Chapter 119: Couple Tees

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Ren would dress his age.

"Mo, are you still sulking?" She asked putting the mug of coffee in front of him.

"No," he said closing down his laptop and setting it off to the side.

"Really?" she asked cocking a perfectly arched brow at her boyfriend.

"Really! Have you seen my glasses?" he asked changing the subject to look around the immediate area.

She laughed and reached up to his head sliding the glasses down to the bridge of his nose.

"Thanks," he said, his face flushing with embarrassment. Forgetting his glasses on his head was such an old man thing to do. He was almost eight years older than she was. He couldn't go around acting senile. "You sit; I'll get the rest of our breakfast."

He was back in a minute with their plates of food and settling down to eat next to her.

"Yuki, you aren't going to eat while wearing those are you?" she asked tersely, nodding to the latex gloves still covering his hands.

"Oh I forgot," he said sheepishly and removed them.

"In all my life I never thought these words would come out of my mouth but I'm just going to say it," Kanae said taking in a deep breath.

"What?" Yashiro froze dropping the toast in his hand.

"You're so cute," Kanae said before eating a bite of egg whites.

Yashiro chuckled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I love you, too"

"Mo quit being cheesy," she said pushing him away with a blush.

"What do you say when those two leave early for Los Angeles, we take an overnight trip somewhere. Will your schedule allow it?"

"I was planning on quitting my part-time anyway. The new drama I'm in won't be ramping up until the end of the month so I have some free time."

"Quitting? But I thought you liked that job."

"It served its purpose. I made my final loan payment on my parents' house. The payout and residuals from my acting work are good. If I continue to get steady work everything will be fine."

"I know a way for you to save on expenses?"

Kanae rolled her eyes but smiled as she took another bite of her breakfast.

"How about this," she began, "Instead of going on a trip, you help me move in with you."

"Are you serious?" He shouted excitedly.

"Mo, you said it yourself. I'm practically here every night. I hate wasting money! Unless of course, you've changed your mind?"

"No, never! I want to come home every night to you."

…

Ren had been ignoring his manager all morning. The man that was just moping around the day before acting like his favorite soap opera was canceled prematurely was now walking on clouds today. It served him right that Ren should tease him a little. It was a small payback for getting so much amusement from Ren and Kyoko's relationship. Ren could see it in his eyes. Yashiro was begging him to ask why he was in such a good mood. He already knew why Yashiro was elated. He overheard him talking to Kijima, quite loudly, on the set of Ryu for all to hear.

As they walked through the parking garage of LME for his next project, Ren decided his manager had been tortured enough.

"You seem quite excited at the moment Yukihito, did you receive some good news?" Ren asked pushing the elevator button.

"Kanae's moving in!" He practically screamed at Ren.

"Congratulations. I'm happy for you." Ren said stifling his laughter. "Do you need some help with the move?"

"Thank you for the offer but we'll be moving while you're in LA. We'll manage."

The elevator doors finally opened. Ren and Yashiro stepped to the side to let the people off and greeted them as they passed. Many that came out did a double-take at Ren before the doors slid shut.

"Yukihito, is there something on my face?"

"No, your face is gorgeous as ever."

"Did I spill coffee on myself or something?" he asked looking down at his black t-shirt. "They aren't the first people that are looking at me like I grew another head."

"I don't think anyone can handle seeing double of your gorgeous face."

"Will you stop messing with me. What's wrong with me?"

While the elevator ascended, Yashiro put on a glove and pulled out his phone to snap a picture of Ren standing casually in the elevator with his hands shoved into his tight gray jeans.

"This is what's wrong with you. They aren't used to seeing you dressed like this." Yashiro held up his phone to Ren. He was leaning against the elevator wall wearing a white collared shirt under a black t-shirt with the album cover of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. In his youth, he was fascinated by the single beam of white shining through the prism splitting it into seven colors out the back. It probably didn't help that he was always high while staring at the poster hanging on his bedroom wall. I wonder if that poster is still there?

