Chapter 121: I Wear What I Want!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, they would definitely have some role-playing moments...in bed.

Chiori closed her notebook and stuffed it into her bag then stood from her leather seat. Hoisting her bag over her shoulder she waved. "Kanae-san!"

Kanae nodded to her friend as they both headed to the front desk. "Mo, have you been waiting long? Why didn't you just go up without me?"

"I figured it would be best not to trouble them twice. My manager dropped me off less than ten minutes ago."

"Good evening, Kotonami-sama, Amamiya-sama. It's a pleasure to see you lovely ladies again. We were notified in advance of your expected arrival. Please follow me."

"Thank you, Goda-san," Kanae replied, reading the name on the man's tag. She was impressed that the guard remembered their names and faces without an introduction. It was expected with such a high-class clientele. He escorted them to the main elevators and sent them on their way.

Chiori rang the doorbell of the apartment. The girls stood outside and exchanged worried glances when the door did not open right away.

Kanae dug in her purse for her cell phone and dialed the number.

"Mo, is everything. Okay? We're outside!...hello?...hello?"

The door in front of them opened slowly revealing a serene Kyoko.

"Moko-san, Chiori-san, welcome. Thank you for coming at such short notice."

Kanae and Chiori glanced at each other nervously.

"Well, you left us no choice. You texted 119 so of course, we're going to come. I brought what you asked for."

"Thank you, Moko-san. Make yourself at home," she told them, gesturing to the living area. I'll be out shortly with some tea and snacks." Kyoko disappeared into the kitchen.

"What the hell is going on? It's weird, right? She's being weird? She didn't even try to attack you."

"Shhh, shhh! We'll have to wait and see," Kanae said trying to keep the anxiousness out of her voice.

The LoveMe girls took their seats at the spacious coffee table and waited. Kyoko returned quickly with a tray of tea, Kasutera cake, and cookies.

"Don't you have a wrap party to attend? Shouldn't you be getting ready?" Kanae asked, looking over Kyoko's attire.

"I have time especially now that you're both here. It's been a while since we spent some time together. Moko, try this cake. It's a special recipe I made with you in mind and Chiorin these cookies have the ginger flavor you like."

Kanae and Chiori relaxed. It seemed their friend was acting normal again. Kyoko's eyes shined brightly like two golden coins as she waited for her friends' feedback.

Chiori and Kanae both took bites of the treats. It was delicious. The texture and taste of both the cake and cookie made it difficult to stop eating. Kanae dropped her hands in her head in shame. They had finished the desserts and a whole pot of tea.

"Mo, you are bad for my figure! You hardly ate anything!" Kanae scolded.

"I have to fit into a dress tonight. I can't be bloated before the actual party."

"Let's get started before I slip into a carb coma." Kanae stood up and began clearing their dishes with Chiori's help.

"You're my guests. I can clean up."

"Go and set things up. We'll be there shortly!"

Kyoko reluctantly headed to the guest room while her friends cleaned up quickly.

"We were worried about nothing. She seems fine but what was with that weird greeting earlier? Do you think she had a fight with Tsuruga-san?" Chiori asked as she dried the dishes Kanae washed.

"I don't think she would tell us even if she did. Let's observe her."

They found Kyoko standing at the foot of the bed staring absentmindedly at the boxes and bags covering the bed.

Chiori was distracted by the room and missed Kyoko's mood. "Wow! This is a whole other apartment. It was just him here. Why would Tsuruga-san need so much space?" Chiori explored the room excitedly. Shouting out things that caught her eye. She went into the bathroom and let out a low whistle that echoed in the cavernous room. "Geez, just how rich is he? This guest bathroom is the size of my bedroom. Is he really Japanese?" She exclaimed while heading into the closet.

"What do you mean?" Kyoko was startled by her question.

"Huh? Oh, it's just that most Japanese live in places the size of a shoebox. By that criteria, this place could house fifty tenants. I guess if you have the money," she said shrugging and headed into the open closet.

Chiori slumped to her knees. "Are you friggin' kidding me? This is a closet?!" She looked over the contents. Kyoko's items looked meager in such a large space even though she now had a lot. Everything had its own place. Shoes, purses, jackets, dresses, and more were all neatly arranged. It would be scary if her friend ever managed to fill the room.

