Kyoko found Sakura sitting on a bench, surrounded by foliage and flowers. Her head was bent, quietly dabbing at her eyes as another cameraman remained close by, documenting every second of her heartbreak. If Kyoko wasn't feeling extremely guilty for being the cause of said heartbreak, she might have gotten mad at the men for doing their job.

Instead, she froze ten feet away, unable to take a step forward into this new and unknown territory.

"Um!"

Sakura looked up, startled by her arrival. And scared. That was not an expression Kyoko had ever wanted to see directed at her.

Kyoko drew a breath and tried again.

"CAn I OVER close?" And the volume control on her voice didn't seem to be working. Nor her ability to form proper sentences. Great. This was a wonderful start.

Whatever Sakura had made out of that garbled mess, she nodded, scooting subtly to allow Kyoko room on the bench. Only then did Kyoko find the strength to close the distance, settling down beside her friend.

Now she felt both less awkward and more awkward. Those hovering cameramen did not help. She glared at the one that had followed her, silently telling him they didn't need two different angles for their show. One got the hint and fled. Which might or might not have had anything to do with the demon whispering curses into his ear.

"I'm, uh, sorry for not saying anything earlier," said Kyoko. "You sort of surprised me."

Sakura chuckled weakly. "Yes, I got that from your expression. I don't think I've ever seen someone so shocked in their life." She spoke with a dismissive nonchalance that her posture didn't match. She still hadn't made eye contact with Kyoko, the ground receiving most of her words. "I probably shouldn't have kissed you, but you look so cute when you're confused… sorry."

Kyoko's face burned. She slapped a hand over her eyes, sure she'd combust. She'd never expected anyone like Sakura to say that about her. It was different from someone like Daichi or Suzuki who had told her once already she was cute. This was Sakura, a friend she'd never expected anything like that from.

"I embarrassed you?" said Sakura.

"A little bit," said Kyoko. "I'm still trying to process."

"Right. Sorry."

At that, Kyoko was able to lower her hand, now frowning. "You don't have to apologize so much. I'm not mad."

"Sor—" Sakura snapped her mouth shut, finally raising her head. Her eyes were red and glimmering, but the corners were smiling in gratitude. "Thanks."

"Sure." Kyoko scratched the side of her face, the nerves returning. "I just want to double check. You like me, yes? In a romantic way?"

The confounded look Sakura gave her was almost enough to make her sure she was wrong.

"Was the confession and a kiss not enough?" said Sakura. "Or do I need to recite a sonnet to convince you?"

"Okay, okay, I was just making sure." Because a part of her felt like they were all playing a joke on her. But no, this was real life. Which was super weird. Not because of gender. But because people didn't fall in love with Kyoko. It had never happened.

Sakura took a large breath, collecting herself as she wiped the remains of her tears away.

"So, are you going to give me a response?" said Sakura.

Kyoko bit her lip, wishing she were anywhere but here. Because that would mean she wouldn't have to hurt her friend.

"I don't think I told you this," said Kyoko. "I'm not here to find love." Sakura nodded as if she knew, so Kyoko kept going. "Which means I'm here to avoid the tax hike. And I can only do that by getting married, and Japan still doesn't recognize same-gender marriages."

The corners of Sakura's mouth twitched. "Well, technically there is a way around that. As long as the couple has a child, either through natural birth or adoption, they wave the tax hike."

"What? When did that change?"

"Really recently. They're pretty desperate to increase the population. Japan is still projecting a steep decline unless we do something drastic like encouraging more immigration." She shook her head. "But that's another topic."

Kyoko was all for off-topics. She'd talk politics all day if it meant putting off this conversation. But it looked like Sakura was determined to get an answer.

"Well?"

Kyoko licked her lips. "I'm sorry Sakura-san, I… don't see you that way."

Sakura smiled, her eyes sad. "Because you're in love with Ren-san."

WHAT!?

Kyoko sprang to her feet, arms flailing as she failed to hide the immense blush spreading across her cheeks. "W-w-w-who t-t-old you t-t-that?" Excuse her, there was a camera right there!

But Sakura looked thoroughly unrepentant as her smile grew. "It's pretty obvious. You treat him differently that has nothing to do with your friendship. I don't think anyone else can get you riled up so quickly."

Technically there was a blonde idiot that could, and people mistook them as a couple all the time. But even if her methods of detection were flawed, Sakura had figured out the truth and outed it for everyone to see.

Kyoko sank back into her seat, flashing a defeated look at the camera. Guess it didn't matter anymore. Ren would find out the second this episode aired.

"I never want him to find out," muttered Kyoko. "I've been hiding it for so long…"

Tears were threatening to form. She felt pathetic with her deepest most shameful secret so thoroughly visible. Sakura had been able to see it. Everyone else would as well. They'd see how ugly she was.

"But why?" said Sakura. "It looks like he loves you as well. He even proposed to you."

Kyoko shook her head so quickly she gave herself a headache. "No, he doesn't like me in that way."

Sakura looked unconvinced. "It really looks that way to me."

"He doesn't. Trust me."

"And how do you know that? Did he tell you he didn't love you?"

"He doesn't need to."

Sakura gave her a flat stare. "Kyoko-san, I like you and all that, but that just sounds like you're making up excuses and its annoying."

Well, it looked like Sakura had recovered. Kyoko glared back, feeling annoyed as well. "I just know, alright? It's complicated."

Sakura threw her arms in the air. "How complicated can it get? He proposed to you! If that doesn't say 'I love you' then I'm not sure what does."

Kyoko didn't answer, eyes on her lap. She felt all her reasons hanging on the tip of her tongue, wanting to educate Sakura why Tsuruga Ren did not and could not love her. But she kept them back.

Sakura scuffed the ground with her sandal, scowling at the tense silence.

"It's just, sort of frustrating," said Sakura. "I'm willing to confess when I know I'll be rejected and here you are, with a real chance for happiness and you won't take the jump. And stop—" She held up a hand to halt Kyoko's defense. "I know it's different. My crush is only two days old whereas it sounds like you've loved him for much longer. But it's still frustrating."

