CHAPTER 12
I do not own skip beat! Nakamura Sensei does.
I dropped the rating because I realized it will take me more time to reach some of the more juicy part and that rating T sufficed for what I want to do and for now. Warning. I will not tip you off anymore when I will upgrade it again. I don't want it to be too predicable after all. And as it seems I committed myself to a long story, I don't really know when it will be. So I will just do what I want. Though if at one moment, some people feel like rating T isn't appropriate anymore for anything I will portray in the future, feel free to message it to me in a review and I will upgrade it.
Come closer
Ren looked at her. How could he not? She was so cute and beautiful when she was laying on his couch like that. He had felt so depraved of her presence these last months. He was like a parched man seeing the first drop of water since weeks.
He went to a little cabinet and took a blanket before throwing it on her. He then sat on the arm of the couch and looked. He didn't know how much time passed but he was pulled out of his thoughts when a clashing came from the kitchen which of course awakened Kyoko.
What is Kijima doing?!
She needed her rest, damn it!
Kyoko widely opened her eyes to a tremendous sound. Which maybe was better…She had nightmares for all the little hours she slept. Nightmares about Ren being abused.
Kyoko shook her head distraughtly and caught a glimpse of an imposing figure.
Tsuruga-san. Relieved, she smiled at him.
He is awake…
Kyoko abruptly stood and rushed to him.
…
Once second, she was smiling at him and the next she was standing in front of him and he just had the time to blink before she reached him.
-Mogami-san, you could have kept sleep-…
-Tsuruga-san she cut him urgently while feeling up his forehead then taking his pulse.
-Are you okay? How are feeling? Nauseous? Dizzy?
God…Don't stop touching me…No No no no…
Bad me …Stop touching me…
-I'm okay Mogami-san.
-Don't serve me that, Tsuruga-san. I want to know how you really feel.
Someone snorted in the kitchen.
I'm in heaven and hell combined…I want to be close to you…I feel a bit sick but you by my side is enough to feel like I reached enlightenment…
He sighed.
-I feel a bit sick and dizzy and I can't seem to walk without stumbling this morning but overall I'm fine Ren said censuring the unnecessarily parts.
-You sure? Asked Kyoko with concern.
If only it could mean what I wish it would…
-I'm sure Ren said when Kijima came back from the kitchen.
-Hi Kyoko-chan he said while stuffing himself with Kyoko's food.
-Hi Kyoko answered.
Wow…that was cold.
What happened for her to be that cold to Kijima?
-More importantly Mogami-san, I have a few questions said Ren trying to distract her from her discontentment toward Kijima.
-I have some two intervened Kijima currently nipping at some food.
-Ah right.
-I called Yashiro-san and he said I can't work for the next two days and that Kijima has the day off. I can work Mogami-san.
Her eyes turned very furious.
-Oh. So stumbling every two meters isn't a problem.
-I would manage.
-Tsuruga-san Kyoko growled. Do you know why you are in that state? What happened to you?
Ren got a meek look on his face before answering.
-I don't really know but Kijima was able to tell me a bit from what he remembered.
-Oh?
-It doesn't prevent me from-
Kyoko grabbed him by the collar feeling fury in her bones.
-If you dare to finish this sentence Tsuruga-san, I swear sempai or not I knock you out she snarled.
Some giggling could be heard as a background but neither of them cared about it.
-Mogami-…
-You were drugged last night. Kijima-san called half-drunk already to say there was a bit of a situation but he completely forgot to tell me some trashy woman put something in your drink and that you didn't drank yourself out.
-Calm down Mo-…
-It wasn't just any drugs, it was a psychoactive one. Which means Tsu-ru-ga-san Kyoko spelled his last name coldly, that this drug paralysed people. Make them unresponsive, defenceless, even amnesic. The intentions of the woman were to abuse you Tsuruga-san.
-Mogami-sa-…
-Do I have to spell it? She most probably had the intent to rape you Tsuruga-san.
Ren had paled a bit as Kyoko was forcing the truth to enter the front of his mind but still kept his standing.
