CHAPTER 110

I do not own Skip Beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

~~Magical Summer trip ~~

~~ part 15~~

~~A Long-Awaited Reunion~~

~~2nd~~

They didn't notice her as she backed away and she wasn't far yet when she heard the hesitant 'hi' of Ren, followed by hurried steps, and her heart swelled with joy when her eyes landed on his parents running toward their son. And next instant, they were throwing their arms and all of themselves around his body.

All would be good.

She reached the gate and had the surprise to cross gaze with an impassive security guard-she guessed by his stand and attire – , she nodded at him as she passed back the portal. It closed behind her and she grimaced, now realizing she clearly would not be able to go back in, if she wanted or needed to, unless one of the people inside came for her. She was also thankful it was so quiet when it folded and locked, though. She had wanted to be discreet.

She sat on the car's hood, pondering and letting out all the air of her relief out as her anxiety for him dissipated slowly.

She hoped Ren wouldn't blame her for her retreat, she wasn't planning to leave. Not until he asked her to, at least. She half-expected him to tell her he didn't need her anymore, and that it was a family thing so she could leave. The other half knew he would never do that because he was far too concerned about her and too caring to ever think about this. But honestly, the main reason of her presence was already accomplished so she wouldn't have blamed him to feel awkward with her staying. Again, she was positive he would always be too kind and polite to tell her he wanted her to leave. Even if it had been the truth.

No matter what, she still thought it would have been better if it had been only the three of them.

But he had asked her to be there so she would be. As long as he needed her.

But it being such an important reunion for Ren and his parents, she couldn't help herself, she had still wanted to give them some air. Ren could just call her later. The only question was if she waited here or, if it was better to go for a little walk to grant them more time. She guessed she would decide that if she didn't have news from him after one hour.

She was happy Ren's worries had been for nothing concerning his parents. He deserved the best and she didn't think she would have been able to forgive his parents for rejecting him for taking some time to come back. So, she was truly happy he had been wrong about their potential reaction. She had only had a glimpse but they seemed to have been moved – … Beyond what any word could describe.

And as she had thought, his parents had never changed their opinion about their son. Good. They'd better.

She quickly fetched something in the car- just in case – and smiled, remembering the last time she had seen Kuu Hizuri

She had been in L.A. at the time.

She hadn't been going there a lot, since often, the movies she acted into, were shot in San Francisco studios or outside when they could. As she had the surprised to discover, shortly after officially going out of her first six months stage there, years ago, San Francisco cinema did bring some shadow and competition to L.A. huge showbusiness world. However recent it was. It had come as a huge shock for her as Kyoko had already prepared herself to move to Los Angeles once she would have finished the acting stage. That, and after the first role that would have landed her debut in the US acting industry. But during her first gig here- a small murder girl role – , when looking into it, she had quickly discovered there were plenty of opportunities here. And when she had asked around, and done some research, she discovered there was no need for her to move out of San Francisco. She had been hardening herself for the hassle finding a place to stay and live would be without going into debts while not being two hours away from the main studios. L.A. was not cheap. So, when she had been able to get to that conclusion, she had had such an immense relief.

At the time, Kyoko had known she would have to go there sometimes, and suspected she might even have to move there in the future. Even if she could stay in San Francisco for a while without endangering her opportunities. But when she contacted the US LME Agency about that, she had a thorough talk about it, and even emailed Lory on this matter. So, she could prepare herself in advance. But the outcome had not been what she expected again. As both the US branch and Lory had told her that if she decided to settle somewhere here, in San Francisco, she wouldn't have to move later. There would always be enough jobs around by their words and actors frequently took a few months trip to shoot a movie or a season if needed, less than they moved. Lory had warned her she would have to go and visit for some sporadic events though – that could go from once every few years to several per years as her notoriety would rise – , but that was about it. She had expected those.

And it had gone as they said as time passed. She thought she had to go to L.A., roughly a dozen times, maybe, during those last five years. To meet a director, twice. To participate an audition, twice. The eight other times for events that either celebrated a movie or shows she had been part of or because she had been invited to it by an acquaintance, a producer, and the such.

And that was how she had found herself at the venue celebrating the premiere of the tragic movie she played the heroine of, called The Artist. In Los Angeles. It had been a little under three years she was in the States and two and a half she had officially started being paid to act there. It was her fifth time in L.A. but one of the first times she had participated to such a big event. As it had not been the only celebration but had gathered the most promising new movies of the year. And the acting stars that had been going along with it.

Her memories of that whole year were still a bit blurry. She remembered working a lot, acting a lot. She remembered her nightmares. But that had been about it. She was a lot better in her psyche already than when she had left but she had still chosen to seclude herself a lot more than what Kayla was still complaining about in the present days. When she didn't go out or see anyone for more than a few weeks. Kyoko and her hadn't been as close at the time, and had just started becoming friends, so, her friend hadn't known. And Kyoko was very thankful for that. She wouldn't have been able to talk about it. Even If she had wanted to. And it hadn't been like she hadn't tried.

She had actually tried going to a specialist not even a year after coming to the States. After hearing it was something so easily done here, she had thought she could tempt it. But it had quickly proved it useless. Her voice had refused to work when she would try to talk about the most sensitive matters. Without speaking about how uncomfortable she had felt. But the worst part hadn't been that. She had never wanted someone to blindly listen in useless silence to her turmoils. Kyoko had wanted to punch someone and be able to defend herself – which had been why she took self-defence and karate lessons. But before anything else, she had wanted help in how to find solutions, how to fix her broken parts. Most of all, how to move past this.

The damn therapist had only ever nodded in silence when she had asked what advises they would give to people to progress and build themselves back. She had known no fix-it-all existed but had been willing to have help and work with someone to figure it out.

She hadn't renewed the experience. She had turned to music and writing to expel her feelings, to reading and knowledge to help her understand what she felt and cope, and to self-defence to control her pain and anger.