"I'm not trying to be frustrating. I'm just trying to protect my heart." Which really, she had been doomed the moment he had unlocked her heartbox with his gentle kiss on the corn stone. She had never stood a chance. "You're braver than me, Sakura-san. I know I'll be rejected so I dare not say a thing."

"But how do you know that? What has he said that makes you so sure that he doesn't love you?"

Again, Kyoko looked at the camera, the monstrosity filming every second of her secrets spilling without restraint.

"It helps if you stop looking at the camera," said Sakura. She didn't appear annoyed anymore. Concerned, sure. Definitely confused, but no longer annoyed.

"I… shouldn't share his secrets," said Kyoko.

"Is that a real reason, or an excuse?" At Kyoko's silence, Sakura sighed. "Look, everyone who came on this show knows that their hearts are going to be on display for the world. And it looks like both you and Ren-san know the assistant director personally so I doubt she'd post anything that would ruin you. So, please, just forget about the camera for a moment and talk to me. I want to help."

It was the pleading tone at the end that did it. The camera disappeared from her conscious attention as Kyoko finally put it aside and let go of her inhibitions.

"He's in love with someone else," she blurted. "Has been for years. And I knew he was going to confess so I signed up for a random government retreat to run away and ended up on this gosh-forsaken show."

She should feel bad for blurting out Ren's secret. But… she didn't. It felt amazing to finally share her worries with someone. To actually talk about this.

"Do you know who he's in love with?" said Sakura.

"I have an idea, but not I'm not positive who it is."

"Doesn't that mean the person he loves could be you?"

Kyoko shook her head. "The timing doesn't make sense. We were barely friends when his feelings started to develop."

"That doesn't mean much." Her lips twisted into a smug smile. "I mean, I fell for you in two days."

Kyoko felt another twinge of guilt. She had technically rejected Sakura, yet here she was trying to convince Kyoko that the man she loved might love her in return.

"He would have said something at this point," said Kyoko. There was no possible reason for him to withhold a confession. With his inner darkness under control, he'd reconciled the feelings of guilt that had prevented him from wanting to attain happiness. His previous vow to deny himself of having anything precious was now absolved. He was ready to step forward.

"The things that held him back are no longer an issue," she continued. "He should have no problem saying he loved me if he did."

"But it is possible," insisted Sakura. "Maybe he's just been waiting for the right moment? Or maybe he's afraid you'll reject him?"

"Reject him?" The idea of rejecting Tsuruga Ren was laughable.

"I mean, you're not exactly Cupid's advocate. I could hear you gagging when Ryou-san was talking about couple rings."

Oh yeah, she had done that.

Sakura scooted closer, taking one of Kyoko's hands into one of her own, the touch comforting.

"I know you're scared," said Sakura, voice full of understanding. "but I really don't see how it couldn't be you. He's proposed to you. He refuses to give up even when you shoot him down. Do you really think it's so impossible that he could have feelings for you as well?"

Kyoko swallowed back the sudden swell of feelings, wishing Sakura wasn't such a kind person. Her honest concern for Kyoko's happiness, regardless of her own feelings, was doing something that no one else had been able to do for her. She was forcing Kyoko to be honest. Not only with them, but with herself.

"It's not impossible," said Kyoko. "I know there's a five percent chance I could be the woman Tsuruga-san is in love with."

Which just made everything that much worse.

And at this, the tears she'd been fighting finally started to fall. She couldn't see Sakura through the sudden wall blocking her vision. She was finally voicing the evil concept she hadn't even allowed herself to think, lest she run away with the possibility and destroy herself further.

"What happens if I let myself hope only to be disappointed in the end?" she said. "I can't do that again. He's not like Idiot Shoutaro. He's so… so amazing. He treats me like I'm worth something. He cares and inspires me to be better. He's not just someone I love. He's my senpai, a childhood friend I thought I'd lost forever and the person I respect most in my life. But now he's here and… I don't want my feelings to destroy this fragile balance we found. But that's exactly what happened and I'm a complete idiot."

She scrubbed at her eyes, pretty much gone at this point. Sakura had started this spew of inner secrets and feelings and it probably wasn't going to stop any time soon.

"He didn't deny it, you know?" she continued. "When I told him he only wanted to marry me because the girl he loved rejected him. I said I didn't want to be some stupid rebound, but I guess even that was a lie."

Because the incredibly selfish part of her really wanted to say yes. To marry him knowing he didn't love her, just so she could keep him all to herself. The thought made her sick with self-loathing.

"Imagine we got married," continued Kyoko. "He'd discover my feelings eventually. I'm not a good enough actress to keep the hidden forever. Then I'd have his pity instead of his friendship. Because guess what? This is Tsuruga-freaking Ren we're talking about. The epitome of good gentlemanly behavior. He'd never get a divorce. He'd be stuck to me for the rest of our lives because of my selfishness and I'd prevent him from attaining any possible future happiness. I'd be taking advantage of his moment of weakness and all for what? So I can selfishly keep him to myself?"

Kyoko's lips curled into a sneer. "Then I'd really be the worst," she said. "The most disgusting, selfish person I know."

A handkerchief was pressed into her hand. She took it blindly, blowing her nose as she tried to calm down. She kept hiccupping, her chest aching.

"Sorry," she muttered, pressing the handkerchief into her eyes. "I'm really pathetic."

Sakura rubbed her back, humming. "Better a pathetic honest you than anything else."

Kyoko snorted, feeling a little of her usual humor return. She removed the hanky from her face, sure she looked a mess.

"Now, I'm happy to have helped you through this crisis of love and all that," said Sakura.

"Technically I came out here to help you first."

"—But! I do have one question." Sakura's expression opened as suppressed panic started to show. Her eye's bulged, something almost wicked glittering behind them. "Are you telling me that Ren-san, the nerdy superhero geek, has been Tsuruga Ren-san this whole time?"

Kyoko blinked, tilting her head as she raised one corner of her lips in an attempt at a smile. Wopps, she had totally broken Ren's hard-earned cover.

