Chapter 115: Autograph Time

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Ren would grow his hair out.

The chime signaling the lunch hour rang through the speakers in the special class and the main cast of attendees took their time to disperse for lunch today.

"It's my turn to go to the canteen. Do you guys want anything?" Maru asked as he stretched out of his seat.

Various requests for melon bread, strawberry milk tea, and two cartons of black tea were shouted at him. He rolled his eyes as his school friends pushed the desks together for lunch. Thanks to Kyoko's lessons on healthy nutrition, the other students prepared their lunch at home rather than purchasing the high-caloric food provided at the school.

Hanami and Gina gushed about the weight they lost from changing their eating habits. Kyoko was kind enough to share some of the foods Ren consumed to keep fit with Gen. He now ate more protein-packed meals to mimic his idol than the fried foods he preferred. Maru was the only one in the class whose career did not depend on his looks, so he ate whatever he wanted.

Maru slid the door open, took one step out, and stepped back in, closing the door in front of him.

Kyoko noticed and scrunched her eyebrows. "Is everything okay, Maru-san? Oh right, let me give you some money." She dug into her school bag for her coin purse.

"No, um, it's okay. I got this. It's just that there's some sort of—"

The door slid open and a messy and tired-looking Mimori entered the room. The girl was furious as she stalked up to confront Kyoko, making her groan. She was probably here to rub the Kimiko incident in her face.

"What the hell is this?" Mimori demanded, slamming her hand down on Kyoko's desk.

Kyoko and her friends peered down at what Mimori had beneath her hand.

"We can't see with your big paw blocking it," Gen retorted sarcastically.

Mimori's cheeks flamed red with fury at the insult. She glared at Gen but removed her hand. It was a copy of Fuwa's single with her looking like the Demon Queen with geeky Sho worshiping her feet. Kyoko couldn't believe they used that one for the front cover.

Gen let out a low whistle.

"Wow, you look fierce!" Gina complemented.

"I can't believe Fuwa agreed to look like a complete dweeb," Gen commented.

"Sho-chan doesn't look like a dweeb. He is very handsome even in normal clothes," Mimori defended but they ignored her while passing the CD around.

"I bet this album is going to go Platinum. With you on the cover like this; it's bound to sell out. This was a good marketing strategy by Fuwa's team," Maru added with the critical eye of a record producer.

With all the commotion surrounding her these last few days, Kyoko didn't think it was dropping today. She would probably have known if she messaged Shotaro per her promise last night. Ignoring Mimori, Kyoko pulled out her phone to message her annoying childhood friend.

Hey, I just heard your new single was released. Congratulations!

"Who are you texting? Is it Sho-chan? Why would you? An ungrateful woman like you shouldn't be texting him," Mimori sneered, earning a bunch of eye rolls from Kyoko's friends.

A commotion from outside the classroom drew their attention until the door slid open. Their classmate Ayuko, the social media idol now singer, stepped into the room with her back facing them.

"You're disturbing our classroom. Go away! This is school!" She shouted as students came closer to the door.

Wait! We just want Kyoko-san's autograph!

Is she in there?

Can you ask her to come out?

Ayuko shut the door in their faces.

"Goodness!" She said, whipping her hair behind her shoulders. Their classmate looked like a hot mess. She looked tired and her uniform was rumpled. "If anyone is getting your autograph, I will be first. I waited in a long line for my copy!" Ayuko declared, strutting towards Kyoko.

"Kyoko-san, can you please sign my album cover?" Ayuko asked, pulling the sheet from the case and holding it for Kyoko. "Here I have a cute red marker I use for autographs. You should get one. The ink lasts long and dries fast so there's no smearing."

"Excuse me! I was here first!" Mimori huffed, trying to push Ayuko out of the way.

"Oh Nanokura-san, I see you got your copy too. It pays to be a part of Sho-san's fan club. We got the exclusive update that he was having an early release."

"Early release?" Kyoko asked, "It wasn't supposed to come out today?"

"No, the original schedule was for this Saturday but we got a notification early this morning that the first two hundred fans in line would get this exclusive album release for free. I thought it was a scam but since I'm friends with the official fan club president she confirmed the news. I rushed to get down to the agency knowing people would be lining up already. There was someone there handing out numbers. I was the 123rd person in line. Can you believe it? I'm glad I took my time to look cute because, at five in the morning the place was crawling with all of Tokyo's photographers and news outlets. Sho-san didn't even arrive until closer to ten. Fans were griping but as soon as he showed up all was forgiven. He needs his beauty sleep after all."

Kyoko held herself from rolling her eyes along with her friends.