-It didn't happen so it's all good. I can perfectly work and-
-No Kyoko roared. The stumble and clumsiness you feel, the inability of use properly your muscles, it's because of the drug. You won't be able to control your body until eliminate completely the drug which will be in forty-eight hours. Even worse, the people submitted to this sort of drug can pass out several times on the next days of the absorption. It's not only unreasonable, it would be really dangerous to work in that state. You're going to feel dizzy all the time until it's eliminated.
-It's just like when I was ill and I was still able to work and-
- Damn it Tsuruga-san! Kyoko swore. It's not like being ill damn idiot! It's a lot more dangerous. A fever is something stable. Low at the morning, high at the evening and night. It's going to move about, go and come all the time. For example, if you are going down stairs and suddenly your muscles don't respond anymore because of the side effect of the drug. What will you do, then? You won't be able to react in time. And even if you were it doesn't mean others parts of your body won't be as unresponsive at the moment.
Ren was beginning to understand the scale of his state's issue but he was stubborn and he kind of thought he could surpass a damn drug.
-Mogami-san, I assure-
-No. No and no. You can't assure me anything. You are completely incapable of measuring the things to do to take care of yourself.
The giggles doubled over.
-Let me make myself clear Tsuruga-san. Last night, you both screwed up, you were both irresponsible. Now it's time to check out to the consequences.
-I-
-You are going to rest and stay put until the doctor give his avail, period. You are human and you sometimes need to rest, damn workaholic man.
Kyoko was glaring at him nearly viciously, command in her voice, scolding him severely and the worse, he was kind of liking it.
She isn't putting me a pedestal right now…
-You don't even have a good reason to argument. Nothing got cancelled. You will be able to kill yourself at work again soon, don't worry.
-…
He didn't have much of an argument anymore but her commander tone made him want to rise to the challenge.
As always…
-Still…I think you exaggerating Moga-
-If you don't rest, I release the beautiful Emo picture I have of you to the press Kyoko roared again.
Full aloud laugher busted in the flat.
Ren gasped outraged and stood up.
-It's blackmail.
-I don't care.
Furious, she tempted him to just try her holding her phone in the air.
Ren grumbled. Even if he knew she was right, he didn't like to be cornered like that. Still he knew she was doing it for his sake …So he finally gave up.
-Okay.
-Good because you don't have a choice in it she said raising her chin with dark cold eyes before stuffing her phone in her jeans' pocket.
His lips trembled.
She's sexy when she's angry.
-I have other questions though.
She arched a brow.
-Not related to work Ren quickly said.
She sat quietly.
Ren pointed at himself with his long forefinger.
-Why do I look like a raccoon?
Kyoko blinked. Once.
Her lips quivered fiercely which gave bad ideas to Ren.
She started giggling then bent over and laughed heartily while mumbling raccoon in the cushions occasionally.
-A punk blue raccoon at that Kijima added which fuelled Kyoko laughs further on.
Ren grumble a bit.
When Kyoko finally calmed down and stood straight again, warm was back in her eyes.
But her gaze suddenly turned mischievous before she said.
-I thought you looked like a panda personally. A giant cute panda. But raccoon is better.
Ren blushed slightly. He wasn't used to be on the receiving end of the teasing. Plus it was Kyoko and she was somehow acting different with him.
-So why do I look like-
-A giant punk raccoon-panda? They both said at the same time.
-Are you finished making fun of me, both of you?
They nodded with sparkles in their eyes and Ren sighed.
-So?
-I needed to disguise you. The Emo style was the only one that fit you but was also as far as possible to your elegant sexy usual look as Tsuruga Ren. And I had only scissors and make-up at hand to do that.
-I see. But why was I the only one disguised?
-Kijima-san's reputation could take any strike of the sort without even a scratch. They are too used to his habits.
-True. Plus I'm not sure the raccoon-panda style could have suit me. Only a few rare people can portray it.
Ren groaned.
-Shut up Kijima.
-I'm sorry about your clothes Kyoko suddenly said. I will repay you. But if we could do it in several payments I -…
Both of them gaped at her.
-You can't be serious Kijima said. How could you think that-
-Well I can try to pay it at once but it will be hard to-
-No Mogami-san. I think what Kijima was trying to say was "How can you think I'm going to make you pay for my clothes?"
