Chapter 217: Best Sister

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, we would get more Maria-chan.

"Fucker," Jin huffed after Sho's parting shot.

"Language," Gen hissed, smacking the other teen on the chest with the back of his hand.

"Ow," Jin exaggerated, rubbing at the spot he had hit.

Maria rolled her eyes at the immaturity of these guys twice her age. Living in a world of adults, she had heard it all. The old ladies here could be so crass sometimes.

"Gen-san, Jin-san, who is he talking about?" Maria asked, spinning on her heels to face the two teenage boys. She had oddly befriended them in the cafe, knowing they were auditioning for the chance of becoming her onee-sama's lead co-star. As Kyoko's "little sister," it was her duty to scope out the prospective candidates and confirm they were worthy of her big sis.

Maria had found the folder of candidates after accidentally overhearing…okay, eavesdropping on one of her grandfather's phone calls regarding the project. To say she was disappointed by the choices was an understatement. None of them were good enough for her Onee-sama. No matter how hard she studied the profiles or researched their social media pages, Maria could not like a single one of them. Because none of them were Ren-sama. In her eyes, he was the only one worthy enough to stand beside Kyoko.

Maria happened upon the two teenage boys in the cafe, chatting together, and recognized them immediately. It fascinated her that the two completely different-looking guys seemed to be on friendly terms. Judging by the time, the auditions should have been almost over, which would explain their presence here. With her expert sleuth skills, she snuck closer, took the seat behind them, and listened to them banter. For the past fifteen minutes she had been sitting there, all they talked about was her onee-sama. Luckily for them, they didn't say a single disrespectful word about her. If they had, Maria had a plan to make them pay for their transgressions.

Deciding that she heard enough, Maria stood beside their table, waiting for them to acknowledge her presence. Since their faces were plastered to their phones as they exchanged conversation, it took them a minute until Maria cleared her throat.

They both jumped when they noticed her.

"Oh, shit, little girl! You scared me," the delinquent-looking one she knew to be Jin startled.

"Are you lost? Do you need help finding your parents," the other guy, Gen, inquired, using a soft tone that all mothers and kindergarten teachers often use when talking to little kids.

Maria's annoyance shot through the roof. She hated people the most who talked like that and treated her like a baby.

"You look like a teenager, but you speak like a baby," Maria remarked snidely.

Gen looked taken aback by the rude remark.

"Burn!" Jin burst out laughing.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it's rude to speak like that to your elders?" Gen scowled.

"I wouldn't know. She's dead," Maria snapped. The ache in her chest she used to experience at the thought of her mother had dulled significantly since she reconnected with her father, and befriended Kyoko. The pain was still there, but the guilt was almost non-existent. Maria had finally accepted that her mother's accident was out of her control and she wasn't responsible for her death.

"Fuuuuccckkk," Jin muttered under his breath, elbowing Gen in the ribs.

"I- I'm sorry. That was rude of me," he apologized. His apology was so sincere that Maria could only let him off the hook.

"It was a long time ago. I hardly remember her," she shrugged. The boys' faces softened. Even Jin didn't look so menacing anymore.

"So, um," Jin began hesitantly, "do you need help finding your father?"

Maria shook her head. "He's in America," she replied.

The guys shared a worried glance and began looking around the area. They were probably trying to find someone to flag down like a security guard.

"I'm here to see my onee-sama," she supplied to appease their apprehension.

"Ohhhh," they shouted in unison.

"Does she work here? Maybe we can ask the receptionist to call her," Jin suggested, hopefully.

His sincerity in helping her was another surprise to Maria. He didn't look like the caring type.

Before she could respond to his question, a prattle of office ladies walked by, one stopping when she spotted Maria.

"Maria-chan is everything okay," she asked as she eyed Gen and Jin suspiciously.

"I'm fine. Just talking to my new friends," Maria smiled sweetly and placed a very realistic-looking hairy spider on the table.

Gen and Jin, along with the ladies leaped at the giant arachnid. The ladies rushed to get away from the vile creature and forgot all about Maria.

"What the hell is that?" Jin demanded while Gen hid behind his friend.