That would explain the phenomenon this morning. Kyoko was able to waltz into school undisturbed. A few paparazzi loitered the front gate but kept a respectful distance from her as Tadashi escorted her to the entrance. The students in the hall were mainly guys. They stared and greeted her like usual but for the most part, left her alone.

Kyoko found that the boys here weren't the gossiping type unless you counted the friends she made in her class. They were less reserved when it came to plying her with questions. All they wanted to know was that she was okay in the end. When they were satisfied, they couldn't stop teasing her about the cute non-proposal Ren made at the press conference. They took bets that the couple eloped after running from the press. The boys lost to the girls. Their reason: No self-respecting woman would let a man as rich as Tsuruga-san off the hook for giving her a dream wedding!

Kyoko scrunched her nose at her friends. They made her sound like a gold digger. "Wha? I'm not with him for his money. I don't need a fancy wedding!"

The girls laughed. "We're joking silly. We know you're just after his body."

"Gina-san!" Kyoko gasped turning a deep shade of red.

"Don't spaz...take away the wealth and you still have one hot piece of man. Am I wrong?"

"Well...you're not wrong. I would still love him even if he weren't rich or famous."

"Exactly!" Gina said with a wink.

"Hello! Mogami-san!" Mimori waved her hand in front of Kyoko's face bringing her back to the present.

"Oh, my family name is Morimoto," Kyoko corrected her. Mimori looked taken aback but didn't question it.

"Well, whatever! Are you going to explain this cover?"

Kyoko sighed. "I was hired to do a job, Nanokura-san."

"And you expect me to think that Sho-chan just went along with it?"

"It wasn't my concept. We did as instructed to complete the job. You need to stop coming to me with any insecurities you have with Fuwa-san. I'm in a committed relationship. Fuwa and I are barely friends these days."

Mimori stood shocked, her face red and her eyes burning with unshed tears.

"You heard her Nanokura-san! If you have nothing else, it's my turn. Kyoko-san, please sign this sleeve."

Mimori left the room in a huff. Kyoko felt bad that the girl was still pining over that blockhead.

She turned her attention to her classmate, "But Ayuko-san, I didn't do anything. You should ask Fuwa-san for his autograph. It's his song."

"I already have his autograph on this one," she said, pulling out a 20 by 25 cm photograph.

This time Kyoko covered her face in embarrassment. Of course, he wouldn't let things be. The photo was him looking roguishly handsome on his throne while a vulnerable Kyoko laid her head on his knee.

"Whoa, this is some major BDSM action going on here with these images. Like seriously, who was the creative director for this album," Gina asked genuinely curious.

"What's BDSM?" Kyoko asked with relative confusion. She looked at every one of her friends for an answer. No one would meet her gaze. Maru retreated out the door with Gen hot on his heels. They told anyone still out there to leave unless it was school-related.

"Come on guys, tell me," Kyoko pleaded. She hated feeling ignorant when her peers were so knowledgeable.

"Let's just ask Google Sensei to help us with this one," Hanami suggested, typing in her phone and then handing it to Kyoko.

Kyoko's eyes widened as she read. How could they suggest such a thing? She hoped it wasn't the case. She was worried he would misunderstand but something else popped into her mind. A certain night that involved handcuffs and dominance came to the forefront of her thoughts. She had no idea there were terms for what she did that night. She needed to stop thinking about it or she would have to dip into her emergency stash of underwear.

Her phone pinged jarring her out of her perverted thoughts. Grateful for the distraction, she returned the phone and looked at hers.

Really?! You almost fucking die and that's all you have to say! Stupid idiot!

"Ren, I got your updated schedule from the assistant," Yashiro called as he approached the open doorway. "Are you about ready to go? We only have two hours before you're due back on set and that includes commute time. Fuji-san would skin us alive if we cut into his time."

"Give me a few more minutes I almost got it," Ren replied standing in front of his dressing room mirror with the hairstylist. "So like this?" Ren mumbled with concentration.

"Yes Tsuruga-san, just scrape it up. I promise you I'm good at what I do. Handling it too roughly won't ruin it. Just follow what I'm doing. It doesn't have to be perfect. Now pull those strands down in the back. Good...good now just twist it a few times in this direction. This way the extensions don't show…okay, now use the tie as I showed you," the stylist said demonstrating every step so Ren could follow along.

Yashiro stood amused with his phone set to video mode. This had to be the tenth time Ren was trying to do this on his own. The actor held the knot in place and pulled the tie from his wrist, securing it around his hair twice.

"Okay, let's see how you did. Move your hands."

Ren held his breath and slowly removed his hands. His lips tilted into a boyish grin when the bun held.