-Well I ruined them, it's only natural that I-…
-Mogami-san, you rescued both of us of a bad step. And cutting my clothes was your only choice, there is no way I'm making you pay for it when you did it to help us.
Kyoko opened her mouth to object but it was his turn to glare at her and she closed her lips.
-So how do I remove all of this? Ren timidly asked. You even painted my nails.
Cautiously putting aside the butterflies in her stomach Kyoko giggled and took his hand before pulling him up.
-Where are we going? merely demand Ren, already following her anyway.
-Come on mister raccoon, we are going to remove your mask.
…
Having taken the removing products, Kyoko lead them to his bathroom while Kijima said he would find a way to prepare himself a coffee.
-You are sure we can't keep him like that…He's cute as a raccoon and less imposing …Kijima shouted on his way to the kitchen.
Ren quietly sighed but made no comment while Kyoko giggled under her hand.
Once arrived in front of the sink unit, she ordered to Tsuruga-san:
-Sit.
Once settled, Kyoko took little cotton balls and started putting solution on it.
-Mogami-san?
-Hum?
-Thank you.
She lifted her head.
A beautiful genuine smile was grazing Tsuruga-san lips and he looked at her softly.
She blushed a bit and ducked her head under this warmness.
-About what?
-Everything. You really saved me there. And you were right; it was an irresponsible behaviour from my part. I should have been careful.
She nodded.
As long as he realize it.
-Does this mean you are no more angry with me? That you won't avoid me anymore?
Kyoko looked at him with perplexity.
Angry with him? Avoiding him? When did I?
Oh right. The time she spent to collect herself. She had already completely forgot about that.
She had flipped so much over his state last night. And then now that he was better she had other things at mind.
Like…
Him being Corn. And Kuon.
I don't know how to act around him anymore…I swore I wouldn't talk about it until he will but-…
Unconsciously I feel closer to him…
I want to know what he is thinking…laugh with like I would with Corn…
Kyoko groaned.
-Mogami-san? Did you hear me?
Damn it! Get a grip!
-I'm not angry. I wasn't to begin with.
-You avoided me.
-I-…Yes, I did. But it wasn't against you. I had some things going on and I-…I needed time alone. I pretty much kept my distance with everyone beside work.
-And beside Kotonami-san you mean Ren mutter jealously.
-No. Even Moko-san.
After the incident with Kana and what Moko-san told me then the contradictory messages Tsuruga-san left on my phone just before I shut it…I didn't know what or who to believe anymore…I needed to step back to be able see things more clearly…
After some times, Kyoko felt ridiculous and guilty.
She had precisely asked Tsuruga-san to not assume things with sho but she did just that with Kana without ever hearing it only once from his own mouth.
-I see. Are you okay now? Ren asked with concern.
Kyoko smiled at him.
-You could say that.
Which was clear is I won't ever assume things ever again without hearing from the first person concerned first!
-So you won't avoid me?
-Nop.
How could I mister fairy?…though it's gonna be a lot more hard to hide that I know…
No…it's not that…
I can pretend I don't know…
But I'm already having a hard time not feeling or acting closer to him than before…
Arghh…and all that will just worsen my love sickness…
She looked at him coldly for a second and Ren dreadfully awaited for her answer.
You are making very hard to me mister fairy…
Still…How could I? I don't have it in me
I want to be close to him…
It's bad…really bad…
-No I won't She smiled again.
Ren beamed.
Kyoko started removing the numerous layers on his eyes, biting her lips to hide her smile.
-I really put a lot on you she said after trashing the fifth cotton for the first eyes.
-No, really?
Kyoko bit her lips.
Don't do that!
-I had to disguise you, I told you.
-I know Ren answered and my reputation is intact because of that. I think I'm just sulking a bit because I was the only one that had to change into a raccoon.
Kyoko laughed.
-Well…I think Kijima is right. It wouldn't have look as good on him.
Sheepish, Ren rubbed his neck.
-Should I take that as a compliment?
I wonder…
Is being compared to a raccoon could be considerate as being attractive…?
Are raccoons good-looking?
Kyoko just smiled.
What am I even thinking…I'm getting desperate here…
-Let's charge the second eye she said when she finished the first and Ren turned his left side her way. She started removing a part of the layers but Tsuruga-san wouldn't stop wiggling.
