Thank you everyone that has taken the time to read, favorite, follow, and review Laser-Tag Love. I am very grateful and glad that you are enjoying it. I love you all.

I welcome all constructive criticism.

Here is chapter twenty. I'm sorry that it is being posted so late in the day. I hope that you all like it. Chapter twenty-one will be posted in two weeks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of the characters from it. Skip Beat is the property of Yoshiki Nakamura.

Takarada's Fun

Maria ran up to Sebastian and grabbed his hand. He looked down at her and saw that her eyes were shining the way they had before she saw Ren and Kyoko kiss. 'That should make Lory happy.'

Ren and Kyoko shared a look as Maria ran up to Sebastian. 'That was unexpected.' Thought Ren as Kyoko went to stand beside him. He took her hand and all four of them left the building, saying thanks to the workers as they left.

The ride to the restaurant was quiet. Kyoko was resting with her head on Ren's shoulder and Maria had fallen asleep in the front seat.

Sebastian drove to the restaurant where Takarada was. He let Ren and Kyoko out of the car and then left to take Maria home.

Ren and Kyoko walked into the restaurant and instantly smell salt water. They looked at each other and Kyoko asked, "is this restaurant supposed to smell like the ocean?"

Ren shook his head just as a waiter walked up to them. The waiter bowed to them and said, "Welcome Tsuruga-sama Kyoko-sama. Takarada-sama is in the main dining area, if you would please follow me." She turned and lead them into the main dining hall.

Takarada was sitting at a table in the center of the main dining room in the restaurant. He was playing with his small companion who sat on his lap. Suddenly his companion jumped up from his lap to his shoulder and from there to a palm tree that was next to them.

Just then the owner of the restaurant walked up to their table. "Huángchū is quite energetic today, isn't he?" He asked.

"Yes he is. It's been quite a while since he has been out of the house. I should should bring him with me more often."

The restaurant owner laughed. "It doesn't help that you have gone to town with your decorations. My restaurant is hardly recognizable."

Takarada laughed as well. "This is one of the places where I can truly let my creative spirit fly free. Besides Masaru you yourself said that having the restaurant completely decorated like this is good for business."

"Only occasionally, my friend, only occasionally. We have to remove a descent amount of tables to allow your creative spirit to 'fly free' as you say. I still don't understand how you were able to get all of this in here." Masaru said as he used his hand to indicate the room.

Takarada gave him a mysterious grin. "That is one of my most guarded secrets. It shall never be revealed."

Masaru laughed as he shook his head. He looked to the entrance, "I see that Ren-san and Kyoko-san are here. I will leave you now to your business. I have paperwork waiting for me anyway."

Takarada nodded and waved his friend away.

Ren and Kyoko were almost blinded as they entered the main dining room. After they eyes adjusted to the bright light and they saw the room they froze.

'How does he do this?' They both thought as they took in the room.

The room was as bright as noonday in the Caribbean and just as hot. There were palm trees all around the room, in the far corner there was a huge tank of water with a few sharks in it, the sound of waves and seagulls was playing over the speaker system, and there were some people dress as pirates.

Eventually they were able to bring there attention to their boss. They were completely shocked at his costume even though they knew they shouldn't have been.

'His costume is completely overboard!' Thought Kyoko.

'He always is like this. Will he ever do anything normally?' Ren thought.

Takarada was wearing the flashiest pirate costume known to man. He had on a huge hat with a large ostrich feather stuck in the brim and sparkly gold trim around the edge. His coat was a bright red velvet with the same gold trim as the hat and big lapels. The shirt that he was wearing was the purest white with lots of frills and lace. The breeches were solid black as were the sea boots. There were also a lot of gemstones around the edges of the coat and sea boots that made it even more flashy.

It took Ren and Kyoko a few minutes to recover enough to make their way over to Takarada

'How can he be wearing all of that when it has to be at least ninety degrees in here?' Kyoko thought as she and Ren drew level with the table Takarada was sitting at.

Ren pulled out a chair for Kyoko and sat down after she was situated. "Hello, Boss. That is quite a... bright outfit."

"It's one of my favorites. I really should wear it more often."

'No you shouldn't. Once every six or more months is just fine.' Thought Ren to himself. Out loud he said, "Whatever you say."