"Surprise?"

Sakura's fists flew to her mouth muffling the strangled scream that came. The vocal exclamation didn't seem to be enough as she stood, hopping in place like a bunny.

"Are you kidding me? This whole time I was spending time with and going on dates with The Tsuruga Ren-san?" She let out another muffled cry, flapping her hands she quickly sat back down, visibly fighting the rest of her nerves. "Ohhh I'm so embarrassed. I love his movies, especially his romances. I think I own every one he's in. Do you think he'd give me an autograph?"

"I have no idea, you'll have to ask him yourself," said Kyoko. "And he's keeping his identity hidden so—"

"I know. I won't say anything. But oh my gosh! This show has to literally be the best thing that has ever happened to me."

And as Sakura continued with her fan-girl melt-down, Kyoko felt herself smiling again. This was much better than seeing Sakura mope. Or even Kyoko herself. If there was one thing Kyoko had learned in showbiz, it was to never underestimate the power of fan-girl love. Concert tickets and special limited-edition merchandise could heal almost any heartbreak.

"This doesn't make a difference!" Sakura suddenly pointed at Kyoko, full of fan-girl righteous ferocity. "He could still be in love with you, even if he is Tsuruga-san."

"How doesn't it make a difference?" said Kyoko. "Can't you now see that it's impossible for him to be in love with someone like me?"

Sakura grimaced. "I can see why you might think that, really I do. Who doesn't feel less important or special around someone as famous and well-loved as Tsuruga Ren-san? But Kyoko-san, if he wanted you to focus on him being Tusuruga-san instead of just Ren-san, do you think he would have bothered to come in disguise?"

And at that, Kyoko found she had no answer. Why had Ren come in disguise?

"Now you're just reaching," said Kyoko. "He probably just doesn't want to be mobbed."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Yes, because he wants his time with you to be unbothered by fan-girls like me that will glomp him for autographs."

"Would you really glomp him?"

"Don't push me, I might."

Kyoko raised a brow. "In the end, all this speculation is just that. Speculation." She'd spent too many nights trying to interpret Ren's actions. She couldn't be sure of anything, except what he'd told her directly. "I have more evidence that he loves someone else than me, so, I'm not going to say anything."

"At least until this show airs."

Kyoko gave her a flat stare. "Then let's hope Tsuruga-san has enough tack to never mention it."

She might need to offer a few prayers that he would never watch the show. Or for all footage of this moment to spontaneously combust.

Sakura blew out a breath, finally expelling the rest of her fan-girl zeal. "Okay, fine, let's say you're right and he's here because he was rejected by the girl he really loves."

Finally!

Sakura saw her relief, holding up a hand. Her smile was downright predatory as she leaned in. "Don't think you're off the hook, because if he's really heartbroken, then there's only one thing you should do."

That look was really scary. "…Which is?"

Sakura threw out her arms, a manic grin taking up her whole face. "Make him fall in love with you instead!"

What?

Heedless of the mental shutdown Sakura had yet again prompted, the girl kept speaking.

"You've told everyone that you don't want any feelings included in the mix of your marriage, right? Just tell him that if the two of you specifically are going to hook up, you don't want it to be loveless. Go on a few dates, flirt with him a little, and make him fall in love with you by the end. If he does, then you win! If he doesn't, then at least you tried and know for certain that it wouldn't work out."

"Are you out of your mind?" There was absolutely zero chance that Kyoko could make Ren fall in love with her. More likely the sun would explode tomorrow. "There's no way I can do that,"

"And why not?"

She sputtered at Sakura's nerve. What sort of question was that?

"First, he's Japan's number one sexy bachelor, and I'm just… just me." It hurt to say. Kyoko was a nobody, especially when compared to Ren.

Amusement crinkled the edges of Sakura's eyes. "And yet I fell for you, not him in the span of two days."

"That doesn't count and you know it. He's acting like a dork right now. You're a huge fan. If you knew who he was, you'd have fallen for him instead."

"Nope. And it doesn't matter, because I did fall for you when you weren't even trying. In fact, it sort of pisses me off that you think Ren-san couldn't fall for you. Are you saying I have bad taste?"

Well, yes. But Kyoko knew better than to say that out loud. Mostly because Sakura did have a point. Kyoko, who was so sure she was unlovable, actually had someone fall for her and confess. It was… a new experience. Was it possible that she wasn't as repulsive as she'd previously believed?

Kyoko opened her mouth several times, her mind racing through all the millions of ways this could go wrong. But despite the growing number of reasons why this was a bad idea, she couldn't push down the single spark of hope Sakura's suggestion had offered.

If Ren really was heartbroken, could she manage to fill that space? Could she make him fall in love with her? It seemed ludicrous. Plain, unappealing Kyoko make sexy perfect Tsuruga Ren fall in love with her? It was impossible. Hilarious. A joke.

Except for the bigger the challenge, the brighter her determination.

"Do you really think I have a chance?" Kyoko whispered as if Sakura had all the answers.

Sakura grinned. "I'd say better than anyone here. Especially since he likes you enough as a friend to marry you."

"Right. Okay."

This was such a bad idea and yet it gave her direction. Something she'd been in desperate need of for a while.

She slapped her cheeks gently, trying to shift her mentality. Rather than avoiding Ren and her feelings, she needed to do the opposite.

"I think I'm going to do it," said Kyoko. "I'm going to try and see if I can get Tsuruga-san to fall in love with me."

She realized a moment later just how crazy that sounded. Horror crawled into her as she pressed her hands over her cheeks.

"Oh my gosh, I'm going to try and make Tsuruga-san fall in love with me."

"That's the spirit," said Sakura, grinning as if this had been her plan all along.

Kyoko watched her warily, wondering just how this woman could bounce from crying over a rejected love, to encouraging said love to pursue her own romantic interests. Clearly, Sakura had a better heart than her.

Kyoko stopped Sakura from starting another spiel by holding her thumb and forefinger an inch apart. "I just have one tiny-itsy-bity-enormous problem," she said.

