Chapter 35: Confrontation

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Kyoko would meet her father.

After meeting with the President, Kyoko parted ways with Ren and headed for the LoveMe room. Her job as the jealous girlfriend role today had to be rescheduled due to a conflict with the lead protagonist. She now had a couple of free hours here at LME before she needed to report to the Sacred Lotus set.

Kyoko bided her time doing remedial LoveMe tasks now that her schedule was free. She had hoped to run into Chiori but her friend texted her stating that she would not be in until later. She had another variety show taping today.

When she was tired of the busywork, Kyoko stopped to check her email and was delighted to see a message from Kanae. Her friend told her that she got the role, which Kyoko never doubted for a second. Kanae would still have to play a woman in love but it wasn't nearly as pathetic as the role of Chidori. She ranted about all the tabloid articles Kyoko was involved in with her pretty boy boyfriend. She was particularly concerned about the robbery. Kyoko could hear Kanae's voice scolding her as she lectured Kyoko about cohabitating with the megastar. In the end, Kanae admitted that she was glad she was unharmed and that Ren had stepped in to provide her a safe place to live. She would support her decision if it made her happy.

Kyoko's eyes swam with tears as she replied to her best friend. She told Kanae about the new work she had and assured her that she was handling the press. The robbery was solved and the thief was apprehended in a sense. She couldn't resist adding lots of hearts and flower emojis around the words describing how much she missed her before sending the email. Kyoko withheld the information concerning her father. More than ever she wanted to listen to the wise advice of her best friend. If Kanae knew, she would be worried and unable to concentrate on her work. She had already worried her with the strained relationship Kyoko had with her mother she didn't want to add to it. She would explain everything properly once she returned to Japan.

Kyoko closed her phone but hesitated to put it in her bag. She opened and closed her phone several more times before she growled in frustration. She was being such a coward right now. She usually tackled a problem as soon as it presented itself. With renewed determination, she sent a text to her mother. Hello Mother, I hope you are well. I need to speak to you in person as soon as possible if it's not too much trouble. She crossed her fingers and hoped her mother wouldn't find her bothersome. This was the first time she had reached out to her mother since their talk.

Kyoko cried out, startled, as her phone vibrated for an incoming call. The ID showed her mother was calling. She panicked and sent the chair she was sitting on crashing to the floor. She was expecting a response text with a time and place. She wasn't prepared to talk to her at this very moment. Kyoko pictured the frown growing deeper between her mother's eyes with each ring she let pass. She didn't want to add annoying her mother to the list today so she grabbed the phone and answered.

"Hello! Mogami Kyoko speaking," she said calmly hiding the tremor in her voice as she mentally berated herself to calm down.

"Kyoko, what do you need?" Saena asked tersely.

"M- mother, I'm very sorry for wasting your time. I was hoping to speak to you on a sensitive topic in person if possible," Kyoko replied, trying to relax.

"That's not possible," Saena replied immediately. Her words came out harsh and stung Kyoko.

This was a mistake. Maybe she didn't want me associated with her anymore.

"I am currently on a Shinkansen bound for Kyoto for a conference. I will be gone for the next two weeks so it'll be impossible to meet. If whatever you have to discuss can't wait until I return you have no choice but to tell me over the phone," Saena explained.

Kyoko sagged in her now righted chair relieved that her mother wasn't outright refusing to see her. She heard a man's voice in the background on her mother's end. "What is it Saena-san? Is Kyoko-chan in trouble?" Kyoko's eyes widened at how intimately the man called her mother's name. Was that Todoh-san?

Saena covered the mouthpiece of the phone but Kyoko still heard her muffled reply, "It doesn't sound like an emergency."

"Ah! It's not an emergency. It's something very sensitive. I wonder if this was a good idea. I'm sorry to have bothered you," she said, mulling over the idea of telling her mother.

"Kyoko, please don't waste my time and tell me why you called? I can't believe you still act the same way you did as a child."

Kyoko sat up ramrod straight and breathed deeply before proceeding, "There is a man here claiming to be my biological father." She held her breath as she waited for a reaction from her mother. The heavy silence that followed her news seemed to stretch on for eternity.

