Chapter 208: The Next Level

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, nobody would dare mess with the daughter of a doting father.

In the Land of the Rising Sun…

Tucking the flier safely into her pocket, all rules and regulations flew out the window as Kyoko bolted to her shoe locker, eager to get to class. As she approached her locker, Kyoko slowed her pace, but her heart rate didn't follow suit. She had been gone for nearly two weeks. It was more than enough time for her peers to figure out creative ways to trash her personal effects. Cautiously, she stepped in front of her locker, mentally preparing herself for the worse. Kyoko took a deep breath and shut her eyes quickly before yanking the little door open. The sound of items falling to the floor on and around her feet caught her attention. She opened her eyes, stared down, and gawked. A pile of stationary envelopes, intricately folded washi paper, and tiny wrapped gifts fell at her feet.

It took her a moment to realize that the paraphernalia was falling from her open locker. Kyoko had to do a double take— opening and closing the door to verify that it was indeed the one assigned to her.

"Hurry and put it back," a girl scolded while she and two other girls rushed to scoop up all the items off the ground.

"Didn't you see the note? The locker is full. You can't use it anymore. The fan club president sent a reminder just this morning in the group chat."

"Huh?" Kyoko replied dumbly. The girl was talking nonsense. Kyoko stood and began pulling the rest of the things that had no business in her shoe locker out, including a cute stuffed chicken that reminded her of Boh.

"Hey, stop being rude," the girl snapped, bending down to pick up what she just dropped.

Kyoko groaned frustratedly. "Where are my shoes?" No matter how desperately she searched, her indoor shoes refused to materialize out of the blue.

"Your shoes?" The girl squinted, scrutinizing Kyoko's appearance. "You have the wrong locker. This locker belongs to…" She stopped talking and pulled out her phone, tapping away rudely and then holding it beside Kyoko's face.

"What are y-," Kyoko began, turning her head toward the screen.

"Kyoko-san!" The girl gasped, finally recognizing her.

"Y-yes," Kyoko sighed, flashing her a small smile. Of course, she didn't recognize her.

"Oh, my God! You're finally back!" She exclaimed, gripping Kyoko's hands and jumping up and down. Her friends immediately whipped out their phones. One began typing madly while the other just held her phone up, most likely taking pictures. "I'm your biggest fan! You look so different! You changed your hair! You look so beautiful." The girl gushed with tears springing from the corner of her eyes.

"Eh?" Kyoko squeaked, embarrassed by the girl's compliments and reaction. The girl's rising voice soon drew the attention of other students nearby. They began chattering all at once as they drew closer.

"It is her!"

"She changed her hair color."

"It doesn't look like her."

"You can tell by her eyes."

Kyoko tried not to get caught up in what was being said and tried to leave. "Um, thank you, but I have to go. I need to get a pair of shoes before I'm late for class," Kyoko explained, trying to maneuver through the small crowd.

"You don't have to. The fan club president is bringing your shoes now. He didn't want anyone stealing them while you were gone, so the president protected them."

"The president?" She cocked her head, confused. Did she hear this girl correctly?

"Hey, move out of the way," a familiar screeching voice cut through the excited murmurs of the crowd. The students parted, revealing Mimori, looking as beautiful and confident as ever.

"Ugh, so it's true. You're back," Mimori sneered, tossing her long black hair over her shoulder. She ignored the three girls still holding the stuff that fell out of Kyoko's locker and addressed Kyoko.

Kyoko plastered on a smile while internally grumbling. Have I offended the gods in another life? Why do I have to see her face so early in the morning?

"Hello, Nanokura-san. Thank you for welcoming me back. It was very kind of you." Noting the cameras, Kyoko greeted the girl rather sweetly.

"When did I?!" Mimori's eyes flashed with annoyance.

"Welcome back, Kyoko-san. We love you," the students behind the idol parroted.

Kyoko waved around her and flashed them a genuine smile. Although she wasn't used to such attention at school, she had to remain courteous.

"I got them!" A male voice sounded above the rest, the crowd hushing at his appearance. Kyoko could see a pair of indoor shoes in the air coming toward her. The sea of students parted for this individual, revealing a male student Kyoko had never seen before.

Mimori turned and moved to Kyoko's side whispering in her ear. "If I were you, I'd throw those shoes away."