"How did you two enjoy playing paintball this morning?"

"It was enjoyable. We had to be on our toes the whole time. Sebastian and Maria make quite a fearsome team."

"I had a feeling that they would work well together." Takarada responded before turning to Kyoko. "How was your experience playing paintball, Mogami-kun?"

Kyoko didn't answer. She was gazing very intently at the corner opposite of the shark tank. There were sparkles all around her and stars in her eyes. Ren turned to see what she was looking at. Takarada just smiled knowing what it was.

In that corner were three beautiful mermaids. The one on the right had long wavy brown hair with blue and purple ribbons in it. Her corset was purple to match the ribbons in her hair and her talk was a bright jade green. The mermaid in the middle had short red hair with a water lily in it. Her tail was sea foam green as was her corset. The last mermaid had her long black done in a braid with a stand of coral beads wrapped around it. Her corset was the color of coral and her tail was blue-green. They were sitting on a sand bar the ends of their tails were in another tank of water. There were clam shells all around them, some of which were open showing exquisite pearls. The mermaids smiled brightly and waved to Kyoko.

Kyoko looked as though she was going to faint from happiness. The stars in her eyes changed to starfish. Her mouth was curved into one of the biggest smiles she had ever shown.

Ren looked at her and smiled his heavenly smile. 'I love seeing her like this. She is so bright and gorgeous. How can she not see how lovely see is?'

Just then Kyoko grabbed his arm. "Ren LOOK! The are MERMAIDS here! I've always wanted to see a mermaid and now I am seeing three!" She was practically bouncing up and down with excitement.

With her exclamation to Ren she went directly to La La Land. She could see fairies floating a round the room and hear their fun playful music.

Takarada and Ren looked at Kyoko and then at each other.

"You know she is going to be in her own little world unless you do something." Takarada said to Ren.

"I know but I'll let her stay there for a while. I enjoy seeing her this happy."

Takarada grinned and looked over at the mermaids. One of whom winked at him.

Jelly played with her brown wig as she watched Ren and Takarada talk with Kyoko off in La La Land. When Takarada turned to her she winked at him and made sure the her camera was one and pointing to them.

'I wonder why Darling wants me to video-tape this. Well he does have some news for Kyoko. I guess he just wants to preserve her reaction. They are always priceless.'

Jelly leaned back getting comfortable to watch the scene that was about to unfold.

Ren put his hand over the one Kyoko had on his arm and squeezed it gently. She didn't respond so he leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear. "Babe, are you with us?"

Kyoko jumped and turned bright red. "Yes, sorry."

Ren smiled, "there's no reason for you to be sorry. But I have feeling you're hungry. So we should look at the menu and order. Don't you think?"

Kyoko stared at him with wide eyes and put her hand on his forehead. "Are you feeling alright, Ren?"

Ren gave her a confused look, "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Because you never want to eat. You always have to be forced."

Ren looked disgruntled while Takarada laughed.

'Her statement is very true.' Takarada thought and Ren replied.

"Believe it or not I am actually feeling hungry. Paintball took a lot of energy."

Kyoko gave him an astonished look and then quickly opened a menu and held it out to him. "Choose something to eat before you change your mind." She ordered him.

Takarada smirked as Ren dutifully examined the menu. Takarada and Kyoko also looked at their menus.

Kyoko saw the prices and immediately went into panic mode. She tried to hide it but Ren could sense it. He took her hand and said, "Kyoko don't worry about the prices. I'm going to pay for this."

"But-"

He silenced her with a look. "No arguing."

She huffed but stayed silent and looked back at her menu.

A few minutes later a waiter came by and took their orders. When the waiter left Takarada's companion climb down from the palm tree and back into his lap.

"Got tired of being by yourself, Huángchū?" Takarada asked as he began playing with his little friend again. He looked up and saw Ren and Kyoko looking at him curiously. He grinned and lifted his friend into his arms. "This is Huángchū, he's a year and a half old."

Kyoko cooed. "What a cute little monkey. Isn't he too hot wearing that costume with his fur?"

Huángchū was wearing a miniature version of Takarada's shirt and coat minus the gemstones.