"More importantly, why aren't you freaking out right now?" Gen exclaimed.

"Kirby is my friend," Maria responded, stroking the back of her furry friend. She picked it up and pretended to toss it at the boys, making them jump and shriek in fright. They had Maria in hysterics over their reactions.

"He's not real, sillies," she assured, making each of them examine the creature. "I just like to use it on mean, ugly old ladies that can't mind their business.

Jin snorted.

"You know, you have the face of a cherub but the heart of a demon," Gen muttered and sat down again.

"Why, thank you," she smiled in appreciation.

"That wasn't a compliment," Jin clarified.

Maria shrugged.

"So about your sister," Gen shifted uncomfortably. "Should we help you look for her?"

"No, she's busy. I'll see her later. I'm more interested in you guys. How did the auditions go," she queried.

"How do you know we auditioned?" Jin tensed, suddenly intimidated by Maria's power. She could only smile at his unease.

"I heard you guys talking, and I know practically everything that happens in this company. So spill," she demanded. Maria used her most angelic face on them which did the trick and got them talking.

They gave her a quick account of how their auditions went. It turned out Jin's went as well as she had expected, given his inexperience and background. When she came across his profile, she had concluded that he could play random student number two at best. However, since Kyoko was his partner during the scene, she could have helped him tremendously. There was no doubt in Maria's mind that Kyoko's skill elevated him in front of the judges.

While discussing their auditions, Gen asked Maria if she knew anything about Fuwa Sho being a part of the drama.

Maria gasped, "What do you mean?"

"He was there. In the auditions, sitting right beside Kyoko-san. Like some judge," Jin explained.

"No!" Maria gasped again with horror. "Why?" Maria wanted to jump from her seat and demand answers.

"I don't know," Jin shrugged. "Do you think your sister would know?"

Maria nodded and stood. She would get to the bottom of this mystery. This level of scheming had her grandfather written all over it. He was the only one she could think of to have that pull. She doubted this was something Kyoko would have wanted for her debut.

"I have to go. It was nice talking to you guys," Maria announced hastily. She wondered if Kanae or Chidori had any idea why he would have been included.

"Wait! Marai-chan, do you think you can email us the answer?" Gen held up his phone, hopefully.

"Sure," Maria accepted, determining that these two guys were her new friends. They were harmless. She pulled out her phone from a pocket in her frilly dress and rattled off her details.

"Wait! You're Voodoo Princess!" Jin exclaimed.

Maria giggled at his shocked expression, "that's me."

"I see your comments on the fansite all the time," he confessed. "I'm a top contributor."

"Really? What's your handle?" Maria asked excitedly. She wanted to know if she could recognize his name. It was such a small world to meet someone in real life.

"Uh, um," Jin rubbed the back of his neck, and his face turned red. "It's kind of embarrassing," he admitted shyly.

"I mean, don't get me wrong. I love the name, but this is different," Jin mumbled.

"He's KyokoMyGoddess!" Gen blurted, enjoying his friend's embarrassment. Maria's eyes widened. She recognized the name immediately. She knew him to be an advocate for anything Kyoko, and since Ren made her very happy his support extended to him as well.

"I know you from the chat room," Maria exclaimed happily. Jin seemed to relax the more she talked about the fansite. They even managed to convince Gen to join on the spot. Because Maria had always been a good judge of character, she deemed her new friends trustworthy.

"Okay, I have to go," Maria announced. She needed answers. Her first stop would be the LoveMe room. If the other LoveMe members weren't there yet, she would head to the audition room. Maria waved goodbye to her new friends and began walking away. She didn't get far when she heard the whispers and turned to see Fuwa Sho walking out with his manager. If he was here, that meant the auditions were over.

Maria observed him for a moment and got a mischievous idea to play a prank on him. Kirby became the leading man of this production. He was so engrossed in his phone that he made it too easy for her to sneak up on him.

The prank went according to plan, and now Maria had a new victim. Jin and Gen had witnessed their interaction and got involved, exchanging words with Sho. His last words left her confused. She had studied the profiles in detail. Just who was this Golden boy?

