About a month before Kuu and Kuon met, on the set of "Wisteria House" everyone was in a dither. People kept walking hurriedly here and there, talking on their phones or headsets. Vague snatches of conversations could be heard - "Kyoko-san", "I'm heading there now", "Let me look." and others in a similar vein. Kyoko was missing and no one had a clue where she had gone. The last scene had been Kimiko finding out her part in the tragedy. And since that scene ended she had disappeared.
Finally, Hidehito Kijima appeared, and finding the AD in charge tapped her on the shoulder. She whirled around and when she realized it was Kijima, looked disappointed.
"I found her," he said. And the AD looked around him and even behind him but not seeing anyone looked questioningly at him.
"But it is going to take me a while to bring her back. Do me a favor. Call off the search and when I bring her back don't mention anything about her being missing."
The AD nodded dumbly, as relief overwhelmed her. She started to walk away, speaking into her headset.
Kijima meanwhile was outside near the swimming pool and garden part of the location. He carefully scanned every tree and bush and finally catching sight of a head walked over. Without saying a word, he sat on the bench that Kyoko was sitting on. For a couple of minutes, there was no sound between them, just the birds singing nearby and Kyoko silently sobbing.
"Not a good thing for an actress to keep the filming crew waiting," Kijima said non-committally. Kyoko looked up in surprise and saw him for the first time.
Hastily wiping her tears she asked, "Kijima-san what are you doing here?"
"I came to find you. It is a good thing Kotonami-san picked up the phone when I called and told me to look for you in a place with nature. I was half-afraid she wouldn't pick up as most women have by now probably blocked my number."
"Why were you looking for me?" Kyoko asked.
"You have no idea? Do you know it has been half an hour since the last scene and we are getting ready to shoot the scenes with Akio-kun?"
Kyoko looked completely stricken.
"I didn't. I don't- " she stammered and hastily got up. When Kijima didn't get and lazily relaxed on the bench, she stopped and looked puzzled.
"It's ok," he said. "I asked for some time. You can't do our happy scenes with Akio while looking like that and in that mood, anyway."
"Hai," Kyoko said weekly and sat back down.
Once again silence descended upon them.
"I was the one you know?" Kijima broke the silence. "Who recommended you to the movie."
"Why?" Kyoko was surprised.
Kijima looked a long time at her and then spoke, "That day when Ren rushed you into the hospital, I was there. I had come to see an acquaintance in the hospital and was just walking out when I saw him. I don't think Ren saw me even when I saw him and walked back to sit in the waiting room."
Kyoko didn't say anything, partly in shock and partly not having much to say.
"I heard the doctor ask him if he was the husband and heard him reply "Yes". I was shocked. And the next question the doctor asked - threw me for a complete loop." He looked at Kyoko at this point but her face was a polite attentive mask - her 'innkeeper's face'.
"Come on," said Kijima, "I am not intending anything bad. I helped you get this role too. Give me a break,"
"I apologize for not having invited you to the wedding," Kyoko said.
Kijima smiled, 'She is telling me she did get married to Ren without exactly saying that she did. If this conversation were overheard, she can make up any number of explanations of how her words should be interpreted, none of them being that she was married to Ren.'
"No is overhearing this. I promise you. I came alone. And no one except the producer knows and that too a vague, "Kyoko had an experience where she lost a child" level."
Kyoko relaxed imperceptibly, "You were picked first?" she asked.
Kijima laughed, "Yeah. I am good with kids you know. But now I am regretting bringing you in. You have clearly made the whole movie yours. You are the star of the movie. I am just a supporting actor now."
Kyoko smiled. "Would you rather I didn't?" she asked.
"No. I am glad. I was expecting the Kyoko of the past few dramas - adequate but nothing to write home about. But this Kyoko is phenomenal. I am glad I got a chance to act beside her."
Kyoko blushed. Kijima went on, "You know, all my life I have been a playboy - having casual relationships with a lot of women. If it broke, I moved on. But after doing this movie, I am wondering if should hang up the gloves, settle down, and get married. Would be good to have a kid or two."
Kyoko laughed, "Of all things, after doing this movie you want to get married?"
Kijima looked cross and then said, "You were always this dense when it comes to matters of love."
When Kyoko looked confused he said, " It was a proposal. I mean we are not young anymore - things like dating and boyfriend-girlfriend seem too childish. And you won't have to worry about keeping your past from me or anything. I think-"
"He will surely come back." Kyoko cut him off. "I believe that. I have to believe that."
If Kijima was disappointed, he didn't show it. He was not an actor without skill of course. "Right then," he said and quickly go up. "Let's go play with our son, Kimiko."
He extended his hand to Kyoko and Kyoko took it.
"Hai Shino-san," she said and got up as well.