"How does it feel? Shake your head back and forth."

Ren did as he was told.

"It's staying this time," Ren said triumphantly to Yashiro. Yashiro rolled his eyes and put his phone away.

"Thank you for your patience with me, Hekima-san," Ren said, bowing to the stylist.

"Oh, it was my pleasure. You're a fast learner. I'll see you later Tsuruga-san, good luck with your other work," Hekima said as she left the room.

Ren ignored Yashiro's snickering face as he fidgeted with his hair one last time. He took a look in his bag to make sure he had all his stuff then glanced toward the counter for his phone. He picked it up wrapping the earbuds cord around it. He was back to listening to music during his break time for inspiration. He still had plenty of notes to write Kyoko.

…

Ren walked into a chaotic R'Mandy studio which was commonplace this time of year. He may not have done fashion week in the States but he was no stranger to the European shows.

"Tsuruga-san, good to see you. Excuse the chaos. You are the priority right now...by the way, love the hair. It's a good look. New drama?" Fuji's male assistant designer, Jay, greeted them with a gush of words.

"Yeah, thanks," Ren said following Jay through the workroom as they dodged other models and staff.

"Hey, partner, Yashiro-san! Glad, you'll be in this show this go around. Should be successful," a familiar voice called, drawing Ren's attention.

"Hey, Nick! It's been a while."

"Man, a lot of crazy shit has been happening to you. It's like you've been living one of your dramas…By the way, rumor here is you're engaged to that pink cutie over there."

Ren's eyes followed his direction and landed on his girlfriend, in her LoveMe uniform kneeling on the ground as she pinned the hem of a pair of trousers on another male model. She stood up when she was done, smiled at the guy, and then walked away to Fuji's other assistant, Chiaki. Ren frowned watching the model's eyes trail after his girlfriend.

"I haven't asked her yet but I damn well plan on it!"

Nick laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day. I've been working with you for a long time. We were surrounded by beautiful women yet none of them caught your fancy. So she's your type," Nick contemplated.

Ren chuckled and watched his girlfriend flitter about to complete more tasks. "No, she's not a type. She's one of a kind."

"You've got it bad, bro. I'm happy for you," Nick said, squeezing his friend's shoulder before walking off to change.

"Tsuruga-san, we're ready for you in here," the assistant called, waving to him. He cast one last lingering look in Kyoko's direction hoping to catch her eye. As if fate was on his side, she turned just in time. Her brilliant smile transformed her face as she waved to him from the other side of the room. Ren returned her radiant smile with one of his own. But the moment was lost when she was interrupted for help. He waved and followed the assistant. His warm expression was quickly replaced with his gentleman mask as he expertly navigated the minefield of female models vying for his attention.

…

"Ouch!" The model hissed as Kyoko accidentally pricked his arm.

"I'm so sorry!" Kyoko dipped into a deep bow. She could barely steady her hands since he entered. She felt his presence before she even laid her eyes on him. The brief moment her eyes met with his was enough to shake her up. She barely controlled herself.

Oh my God! Is he wearing Ryu's wig? It should be illegal to have him walking around like that! Look at all these predators ready to pounce on him! He's mine, you fiends! Her subconscious screamed.

Kyoko felt just a smidge guilty for not correcting Fuji when he brazenly congratulated her on her recent engagement with Ren. She tried to correct him in private but all the designer told her was, "Please honey, it doesn't matter whether it's now or later. I'm just speaking the truth. You'll thank me for this one."

Before Ren arrived, Many models still present saw her trying on the outfits Fuji prepared for her to wear in LA. He made her walk down the wide corridor that he used as a makeshift runway with each outfit. She wondered if the designer was bullying her by putting her in front of all these beautiful people.

"Even if you aren't in the show, I want you to walk like you're strutting your stuff on a catwalk. I want to see my garments move on you. When you get to that red 'x' on the floor pose and then walk back. Let's have Anika demonstrate. Anika darling, please show Kyoko-chan what I want."

Kyoko sighed with admiration as a gorgeous woman with golden skin and curly black hair stepped into the center and walked towards them. Even in stilettos, Kyoko felt like a dwarf standing beside the model. Anika eclipsed her by about eight to ten centimeters in heels.

Fuji introduced the ladies and repeated the instructions given to Kyoko earlier to Anika in English. Kyoko stood to the side and watched Anika. The model stood at the center, changed her posture, and walked. Kyoko along with several others clapped when she finished.