"Why?" Kyoko blinked at the girl that always gave her a hard time even before she knew that Kyoko was childhood friends with Sho.

Mimori rolled her eyes and huffed, "Trust me, you don't want to know."

Trust her. If Mimori was implying what Kyoko thought she was implying then yes, she didn't want to know. She had been in the industry long enough to not be so naive. More times than not, she would overhear some of the raunchy gossips that her colleagues exchanged during their break. Even she heard of the odd and shameless behavior of some fanatics. Stalking seemed to be the most famous story when it came to celebrities. It didn't matter their gender.

Kyoko allowed her thoughts to drift to her boyfriend for the first time since they parted. As Japan's number one heartthrob, she wondered if he had ever had any negative experiences with the fans. She sighed and rubbed at the dull ache in her chest. While she was excited to be back at school, she missed having him around.

"Good morning! Please allow me to officially welcome you back, Kyoko-san," the boy carrying her shoes greeted, completely ignoring Mimori's presence. He straightened and presented her shoes over his forearm like a waiter in a high-end restaurant would a linen napkin. A few of the girls around them giggled at his silly gesture.

"Thank you, um…" Kyoko paused, waiting for him to supply his name.

"Ah, Mako!" He blurted. "Please call me Mako," the boy blushed.

"Thank you, Mako-san. I appreciate the kind gesture." Kyoko smiled and tentatively received the shoes, careful to hold them by the soles just in case.

"You're an idiot," Mimori huffed and folded her arms across her chest. Kyoko couldn't understand why the idol was still standing there. Was she waiting for everyone to leave so she wouldn't have an audience to contend with as she hurled insults at Kyoko?

"It was my pleasure," Mako beamed. "Can I walk you to class?" Her friendliness gave him the confidence boost he needed to ask her such a request. The invitation stunned Kyoko. She wasn't quite sure how to respond.

"Kyoko-san! Kyoko-san." Kyoko smiled with relief at the sound of another familiar voice. The students easily parted to let her charismatic classmate Gen strut through the crowd with ease. A collective sigh of "Aww" passed through the girls, reminding Kyoko that Gen was a popular model at their school.

He smiled politely and waved to the girls that greeted him until he was standing in front of Kyoko. "You're finally back," he stated happily. "The girls will be so happy that you're here."

Ignoring everyone around them, including Mimori, Gen plucked the shoes out of her hand and said, "Let's go or we'll be late for class."

"I'm so sorry. I don't want to be late," she told Mako lamely and nodded appreciatively at the other students.

"I understand! Maybe another time," Mako shouted as Kyoko made a hasty retreat, glad to get away from that mess. She was caught off guard by her sudden popularity and didn't know how to handle it.

"Did you know that guy?" Gen asked when they were out of earshot.

Kyoko shook her head. "I just met him today."

"What's your impression of him?" Gen asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Kyoko scrunched her brows. She had not spoken to the boy long enough to form a valid opinion but looks-wise, her first impression of him was…

"Average," Kyoko stated.

Gen burst with laughter at her response and shook his head.

It was the truth. By her calculations, Mako was an average Japanese boy with black hair and dark eyes. He was average height for a Japanese boy at this age, only a few inches taller than Kyoko. His build was slim and he wore his uniform per the student handbook. Mako could easily blend in a sea of Japanese boys, unlike her model friend. Gen was tall with a pretty face. His hair was dyed and he wore his uniform in a rebellious way that would be frowned upon by ordinary teachers but made the girls crazy for him. In their class, as long as the students wore the uniform, the teachers didn't hassle them about any changes they made to express their individuality.

"Gen-san, my shoes." Kyoko halted as they rounded a corner, out of sight. She gestured to the pair in his hand.

"Yeah, you can't wear these," he declared. "I'll take them to the incinerator later."

"You too?!" Kyoko rolled her eyes. "I have to purchase a new pair then. Sensei will be angry with me if I don't change my shoes."

"We got you covered. Come on," he prompted, heading toward their classroom.

Kyoko huffed and yanked off her shoes to walk in her socks. It wasn't very hygienic, but it was all she could do for now until she got new shoes. Gen raised his brows in amusement.

"What?" She shrugged. "At least this way I won't scuff up the floors."

