A/N: Okay. I wrestled a lot with this chapter. I had loaded it on the site two weeks ago but somehow couldn't bring myself to post it. With it I would be committing myself to this plot and I am not sure I can keep it interesting enough. But I don't have any better ideas. So here goes nothing.

Kyoko hangs up the phone with, "Thank you, Shin. Take care of yourself."

Yashiro standing next to her asks, "Are you getting a copy too?"

"No.," Kyoko replies. "The script will most likely go through a few more iterations before it is finalized. I want to look at it only after finalization. But," she smiles."From his tone, it sounds like it is coming together rather well."

"Good, so I will go ahead and set up a meeting with the Director?"

"Please."

Right then her phone buzzes with a message as Yashiro starts to walk away. She takes a look at it and then calls after Yashiro.

"What is it?" Yashiro asks.

"Could you do me one big favor?"

"This? Seriously?" asks Ren flipping through a bunch of photos that Lory has handed to him.

"Yes," says Lory."These are computer-generated mock-ups but you get the idea."

"Er... Seriously?" Ren asks again.

"Why? Don't tell me you want to back out now after making that big speech about doing whatever it takes," replies Lory.

"I know what I said and I do want to do whatever it takes. But wouldn't you say this is a bit in the opposite direction?"

Lory stares at Ren for a beat before replying, "You have acted in English movies before now correct?"

"Yes. What does that have-" begins Ren.

"And you have met other Hollywood actors and actresses?"

"Yes. I don't see how this relates-"

"Something like this, those actors and actresses do at the drop of a hat. You say you want to be the top actor, What I want to see from you is not 'I can't do this.' or 'I can't do that.' As far as I am concerned you are starting from scratch. You should be happy to get any role at all, let alone be picky choosy. Besides, I think it is a good look for you. As an actor, you should already be thinking of how to make it work."

Ren makes a bemused face and then sighs, "First the pink jumpsuit, now this. You are really making me jump through hoops aren't you?"

Lory glares back at Ren, "Do not for a moment think that I am doing anything just to make things difficult for you. It is only a matter of time but when it comes out that you are the famous Tsuruga Ren/Hizuri Kuon and are married to the even more famous Mogami Kyoko, I don't want there to be any question of favoritism leveled at this company. My duty is and has always been towards LME. And I plan to do everything in my power to protect it and every single person that works here. As much as I am invested in your love story and its success, I cannot let that jeopardize the company. Do you understand?"

"Yes. It is crystal clear." replies the clearly chastised Ren. "I apologize for the unintended offense I have given."

"Then, do you agree?"

"I do. I will make it work."

"Now to the other matter. I have a Love Me mission for you as well."

Half an hour after receiving the message, Kyoko is sitting in front of her mother at a cafe.

"I am surprised you picked this place. Isn't it rather public? Don't you think you might be recognized?" Her mother subjects her to a barrage of questions.

Kyoko sighs, "Do you see anyone close to even glancing our way?" she asks, She has, of course, long ago gotten used to being ignored by the public. Some of her unassuming, unremarkable aura is actually intentional.

Mogami Saena glances around and shakes her head.

"So you wanted to meet? What's up?" asks Kyoko.

"Well, I understand that I haven't really acted as your mother in a while- maybe ever. But I really wish you would at least keep me informed of your whereabouts. The other day I called to see if I could talk to you and couldn't reach you. I finally talked to that manager of yours and found that you have once again run off to the other side of the world in pursuit of a man."

Kyoko bites back her reply, "That 'man' is my husband." she speaks in a clenched whisper.

Saena, seeing the anger on Kyoko's face, holds up her hand.

"I'm sorry. Old habits." She smiles and Kyoko cools down a bit.

Saena continues, "At the time, I just wanted someone to talk to. And I felt disappointed when I couldn't reach you. I really have no right to ask that of you, when I am the one who-" she pauses.

"What?" asks Kyoko.