"On what grounds does he have to make such a claim? Have you spoken to him? What does he want from you?" Saena asked in a businesslike tone.

Kyoko thought she was eerily calm in her response. She sounded very much like a lawyer talking to her client. Perhaps this was her way of coping with the situation.

"President Lory had verified a hair sample paternity test but he thinks it should be followed up with a blood test. I haven't spoken to the man...yet. For now, it seems he only wants to talk."

"I see. I can't blame you for being curious about your biological father. I can only warn you of my experience. Don't be foolish like me and trust him blindly."

Kyoko pulled her phone from her ear and stared at it. Did an alien take over her mother's body? Was that all she was going to say? She thought she would want to confront the man herself and get her revenge. Kyoko stopped her negative train of thoughts when she remembered her mother was no longer angry with him. It wasn't fair that her mother blamed herself for his actions. Saena believed her frivolous nature caused her problems since she refused to acknowledge the hints he left her.

"Do you know how he found you? I partly denied your existence on television in case he was watching. What I told you before still holds. The way I treated you...I was never a mother to you. I have no right to stop you from meeting him. I leave it to you to decide what is best for you."

Kyoko was shocked to hear the other reason her mother claimed not to have any children. In her way she was looking out for her as best she could. Kyoko wasn't sure how he had found her. The President seemed to have the answer but he refused to share it.

"Thank you for taking my call. I think I have to talk to him properly or I won't be able to move forward."

"I understand. Goodbye Kyoko. I will be back in Tokyo in a couple of weeks. I would like to see you in person and please bring that boy along."

Kyoko gulped. What if her mother sent her back to Kyoto because of her relationship? There was no point denying it since they were all over the news these days. "Yes, Mother. See you then. Please have a good trip."

Tadashi thought he smelled something cooking. He realized it was just him burning under the sweltering Japanese sun. He was lucky the weather had been pleasant for the past two days given the summer heat. Today was unbearably hot and he secretly wished for it to rain just to cool off. He wondered how much longer his body would be able to keep this up. It would be extremely embarrassing if his health failed him. A man of his age should quit being stubborn and know his limitations.

His eyelids grew heavy as he stared down at his lap. Fatigue was slowly setting in. Three days was probably his limit. He still had hours of daylight left too but feared he wouldn't make it in this heat. It was as if the Gods had heard his plea. A cool breeze enveloped him and a cloud blocked out the sun casting him in shadow.

Tadashi jerked up when something cold pressed against the back of his neck. His startled face scrunched up into a smile. With the sun behind her back, it caused a halo of light behind her blocking him from the sun. Concerned golden eyes stared down reminding him of a guardian angel. It's her!

The true expression on Kyoko's face was far from angelic as she scowled at him. What intelligent grown man would put himself in such a perilous position? He appeared ready to faint from heat exhaustion if he stayed out here any longer. She shook the bottle at him again with more irritation. He reached up and took the cool drink from her.

"Thank you," he said. His golden eyes lit up and a warm smile spread across his lips as he gripped the bottle. Kyoko had the feeling that he was thanking her for more than just the drink. She looked at him properly now that she was closer. He had sweat right through his expensive suit. She frowned at the redness on his face and neck. He was sunburned. Japanese skin was sensitive to the sun that he could even have sun poisoning. She sighed and felt guilty for not coming out sooner.

After talking with her mother, she called Kuon to let him know her change of heart. She expected to get his voicemail but was glad he answered instead.

"Hello, Corn, it's me." Kyoko greeted him as soon as he picked up.

"Hi baby, miss me already?" He teased. It was lucky that she called on break at the R'Mandy shoot while he browsed his phone. He'd rather she was with him but due to their conflicting schedules, Kyoko would be posing for the women's winter collection at another time while he modeled the menswear today.

"Is it okay to talk? You can call me back when you're free."

"I have time now. What is it?"

"I've decided to face that man claiming to be my father. You were right. I won't be able to move past this otherwise. I feel guilty for making him sit outside of LME for so long."

"He decided to sit out there so you have nothing to feel guilty about. Nobody would blame you if you have nothing to do with him. I'm sure with the boss's help, we can get rid of him...and I don't mean like a hitman. I mean just ask him to leave and stay away." He didn't think this would fly with her but he wanted to let her know it was an option.

