Back in the soundproof confession studio, Maria and the cameras were the only witnesses to anything she said. At least until the editing team spliced and published the film, then everyone would see it. She was doing her best to ignore this. It didn't help that Maria kept hitting herself in the face with a clipboard, each smack accentuated with an accompanying Why? Why? Why?

Kyoko could only squirm, having just recounted her escapade with Ren on the roof in as much detail as she could get herself to share.

"I don't feel this is appropriate to talk about," said Kyoko after a minute. "I mean, you're just a young teen and—"

Maria slapped her clipboard on her lap with indignation. "—and yet I have a better grasp of the situation than you do! Onee-sama, just what were you thinking?"

Kyoko pouted. "You'll understand when you get older. These are natural urges that will occur, though, I think that is something either your father or your doctor could review with you if you wanted to go into more—"

"—I'm not talking about sexual urges!" shrieked Maria. "I'm talking about your stupid decision to have your first kiss with Ren-sama be off-screen."

Kyoko paused. What did that have to do with anything?

Maria saw the confusion. She became more dismayed. She ran a hand through her hair and got it tangled in her long braid. She cursed, pulling the whole thing apart. Her young fingers combed through the strands, teasing out the tangles.

"Like it or not, you're on this show," said Maria. "Which means, the audience is along for the ride. They want drama, they want romance. But more than anything else, they want to be there through every step."

"But I don't want them there." If it was Kyoko's choice, she'd have never been on this stupid thing in the first place. "Is it wrong for me to want at least a few moments to myself rather than sharing them with all of Japan?"

"Yes!"

Maria finished combing her hair, retying the braid with swift practiced fingers.

"Look, I get that this is your real life," said Maria. "But certain things about this show are just as real. And doing something like that off-screen will affect not only the audience's opinion of you but the whole show. Ren-sama is not a small celebrity. This is not a small risk. They're going to be invested. They're going to be just as anxious to learn why you're scared, why you fight, and why you avoid him. If you annoy them too much, they get mad. If enough people get mad because we stuck Ren-sama on the screen and then don't show some of the biggest landmark moments of his romance, they're going to feel cheated. Worse, they're going to think the whole thing is fake. If we don't handle his romance well, it could tank the entire show."

Maria finished her braid, throwing it over her shoulder. She glanced at the camera, likely making sure it was off before leaning forward.

"Crimson Threads is not doing well," said Maria. "If things don't improve, the network might pull the plug. Those up top are keeping a close eye on us. I'm trying to protect you and Ren-sama but I can only do so much. Especially if you keep mucking up key landmarks in your development with him."

"Oh." It was all Kyoko could say. While a part of her didn't care since she hated the idea of her life being used to line the pockets of others, not to mention, again, she hadn't wanted to be on the show in the first place! But she didn't like putting Maria in such a bad spot. Or the other workers who so clearly believed in the show and its ability to find love. If there was one good thing to be said about Crimson Threads, it didn't have as messy a reputation as some other reality TV shows.

"I'm sorry," said Kyoko. "I didn't know."

"You weren't supposed to," said Maria. "And I didn't want to tell you. But I also know that if something happened, you would have felt bad for putting me in a bad spot." Maria rubbed her chin, considering. "We can salvage this. It helps that you're adorable re-telling something as innocuous as your first kiss with him—" Kyoko did not correct her about the "first" part, but she did blush again. "—and it's very well established that you run a lot. The viewers will forgive you since you managed to scale a building to escape. We can heighten the hilarity of it. Make it different enough so they don't feel too cheated. But Onee-sama, this can't happen again."

Maria fixed Kyoko with a hard stare. Not the stare of a friend, or even a pre-teen. This was the gaze of a seasoned veteran of the entertainment world. It was safe to say that she knew her stuff despite her young age, and it would be best to follow her advice.

Which meant Kyoko's confession would have to be on screen.

Great.

"I'm just looking out for you," said Maria. "And Ren-sama. You know that, right? I don't even have to tell you how mucking this up will mess with Ren's reputation too, do I?"

It softened Kyoko's heart a little, despite the fact she'd been tricked into this show in the first palace by either Maria or her grandfather.

"I know," said Kyoko. "I promise, if it's off-screen, it's because it has to be. Everything else, on screen."

