Confession 3

I want to make sure everyone is on the same page. The last chapter was 2.5, a kind of interlude before this one. Now the story will push on with just the couple. Next chapter will bring in Ren's parents and the last chapter will be the wedding. I have been itching to do a wedding scene, so I'm eager to get there as well.

I want to thank everyone who alerted this story. It is over 30 people, far more than any of my other stories. Thanks for putting your faith in the story. Keep in mind I haven't read Skip Beat since I started writing this story. I don't want to be influenced by the real story.

I want to thank Beauty's Black 7 for giving me some ideas for their first date. I also want to thank Junjou Romantica for also giving me inspiration.

rkrkrkrk

After Kyoko had her confrontation with Shou, she was proud of herself. She really didn't care about him anymore. That night she went home and took down the giant poster of Shou and the smaller one of Ren. Her feelings had changed so much since falling in love with Ren (and admitting to it) that revenge feels so meaningless. Kyoko felt a little ashamed of herself. She now saw herself as Ren first saw her and now fully understood his anger. But she forgives her past self. Wisely she realized she had to go through these experiences to become the person she is right now. She felt more mature and Ren likes mature people.

"I feel closer to him now. More worthy of being his girlfriend. I feel at peace."

She contemplated giving the posters to a fan. She immediately rejected the idea because they were filled with hate, and might poison the new owner. Instead she took them to the incinerator behind the building. Kyoko had often helped her landlords by burning things. She opened the top and threw the posters in. They immediately turned to ashes and a gust of wind picked up the ashes and blew them away. Her hate and jealousy was carried away to the cosmos and out of her life forever. She slept soundly that night.

The next five days she played Setsuya to Ren's Cain and flirted shamelessly with Ren as herself. That Sunday she had her first date. She dressed in jeans and a cute top. She wore her sneakers as they will be walking and her spring jacket as it was a bit cool. She found Ren downstairs and said 'goodbye' to her landlords. Ren held the door for her and they were off. Their first stop was for breakfast at a restaurant near the station. Kyoko liked how her boyfriend dressed, he was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, gym shoes, and a light jacket. A cap and sunglasses was his disguise. He left his car behind to further hide the fact he was a rich and famous actor. The next two months was all about Ren and Kyoko behaving like the young people they are. Both of them spent their youth working. They desired to spend their free time together, just enjoying being together.

At the restaurant they settled down in a booth. Ren helped her with her coat and then took off his cap and sunglasses. That's when Kyoko saw it, Ren's green eyes.

"Mr. Tsuruga your eyes…"

Ren was ready with his confession.

"Ms. Mogami, I lied to you and to all of Japan, when you get right down to it. My natural eye color is green. I wear brown contacts."

Ren paused and continued.

"I did it to look more Japanese and to hide my true identity. You know Ren Tsuruga is a stage name."

Kyoko nodded.

"Well, the truth is…You already met my father."

"Who?"

The waitress interrupted them to take their order. Kyoko noticed the waitress and many of the female patrons staring at Ren. Nobody seemed to recognize him. They were just responding to Ren's gorgeousness. The contrast between the light eyes and darker hair was striking. Kyoko felt she didn't look like his girlfriend. It was shocking how plain she thought she was next to him. However, Ren thought she was beautiful and that was all that mattered. Ren resumed his explanation.

"My father is Kuu Hizuri."

Kyoko immediately thought of the guy with the enormous appetite, who had her act as his 'son'.

"No way, it can't be." Kyoko thought he was pulling her leg. Ren produced a picture from his wallet.

"That is my father, my beautiful mother, and that is me at about ten years old."

Kyoko had to admit there was a resemblance between the ten year old and the man sitting across from her. Kyoko imagined Ren with blond hair and it was a perfect match.

"I don't believe it. Your appetite is completely different from your father's."

"Many people have said so. Perhaps because of Father's gluttony I'm like this. Who knows?"

Kyoko smiled and passed the picture back as the waitress returned with their food. Kyoko asked question that has been plaguing her ever since the missus first brought it up.

"Mr. Tsuruga are you Japanese at all? Are you on any register? Are you even a Buddhist? I agreed to not ask about your past but…"

"No, you have a right to know or how else will you plan the wedding?" Teased Ren.