-Stop moving Tsuruga-san.
-You are ticking me.
Kyoko snorted.
-You didn't move with the right eye.
-It's not that.
You are holding my head for stability but you keep rubbing my left ear for that…
And I'm sensitive…
Though he loved having her hands on him in any way.
She rubbed it again and Ren groaned before wiggling again.
Kyoko chuckled.
-Here, done with the eyes. It looks oddly normal now.
Ren looked behind him at the mirror. He didn't have any more make-up around eyes.
No more raccoon He thought relieved.
Kyoko then took her scarf back and detached her old bracelet from his wrist.
-The lipstick is gone so it's mostly your hair and nails now she added.
-Could you throw your head back in the sink so I can wash it out, Tsuruga-san?
Now that the make-up was done, it could have the rest himself, beside the nails but the idea of prolonging the moment was too good to pass on and he obediently put his head into the sink.
It could really have turned badly last night…I still can't believe I was nearly abused…
…But it was without counting her…
I was persuaded she didn't want to have anything with me anymore…
And here she came on her white steed to rescue me…
Ren smiled softly.
...She is my heroine…
He chuckled a bit.
She is my heroine…my friend…
And so much more…
-What are you thinking about Tsuruga-san?
-Just that you are my heroine. You came and rescued me. Kijima even showed a picture of you carrying me on your back which is amazing by the way.
Kyoko blushed profusely.
-Stop teasing me Tsuruga-san.
-I'm not. Though I don't to think to what could have happened if you weren't there to help us out because it's too disturbing but the fact remains. At the very least, you are a friend. A very good friend even.
Kyoko locked her gaze with him and could see he meant it genuinely.
So I'm not the only one to think that…
After what I discovered last night…Though I figured he might have a bit of affection for me, I thought he had mostly indulged in my childish fantasy way…
But to know he feel the same…
That he consider me a friend…
Somehow…I feel giddy…
In other circumstances she would have not accept it that easily but knowing it was also Corn she couldn't help believe him.
-It would an honour to be considerate your friend Tsuruga-san Kyoko said.
Ren bolt upright.
-I'm not done with your hairs Tsuruga-san.
She was so focused on their chat, she didn't do anything yet.
-You already are. And it would my honour countered Ren.
Right here right there Kyoko couldn't help the tender smile that graced her lips and the sparkle in her eyes. She titled her head, closing her eyes in a happy and peaceful expression.
-Okay.
Ren had never wished to kiss her as much as right now. She was...different. Something changed. She is…relaxed.
At ease.
She doesn't put as much distance and rightful formalities as usual…
She is chatting lightly with me…Teasing me even…
And this tender expression…
Ren felt his heart accelerated. Pounding wildly in his hands, in his lips, at his temples. He was drowning in this enchanting vision and this closeness.
Ren took a risk.
-You know Mogami-san. There is something that's bothering me…
She looked at him in the expectative.
- If we are really friends…? He interrogated again
She nodded.
Ren stared at her firmly.
-Too much formalities.
Kyoko paled.
-I want to call me by first name and only that.
Which one?
Kyoko meekly thought.
-And I would very like if I could called you by yours Ren added.
My heart won't be able to take it…
Well maybe I could call him by his first name without too much damage.
It's Corn after all.
But to be called by my name…Could I even handle it?
Kyoko was taking too long to respond because when she looked at him again Tsuruga-san had pulled the abandoned puppy look out and she found herself frozen like a doe in headlight.
-Please Mogami-san.
-Tsuruga-san, you-…
-Please.
Damn fairy! What a damnable trick! Being too adorable is not allowed!
Now I want to hold you in my arms…
-Please said Ren again. We are friends, right? So why could we not? He dared to nearly be, raising the level of innocence and pleading all the while.
It's an unfair move…How can I refuse, now…Damn man…How can an adult can look that cute and being otherwise so sex-…so sexy…
Kyoko blushed while thinking it.
Ren took her hands and pleaded again.
She caved in.
Her head turned to not look at his damn cute face she whispered:
-Okay.
But Ren heard her just fine.
-Really? Like really? He asked excitably.