Maria listened attentively to what they had to say about the candidate named Kuon. They didn't even bother remembering his last name, although they were all given a name tag. When Maria got everything out of them, she left in search of her onee-sama. She needed to know if this new man was a potential threat to her Ren-sama. If needed, she would sic Kirby on him too.

Kuon should have known the President wouldn't be traipsing in that ridiculous get-up without an entourage. He had never felt more exposed in all his years than he did walking behind a horde of zombies and their king. The colleagues they bumped into on the way greeted their boss out of politeness and openly stared at Kuon as soon as they noticed him, which was instant. He didn't miss the cell phones pointed in their direction or the hushed whispering. By now, the rumor mill at the agency had to be running rampant with talk of him. From the bits he caught, the consensus was he was "the president's new golden boy." The question chorusing through them afterward with concern was, "What about Tsuruga-san?"

Kuon kept his face impassive and nodded at any polite greetings directed his way until they made it to the executive elevator, reserved strictly for Lory's use. Although the president took the circuitous route, Kuon was glad they avoided the agency's main lobby.

It took a few more minutes before Kuon was pacing in front of Lory's dilapidated throne, his escort having been dismissed downstairs. He wished the man wasn't in costume for this confrontation right now. It made everything he had to say seem unimportant.

"Would you like some tea?" Lory asked innocently. Kuon glared at his boss. The infuriating man was mocking him by delaying their conversation.

"No, I don't want any tea," he snapped. "But thank you, Ruto," he replied calmly, remembering his manners to the president's right-hand man standing by for instructions.

"What I would like," Kuon stated and stopped his stride to face Lory. "Is to know what the hell Fuwa was doing here?" He practically growled, his blood boiling at the singer's presence.

"Hmmm," Lory hummed. "He auditioned and was the best fit for the role."

Kuon gaped at Lory. He knew the man wasn't telling him the whole truth. "That's it! That's your answer!" Kuon fumed, his agitation escalating.

"Why was he even at the audition in the first place?" Kuon questioned.

"You'll have to ask Fuwa for his reasons," Lory responded. His nonchalant attitude was grating on Kuon's nerves.

"You know his history with Kyoko and this is her debut film. You know the tabloids are going to focus on his participation in the film and their relationship. Kyoko worked too hard for her debut film to be surrounded by this sort of publicity. It should be only about her," Kuon argued, exasperated by his boss's decision to include the musician in the production.

"And yet here you are?" Lory spread his hands and raised a brow at him, his lips quirking in amusement.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kuon retracted, taken aback by Lory's sarcasm.

"Why did you come here today, Kuon?" Lory asked calmly. "You wanted to be a part of Kyolo's debut film, right? By her side, supporting her during this momentous event."

"That's right! I wanted to surprise her, be there for her, support her with all I am," Kuon explained.

"As Kuon Hizuri, yes?" Lory asked for clarification.

"Yes. Ren can't pass as a student," Kuon explained. "Kyoko told me how much younger I look with my natural hair." His appearance wasn't the only thing she claimed that made him youthful. He couldn't deny it. He was always more playful in his natural form because there were no expectations from Kuon Hizuri. He could be silly and immature in public. More than six years out of the limelight made people forget he ever existed. He was essentially a nobody without his parents.

Lory hummed, shifting his weight on his throne and interlocking his fingers over his midsection. Kuon just knew the man had an ace up his sleeve and was waiting for the perfect moment to throw it on the table, like now.

"So you will be essentially using Morimoto-kun's debut film as your own," Lory commented with a patronizing tone.

"What? No," Kuon retracted, ready to vehemently deny the intention until he realized his mistake.

"Fuck!" Kuon tugged at his hair in frustration and sat down. He stood immediately and pulled at his hair again. Lory was right. He was a hypocrite. How could he condemn Fuwa's participation in the film when what he was doing was so much worse?

"I'm a hypocrite," he announced, throwing his hands in the air and dropping to his seat. He felt defeated and stupid for not considering that before he had the bright idea to waste everyone's time. He and Yashiro were so excited about the idea that it never crossed their minds.

Lory hummed again, not denying his claim.