Gen chuckled and shook his head. He stopped and slid open the door, gesturing for Kyoko to go first.

"Kyoko-san!" Gina and Hanami squealed at the sight of Kyoko entering the classroom.

"Good morning," she chuckled as her friends jumped and sandwiched her between them in a group hug.

"Seriously, we thought you would never return," Gina gushed, pulling away and swiping at her eyes.

"Where are your shoes," Hinami questioned, staring at Kyoko's sock-clad feet.

Gen waved her shoes to the girls. "One of her fans was protecting it for her."

"So that's where they went. Was it a boy or a girl?" Gina asked, nodding toward the shoes.

"A boy," Gen replied.

"Eww throw those away," Hinami squealed, making a disgusted face.

Gen laughed and tossed them into the bin. "I'll take it out at lunch break."

Astonishingly, Gina was already handing Kyoko a new pair of shoes. It was as if her classmates had prepared for such an occasion.

"We knew your shoes were missing so we made sure to get you a pair in advance," Gina explained.

Kyoko's eyes misted. She had never been treated so well by her classmates in all her school life.

"Don't get all sappy on us," Hinami smiled and ruffled Kyoko's hair. "We're friends."

"Thank you," Kyoko beamed, her heart moved by the friendship of her classmates. She slipped on her shoes and placed her outdoor shoes away.

"Good morning, Maru-san, Ayuko-san," Kyoko greeted her other classmates that just entered the classroom.

"You're back," Ayuko exclaimed and surprised Kyoko with a hug.

"Well, that explains the excitement outside. Ayuko-san chased away a bunch of students loitering in the hall," Maru chuckled. "Welcome back, Kyoko-san."

"So…about Hollywood," Gen asked slowly once Ayuko let her go.

"Yeah, tell us," Gina demanded.

"I still can't believe you almost died," Ayuko blurted, then covered her mouth.

"Oops, sorry," she apologized.

"It's okay," Kyoko stated quietly. She didn't want to share any details of that night. If anything, she wanted to put it all behind her if she could.

"Besides the almost dying part, how was it?" Gina quickly recovered and changed the subject.

"This! How did this happen?" Hanami opened a weekly tabloid magazine that had a huge spread of Kyoko and Ren on the runway at fashion week.

Kyoko blushed at the images. She had yet to read what any of the critics had said about her performance that night, worried the news would be bad.

"Ah, it just happened!" She replied shyly. It was Gina and Hanami's dream to walk on the catwalk one day and Kyoko felt she might be rubbing it in their faces. The girls didn't look upset and prodded Kyoko to continue. She told them all about Honoka's accident and the geta sandals Fuji had made her wear to give her the height she needed to fit the dress.

"I have souvenirs," Kyoko announced excitedly, opening her bag. While she dug out the little gift bags she made that contained key chains, magnets, and saltwater taffy a couple of cranes tumbled onto the floor.

Gen scooped up the dropped items and handed them back to Kyoko. "Thank you," she blushed and stuffed the cranes into her jacket pocket and felt something else in there. Her boyfriend somehow snuck them into her bag this morning. She would have to read them later when she was alone. Knowing her boyfriend, he probably wrote a perverted note inside. Kyoko couldn't take the risk of anyone else reading them.

"You like to do origami, Kyoko-san?" Ayuko asked, noticing the folded papers.

"Ah yes," Kyoko blushed. "I like arts and crafts."

"I haven't done it since primary school. I don't think I even remember how to make a crane. I used to be pretty good at it," Hanami added. They began to discuss among themselves their experience with the art of folding paper.

Kyoko wasn't going to confess that those particular birds were from her boyfriend. Gen would probably question her to no end about them if she did.

"Oh, oh" she interrupted excitedly, suddenly remembering that it was the flier in her pocket earlier. "Are you guys excited about sports day? What are we participating in? I know I've been absent, but I won't drag you guys down." The event was taking place in two weeks. Kyoko would need to catch up fast to help her team.

Her friends started laughing. The delirious kind of laughter that brought tears to their eyes and had them clutching their stomachs.

"Our class gets a free pass for that day. We don't need to participate," Gina explained when she could finally speak again, unknowingly crushing Kyoko's spirit with her words. Her dream to finally participate with her friends in the school event was immediately dashed away.

