Sitting in the front of the 59th All-Japan Entertainment Awards function, Maria stifles a yawn. But as a junior manager-in-training at LME, it could not be helped. She is stuck having to go to interminably boring events like these. That Kyoko and Ren are both up for acting awards today is the only saving grace, in her opinion.

"Best Newcomer in Literature Award goes to Shin Ai for 'The Spirit of the Violin'" the emcee announces with absolutely no fanfare or drama in his voice.

'He could do with some presentation skills training', Maria mentally notes. She then sits up abruptly. Who is that young man who just walked on stage? Hazel eyes and chestnut brown hair arranged in careful nonchalance and is that a single diamond-stud earring? Maria feels a vague disquietude. She has definitely seen this person before. As he walks across to receive the award, Maria's heart seems to skip a beat and then beat twice as fast to make up. His gait speaks of confidence but no arrogance to go with it, a sort of classy fashion. Involuntarily she sighs. Maria the LME president's daughter might have had a chance with him, Maria the lowly office lady - no better than a clerk really, has zero chance. But she can't help but steal surreptitious glances at him throughout the ceremony.

Maria had wished that the banquet after the ceremony was not mandatory but now she eagerly heads to the banquet hall. Perhaps she can meet that ikemen young man and find something to say to him. As she scans through the crowd for Shin, she does a double take. Kyoko-onesama is standing next to Shin. Her surprise grows as she watches Kyoko affectionately tuck one of Shin's wayward curls behind his ear.

A few feet away, Kyoko is saying to Shin, "I am very proud of you, Shin. Although I always knew you deserved it. And just so you know, I had absolutely nothing to do with you getting this award. "

Maria's mind is in a whirl, "What are they to each other? Why is she so familiar with him?" she wonders. "Kyoko-onesama, don't do this to Ren-sama!", she mentally admonishes Kyoko. She makes her way to the food tables and without looking starts pilling on more and more food on her plate.

'This is ridiculous' Maria thinks. 'I should still be able to go and talk to them and get myself introduced to him. I know them both well.' She turns but the movement is too sudden and the mountain of food on her plate slips and falls on a pointy shoe.

"I'm so sorry," she stutters and finds her grandfather Lory Takarada standing in front of her. He is wearing a sober black business suit and looks terrifyingly normal.

"Ojisan," she says and stops.

"What's wrong?" Lory asked. "Don't want to go to meet them?"

"Won't he think it forward of me?"

"I said 'them', not him."

Too late Maria realizes her mistake and tries hard not to blush.

Meanwhile, Ren has joined Shin and Kyoko is off talking to other people at the party and is saying to Shin, "It is only a beginner's award. Don't let it get to your head."

Getting no snarky response in return, Ren pauses.

"Why don't you ask her out?"

Shin starts and refocuses on Ren, "She is above my level I'm sure." he said.

"Nothing is above the level of true love" Ren replied. He was punning, of course on Shin's name. Ai means love. Another name Shin had given himself. "Besides," he continues, "You will have me as a wingman!"

Kyoko returns and says, "It's almost time!"

The opening sounds of a guitar fill the room. It is slow and deep and lilting. Everyone stops what they are doing or saying and looks to the stage area of the room.

"Give your heart to him..."

A room with an average age of above forty erupts in cheers to drown out any high school concert.

Kyoko smiles and looks at Ren who has a more reserved smile on his face. Fuwa Sho's signature dulcet tones continue...

"Give your heart to her,

Or else you'll wait forever..."

The last syllable stretches on long eliciting another cheer from the crowd.

"Do you like this song?" Maria has made her way to Shin and shyly asks him.

"Yeah.," Shin replies finding his mouth suddenly dry.

"Do you like this song?" Kyoko asks Ren.

"How can I not?" Ren replies. "And before you ask. The singer is not that bad either."

Kyoko smiles. That was good enough for her.

- THE END -