"What's that?" said Sakura.

And she felt like a complete idiot admitting this. "…I have no idea how to make someone fall in love with me."

"You want me to teach Kyoko-san here how to flirt by flirting with the nerd?"

Sexy-chan pursed her plump lips, contemplating the question with an impassive expression. Arms folded under her thin bikini, she had no problem highlighting her assets for the whole world to see. No shame whatsoever.

"Please, it would help her," said Sakura. "Unless you think it's too troublesome?"

Sexy-chan tilted her head, hooded eyes flashing. "No trouble. In fact, it sounds like fun, making an inexperienced nerd like him squirm under my thumb." She grinned, showing white teeth. "That boy won't know what hit him by the time I'm done, so watch and learn Kyoko-san. I'll have him in love with me by the end of the night."

"Please don't, that would defeat the purpose," said Sakura.

Not that Ren would fall to Sexy-chan's charms. Probably. Most likely.

Sexy-chan clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Fine. I'll just leave him wanting more." She gave Kyoko a sultry wink. "Don't complain when he strays to look for me in the future."

She walked away—no. Strutted would be the better word for it, hips swaying much more than Natsu's did. More than one head turned as she crossed the space in the sand.

Most people had gathered around a large bonfire, sitting on logs and overall enjoying time with each other. A few had split into pairs, enjoying the waning light and quiet time to have more intimate moments. Kyoko and Sakura sat near the edge of the light on the opposite end of where most of the participants were. It allowed them to people-watch without being observed themselves.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," said Kyoko

"Nonsense," said Sakura. "How else are you supposed to learn if not by watching someone who is good at it?"

"Yeah, but something in my guts still says this is a bad idea." Or maybe that was the dinner she'd wolfed down earlier. As Sexy-chan sat beside Ren, she felt the food turning over in her stomach. No, she knew this feeling. Unease. Jealousy. Terror.

"Just tell me what you see," said Sakura. "We're focusing on body language here."

"Fine."

She watched closely, noting things she was already familiar with. Smile on, eye contact established, legs turned toward the person of interest. Oh, that was an interesting laugh followed by a flashing smile. Hmm, maybe she knew more than she realized. Kyoko really wished she had a notebook to write everything down.

"Thank you, Sakura-san."

Sakura raised a brow. "For what?"

"Everything. Listening to me, being a great friend. Helping even though, you know… It's very brave of you."

Sakura's smile grew. She gave Kyoko a one-armed hug, releasing before it became anything more than friendly. "Don't worry about me. If anything, it helps me move on. And if I get the two of you together, I can brag about it forever."

Definitely a more mature person than Kyoko.

Sakura tapped a considering finger to her lips. "I guess I'll have to change targets and marry one of the men on this show. Or another of the women. Bow-san is pretty cute."

"Yeah, if you don't mind a poisoned fruitcake. She scares me."

Speaking of the fruitcake, Bow-san was making her way toward them. She held a tray of finger food, skipping gleefully. She too had chosen to remain in only her bathing suit, hair now pulled into a high ponytail wet from previous water activities.

"You two know how to keep things lively," said Bow-san. "Sakura-san, I heard you confessed to Kyoko-chan over here. I see that went well."

Sakura grimaced. "Not exactly. I was rejected."

Bow-san sighed. "Shame. I had money on you two."

"You had what!?"

Rather than answering, Bow-san plopped down between them, forcing them to scoot apart.

"What are you two doing anyway?" she said.

"Teaching Kyoko-san how to flirt," said Sakura.

"Oh." Bow-san giggled, glancing between them. "For a rejected confession, not a bad deal, eh Sakura-san? So, are we getting into kissing lessons later tonight?"

Sakura's face turned red "What? No! Not between us."

With a few more gestures than necessary, the two explained their current plan to Bow-san, motioning over at Ren and Sexy-chan who were still in deep conversation. The further they got into the explaining, the worse Bow-san's expression grew until she looked thoroughly and personally offended.

"You're saying you've never tried to flirt with anyone in your life?" said Bow-san. "Ever?"

"It's never been necessary." Kyoko had yet to play a character in a romantic role. Well, besides Momiji, but that was very different as it was unrequited.

Bow-san set down her plate of food, turning to face Kyoko fully. "Kyoko-san. Everyone woman needs to know how to flirt. It's essential to our survival."

"I do not agree with this sentiment," offered Sakura.

Bow-san ignored her. "Well, it does make sense. I just thought you were unrefined in your techniques, but this? Ha! It's sort of hilarious. And frustrating. Oh, you are a frustrating individual Kyoko-san. I hate you a little bit now."

"It's not like I made it my personal goal to offend you," said Kyoko. "Why does it make you so upset?"

"Search your feelings and figure it out yourself." Bow-san picked her plate back up, leaning back as she watched the Ren and Sexy-chan interact as if it were a movie. "Why did you ask for Ashiya-san's help? She's terrible at flirting."

"Who's Ashiya-san?" said Kyoko.

Both women turned to her.

"Uh, you just sent her to flirt with Ren-san," said Bow-san.

"Oh!" Kyoko plopped a fist into her palm. That was Sexy-chan's name. Good to know.

"What did you think her name was?" said Bow-san.

Kyoko shrugged, feeling defensive at the accusatory tone. "I don't know. I always called her Sexy-chan in my head."

Bow-san choked, dissolving into a coughing fit. Kyoko thumped her back as she got it under control.

"Y-you call her Sexy-chan?" Bow-san wiped the tears from her eyes, looking as if Kyoko had handed her the keys to a Porsche. "Have you called her that to her face?"

"No." What was wrong with her nickname? She looked to Sakura to see if her friend was laughing too, but oddly, Sakura's face was turned away. "Sakura-san, are you okay?"

The brunette turned back, revealing pink cheeks and a repressed smile. "Sorry," she sputtered. "It's just… so you, and so freaking cute. Sexy-chan. Hah!"

Wow. How had Kyoko missed the signs so thoroughly? Her face flushed and she hoped they took it as embarrassment.