"Tsuruga Ren is usually polished and dressed to the nines. This rebellious look is good for your image. It reminds everyone of your actual age. Maybe it will keep the cougars away. I'm sending this to Kyoko-chan. I wonder what cute outfit she's wearing."

"I hope its pants," Ren muttered under his breath. She had put on a mini fashion show for him this morning to help her pick out her battle outfit for Rika which immediately led to them getting frisky in her closet. It was a mess when they left it but he managed to offer her a pair of Setsu's black leather pants. She had indulged him and worn them out that morning.

The elevator opened to the lobby and the men stepped out nodding to those waiting. Necks broke, drool swiped, and bodies swooned as the pair made their way across the open lobby to the main elevators. Many would claim that it was the t-shirt stretched snugly across his muscular torso that did them in while others would blame the messy man bun he confidently sported. Either way, Tsuruga Ren looked like a tasty piece of jailbait.

Yashiro and Ren stepped into the crowded elevator. When it stopped on the third floor, Ren flinched as a fair amount of people exited the elevator. His mood turned dark as he glowered at the passengers looking back at him as the doors slid closed. He forgot to use his sparkling smile this time around. Yashiro moved closer to Ren, apologizing to the man he had scooted over. Ren's dark aura dissipated when he sensed his manager. The two other men and remaining woman glanced nervously at Ren. He flashed them an apologetic smile and bowed his head; however, the tension remained. The elevator felt like it took an eternity to reach their floor.

"Ren, did I miss something in there? Why were you upset?" Yashiro asked once they were free of the elevator.

"I don't want to say, it's embarrassing."

"I don't care if it's embarrassing. Something clearly upset you in there and I want to know what so I can help." Yashiro demanded barring his path.

"We're going to be late," Ren said trying to walk around his manager. Yashiro folded his arms and moved to block him from walking.

"Fine…" he said with a loud sigh. "Somebody touched me in the elevator."

"It's hard not to touch one another in a crowded elevator. It's the same way on trains." Yashiro told him relaxing his stance and cocking his head to the side.

"I don't mean that kind of touch….this is why it's embarrassing. Whoever it was when they were getting out groped me from behind. Like…" Ren held out an open palm to demonstrate the action. He was shocked that something like that happened to him in Japan at his age. In Hollywood, it was a given. A memory from his past flashed through his mind. That was the last dinner party he ever attended with his parents. After that night, he avoided any functions his parents tried to bribe him to attend with them. He pushed the memory out of his mind. He had a job to do.

"What? I can't believe someone would have the nerve to do that to you…at work of all places! Do you know who it could have been? That's sexual harassment. It needs to be reported."

"What? No...I don't want to cause any trouble. I got angry because I was thinking what if Kyoko was the one assaulted like that. Ugh and you just had to mention trains. She used to always take public transportation. I shudder just thinking about what could have happened to her." Ren made a mental note to ask Kyoko if she ever experienced something like that.

"All the more to report it. The employees and visitors in this building have to understand that the President has zero-tolerance against such offenses, even a simple groping."

"You're right, and not just for Kyoko but every potential victim out there. I'll see the President after this job."

"I'll give Takarada-san a heads up," Yashiro said pulling out his glove and phone once again.

…

"Hello, Tsuruga-san, you're early. The rumors were true, you are never late," the assistant director greeted when they approached the area of Ren's next filming location.

"I've been late a few times before."

The AD chuckled at his response. "One moment," he held his hand to the headset and listened. "Yes, he's here. I know... right on time."

"Sorry about that. If you would follow me. Our first stop is the costume designer though I'm pretty sure you are looking fab as is."

The costume designer stared at Ren and scrunched up her nose in consternation. She couldn't find fault with anything he was wearing. He looked the part completely. She thought to add a beanie but that would ruin his gorgeous hair. In the end, she added a studded leather cuff to his right wrist and popped the collar of his inside shirt. There was little for her to do. "Good choice in shirt, it's perfect for today. I fear I may be out of a job today. You also came dressed for the part today."