And she had focused on outside activities to empty her mind and work, to keep herself busy.

Needless to say, it was more than a lonely time for her. But one she had deeply needed, that much she knew by now. No matter how hard it had felt on the moment. And how much she had missed Ren and wanted to see him.

It was in those circumstances – not fully feeling like herself or healed yet but recovering – , she had travelled to the premiere.

Her recent awe over L.A. centre and the landscapes, structures, had been real. She remembered coming before but she didn't remember any of her surroundings. Each time she had come in the past, she had mostly only stayed for the event she was required to attend. Hadn't visited. Hadn't stroll around. More than that, Kyoko hadn't been able to give it time or enjoyment. So, it was truly like she was seeing all this, truly seeing it for the first time. It floored her one experience could be so different being in the same places, being shown theoretically known areas. She didn't remember any of this, none of the palm trees she saw, none of the beaches she had seen earlier. Granted, maybe she hadn't seen exactly those areas. But it was like she had never set foot in L.A. As if she was having appreciation for the city, the nature, the everything for the very first time. With Ren.

But there was one particular even she remembered.

She didn't remember much of the party that happened, but she could never have forgotten meeting Kuu Hizuri again. It had brought her some joy in that emotional chaos she had been feeling inside.

She could remember she had just finished the many greetings and thanks to the whole lots of people here to congratulate the three directors and the many actors that had been part of the podium of best-promising-movies that were gathered during the beginning of that warm spring. She had been getting some reprieve away from the main crowd, outside, on some unknown balcony, when someone had joined her.

'Looking down at the many tranquil pools and terraces under her, she breathed a sigh she had been holding in. She had finally escaped the many eyes and handshakes needed. Her spiky going-in every-sense hair refused to behave as the locks, reaching her shoulder blades by now, drove down around her – as she tilted on her heels and above the railing – , and despite the knot she had made to them earlier.

The lukewarm wind washed over the skin of her tired face and in her locks, messing them even more, and she relished in the freeing nature of that breeze. No bond, no chain, no pain. No memory, no hardship or joy to forget, to remember. Nothing to put up with. No pleasure to savour. No survival urges. No fear, no sleep. No sorrow.

It just was.

The wind existed. It blew, rose and fell. It grew, it dropped. Non-bothered. Its only existence enough to be. To fulfil its meaning. A free spirit that would remain in the present tense. In the feeling of being. Of blowing in trees' leaves, gliding on the grass's surface of a non-tidied field, of an agitated the sea. Or – she chuckled at the thought – , to just mess with people's hair. Because it could. Because it was.

Silence pushed through its elongation, despite a crowd that should have been deafening. A heavy expiration escaped her again.

She wished she was the wind.

Someone stepped on the huge balcony with her but she didn't turn. There was enough room for two and she was hoping she could grasp a few greedy minutes alone before needing to go back. She rested her elbows on the rail, careful to peruse it and check it was clean enough before doing so. She was wearing a black costume vest on black pantsuit with black compensated heels, it would dirty easily, if something clearer came in contact, and the party were far from over. Even her low dropping V-neck was black. It was the less classic piece of her clothing as it had two dark stripes continuing and going down further the side of her thighs, in a weirdly cut loose tee. But the purpose was to give off a stylish look, and it worked. Someone might have told her it wasn't really party-like, all in black as she was. But she wasn't feeling really festive and she was still trying to get what was most appropriate and what wasn't during those kinds of parties, while remaining herself a minimum. Going for a professional slightly more relaxed outlook had seemed the best. And black was always elegant.

That was what she had been telling herself as she saw more glamorous after more glamorous clothes plastered on the many actors, and other known people of the evening.

She frowned at herself but shrugged again. Her hair made up a bit for the sobriety of her outfit. No way was she wearing the extravagance kind of wearing women and men dared to sport here, anyway. She shuddered. She just had to recognize her limits.

She wondered what he would have said. Would he have scolded her for not trying to stand out tonight? Would he have told her she was approaching it wrongly?

But again, if he had been there, she wouldn't have felt moody and bad. She would have been able to enjoy herself. He would have been the jewel of this evening. He would have eclipsed them all. She held back another sigh.

She missed him so much. She wanted to see his smile. His eyes. She would have given anything to be able to see him act in person again, to hug him again.

She groaned as a loud crunch broke the remote silence of the balcony, and interrupted her depressed thoughts. Before she could turn, the origin of that sound spoke.

"You are supposed to take part to the party if you want to be seen, y'know," a muffled voice said before another loud munching sound happened. And despite everything she was feeling at the moment, she couldn't help it, she smiled. It was exactly what he would have told her. And the mere thought brought a grin to her face.

She didn't turn around as she replied.

"I could say the same in return," she said to the wind that carried her words.

"I ordered them to leave me alone for fifteen minutes so I could snack. They are forbidden to come, or I leave to go eat something elsewhere."The voice, still a little hard to decipher through the sounds of munching, said. And it was such an unexpected response – who ordered people to leave you alone in such a party, and more, who managed to be obeyed, really – , that she snorted and pivoted to face the voice.

Kyoko's shock was high when she found herself face-to-face with no-other than Kuu Hizuri, eating a huge plate of appetizers, some fruits added weirdly on it, and fries – the main source of the crunches, she bet – in a bowl placed on the railing. All that so very gracefully and proudly. Without a drop on his lavish clothes. Without even breaking his perfect posture.

The renown man frowned at her with puzzlement and she wondered if he had recognized her. Her hair had grown a lot and she was taller. And her face had lost most of its childish looks. But her eyes were the exact same.

She was troubled, however.

She had to blink and gulp twice before she found her voice again. She hadn't known at all Kuu Hizuri was part of the crew of one of the other two movies with their premieres today. She followed most of his acting works once it was out but Ren roles were the only ones she looked out for just after it was confirmed he was cast, and before they weren't out on screens.

She looked at the man in front of her.