Maria smiled. "Thank you. It's for your benefit, you'll see. I can't wait to show the world how amazing my Onee-sama is and how good a fit she is for Ren-sama." Then she lowered her voice. "That's the only reason I haven't told him your feelings. Plus, they're better coming from you anyway."

"I should hope so," grumbled Kyoko.

"Don't frown so much, how many people told you Ren's feelings before he told you his?"

"...he hasn't told me."

Maria closed her eyes for ten full seconds, looking like it was taking everything in her not to toss her clipboard into the air. Then they opened, bright, and full of too much cheer.

"On screen." Maria's smile was predatory as she spoke through clenched teeth. "His confession and yours. Happens. On screen. Understand?"

Kyoko could only nod as Maria flashed her one more dazzling smile. Inwardly her stomach twisted.

What's wrong with me? Why did telling Ren her feelings still make her panic? She'd gotten over her insecurities about the eventual physical aspect of their relationship. At least mostly. It probably wouldn't go away until she could learn proper proficiency, which wouldn't happen until they were married.

But it was undeniable that part of her didn't want to tell him. What was it? What was squeezing her throat every time she thought about it?

Well, one certainly didn't figure it out by hiding under the covers of her bed, but that's where Kyoko found herself the next morning. The sheets were pulled over her head in a mini tent, her phone screen the only light as she typed and retyped a possible confession.

How was she supposed to do this? Everything she wrote felt so trite. Like it was straight out of some romance novel or some crap. That, or it was way too exposing. She felt naked, staring at her heart spilled onto the pages of a phone note app.

"Every part of me wants to touch you."

Okay, thinking about being naked and his words yesterday was a bad idea. His voice had invaded her dreams last night, their scene on the roof relocating to dim rooms where he spoke in a low whisper. His breath had ghosted her ear, hands brushing her neck and wandering other places.

Kyoko squealed, thrashed, and then promptly fell off the bed.

Someone banged on the door.

"Coming!" called Kyoko, trying and failing to disentangle herself from the sheets. She opened the door, breathless, red-faced, and trailing half the bed.

Eri stood outside, arms folded and wearing an unimpressed stare. Unlike Kyoko, she looked ready for the day in a white blouse and shorts.

"Look, I'm glad you and Ren-san finally have been having sex," said Eri. "But seriously, can you keep it down?"

Kyoko turned red. "We're not—I haven't—He's not here!"

"Right…" Eri rolled her eyes. "It's been like, an hour. I only have so much tolerance as your next-door neighbor and you're going to wake the whole floor if you two keep up your sound levels."

Then she turned and walked back into her room next door, slamming it shut.

What had that been? Was she upset because she was jealous and wanted Ren? Or had Kyoko really been that loud? Kyoko trudged back inside, deciding it didn't matter. Between their fight about Daichi, and the rumors Eri was trying to steal Ren, a good conversation between them was long overdue.

Back to the previous matter, Kyoko ran a hand down her face. Seriously, how was she going to face him? She had to. She refused to run. Maria's words and the audience's opinion of her aside, she wanted this. To keep moving forward. To reach that stage of comfort in their relationship where she could bask in his love without feeling self-conscious.

That meant soldiering on. Overcoming her insecurities and embarrassment.

Wow, that made it sound like some job obligation.

"This isn't a job," she said through gritted teeth. "Or an acting gig. It's something I want. I want this. I want his love and praise. It's okay to want that."

Ah, there we go. She'd found some of it. She didn't feel like she deserved to even want his love. To have the love and attention of someone as amazing as Ren. How could she measure up to someone like him? How could he love someone like her? What did she give him or do in return?

"He thinks I'm attractive at least," she muttered. "He and Sakura-san have weird tastes. And Maeda-san I guess."

It itched. Made her skittish. Like they expected something from her when all she'd done was stumble through this whole thing. She sat on the bed and hugged her knees to her chest.

I can't run away anymore.

For the show. For her reputation. For Ren. For herself. She had so many reasons to get over this.

"I can want this," she said to herself. "It's okay. Ren-san has been patient so far. He won't suddenly lose interest. He's been consistent this whole time. And liked you for a while if his conversation for Bou is to be believed. It's okay to lean into it."

"You're you, and there's no woman more desirable to me. It's driving me crazy."

Kyoko screamed into her pillow and ignored the annoyed pounding from the wall next door.


An hour later, Kyoko was in tears. Not that anyone could tell.