A few days later, all scenes were done and OK-ed. The actors were on standby if some last-minute changes were needed. Very unlikely given the level of professionalism of the director and producer. Kyoko was sitting at home, sipping some hot tea, and looking out the window. The snow was falling in flurries and it was most comfortable to sit in the warmth of the inside and watch it.
The bell rang and she frowned. She just didn't feel like getting up and breaking the magical feeling she was having. She had just been imagining little fairy-snowflakes dancing and twirling as they floated down to the ground. She sighed and went to open the door.
At first, she couldn't make out who it was as the person was wearing a hooded jacket. As she mentally ran through the list of people she knew who were that tall, her heart skipped a beat but then steadied. This person did not give off the aura of Ren. Plus the bio-data was all wrong. The person took off their hood and there stood Fuwa Sho.
"Are you going to invite me in or just stand there and gape?" he asked.
Kyoko's lips became a thin line. Still blocking the door she asked, "Why are you here?"
"I have something to ask you."
"Ask then."
"Come on! It is cold outside. I am not going to stand here and chatter my question to you."
Kyoko relented and let him in. He took off his jacket and gloves and looked around.
"Ask what you came to ask," Kyoko said impatiently
"Just making sure no one else is here."
"Why?" Kyoko asked apprehensively.
"NO. I didn't mean it like that. I just don't know who you have in your house these days. I heard that you are cavorting with a young man."
"None of your damn business."
"You're right. But I do not want our conversation overheard for your sake."
Kyoko was puzzled. It was not like Fuwa to respond to barbs sensibly. Something was up.
"No one is at home. Just ask what you want and go."
"I want to ask you if you need anything."
"What?"
"You know.. Need anything like - I don't know. Did you hear my latest CD?"
"Huh? What does that have to do with anything? But now that you bring it up. What was the big idea of making an album with those Beagles?"
"I have my reasons," Fuwa replied gruffly. "I just want to tell you that those songs were about...I mean I just want to ask if I can, you know, help you in some way."
"What in the world are you on about?" Kyoko asked losing patience.
"Look I know, OK?" Fuwa said and stopped.
Since there could be a lot of things Fuwa could "know", Kyoko didn't say anything. Her talking would just prolong this conversation which Kyoko did not want if she could help it.
"I know things happened to you and you have been dealing with stuff and I just want you to know that I am here if you need anything." Fuwa finished thinking he had made himself absolutely clear and it was now up to Kyoko to take him up on his offer or not.
Kyoko, on her part, was still clueless. "What happened to me?" she asked.
Fuwa stared. 'She can't have possibly forgotten.' He tried to speak a few times, wondering what to say.
"You know - the thing with the thing with that fellow."
Kyoko wondered, 'Is he still talking about Shin? Why would I want his help with that?'
"What thing with what fellow?"
"Your..." Fuwa could not bring himself to say 'husband'. "He left you."
Things suddenly clicked for Kyoko. 'He can't mean Ren. How would he know? Wait. Reino knew. And he did the album with them. Just like Reino to mess up life even more and tell this fellow of all people all about it. The number of people who know just keeps increasing. And Shotarou is completely the wrong person to- no no no wait again. He just offered to help me. Help me do what?'
"And what do you want to help with?" she asked. She was looking very seriously at him.
'Alright, thought Fuwa. 'No more mincing words. Now is the time.'
"Help you get over him."
Kyoko lost it. "Why the heck does everyone think I want to get over him? I love him. I have always loved him and I will continue to love him till the day I die. Get that into your head you stupid moron."
Fuwa was taken aback, "After all the torture he has put you through? He blamed you, made you feel guilty, and hate yourself. If I were in your place, I would-"
"What?" asked Kyoko, "Use him when it is convenient and then dump him when done? Move on to the next relationship? And the next and the next till relationships stop having meaning?"
That shut him up but it just made Kyoko feel terrible. 'He has come to help. I should not be mean to him.'
Her tone softened and she said, "Look. I am ok. I wasn't before. But I am ok now. Thanks for the offer. Go home. Go back to your life."
Sho didn't say a long time, just looked at Kyoko, considering.
"Are you going after him?" he asked finally.
"You know me better than anyone, Shotaro. What do you think?" Kyoko had a resolute and confident smile on her face as she said that.
Fuwa responded as she thought he would. Smiling back.
"Of course you are. There is nothing that isn't within your reach if you put your mind to it."
Kyoko's smile widened.
"Except be a bigger star than me," Fuwa added and grinned.
"You just wait for my upcoming movie," Kyoko said. "It is enough to blow ten thousand Fuwa Shos out of the water."
As much as Fuwa wanted to stay and continue this familiar, nostalgic banter with her, as much as his heart was gladdened by her smile and spirit, he knew she was right. She was much too brilliant and blinding. 'I would love to see that fellow try to handle her.' he thought. 'She is far beyond my reach anyway.'
"I look forward to it," he said and left.