"Mogami-san! Oh, thank goodness you're here! I need your help!"

It wasn't every day that Lory Takarada graced the LoveMe room with his presence, but when he did, there was sure to be trouble to follow. Kyoko raised her eyebrow.

"What's wrong, President-san?"

Lory grabbed her hand and hauled her into the hallway. "I don't have much time to explain! We have a dating game show, and our bachelorette ate some bad gas station sushi and ended up food poisoned! Truly a tragic situation! I need you to fill in!"

Kyoko dragged her feet. "Whoa! Dating game show!? President-san, I don't think this is a good idea–"

"Nonsense!" He cut her off. "You're an actress! Make a character for the show and just roll with it! If there's anyone who can do it, you can! I believe in you, Mogami-san! BANZAI!" Before she knew it, he had pushed her into a room where a makeup artist and wardrobe technician were waiting for her. "Good luck, Mogami-san!" He shut the door behind her, and Kyoko tried the handle to find it locked.

"Oh, come on! President-san, let me out!" When she was unable to open the door, she kicked it. Stupid freaking weirdo President! She sighed and resigned herself to her fate. She wandered over to the makeup chair and sat down. The makeup artist giggled at the look on her face.

"You must be Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko sighed. "Yep."

The woman began pinning her hair out of her face. "You don't seem very excited to be on Celebrity Pick Me."

"Celebrity Pick Me? Are there celebrities on the show?"

The artist nodded and began applying a moisturizer to Kyoko's cheeks. "I guess the President didn't tell you. There are three celebrity bachelors behind a curtain. You ask them questions, and depending on their answers, you pick one to take you out on a blind date!"

Kyoko paled. A date? With a celebrity? Her stomach knotted as Ren Tsuruga's face popped into her mind. What if he's out there? What should I do? What if she chose the wrong guy? Or even worse, chose the right one?

Kyoko's hair and makeup were finished quickly. She was given a simple, natural look with dewy skin, a light blush, and light pink eyeshadow with feathered hair. The wardrobe technician put her in a white sundress with pink flowers on it and rose gold heels, all of which were just exactly her size. Her eyes narrowed. She was beginning to strongly suspect that there had never been a food-poisoned bachelorette to begin with. This was just the sort of scheme that would tickle the President's fancy, and she swore that when this was over, she would find some way to get back at him.

She waited behind the curtain while the host of the show, Reiji Muta, gave his opening speech to the live audience.

"Welcome to The Celebrity Dating Game, where we set up one lucky bachelor or bachelorette with a celebrity date! Today, we have three bachelors waiting behind these three curtains, waiting to win over our beautiful bachelorette. So, let's bring her out here and get this show started!"

The curtain opened a bit and Kyoko walked out onto the stage to applause. She and Reiji bowed to each other and he showed her to a plush pink chair. She sat down and tried to be calm. It's just a show. Nothing bad can happen. You don't actually have to go on a date. Everything is fine. Just breathe!

Reiji smiled widely at her. "Welcome to the show, Mogami-san!"

Kyoko nodded. "Thank you for having me." She decided to just grin and bear it and get through it. If nothing else, she wouldn't shame herself on television.

Reiji handed her a stack of notecards with questions for the bachelors on them. "Okay, the rules are simple. You ask the bachelors these questions, and based on their answers to the questions, you pick one to have a date with at the end of the show. THEN, your date is televised!"

Kyoko froze. The date is TELEVISED? OH COME ON! She panicked. Now, the stakes were much higher. She swallowed hard and gave him a nervous smile. "Okay!" She picked up the first notecard and immediately blushed. "I… this seems very personal to ask someone I don't know!"

Reiji laughed. "That's why the questions are there, Mogami-san! You have to get to know these guys so you can know who is actually compatible!"

Kyoko winced as she read the card. "Bachelor Number 1, are you a boxers or briefs guy?"

The first bachelor snorted. "Who has time for underwear?"

Kyoko's eyes shot wide open. SHOTAROU!? Her eye twitched as she remembered doing his laundry and having to always use stain remover on the insides of his jeans. Well, I know Bachelor Number 1 is a dud. Let's try the second one… "How about you, Bachelor Number 2?"

"Neither. I prefer thongs."

Kyoko's eyebrow arched. That voice was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. But a thong? Yikes, she thought. "Okay… um… Bachelor Number 3, what is your preference?"

"I'd wear whatever you asked of me, Mogami-san."