"Thank you, Corn, but I'll feel terrible taking that path without hearing him properly."

"He could be a con artist and want something else entirely," he argued.

"That did cross my mind and I've prepared myself to be disappointed...Corn, could you please come with me to talk to him?"

"Of course! There's no way I'm leaving you alone with him. Have you decided when?"

"No, I was going to talk with Yashiro-san. Is it okay if I work it with your schedule?"

"You don't have to ask, baby. Have Yashiro-san figure it out for us and I'll be there with you. You never have to face anything alone anymore. I love you. I will always be with you. Well, I have to caveat that since we have demanding jobs but you understand."

Kyoko's heart swelled at his sincerity. "I love you too, Corn! How did I get so lucky?"

He chuckled lightly. "I'm the lucky one, baby. I have to go! Fuji-san is tapping his foot in front of me. I think my time is up. I'll see you later. Love you!"

"I love you too," Kyoko said with a giggle and hung up. She could imagine the look on the frustrated designer's face. She felt more sure of her decision after talking to him.

Tadashi took the arm that she held out to assist him off his knees. He struggled while groaning in pain throughout the process but his legs had fallen asleep at some point. He couldn't stand just yet and instead sat with his butt on the concrete. The change in position was such a relief. He watched his daughter open the water bottle for him which took and drank gratefully.

Kyoko glanced around the area while her "father" recovered his strength. The street wasn't too busy and the paparazzi seemed to disappear with Ren. Her poor boyfriend had it rough but for once she was grateful for his popularity.

"Kyoko-chan," Kyoko and Tadashi both turned as Yashiro approached. Heels clicking on the concrete from the roadside also gained their attention.

Mya reached down and helped Tadashi to his feet. She clucked like a mother hen and scolded him for not taking better care of himself as she dusted his suit. When she was satisfied, she bowed to Kyoko and introduced herself.

"Hello, Mogami-san. My name is Tanaka Mya. I am the executive assistant to this awkward man, Morimoto Tadashi. Please excuse his rash behavior."

Kyoko bowed just as formally and returned the elegant woman's bow and introduction. She caught the glare Mya shot to her "father," making him drop into a bow as well. Kyoko pursed her lips to keep from smiling and wondered if they had a personal relationship.

Yashiro finally reached them and introduced himself while looking at her father suspiciously.

"I apologize for the interruption but, Kyoko-chan, we need to get going," Yashiro said looking at his watch.

Tadashi was crestfallen as he realized his time with her was already up. He didn't even properly introduce himself and had to let Mya help him out. He doubted he looked reliable in her eyes.

Kyoko nodded to Yashiro in understanding and turned to Tadashi. "I'm sorry, Morimoto-san. I have no time today to speak with you properly. Could we set up a more convenient time to talk?" Kyoko was impressed that she could speak properly. She had been so nervous confronting him but all that was quickly replaced with concern when she saw the physical state he was in. If she had taken any longer, he probably would have ended up in the hospital.

"Morimoto-san, can you please give your card to Yashiro-san? I would like to hear your side of the story. I would also like Ren to be with me when we speak."

The formal way she addressed him didn't even phase him. He hoped with time, she would be comfortable with calling him, father. Right now, he was elated that she was willing to hear him out.

"Yes! Could you come over for dinner?!" He asked excitedly. "I would like to cook for you both, if possible. Whatever day works for me."

Kyoko nodded shyly.

Tadashi turned to Mya with hope burning in his eyes. His assistant reached into her jacket pocket and handed a business card to Yashiro. "Please call me when a date is finalized and I will work it into his schedule."

As she left with Yashiro, Tadashi called out, "Thank you for giving me a chance, Kyoko-chan!"

She gave him a small bow in return and continued walking.

Lory smiled as he watched the scene below from his perch. The sands of time have continued to fall for her. His LoveMe number one was moving forward again.

Kyoko opened the door to their apartment and fumbled to reset the alarm since her arms were laden with bags of groceries to cook them a nutritious dinner. "I'm home!" She called out but there was no answer. If he wasn't here to greet her he was probably indisposed. She headed into the kitchen to put the groceries away. A smile crept over her lips as she heard the light sounds of water running and the most melodious voice ever to reach her ears.