Last time she had seen him he had let her call him dad. One of her most wonderful experiences.

Last time she had seen him she didn't know Ren was Kuon Hizuri. It had been years ago. But still. How was she supposed to address him? She couldn't possibly call him the same way she did last time. And that was if he even remembered her.

"Hello Hizuri-san," She eventually greeted, unable to not return to the Japanese greeting, and in a way it betrayed her.

His eyes enlarged for a second and he placed all his food on the side table in the corner of the balcony – she guessed waiters were used to people coming here with all kinds of stuff if they had to place a table here – , before coming toward her.

"We know each other, right?" he said, perusing her face in a close inspection.

"… We met once."She shyly said after a second of hesitation and looking away under his keen intelligent stare. She wasn't sure it was good or bad to remind him. She felt genuine joy to be able to see him again. And Kyoko would never forget the feeling he once allowed her to have. The feeling of having a father. If only for one day. Kuu had given her something priceless that day, years ago. But if he didn't recognize her and she reminded him, wouldn't he feel guilt or in some kind of obligation to pursue what he had allowed all this time ago? She didn't want to force his hand.

Fortunately or unfortunately, he looked at her even more firmly, staring at her eyes for so long she thought her eyes would burn from his perusing, before he gasped.

"… You're – … Kyoko!"

Busted, she thought.

She tried to smile with not too much unease as she nodded, rubbing the side of her neck, self-consciously.

"H-hi."

"Hi."He said with a chuckle.

"I could barely recognize you," He added with a smile she imagined was genuinely warm. "You are so tall and your hair – "

"Grew a lot and are a mess, I know," She finished for him.

He smiled, and this time she was sure it wasn't just politeness.

"It's not that bad, it gives you a wild look."He commented, referring to her hair as he looked her left and right.

"How are you doing kiddo?"He enquired, placing both his hands on top of his hips, just above the belt of the long slack fancy pants he was wearing.

"I'm alright, Hizuri-san," She replied with the easiest smile in a while, after hearing him call her kiddo. "I didn't know you were part of the cast of one of the other two movies premiering today. I'm sure it will be incredible."

"You bet," He moved his index finger up to imitate a gun, "I'm playing a gun trafficker in an apocalyptic world. My merch can save or break the day."

She laughed.

"I won't miss to watch it."

But then Kuu frowned and she wondered if she had offended her before he spoke.

"Wait a minute. Hizuri-san? Since when do you call me that?"He asked, looking affronted.

"It is your name?"She hesitated.

He crossed his arms and lifted a superior eyebrow. The every bit of a superstar looking you down like a pest crossing their path. And from his tall stature, it certainly did the work of impressing and domineering all at once. It wasn't as intimidating as Ren's anger, though. But she could see some mannerisms he had inherited from his father. And their images superposed like if she was seeing both of them at once. Her giggle escaped her before she realized what she was doing. And the proud eyebrow shifted into a threatening stature, demanding responses, right about now. With a sprinkle of annoyance to bout with that.

"Can I ask what's so funny, now?"

She shook her head and when he talked again and it didn't concern that, she thought she was saved.

"So, what about earlier?"

She leaned back on the railing, pretending to be stupid.

"What about it?"

Hizuri Kuu's superb eyebrow twitched.

"Since when do you call me Hizuri-san? What happened to calling me dad?"He asked in all letters, not letting go and showing a winning glim in his stare.

Kyoko shuffled on the ground. She hadn't expected him to enquire about that after all this time.

"… It has been a long time and I don't think that – "

"You don't want to be my son anymore?"He cut her, portraying his own version of hurt puppy eyes, and she cursed the whole family and their unfair tricks.

"It's not that, Hizuri-san, but – "

How could she call him that again? Sure, it had made her happy at the time but she hadn't thought ahead. Hadn't thought about whether it would be long-term or not. If she thought about it, a part of her still wanted to call him that. A lonely little girl that wished she could have a dad as wonderful as this one was. Caring and proud and unconditionally loving of his son. But another part felt sick calling Kuu's dad. First, because she didn't have any kind of brotherly feelings toward his proper son, and didn't want to be considered his sister. It also reminded her of the other spot where she could have been, eventually, called that. If the universe worked differently. If she had had a chance with the one man she harboured feelings for. A spot that would never hers. So, calling him dad tasted really bitter.

Then, there was how cruel it felt for her to call him dad when the one person that was his actual son couldn't even currently do it. It wasn't fair.

But even if nothing of all of this had stood, she was not the teen he had met years ago. She didn't feel entitled to it. She didn't feel she had the right to call him that anymore. No, she had never had that right. It was just more blatant. She had barely been picking back the pieces, and was slowly climbing back the slopes to what she hoped was an 'OK'. She didn't want anyone close. Didn't want anyone to see how broken she was.

Plus, what did he know of a child girl he met years ago? He might have indulged her at the time. But this was then and it was now.

How could she convey any of this, yet none of it?

But before she could think about her words, he spoke again, his tone both suspicious and astounded at once.

"You know." He said.

She looked up – it hadn't been a question – taken by surprised and Kuu repeated with piercing eyes.

"You know, right?"

Now both the tone and his standing were as imposing. And it was still not a question.

His knowing eyes met hers and she floundered a bit, trying to come up with something. She precisely knew what he was talking about, indeed. But she was floored he had perceived as much, yet so little, from her lack of response.

"I don't know – … What you mean by that" Kyoko threaded carefully and his eyes narrowed. She saw as his mind thought over how to express everything, without actually revealing anything to pending ears. "That's the only reason you don't want to call me father again, right?"

On that last point, he was wrong.

He continued, his tone a mere whisper and so very stretched and slow, she had to focus all her attention on him.

"You know my son's nickname… And where he is."

She had to pinch her lips to hold back her smile. That was a very astute way to say it. No one would ever figure that one out. And what was the big deal about one person's nickname?