Her face flamed immediately as Ren's deep voice met her ears. The crowd ooooooh'd at his flirtatious answer. He had obviously decided to have fun with this. She wasn't sure if she was horrified or relieved that he was an option. She cleared her throat. "Good to know," she squeaked. She looked at the next question card. "Bachelor Number 1, where would you take me on our first date?"

"A burger joint. Nice and cheap."

She rolled her eyes. "How frugal. How about you, Bachelor 2?"

"I'd love to take you on a lovely picnic in the cemetery."

Kyoko flinched. It can't be… moving on. "Um… Bachelor 3?" She was blushing before she even heard his answer.

There was a pause. "Dayjowey Land. We'd have dinner at the castle and I'd take you on all the rides."

UGH, he knows me so well. "That sounds like a lot of fun... but also very expensive." She knew that his date idea was less of a threat and more of a promise.

He chuckled. "Well, I suppose you could always go with the picnic in the cemetery or McDonald's instead."

He has a point… she thought. "Bachelor Number 1," she started before looking at the card, and then turned to Reiji. "Do… do I really have to ask this one!?" The audience laughed and Reiji nodded.

"All of the questions must be asked! They're all very important!"

Kyoko covered her eyes. "Bachelor 1, if I were ice cream, what flavor would you want me to be?"

"Pistachio so I wouldn't feel bad about throwing you away."

Her eyes narrowed. "Bachelor 2?"

"Strawberry, and I'd lick you all over."

Kyoko hid her face in her hands. When it took her a moment to recover, Reiji tapped her shoulder. "You still need to ask Bachelor 3!"

"Okay." She closed her eyes tight. "Bachelor 3, ice cream preference?"

"I don't like ice cream. I prefer wine gelee."

Kyoko almost cried. Of course he would protect me. "Wine gelee sounds nice." She was dreading the next question, but found it to be something innocent. "Bachelor Number 1, what is your ideal pet?"

"A tiger. Tigers are cool."

On brand, thought Kyoko. "Bachelor 2?"

"Tiny astral projections of the self."

Kyoko glared. She could hear the smirk in his voice. There was no mistaking him now. I KNEW IT! THE FUCKING BEAGLE. WHY IS HE HERE!? She took a deep breath. "That is odd… Bachelor 3?"

"...A chicken. I used to have one named Brian. I really liked him."

Kyoko giggled. "A chicken?" Isn't that ironic, she thought. "Interesting. Next question. Bachelor Number 1, what activity would you like to do with me?"

"Tripping you while running from a bear comes to mind."

Reiji laughed nervously. "Bachelor 1, it sounds like you're not actually trying to win this date."

"That would be because I'm not. But I'm interested in Bachelor 2's answer to this question."

Bachelor 2 did not disappoint. "I'd like to tie you up in my basement where no one could find you and make you very, very angry with me."

Kyoko's eyes widened and there was a sudden commotion behind the curtains on the stage. Reiji blinked. "Uh, guys, is everything okay back there?"

There was a pause before Bachelor 3 answered. "Everything is fine. Bachelor 2 seems to have had a nasty fall off of his stool and bloodied his nose. I don't think he's going to be a viable date option."

Bachelor 1 cleared his throat as he returned to his seat. "Yeah. I think he's unconscious. Might want to get someone to check that out."

Reiji winced and waved a paramedic over to the curtain. He turned back to Kyoko. "Mogami-san, we still haven't heard from Bachelor 3 on that last question."

"Bachelor 3, what activity would you like to do with me?"

"I would do everything with you."

His tone sent her immediately back to their conversation at the Dark Moon wrap party and a warmth spread through her body. She knew what he was suggesting without cluing everyone else in. "Oh." she said simply, her brain having gone to mush. She looked down at her stack of cards and realized she was back at the first one. "That was the last question!" Oh, thank heaven! Thank every fairy in existence! It's done! It's over!

Reiji applauded. "Amazing! Now, Mogami-san, you have a very important decision to make! I have been informed that Bachelor 2 is… incapacitated, so your choices are between Bachelor 1 and Bachelor 3! Which one of these lucky guys gets to take this pretty girl on a date?"

Kyoko's face flamed. If she chose Sho, then it would just be a meal. Nothing would happen. They would exchange barbed words over burgers. It would be safe and familiar. If, however, she went on a date with Ren… that was unfamiliar territory. She would risk falling even harder for him.

Ultimately, she knew who it was she had to pick, even though it scared her very much to do so.