It turned into that a second later as Bow-san turned in her seat and yelled for all to hear. "Oi! Eri-Chan, get over here! You have to listen to this. Kyoko-san said the funniest thing!"

"Why are you calling Eri-san over here?" hissed Kyoko. "She's angry at me for some reason."

"No, she's not, she's just being a baby," said Bow-san. "She's mad because Daichi-chan did nothing but talk about you on their date and she's jealous but won't woman up and fight you to the death for his honor and all—"

"Shut up you tart," said Eri, coming in at the tail end of Bow-san's gossip. "I swear, I will bury you in one of the many holes to China these boys dug today."

"Shush, listen, this is important," said Bow-san giggling. With mounting horror, Kyoko was quickly realizing just how shallow her fear of Bow-san truly was. "Kyoko-chan here is trying to learn how to flirt, right? Looks like she has the hots for the nerd."

"Bow-san!"

"And this is the best part! They asked Ashiya-san for help. But she didn't even know Ashiya-san's name so she just calls her Sexy-chan."

Bow-san hooted with laughter, Kyoko's cheeks slowly darkening. She didn't need everyone to know she was trying to get Ren to fall for her! Nor did they need to know about her nicknames. This was ridiculous.

She was so preoccupied with being self-conscious that she missed someone sitting down beside her. At least until they spoke.

"Is that why you called me Sho-casual?" the person asked, eye lighting up in glee. "Because you didn't know my name?"

He leaned forward eagerly, shirtless and sporting a few rocker punk-like tattoos. Definitely helping his Sho-casual image. He was also too close.

"Course I know it, you're Ando Kakeru-san," said Kyoko, pushing him back with one finger to minimize necessary contact. Ha! There, laugh at her all you want now Bow-san! Which… she was now. Dissolving into new tears once she realized that Kyoko had even more nicknames for them.

"Why are you even bothering?" said Eri, glaring at Kyoko. "Ren-san has already proposed to you. Just marry him and get out of here."

"It's… a long story," said Sakura, coming to Kyoko's rescue. "Don't worry about it."

"I wasn't worried!"

Bow-san snorted. "Sure you weren't."

"Wait, we're teaching Kyoko-san how to flirt?"

Three more people had turned up in the last five seconds. Hime and Suzuki sat down next to Sakura, leaning close and keeping their voices low. Kyoko heard the question "Are you okay?" from Hime, and a muttered response from Sakura. Knowing what that was probably about, Kyoko tried her best to ignore the help and healing Hime was providing. Instead, she attempted to keep a handle on the conversations happening around her. It turned out to be impossible.

Another woman Kyoko didn't know had come over, and Bow-san had started explaining all over again what they were doing. Kyoko resolutely kept her eyes trained on Sexy-chan and Ren, trying not to burst into flames as Bow-san exaggerated Kyoko's fascination with nicknames.

She only had to endure their laughter for another minute. Sexy-chan sauntered over a second later, a distinct pinch between her eyebrows.

"I see we had an audience," said Sexy-chan.

"Ignore them," said Sakura. "Just, how did it go? Any tips?"

Kyoko waited, breath held as Sexy-chan nodded, ready to let fall her professional advice on how Kyoko could win Ren's heart.

"I'd give up if I were you," said Sexy-chan. "He's gay."

"What!?"

Kyoko's mouth fell open. Ren was gay!? How could that be? He acted alongside so many women in romance films. He said he was in love with another woman. How could he be gay?

Wait.

Wait!

What if he was hiding it? What if he'd just said it was a woman because he wasn't comfortable spilling his sexuality to a random person in a Rooster suit? No wonder he'd had such a hard time portraying real love before Katsuki. He was literally going against his own preferences, having to pretend to be interested in women in general.

"How did I not see it?" Kyoko whispered, horrified at herself. "I've been his friend all this time, and I had no idea."

"He's not gay," said Bow-san, rolling her eyes at Kyoko's very justifiable panic. "Sexy-chan just sucks, I told you. She doesn't know what men want."

Sexy-chan's face darkened, somehow still beautiful as everything pinched into absolute disgust. Her voice lowered to a dangerous tone. "Excuse me? But I believe you're the only one that hasn't kissed Yoshio-san yet. I've done a little more… elaborate things with him than even Kimura-san, so excuse me if I think your opinion is garbage."

Bow-san laughed, her smile turning cruel. "Sure, you won the sprint to his body, but I'm on my way to win his heart." She turned her attention to Kyoko, holding up a finger. "Let me teach you the true way to flirt. It's all about subtlety. Small gestures and words that carefully lead the man into being thoroughly ensnared without his notice. Sexy-chan here is about as subtle as a flashing neon sign. No technique, no give and chase. No flexibility or satisfaction besides a good night in bed."

Kyoko's eyes were about as wide as saucers at this point. A small whirling sound was slowly growing, making it hard to concentrate on her surroundings.

"Don't act like you're some saint," said Sexy-chan. "I saw you earlier, moaning as Yoshio-san rubbed lotion on your back. You were practically having sex on the beach."

"But you see, that's the point. We didn't have sex, but oh, he wanted to take me right there on the—"

"What if you try Bow-san!" Kyoko practically screamed. "Go flirt with Nerd-san and I'll observe from over here." Anything to get these two to separate and stop talking about sex.

Thankfully, Bow-san took the bait, snorting at Kyoko's use of "Nerd-san." She shoved her now empty plate into Sexy-chan's hands as she walked past.

"Don't worry Kyoko-chan, I'll get all the dirt you need to make him fall for you," she said, humming as she skipped toward Ren.

Sexy-chan threw the plate randomly to the side, settling down beside Kyoko and Sakura with an annoyed huff.

"Seriously, she's always such a bitch," she grumbled. "I don't understand how Yoshio-san can even stomach a girl like her. Always acting like she's better. As if she's above sex. Like it's some dirty scandal if you want it more than once a year!"

Kyoko gave a noncommittal hum in her throat. She'd traded Bow-san's teasing for this? She wasn't sure which was worse.