"I'm telling you, it's not what you're thinking," said Kyoko.

Eri poked Kyoko's forehead with a finger, pushing her away. "Like heck, I'm going to believe you when you're dressed like that! At least you have the decency to hide all the hickeys he probably left all over you."

Kyoko sputtered, unable to explain exactly why she was wearing a turtleneck, medical mask, sunglasses, gloves, a scarf, long pants, and a puffy coat with the hood pulled up.

"You're right Eri, we weren't having sex this morning. I'm just super self-conscious that Ren thinks I'm attractive and he apparently would like to have sex with me so I'm covering every inch of my body."

Yeah, Kyoko didn't see that conversation going well. So she just hung her head as the older woman sauntered into the bus taking them to their next filming location. Sakura gave Kyoko a consoling pat on the shoulder.

"You don't think I was having sex with Ren-san this morning, did you?" said Kyoko.

Sakura pressed her lips together, looking unsure. "Considering the looks he keeps giving you and his reaction to you in the boutique…I'm not saying it would be strange if you guys had been having sex."

"Just kill me now."

Ren at least had taken her appearance in stride. He'd been drinking water when he'd caught sight of her. He'd sprayed a surprised Daichi in a spit-take, then spent five minutes laughing before he could come up for air. He was still chuckling when they'd boarded the bus, Kyoko having left a space for him.

"You didn't need to laugh that hard," she muttered, staring out the window.

"I'm sorry," he said, but he was still grinning. The traitor. "I know how much courage it probably took you to even make it out here today."

He had no idea.

Or maybe he did.

He draped an arm across the back of her chair, leaning in a little.

"This tells me you finally got the hint," he said.

Kyoko, already hot in the layers, felt it grow even stuffier. She managed to return his look of triumph with a deadpan stare.

"Ren-san," she said. "Those were not hints yesterday. They were statements so loud they rang in my head."

He paused, taking her response with more consideration than she expected. She had expected more teasing, but he just nodded thoughtfully.

"I'm glad I could be the one to, ah, awaken this understanding in you," he said.

Was it weird she felt even more exposed today with every inch of her body covered? Either way, she tugged the strings on her hood closed and turned away to curl up against the wall. Thankfully, he left her alone for the rest of the ride.

She got a blissful thirty minutes to regain her composure before they all walked off the bus.

Today's location was at the edge of a large pond on the verge of being a lake. The sparkling water was so pristine that when Kyoko stepped out with the other contestants, she couldn't help but remove her glasses to admire the beauty. The air smelled of fresh grass with a touch of that moisture being near the water always brought. The grounds around the pond were filled with flowers, a little hiking paths winding around the edge of a grove where she was sure fairies and water nymphs lived. It was a gorgeous spot for a date and their filming location for the whole day.

Before Kyoko could do anything else, an arm looped around hers. Immediately her little demons stirred.

"Kyoko-san, darling," came the too-sweet voice of Kimura. "Do you mind if we talk? It will only take a second."

Before Kyoko could protest, she was being steered away from the group, walking alongside Kimura under the watchful eye of one of the camera crew. More than one contestant watched them leave with curious glances, though Sakura's and Ren's seemed more concerned than anything.

The second Kyoko and Kimura were far enough away, Kimura dropped their arms and her simpering smile.

"I want you to stay away from Yoshio-san," said Kimura with no preamble.

"Easy," said Kyoko. "Also, what?"

"He made a mistake," said Kimura. "And I get it. I should be angry at him for leading me on, but even I wouldn't want him to go through the same thing he put me through. He deserves better than to be strung along by someone like you."

Kyoko shook her head. "I'm very confused and there are too many assumptions for me to fix in those statements."

"Then let me be clear." Kimura lowered her voice, sinister hate layering each syllable. "Keep your infectious paws off my Yoshio-san. I get that starlets like you enjoy twisting people around your little fingers, but I see through you. Many of us see through you. You have a desperate need to be admired and loved. You don't care how many people you hurt. And the craziest part is that none of them blame you. Which they should."

Kyoko glared. "Look, I don't know how you got that impression of me but—"

"—I know what you're going to say." Kimura put on a mock voice. "I'm not trying to. They just fall in love with me without me trying." She dropped the tone. "You forget that I saw you in that relay race. You dropped a mouse into my shirt. And you liked it. I saw your twisted expression. You reveled in the deed. You like playing with other people's lives. It provides you with a sense of superiority that fuels your narcissism. Why else would you string along so many men?"