She quickly put the cold stuff away and left the rest on the counter in favor of surprising her boyfriend. He was in the shower singing without a care in the world. She smirked as she stood in the doorway and listened to him. Was this something he did regularly before she came along?

"….and everything is quiet...and it's always, you and me, always, and forever; you and me, always and forever…ba, ba, ba, ba…"

Kyoko covered her mouth and stifled her giggle. She smiled mischievously as a naughty idea popped into her head. How many times had he asked Setsu to join him? She wasn't going to miss the opportunity this time, after all, they were lovers now. She stripped off her clothes, opened the glass door, and stealthily crept inside. It was easy to sneak in since his back was to her while he washed the front of his body. Her mouth watered as she appreciated his naked form. His back rippled with tight muscles tapering into narrow hips. Her eyes lingered as the water cascaded over his well-defined ass and poured down his long muscular legs. She stepped closer thinking to wrap her arms around him from behind and push her body up against him seductively. He'd appreciate that, wouldn't he? Kyoko screamed as the water splashed her skin. Why the fuck is it so cold?!

Kuon whirled around, looking completely surprised and guilty but Kyoko failed to notice his expression.

"Kuon, why are you taking such a cold shower? It can't be comfortable!" Kyoko scolded as she took control of the valves and turned the water to a warmer temperature. "That's better," she sighed with a satisfied smile as she stepped into the water.

The Emperor's green eyes flashed with hunger as he watched the little vixen commandeer his shower. Closing her eyes she arched her back and jutted out her breasts as her hands came up to run the water through her hair. His eyes sharpened as he watched the water droplets land on her hardened rosy tips, slide down her abdomen and pool at the bare center of her thighs before caressing its way down her sinewy legs. He licked his lips and wished he could be water right now.

Kyoko yelped as Kuon pulled her against his cool body, gripping her by the ass. Her face flushed with desire as his arousal dug into her hip. He crushed his mouth to hers while his hands continued to knead the toned flesh of her bottom. She stumbled backward as he pushed her against the wall deepening their kiss. The feel of his naked body against hers made her grow hot dispelling any traces of the earlier cold. Kyoko felt her control slipping as he turned her mind to mush. She forced herself to remember why she invaded his privacy in the first place. She wanted to be in control. She managed to catch him by surprise with her strength and turned things around on him. She forced him up against the wall just where she wanted him. She wasn't backing down. She stood on tiptoes pulling his head down and pushing her tongue inside his mouth with little to no resistance on his part. He pulled her tighter as their tongues intertwined with one another.

After a minute, she pulled her lips from his and nipped his chin with her teeth when he tried to reclaim her lips. Kuon groaned but leaned his head back against the wall giving her permission to do as she pleased. The next time her lips touched him she kissed the areas of his chest she could reach while standing comfortably. Her curious hands raked up and down the hard muscles of his back and squeezed his ass in the same way he did hers. She wondered if he got excited the same way she did and was pleased by the shiver that coursed through his body when her mouth closed over his nipple. She kissed, licked, and swirled her tongue around the hardened peak.

It was the first time Kuon ever had a woman do that before so it was a new sensation for him. When Kyoko was satisfied she had thoroughly teased that nipple, she moved to the other one and repeated the same torture. Kuon balled his hands at his sides into tight fists to keep from gripping her too hard. When she was done with his chest, her hot mouth licked and sucked its way down his abdominal wall. He was glad she didn't linger in one spot too long. He didn't want anyone thinking less of her if he was covered in love bites though he wouldn't mind a few from her.

Kuon's breath hitched when she dropped to her knees and looked up at him through her lashes. He didn't think it was possible but he felt his cock grow harder in anticipation of what was to come. He stared down into her molten eyes and managed to rasp out, "Baby, what are you doing?" He had barely asked the question when those sweet sensual lips skimmed the head of his penis. His hips bucked of its own accord. Kuon took deep breaths to keep from coming right then and there. The thrill of her sucking him off was overwhelming him and she knew it. Kyoko smirked and licked her lips making him groan. This time when she got closer to his cock her little tongue flicked out and quickly tasted him making his knees buckle. When did she become such a tease? Kuon knew he had to rein in his desire but instead, he leaned his head against the wall once more and let it wash over him. He closed his eyes to embrace the euphoria as her dainty fingers wrapped around him and squeezed.

