1 January 2024

Kanae's Idea

"Ohayo gozaimasu!"

Another day, another rehearsal. Kanae gave everyone a polite smile, stashed her purse in a little cubby, and went to join the rest of the actors as Kyoko made her way to the other side of the set.

She suppressed a grin.

Ren Tsuruga was looking at Kyoko again, and Kyoko was pretending she hadn't noticed…

…because Ren Tsuruga was always looking at Kyoko, and Kyoko was always pretending she hadn't noticed.

Every day since he'd arrived in LA it had been the same thing: she'd walk into rehearsals with Kyoko in-tow, everyone would say hi, and then Kyoko and Tsuruga-san's eyes would meet across the room. And then her indefatigable best friend would inevitably blush and then turn her eyes away from the dark-haired actor, who would then look at her with a pitiful little puppy-dog face for just a split-second before he collected himself and hid behind his stoic, serious face. They'd spend the rest of their time being perfectly polite to each other, even perfectly friendly, but studiously apart. Apart, yes, but she could feel the tension between them, even from across the room.

And then there was the matter of him calling her 'Mogami-san.' No one called Kyoko 'Mogami-san,' not here. It was unusual. It was conspicuous. Even though she'd been taken aback by the informal way her American co-stars used first names, she'd gotten used to it. Everyone was on informal terms here, it seemed. Everyone, that is, except Kyoko and Ren Tsuruga.

She wouldn't have been surprised if they'd discussed it.

Actually, she wouldn't be surprised if Kyoko had insisted on him calling her 'Mogami-san.'

She almost felt sorry for the guy.

When Kyoko had first told her about his little confession—and then the fake-out right after—she'd been indignant. She was sure the man was a playboy, dragging her best friend's heart around on a little leash. She'd wanted to give him a piece of her mind right there and then, but Kyoko had talked her out of it. She'd given the boy the benefit of the doubt—because from what Kyoko had told her, Tsuruga was most definitely a boy. A boy who'd never been in love before, apparently. Despite his looks, despite his apparent maturity, he was…someone who clearly had no clue what he was doing. And while Kanae could believe that whole "we both want to reach our goals"-business, watching them in this awkward dance was downright frustrating.

She wanted to shake them both. Tell them "Do something already!" But what could she do?

Everyone else was oblivious to this—the rest of the Japanese cast was entirely focused on getting to know their American counterparts. How they missed it was beyond her, but…well, she did have inside knowledge. And those two were excellent actors, best in the game. She had no doubt Kyoko would have succeeded in fooling her if she hadn't known her so well.

She sighed. She squared up her shoulders—she couldn't live Kyoko's life for her. There wasn't anything she could do about it…nope, nothing at all.

And she would have continued thinking that until she heard Yashiro-san's discreet cough beside her.

"Our One True Pair," he said conspiratorially, pushing his glasses upwards.

She crossed her arms. "Hrmph," she said. "Frustrating, as always."

"As always." They sighed together.

"They're not dating," Yashiro said.

"I know," she replied, "not-dating-dating. Idiots."

"They really are."

"But our idiots."

"I was so excited when he told me he'd confessed—"

"I was just surprised it took him so long."

Yashiro raised an eyebrow.

"What?" she said. "It's been obvious for a while now. He pretty much confirmed it at the Happy Grateful Party."

"I'm just surprised you could tell."

"Couldn't you?" she asked him.

Yashiro's mouth tilted up into a smirk. "Nearly from the day they met."

"The day they met?" she asked.

"The audition."

"Kyoko's audition?"

"You know he picked her up and threw her out, right?"

"Ha!" She chortled. "Sounds about right. But. Yashiro-san. They're driving me insane."

"Me too."

"Because they're not doing anything."

"I know."

"They say they don't want to do anything," she grumbled. "Except he looks at her like he's starving and she's so distracted it makes me anxious, though—"

"No one would ever know, though, unless they knew those two."

She nodded.

For a while they stood quietly. Kyoko was laughing and smiling with Koga-san, and Ren was pouting darkly from the other side of the studio.

She took in a sharp breath. "You know…" She paused, hesitating. "What if they do do something?"

Yashiro huffed. "Like what?"

She grinned. "I have an idea."

=.=.=

"I'll tell you more about the event later," Moko had said before rushing off. "But wear something nicer."

Kyoko took that to mean Don't wear your LoveMe jumper, looked down at her outfit, and sighed.

"But wear comfortable shoes. Maybe bring a sweater in case it gets chilly."

"But—" Kyoko had a ton of questions. Moko had sprung this last-minute event on her. Why would she need to dress up? Why would it get chilly?

But Moko made it clear there wasn't time to answer her questions. "I'll meet you there," Moko had said. "Use the LME credit card for the Uber and for the stuff on the list, OK?"

"But—but—"

She'd grumbled, but Moko had glared at her. "No buts, Kyoko. It may look like a social outing, but Lory's on the hook for these expenses."

She picked out a nice dress and some comfortable shoes—nothing too fancy, but 'nice' enough that Moko would be satisfied, she was sure. She went shopping at the supermarket closest to their set, putting everything into her trusty tote-bag. The things on Moko's list had puzzled her—none of these things were really the things she liked to eat. And she'd insisted that Kyoko buy the pre-packaged foods instead of going back to prepare the food herself. It wasn't too much food—just a small cheese board with some honey and some dried fruit. Two sandwiches, one small heart-shaped cake. Some bottled tea to drink. Enough for the two of them, certainly not for the entire cast.