It was also a very hilarious way to say. Especially when the lightness of the words themselves contrasted so much Kuu Hizuri's voice tone.

Nonetheless, she tried to deny it and avoid his stare but she saw in his own gaze when he read the truth in hers. Her shoulders slacked as she admitted defeat. She had sworn she wouldn't tell anyone to Ren, and she wasn't sure Ren had wanted his parents to know she knew. Plus, it was hardly the place for this sort of discussion.

"It isn't really the right setting to talk about this, Hizuri-san," She said and he nodded but pursued.

"I'll keep it cryptic. Did he tell you?"

She sighed. Guess they were doing this here, after all.

"Sort of."She replied and seeing Kuu frown, she elaborated, "I guessed it but he learned I knew and it didn't bother him."

He nodded as if it was to be expected and that surprised her. Ren could have been unhappy about it.

"I swear I'm not lying. And I didn't force him to tell me."She added because she thought he might think she had been lying.

He smiled at her and she had that odd feeling of being a child in front of him when he gave her such an indulgent warm look.

"I know. I believe you."

She wanted to justify herself – was about to – but his eyes weren't lying and said it all. He truly believed her. She breathed in relief and nodded.

He leaned back on the railing too after that, and Kyoko looked at him worryingly. He didn't seem upset-wait – , why was he pouting again?

"And that is why you won't call me dad again. Though, I can't blame you if it's to protect my son or out of any consideration of the kinds." He was sulking with such an exaggerate grimace in his corner, a loud snort came out from her mouth.

Kuu looked back at her, clearly amused at the weird sound that had just come out and she blushed.

"Now what? You were laughing earlier too."

But he persisted, even when she looked away, asking.

"Why is that?"

She gave up and sighed, looking up and back at him with a timid smile.

"It's just… You are really father and son."Kyoko said.

It visibly took him by surprise before an avalanche of questions rushed out.

"Really? I made you think of him? Truly? How so? How do we look alike? Tell me!"

She laughed.

"And vice versa."

"How so? Tell me!"

She scratched her throat, trying to keep in check her giggles in check.

"The mannerisms. Some are the same."

He was in front of her in an instant, holding her hands like she held the secret of eternity and more.

"Which ones? Tell me."

"Pffuaha…" So cute. And she was deeply failing, on the not laughing part.

"I don't know if I know them all."

"Just tell me what comes to mind. Please." Kuu Hizuri looked about to cry or die if he didn't hear her words. She giggled.

"The puppy look, for example."And she did her best impersonation of the famous pitiful look.

Kuu snorted, nodding happily.

"Ah. Indeed. It runs in all the family, I'm afraid. What else?"

She smiled, showing the imposing stand he had been giving her earlier.

"He does this too. Exactly the same."

Kuu nodded again, eyes gleaming like jewels and impatient like a kid in front of a candy store.

"You are failing in the anger department, though."

That got her a surprise look from Kuu.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"He is much scarier." She shuddered in remembrance. Though he also looked very attractive in those moments. Not the time, Kyoko!

"That much?"

"Yup."

She saw him pondering before he added.

"And I thought I had a temper."

"You are as sweet as a sheep in comparison, Hizuri-san."She said, matter-of-fact and they looked at each other in silence for a second before both of them laughed.

Kuu came back in charge then. "What else?"

"Off the chart like this, I have only one another that comes to mind, right now," she told him with another smile at his eagerness.

Looking at his impatience, she stopped the suspense as she demonstrated just as she described it.

"The infamous shrug," And she shrugged. "It drove me nuts."

Kuu laughed.

"Oh yes. That comes from me too. Julie is far too gracious to do it often." And Kuu went into a long diatribe over the numerous merits of his wife and son.

She smiled. He looked so happy. She was glad she had been able to give him that. It must be very long sometimes, waiting for their son to come back. Even if they knew he was doing it for his own good and needed it.

He stopped after a while and turned back to her with grateful eyes.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Kyoko."

She smiled and thought she should let it as it was but decided otherwise, at the end.

"It's not because I know I call you Hizuri-san again."

Kuu turned serious instantly as he looked at her.

"Is it because it bothers you now? No more affection for me?"He enquired and while he goofed a little as he asked, she could see he was sincerely curious at least.

She shook her head with a grin.

"I don't think anyone that knows you could not have at least some affection for you, Hizuri-san." He looked touched at her words before he asked.

"Then why?"

She sighed, pondering how to say this.

"I won't say knowing didn't affect me at all, because it would be hypocritical of me, but it is not for the reasons you think about, Hizuri-san."

He stayed silent and Kyoko pursued.

"I do feel it is unfair I would get to call you that way when your son can't," she admitted, trying to be as honest as she could, "but the main reason is other. I-"

She paused, searching for her words and pulling at her hair, no doubt messing them more.

"It was years ago, Hizuri-san."She eventually said, frustrated and turned back to him. "Can you even say you know the person I am today?"

He looked at her and softly said, "I know a bit of the person you used to be. Is that so different?"

"Yes! No." She sighed and looked at the only fatherly figure she ever had. "Maybe."

"I was just a child when I met you and I thought you were indulging me during our acting role. I could experience something I could never have had otherwise. And for that I'm truly grateful." She told him softly, trying to convey her genuine sentiment on this matter.

She took a gulp of air and stared at Kuu.

"But I thought it would be a one-time thing. I never thought it could last. Neither pondered on that. And while a part of me will always want that, right now, I don't feel like I know you enough or you me, to call you that and be comfortable. Nor think it would be right."

"I understand. Those are very valid reasons."Kuu eventually let out and when she looked up, there was only warm and comprehension in his stare. "Maybe in the future, then?"He said warmly and she looked away.

"Maybe…"

She didn't believe in it. And knew well why.

"Can I ask something?"

She nodded, eyeing him from the side as she leaned upfront over the railing, this time.

"Why would it not be right?"