Ren chuckled softly. "It does help get into the role."

"Let's get you over to hair and makeup," the assistant said ushering Ren to the next room. While Ren sat the AD handed him a synopsis of his scene.

"It's all going to be improvisation with just a bunch of friends taking a break. It doesn't matter what is said as long as we get the sense of camaraderie. All the dialogue will be removed in the final cut," the AD informed him.

The AD left the room while the makeup artist/stylist powdered his face and fussed over his hair. Ren stood when he was done. He found the AD in the hall talking with another assistant carrying two large plastic bags loaded with food and drink.

"Ah, Tsuruga-san just in time, all done?"

Ren replied affirmatively walking up to the AD.

"They're almost ready for you and your props arrived," the AD said gesturing to the bags. "Shall we head to the set."

The AD nodded to the staff member guarding the hallway. The young man removed the barricade so they could pass through. Ren naturally entered stealth mode as they came across signs stating "Quiet Please" and "Filming in Progress." He was so quiet, the AD had to keep glancing at him to make sure the actor was still there. Yashiro waved as Ren approached the main area.

Yashiro stretched up to whisper to Ren, "I'm meeting with Takarada-san to check the elevator footage and then heading to my office. Text me when you're done here."

Ren nodded taking his phone from Yashiro. He made sure the device was turned off and stuffed it in his back pocket.

"Okay, Tsuruga-san," the AD began but paused to listen to direction in his ear. "We're just going to continue rolling. There will be cameras on you as soon as this door opens. Are you ready?"

Ren nodded shifting his posture to be more relaxed. The staff member handed him the bags of food. He'll be expected to eat. He took a quick glance at the bags contents. The first bag contained onigiri, chips, crackers and candy. Kyoko wasn't going to be happy. The other bag contained black tea and water.

The AD stood behind the door to open it for Ren. He counted down from five with his other hand. Once he made a fist, he opened the door to the room and music blasted into the hallway. The soundproofing in the studio was incredible.

'They sound good,' he thought walking across the empty room and standing in front of the glass window. He smiled as he watched her belting into the microphone. She smiled back when she finally noticed him on the other side without missing a beat. He held up the heavy bags. The rest of the band noticed him and immediately stopped playing. She huffed with frustration as the guys discarded their instruments in lieu of food. He opened the door and entered the space.

"Hubby!" the guys chorused once he entered the room.

"I brough fuel!" he told them. He chuckled as they converged on him giving him hugs and pats on the back.

"Hey, hey, let him be, he's my boyfriend!" she said pushing her way through. They relieved him of the bags before getting out of her way.

"Hi," she said giving him a hug and a kiss. "Thanks for stopping by." She pulled him along to sit in the middle of the floor to join the guys.

"I figured you guys needed a break. You tend to forget food when music is involved.

"Did you eat?" she asked opening up an onigiri. She took a bite and then held it up to his mouth to take one. He took a bite then blushed. They took turns eating that way.

"Awe! You guys are so cute!"

"Look they're even wearing their couple tees."

"Rika, your wish came true."

"Her wish?"

"Her shirt, 'Wish you were here.' I'm assuming You are the 'You.' That is if we don't take in to account the rest of the lyrics."

He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in to kiss the top of her head. They sat there just eating and joking around until all the food was gone. They immediately went back to playing. He sat on the floor leaning against the wall to watch them run through the song again. He had to remove his phone since it was digging into his ass.

He heard her sing this song many times but each time it took his breath away penetrating his soul. She was singing to him. Tapping his phone on his knee to the beat, he got the bright idea to power it on. He stood up and began moving around the room snapping pictures and taking video. He mainly focused on her. He tried not to laugh as each one of them played up to his camera. He was going to create a still shot of her blowing a kiss at him and use it as his phone background. When the number ended, they huddled together and took a group selfie with him in the center at their insistence. It was only right; he was the inspiration for the song after all.