Kyoko looked down at her mobile phone. 6:15pm, and she'd just managed to get everything Moko-san had asked for assembled together. It hadn't been too bad—all she'd needed was a trip to the supermarket. The event will be at Griffith Observatory, Moko had texted. Get there by 6:15 and meet me by the main entrance.

There was a bench; she sat down on it. Public Star-Viewing Party, a small sign proclaimed, with the assistance of volunteers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society. Ah, she thought. That must be why there were people with telescopes on the lawn. Was the entire cast coming? Had Herbert-san organized a group outing for everyone? Perhaps people were bringing their own dinner—that made sense, didn't it? It looked very much like a picnic out there. There were a number of the groups on the lawn with coolers and blankets and chairs.

Hi Moko-san! she texted, I'm here!

The reply came back quicker than expected.

Sorry, Kyoko. Running late. Please enjoy the sunset.

It wasn't quite time for sunset yet, though the afternoon light was painting everything gold. She sat back for a second and looked around. She'd only ever seen Griffith Observatory in movies. It was on a high hill overlooking all of the city—she could see the Hollywood sign. She was contemplating getting a better view of it when she heard a low voice call out to her.

"Mogami-san."

Her stomach lurched. She lifted up her eyes to see him, carrying a backpack and some kind of bulky bag of sorts. The afternoon sun made his hair paler, reminding her, for a second, of finding him by the stream in Karuizawa. "Tsuruga-san!" she said, blushing. She was at a loss for words. "I—I was waiting for Moko-san," she finished lamely.

"I'm not Kotonami-san," he said, "but hopefully I'll do for now."

The low rumble of his voice sent a thrill through her. "Yashiro-san sent me to bring these things over," he said, holding up the bag. "It's a telescope, I think."

"It…it seems to be a star-watching party," she said.

"So it does," he smiled. "Shall we?"

In a way, she was glad that his hands were full. She wouldn't think about holding one of them then.

They walked over to a nice-looking spot and set up the blanket. The sun was starting to set, and the skies were turning a shade of pinky-purple over orange and gold.

"Do you think everyone else will be here soon?" she asked. He was setting up the telescope.

"Yashiro did say they were running late," he said.

"That's what Moko told me too," she mused. She looked at him curiously. "Do you use telescopes often, Tsuruga-san?"

"Not so much anymore," he said. "But when I was younger, my father would take me to parties a lot like this one. I still remember how to set it all up."

"Oh—"

She was going to ask more questions, but their phones dinged at the same time.

Sorry, Kyoko, Moko had written. Turns out we can't make it after all. But you were able to meet Tsuruga-san, right?

She blushed bright red and looked up just as Ren looked up from his own phone.

"Yashiro can't—"

"Moko can't—"

They spoke at the same time.

"Should we—well, I guess we should pack up—" she choked out. Frantically, she began placing the picnic she'd just begun to unpack back in her tote. She couldn't be here alone! With Tsuruga-san! What if they were seen!?

He didn't say anything until she looked back up at him.

He was smiling at her with that smile. "Kyoko-chan," he said.

Instantly, her face flamed red. He knew—he knew she couldn't handle that! But he laughed quietly. "I think we've been set up."

"Set…up?" she asked.

"Set up. By Kotonami-san and that love-mon manager of mine."

"Oh." Now that he'd said it, yes. It was obvious, wasn't it? Food for two, none of it anything Moko would eat. A single heart-shaped cake. Him, with one blanket. The last minute cancellation.

"Will you stay?" he asked. His eyes were hopeful. "Watch the sunset with me? Maybe we can watch the moon rise tonight."

She didn't ask how he knew the moon would be rising. And she didn't trust her mouth to speak. Instead, she nodded yes as his smile broadened.

=.=.=

"What are they doing? Are they staying?!"

"Shhhh." Kanae lowered the binoculars. "Yes—it looks like she was about to panic there for a second, but I think he's talked her into staying."

Yukihito Yashiro squealed.

"Stop it," she chided. "You're as bad as Takarada-san."

"This was all your idea, Kotonami-san," he said.

"Not all my idea. I didn't know anything about this Observatory place. Or this park. Or that sunset view—why do you know all this, anyway?"

He shrugged. "I've just…always thought it would be a nice place to have a date."

"Well, it looks like it'll be a success," she said, holding up the binoculars again.

"You're being awfully suspicious-looking," he said.

"Everyone out there has a telescope," she protested.

"Telescopes and binoculars are not the same thing. That big hat isn't helping."

"Well, I could be looking at the Hollywood sign. Or at birds. Or something. And Kyoko is scary observant…"

She handed the binoculars to him. "Here. Take a look. He's got her blushing again. Looks like he said something really embarrassing this time."

He took the binoculars but set them down. She looked at him, puzzled. "Or maybe you and I could—have our own picnic?" he asked sheepishly.

Oh.

She felt her own blush staining her cheeks red before choking out a reply. Right at that moment, Ren Tsuruga and Kyoko Mogami might have decided to streak through the park naked; she wouldn't have noticed.

"Umm. Sure," she said.

=.=.=.=

Author's Note: Uh, yeah, sorry, super quick one shot. Needed a DoK break—Happy New Year! I was trying to get Chapter 39 out by New Year's Day but…I'm tired, guys. Really tired. Parker needed some time to binge Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Spy x Family and clean her house. And I wanted to do something small and fluffy. Maybe not terribly original, maybe not even fully-baked yet. Definitely not beta-read. Or proof-read. You're literally getting this as soon as I finished. But I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

Let me know what you think.

Parkerbear, 1 January 2024