Before Kuon could say anymore, the door opened with Ruto escorting Seiji, Kyoko, Linh, and Yashiro into the room.

Kyoko rushed to his side, "I'm going to have to speak to Hizuri-san alone for a minute. Please excuse us."

"Go ahead, Ruto will get refreshments. Is there anything you want, Morimoto-kun," Lory called. Kyoko was already dragging him toward another door for more privacy.

"No, thank you," she threw over her shoulder.

Once the door closed behind them, Kyoko pounced on him, wrapping her arms and legs around his body. Kuon wasn't expecting the attack and stumbled until his back hit the door. He instinctively gripped her tight to keep her from falling and was rewarded with handfuls of supple skin and dainty lace. Kuon groaned. Is she trying to kill me? Unperturbed by his hands reflexively squeezing her ass, Kyoko began peppering his face with excited kisses.

"I can't believe this, Corn. I'm so proud of you," she gushed excitedly between each kiss.

What she said drew his attention away from the heat coming from the apex of her thighs. "Kyoko, wait," he managed, pulling his head back so she would stop kissing him.

She tensed in his arms and pulled back, her eyes searching his for answers. He was quiet for several beats until she started squirming to get out of his grip. His arms tightened their hold on her, not ready to let go. He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed.

"Corn, tell me what's wrong," she pleaded, tucking a lock behind his ear. "You're scaring me."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers. The hurt in her eyes devastated him. Fuck! I'm such an idiot!

Kuon breathed deeply. "I'm sorry for showing up today. I should have never done it," he tried to explain.

Her brows furrowed with confusion. "I'm sorry for being selfish," Kuon added.

"I don't understand. Please explain it to me," Kyoko insisted. Kuon nodded and took another deep breath before continuing. She tried to get down again, but he wasn't having it. He rather liked having her in his arms like this as they talked, and it wasn't just because her thighs were squeezing him in all the best ways. It was comforting to have her close. Kyoko eventually succumbed to her plight once she realized he wasn't letting her go.

"Tell me," she whispered, laying her head on his shoulder. Kuon slid to the floor with her still in his arms. He was strong, and she weighed next to nothing, but the fatigue of the long day wouldn't let him keep the position. With his butt on the floor and Kyoko comfortably in his arms, he started at the beginning. How he found out through connections about the decided script, the procurement of the book used for inspiration, and the research he conducted with his fellow high school co-stars.

"You did all that?" Kyoko asked incredulously, lifting her head from its perch on his shoulder.

Kuon smiled and nodded. He pushed her head back down to rest on him so he could continue. Kyoko didn't argue. She snuggled against his neck and inhaled contentedly. Ignoring the heat thrumming through his body from their proximity, he continued an abbreviated version of his story that entailed all his planning with Yashiro until he climbed on the stage. The more detailed parts would have to wait until later since they had a room full of people on the other side of the door waiting on them.

"So what changed in the short time since you left the audition room?" Kyoko questioned. She started stroking the back of his neck, making it difficult for him to concentrate on her question.

"Boss reminded me of what a media circus it would be if I came out as your co-star," Kuon confessed.

"Are you worried about what they would say about you?" She probed and lifted her head again to gaze into his eyes.

"I don't care what they have to say about me," Kuon replied honestly. He didn't. "I'm worried about it overshadowing your debut. You worked so hard for this. This is yours. You deserve all the attention. It was selfish of me to want to be by your side for this."

"What if I said I don't care?" Kyoko countered.

"I'd say you're sweet, baby, but you should. This is your career," Kuon pecked her nose.

"I'm serious, Kuon," Kyoko smiled. "I want to share this with you. Now that I know you could be a part of it. I want it. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I want this. I want us… in this film…together. The question now is, what do you want, Kuon? Are you having second thoughts about making your identity public?"

Kyoko captured his face between her hands and gazed into his eyes with love and understanding. "It's okay if you aren't ready. No one would hold it against you."

"Okay," Kuon nodded, his love for her deepening a little more. She was giving him an out that he didn't need. He was ready to take the leap.

"Are you sure?" He asked, this time searching her eyes for any hesitation only to find none.

