Author's note: Sorry for the really, really, really late update. Just... sorry. I can't say more, I'm too ashamed of my delay. I didn't proofread anything, to be more quick, but it's still late. Sorry
Serious warning: this is a work of fiction, but maybe someone will be hurt by somethings I wrote down here. I'm absolutely sorry, it isn't my intention. I beg your forgiveness if that's the case.
Stupid warning: OOC assured, sorry.
Disclaimer: same as previous chapters
Dedication: to Alitablake, for the wonderful notice on your profile! I'm really, really happy for you! ^^
Final Chapter: Revelation & Delivery Food
Thanks to their private training Kyoko and Ren were finally able to shoot the demonstrative video.
They just need to stare into each other eyes, breath in and out and start to run and like magic the synchrony worked perfectly.
Actually they had to shoot two videos, the demonstrative one, in which the engineers were explaining all the function while the models run in the Antel-G, and the commercial one.
The commercial one was requested by the sportive societies who need to lure people in, so it would be more like the usual videos Ren and Kyoko knew.
It was a video of five minutes that involved different kind of people, in need of special treatment.
The first scene was about a professional runner, played by Ren, who had an accident who blocked him for a long way, making him overly frustrated. His girlfriend, played by Kyoko, would force him to take rehabilitation. With the help of the Antel-G the rehabilitation period became shorter and he could start to run again. The scene ended with the athlete running towards his girlfriend, hugging her hard while thanking her.
The second scene was about a girl, played by Kyoko, who became obese because his boyfriend left her. The doctor who helped her, played by Ren, took her on the center with the Antel-G and help her to regain her former figure. The girl hated pity so she made the doctor angry, to keep him at distance. But she couldn't help to show her success to him, the only one who believed in her, so she finally regained her perfect figure and went to the doctor with a fruits basket as a thank you, that he accepted with a smile.
In the final scene Kyoko and Ren as themselves would describe in simple words the function of the machine and its usefulness.
At first Kyoko thought it would be difficult to play those roles, but she found it easy to immerse herself as the girlfriend who motivated her talented boyfriend and even more easy to be the broken girl who found someone who motivated her to be a better person.
The most funny thing were the costume they would use for the scenes, especially the second one.
She would be transformed into a really fat girl, so she had a "particular interesting version of Bo costume" as she described it to Moko-san, while Ren would wear glasses and a white robe, with wrinkles around his eyes and some silver hair in the midst of his dark brown.
They scheduled the demonstrative filming first, because they had to start the conventions around Japan soon. Because Ren couldn't fit the conventions in his personal schedule, most of the time Kyoko was the only model.
They schedule to film the commercial video after the conventions ended.
They would travel to Osaka, Sapporo, Kobe, Yokohama, Okinawa and end it to Tokyo.
In the following month Kyoko could distance herself from Ren, but she couldn't keep herself from thinking about him and the dangerous feeling she had around him.
Angelo didn't help her either. He asked her a thousand of question about Ren and herself, with the excuse he really liked them and wanted to know more about his new Japanese friends. The magical word worked at first and Kyoko enthusiastically described the wonders her esteemed sempai did in his work.
Angelo really liked the way she talked. It was interesting and funny, and she was a really kind and beautiful girl. He could see why Ren loved the girl.
It was in the last week of the conventions tour, when she professed her hate for the L-word that he blinked and asked explanation.
She didn't know why, but she couldn't hate the forceful ways Angelo asked about her broken self.
When she explained that she was fated to be not loved, so love was a feeling she didn't want to spend energy and time on, he looked at her as if she was crazy.