Damn. She thought he hadn't picked on that tongue slip. This family was too perceptive. But how could she say she didn't feel worthy of calling him dad? Of being even remotely linked to a family member to this glorious warm and gentle family? She couldn't. It wouldn't be fair to burden him with that.

"… Let's say it's a 'me' problem."She attempted lightly with a crooked smile but the sad one that was her response proved her she had failed to dissimulate one of the broken parts of herself.

She turned her face away again, and they remained silent, admiring as the sun set in the horizon and coloured the sky with red, purple and pink. All three dipping in a slowly darkening blue.

"Does it have to be so formal?" His voice echoed just as she was wondering if she should leave. She had indulgence enough, and he would be solicited soon enough.

"What should?"She asked.

"The way you address me. Can't you at least call me Kuu?"He said and looking toward him, he was pouting again.

She smiled a little.

"I can settle for Kuu-san?"She proposed and he seemed to be thinking for a second before he shrugged with deep merriment under her keen observation, and he grinned and nodded.

"Fair."

She shook her head. This family.

"Do you talk to him?"Kuu asked after another minute, and Kyoko knew instantly who he meant. She chanced a look to him but his face remained peaceful, though a weight she thought wasn't there before seemed to have appeared as he looked the sky forefront.

"Sometimes. A few calls when we have the time."She replied. "It doesn't happen very often."

It was only because she was looking for his response she saw his nod.

Seconds ticked by, and she took a risk.

"… I can't talk for him… I have no idea what are his plans or when he could come back… But – "

She stopped and even without looking she could feel Kuu was suspended to her lips.

"But while I don't know when he will be ready, things hadn't seemed so bleak the last time we talked about this… Granted, it was already a couple of years ago by now but – "

She sighed, annoyed with herself for not finding the right words.

"But?"Came the awfully and uncanny shy voice of Kuu.

"But why don't you send him a message or email?"She tempted. "You are not talking at all, right?"

"Right."

"At worse, he won't reply or will have Lory reply instead."

"But – … But at best, you would be able to have contact back that way, at least. And it wouldn't hinder him in any way."

When he said nothing, she added.

"Worth a shot, no?"She sided her stare to him again this time and saw him nodding. She left it at that. It was not her place to push things anyway. He had looked so sad, she hadn't been able to not want to help him. But she too wanted to respect Ren's goals and vows. Because it truly was like a vow he had made.

Another moment passed and she hadn't expected him to say anything more and jumped a good foot when he said:

"Thank you."

Which she nearly missed fully, so busy that she was, holding her heart back into place from the scare.

It greatly amused Kuu; however, she could see it in the twinkle of his eyes.

He opened his mouth to say something, and then the balcony erupted in chaos as a dozen people -or what felt like that – , came to talk to Kuu. He had barely the time to wave at her, and her, to wave back with a smile, that he had disappeared.

She would never get the time to talk to him again during the rest of the evening, too busy they would be talking to other actors, producers, and others.

What she would only learn years later, was that their discussion would have prompted Kuu to send an email to his son in Japan, and that it would be since that moment Ren would be talking again to his parents.

Afterwards, they sometimes found themselves in the same city, for her rare fast visits to L.A., or she would learn he had been in San Francisco through the press, but they would never get the chance to talk or see each other. She would also sometimes hear from her agency he had left a brief message that usually asked how she was doing. It hadn't happened that often but she had been overjoyed he had the attention and reached out, each time. She had always replied, of course, but only through her agency. Only. She had thought a couple of times about just giving him her new personal info but had changed mind. She hadn't wanted him to force himself to keep contact or try to become closer just because of what she had said on that time. And she couldn't shake the feeling he had only proposed to her to call him father again, for her sake only. She hadn't wanted him to impose himself things out of kindness or pity for her. He surely had a packed schedule as it was. She had thought it was best not to ask for too much.

§§§

Ren didn't have time to feel ready, despite how much he had tried to, when the door broke ajar and two familiar figures he hadn't seen in years emerged from the opening created. He saw the puzzlement on his parents face for a second as they looked around and Ren wondered if they had heard them talk from inside and if it was what had made them come out. The fleeting thought disappeared as fast as it had made its presence known in his mind when his parents' eyes landed on him, recognition rocking with emotion and happening so fast in their gaze he didn't have time to decipher what those feelings were. He remained still, unable to make the tiniest move toward them, or to let out a single whisper of a word; throat clogged with fear of rejection, sadness over the time passed and away and what he would need to say. Bitterness against himself, shyness he didn't expect to find, yet, understood, after all these years away. And so much joy. To see them again. At last. All of it rattled inside while he remained statued in front of them, other senses as if obliterated.

Yet, what he saw, all of sudden, was how his parents' bodies rushed at extreme rate toward him in the same instant a warm hand landed between his shoulders' blades. And then, his feet were carrying him forward, racing. Before his mind could process what his heart knew could have been only one person's hand, his form knocked with violence against his parents shape, and then he was in their arms. And they were sobbing.

He blinked, shocked. The nostalgic warmth a surprise.

Motionless, he tried to reboot, somehow. Mind wiped clean by the stress and the emotion and the feel of them hugging him. Until, slowly, rising and tightening shaking limbs to their backs, he used their handy length to wrap his arms around the both of them.

That's when he realized he had been a little more persuaded his parents wouldn't welcome him than he had thought consciously.

His cheeks hurt as he smiled and as his dry lips breached, a wimp of a greeting came out.

"H-hi."

His parents laughed and gripped at his back harder.

Finally. He was there. He was there. He could touch them and see them. He hugged them. It had been so long he hadn't seen his parents, both of them, together, without him feeling so inadequate by their side. His heart used to feel so heavy around here. Like he hadn't had his place near them. Their united sight used to bring him as much joy as it brought him anguish on the contrast he felt when he looked at himself, on his helplessness.