"Mo, come out here and help!" Kanae exclaimed from the bedroom.

Chiori stood and walked out of the room. She found her friends rummaging through the contents on the bed. "What's all this?"

"This?!" Kyoko said gruffly. "This is Ren's idea of a bad joke. He went overboard. I came home to find this delivered downstairs for me."

Chiori glanced at Kanae confused. Kanae shook her head.

"There are shoes, purses, jewelry, and not one but three dresses. There are no price tags! He had them remove the price tags so I wouldn't see them." Kyoko said hysterically.

"Ooh, this dress is from the new camelia collection. It's really ex...gorgeous!" Chiori said, covering her words as she held the dress. She looked at Kanae intently.

"Anyway, what's the big deal? He's rich."

"This is the first time he's spent money on this level. I've seen this brand in a magazine. Their clothing prices are in the millions of yen range. Do you think he's trying to send me a message?"

"A message? What kind of message?"

"I never told you guys about the Dark Moon party?"

Kanae and Chiori both shook their heads.

"Spill it," Kanae said, folding her arms.

Kyoko explained to her friends how Kijima had helped her dress that night and Ren's strange behavior. By the end of her tale, Kanae and Chiori were holding their sides laughing hysterically.

"Tsuruga-san is more childish than I expected." She dabbed at her eyes as she regained her composure.

"I understand now why the evening progressed the way it did but don't you think he's still holding a grudge? I didn't go on a date with Kijima-san so why would he still be mad"

"Hmmm, maybe. Tonight may have dredged up some unpleasant memories for him. He could be compensating for not being the one to help you that night." Kanae told her thoughtfully.

"Did you already have a dress for tonight?"

"Yes, I showed it to him," Kyoko said, disappearing into the closet and returning with the dress she had in mind.

"Ooh, that's pretty," Chiori said, fingering the material of the black dress.

"I think he wanted you to wear something from him. It's not a bad thing but what do you want to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want to say screw you and wear your own dress?"

"I can do that?"

"Hell yeah, you're your own woman! You don't need a man dictating what you can and cannot wear!" Chiori exclaimed with feminist pride. She opened the nearest jewelry box. "Whoa look at this broach...it's so...you…" she said, holding it open to her friends. "He really knows what you like." She snapped the case shut. "But that's beside the point. The point is you wear what you want."

"No pressure," Chiori joked, holding up a dress to Kyoko.

Kyoko laughed. After considering everything at her disposal she made her decision. She hoped Ren would be okay with her choice. They spent so much time goofing around that Kyoko was now short on time. The girls got to work on her hair and makeup. Kanae had brought her curling iron over since Kyoko's iron decided to pick this morning to die on her. Kyoko was dolled up by the time Linh arrived to escort her to the party.

Ryu sat behind the right-hand side of his boss listening as he discussed the rising drug problem in schools with the top syndicate leaders. He was allowed inside the room because his boss deemed it so. No one in the room had the courage to refute his order.

Ryu kept his expression neutral and kept his gaze forward, intent on looking outside to the Japanese courtyard. He could hear the trickling of water from the koi pond in the back. If his boss asked, he could tell him the number of seconds that passed before the bamboo apparatus filled with water and spilled over with a resounding thump back into the pond. Twelve seconds. The old cherry tree residing in the far corner of the courtyard would have been cliche if it had blossoms wilting under the pale moonlight. But Ryu wasn't really gazing outside.

He observed each boss carefully for any sign that one of them could be the culprit behind the drug distribution. He could tell the boss of the southwest clan was high on something. He was the most boastful tonight. Ryu marked him off the list immediately but kept him as a potential lead. A smart leader never did their own shit. That was too sloppy. There was a rumor going around the lower ranks that he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. That would explain his change of behavior over the last month. It seemed like one final ditch effort to live life to the fullest.

Ryu leaped to his feet at the hint of a loud commotion outside the Dragonfly restaurant. A scuffle? Maybe some rowdy drunks? He stalked to the door when the sound drew closer to their location. He eased his head out slowly examining the area. A few other patrons in the rooms further down the hall stuck their heads out curiously. Gunfire erupted from down the hall making Ryu duck his head back in and pull out his weapon from his shoulder holster. The place became chaotic as customers ran out of the restaurant screaming. He stuck his head out again and spotted his ally come around the corner brandishing his pistol. He signaled Ryu to move.

