A/N: Sorry for the wait! But finally I found inspiration and was able to write chapter 9. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 9: The Avoidance Act

After Ren and Yashiro parked at TBM, they exited the car and headed inside. As they got closer to the studio, Ren's face became more serious as he grew more nervous. He wanted to see Kyoko, to comfort her and tell her he was sorry for hurting her like this. But he wasn't sure if he could handle being rejected.

Or worse, what I'd she's completely unaffected by our break up? What if it's only me who's so heartbroken? He mentally scolded himself for his thoughts. How could he be hoping for her unhappiness? He should be hoping she'd be fine. She didn't deserve any more heartbreak.

When they stepped into the studio they approached the director.

"Good afternoon, Director." Yashiro and Ren each greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san. It's good to see you both again!" the Director replied excitedly.

Ren's eyes combed the people present around him. He didn't see her, but he did spot Yukia. Maybe he knows where she is.

"Excuse me, Director. I think I should go greet the other actors." He said, giving a slight bow before moving away. He quickly crossed the set to stand beside Yukia, greeting the other cast and crew members as he went.

"Good afternoon, Yukia-kun," Ren greeted his fellow actor.

Yukia looked uncomfortable with talking to Ren, but gave him a kind smile. "Hello, Tsuruga-san, it's good to see you."

Ren stared down at his shoes, uncertain of how to broach the subject of Kyoko. Surely, if she had told anyone about this it would be Yukia. He was saved the discomfort of standing in silence when Yukia decided to speak.

"I know you're probably worried about Kyoko-chan." He said quietly.

Ren looked at him surprised.

"She's fine. Well, not fine, but," he searched for what to tell Ren; what words would comfort him at the moment, "She's staying with me and James."

Ren felt relieved. He had been worried that she was bouncing around from place to place trying to find somewhere to stay, or worse spending all her money to stay in a hotel. "Thank you for looking after her." He said, giving a bow to the younger man.

Yukia smiled at him again, more warmly than the first time. "We are glad to help."

"Do you think I'd be able to talk to her?" Ren asked. "I wasn't sure where she was."

Yukia shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it's certainly worth a shot. I believe she's getting her make up done for filming right now."

Just then, the actors were approached by their managers who appeared to be chatting with each other.

Yashiro turned to Ren as he reached him. "Ren, the director asked for you to get into make up."

Ren nodded then turned to Yukia again. "Once again, thank you for all your help." He glanced towards James. "Both of you." With those words he turned and walked away with a very confused Yashiro trailing behind him.

"What was that about?" James asked his boyfriend.

Yukia gave him a smile. "He's just grateful that Kyoko-chan is safe. If the dark circles under his eyes are any indication, I'd say he's been very worried about her."

James nodded. "Well, that's good. I'm glad to see that they both care for each other even when they are fighting."

Just as Ren had disappeared into a dressing room, Kyoko emerged from her own. She smiled at her friends and approached them.

"I'm all set, Leo-kun," she said cheerfully.

So she's already in character. Is that her way of avoiding Tsuruga-san? Yukia wondered. He smiled back at Kyoko. "Great, Kimi-chan. I think we are almost ready to begin filming." He glanced at James. "Can you check how much longer we have before filming?"

James nodded, "Of course." He stepped away towards where the director was chatting with his assistant.

Yukia turned to Kyoko who had now grabbed ahold of his hand, threading their fingers together.

"He's here already, Kyoko-chan." He told her softly.

She looked at him innocently. "Who's here, Leo-kun?"

Despite the smile on her face he could see something else in her eyes hidden behind her acting façade. He shook his head, it was no use trying to talk to her about Tsuruga-san if she was in character. "Never mind."

James returned to their side a moment later. "The director said we can begin with one of your scenes while we are waiting for Tsuruga-san."

There was a flicker of emotion across Kyoko's face at the mention of Ren but her mask returned quickly.

"Okay, James. Thank you." Yukia said before he began to lead Kyoko to the set.

The director briefed them about their scene before getting the cameras set in place. They were going to shoot a scene at Kimi and Leo's school before Satoshi arrived. The two of them were seated in a classroom talking happily with a few of their friends.

"Kimi-chan, I heard that you got to meet a hot guy while on your vacation." One of her girl friends teased.

Kimi rolled her eyes. "The only thing I noticed was his ego. He was so full of himself and assumed I'd want to date him just because he has money."

Leo forced a smile as he listened to Kimi talk with her friends. He had only met the man she was talking about once when he had arrived to pick up Kimi for the train ride home, but he hadn't liked him.

Just then their homeroom teacher entered the room.

"Quiet down class. We are going to go over some review since you just came back from vacation." He told them.

The second the teacher had turned to write on the board Kimi reached forward to the desk in front of her to poke Leo's shoulder.

He glanced back. "What is it?" he asked.

"You don't have to worry about that rich guy. You're the only one I want to date." She whispered to him.

He returned his attention to the teacher at the front of the classroom, but a smile stayed on his face as he thought about the words she had said.

"Cut! Great job everybody!" the director called. "I think we can go ahead and use that. Let's move on to the scene of Satoshi's arrival at lunch time."