"Uhm… Bachelor 3."

Reiji jumped up and down excitedly. "Bachelor 3! Shall we see who's behind the curtain!?" The audience applauded and went wild, and Reiji went to the first curtain. "First up, Bachelor Number 1…" he whipped the curtain back to reveal Sho. "Sho Fuwa!"

Sho got up from his stool with one hand in the pocket of his jeans to conceal his bloodied knuckles and waved at the crowd with the other one. Reiji laughed. "Fuwa-san, you seem to know Mogami-san!"

Sho nodded. "We grew up together. She's a giant pain in the ass."

Kyoko glared at him. "Like you're one to talk. Tripping me while running from a bear!? REALLY!?"

He scoffed. "What, you were expecting sunshine and warmth? Get real." He left the stage.

Kyoko rolled her eyes and Reiji laughed. "No love lost between the childhood friends. On to Mogami-san's chosen date, Bachelor Number 3!" When Reiji pulled back the curtain to reveal Ren Tsuruga, the audience lost their minds.

Ren waved at them good-naturedly. Reiji covered his mouth in shock. "Tsuruga-san! Mogami-san has great taste!"

Ren laughed. "Well, her other options were rather questionable." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I hope she's not disappointed."

Kyoko shook her head emphatically. "N-no! I've wanted to go on a date with you!" Her hands flew over her mouth; she hadn't meant to reveal that truth.

His smile blinded the first 10 rows of the audience. He had been hoping to hear that from her for months. "We shouldn't waste any time then, should we?" He held his hand out to her. "Let's go."

She took his hand and they walked off the stage and out to Ren's car as Reiji closed the show. When they got there, they sat in the front seats and took a moment to breathe. "So," asked Ren, "Did the President rope you into this too?"

Kyoko nodded. "He told me the original actress got food poisoning."

Ren rolled his eyes. "He told me one of the bachelors fell down some stairs."

"Of course he did. So," Kyoko began, "This date is going to be on TV. Where are we going?"

Ren stared at her. "I already told you. Our first date is going to be at Dayjowey Land, and we're going to have dinner at the castle and I'm going to do my best to take you on all the rides."

"Tsuruga-san!" She covered her eyes. "That's too expensive! And everyone will see!"

He started the car. "Mogami-san, winning the date gave me public permission to actually take you on a date. So please," he flashed her the Cain Heel puppy eyes, "Just let me have this?"

She blushed and looked out the window. "O-okay."

The camera crew and security were already in place when they got to the amusement park. Ren led her by the hand to the front gate and purchased two tickets from an awestruck park attendant. He made sure to buy the good tickets that allowed them to skip lines, and the vouchers for a meal at the castle. When they were inside the gate, he looked down at her with a grin.

"Where to first, Princess?"

Kyoko covered her blushing cheeks with her hands. Princess!? "I-uhm… bumper cars!"

A mischievous glint entered Ren's eye. "Be careful what you wish for."

They ran hand-in-hand to the bumper cars. They didn't have to use their line skip privileges for that one; there was a very short line. They each chose a car, Kyoko in a yellow one, and Ren in a red one. They listened to the ride attendant's spiel on the overhead about safety and then they flipped the switch.

Ren pushed his pedal down… only to find that his car wasn't working. So much for showing off my driving skills, he thought with a frown. He looked up to find Kyoko bearing down on him with an intense look in her eyes. He smirked and braced himself for the impact. Her car slammed into his, pushing it back a few inches. After hitting him, she was giggling. "Tsuruga-san, you're not supposed to just let me hit you!"

He laughed. "My car is dead!"

Another few cars slammed into them, knocking them apart, and then the power shut off.

"Thank for enjoying our bumper cars! Please find the exit to your left and enjoy your day at Dayjowey Land!"

They met at the exit. Kyoko's hair was windswept from driving around the arena, and her cheeks were bright pink. "That was so much fun!"

He tucked a flyaway behind her ear and her cheeks went from pink to scarlet. "It was. Do you mind if I pick the next one?" He wanted to find a ride to lose the camera crew, just for a little bit.

She nodded. "Of course!"

He led her by the hand to a nearby ride called Tunnel of Terror.

Kyoko laughed nervously. "A scary ride?"

"I want to do something that's just for us," he whispered. "No cameras."

She smiled. "...Okay."