"CUT!" the director's voice rang out clapping his hands with delight. "Very good!" He stood up from his corner and walked up to Ren. "Tsuruga-san, thank you for coming. The use of the cellphone was a nice touch. Can I please have a copy of the pictures and video you took in case I want to use it in the final cut?"

"Sure, I just need an email address and I will send them to you." He wasn't about to give over his phone for them to download the footage. It had too many private moments of him and Kyoko on it including the all so delectable video of her in the shower. Those were password protected but he wasn't taking any chances.

"Okay, I'll let my assistant know. The Ishibashi brothers can take a break for now. I need you two in wardrobe quickly and onto the other set."

Ren and Kyoko hurried back to the wardrobe room down the other hall. Five minutes later, Ren was dressed in another band tee, joggers, and leather house slippers. His hair was released from its bun and hung loosely over his shoulders. He waited in the hall for Kyoko to join him. She came out wearing leggings and what could clearly pass as one of "his" t-shirts. The neckline draped softly off her left shoulder exposing her porcelain skin. Her long hair was gathered into a loose braid over her shoulder.

"Ready?" he asked looking her over appreciatively.

Their slippers shuffled down the hall as they walked hand in hand back to the set.

"Yes, perfect," the director exclaimed when they reappeared. "This scene will be a peek into your relationship," he said moving inside the room next door. The room was converted into a cozy living space complete with a fake illuminated window hanging on the wall.

"I'm asking you both to act like a close couple that lives together. If you two lived together what would you be doing? I want to see the mundane things that happen while sitting on this sofa. I know it's asking a lot but I'm hoping you can pull this off without it being scripted."

Ren and Kyoko exchanged conspiratorial smiles as they walked to the couch. The leather creaked as Ren took a seat at one end. Kyoko looked around at the furniture and props in the room then turned to the director.

"Can we get two mugs of hot tea? I think it would give it a homier feel…. Ooh and a cellphone."

"You can use mine," Ren offered. Pulling it out of his pants pocket. Kyoko settled down on the other side of the couch once the mugs were placed on each end table. Kyoko made herself comfortable and tucked her cold feet into Ren's side like she always did at home. Ren was not expecting it and hissed flinching away. Kyoko only giggled.

"This is great you two but wait until I call action."

"Yes, sir!" They replied in unison and settled back down.

The director nodded to his assistant to run through the checklist.

"Okay, static cameras ready?" the AD asked looking at the pair of technicians sitting at console-like laptops. They both nodded. They were responsible for operating the cameras mounted to the walls.

"Camera 1?"

"Ready!"

"Camera 2?"

"Good to Go!"

"Everyone standby," the AD scribbled the info on the slate board and stood in front of the nearest camera waiting for the go-ahead from the director to call action.

"Action!"

He flipped the page of the book in his hands while she browsed her phone. She wiggled her feet against his skin making him tense from the cold. Why were her feet always cold? He put down his book with a sigh then moved her feet that somehow burrowed itself beneath his shirt. He stuffed them between the couch and the back of his thigh before resuming his reading. Her eyes met his a teasing smile playing on her lips as she looked at him over the phone. They exchanged smiles before returning to their own activities. She started laughing hysterically at her phone.

"What's so funny?" he asked chuckling at her amusement.

She slinked over to his side of the couch to show him. Putting his book down on the table he wrapped his arm around her as she snuggled into him.

They exchanged laughter and concern over the funny cat video she was watching. They couldn't help but laugh at the cats and then feel sorry if they hurt themselves in some way.

"Let's take a picture since we look so cute today," she told him when the video ended. He took the phone from her and took selfies of every possible expression: silly, sexy, cute, and angry.

Their faces were so close. He stared at her and she stared at him. Her fingers curled into the front of his shirt pulling him closer. The phone was forgotten as the gap between their lips decreased.