Back in The Big Apple…

Tadashi laughed to himself as he moved towards the minibar in his office to get everyone some sparkling water before the meeting began. His business tycoon persona was obliterated in a matter of seconds after the warm greeting from the young Takarada. Tadashi immediately recognized a kindred spirit, another father who would do anything for their child.

Placing the drinks on the table, he took a seat in the other single chair next to Mya while Koki and the woman he brought with him, Dana Kensington, his second in command sat on the sofa.

"Koki, I don't know how to thank you for responding so quickly and recommending Dana for the position," Tadashi began gratefully. He had reached out to Lory for guidance since he knew the man had powerful contacts all over the world. The president of LME had wasted no time putting him in touch with his son. He had spoken briefly to Koki only yesterday to set this meeting before their target left for a supposed business trip in the morning. Tadashi had a hunch that the man was running away.

The man had been evading Tadashi like the plague, refusing to meet. He had explained his dilemma to Koki and somehow they now had a meeting at a club in two hours. This pre-game meeting was a necessity before that one to ensure they were all on the same page.

"I should be thanking you. I couldn't let this opportunity pass us by. For starters, you will be doing the industry a huge favor by getting rid of that parasite. I'm ashamed of myself for having heard the rumors and not doing anything about it. The evidence you have collected makes me sick to my stomach for letting him continue to prey upon innocent young women. If I had only acted his musician would have never had the gall to prey upon your daughter. When I think of someone like him taking advantage of my sweet Maria, it boils my blood."

"I'm glad we're on the same page, unfortunately, this is the best I can come up with since the young ladies in question do not want the negative publicity. Are you sure you want to get involved? You already set the meeting, I can show up alone."

Koki shook his head. "No, I won't change my mind. I'm here to do what I can."

"And you Dana? We don't know what to expect at the meeting and the location would be questionable. Although we're taking precautions, things could potentially get dangerous. I'm offering you a position in a company that I don't even own yet."

The young lady next to Koki laughed and shook her head. "I understand the seriousness of the matter, and I'm all in. I would like to be present for the handover. I also did my research on you," she confessed. "I'm under the impression that you will handle everything with ease"

"Okay, but if things get dicey, promise me that you will rush to safety," Tadashi warned her.

"Yes, I promise," she responded confidently.

"Perfect!" Tadashi smiled. "I will have the offer for you to review and sign in the morning."

"So just like that," Dana questioned. "You're putting me in charge of a company."

"We reviewed your resume," Tadashi nodded to Mya. "You're more qualified than I am and you came highly recommended by Koki. That's all I need for now."

Tadashi left out the part where he had Sota run a thorough background check on Dana just to be on the safe side. He could afford the risk but preferred to get it right the first time. It was a huge investment if the deal went through and he was putting her in charge of the whole thing.

According to Koki, she was his right-hand woman. If he ever vacated his position, she would be at the top of the list of candidates to fill his spot. Koki was the executive officer of the Eastern branch of Duris Entertainment Agency, DEA, while Cedric Bennett's father ran the West coast side. The company was the cream of the crop in the entertainment business. While Tadashi was familiar with the corporation, he had only recently found out about Lory's son and his affiliation with the company. This was why in business, networking was crucial. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it was all about who a person knows to decide their fate, and knowing Koki made this entire process so much easier. The chances of Tadashi coming out successful tonight were already quite high with Koki involved.

They discussed their plan of attack for another fifteen minutes until his assistant interrupted, reminding them about the time and the unpredictable city traffic. If they didn't leave soon, they would potentially be late for the meeting. Tadashi was counting on it. He thought it best to let the man stew for a few minutes.

"Well, it was good to meet you both. I'm sure we will meet again soon," Mya shook their hands after exiting the elevator on the lobby floor. She wasn't coming with them. Tadashi wouldn't let her take the risk. She was too important to her family and the company. If things went south, he didn't want Mya anywhere near this until it was a done deal. He was sure that Todd, her husband, would dig a hole and bury him if anything happened to his beloved wife. It did surprise him that Mya put up less of a fight at his decision.

"Tadashi, I'll see you later," Mya smiled and squeezed his arm in reassurance. "Good luck tonight."