Yet, he felt none of that right now. He had feared coming back here as much as he had feared seeing them again. Because he was worried to disappoint them, because he knew it wouldn't be the final stage and it wouldn't be the step they hoped it could be. The lies still remained for the public eye.

He had feared taking that step too soon and making them hope for something not quite there. And he had feared it would be too soon for him and the minute he would step in this house, in front of them, his old demons would come back. How inferior he had felt, how small he had felt, how hopeless he had felt; he had feared all those feelings would rush back if he saw his parents too soon. But nothing. Not even the slightest bad feeling of that sort.

He still thought his father was the best actor and that, himself, had room for improvement by a lot. But he knew now, he had his own strengths – brought by the very hurdles he had to go through – , and he wasn't eaten alive by the comparison.

He still feared they would be disappointed and worried what their thoughts would be, but he knew he was doing the best he could. And that coming now, and offering them some time, before he could actually reveal everything, was the minimum and the most he could do for them. The right thing.

He was finally stronger. He wasn't breaking anymore in front of them. And at last, he could feel, if he were to suffer the comparison, if the reality were to be shown now, it wouldn't be the end for him. It would be able to turn it around, to show what he was capable of an actor, even if it were different that what his father could offer to the world. It didn't mean it would be less.

Some doubts remained about the future but some trust had also come. Balance. He had found back some equilibrium.

His shoulders slacked as tension left them and he hugged them.

He wouldn't be telling the truth yet. He needed more time, still. Some jobs he wanted to do before unveiling it all.

But in his heart, he knew. He just knew. Whatever what was accomplished and what wasn't yet. He knew.

In his heart, he was already ready.

He was finally there. Finally, strong enough to handle the curved balls life would throw at him.

And he knew all too well thanks to whom he owed it all. Thanks to whom he was able to stand so much stabler on his own feet. Even in the despair of being only friends, she had been and still was the one that permitted him to grow so much.

He hugged them. Tightly. Just glad to be here. Just happy to feel joy being in their presence, and none of the turmoil he used to feel. Sun heated his nape and soothed with its rays his back's edginess, caressing away with their warmth the tight angles. The balmy breeze blew in his strands, tickling his locks astray as he held his parents in his arms. He breathed in. The familiar combined scents of his mum and his dad filled his nose. Nostalgic and comforting. It brought a peace to a sore tense part of him, one that had been neglected for years. Appeased a childish longing he had ignored he still possessed. The security of their scents mixed with the iodine brought by the sea wind, and with the uniqueness of his childhood garden. More ease came and washed away more of his nerves.

At home, for the first time in years.

He hugged his parents and they hugged him in return. Again and again.

At last,

he pulled back.

"Hi," he said again, the voice still shy under their gazes but firm of what he felt.

They looked amazed and the joy filling their faces seemed too good to be true. They also looked deeply confused, and they were terribly sobbing, even now. His mum was still holding his hands, as if she were afraid he would disappear.

"… How?"Kuu asked. "You – … Here… We thought – …"

But his father stopped, giving up to just look at him, and the surrendering joy he saw on his face brought back his own emotions to the surface, throat choking and unable to talk again. He felt like a child again, when his parents looked at him with such love and happiness it was like nothing could ever be wrong. Like the young innocent Kuon, he used to be.

He had to pick up his attempts at making his voice work by three times before he was able to formulate words again.

"I – … I wanted to surprise you – … I was here in the States and – …"

But he failed to continue seeing his parents' faces and how happy they looked.

"I'm not saying the truth yet but – …," he rushed before he could raise their hopes too much, "… But I – … I'm better."

He rubbed his neck, trying to find the words as he saw his mum sobbing even harder.

His father was looking at him, joy had appeared at his last words but he could see he was still puzzled and attempting to understand why it changed.

"But how?"Kuu pushed, "I thought, we thought you couldn't see us until – … Until – "

"Until I had reached my goal, I know."Ren said.

"I'm not revealing the truth yet," he insisted," but you can say I'm stronger… You can see this as a premise." He added and pointed at his eyes.

"I'm not wearing any lenses." And his dad eyes grew in surprise and realization.

"I don't know if I will move my hair back to blond when I say the truth but dad, I – … I'm nearly there."

The relief he saw on his dad's face was so abundant, it made his worries about his parents welcoming him back very silly. His father didn't get a chance to reply as a shriek erupted around the three of them.

"Kuooooooonnnnn!"

And his mum jumped back on him to pull the air right out of his lungs.

He rubbed his mum's back as he gasped for air, and his father joined again, messing his locks and gripping his side.

It was only when he got them to detach themselves from him that he was able to speak again.

"I wasn't sure I would be strong enough to see you already, "He said, bowing his head a little as he said the next words.

"And I was afraid… Afraid you wouldn't be so happy to see me… I've made you wait so long, Dad, Mum… And now isn't even – … I'm sorry."

He had the eyes closed as he said this, and that's the reason he never saw and thus couldn't avoid, the violent flick of a finger that hit his forehead. He grimaced at the pain, and rubbed his forehead to look at the culprit. His dad.

"Stupid. You are our marvellous son. We could never reject you."

His mother nodded vehemently, and caressed his cheek with her fingers even through her tears.

"We love you."

He bowed his head again, feeling like he truly didn't deserve such wonderful parents and smiled ruefully at them, hoping they would still say this after he would have told them everything. They had never known the full length of it.

"You look so grown-up and mature… I missed so much!"She said through her tears, as she inspected him under every angle and mostly pet him everywhere around the head and the shoulders. Before hugging him and petting him again.

"But then how?"

It was his mum this time, that asked that question, and he breathed in relief that she wasn't crying anymore. Even now, he still couldn't handle seeing it.

"As silly as it was, if you are not ready to reveal the truth yet and thought we might–." His father started before stopping with an angry frown.

"I won't finish that question aloud because the thought alone you felt that way is upsetting."

Ren gave his parents a grim smile.

"I felt very undeserving of your love and I put you through so much, I wouldn't have blamed either of you if you had moved on."