"Yes," she whispered, leaning forward to join their lips. Kuon's mouth descended on hers, deepening the kiss until she was moaning into his mouth and rocking her hips against him.

He was so lost in their kiss that he didn't feel himself falling until his back hit the floor with a heavy thud. Kyoko squealed on top of him, surprised by the unexpected tumble. It took him another moment to realize what had happened. The door he was leaning against had opened, revealing them to the people in the other room. Kyoko tried to scramble off, but he held her firm against him. She was the only thing hiding the tent he was pitching.

"Onee-sama?!"

The blood drained from Kuon's face and his boner at the sound of the familiar voice of his dearest friend. Is this what it would feel like to have our child walk in on us?

…

"Maria-chan," Kyoko exclaimed and pushed Kuon to get off him. Kyoko managed to right herself up and adjust her clothing.

"Onee-sama," Maria said sternly. The little girl she thought of as a sister stood there with her brows furrowed and arms crossed. Her little angelic face fumed with rage.

"Explain yourself," she demanded.

Kyoko's face flushed with embarrassment. "Well, uh, you see…" she stumbled to find the right words to explain their compromising position.

"Um, Maria-chan," Kuon hesitantly interjected.

"Shhh!" Maria rudely shut him up. "No one is talking to you," Maria snarled, not even sparing Kuon a single glance. Her eyes pierced Kyoko, demanding an explanation.

"Why?" The little girl asked, her voice laced with hurt. Her mouth wobbled, and her hard stare turned glassy with unshed tears. Kyoko's heart nearly broke for her little sister. It was all a misunderstanding, one she wasn't sure how to rectify because instead of getting the game plan from Kuon, she was too busy shoving her tongue down his throat.

"Maria." Kuon stepped in front of the little girl and dropped to his knees so they were at eye level. She glared at him with annoyance; however, Maria could not ignore him. It took a minute for recognition to sink in.

"R-ren-sama," her lower lip trembled. Kuon nodded. "Ren-ssssaaama!" Maria cried and fell into his open arms. The floodgates of her emotions released and she sobbed against his chest.

"I-I th-thought, O-onee-sama…" She struggled to speak through her tears. Kyoko had an idea of exactly what Maria had thought seeing them like that, and she couldn't even be upset about it.

"I know. It's okay," Kuon soothed, stroking her hair. Getting emotional, Kyoko knelt beside them, silent tears sliding down her cheeks. Kuon opened his arm and pulled her into the fold. It felt right. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Maria calmed down, lost in their little bubble and forgetting the others in the room.

"I'm sorry, Onee-sama," Maria apologized, wiping at her tear-stained face. "I feel so horrible for doubting you."

Kyoko laughed and swiped at her tears. "It's okay, Maria-chan. You are the best sister a girl could ever have." She reached up and affectionately tucked a curl behind Maria's ear.

"I'm also honored to have your loyalty, Maria-chan," Kuon grinned cheekily.

"I knew it! I knew I wasn't going crazy," Seiji exclaimed with a laugh and some clapping, bursting their little reunion.

"What is the meaning of this, Takarada-san," Linh demanded. Kyoko's manager appeared to be livid with the revelation.

"All we'll be revealed. How about the three of you join us, and we can talk," Lory suggested, gesturing to the empty loveseat. Yashiro, Seiji, and Linh occupied the other seats with drinks in their hands. Kyoko's face bloomed with heat, embarrassed by her wanton behavior. She couldn't make eye contact with anyone.

Kuon helped her and Maria to their feet and led them to the couch. Maria happily plopped herself between them and waited for the conversation to begin.

"Kuon, this is your show." Lory nodded, giving her boyfriend the green light to get started.

Kyoko chose to take her cues from him, no matter what he decided, she would always support him.

"Well," he began. "If you haven't guessed yet, it's me, Ren." His introduction made Maria giggle and Kyoko smile. No one else in the room was surprised. Seiji was pleased, but Linh looked like she wanted to murder him.

"What you might not know is that my real name is Hizuri Kuon. I'm Kuu and Julienna's son."

Maria gasped, turning to Kyoko for confirmation and gripping her hand for support. She could only nod at the little girl.