A deep guttural sound rose above the sound of the cascading water as he steadied himself against the wall. He opened his heavy-lidded eyes and watched as she dragged her tongue on the underside of his cock from hilt to tip. "Baby, please," Kuon begged. Where the fuck did she learn that? He quickly told his mind not to answer that question.

Kyoko smiled. She was obviously doing something right and felt high on the power she had over him right now. She parted her lips and sucked in his tip. Kuon was so impatient he bucked his hips and shoved his cock deeper into her mouth. He didn't care that his sensitive skin scraped against her teeth. "I'm, I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean to do that," Kuon said, embarrassed by his lack of control.

Kyoko giggled with his cock still in her mouth but didn't shy away from him. The vibrations of the sound sent fresh shock waves throughout his body. She rhythmically moved her mouth up and down his length occasionally taking a break to leave petal-soft kisses on his head and swallow her saliva. He was so large that she had to use her hand to compensate for the part of him that she couldn't take in her mouth. Kuon's control wavered and buried his fingers into her hair. He panted loudly as he guided her head and rocked into her mouth. It didn't take him long for his orgasm to build up. She made him feel like he was coming up on the peak of a rollercoaster teetering over the edge before gravity took over and took him on a wild ride.

Kuon felt numb as the amazing feeling began to overcome his penis. His movements increased faster, the pressure building inside him until he was on the verge of zipping down. "I'm close, baby! You have to let me go!" The thought of coming in her mouth drove him to his breaking point. He knew she wasn't fond of the taste so he had to stop her. He pulled her head back roughly at the last second and blew his load all over her neck and chest. He managed to aim down before exploding on her face. After several moments of labored breathing, his eyes fluttered open to survey the damage. She knelt there with a smile of satisfaction on her face, covered in his semen. He had never seen a more sexy sight in his life. He stroked his dick until the last of his creamy substance was released. He vowed to pay her in full when they got out of the shower.

Two Nights Later

Kyoko fidgeted with her outfit while they rode the elevator. She hoped she looked okay. Her boyfriend reached out and grabbed her hand to keep from messing with her hair for the one-hundredth time. "You look beautiful, baby. Don't give away your hand before the game even starts."

Kyoko stared at him wide-eyed with confusion. "What do you mean, Corn?" He quickly explained the game of poker and the meaning of a poker face. She needed to devoid her face of all emotion and keep her face impassive. This way she would keep her opponent, in this case, her father guessing at what she was thinking.

"Are you ready?" He asked with a quick peck on the lips for luck. He knocked on the door when Kyoko gave him the signal.

Tadashi greeted them at the door with a welcoming smile. The delicious aroma from dinner accosted them and filled their senses. Kyoko immediately broke into a warm smile of her own. The place smelled heavenly to her.

Ren smiled at his girlfriend as she lost her poker face the moment she smelled the food. We need to practice that a bit more. He loved that she had no problems displaying her emotions. It was quite refreshing in comparison to his constant mask. He would keep up his gentlemanly appearance until he fully assessed the man. I won't forgive anyone that takes advantage of my Kyoko!

AN: Gomen everyone, you can blame my perverted ways for ending this here. To be picked up in the next chapter ;)

Thank you for reading! I read my last chapter and found it a bit of a bore. I think I was still on melatonin when I posted that. It helps me sleep when on travel. I hear (see) you, reviewers. I went back and inserted the smut into this chapter after reading Cinderamethyst's review. Hopefully, it didn't feel forced or out of place. It's how I wanted things to go down with Kyoko's first bj. So you can thank her for that bit.

As far as if I'm almost done with this story, who knows...lol...I still have a few more key points I want to hit before I call it quits. You bet your ass, they are getting a happy ending. I heart RenKyo fluffiness!

BTW Ren was singing "You and Me" by the Wannadies in the shower.

Until next time, Ja ne! ^_^