The horror that painted his parents' expressions at his words was so huge it was comical and he chuckled lightly.

His father grabbed him by the shoulders.

"I forbid you to think that way, young man. Do you hear me?"

His mum pinched his side. Hard.

"Ow, Mum!"

But they looked at him so strongly, he eventually said.

"I'll try not to."

But it was apparently not enough because it got him a pinch from his father on the other side this time.

"Ouch. Dad!"

"We will keep pinching you until you promise."Threatened his mother.

He raised his hands in surrender.

"I won't, I won't. Please, stop pinching me!"He urged when his mum dangled deft fingers in front of his face.

They nodded approvingly.

"So?"They insisted after Ren had stopped rubbing his sides, and he smiled, looking back at them.

"Yes, so, I wasn't so sure you would welcome me."He admitted under their stern looks but understanding what they were asking.

"So – …"

He breathed in.

"I borrowed some strength and asked a friend to come." They looked puzzled as he told them but his mind, finally able to think enough, was now only preoccupied by the realization she had seen it all – the whole awkwardness of this moment – in silence. He could have felt embarrassed but the rejoice she was going to meet his mother and see his father again beat it.

So without waiting anymore, and with a wave of the hand, he turned to face:

The void.

He blinked. But nothing had changed. There was no one anymore in the spot behind him.

An empty alley. An empty front garden. An empty space.

Not a single soul in their direct surroundings. Where was she?

He started looking around again. Where was she? She wouldn't have left, right? She knew why he had asked her to come. He knew she was not enthusiastic about it but-

"What do you mean?"Asked his father."There is no one."

But there had been someone, he thought. But she was gone. Evaporated. Where are you? He thought again, thinking about calling her as he took a few steps to the side of the garden in case she had just wandered a bit.

"No, he is right."His mum said. "There was someone with him when we opened the door."

"How in the world were you able to notice something like that when our son was in front of us?!"Kuu asked and distractedly Ren heard his mother reply as he began to think where she could have gone.

"A woman's mind is in the details."And she added shortly after.

"I was just too overwhelmed seeing Kuon to pay it any mind, at the time."

"Well, I didn't see anyone."

Ren continued searching the close area with his eyes. He knew she wouldn't have left. Not without warning him. And not after what he had told her about this meeting. He checked his phone just to be sure but there was no message.

"You did too," He heard his mum say, "but you were even more absorbed than me seeing our son."

Then, he felt his father's hand on his shoulder, pulling him out of his puzzlement.

"Son, who did you bring with you? Did that person leave?"

Ren shook his head, not truly replying. An idea had suddenly formed that needed to be confirmed, right about now. She wouldn't have left and she wouldn't have wandered on someone's else lawn without being allowed to, he knew her too well for that. She would have been afraid to be a bother. But there was one possibility.

"Did you see what his friend did, Julie?"

He started walking back his steps and to the portal doors of his parents' residence and pulled out his phone to call her just in case he was wrong, but he heard the response of his mother as he began to run.

"'I think – … I think I saw a figure retreating back toward the entrance."'

He was racing to the gate by the time he reached it, and nearly punched the digital code in to make the gates open.

He rushed outside. Looked to the right. Looked to the left.

And there she was. Sat on the rental car's hood, legs hanging from one side, looking chill and as graceful as ever, perusing her phone in one hand.

He walked quietly in her direction, his heart calming down somehow and he battled relief and irritation inside of him for the scare she had given him.

"Enlighten me, please, what are you doing here?"He asked, feeling just a smidgen grumpy she had dared done that. She jumped a good foot in the air, and he laughed, the satisfaction of the jump high after the way she had just frightened him.

She pivoted his way – holding her chest from the sudden fright – just as he reached her and he placed both hands on the car's cover on each side of her thighs, capturing her in between.

He let some of his irritation be seen and she raised her hands in defence.

"I just wanted to give you some intimacy once it was confirmed they would only crush you with hugs and not eat you alive."

"And so you left."He said, with no little amount of grumble.

"I just retreated once I saw they were hugging you, "she protested, "I wasn't sure you would still need me since things were going well, and so, I thought the privacy for the three of you preceded me staying."

When would I not need you?

He felt so frustrated with her sometimes. She truly just had no idea how much she meant him, how much he relied on her. To which point he needed her in his life. Or how he had longed for her to be part of every aspect of his life. Especially his parents. At least, the fantasy of the four of them spending time together was one he had entertained in the moments he had been able to hope for the best, in the past.

He wanted his mum to finally meet her. And he wanted Kyoko to meet his mother. He hoped they would get along well. And he hoped she could spend time with his father again. He had entertained so many hopes and fantasies about what the future could entail. Was he to ever be lucky enough for her to look his way in the same fashion he did. But even if she never did, there was still so much he hoped he would be able to share with her.

And now she was resisting so much being a part of it. As if she would dirty him meeting his parents again by being there, it was infuriating. You are driving me nuts. And but how could he share all of that? He couldn't.

"Kyoko, I want you to meet my mum. And I know you like my dad. I want you to be with me, with them."He said at last, hoping to convey a smidgen of what he felt like without pressuring her too much, and her stare showed the touched joy, he thought she was trying to hide from him. The kind of expressions that always made his hope rise tenfold and his heart soar.

"Please, I would really love you to stay and still come. Even if it looks promising so far." He admitted, for good measure – and pleaded with her one last time with his eyes, and saw how hers softened. "Plus, I could really use your support when I will tell them what I never said in the past." And it was true, he was still anxious about that part, and worried it would make his parents look differently at him. Or that they would change minds again.

She pressed her palm to his cheek, bringing back his attention into her eyes.

"It will go well."But she still nodded in agreement and to his regret, dropped her hand.

She pulled at her hair then, looking down with a frown.

"I wasn't trying to backpedal, you know."

"I wonder."