"I'll see you in the morning," Tadashi clarified. No sooner than he thought she was up to something, a welcoming face entered the front door, making Tadashi smile.

"Hi, darling," the man called out to the group. He was a handsome man dressed casually compared to the present company in a pair of designer jeans, a sweater, and a wool coat. He was older than Tadashi by about ten years. Judging by the looks he was getting from the young women present, his age did not diminish his attractiveness.

"Todd!" Mya yelped as she spun around to greet her husband. "What are you doing here? I thought you had a patient."

Todd smiled charmingly, "Do I need a reason to see my wife? I thought we could grab dinner before picking up the kids."

"That's sweet of you honey," Mya pecked his lips and patted his cheek affectionately. "As you can see I'm busy." She nodded to the group.

"Oh, where are my manners," Todd beamed and introduced himself to Dana and Koki then finally shook Tadashi's hand.

"Todd, it's good to see you," Tadashi smiled conspiratorially at Mya's husband. He thought Mya had agreed to his decision for her to stay too easily and recruited Todd to keep his wife from showing up at the meeting venue. It was a fifty-fifty chance that Todd would be able to make it given his unpredictable schedule as an on-call doctor. He was one of the city's top specialists in Pediatric Neurosurgery, so his skills in the operating room were in high demand.

Mya had met Todd within a couple of months of their move to the city. One day, she went to the emergency room for cold-like symptoms and returned with a prescription and a dinner invitation. The couple hit it off right away and were married within the year. Although Mya opted to keep her maiden name, she had no qualms about showing off and letting every woman and the occasional man know he was spoken for.

"Tadashi, can I steal my wife for the night?" Todd teased, pulling Mya into his side.

"Yes, take her. Have fun you kids," he winked when Mya rolled her eyes. He watched the couple for a moment as they left, discussing their dinner arrangements then ushered Koki and Dana outside. Two men, dressed in black suits, were waiting beside a limo at the front of the building.

"Good evening, sir. The team is already in place," one of the men greeted Tadashi.

"Koki Takarada, Dana Kensington, this is Scott Roberts. Head of our security for the evening. I highly recommend his company if you ever need physical protection."

Tadashi wasn't sure what tonight would bring, but he wanted to prepare for every eventuality. Scott's team was there to make sure nobody got hurt. The dirt Specter dug up on the guy was enough to put him behind bars for a long time. Tadashi had to become creative with his punishment to keep the victims anonymous.

"Thank you, sir. We appreciate the business," Scott replied and greeted the pair. He suggested they get going and opened the rear door for them to enter.

On the way to the location, Scott gave them a quick brief on safety protocol and what type of situation they were walking into. His team had done reconnaissance the day before and had easily infiltrated the place tonight. They had been feeding him information as soon as they entered the building which he relayed to the trio. The information he shared left Tadashi baffled. Scott provided headshots of his team, so the three of them would know who to depend on if things went sideways. There were three women out of the six other people on Scott's team. He assured Tadashi that they were highly trained professionals and could hold their own against any of the other men on the team, including him. Hearing that feedback did set Tadashi at ease.

The limo pulled up to the curb of their destination. Gazing out the window, Tadashi saw the line of people, mainly women, dressed for a night on the town, waiting to enter the establishment. Although Scott warned them about the status of the location, it was still surprising to see it on a weeknight. Because the limo was soundproof, it wasn't until Scott opened the door that he heard the sounds of music, laughter, and people chattering, along with the usual New York traffic.

Tadashi stepped out of the vehicle, helping Dana, and glanced at the sign above. Club Burgundy. By the whispers and stares of the crowd, he knew they stood out in their designer business suits. Like him, Koki and Dana didn't seem to care about their attire; they were all here to close a deal. It wasn't his ideal place to conduct business, but it being so public could work in their favor.

The manager greeted them at the door and ushered them inside. The music was loud, and the flashing lights were obnoxious, typical of a nightclub. From the little Tadashi could see of the place, it was one of the more upscale clubs. He would have gone so far as to call it classy until his gaze landed on the metal poles running from floor to ceiling where a few inebriated young women were twirling and tripping around them. Their attire, albeit tiny, told him they were patrons having fun and not hired dancers, even if their short and body-hugging dresses were an inch away from being indecent.