Ryu twisted on his heel and went straight for his boss. "We have to go, sir!"

His boss calmly finished his sake then stood. He buttoned up his suit jacket and nodded to Ryu. He was ready. They headed out the open doors through the courtyard using the prearranged escape route.

It was there that Ryu exchanged gunfire with the rival syndicate that rudely attacked his Boss' gathering. He could even hear sirens in the distance.

"Get him out of here, Toshi. I'll hold these guys off."

"Just don't die idiot!"

"Ryu, I forbid you to die."

"I got it, Boss!" He tilted his head again to Toshi to get their Boss out of there safely.

Ryu picked off the goons one by one as they entered his area. Anyone that saw the damage Ryu inflicted would say the Boss' right-hand man was a poor shot. He made sure to minimize his sins by only wounding his enemies with a painful graze to the leg or arm, always missing vital spots. When he ran out of ammo he holstered his gun and went on the defensive using hand to hand combat as three men converged on him. The sirens were nearly here, he couldn't afford to get caught. He throat punched the last man and used him as a shield to take the gunfire of his partners. Ryu threw the body of the now-dead man at the gunmen and sprinted to the wall at the end of the courtyard. Using a nearby stone pagoda for leverage, he gracefully leaped over the wall only to find his landing uneven. He was crashing down hard on the side of a hill.

"Fucking hell!" he cursed, trying to gain purchase as he tumbled down the small hill. He groaned as he came to a halt crouching in the middle of the road. He didn't have time to recuperate let alone breathe. Sirens blared and flashing blue lights entered his periphery. He sprung into action timing it just right and rolled onto the hood of the car slamming into the windshield, splintering the glass.

The air rushed from his lungs with his whole body exploding in pain. Ryu gingerly touched the back of his head. He pulled his fingers away sticky with blood. Son of a bitch, he better not need stitches.

The driver's door of the car opened, "Freeze asshole! Don't move!"

Ryu groaned. He couldn't fucking move even if he wanted to. Everything hurt like a motherfucker! Fortunately, for him, his heart was pumping with adrenaline. He whipped his head in the direction of the wall he just tumbled from. There, along the wall, he could make out silhouettes and the cold glint of metal. With a painful moan, he rolled off the hood of the vehicle.

"I told you not to-" The man's threat was cut off as gunfire rained down on them. Ryu grabbed the guy and yanked him down for cover. "Oh shit!" He ducked next to Ryu, reporting the incident into the radio at his shoulder. After relaying the message to dispatch, he aimed and returned fire. Ryu was impressed by his marksmanship as he took out two from their distance. He cursed as two men jumped the wall. Headlights up the road coming in their direction caught his attention. It was time to go.

While the man was distracted, he climbed into the driver's seat. He honked the horn getting the cop's attention. The guy turned back to him with surprise. He slid across the hood directing his gunfire at the car and motorcycles approaching them then yanked open the passenger door.

"Go! Go! Go!" the cop shouted slamming his hand against the dashboard.

Ryu threw the car in reverse, put his arm across the passenger seat and looked back as he sped down the street backward.

"Shit!" The cop cursed reaching to strap in his seatbelt. Once secured, the cop reloaded his pistol and fired at the men chasing them. At the first intersection, Ryu spun the wheel and shifted into first gear. He couldn't gun the accelerator like he wanted to. He couldn't fucking see through the windshield.

"Shit! Hurry up they're gaining us!"

"I can't fucking see! I don't want to hit pedestrians"

The cop snorted at Ryu's irony. "Cover your ears!" He aimed his gun at the windshield.

Ryu didn't hesitate and managed to cover his nearest ear just as the cop shot off two rounds. "Shit, a little more warning!"

More spider cracks covered the glass making it impossible for Ryu to have a clear view of the road. His passenger lifted his foot over the dashboard and kicked the windshield repeatedly until it broke away.

"Better?"

Ryu rushed through the streets doing his best to avoid cars and pedestrians. He ducked his head every time a bullet sailed through the car. He sped past the other police cars that finally decided to make an appearance. The perpetrators were now on the run. Ryu turned down a narrow alleyway crashing into debris and trash bins in the way. He pinned the left side of the car against the wall to delay his passenger from coming after him.