Apparently, everything, because more people had arrived during those few minutes they'd traded Bow-san for Sexy-chan.

"She doesn't know how to flirt?"

"Ha! That's a lie. She's had three, no wait, four marriage proposals already."

"No, idiot, it's only been three."

"I thought it was five?"

Kyoko groaned, slapping a hand over her face. She couldn't even concentrate on what Bow-san was doing, too distracted by the mess she'd left behind. Maeda-san hadn't been lying. People liked to talk crap about her.

"She's so full of herself."

"Shush, she's right there."

"I don't care if she can hear me. Isn't that right Kyoko-san? You don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?"

With tension building around them, Kyoko turned in her seat, locking eyes with the woman who had been talking about her. It was Glasses-san, short hair pinned back with barrettes and a drink in one hand. Her cheeks were pink, alcohol glazing her eyes as they attempted to focus.

Before Kyoko could even open her mouth, three different sets of voices shot Glasses-san down.

"Kyoko-san's not like that! She's—"

"You don't know what you're—"

"Shut up you slut! As if you have—"

Sakura, Suzuki, and surprisingly, Eri-san all came to her rescue, their voices mixing until it was too hard to make out what they were saying. Eventually, it was Suzuki's deeper voice that came through.

"She really is awkward. Terrible at flirting. When we were on our date, she didn't realize that hand-holding was okay. It was kind of cute actually, but she was really clueless that I was flirting with her."

"Dude. Your fiancé is sitting right next to you."

"Shoot, Hime Sweetheart, you know I didn't mean it like—Wait! Come back!"

Suzuki chased after Hime, obviously in trouble if the comments following him were anything to go by.

The chatter picked back up immediately, though most people seemed to have moved on from Kyoko as a topic. One person at least was still interested. Sexy-chan, having gotten a drink from one of the men, leaned her head on Kyoko's shoulder, smacking her lips in satisfaction as she watched Bow-san and Ren.

"It's really too bad that he's gay," sighed Sexy-chan. "I wanted to see If Ren-san was any good in the sack. Sometimes the quiet nerdy ones can surprise you."

"Please stop talking about sex," groaned Kyoko.

"Why so squeamish? You're acting like a virgin…wait."

Sexy-chan suddenly sat up, her powerful gaze now trained on Kyoko. A talented actress Kyoko may be, but she didn't have enough time to gather a poker face before Sexy-chan saw the truth. Her lips parted to exclaim it for all to hear.

Kyoko slapped her hands over Sexy-chan's mouth.

"Please, don't say anything!" begged Kyoko, keeping her voice low so only they could hear. "I already have everyone on my case about calling you Sexy-chan and not knowing how to flirt. This is none of their business!"

She waited until Sexy-chan gave a nod before pulling her hands away. Sexy-chan spent a minute adjusting her hair back over her shoulder before commenting in a low suggestive tone. "Well, when you do reach that stage, feel free to come consult with me again. I can offer all sorts of advice in that department."

No. No, thank you. Never in a million years.

Sexy-chan left, moving through the group to find someone else to talk to.

With her gone, Kyoko finally felt like she could breathe. Yeah, this had been a terrible idea.

But Kyoko's troubles weren't over. Life wasn't that nice to her. Now that she didn't have Sexy-chan beside her, Sakura scooted close, eyes wide as she nodded back at the group. What had gotten her looking so worried? Kyoko listened in.

"Are you serious? He's really saying that?"

"How did he even come to that conclusion?"

One of the men preened, glad to be at the center of everyone's curiosity on whatever topic of gossip he contained.

"Claimed he heard it from Kyoko-san. She called him Tsuruga-san when they were talking earlier."

"What!"

Kyoko clamped a hand over her mouth, but her outburst had been noticed. Everyone now turned, their eyes boring into her.

"I know, right?" said the man, laughing at her terror. "I couldn't believe it either. Told him he was crazy, but he still insists Ren-san is Tsuruga Ren."

"Yeah right," scoffed another. "Dino-san's just trying to get attention."

"Oh my gosh, wouldn't that be the biggest joke ever if he was actually right?"

Forty. That was how many years were just taken off Kyoko's life. One for every heartbeat she'd endured until she realized they thought it was a joke. She was so relieved that she didn't even care that everyone was outlining exactly why the nerd Ren could not possibly be handsome, rich, sexy Tsuruga Ren.

I'm too old for this sort of stress.

One of the girls gestured to Kyoko eagerly. "But did you really call him Tsuruga-san?"

With all eyes now back on her, Kyoko didn't feel panic this time. Instead, she saw an opportunity.

"It's an old joke," she said. "I've known him for a while and since he shares the name and height, I sometimes call him Tsuruga-san as a joke."

A bark of laughter behind her made Kyoko jump. Bow-san had returned just in time to hear what Kyoko said.

"You really have the best nicknames," said Bow-san. "Tsuruga-san. That's it. For the rest of this thing, I will only call him Tsuruga-san and you Sexy-chan."

Sexy-chan shrugged, apparently less concerned with her nickname than Bow-san wanted.

"How did it go?" said Kyoko, ushering Bow-san to sit. "Sorry, I wasn't paying much attention."

Bow-san slowly sat, unusually subdued as she chewed her lower lip.

"I hate to say it," she said. "But there might be something to Sexy-chan's gay theory."

Sakura threw her hands in the air. "For the love of—! He's not gay."

"He might be."

"No, there is a zero percent chance he is."

"He didn't show any interest in my attentions," said Bow-san. "The only men who do that are either happily married, or gay."

That, or used to women throwing themselves at him. Or master a class actor. Ren was both. It would take more than Bow-san's level of talent to gain his attention or affection.

Wow, Kyoko was screwed.

"This was a mistake." She kneaded her forehead, feeling a headache coming. Why oh, why did she ever think this was going to work? She had no sex appeal, no experience, and she wanted to make Japan's heartthrob fall in love with her nonexistent flirting skills? What a pipe dream! Even if he wasn't gay, he might as well be if she even dared to try.