"If it's not asking too much?" Blushed Kyoko.

"Your questions are pretty basic, so I don't mind. Then we can have fun. I'm only a quarter Japanese, not half. I am on my paternal grandfather's register, and I was raised by my Christian mother. Not that we practice the religion much. If you don't mind, we can have a western wedding, not Christian as I doubt you would convert, but…"

"No, I understand. I once dreamed of a traditional wedding, with Shou and our families. But everything about Kyoto is dead to me now. I'm joining your family and it makes me happy to be a part of your culture. However, I won't convert, I must remain a Buddhist at heart. As it is a mixed marriage, a western wedding will be perfect. They are all the rage now."

"Ms. Mogami I was nervous about the wedding. I should have known you would prefer to be stylish. We can worry about the details later." They laughed and ate and after a while, Ren felt it was time to bring up the phone call he made to his parents as they lingered over coffee.

"I talked to my parents and told them all about you. I haven't spoken to my mother, directly for five years…"

Kyoko gasped at this information. Ren explained he wanted to separate from them partly because he needed to leave the country and partly because he wanted to prove he is his father's equal.

"I can't judge you for your actions for they are similar to my own. Leaving home behind and wanting to prove something." Said Kyoko.

"I can see that. I didn't leave because I hated them. I just needed to leave…They are impatient to meet the woman who pulled me out of the darkness. They are coming to Japan this summer and I want you to be by my side to great them together. Don't look like that. They already gave their consent."

Kyoko was beginning to worry about meeting her future in-laws when Ren said that.

"Consent?" She asked.

"They already agreed to the marriage."

Kyoko's eyes bugged out.

"Father adores you, just from the short time he spent with you. And Mother loves you because I finally agreed to see them after five long years."

Kyoko didn't believe half the things Ren said, on the other hand he had never lied to her. So, she would have wait and see if it is true or not. It seemed to be too good to be true, here was a ready-made family to take her in as a daughter, and Ren's mother hasn't even met her yet. Ren had yet to tell her the whole dark story but Kyoko wasn't worried. No matter what he had done, she will still love him.

For now they would have fun. They finished up their breakfast and walked to the station while holding hands. Ikebukuro was only two stops away and they were soon in the midst of the bustling streets. The place was full of teens enjoying their day off. Ren felt young again. They shopped, snacked on street food, and played at an arcade. Ren wanted to buy Kyoko a present and pulled her in a jewelry store. The store had some unusual items as well as precious stones. It was the store where he purchased Princess Rosa.

"No Mr. Tsuruga you paid for everything…"

"As I'm supposed to, I'm dating a traditional girl. I'll hold doors, pay for everything, slay dragons, and spoil you. I love you Kyoko, please let me spoil you."

"Ok, if it will make you happy." She had to giggle. For years she hoped for such attention from Shou. She thought she was the luckiest girl in the world and squeezed his hand. Kyoko realized she loved to be treated this way. They looked through the cases. Soon Ren found the perfect thing. On a chain hung a pearl pendant. Actually it was two pearls fused together, one on top of the other. Kyoko exclaimed:

"Oh, it is Siamese twin pearls!"

Ren was delighted with her description. It was so Kyoko, so was the necklace. He purchased it immediately and placed it around her neck. The pearl suited her perfectly, unusual yet beautiful in an understated way. Kyoko was thrilled. The shop owner thought they made a cute couple and bowed them out. Kyoko wanted to buy Ren something in return. Ren tried to protest but Kyoko wouldn't hear it. She pulled him into a store across the way and looked over the phone straps. Kyoko picked out one that looked like a disco ball and was about to reject it.

"No I'll take it."

"But it doesn't suit Mr. Tsuruga, you need something classier."

"Nope it, reminds me of you. I want it."

Kyoko giggled and purchased it. Ren immediately attached it his phone. After they left Kyoko suggested lunch, Ren wasn't hungry, but knew better than to argue. Under her supervision he was gaining weight and felt better. Just being with her made him feel good. They were walking toward the restaurant when three ganguro girls got in between Ren and Kyoko. Kyoko was knocked to the ground.

"Out of the way skank."