Ren walks out from the President's office to find Kyoko gone and Yashiro standing there. Yashiro makes no move to come forward or walk away. Although he does raise his eyebrows upon taking in the pink-clad Ren. Ren starts purposefully walking towards him. Yashiro's face changes - he is clearly confused, maybe a little afraid of the intense look Ren has.

Ren reaches Yashiro and then makes a deep bow, as deep as they come.

"Please forgive me.," he says.

Taken aback, Yashiro replies, "What? I mean, I am the one who is sorry."

"No," says Ren straightening. "By leaving I hurt a great many people. After Kyoko, I believe you are the second highest on that list. You have stuck with me for a long time as my manager and my friend. And I treated you rather poorly."

"Even though you say that, Ren. I was partly responsible for the tragedy that happened to the two of you. When you got married I promised myself I will protect you both to the best of my ability. And I failed in that. You had every right to blame me."

"It was a random act of terrible tragedy. In those situations, one tries to find anyone and anything to blame. That is what I did. It was a dark time for me and now looking back I realize that for those months after the incident, while I worked myself to death, you were there standing by me. I unintentionally subjected you to the same gruelling schedule and yet you unquestioningly stayed with me. You kept me from going crazy Yashiro-san and I repaid that kindness in the worst possible way. For that I truly apologize."

Yashiro is struck by the maturity in Ren's tone and words. 'I guess he has changed.,' he thinks.

"You don't have to say all that.," he replies to Ren. "Let us both put the past behind us. Anyway, what did the president say? Are you back in?"

"About that. I am actually a Love Me member now."

"I was wondering about the jumpsuit. So you have to work your way up much as Mogami-san once did."

"Yes." replies Ren sheepishly. "I have been given one Love Me mission and one other prep task for a role. I kind of need your help with both."

"Sure. Anything. Just ask. I am still your manager, aren't I?"

Ren smiles. Yashiro bites his lip wondering if maybe he agreed to it too soon.

"You what?" asks Kyoko loudly to her Mom.

"Shhhh. Don't make a scene. Do you want to be noticed?"

"But. You what?" asks Kyoko in a quieter voice.

"It's not definite yet. I mean. I am just dating him. I just." Saena is blushing furiously fumbling for words.

Seeing her state, Kyoko feels half-amused, half-sorry. "But that is great news!" she exclaims.

Saena turns a troubled look at Kyoko, "You think so?" she asks,

"Of course," replies Kyoko.

"I just thought, you know. I see you running after your husband. You have such a strong bond with him. I just thought I might like something like that for myself too. I mean not your husband but a bond with someone. Look at me, at this age thinking of things like romance. You must think me crazy or senile."

"Mom. Come on. That is ridiculous. I don't think you are crazy. You are allowed to explore romance to see if that is something that makes you happy. And if it doesn't and you realize it is not for you, that's ok too. I want you to be happy."

"Well. I only had the one relationship and you know how that ended. But, I saw you pick yourself up after your betrayal and go right back to searching for love again. You found it too. Because you were brave. I just thought. perhaps I could be too."

"You really don't have to explain any of that to me," says Kyoko.

"I do. We have both moved past our earlier strained relationship and become somewhat close to being mother and daughter again. I don't want any of my potential relationships to cause us to slide back to that state again. I won't go ahead unless you are ok with it."

Kyoko carefully considers her next words. 'It is strange to be in a position of relative expert on matters of love to one's own mother.' she thinks. 'But I don't want her to get hurt. I care about her too much to let that happen.'

"Like I said, I want you to be happy. And ahem- speaking from experience, the first guy you date or even your first boyfriend may not be the right one. If and when heartbreak happens, I want you to know you can always come to me. I will always support you no matter what."

"Oh pish posh. Look at you acting all mature. I am your mother. Give me some credit."

Kyoko deflates a bit on hearing that. Saena furrows her eyebrows and says, "But, if the time comes, I will take you up on that offer."