"I'm not stringing anyone along!" How many more times was Kyoko going to say this? "And I'm sorry about the mouse. Really, I am. But Ren-san and I are together."

Kimura rolled her eyes. "Sure. I'll believe it when I see it. Either way, stay away from Yoshio-san." She seemed to think for a moment. "Maybe I should tell you to stay away from Ren-san while I'm at it. The poor boy needs to be cut lose from your claws"

"I'm not staying away from Ren-san, and I'm not going to listen to anything you tell me to do." To emphasize this, Kyoko planted her feet, folding her arms in all her puffy jacket-wearing glory.

Kimura's mouth twisted. "Then let me be clearer. Stay away from Yoshio-san, or else I will spill a little something I know. A piece of knowledge that would destroy someone's reputation."

It was like something rammed into Kyoko so hard it knocked the wind out of her. Did Kimura know something about Ren? Or was it something about her?

There was so much it could be, strictly speaking. It could be her relationship growing up and being thrown away by Sho. It could be Ren's dark past, whatever that entailed exactly. Or maybe something else entirely. Either way, any or all of those could destroy not only their reputation, but their careers if handled improperly. Or revealed at all.

Kimura smirked as she peered down at Kyoko.

"You know, you're not as clever as you think," said Kimura. "I never said who, but you're freaking out, which tells me there's something you don't want people to know. Something dark and incriminating about yourself."

The tightness in Kyoko's chest eased up a little, chased away by irritation. "You did that on purpose. You don't know anything."

"Oh, no, I do," said Kimura. "But it's not about you. I just wanted to see if anything came to your mind. The dirt I have is on Eri-san." She leaned, lowering her voice so that the cameramen scrambled to get closer and hear it. Kimura whispered too quickly for the mic. "Eri-san has a little history. Some assault, stalking, and battery charges. True, they were dropped, but I bet bringing them back up on such a public show would be… unpleasant for her."

Kimura raised her arms above her head and stretched, making a satisfied noise like a cat sprawling in the sun. In her peach sundress and floppy hat, she looked the picture of a dream date.

"It doesn't matter if you listen," said Kimura. "I couldn't care less. But you? If you choose to think only about yourself and go after Yoshio-san even after I warned you to stay away, and thus hurting Eri-san… Well, it just goes to show how selfish you have been this whole time." She put a finger to her cheek in mock thought. "Or maybe you'll keep it to yourself and blackmail her into staying away from Ren-san yourself. You know, since she's been trying to steal him away. So really, Kyoko-san, I've given you such a lovely present. Feel free to use it as you like."

Kimura gave a coquettish wave, then walked to join the other contestants at the pond edge.

Kyoko didn't follow.

Dang Kimura. Just what the heck was this turn of events? Sure, it was stupidly cliche doing the whole "Stay away from my man or else,". but to use blackmail related to someone that everyone currently perceived as a threat to Kyoko? That was strange.

Or maybe brilliant.

Natsu approved, though she would have done it a little differently. She would have heightened Kyoko's insecurities around Ren and shown how Eri was becoming his favorite, even if it had to be a carefully crafted lie. Then she'd give Kyoko the information on Eri, and continue to press into that insecure wound until Kyoko broke down and used the blackmail against Eri. Then Kyoko would be the villain. Oh, and she'd make sure Ren was witness to the confrontation.

Kyoko smacked the back of her head, knocking Natsu out of the driver's seat.

Bad Natsu. We're not here to cause drama.

The spirit of Natsu pouted, circling Kyoko as she walked slowly back to the group. At the very least, Kimura's dumping of this information was brilliant. Because whether Kyoko used it or not, it didn't matter. If Kyoko didn't, nothing would happen, and Kimura could use the information later at her leisure. If Kyoko used it, then Kyoko was the bad guy instead of Kimura.

Except Kimura forgot one important thing: Kyoko herself.

She was fuming by the time Ren came to step up next to her.

"What was that about?" said Ren.

"Nothing I can't handle," she said. "Sorry, Ren-san. I think I need to take care of some business for this next date. We may not be able to be together."

"Do you need my help? Are you in danger?"

She shook her head. "Do you trust me?"