"And this," he waved his hand over his face to emphasize his appearance, "Is my face without the mask of Tsuruga Ren on."

"What do you mean?" Maria's cute little face scrunched up in confusion. Kyoko had the urge to answer, to help her boyfriend so he didn't take on the scrutiny alone, but she left it to Kuon to explain.

"I have my mother's hair and her eyes," he responded. "I dye my hair dark and wear colored contact lenses to hide my true eye color."

"But why?" Maria piped up again. Seeing the anguish on Kuon's face, Kyoko intervened.

"Maria," Kyoko began slowly, realizing she was using that placating voice that adults used on children. She hated that tone whenever it was directed at her and knew Maria did, too.

Kuon moved, kneeling before the little girl and taking her hand. "When I was fifteen and living in Los Angeles, my best friend, who was like an older brother to me, died in a car accident. I blamed myself for it. I was so lost without him that I didn't want to live. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. Your grandpa and Ten-san helped me start a new life here. With a new identity, Ren was born."

Kyoko watched Maria's expression change from surprise and empathy. A lone tear slid down the little girl's cheek in understanding, and Kuon swiped it away from her cherub cheek.

"You're okay now, right, Ren-sama? You're happy here…with us," Maria swallowed, her voice filled with vulnerability and the possibility of rejection.

"I'm very happy here, Maria-chan," he confessed and flashed her his genuine heavenly smile that could part the cloudiest of skies.

Kuon redirected his smile at Kyoko and squeezed her hand before getting up again and returning to his side of the couch.

A moment of silence passed before Linh spoke, "I have a question." Kuon nodded, giving her the green light. Kyoko fidgeted in her seat, clueless to what her manager might throw at him.

"Why are you choosing now to reveal yourself?" Linh folded her arms across her chest. It was a good question and not too loaded.

"I thought I had a better shot at earning the role of the leading man as myself," Kuon admitted sheepishly.

"So you plan to hijack Kyoko-san's debut for yourself." She had gone straight for his jugular. Kyoko and Yashiro flinched to defend him, but Kuon didn't hesitate to respond.

"It wasn't my intention, and I just realized that that was exactly what I did by auditioning. I told Kyoko as much," he admitted.

"I don't mind," Kyoko blurted, defending her man. "I want to support Kuon. If you decide he is the best male lead for the film…" he turned to Seiji. "Then I want to work with him."

"But, Kyoko-san," Linh protested. "The media will focus on him. This is supposed to be your film, bad enough Fuwa-san was imposed on you, now him. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I appreciate you always taking care of me, Linh-san." Kyoko smiled gratefully at her manager. "I want this film to be a success, and if Shingai-san decides he's the best fit for the role, then I will trust his decision."

Linh nodded and remained quiet. Kyoko wasn't sure if she would have more to say when they were alone, but for now, at least, Kyoko was relieved she had no more questions.

"I saw potential, Tsuru-, er um, what should I call you now," Seiji asked, scratching his head. Kyoko smiled at his dilemma. She had the same problem in the beginning.

"For now, let's stick with Ren," Kuon offered. "We can figure out the logistics later. I'll admit, I wasn't quite prepared for the aftermath of my actions."

"That would be best. I think we should keep you on as Hizuri-san for the sake of the auditions. What do you think, Takarada-san? Seiji asked, turning to the president for his opinion.

While the two men tossed ideas around with Yashiro and Linh adding their feedback, Kyoko looked over the head of Maria to catch Kuon's eye and flashed him a reassuring smile. She was confident everything was going to work out fine. Kuon had the support of everyone in the room. She couldn't wait for the world to meet the full strength of this incredible man.

AN: Ahhhh! I made it! At least, I think it's still Christmas Eve somewhere in the world…lol. Hello, my lovelies! I've been chugging away at this chapter to finish it in time for all of you to enjoy. I think it's a perfect homage to our birthday girl, Maria-chan. I'll be honest, it just turned out this way…XD. Thank you for always reading, and I hope you enjoyed it.

Until next time,

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with good health, lots of love, and plenty of laughter. I heart you all!

XoXo

~Kaname