stepping on each other's feet and she even managed to blow him in the stomach with her elbow.

"General, please be reasonable! I can't cook and dance with the captain at the same time! This is a crazy request!" when she saw Angelo laughing heartily with tears in his eyes, even gripping his stomach, she decided to give him a little payback. She met Ren's eyes and he nodded lightly "Captain, please, restrain the General! We can't let the enemy take over just because he drank too much wine before the important battle!" seeing Ren coming towards him with a smirk, Angelo sobered a little "Wait, wait! Kyoko, I'm sorry! You were so stiff, I couldn't help to tease you a little! Sorry!" he started to escape the girl, who now had the celery in her hand, nudging in on his side "Captain, help me to throw out this impostor! He told me he was joking, but we knew our general never joke in his entire life! Capture him!"

Then the kitchen became a real battlefield. Kyoko would be shocked the day after, seeing how the sacred place of the kitchen was turned in a mess because she got carried away, but in the meanwhile, she, Ren and Angelo managed, they didn't know how to cook and spar with each other, verbally and physically.

There was a particular moment when Angelo tried to sample the sauce, Kyoko slapped his hand, and his spoon went flying right on Ren's white shirt. To get revenge, Ren grabbed Kyoko's hands and demanded to sample the sauce himself.

When the food was finally on the table, Angelo prompted Kyoko to drink the wine he brought. Kyoko comment made Ren pause "This should be great for next year Wine Jelly" he smiled at her, but she smirked back at him "But this time you have to restrain yourself with your gratitude, Ren-san, or I would reconsider it"

Before he could answer her, Angelo asked what they were talking about.

"Can you kiss someone on the cheek to say thank you? Aren't the words 'thank you' enough?" her tone clearly indicated her indignation.

Angelo barked a laugh "Of course! You have to, actually! In my country we are really offended if we don't receive two kisses and a hug to be thanked"

She was shocked, but didn't add anything.

At the end of the dinner she was a little drunk because of the wine, stronger than she thought, and the overwhelming food.

As soon as they piled the plates in the sink, Angelo said "I should go now and leave you two to work on your synchrony" he grinned slightly at Ren, who tried to offer him a lift, but was brushed off.

Kyoko and Ren were finally alone. He said "I thought we could start by walking together" Kyoko nodded. They used the big space in Ren's hall.

He was right behind her, his hands gently placed on her waist, they synchronized their steps. It was almost hypnotic, their deep breathing with the same frequency and their hearts beating with the same tempo.

The warmth Kyoko started to feel whenever she was with Ren, or recently just whenever she thought of him, increased so much she couldn't bear it anymore. She stopped mid-step and turned towards him to ask for a little break, but she lost her balance and was doomed to fall if Ren didn't grab her firmly against his chest.

He chuckled "Easy, Kyoko. We haven't a mat here and I don't want you to hurt yourself" she heard his hoarse voice through his broad chest. She looked up and met his eyes, clouded with an even hotter warmth.

"I...I...am sorry, Ren-san" she babbled, blushing.

It was in that moment that he realized she was finally seeing him as a man. He could feel that all of her defenses were dropping. He could take advantage of the situation, but he chose not to do so, the fool. He smiled at her and released her "You must be tired. If you like, I can take you home"

Maybe because of the wine, maybe because she wasn't able to protect herself from the infamous killing-demons smile, she answered convinced "I don't want to", freezing Ren.

Then she explained "You are more tired and you have drunk even more than me. I'll prefer to stay here for the night, than risk your life."

The statement was said almost casually...but Ren wasn't convinced by her tone, and searched her eyes.

When their eyes met, they stayed locked for a long minute, until Kyoko did something that shocked Ren. She suddenly hugged him and kissed him on each cheek "Thank you for everything" she whispered.

His shock didn't last much and he hugged her back, whispering "Thanks to you, Kyoko" and kissed her cheek.

Or at least he tried. Kyoko chose that moment to look up and the kiss landed on her lips.

They froze. Ren slowly dropped his arms, still losing his internal battle to take her in his room and hug her all night long. Kyoko's eyes weren't helping him, because for the first time he could read them, the desire to be hugged tightly by him.

"Kyoko..." his voice was throatier, he bent slightly, caressing slowly her cheek.

He was going to kiss her for real, this time, she knew it. Why not? I want him to kiss me... the intrusive thought scared her and she looked down, breaking the spell.

Ren recovered quickly "I wish you goodnight" he said, but after being so close to declaring himself, he just had to touch her another time. He caressed her hair and pressed a lightly kiss on her forehead "Sweet dreams, Kyoko" and retreated to his room before it was too late to save the situation.

Kyoko stared at his door for a while, then she went in the guest room.

She tossed the bed sheets because she turned over restlessly.

In the midst of all the confusing feelings the last thought she had before falling asleep was that synchronizing wasn't going to be a problem anymore.

The real problem, now, was how to stop doing so.

I bow, asking for forgiveness... -.-

I had this written a while ago, but I hadn't the chance to type it on the pc. Sorry! .

I give you news that I hope will bring you all to forgive me... Next chapter of 10daysbonus Ticket is already written...I just have to type it... sorry if I'm slow... -.-

Thousand thanks to Secluded Sapphire (Sapphi-chan!)! You are the best! ^^

Side note: you know, Italians aren't really that crazy (maybe)...XD I was wondering if I should write the recipe of the pasta they are cooking...tell me if you want to know! ^^