"Kyoko, in my opinion fate doesn't exist. Surely, something more and supernatural is out of here, but I really think that 'fate' is something you have to build by yourself. Life is just one, what could be its meaning if it is without love? And I know you are talking just because you are afraid, not because you really believe you'll never love again"
The murderous glance she gave him would scare everyone, and it scared Angelo, but he had the firm conviction that it was an extremely important moment for Kyoko, so he added " You really believe that love for friends is so different from love for a special someone? Because it isn't"
She couldn't look away from Angelo's eyes. It was like he was working some sort of freeing spell. "You know there are differences, of course. The special someone is always first in your mind. You always thinks about things that would make him happy. Your desire to help him in every way you can sometimes it's overwhelming. You smile without noticing while thinking of him or something funny he did with you. You are happy, just because he treats you differently from the others, just because you are special to him, too. You are scared when he is angry at you, because you don't want to disappoint him, because you respect him and want his approval. You can tell when he is mad and when he is happy"
Each of his words broke a brick of the wall of lies she build under her heart until she was bare in front of the truth that he finally spoke for her " You love him"
Angelo saw Kyoko became paler and paler, he was afraid she would faint, but he couldn't stop and added "And he loves you, Kyoko. I know for sure, he loves you. More than you can see. He is much, much more afraid of losing you than anything else. I can tell it, just by looking at him in the eyes" and those words heal her frightened heart like only a miracle could do.
She could replay in her mind Ren's actions, from the moment they met till the last time they talked over the phone, the previous night. And nothing could stop the revelation that hit her in that moment. Ren Tsuruga, First Actor in Japan, Future Star of the World (she foresee that)... was in love with her. She needed to confirm it. Soon.
Ren was restless. In the past week Kyoko never send a text, nor did she answered his calls.
He knew she was busy, but she always sent him a reply via text message if she couldn't answer. He knew he was being a little paranoid, but he couldn't help himself.
He didn't even have the right to be like an annoying boyfriend. Yet, he was worried sick. Something happened, he sensed it. He didn't asked himself why he knew, still he acted according to that pressing feeling.
Seeing Ren so worked up, Yashiro couldn't contain his happiness. He exchanged email with Angelo, that's why he knew Kyoko was in a storm of feeling, sorting out her thoughts. He barely kept quiet when Ren asked him to free his schedule on the day Kyoko would come back.
That day he wore his usual "going out without being spotted" attire, a simple t-shirt and jeans, his cap and sunglasses. He was waiting for her, leaning against a wall, his face hidden by a newspaper, when he saw her walking through the gates.
His breath was caught in his throat. He couldn't tore his eyes away.
How could she become even more beautiful every time he saw her? Was that even possible?
She was thoughtful, half listening to what Angelo was saying her, nodding absentmindedly.
"Kyoko...I know you aren't listening to me, but I should tell you that your boyfriend is here to pick you up" Angelo said, with a smirk.
She stopped suddenly at his words, but her trolley didn't, it went right in the middle of her legs, making her almost fall.
But a pair of strong arm caught her even before she could think. His warmth, his scent...
Every doubt, every worries she analyzed the past week, just vanished at his touch.
He stared at her, as he lost his words. Hi unguarded expression couldn't escape her, not this time.
She couldn't lie to herself anymore. It wasn't time to hold back or being a little scared squirrel.
Her usual life force, her usual vitality come back with a rush.
She smiled at Ren "Hello, Ren-san. You surprised me, but thank you. You helped the silly me once again"
"You're very welcomed, Kyoko" he smiled back at her, but before he could say more, Angelo spoke "Hello Ren! It's nice to see you again! How are you?"
"Nice to see you too, Angelo. I'm fine. I hope you had a good trip around Japan"
" Yeah, I'm really glad I was chosen for this job. I'm sad that I'll be here for just two other weeks"
"You can come over anytime you want " Kyoko said, with a warm smile.
Ren felt a pang of jealousy, but he shut it. He proposed a quick lunch, then he would ride to the hotel Angelo. And finally he could talk to Kyoko.
He had to know why she looked at him in that way, that special look he couldn't believe she gave him at the airport.
He was trying to composing himself, reasoning to his heart that she gave hopes other times too, but couldn't suppress the feeling that something was up.
And then they were finally alone. The silence in the car was heavy with unspoken things, so Ren said "This is my first day off in a while, and the weather is too good to be wasted at home. Would you like to have a walk in a nearby park with me, Kyoko?"
"Are you sure is a good idea?" she asked, and for a moment Ren's hopes were shattered, then "I don't want you to be mobbed by fans... and I don't want you to be seen by someone as me..."