Fuji held out his hand for Kyoko to take her mark. Confidence, Kyoko! Don't give them any ammunition to doubt your place here! She took a deep breath and summoned her inner 193 cm tall supermodel courtesy of her boyfriend's late-night tutelage. She didn't have to adjust her posture by much but she shook her shoulders loose to relax. Lifting her head, she walked. Kyoko took long steady strides ignoring the shutter sounds as Sousuke hovered around her with his camera. The soft material of her long sundress caressed her legs as she walked. When she got to the red mark she paused placing her hands on her hips. She flicked her hip out to the left, then the right. She kicked out her foot with some sass and twirled to walk back.

"Very good, Kyoko-chan. Now go change into the next outfit," Fuji praised, clapping enthusiastically.

By the third outfit, someone had turned up the music and other models began walking with her. They had a mini runway show going. None of the other women thought she was inferior as a model; she was short, but not inferior. Envy still burned in some of their eyes. Just because they acknowledged she belonged, it didn't keep them from vying for Japan's most desirable man's affection.

Kyoko had to keep her jealous grudges in check and focused on helping not hurting since he arrived. She concentrated on the work in front of her.

"I'll live," the model winced, rubbing the spot. "No need to go that far. Just be careful, please. I don't like seeing blood, especially my own," the model whined.

She stood up straight. "Right, I'm very sorry." Kyoko took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She placed a few more pins in her mouth and continued to tuck as instructed. Ten minutes later, Kyoko finished and called for Chiaki to check over her work.

"It looks great! Thanks for your help, Kyoko-san."

"You're welcome! What would you like me to do next?"

"Please take those accessories to Fuji-san, and unless he needs more help you are free to go. Thank you for your help."

Kyoko bowed and then scooped up the bags, hats, belts, and decorative chains from the table. She could hear Fuji's voice through the doorway as she approached the room and knocked on the door. When she heard the resounding, "Come in," by Fuji, she struggled to open the door with her full hands.

The door was suddenly tugged from her grasp as Yashiro opened the door. "Oh, it's you, Kyoko-chan. Please come in." He pulled the door open wider for her to enter. "Here, let me help you. I see the LoveMe force is hard at it today."

Kyoko bowed after he took some of the items from her hands. "This is training for the actual event since I'll be there to assist Fuji-san."

Ren came out from behind the screen wearing a gray and white turtle neck sweater printed with the R'Mandy signature logo and paired with navy ankle pants. The coat he had on was in a battleship gray, displaying the impeccable craftsmanship of the cut.

"Hi," Ren greeted kissing her on the cheek and then stepping in front of the floor-length mirror. Kyoko bowed her head to hide her blush.

Ren stood still smirking while Fuji marked some changes to the outfit. Kyoko stood dumbly staring at how gorgeous he looked with his hair pulled up in a top knot. She clasped her hands together to keep from embarrassing herself by running her hands through the luscious-looking locks; however, it didn't keep her from fantasizing about it.

"Ahem! Hell-loo...Kyoko-chan," Fuji called to get her attention.

"Yes!" she said with a start.

"Can you hand me that box of pins, please?" Fuji asked, amused by her antics.

The next forty minutes consisted of Fuji, meticulously reviewing every detail of his two designs on Ren. He wanted every piece to fit perfectly including the ornaments he chose to accessorize the outfit.

"Ren, don't you dare gain any more muscle in the next two weeks. I swear to Kami-sama, I will make you go down the runway in your boxers and call it couture!" Fuji threatened as Ren changed behind the screen.

Kyoko burst into a fit of giggles as she collected his clothing for Fuji. "Same for you young lady. I didn't sacrifice sleep to make you clothes only to have them go to waste. Stop working out! Stick to Yoga, stretch, lengthen out your muscles, and make yourself limber. I'm sure someone would appreciate it."

A fit of coughing came from behind the screen.

"Yes, sir," Kyoko replied resolutely. Fuji's words went right over her head. "I will do my best not to let you down."

"Yashiro-san, please come with me. I want to hold a dry run next week but I have to work it around Ren's schedule. It would be easier in front of my computer."

As soon as the door was closed, Ren stepped out from behind the screen. Kyoko was focused on tidying up the accessories to notice him. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck.

"I missed you, LoveMe girl."

"Ren, you can't do that here," Kyoko chastened.

"Do what?" he asked with wide-eyed innocence.

He pulled her back with him and sat down on the black leather sofa sitting her on his lap. She squirmed trying to get off him.

"Don't squirm, you'll make things hard for me."

She stopped fidgeting immediately and sat rigid in his lap. He wrapped one hand around her waist and used his other to rub the back of her neck.

"Mmm," she moaned with pleasure as his hand released the tension from her neck and shoulders. Kyoko found herself relaxing against him which was probably his aim all along.