It was meant to be a throw-away question, but when Ren didn't answer, she turned to look at his face. He peered at her over the rim of his ridiculous glasses, his eyes just visible under his messy fringe. Something in that look made her heart skip a beat.

"I trust you," he said with sincerity. Then grimaced "It's the others I don't trust."

A fair point.

Kyoko pursed her lips in defeat. "Fine. I get it. I'll let you know if I need help."

They were called to line up with the other contestants a second later. Kyoko took a spot next to Sakura, resigned to her place in the back. Too many were still eager to get screen time, even in this small way. It should be much easier for them anyway. With eight contestants gone after yesterday, the group had shrunk noticeably.

She could feel the crackle of desperation from the girls as they primped their hair and checked for lipstick on their teeth. Time was running out for the senior members of the group. This was their last week to find a partner before they were swapped out for new blood.

Today's event included a romantic boat ride in the pond. A long line of boats nestled in docks near the edge, clearly someone's business that the show had rented out for the day. When she registered what the boats were shaped like, she nearly broke formation to admire the elegant structures.

Each boat was shaped like a swan. A long neck protruded from the front, its majestic beak tucked into itself. Wings stretching on either side, flanking the lucky passengers. Four people could sit inside, but only two could sit in front where the foot pedals were. The back two seats could be covered by a nice tarp to shield them from the sun. It was all terribly romantic and a picture-perfect location for a double date.

Except that choosing the groups for each boat was completely out of her control.

While she and Ren had been making out on the roof, the other contestants had been participating in a final game for the evening. The winners of said game got to choose their companions for the boat ride.

Five people came to the front as Ryou, their host, reminded them of the game yesterday and their places. Kyoko scowled when she saw the first palace winner.

It was Maeda.

Sure enough, when Ryou signaled Maeda to choose his first companion, he spoke without hesitation.

"Kyoko Mogami-san."

Murmurs rippled through the contestants. Kyoko scowled as best as she could through her mask and glasses, dragging her feet to stand next to Maeda. She folded her arms as the other contestants selected their first companions. She had already planned to not be with Ren for this date, but dang, not like this. She met Ren's gaze from across the grass. His displeasure was obvious, at least to her.

She held up her hand, palm up. "Nothing I can do about it."

He paused, then nodded, gesturing with his hands. "I know, but I'm still upset about it."

Kyoko jerked her head back at the boats, pointed at Ren, then herself, and made a beckoning gesture over her shoulder. "We can do this another time. I'd love to ride with only you."

Ren seemed mollified, bringing his hands together and then raising one hand before lowering it. "I know you love this sort of thing. Tell you what, we could even make it an evening date during a full moon. Make it even more romantic."

This man seriously knew how to make a woman happy. Or maybe it was just her. Either way, she practically vibrated, only turning a little pink at the idea of having such a romantic date with him.

"I'd love that," she messaged back.

"What are you guys doing?" said Maeda, his voice cutting into her daydream.

"Having a private conversation, what does it look like?" said Kyoko.

"That's not JSL. How do you even know what he's saying? And it's not private, half the contestants are watching."

She finally turned to Maeda, annoyed at his interference. Couldn't he see that she was not interested in him at all?

"We just can," said Kyoko. "How is that so hard to understand?"

Maeda shoved his hands into his pockets, almost as if he were pouting. It was only now that she noticed what he was wearing. A casual polo, khaki shorts, and sunglasses propped on top of his head. Each fit him perfectly and was high quality.

"I didn't expect you to have such bad manners," he said.

"Excuse me?" said Kyoko.

"I'm going to be one of your partners for this date. It's rude to focus on someone else not included in the group."

She gave him a flat stare. "What's rude is your persistence when you know I'm not interested."

"Because you're in love with Ren-san."

Kyoko slammed her latex-gloved hands against Maeda's mouth. He took a sharp breath, keeping perfectly still from either surprise or something else. Either way, she was grateful he had stopped talking.

"Don't say that out loud," she hissed.

He blinked at her and for five seconds, they just stared at each other, Kyoko glad for the glasses and mask. Even then, she was sure he could see how red her face was through the small exposed pieces of skin. Gosh, even hearing other people say it still made her blush to her roots.

Eventually, Maeda tapped her hands with a finger, which she still held over his mouth.

"Oh, right." Kyoko removed her hands.