He disappeared into the night with the rest of the people on the street by the time the cop scrambled over to the driver's seat and chased after him.

"CUT!" The director shouted clapping enthusiastically. The rest of the extras, crew, and observing bystanders also erupted in applause.

"Where's Tsuruga-kun? Has anyone seen Tsuruga-kun? We need him to reshoot and clean up scenes." The director asked looking in the direction in which the actor disappeared. No one knew where he disappeared to.

Ren kept walking until he found himself down a deserted alley. He stood behind a large dumpster that would obstruct most of him from anyone's view on the street. He leaned against the brick wall with his palms pressed firmly against it. His heart was racing with anxiety. He breathed heavily staring at the ground trying to regain his composure. He stood there waiting. He needed to get out of sight in case he went into shock. He couldn't let them see him like that again. And so he waited. He blinked repeatedly the sounds of voices calling his name and the smell of the trash bin permeating his senses.

He turned around and leaned his back against the wall. The voices calling for him got louder. Instead of walking out of the alley, he slid down to sit on the filthy pavement. He rested his arms on his knees, his eyes drifted to his left wrist. It was a different watch that rested on his arm for his character Ryu but he couldn't help thinking of Rick.

If Rick had pursued acting, would he have learned how to safely avoid a car the way Ren rehearsed over and over with the stuntmen today? Would his friend still be alive living out his dream with Tina if he had? He chuckled leaning his head back and stared at the stars twinkling above.

I'm doing it again, aren't I? You're probably looking down at me calling me an idiot right now, eh Rick? But you know what brother, I think I'm going to be alright from here on out.

Ren pushed away from the wall and stood. It would be an occupational hazard he would just have to accept. There would be many more scenes in the future that would always remind him of his painful past. He dusted off his suit and headed back to the set. He didn't know how long he sat there gazing at the sky, but no matter the amount of time, it was unprofessional on his part. He had no business delaying filming. He had a date after all.

He tilted back the shot glass and gasped as the contents burned it's way down his throat. He rapped the bar with his knuckles signaling the bartender to pour him another. A hand reached in front of him snatching the glass before he could grasp it.

The thief raised the glass to a pair of rosy slender lips and drained its contents.

"Gah! That's some powerful shit," Koga gasped, shaking his head. "How many of those have you had?"

"Beats me," Cedric responded with a shrug. He twisted on his barstool to survey the crowd. Koga had been too busy making his rounds so he took up residence at the bar. People weren't really inclined to speak with him for several reasons. It was tiresome to engage in a conversation with him when he needed them to speak slower or clarify whenever his translator wasn't around. Having to talk using a translator was also annoying in its own right. A lot of what he said or heard was lost in translation. Then there was the real reason people left him alone. It was the fact that he had been friends with Kimiko. They didn't like that Kyoko was in danger that night of the fire because he insisted on bringing her in to apologize.

He still felt guilty for the way things ended with Kimiko. He didn't deserve the opportunity to apologize.

"Dude, you can't be drinking like this. The party just started. We still have our interviews. And most of all you're going to feel like shit on the plane."

Cedric ignored his friend and surveyed the crowd. The Lounge at the prestigious Shangri-La Hotel was reserved for the Sacred Lotus in the Mire wrap party. It wasn't a large space but it housed the cast and crew easily creating a more intimate affair. A lot of people had literally put their blood, sweat, and tears into this movie production so they all deserved to unwind.

There was a slight commotion at the entranceway that caught his attention. The few photographers and reporters allowed access in for the event moved in that direction. Cedric craned his neck to see who had entered. He looked away uninterested. If it was Kyoko and Ren, his costar's boyfriend would have towered over the crowd making it easy to spot him.

"Ah, it's Kyoko-chan. She's with her new manager. Let's go say hi," Koga said tapping Cedric on the shoulder.

"Damn," Cedric cursed under his breath as he followed Koga. Where was Ren? This only worked in his favor if he could also get the actor to agree.

"Kyoko-chan, long time no see," Koga greeted with a toothy grin.

Kyoko rolled her eyes at Koga, "I do recall seeing you the other day."

"In passing," Koga said exasperatedly. He gave Linh a small bow.

Cedric stepped up beside Koga and bowed, "Good evening, Kyoko-san! You look very lovely tonight."