"Nonsense," said Sakura. "You can't give up without trying Kyoko-san. Otherwise you'll waste my heartfelt concerns for your happiness."

Kyoko snapped her head up to level a soft glare at her friend. "Don't use your feelings to guilt me into this."

"Oh my gosh, just go up to the dude and kiss him!" cried out Eri, who Kyoko had completely forgotten was there. The redhead slapped Kyoko on the back, nearly making her fall over. "He chose you for a date. He told Daichi to back off. He's all but claimed as his own, it's freaking obnoxious."

"You just want Kyoko-san out of your way so you can get—"

"Shut it Bow-san! I will dump this drink on your head."

"Careful, your Tsundere is showing."

"I will murder you Tinkerbell!"

But whatever the outcome of that scuffle was, Kyoko would never know. Their group must have been making too much noise as it had drawn the attention of Ren. He stood, making his slow but purposeful way toward them.

For a second, Kyoko blacked out. Too great was her horror as she imagined what would happen when he arrived. He'd hear their gossip about him. How Dino was claiming he was Tsuruga Ren. That even after all her concern for his identity, she was the one that had slipped up and almost exposed him.

But that wasn't the worst of it. No, the worst was imagining what Bow-san would say. What everyone would say. It would only take a few words from their mouths and Tsuruga-san would know she'd sent those women to flirt with him so she could learn how it was done. So she herself could flirt with him.

And she'd rather die than let him find that out.

Kyoko jumped to her feet, face an explosion of red as she yelled; "NO! Don't come over here!"

Ren froze, too far away to see his reaction in detail. But she did hear the immediate booing behind her from everyone else. A stray piece of popcorn flew past her. Where the heck had they even got that?

"Aw, Kyoko-san, that was so mean!" pouted Bow-san. "And not in the flirtatious kind of way."

Bow-san was right. She knew now that despite her worthlessness as a human being, her words did matter to Tsuruga-san. They affected him. Maybe not as deeply as his words did to her, but he was far from impartial. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come all the way here just to repair their friendship.

And to run from the love of his life, but that was neither here nor there. She needed to fix this.

So, regretting the words even as she spoke them, she amended; "Just—Just stay there! I'll come to you!"

The booing immediately switched to cheers. Kyoko was practically mobbed as someone hugged her from behind, offering her their congratulations. It just served to make her more flustered. But it didn't matter. Ren had blessedly, blessedly nodded, returning back to his secluded spot on the log. That was disaster number one avoided. Now if she could just contain the disaster that was herself.

"I can't do this!" said Kyoko, sinking back into her seat. "I have no idea what to do!"

"Don't panic," said Sakura. "Just… try being yourself. It should work out fine."

Bow-san leveled Sakura with an incredulous stare. "What kind of advice is that? That's terrible."

"Okay, okay, just give me a brief crash course on flirting," hissed Kyoko.

"Physical contact is always good," said Bow-san, really into this at this point. "So is smiling. But not too much! You want him to suspect you like him but don't directly confirm it. If he thinks he has you, he won't put any effort into the relationship. Once it starts like that, it will only be worse by the end. They'll expect your love and attention without doing anything to earn it."

"Now that is terrible advice," said Sakura. "Love is about giving, not receiving."

"Sure, if you want to be taken advantage of."

And suddenly Kyoko thought about Sho. Great. Now she was even more confused.

Eri bounded toward them, shoving something in Kyoko's face. "Or! You can have something better than terrible advice. On-demand coaching!" In her hand was a small walkie-talking and an earpiece.

"Where did you get that?" said Sakura, a heavy level of accusation implied through her voice.

Eri shrugged it off. "From one of the help. Said it was fine, so I took it."

Bow-san clapped her hands in delight, snatching them from Eri and fastening the earpiece to Kyoko's ear. "Perfect! We can at least help you be less awkward."

"This looks like fun, can I help?" Hime and Suzuki had pushed forward, crowding the other girls as they bickered who would get to hold the walkie-talkie. Apparently, the two of them had already gotten over their brief disagreement.

"I don't know about this," said Sakura. "I mean, we can't hear what they're talking about so we can't be too helpful."

But Kyoko was looking at the walkie-talkie like it was a life jacket, and she was the last one on a sinking ship.

"I want to do it," said Kyoko. "I'd love for all of you to help!"

"Then go, go! Don't keep him waiting," said Hime, giving Kyoko an encouraging push. "We'll help you every step of the way."

"Unless you trip, then you're screwed."

"Right. Thanks!"

Equipped with the small earpiece hidden behind her hair, Kyoko stiffly made her way to Ren. She was barely ten paces away when a high-pitched sound stabbed at her brain. She clapped a hand to her ear, wobbling visibly.

"Sorry! We turned down the sound."

"Stop waddling like a duck. You look drunk."

"Maybe we should have given her a drink. Might have helped."

It would have at least given her an excuse for her drunken walk. Ren was outright staring, his expression completely unreadable as she got closer.

Fear flooded her as she met his eyes. Why was this suddenly five hundred times harder? She'd never felt this terrified and embarrassed to talk to him before. Even the first day seeing him as themselves after the whole "Setsu stripped Cain and gave him a hickey" incident.

And now she was remembering that night in detail. Great. Because she needed another reason to have a heart attack right now.

Keeping her head down, Kyoko pushed through the last five steps and sat, shoulders hunched to her ears.

"Gosh, relax!"

"Lower your shoulders. Yes, like that. Stop looking like he murdered your kitten."

At this point, Kyoko wasn't sure if the voices were coming from the earpiece or her own head.

Then another voice came. This one pure, deep, and perfect as if the angles themselves had spoken… Except it drew out each and every one of Kyoko's demons, the things drunk off the underlying anger.

"Is there something you'd like to say to me, Kyoko-chan?" said Ren.

Oh, holy hell, he was pissed. She couldn't see his face, but she could picture the immaculate smile he was surely radiating. His sparkles were so powerful she could feel them in his speech. Why was he so angry?