Kyoko rose from her desk, following behind Yukia as they moved sets. She had yet to see Ren but she hoped her acting would hold up as a wall between them for now.

Ren felt his heart stop when he first saw Kyoko. How many days had it been since he'd seen her? It felt like years. She looks more beautiful after just a few days. He had to force himself not to run to her.

"Tsuruga-san, we need you on set." An assistant told him before walking away.

He followed Yashiro over to the outdoor set where Leo and Kimi were going to be having lunch. Kyoko had yet to acknowledge him with even her gaze. He doubted that she could've gone this long without seeing him and could only assume she was purposely ignoring him.

While the crew set up the cameras and lighting, Ren moved over near Yukia and Kyoko. He watched as Kyoko talked with Yukia. She had a bright smile on her face and the tone of her voice was almost flirty? She flipped her hair with one hand.

Yukia felt uncomfortable, he could feel Ren's eyes on him and Kyoko. Why can't she just be herself for right now?

He watched as Ren stepped up next to them. "Good afternoon, Mogami-san."

Kyoko didn't turn around. Yukia gestured behind her.

"Um, Kimi-chan."

She turned around and her eyes narrowed. "Ryuu-san," she said coolly.

So she's in character still… Ren thought. He felt frustrated. Even when she was right in front of him, she wasn't.

Kyoko turned back to Yukia. "I'm going to go get my make up touched up. I'll be right back." She gave his hand a squeeze before walking away.

Yukia looked at Ren with pity. "I'm sorry about that, Tsuruga-san. She's been in character the whole time. Even before she saw you."

Ren shook his head. "It's okay. It's not your fault."

Meanwhile in her dressing room, Kyoko sank into her chair. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. "This was supposed to have been a fun thing, getting to act with him. But now I'm in here barely holding myself together." She sighed. All she wanted to do was run away, but her pride as an actress wouldn't allow it.

No matter what, the show must go on. She took a deep breath. Outside of the dressing room she heard the director calling for them to get in place for the next scene.

"Time to be Kimi-chan again. Let's go."

Kimi and Leo sat together in the small courtyard of their high school. They were seated on a stone bench under the shade of some nearby trees.

"I missed you while I was at my grandmother's house." Kimi said softly as she stared down at her lunch.

Leo nodded, swallowing a bite of his own food. "I missed you too. Next time, maybe I can go with you."

Kimi laughed. "I wish you could, but my grandmother hates anybody who isn't rich. That's why she brought that other guy to meet me. Can you believe she wanted me to marry him?"

Leo stared at her seriously. "You really don't mind that I'm not rich?" he asked.

Kimi looked up at the sky. "If you had asked me that a few months ago, my answer would've been different. I wouldn't have even given you a second glance if you didn't have money." She brought her gaze to meet his own. "But you changed me, Leo-kun. Now I know that love is a million times more important than money or title or anything else."

Leo felt a smile appear on his lips. He was touched at what she had said. It was exactly what he had hoped she would say. "Well, I'm glad you were able to change for the better."

A moment later, Leo rose from his seat. "I'm going to go buy myself a drink. Did you want anything?" he offered.

Kimi nodded, "A soda please." She watched as he walked away.

Nearby she heard the sound of somebody slowly applauding her. She looked up and saw Satoshi Ryuu standing just a few feet away. "That was a very nice speech you gave. But don't you think you should've told him the truth?"

Kimi glared at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean the fact that money is important to you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have gone out with me while you were at your grandmother's house."

"I didn't do that because of money. I did that for my family." She spat the words at him. "And why are you even here?"

He shrugged, "Is there something wrong with me coming to see my future bride?"

Kimi gave a hollow laugh. "I would never marry you." She scoffed. She stood up, ready to be done with this conversation, but before she could take a step, Satoshi was in front of her. He grasped her chin in his hand.

"I'm not leaving here until you have agreed to marry me." He hissed.

She felt her blood run cold at his threat.

"Kimi-chan," Leo called to her as he rounded the corner. He ran to her side but by the time he reached her, Satoshi was gone.

He grasped her shoulders gently. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

She nodded, her eyes still blank. "I think so."

He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Still, she shivered at the thought that this would not be her last encounter with that man.

After filming had finished, Kyoko felt Kimi leave her. A different look came over her face and Yukia waved a hand in front of her eyes.

"You okay, Kyoko-chan?" he asked.

Kyoko blinked then looked at him as if she had only just realized he was there. "Oh, Yukia-kun!" she beamed. "Did we finish filming already?"

He nodded, "Yeah, you did really well."

She blushed, "I guess I was just really in tune with Kimi-chan today."

"Or maybe you were trying to avoid someone?" he suggested. Kyoko followed his eyes to where Ren stood nearby talking to Yashiro and the director.

Her eyes went wide, and then she turned and all but ran to her dressing room.

Ren looked up at the noise of Kyoko's escape just in time to see her disappear down the hall.

Yukia followed Kyoko to her dressing room, James close behind. Yashiro saw Ren's eyes follow them. He tapped Ren's shoulder.

"If you want to go too, I'll stay here to make sure you aren't disturbed."

Ren silently thanked his manager, before excusing himself to follow after the other two. Maybe this is my chance to talk to her. Maybe I can fix things. Just maybe.