Kyoko smiled and bowed formally in return, "Bennett-san, good evening and thank you for the compliment. You both look nice in your suits. It's definitely a nice change from the costumes we had to wear on set all the time."

Cedric smiled. The smile left his face when he made eye contact with Linh. He bowed respectively wondering what he could have done to offend the woman.

"Hello, we haven't met. I'm Cedric Bennett." He said fluently in Japanese flashing her his most charming smile. Older women could never resist his handsome face, especially with his dimples.

"Le Linh," she said curtly. "I'm working with Kyoko while her father is on business."

"Nice to meet you, Le-san" Cedric broadened his smile, emphasizing his dimples. It was no use. Linh hovered like a mama bear around her cub. If he wanted to get Kyoko's agreement before he left tonight, he would have to ask her in front of her manager.

As if sensing Cedric's dilemma, Koga decided to do his friend a favor. "Will Tsuruga-kun be joining us this evening."

"He said he would come as soon as he was done with work. I'm not sure how late he would be."

…

He slipped in, unnoticed. He took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and quietly observed from behind the crowd. Everyone's full attention was on the director, Jouji Morizumi, and the producer, Yuki Kuresaki as they gave their closing remarks to the talented people of Lotus. He kept walking until he found the most breathtaking view.

A soft smile graced his lips as he watched her dabbing at her shining golden eyes. Of course, she was crying. He watched as the person next to her handed her some tissues. His loving expression instantly disappeared. He felt like he was doused with cold water as he watched her smile up at Cedric in thanks.

He took a step further back out of her line of sight. She didn't need to see him acting so immature right now. They had worked together for weeks on end so it was only natural for her to get along with him. He saw the evidence for himself. The guy had changed just like he had in the last six years. He had no business being a hypocrite.

The sound of applause brought him out of his thoughts. The speeches were done. The crowd was dispersing. He had come later than expected because of the added effects required for the complicated scene today. He was greeted by many people as they passed him by on the way to grab more food or booze.

He felt his heart go doki doki when the last of the people departed and he could see her properly. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at her graceful form from behind. She chose to wear the long royal blue dress with the cold shoulder sleeves. A fashion designer would have critiqued the dress as classy with its sweetheart neckline and sleek design. Ren purchased it because he knew it was all that and more. It was sexy and he knew she would look devastatingly gorgeous in it. The lace back and high slit revealed her skin elegantly. He would enjoy sliding it off her silky skin later tonight.

He watched her delicate fingers rub against the back of her neck. The charm bracelet he gave her at the start of their relationship glinted in the light. He bought accessories to go with each dress but she wore none of it. On her hand was the promise ring and around her neck sitting snugly between her clavicle was Princess Rosa. Finally, she looked over her shoulder in his direction. It was like she senses him watching her.

She graced him with a radiant smile when she noticed him standing there. His face split into a smile of his own. She turned her back on the group and walked up to him. He inhaled sharply as she walked over to him slowly, deliberately swaying her hips using her signature runway walk to entice him. The high slit of her gown revealed her shapely legs. He ignored the camera shutters firing rapidly in their direction. He only had eyes for her.

...

Kyoko had felt the hair on the back of her neck tingle. She looked around the room for the source that had stirred her grudges and found him. She excused herself from her current conversation and joined him. His heavenly smile put her meager grudges into a drunken stupor at first until she closed the distance between them.

He looked like a young handsome tycoon in his fitted designer suit and his long hair. It was hard to be mad at the man for spoiling her when he gazed at her like that. He looked pleased that she was wearing one of the dresses he gave her.

Her eyes darkened and her mood turned black when she stepped up to him. She reached a hand up and brushed the back of her fingers over his cheek.

She pulled back her hand when he winced from her touch. "Who did this to you?"

He chuckled at her concern. Kyoko narrowed her eyes at him.

"It happened on set. Poor timing on choreography," he said with a shrug.

"It needs to be iced. Let's go home."

"What? No! This party is to celebrate your hard work. You should enjoy it a little more." He told her stubbornly. "Plus, I'm hungry." He pouted. He knew it was the perfect excuse to make them stay.

Kyoko flew into hostess mode and found him a seat by the window with the view of the Tokyo skyline. She looked over the offerings. She might have become overly excited about feeding him because she filled a plate up with a little of everything. She found Koga and Cedric talking to him when she returned. This couldn't be good.