"Kyoko" his sharp tone made her pause "Never, ever again try to say 'someone like me' in that way. Never"
Her expression was full of doubts, so he carried on " You should know by now my opinion of you. And not only mine. Everyone who meets you is always charmed by you. Do you really think they will pay attention to some plain, boring and unattractive girl? Because you are wrong. You are beautiful, smart, kind and sweet. The only one who can't see that is you" he almost shouted the words to her. When he realized what he said it was already too late. He glance at her and was surprised to see her dumbfounded expression.
He parked the car and went to open the door. He held out his hand and she took it.
She let it go as soon as she was in the park. She need some distance for what she was going to tell him, but first "I'm sorry"
"For what?" Ren was a bunch of nerves, but tried to not show it.
"For not answering your messages this past week. I need some time to think"
"Think about what?"
"About my life. My decisions. My resolutions" she sat on a dark wooden bench and he followed her.
"Have you came to a revelation?"
"Yes"
Silence fell again. He didn't know if it was his turn to say what was on his mind, but he really didn't have a clue. It was the first time he was in this situation with a girl, and the feeling for this particular girl made the whole picture unique.
"After a life of being unloved by those I cared the most, I thought I was immune to that sickness called love. But a part of me couldn't completely give up, after all. That's why I accepted Takarada-san weird proposal, to be the first member of the LoveMe Section. Well, I didn't believe that could help me, but the President knew better" her caring smile made his heart race even more, but he didn't say anything yet. It wasn't the right moment, he felt it.
"And then... then I met the people I can call friends, true friends, who are worried about me and scold me when I try to not impose too much. I found people who care about me enough to rent me a room at a ridiculous low price and pushed me in the most difficult moment. And I know this is just the beginning. How many wonderful people will I met?" she looked in the sky, as to foresee those meeting, than looked at him, eyes in the eyes " But there is one person in particular that help me understood. Angelo told me..." the words were stuck in her throat at his sudden extremely painful expression. His fit were closed tightly, as he was trying to stop himself to punch and destroy something.
She gulped and tried again "Angelo helped me to see what I didn't want. He scolded me. Because I kept calling what I was feeling with another name. I first called you rude and a demon" her words made him smile a little, but the pain was still there, so she took a deep breath " Then I called you my sempai, my mentor. You became a friend. And now... I know you are not just friend. Because..." she looked again in his eyes, now the pain was gone and joy was replacing it " Because when I'm with you, everything is different. The world is more beautiful and colorful then ever. You scare me to death sometimes, but you always make me smile. You make me feel safe. I couldn't get away form this feeling, it didn't matter how much I tried. The thought of you always follows me whatever I'm doing, wherever I am. Did you eat something healthy? What are you doing? How was your day? I couldn't stop thinking about you, the more I tried, the worse it became" it was difficult to say the rest, but she gulped again and tried " What I'm saying is... you broke every wall around my heart and now it's completely exposed, but just to you. And... I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know how I should speak to you, how to act around you...because I... I fell...in.." she looked away, she couldn't say it, those three words were impossible for her.
Ren couldn't believe it. It couldn't be true. She couldn't feel that way towards him. He was a monster, he couldn't be loved by someone special as Kyoko. She was too good for him.
He had to tell her, before his egoistic self took over and grab her tightly, to never let her go.
"Kyoko... Kyoko, please listen to me" his voice was strained, so she looked again at him.
Now he had the most hunted expression on his face, the one that made her heart ache, too.
"You said I made you safe and smile. And that's the most precious gift I could ever receive. You are the most important person in my life, Kyoko" her eyes widen "That's why I can't touch you with these hands. They are stained, Kyoko. I'm stained. I was barely a human anymore. You are the one who brought me back to my humanity. That's why I..." his torrent of words were cut off when a gentle hand touched his cheek. He stared back at her loving expression and could feel that every pain, every mistake was cured by her touch.
"I know, Ren-san. I've know for a while, actually"
He was shocked "How...When...and you still are here, near me?"
"I will go away if you want me to, even if I'm really hoping you won't" she murmured.
He couldn't resist anymore. He didn't want, either. He hugged her tightly.
She was what he waited all his life.