He knew, in reality. But her disappearance had pissed and worried him, and he couldn't help but tease.

She threw him an irritated glance.

"You looked all settled for good, and I thought it would be indelicate to stay just now. I was just planning to wait a little away, until you'd tell me if you still needed me to stay or if I should let you be."

"As if your only purpose was for me to use you."He grumped.

"That's not what I meant – "

"I was the one to ask you."He cut and reminded her.

"I know."

"And can't I also enjoy your company in the presence of my parents?"Ren asked.

"Of course but maybe they would prefer having you all for themselves and–." She slid, but he ignored it, waving away her concerns with his hand.

"They will love you, don't you worry." But he suddenly had a doubt. "Or do you dislike meeting my parents so much?"

"No!"She shouted. "Of course not." She refuted, staring back at him with anguish.

"I'm sorry, Ren. I just thought I might be a bother if I stuck around, I didn't mean to be inconsiderate of your feelings."She said urgently, and he could not help but smile at how troubled and worried she looked.

"And you know I would love to see your parents. It was never about that, you know that."She added with a contrite smile and he wanted to hug her so hard his whole body tense when he stopped himself from doing so.

"I know why you did it, you cute idiot. And it was considerate," He admitted. "But if I asked you to come, it wasn't for you to stay away."

She sighed and apologized again, pushing her hair away again and looking so sorry, he lost it and pecked her nose.

He was surprised to see her blush a little, and he guessed he had caught her off-guard.

"So," he said in a light tone, "can I hope you won't back off out of over-consideration this time?"

He shot a face full of mirth and she groaned from his words but still laughed at the end.

She lifted her left hand and crossed her fingers, expression excessively set, despite her grin at the choice of his words.

"I promise."

"Good."

He stood back and presented her with his hand.

Still smiling, she slipped her hand in his and jumped down from the car. But once that done, he didn't let her pull her hand away when she tried doing so, and started walking as he said, "Come on, my parents must be waiting and wondering."

"I'm coming, I'm coming. I won't escape even if you let go."She said with a laugh.

"I'll keep you captured, just in case," He threw with a grin over his shoulder as he softly dragged her behind him.

She laughed again, taking a more comfortable hold of his hand and his heart squeeze at the gesture.

When he looked back and saw her not protesting in any manner, he took note of her slight nervousness in the light edge of her tall figure -one that hadn't been there earlier – and in her muscles, held her tauter than her usual lean and steady stand. The one that never failed to make her so lovingly charming and artistically unhurried and relaxed in his eyes and everyone's ones. It brought to him the sudden question of when it had changed that way. She used to be the hyper all-at-once kind before she went to the States. He had always loved it, it was refreshing to see someone so excited about things in this world where so many people could be bitter. She still got excited about magic and fairy tales, granted. And she wasn't bitter. Just calmer. He could only guess the years had made her quieter. But it didn't seem like the right word either. Because she was still able to do many things at once, and at such a speed sometimes, it made me him dizzy.

He could have thought darkly of it, and attributed the reason to what she went through and what – god, he hated it and had nightmares since he knew – , had rushed her depart to the US five years ago. Lord knew, he was one that had quieted down in the face of his hardships, so he had to admit, to himself at least; bad things made you grow. Even if it brought a pit of sickness to his stomach, to just imagine it was the same reason for Kyoko. And it was his self-loathe and sorrow that numbed him and nurtured his calm attitude – as well as his determination to rebuild his acting and a career, if he was fair – , and made him unable to do anything but survive. But he wasn't really living, neither allowing of happiness in. Not until after he met her.

Kyoko was different, she hadn't stopped to live. She hadn't become a shell of herself for a long while. If anything she had become stronger and freer over the last years. It felt like she had fought nails and toes to keep experiencing and living, even through the suffering of it all. At least, Ren thought he could grasp about that much of what he saw of her, and of what she told him.

Then, was it as simple as maturing over the years? He wasn't sure. He would have loved to question her about it. But he didn't feel comfortable asking, if the risk was bringing bad memories to her in the process by touching to sensitive matters.

They reached the entry as he finished on a dead end in his thoughts, and he slowed down as they passed over the gate doors, once more.

They made their way back without rush and he felt Kyoko slow the pace even more as they noticed his parents still in the courtyard. He was surprised they hadn't followed him earlier, if only out of sheer curiosity.

He accepted the new rhythm easily, walking even more leisurely when he felt the sedate step of Kyoko behind. And as he shifted his gaze her direction, she had the most measured shy look he had seen on her. Ever.

She was portraying a long-drawn quiet gait and was nearly trying to hide her body behind him. She also sported a very focused polite expression, and while she still looked as dashing as usual, her demeanour seemed tremendously cautious.

He was so used to the confident Kyoko he couldn't help but snort. She looked up at him with narrowed golden pits, well aware – apparently – , of the reason of his merriment.

"They are not lions, they are not going to eat you." He commented happily. "Plus, you already met my father a couple times."

She pulled her tongue out at him, giving him plenty grimaces before sighing and rolling her shoulders several times, visibly trying to relax and unlock her tense back. It was deeply amusing.

"Stop smirking. And it was years ago."

"I think I never saw you so shy since I know you. You look even more afraid than me earlier."

"That's impossible."She protested with a grin and he pretended to be vexed for a second but suddenly they were only a few metres away.

"Ah-ha. See, I knew I heard voices."His mum said. "We thought we heard you talking so we figured you had found your friend and would wait for you two to come back."

END OF CHAPTER.

PS: Look what i've got here. Another chapter. And lord, i hope you will love it because we are delving more and more into the emotional parts.

And it is damn exhausting. Exciting, touching. But lord... My soul is leaving, and you will have more of this.

Anyway, i'm just glad i'm able to deliver a new so soon and i hope to have many returns on what you all think of this waited reunion.

Thank you to everyone for your loyal support and patience.

Kisses,

Mimagfan,

AUTHOT OUT.