"Oh good, Kyoko-chan's back. Now hurry up and ask them," Koga prodded Cedric.

Cedric flashed Koga an irritated glare.

"Dude, you have a plane to catch."

"You're leaving? Tonight?" Kyoko asked curiously, handing Ren the pile of food in her hands. Ren took the offered plate from Kyoko and thanked her. He began nibbling on the food while Cedric responded.

"Yes, I'm finished with my commitments here so I'm heading home."

"Good luck, Bennett-san. Thank you for your hard work," Kyoko said, bowing to her co-star

"Thank you. It was a pleasure working with you. Before I leave tonight there's something I need to ask you And Tsuruga-san."

She noticed Ren swallow the food in his mouth prematurely snagged a glass of champagne from a nearby tray handing it to Ren. He took it gratefully.

"Wow, Kyoko-chan. You do that so effortlessly."

Kyoko stared at Koga blankly unsure what he meant.

"Just like an old married couple," Koga teased. She felt her cheeks burn from embarrassment. "It's cute!"

"Bennett-san, you had something to say?" Kyoko asked, trying to change the subject even though his words made her happy.

"Yes, I heard you both will be in L.A. next week. My father, you see...he promotes people. Anyone he promotes eventually becomes famous in Hollywood." He couldn't keep the bitterness out of that last line.

"Here's my card. If you're interested in meeting him I could set something up."

Kyoko held her breath. Eventually, Ren accepted the proffered card.

"Why are you willing to help us?" Ren asked suspiciously.

"My father is interested in your work. He saw us in the Kimi footage and asked me to approach you. I've seen your recent work. L.A. would welcome such talent."

A throat clearing behind them interrupted their conversation. Linh stood behind Cedric with a serene smile.

"Excuse me," she said politely. "Kyoko-chan, May I speak with you."

Kyoko stepped up to her manager's side. Linh told her that she would leave now that Ren had appeared. She told Kyoko to call her if she needed anything and would see her in the morning. Kyoko returned to the men but Cedric said his goodbye and left. She didn't know what was decided while she was away.

Ren was the first to break the silence as he drove them home. "Did I tell you, how beautiful you looked?"

"Not in words."

Ren chuckled.

"Did my wearing this dress make you happy?"

"Very."

"Because you're still hung up on the way I depended on Kijima-san for the Dark Moon party."

"What?" He gasped in surprise.

She kept her eyes glued to the passenger window. She could feel his gaze on her but she refused to look at him as he called her name.

He pulled the car over at some random side street. He gently turned her head in his direction.

"Talk to me," he pleaded. "Maybe, I do have some underlying egotistical desire to see you in clothes that I purchase for you. I'd be lying if I said I was completely over the Kijima thing. It's my problem that I'm working through. You did nothing wrong. I saw tonight as an excuse to spoil you. After our tryst in your closet, I noticed you still don't have much."

Kyoko sighed. When he put it like that… "I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. Everything you bought was beautiful but it was too much. Please limit yourself next time and don't remove the tags. That's cheating!

"Yay, permission," he said happily.

"Did I just hear you, 'yay'?"

"You must be hearing things," Ren said innocently, obviously gaslighting her. He eased the car back onto the road as they continued home. According to security, Kyoko would be ducking in the backseat again to avoid the paparazzi.

"Will you call Bennett-san when were in L.A.?"

"I don't know. This involves you too. Do I really want to depend on my childhood tormentor to get ahead in this industry?"

Kyoko cocked an eyebrow in his direction making him laugh.

"You're right! We're not passing up this amazing opportunity even if the guy is or used to be a pretentious..." He didn't finish his sentence but Kyoko did following his trail of thoughts.

"Prick!"

"Oh!" she said covering her mouth. She said that out loud.

"My lady! What a filthy mouth you have!" he said in a scandalized voice adopting the accent of a stuck up British lord.

"Why, good sir, I do believe you are a bad influence on me." She retorted in a haughty tone.

They bantered back and forth the remainder of the car ride as Lord and Lady. Their little role play might have even followed them all the way up to their bedroom.

AN: Thank you for sticking with me everyone! I had to finish this up to free myself from spoilers. I hope everyone is keeping safe and healthy and this brings a little joy to your life.

Thank you for continuing to read and the reviews on previous chapters. I love and appreciate all of you.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^