"I love you Kyoko. I've loved you for a long time. And even if you won't believe me, I will always love you"
Her heart exploded from the happiness and love she felt. It was overwhelming, she needed to take out some of that feeling, or it will implode inside her "Me too, Ren-san, I love...I love you"
He looked in her eyes, caressed gently her face, lift up her chin and smiled.
His eyes were asking permission, as if he still didn't believe his luck to have her in his arms. She nodded slightly and then he kissed her. A tender kiss, a kiss of discovery, trust and love.
They had time to explore other things later.
She was bright red when he stopped kissing her. Some things didn't change, after all. It made him want to tease her a little "Do you have any experience in kissing?" he asked, some tone he used that time in his kitchen, some sexy smirk, too.
She glared at him as Mio would "Ren-san! Don't joke with a maiden heart, you playboy!"
He laughed heartily "I'm not joking...and I'm not a playboy"
She glared at him "No? You must be kidding me! All those 'casual' touches during our training, all those casual compliment, had me grill like meat on the barbeque!"
"I'm glad it worked, then. Now that I know, I will give my best in let you fall even more"
"You don't have to" she babbled and he laughed again.
They went back to his car hand in hand. They spent the day talking and sometimes Ren would sneak a kiss or two, when she was unguarded. Than she slapped him, with a cute blush that made him want to try it again. But they had time.
The next day, in the studio they were recording the commercial, even if they didn't divulge the news, everyone could see something happened between them. Their happiness was so manifest, that people were infected by it.
Angelo and Yashiro were beaming, too. Like their own child grew up.
The mood was good and the work went smoothly and without accidents.
Expect one.
In Osaka Kyoko and Angelo's team were staying in the luxurious hotel where they had the convention the next morning.
What they didn't know was that a famous musician was holding his annual tour around Japan in that period. And that he was staying in the same hotel in Osaka, as Kyoko and Angelo were. It was the best hotel of the city, after all, of course Sho would want the best.
During the morning he slept till late, then he would woke up to have lunch, after that he needed to prepare for the concert.
It was during his second day, when he was walking around aimlessly, that he passed the opened door of a big luxurious hall. He didn't pay attention, until he heard it.
Her crystal, sweet laugh. He stopped.
How could she be here? The hotel was too expensive for her, she couldn't afford it.
Unless... unless she was with him. In some kind of location job.
He went back and looked through the opened doors.
His mouth hung wide open. It was really Kyoko.
Surrounded by old and young men, some women too.
She was answering question and sometimes she even signed a photo, too.
What made him gape were her clothes. She was wearing a long sport jacket, but he could see her tight shorts under it. He saw that kind of outfit on girls that were working out in the gym near his condo. She wasn't really wearing that, right? It wasn't possible, such an unshapely girl could wear something like that!
Than a foreign guy called Kyoko. She turned and smiled at him, then nodded and excused herself. She went on the stage, where a strange machine was, while everyone went back in their seat. She took off her jacket. Sho was gaping so much that he felt his face crack.
Then two guys closed the doors and he couldn't see anymore.
Who was the foreign? What the hell was Kyoko doing?
He had to know. He tried to pass the men in front of the doors, but they stopped him.
"Do you have the invitation, sir?"
"No, but I'm..."
"If you are not part of the convention, you can't enter, sir."
"Do you know who I am?" he asked angrily
"Of course, sir. But you can't enter in the hall. There is a medical convention, only those with the invitation can enter. I apologize, sir"
It was the first time his fame didn't let him enter wherever he wanted.
He was fuming in rage.
Who in the world did Kyoko think she was? She needed to remind she owned him everything.
When Sho returned to Tokyo, the first thing he did was pressing Shoko to discover Kyoko whereabouts. After days of pestering, she gave up for her own mental safety.
So Sho was directed to the studio in which Kyoko was recording a commercial.
But then something extremely unexpected happened.
The didn't let him enter, because the studio was accessible only for the workers, many of whom were foreigners that didn't know him.
His rage transformed him into a deva-king statue, so he was forced to leave.
He had to discover what in the hell was happening.
Than he saw a guy with a uniform from a delivery food store enter easily.
A light bull went on in his head.
The next day he cornered the guy and payed him to have his clothes and the pizza he was going to deliver.