Kyoko giggled. He was so enthusiastic about it. It was even more cute.
Damn…
-Yeah, really.
The smile of Tsuruga-san was highwatted and he looked at her expectantly.
Kyoko grunted. Okay okay.
-I'm glad to be your friend…R-Ren. Happy?
-Yes. I'm. Kyoko.
Kyoko shook her head with amusement and to hide her heated face.
Silly man.
-Can I clean your hairs now?
He nodded.
Kyoko attended to it right away to distract her but Ren didn't let her in peace for long.
-Kyoko?
He's doing it on purpose…I'm sure of it…I would be his damn invisible wings on it…
-Yes?
He didn't say anything and she looked at him. He was staring at her in wonders.
-What?
-You are blushing.
Kyoko's face took another hue when he said.
-I'm not used to it, give me some times.
He nodded.
-Kyoko?
He's so doing it on purpose…
When she locked eyes with him, there was laugh in his own and irritation in hers.
-You want to say something?
-Yes. And I'm helping you getting used to it. But yes I wanted to say something.
-Well?
-Thank you.
She furrowed her brows.
-For what?
-Being my friend.
Kyoko's eyes got a bit larger but she her lips stirred in what was quickly becoming her special gentle smile reserved to him.
Ren blushed a bit.
-You're welcome…Ren.
Ren was singing in his head.
We are friends… She accepted me as a friend…hurrah! I'm her friend…I'm her friend…I'm her friend…
We are on first names bases…We are on first names bases…We are on first names bases…
But Kyoko started actively cleaning his hairs and he resumed his wiggles.
It was too enjoyable.Her hands in his hairs.
Well, when she isn't rubbing my ears…Because if she keep that up, we are going to have a problem…
-What now? Kyoko asked with a smile. It's not your eyes.
-And I already said it wasn't that. You are tickling my ears.
-Oh.
-Cute she whispered.
Did I hear her right?
Ren huffed, crossed his arms, his face getting a light hue.
-I'm sensitive.
-I see that.
Kyoko bit her lips. It gave her bad thoughts. Very bad thoughts. And she began to let her mind wander.
I wonder…
In what sort of other ways he's sensitive…
I really want to know…
And unconsciously Kyoko started to gently stroke the lobe of Ren's left ear with the tip of her forefinger.
Ren jumped in the air so high he landed on his butt on the edge of the bathtub. He was blushing visibly, had chills going up and down his back, his virulent hard on was throbbing and his breaths were going out in loud puffs.
Kyoko looked at him and blinked the exploded in laughs.
-I said I'm sensitive.
-Yeah…But to this point.
-It's my ears, they can be how they want to be.
It's an erogenous zone of my body…And she caressed it so tenderly…
I'm not going to be able to forget that anytime soon…
Laughs doubled over.
-I'll keep that in mind.
Ren grumbled.
This new proximity promise new challenges…She's going to turn me nuts if I'm not careful…
He moved forward, planning to give her a lesson but he suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled a bit.
-Tsuru-…Ren! Kyoko said before catching him.
Ren put his head on her shoulder for a second and hold her in his arms a few seconds, enjoying the feel of her in his arms that his dizziness was giving him. When she didn't protest he tightened his hold on her and she squeaked a bit but rubbed his back soothingly.
He reassured her after a moment.
-I'm okay. Just a bit dizzy. More importantly…
-What is it? She asked.
-You are teasing me too much. It's payback time.
-What do you mean, payback time?
Ren started tickling her sides widely.
-What are yo-…hahaha…Tsu…Ren…No…stop…stop…Hihihi…Stop…hahaha…
Is he really playing with me right now thought Kyoko from afar between two giggles. But, I have to admit it makes so much more sense knowing he's Corn and he's Ren.
She laughed again and tried to escape him.
The mischievous side that I sometimes got from Ren was Corn…The matured side I saw is Ren…
If that make sense…Kyoko pondered.
But only Corn play with like that…She grinned.
Then burst out laughing when he caught her again.
Ren laughed. Feeling so happy at this instant and kept up the tickling.
PS:
Holly hell! Four thousands words. There is no escape to this…It keeps growing…
Be happy it's a really cute fluffy one…I hope you will enjoy.