They got into one of the two passenger cars and were sent down into a dark tunnel. The creepy music didn't affect Kyoko very much. As they rode past the creepy, haunted carnival-themed animatronics, She raised an eyebrow. "This is supposed to be scary?" A clown jumped off the track out of the dark right beside her and screamed at her. Kyoko yelled and clung to Ren. She felt his chest heaving with laughter beneath her. She hid her face in the front of his shirt. "It's not funny!"

He patted her back. "I'm sorry, Mogami-san. You're just so cute."

She covered her face. "Why do you have to say things like that?"

He shrugged. "Maybe it's because you're even cuter when you're shy." He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her in closer. "I'm just glad there are no cameras to see your cute, shy face right now. It's just for me."

"Playboy."

He laughed again. "Maybe a little."

She sat up and poked him in the chest. "So you admit it!"

He cupped her cheek with his hand and looked deep into her eyes. "Only when it comes to you."

Kyoko forgot to breathe as they drew closer to each other.

Then another clown popped up in front of the car and Kyoko jumped and clung to him. "Ah! Stupid clown!"

Ren had never wanted to fight an animatronic clown before, but there was a first time for everything. They came to the end of the ride and he helped Kyoko out of the car. The camera crew were waiting for them, so no matter how badly Ren still wanted to kiss her, he didn't. They rode a rollercoaster together, and then the carousel. Ren chose to ride on a giant chicken, and Kyoko giggled at him from the back of her horse. They were in line for the ferris wheel when Kyoko's stomach interrupted their plans with a particularly loud grumble.

Ren smirked down at her. "Maybe we skip the ferris wheel and go to the castle instead?"

She chuckled, embarrassed. "Yeah, maybe."

They walked hand-in-hand to the castle. Inside, there was a large restaurant. They were shown to their table. Kyoko looked over the menu and winced. Everything was very expensive.

"Mogami-san."

She peeked over the menu at him. "...Yes?"

He laughed into his hand at the look on her face and she disappeared behind her menu again. "Stop laughing at me!"

He reached across the table and tilted the top of her menu down so he could look at her face. "I'll stop if you promise to order something that you will enjoy, and not just the cheapest thing on the menu."

She frowned. "But Tsuruga-san, you've already spent so much money!"

He nodded. "It's the best money I've ever spent. I've gotten to spend the last couple of hours having the most fun I've ever had with the most beautiful girl I've ever been on a date with. If this continues, I'm happy to go broke."

Kyoko's eyebrows knitted together with worry. "Tsuruga-san, you really need to learn how to manage your money better." She was terrified that his penchant for overspending would put him in a cardboard box.

He gave her a radiant smile. "Maybe you can teach me how?"

She shook her head in disbelief. "Okay. Lesson number one: don't order the most expensive thing on the menu!"

Then he unleashed his watery puppy dog eyes on her. "But Mogami-san–"

"...Could you please not do that?"

He blinked. "What?"

She hid behind her menu again. "Pouting at me. I don't want the cameras to catch it."

He tilted his head. Why doesn't she want the cameras to see? Then he froze.

"Are you jealous that other people might see me like that?"

The tips of her ears and the top of her forehead that were visible behind the menu became beet red.

"You only ever pout at me." And I like being the only one who can see that, she added in her head, not willing to admit that part out loud.

Her voice was so quiet that he almost didn't hear her. She thought the admission might kill her. All of a sudden, he felt very warm. He grinned. "You know, I won't have to pout if you'll simply let me spoil you."

She took a breath and folded her menu. "Fine. I'll have the Kobe beef burger."

He gasped and gave her a mock-offended look. "But, Mogami-san, that is so expensive!"

She whapped him with the menu and he laughed.

They spent the rest of dinner discussing the day's events and after-dinner plans. When they finished, the sun was beginning to set. The film crew led them to a balcony of the castle to watch the fireworks show and light parade. Kyoko looked on in amazement at the laser lights and the bursts of color in the sky. Ren saw them reflected in her eyes.

Kyoko caught him staring and gave him a shy smile. "You're missing the show."

He got closer to her and tilted her chin up with his fingertips. "I didn't notice."

Then their lips met, just for the briefest moment. Kyoko pulled away, blushing. "T-Tsuruga-san! The cameras–!"

He captured her lips again and she melted against him, all thoughts of protest gone. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he pulled her off of her feet. When he set her back down, he rested his forehead against hers. "Sorry. I couldn't wait anymore."

Kyoko giggled nervously. "What do we tell the crew?"

He draped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her in close to his side to watch the rest of the show. "We'll worry about it tomorrow."