"You looked like you were having a lot of fun today. How did your fitting go?"

"You missed all the commotion. I don't know why he did it, but Fuji-san made me walk in front of all these models earlier. We had a mini runway show," she gushed excitedly.

"None of those women were mean to you, were they?"

"No, at least not to my face, but um about that… Fuji-san announced to everyone that we were engaged and he wouldn't let me fix it."

Ren chuckled. "It's good that they know you're mine. I saw a male model making googly eyes at you."

"You lie! He was not!"

"He was, he practically drooled after you left."

"You shouldn't talk! You think I didn't notice all the women clambering to greet you?"

"This gorgeous face is the bane of my existence."

Kyoko rolled her eyes, "oh, you poor baby. Such a curse to be so pretty."

She snaked her arms around his neck, brushed her lips with his, and then tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth before letting go. The hand rubbing her neck applied pressure, pushing her lips against his. Kyoko closed her eyes and kissed him. Their exchange was soft and sweet as if they had all the time in the world. Nothing else existed but them. Her fingers threaded through his soft tresses, distracting her from his lips.

She pulled back and stared at the strands between her fingers. She twisted his head to the side to get a better look.

"Is this real?!" Kyoko asked incredulously.

Ren grinned at her. "They're like yours. Extensions."

"Are you telling me that your hair will be this length from now on?"

"Well, up until we leave for LA. I don't want to make more work for Jelly-san. Do you like it?"

Kyoko nodded enthusiastically. She ran her fingers through the strands. "It's so soft." She ran them through again, but some strands got caught on her pinky ring. Ren winced as his head was yanked back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said giggling. She gently disentangled his hair from her ring.

"Okay, absolutely no jewelry when touching my hair." He rubbed his head with a pout. Kyoko leaned in and kissed the hurt away. He smiled at her thoughtfulness.

Ren felt his heart swell with love. She'll make a wonderful mother one day.

To distract himself from groping her, he asked, "How was school? Any problems?"

Kyoko groaned. "Did you know Fuwa dropped his latest single today and students are asking for my autograph?"

Ren laughed. "What? How did that happen?"

Kyoko pulled her phone out of her pocket. She tapped a few times and then turned her screen to him. He let out a suggestive whistle. He laughed when Kyoko playfully shoved him. "No, wonder they wanted your signature…Sexy. Who do I need to pay to get you back in that dress?"

"You're impossible!"

"I'm serious. I want to meet this woman," the Emperor commanded piercing her eyes with his gaze.

Easy Kyoko, this is not the time nor the place. Someone could walk in at any moment.

"Oh, I'm sure it could be arranged. I know her personally," Kyoko replied sultrily, slanting her mouth over his in a crushing kiss.

Cedric knocked on the door before opening it. He walked in and plopped himself down on Koga's couch careful not to ruin the hours worth of makeup he just sat through. Koga laughed at his friend.

"Are you still hungover?" Koga asked looking up from his phone.

"Nah, I just needed to eat and sleep. I was out of practice. They wore me out."

"I thought those ladies would cheer you up."

"Oh they did," Cedric gloated.

"I take it your father called?"

"Bingo!"

"Have you been disowned? You can just live here man! I'll hook you up with my agency."

Cedric chuckled. "That's tempting. I might just take you up on that offer."

"So what did your old man, want?"

"He's scouting Tsuruga. Wants me to get a feel for him."

"Are you fucking kidding me! Hollywood?!"

Cedric nodded.

Koga began shouting obscenities in Japanese as he stalked around the dressing room. Once again, his rival was outperforming him.

"Isn't this a good thing? Wouldn't this put you in the running for first place if he left Japan?"

"Winning by default is the worst!" Koga moaned, slumping back into the chair. He forgot about his lame brain plan to couple Ren with Kyoko so he could win the Bachelor poll. He wanted his performance as Shizuma to skyrocket him to the top.

"I feel you, man," Cedric said sympathetically. "I'll leave you to mope...see you on the set."

AN: Hiya! Thanks for sticking with me! I'm currently reading a webtoon called Midnight Poppy Land and I couldn't unsee Ryu with a man bun. Hooray for sexy Ren with long hair all the time! I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you for all the lovely reviews of the last chapter. I HEART you all! You guys keep me motivated! That and I just like perving on RenKyoKuon!

To my Guest reviewer that left me a long and lovely note that stroked my ego. In my professional life, technically, I am an author. I write specification reports for flight simulators. It's a huge bore and doesn't help when writing fanfic XDD! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The idea of Kyoko making it big in Sho's genre makes me cackle...that sucker! He deserves to be beaten at his own game.

Until next time, Ja ne! ^_^