And then she remembered what their last proper conversation had looked like.

You don't want me to be your wife! You want me to be your rebound option to get over the girl you love.

How she had overlooked this little detail was completely beyond her. Forget trying to flirt with the man, she needed to make sure he didn't skin her alive.

He's probably mad that I rubbed his failed love in his face. She, personally, would murder anyone that brought up her past with Sho like that. And here she was, thinking that her inexperience would be the biggest hurdle to win Ren's heart. Nope, her big fat mouth was the problem.

Kyoko threw herself into a dogeza, frantic to save her life from this glittering demon.

"Please spare me!" she wailed. "I shouldn't have rubbed it in like that. I promise I didn't say anything to anyone about her. I was just mad because you wouldn't leave me alone and I never meant to say anything."

She could just make out the council of women shouting something in her ear, but Kyoko's apologies were drowning them out. Their help would be useless unless in this.

"I understand that you're angry and I promise, it was never my intention to get in the middle of your business. I don't even know who it was, and I never tried to figure it out. Well, not actively but I thought it might be an unmentionable person for a bit but then it turned out not to be her, and then—"

"Kyoko-chan, please stop."

She shut up, forehead still pressed to the back of her hands. Without the babble of her own voice, she could now hear the others.

"—just get up. You're being so embarrassing right now."

"I find that begging can be effective in the right situation. But I usually leave that for the—"

"—No one asked you Sleezy-chan!"

"Would you please raise your head?"

Kyoko immediately shot up, spine straight as she continued to sit in a formal seiza. She finally got a look at Ren's face. He wasn't smiling as she had suspected. In fact, the anger she'd felt so potently was already gone, replaced with… nothing. Again, she had no idea what he was thinking. Only that she seemed to be the subject of his intense scrutiny.

Was he deciding if he would forgive her?

"Kyoko-san, get the hell off the ground."

"I don't know, that's the perfect position to give him a—"

"—Oh! I know, you can lay your head on his knee."

"How is that helpful right now? Read the atmosphere."

Ren seemed to have deemed her properly chastised, for he patted the seat beside her. She scrambled to reclaim her position beside him. He had relaxed out of his Ren persona, the only traces the effects he wore. Those glasses made it impossible to read his eyes, but from here, staring at his profile, she could finally see the cloud of thoughts lingering there.

"When I asked you if there was something you wanted to say, I didn't want an apology," said Ren. "I wanted an explanation."

"Oh." Well, he could have said something before she'd groveled for several paragraphs. "About why I didn't say I knew you loved someone?"

"No. That you're Bou."

He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, as if turning to face her would offer too much forgiveness. He held a question in that gaze.

"I guessed right, didn't I?" he said. "You're the person I've been coming to for advice for the past few years."

"This atmosphere is perfect. Now, scoot closer Kyoko-san!"

She nearly jumped, already forgetting about the people in her ear. Now was not the time! She was having a very important conversation with Ren.

…They were also probably right.

So, knowing she was treading on very thin ice, Kyoko scooted toward him. He watched her movements, still from the corner of his eyes without missing a thing. Which of course made her more nervous. Heat was rising behind her neck, hoping he thought it was the glow of the fire rather than her nerves.

"Yeah, sorry," said Kyoko. "That was me."

"Why?"

She chewed her lips for a moment, wondering how to explain her reasoning.

"I guess... because it was helping you," she said. "And you would have never come to me for help. And I thought it would be a one-time thing and then we just kept talking… and it got out of control?"

Her excuses felt pathetic even as she voiced them.

"I see," said Ren. "That reasoning sounds pretty familiar, wouldn't you—"

"Don't stop now! Keep scooting closer."

"Put a hand on his knee!"

"Put a hand on his crotch!"

"Put his hand on your crotch!

Red exploded on Kyoko's face. What would Ren think if he knew what they were telling her to do? These women were completely shameless.

"Kyoko-chan."

Her attention snapped back to him only to feel the heat on her cheeks deepen. Ren had finally turned toward her and was now leaning forward. He was very close. They weren't nose to nose, but he had entered her personal space. Heart doing a jig in her chest, she watched his movements in slow motion. Saw his hand rise to cradle the side of her face.

"Oh my gosh, He's going for a kiss!"

"Lean in Kyoko-san. Don't forget to close your eyes."

Kyoko clamped her eyes shut, mind whirling. Should she lean in? Slap him? Either way, closing her eyes was the wrong thing to do. Now she was hyper-aware of his fingers tracing her ear. Pushing back her hair and—

Ren popped the earpiece out.

Kyoko's eyes shot open. Well, she had no problem with her blushing anymore because all the blood had drained from her face. Ren examined the device with mild interest.

"Is this two-way, or one-way?" he asked.

It took a few tries, but Kyoko finally managed to struggle out an answer. "Uh, one."

"Good."

Ren waved the device at the women and men across the way, their squeals and laughter audible from over here. He placed it on the bench, rising to his full height and extending a hand to Kyoko.

"Take a walk with me?"

Mortified for the millionth time tonight, Kyoko demurely took his hand and allowed him to help her up. Their hands stayed connected for a good two seconds longer than necessary before he finally let go. Kyoko, still feeling dizzy from their previous proximity, had no idea what it meant. All she knew was that she already missed the contact, despite her own terror.

Together, they walked away from the ring of firelight and toward the beach shore, Kyoko very aware of the hoots and whistles coming from her gaggle of friends and hecklers. Now if only she could forget about the cameraman following them.

Thanks for reading!

I know it's been about a month since I posted, but hopefully, this ridiculously long chapter made up for the wait. And just the chapter as a whole. I had my husband wheezing with laughter as I read some parts to him. :D I could have split it into two, but I really wanted to give us some laughs after Kyoko's angsty heart to heart with Sakura.

I am blown away by everyone kind words and so happy that the previous chapter was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. You guys, as always, are the best! I legit lost it at several of them they were so hilarious. XD And yes, everyone falls for Kyoko. She has protagonist powers. We'll have to see where her next little talk with Ren will go.

-Blushweaver