"Hey loser, stay down."

"We're better than her, come party with us handsome."

The girls tried to flirt with Ren and he was trying to get to Kyoko. He pushed the girls aside, not bothering to be a gentleman with them. He helped Kyoko to her feel and asked:

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Kyoko said in a shaky voice.

"No you're not ok. Come Sweetheart, come in here."

Ren put a protective arm around his girlfriend and led her into a coffee shop only two steps away. They ignored the shouted protests of the ganguro girls. Kyoko went into the restroom to wash up and Ren ordered a coffee. Kyoko took the offered coffee and they sat together on one of the couches. Ren kept an arm around her shoulders and Kyoko slumped into the partial embrace. The coffee warmed her body and soothed her mind.

"It can't work. Ever since we became a couple, I felt too inadequate to be your girlfriend."

Ren was about to protest when she held her hand up.

"I know what you are going to say. I'm not giving up on us. I just…"

Ren knew what she needed to hear.

"Darling, I think you're gorgeous. But if it would give you more confidence, dye your hair. The red hair suits your personality, but you would look prettier with black hair."

Ren spoke as if he only just thought of it. Which was true. His mind flashed back to when she was a child.

"Yes, I'm sure of it. Dye it back to black and grow it longer. Yes, you'll look like an adorable China doll."

Kyoko smiled, delighted with the idea.

"But won't I get into trouble if I changed my hair?"

"No, you work for the talent section. It won't matter as much there."

"Ok, lunch, the aquarium, then the nearest salon, dinner, Ferris wheel and home." Said Kyoko as she added the slight detour.

"Perfect. But just in case, I'll call the President."

Ren made the call, got the ok, refused making use of Jelly Woods, and hung up. Ren held Kyoko close as they walked to the restaurant. They ate lunch and took the train to the aquarium. It was designed by the brother of one of Ren's favorite writers. They were both impressed by the beauty of the place. The glass walls were impossibly high. Kyoko was excited to see the penguins and pulled Ren in the direction of the exhibit. They were both charmed by the adorable creatures. As it was Spring, there were some babies to gush over.

Ren found a nearby salon on his phone that also was highly rated. Dyeing her hair was no problem, the problem was her choppy hair didn't suit it. Ren was asked to wait longer as they were going to weave some false hair onto her head. This made her hair come to one length and it curled at the ends. Kyoko nervously showed herself to Ren. The new hairdo made her skin look creamy and her eyes lighter. Ren got a nosebleed. The hairdresser rushed to get a tissue. Ren got out his phone, he took out his phone and sent a message to Lory.

"I can't share a room with her and keep my promise to keep her pure."

Kyoko saw the message and blushed. Ren handed his phone to her and the disco ball sparkled in the light. On the phone Lory told her that Setsuya would be sleeping a separate bedroom from Cain.

"On different floors." Insisted Ren. Kyoko fell more in love. She felt more confident. The new hair made her beautiful even in her eyes.

It was dark by the time they reached the Ferris wheel. They ate hot dogs from a nearby stand and entered the ride. Kyoko was used to Ren's arm by now and snuggled into it. They stayed mostly silent as the ride progressed. Kyoko loved the view of Tokyo Tower. Ren was sorry the date was ending. By the time he will get Kyoko home it will be a full twelve hours since they started. He should be happy but parting was such sweet sorrow.

Ren saw her home but he wasn't done. Next to Kyoko's home was an alley and Ren pulled her into it.

"Please allow me one last liberty."

He kissed her lightly on the lips and they parted. He saw Kyoko safely through the doors and bowed out. Kyoko gushed about her adventures and the missus gushed about her new look. Kyoko spent some time studying before getting ready for bed. She placed her new necklace in its place and went to sleep dreaming of the future.

Ren was in a similar mood. He wanted to brag about his success and realized there was only person he could call at a time like this. Mr. Yashiro, the guy who was cheering them on from the moment they met. He called and talked over the events. After he hung up, he went over his accounts and went to bed. He dreamed and hugged his future wife's pillow.

rkrkrkrk

Btw I was given a pearl necklace that looks exactly like the one given to Kyoko by Ren. Its super cool, just like Kyoko.

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