Maeda cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck.

"All I asked for was one date," he said.

"Not exactly," said Kyoko. "You declared you were going to keep chasing until I was engaged."

"Yes but—"

He cut off, glancing at Ryou. The host was currently announcing the next group before them, meaning it would be their turn to select an additional partner soon.

"It doesn't matter," he said. "You're on this date with me whether you like it or not."

Kyoko gave him a withering look. "Really? You think that line is going to endear me more to you?"

Maeda opened his mouth, then closed it. The man looked like he was thinking about what she'd said for once.

"I guess not," he said. "My apologies. That did not come out the way I had intended."

"Then how did you intend it?"

Before he could answer, Ryou popped into her view like a jack in the box, big red bow tie and everything. It took everything in her not to shriek…okay maybe she did shriek a little.

"Seems this couple is already getting along great!" said Ryou into his mic, and Kyoko flinched at the amplified noise. "Maeda-san, I'm sure you and Mogami-san have been deep in discussion as to who you want for your next boat companion."

"Not at all," said Maeda.

Kyoko slapped a palm into her face. This man

"Then you'd better come up with one quickly," said Ryou. "Though the decision is ultimately up to you."

Kyoko slid the hand down her face, thinking quickly. There was no way Maeda would agree to have Ren on the boat. Not when he was this shameless. But maybe she could salvage this situation, and make it productive.

"Can we pick Eri-san?" whispered Kyoko to Maeda.

He gave her a long look before nodding, turning back to Ryou. "We pick Eri-san."

That answer drew more than a few murmurs. Eri herself was calm, sliding into place beside them without so much as a glance in Kyoko's direction. Maeda watched this with interest.

"Why did we pick Eri-san?" he asked Kyoko as Ryou moved on.

"Because I need to speak with her," said Kyoko. The boats would be the perfect place to do it. Out on the lake where no mics could hear them, she could warn her about Kimura. Maybe even reconcile since they hadn't talked properly since their fight.

And maybe, just maybe this rumor about her going after Ren would turn out to be a huge misunderstanding.

"By the way," said Maeda. "You're dressed very interestingly today."

"I can't risk the sunburn," she lied without skipping a beat.

He snorted. "And what is this 'sunburn' a metaphor for today?"

"It's a metaphor for 'none of your business.'"

"Manners," chided Maeda, looking amused. "And after I did you a favor and picked Eri-san."

Dang it. She had run herself straight into that one. She did owe him, but there was no way she could tell him the truth. She huddled deeper into her coat, wishing a mermaid would appear from the water and drag her under so she wouldn't have to answer his question.

"Can we just say I owe you a favor?" said Kyoko.

"No," he said.

She stalled for ten more seconds before finally sighing.

"I'm feeling a little shy is all," she said. Which was completely true. She just didn't specify why.

"Shy?" said Maeda, as if he didn't believe it. "You're dressed in the most eye-catching ridiculous outfit because you're feeling shy?"

"It's because she doesn't want everyone to see the hickeys," said Eri.

Every hair on Kyoko's body stood on end. Maeda's eyes widened as the two of them slowly turned in the direction of their third companion, necks creaking like strained metal. The redhead was contemplating her fingernails, admiring their sparkle in the sun.

After the shock from such a statement untangled her tongue, Kyoko finally sputtered a response.

"I'm not hiding any hickeys!"

"She and Ren-san were super loud last night," continued Eri as if she hadn't heard. Maeda listened with rapt attention, his eyes narrowing with each word. "My room is next door and, oh boy, she kept waking me up. What with all her moaning, and banging the wall. She kept shouting his name—"

"We were not having sex! He wasn't even there!

"—it lasted so long I barely got a wink. So while I know you're after Kyoko-san I've got to tell you, after all that sound last night, you'd be hard put to measure up to that." She lowered her hand, a small smile twisting her lips. "I guess Ashya-san is right, it is the nerds you have to watch out for. They tend to be freaks under the sheets."

Kyoko curled up into a ball on the ground and stayed there. Maybe she should blackout. She could manage that, right? And maybe she'd wake up five minutes in the past and she could tell Maeda under no circumstances should they choose Eri-san as a group member.

She felt a comforting hand on her back. She peeked out from her cocoon, surprised to see it was Maeda.

"I believe you," he said. "You're nothing if not honest. Sometimes too much."