When the song ended, the DJ made a short announcement confirming Scott's intel on the situation. It was ladies' night, and women drank free until midnight. And when women were abundant, men were sure to follow. It made the club the most popular spot for the night.

Tadashi's group followed the manager toward the back of the club, bringing them closer to the ladies dancing on the poles until it was upon them. Naturally, the VIP area just happened to be located beside them. Tadashi frowned when he found the place deserted save for a couple of men blending in with the shadows in their dark outfits. Had they missed their opportunity?

"This way," the manager motioned for them to follow, leading them toward the men. As they drew closer, Tadashi noticed that they were bouncers guarding a door. One of the guys nodded to his boss and opened the door. Boisterous laughter and female squeals of delight filtered through the open door. Tadashi exchanged glances with Scott. The bodyguard stuck his head in first to assess the situation.

"Who the fuck are you?" Someone from inside the room snarled at Scott. By the sound of his voice, it was obvious he was reaching intoxicated levels.

"It's okay to enter," Scott said, turning back to them. He stepped into the room completely and was rudely addressed.

"Come on, get this fucking clown out of here. This is a celebration for my boys' here," the man continued.

"I'll go first," Koki volunteered and stepped into the room with Dana following and Tadashi bringing up the rear.

"Ah, Koki-san. You finally came," the man stood and shook Koki's hand. " I see you brought friends."

"Yes, I did. Stewart Wright, let me introduce you. This is Dana Kensington, a former executive at DEA, and my close friend and business associate Tadashi Morimoto."

"What the hell is the meaning of this Koki? You lied to me," Stewart's eyes flashed angrily between Koki as Tadashi's name finally registered in his head.

"I didn't lie to you," Koki smiled coldly and sat down in one of the leather seats around the table. Dana and Tadashi followed suit and sat down. "As I said over the phone, I do have a proposition for you…well, technically my friend Tadashi does. Okay, maybe I did lie…a little. I'll give you that one," Koki teased, earning some giggles from the ladies around the room.

While Koki smoothed things over with Stewart, Tadashi took a moment to look about the room. He was disgusted to discover that the front wall was tinted glass with the view of the scantily young women, tapping into their inner stripper as they twirled around the poles. Not wanting to look like a pervert, Tadashi diverted his gaze at the other people in the room. There were several club patrons scattered about the luxurious lounge, obviously enjoying the sumptuous food on the table and the expensive liquor lining the shelves of the bar were evidence that they were enjoying themselves before they were so rudely interrupted. Now they were quiet, watching the scene unfold. They had to be very important people if they were allowed back here.

Tadashi didn't give anything away when his gaze slid over a few familiar faces, instantly recognizing the women on Scott's team sitting with or on some of the men. No wonder his head of security was confident to step into the room, his team had successfully infiltrated the main event. It was brilliant.

A ripple went through the group when the man with the woman sitting on him whispered something to his companion. The whispering man had a dark hood over his head and his friend wore a leather fiddler's cap, casting their faces in shadow. Their little group stood moving toward the exit.

"Where are you going?" Stewart demanded as they headed to the door.

"To the outer lounge," the man in the hat shrugged. "We'll get out of your way and let you deal with this," he explained, gesturing to Tadashi's group.

"What? This is a rare opportunity for you guys," Stewart stated, his voice thick with annoyance.

"Sir, I told you we're taking a break."

"A break?" Stewart shouted, his face turning red from anger. "Koki can take Vie Ghoul to the next level!"

Hearing Stewart's declaration, Tadashi jumped from his seat and grabbed the hooded man's arm, stopping him before he could escape.

"Oh, please, do stay," Tadashi said sweetly, spying the rogue silver tendrils spilling from the man's hood and confirming his suspicions. "What I have to offer will change your life forever, Reino."

Tadashi smiled menacingly as a ripple of fear shuddered through the musician's body. The night was going better than he expected. He was going to make this man regret ever fucking with his daughter.

AN: Hehe poor Reino, our dear daddy is not done with him yet. Thank you for always sticking with me! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Thank you all for the reviews of the last chapter. I greatly appreciate it.

I forgot to add. I've posted my latest fanart from chpt 194 & 203 on Deviant Art. If you want to check it out just search for my name. I like to think I'm improving at a snail's pace. ;)

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^