"CUT!"

"Kyaaa!" Kyoko pushed him away from her with all her might sending him careening off the couch. She flew out of the room. She was so embarrassed. She forgot herself. She was about to kiss him like she did many times at home. Only they weren't at home. There were at work. There were cameras on them and people watching them. What was she thinking?

She paced in the bathroom fanning herself. She needed to be more professional if she ever wanted to act alongside him. Once her breathing settled she went back to the set to apologize. When she entered the room everyone smiled with understanding.

"Are you okay?" Ren asked handing her a bottle of water.

"I'm sorry," she bowed to him. "I didn't mean to push you that hard."

"Kyoko-san, excellent work. You were so in tuned with Rika's feelings that I have one more scene I want to shoot in here and then Tsuruga-san can return to his other work."

Kyoko smiled with relief at the director's words. She didn't completely screw up. Later, when she had time to think about it she would realize that Rika's feelings toward her boyfriend were the same as hers toward Ren.

She laughed as he twirled her around in their tiny living room and pulled her in close with one arm wrapping around her waist and the other secured over her palm. They swayed slowly to the music singing along with the words. Her words. When the song ended, they collapsed on to the couch together in a heap of laughter. This time when their eyes met, their lips did too.

"CUT! Perfect you two! I'm sad that this isn't more than a MV. Your chemistry is incredible! If I wasn't obligated to projects for the next two years, I would jump at the opportunity to work with you two again. I'll definitely be in touch in the future."

"Thank you director," they both bowed at the high praise. Kyoko wondered if her excited face mirrored Ren's. Did he also want to act alongside her someday? She never asked him before.

"Okay, that's a wrap for MV footage. Kyoko-san, you will still have to check in with Kei-san in the studio. Tsuruga-san, thank you for doing this last minute. It helps that I'm good friends with your director. We're in agreement that we have to strike while the iron is hot. Right now you're Japan's favorite couple who knows how long that's going to last." The director said thoughtlessly.

Kyoko noticed Ren's gentleman smile make its appearance as he said goodbye to the director. She wasn't worried about the underlying meaning to the director's last words. Kyoko knew it wouldn't be easy but she was positive they could overcome any adversity together.

Koga knocked on the door and let himself in when he heard the call from the other side. He stepped into the dressing room and flopped himself into a chair.

"Hey man, what's up?" Cedric asked using English as Koga requested. He was packing some personal items he accumulated during his stay in Japan. Most of it was from local fans he managed to make while here. "Why are you still here? Don't you and Asahina-san have an interview?" he asked looking up from his task. He picked up a stuffed bear and threw it at Koga.

Koga caught the toy easily and tossed it back over, "Kobe!" He shouted as it landed inside the box. Cedric chuckled.

"I have time before I have to leave. You're coming to the party tomorrow right? Before you leave?"

"Yeah, I'll be there. I want to catch Kyoko-san. Do you think Tsuruga-san would show up?"

"I'll bet money on it," Koga said bitterly. He'll probably receive more attention than me. I'm the male lead.

Cedric laughed. "Still a bit touchy I see."

"You know what pisses me off the most about that guy…he doesn't see me as competition! I need to up my game."

"Keep it friendly, keep it fair. Don't turn dark like I did when I was a kid. You would probably hate me if you knew me."

Koga laughed, "probably!" Cedric threw another stuffed animal at him. "Do you need help packing your apartment? I can come over afterward."

"Nah, there's not much to pack. But if you want to hang I'm still watching Dark Moon. Those two are incredible actors."

"Research?"

"Yup, going to BS my way through dad's shit. I can see why he's interested."

"Alright, I'll see you then."

AN: Thanks for sticking with me everyone! I had to give my YukiNae a little bit of love. Naturally, I was the one in that elevator coping a feel off Ren's ass in those tight jeans. Sorry, not sorry! XD

Thank you for reading and your lovely reviews of the last chapter. I heart all of you!

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^