Hearing his confidence in her lifted her spirits more than she expected. She sniffed, removing her sunglasses to wipe at her eyes. "Your comforting skills need work. You're not supposed to insult someone as you comfort them."

"But it was a compliment."

She scoffed, moving to stand back up. He gave her space as she finished rubbing her eyes and shoved her glasses back on. Eri watched this exchange with interest, staying silent.

With no warning, Ryou suddenly appeared beside her.

"Are you feeling better?" said Ryou.

This time Kyoko shrieked so loudly that the geese on the water took flight. Dang this man! He really was a jack-in-the-box today. The show's host put a hand to his heart as if he was the one who had nearly had a heart attack!

"Well, that is one way to wake up this morning." He chuckled as if he'd told a good joke. "Now, it's time for your group to pick their last companion. You get the last pick, so whoever you don't choose will get to ride in the last boat together in just a pair. Something to think about when selecting," he said with a final wink.

That's when Kyoko noticed that everyone was split up into groups of four. All except her group, and the last three contestants waiting to be chosen. Those three included Ren, the Sho-casual, and Salon-chan. Salon-chan looked a little skittish, shifting from one foot then the other. Sho-casual looked like he didn't want to even be there this morning and Ren… Ren looked pissed.

His hands were shoved into his shorts with his customary nerd slouch, but she wasn't fooled. The polite smile on his face wasn't one the nerd would wear. It was his mask. The one he wore while tearing down actors for their incompetence and unprofessionalism. Something had slipped under his persona and stung him hard enough that he was starting to crack.

Why was he upset? She put a hand to her chin as she tried to figure it out. He had said last night that seeing her dressed up and being sexy as Setsu had made it hard for him to act like the nerd. Could it be…was he still struggling with his desires for her even when she was dressed like this?

But wait, why would he be mad? That couldn't be it. Not unless he was mad because—what was it that Sakura had said yesterday? That Ren was the possessive type? Maybe he didn't want others to see her dressed up even like this?

…No. There was no way it was that. Why was her brain so broken today?

Because you can't stop thinking about how attractive Ren is and how you want to get him back on a bed and try straddling him as yourself this time.

Kyoko buried her face into her hands, barely paying attention as Maeda and Eri discussed their companion choice.

"—Of course, you're not going to pick Ren-san, I'm not an idiot. That's why you need to choose Hana-san."

"Why her?"

"Because I said so."

Wait a second. Why would Eri want to ride with Salon-chan? Wasn't she the enemy number one in Eri's book?

"Belay that decision," said Kyoko to Maeda, who gave her a weird look. Kyoko leaned close to Eri. "Why in the world do you want to take a boat ride with Salon-chan?"

Eri gave her an appraising look before answering. "I don't know. Why do you want to take a boat ride with me?"

"Because I have something important to talk to you about!"

Eri's smile grew wide and sharp. "Funny. It's the same for me." She turned to Maeda. "Look, you don't actually care who else rides with us, so long as it's not Ren-san, correct? Why not let me choose?" Maeda's gaze shifted to Kyoko. Eri noticed it immediately. "I won't interfere with whatever lost cause you're chasing. She can make her own choices."

Odd, considering Kyoko still suspected Eri was trying to steal Ren from her. Or something. She wasn't sure anymore. Eri's casual attitude around Kyoko was throwing her off a bit.

Eri stuck out her chin. "Come on rich boy. Make your choice. But if you don't choose Hana-san, I'm going to make your boat ride a whole lot messier."

Maeda narrowed his eyes. "Something tells me you'll do that either way."

Eri glared at him.

He smirked at her ire, apparently appeased enough to indulge her because he turned back to Ryou

"I think our group has finally reached a consensus," he said. "We will take Hana-san."

And that was how the orator of last night's R-rated podcast joined their group. Salon-chan gave Kyoko a big smile, either oblivious to the tension or choosing to ignore it with masterful ease.

"I'm so excited to ride with you today," said Salon-chan. "And it looks like I was right. You're a solid 9 when you want to dress up. No wonder you and Ren were going at it all night long. I'm in the room next to yours." She took Kyoko's hands in hers, eagerness radiating from her face as Kyoko's own heart plummeted. "Tell me everything! I want to hear it all. Every. Last. Detail of the night."


Thanks for reading!

-Blushweaver