"No. It is a lot warmer in his native land. So he is perfectly fine."

"Oh. May I hold him?" Kyoko asked in a small shy voice.

Takarada nodded and handed Huángchū to Kyoko. She held him gently and laughed as he started playing with her hair.

"Why did you name him after an emperor of China?" Ren asked as he began to pet Huángchū's head.

"He chose the name. I was going through a list of names out loud and when I said that one he went wild. So it became his name.

"He and Natsuko are very good friends. They are constantly working together to get treats when no one is watching." Takarada looked around and saw their waiter returning. "Okay Huángchū time to go back to your tree."

Huángchū jumped down from Kyoko's lap and climbed back up to the top of his palm tree. He sat down and began eating a banana watching his master.

After they had got their food and the waiter left Ren turned to Takarada. "Why did you want us to join you for lunch? You didn't give a reason when we were talking on the phone this morning."

Takarada looked at Ren and then focused his attention on Kyoko. "There is something that I need to discuss with you, Mogami-kun."

Kyoko became nervous from Takarada's intense look. "Yes, Sir?"

"There is no need to be so nervous Mogami-kun. I just need to discuss your graduation from the Love Me section."

Kyoko froze. 'GRADUATION!? Did I hear him right? I can finally be free from the pink curse!? YES! No more blindingly pink clothes or dangerous Love Me. This is-

'WAIT I can't graduate yet! I can't leave Moko-san! She would HATE me forever if I left without her. NOOOO! I don't want her to hate me!'

Takarada and Ren watched as a dark cloud began to form over Kyoko.

'Uh-oh.' Thought Ren. He grabbed her shoulder and shook her a little bit. "Kyoko, are you okay?"

The dark cloud vanished. Kyoko looked at him and then at Takarada. "Sir, I can't graduate from Love Me. I can't leave Moko-san."

Takarada looked at her sympathetically. "Mogami-kun it's time for you to leave the Love Me section. Kotonami-kun will understand. She knows that you have regained the emotion of love and that you are dating Re-"

"AAAAAAH!" Kyoko yelled cutting Takarada off. The dark cloud that had disappeared from over her head returned in full force.

"Kyoko! What's wrong!?" Ren asked in a very worried voice.

"I haven't told Moko-san that we're dating! What am I going to do!?" Big tears had formed in her eyes. "She's going to hate me for not telling her!" The tears were now quickly falling down her face.

Ren moved to kneel next to her and hugged her. He didn't care that people would see this. He just wanted to make Kyoko happy again. "Kyoko," he whispered in her ear. "Kotonami-san won't hate you. She might be a little sad at first because you didn't tell her but she won't hate you."

"Yes she will!" Kyoko wailed. "She won't want to be my best friend any more!"

"Kyoko, I promise she won't hate you. Don't you trust me?" His voice sounded a little hurt.

Kyoko's tears stopped suddenly when she heard the hurt in his voice. "Of course I trust you." Her voice was small and a little scratchy from her crying.

"Then trust me when I say that Kotonami-san won't hate you. I'll take you to go tell her this evening. I'll be with you the whole time, okay?"

Kyoko thought about it for a minute and nodded. "But you don't have to be with me when I talk to her. I think that I should do it by myself."

"Alright. I'll wait for you in the cafeteria while you talk to her."

"Okay."

Ren gave her a quick squeeze before letting her go to return to his seat. He looked at Takarada as he sat back down and wanted to groan.

Takarada had a hug grin on his face. It looked slightly evil. He didn't make any comments and just started eating his meal. 'I'm am vary glad that I'm having Ten record this. I am definitely going to play that video at the party for them getting together and her graduation. It is just too perfect. I'm going to have to call Kuu and Julie and tell them about what happened just now. They will definitely want to know.'

Kyoko had calmed down a lot thanks to Ren. She took a deep breath and began eating like the two men. After a couple bites she looked up to apologize to Takarada for her outburst when she saw two people walk into the dining. She dropped her fork and reached over to grab Ren's arm.

Ren looked at Kyoko when he felt his hand on his arm. However she wasn't looking at him. He followed her gaze and felt his blood boil.

Being lead to another table not far from theirs was Fuwa Sho and his manager Shoko.