The college student gladly accepted, he had a date with a girl and couldn't believe when Fuwa Sho asked him such a thing as his clothes.
He changed and people at the entrance let him enter.
He smirked. But when he arrived where the filming was taking place, he stopped dead in his track.
His attention was extremely focused on Kyoko and Ren, who were talking and smiling at each other in a way he never wanted to saw.
His anger rose to the outer space when he saw they were holding hand.
The wannabe actor glanced around and dragged a smiling and blushing Kyoko in a corner, outside of his and everyone vision.
His rage exploded, while he headed towards the corner they were hiding as an army towards war.
But the same foreign he saw in Osaka stopped him and started speaking in English "Oh finally! I was starving! I can't say Japanese pizza is good, but it's better than nothing. Yukiito, can you help me here? Our favorite couple disappeared again"
Tsuruga's manager appeared and smiled at the foreign, taking out the wallet and answering in English "Indeed"
"Someone should tell them that they are being obvious, no matter how well they try to hide!"
They laughed and were getting away, when Sho snapped.
His English wasn't bad, he often used it in his songs, but he had to process the information and when he understood the implication, he simply snapped.
He tore away his cap and grab Yashiro's arm.
"What the hell do you mean by couple?"
"Fuwa-san, what are you doing here?" Yashiro kept his straight face
"I'm here to see Kyoko" he said with anger and arrogance
"You have no right to stay here, so get out" Yashiro said, his voice made of steel and his look the "get away!" look he always used against rabid fangirls.
Sho backed off a little, but he humiliated himself with the whole delivery boy story to shut up and go, so he demanded "Let me see Kyoko"
"Do I know you?" Angelo asked, but before Sho could answer, recognition lit his face "Ah! You are the guy in Kyoko music video!"
Sho was speechless. He was recognized...because of Kyoko?
His shouts gathered a crowd of people. He didn't have to waste another second with these idiots.
He shoved the people forcibly and went to the secluded corner where the two stars were.
He was few steps away form the corner when he was caught by the guards who asked him to leave immediately.
He shouted at them, until Kyoko and Ren came out.
He stared at Kyoko, her lips swollen and her face blushed.
The confusion in her eyes was cleared when she saw Sho. She looked at him surprised and a little pissed, but before she could say something, the guards took him by force and dragged him outside.
Like he was a mad fan.
The truth of all the situation hit him hard.
The scene of when he threw her away rushed in his mind.
And he growled at the closed doors, hurt and angry.
Kyoko really had her revenge, in the end.
And the one who would be alone, with nothing but bitterness and loneliness.
"What was he doing?" Kyoko asked herself, not really expecting an answer.
"Reaping what he sowed" Ren answered, with a smug smile.
She looked at him "And that what does it mean?"
"Nothing. Just tell me this: do you still want to have your revenge against him?"
She thought about it "He hurt me, but it's not like he is always in my mind. I just want to prove to those who disregarded me how worth I am. But more than that, I want to be proud of myself, so that you and those I love will always be proud of me, too" she smiled at him.
"I'm glad to hear that, but we are already proud of you" his smile made her warm inside.
It was finally the day of Angelo's flight.
He was happy to go back in his country, but sad to say goodby to his new friends.
Japan really gave him so much, in term of experience with people and work. He was grateful.
He hugged Kyoko, this time without the killer gaze of her boyfriend, at the airport with him "Thank you so much, Angelo. I couldn't do it without your advice"
"I'm glad I lived the expectations of my name, for once. I hope to see you again, Kyoko, Ren. If you will have you honeymoon in Italy, stop by Rome to say hello and have a real Italian dinner with me!" he winked at the blushing Kyoko, while Ren chuckled "Thank you" he said to the Italian engineer.
"You're welcome" he answered with a wave of his hand, and boarded the plane.
Ren thought about it for a moment. Italy was a very good idea for a honeymoon.
He glanced at his love, smiled as she held his hand and thought"We will see".
End
Author's note: I promised the story behind the story and a recipe.
If you still have the patience to read it, I'll try to post it as soon as I can.
Same with the next chapter of "The 10 DaysBonus Ticket", but I still need to think it carefully.
Sorry again, and thanks to have read my story!
Choko