A/N: Hello everyone for the kind words and the reviews. I hope you like the chapter. As always feedback is really appreciated.

Stay Blessed. Stay Healthy. Enjoy.

I don't own Skip Beat! or any of its absolutely amazing characters.

Chapter 20

"SHOOOOOTAAAAAROOOOO!" Kyoko screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Yo Kyoko! There is a serious killing aura coming out of you you know." Shotaro got up and approached her.

"What are you doing here?! How dare you set foot in my home you imbecile, you even had TEA! I will Fu…..ummmph" Shotaro reached out and hugged her before she could finish.

"Shhh…. There, there Kyoko~~ You shouldn't swear. What will your parents think? Also you cannot kill me if I am hugging you~~~ This is self preservation I tell you~~~ I won't let go until you calm down."

"Let go of me! How dare you touch me with those filthy hands you moron!"" Kyoko started struggling.

"Come down first so that I can apologize properly"

"What!? What bullshit… ummmmmph!" Sho pressed her head harder in his chest.

Kyoko struggled a bit more then realized that Kuon followed her home. He must be watching this! So embarrassing. Okay let's come down first otherwise he will see something really undignified. She can kill shotaro later on.

As soon as she stopped struggling she felt Sho loosening his grip. He cradled her face in his hands and made her look at him. Kyoko noticed it then, his expression said it all, he was being serious.

"Shotaro?"

"I am sorry Kyoko, I am really truly sorry and this is the only time you will hear this from me so make sure you don't forget it. Apologizing to my own best friend twice will hurt my pride. So you better forgive me you devil." He finished by pinching her cheeks hard.

"You are actually serious" Kyoko said, astounded by the development. Sho never ever apologized to her, this is the first time and she knew everything there is about him. He was seriously apologizing.

"What happened to what's Kyoko's is mine and since she is mine I can do whatever I want with her and all that?" Kyoko continued.

"Yeah well, it's been what, 2months now that we broke up? We have been together since we were six you dimwit. Again with missing the obvious. I, Fuwa-sama has graced you with my presence. You should be rejoicing~" He said and finally looked up to notice the other people in the room.

Kyoko also realized a bit late that they were conversing in front of Kanae and Koun.

Kuon has never encountered something like this happening except when his parents were being very loving in front of them.

Its like a bubble, they were in a bubble that no one can penetrate. Everything else was invisible for them when they were together.

This was his 2nd time witnessing something like this.

Kyoko and Fuwa Sho.

Kyoko turned to him, her cheeks red with all the pinching Sho did and for some reason this didn't sit well with Kuon.

"Hizuri-san, Please come this way, my father will be delighted to meet you", Kanae intervened.

Kuon nodded. Turned to Sho and nodded due to politeness. Shotaro nodded in return.

Kuon didn't even spare a glance at Kyoko and walked towards the direction Kanae was pointing at. Kyoko's demons came out to bask in the darkness of Kuon's annoyance.

Sho sat down and signaled for Kyoko to sit down now that they have some privacy.

"Look, I know you think that I am despicable and I have cheated on you and all that but you do realize that I have never openly said that we were dating."

"What does that mean? Your parents…"

"Yeah, my parents. Even your parents didn't approve but they pushed the matter to a point where all our classmates and everyone associated knew that you will become the wife of Fuwa. We have never had this conversation before because I am not good with words…. And you always looked at me with such adoration I didn't know how to not take advantage of you. After a couple of years I thought that I kind of had this power over you and you always gave me stuff without asking…."

"Okay stop. Eventhough your parents pushed for this matter doesn't mean that you couldn't tell me this. There should've been signs…."

"How many dates have we gone to Kyoko?"

"That's because you always were busy with your dad or hanging out with other girls behind my back…."

"Did you ever ask to go for a date?"

"I didn't want to bother you…."

Sho got up from his seat and walked over to Kyoko's side and sat down.

"Kyoko look at me and listen for once before assuming anything", he grabbed her hands and held on firmly.

"I am listening you dimwit"

"No, I mean listen so you can understand, confirm your feelings after I am done speaking. You always assume something that is not true. Anyway, I love you Kyoko, but I have never been in love with you like you have been with me. You are amazing, you have taken care of me through everything. I graduated because of you and in some of my dad's projects it was your ideas that worked the best. I took credit but my old man knew that it was all you."

"Sho…"

"Nanokura…. And the other girls, yes I like attention and they were willing to do stuff with me and I will not say that you will understand teenage urges because you are a fucking saint… but you were my saint, I couldn't bear the thought of ever tainting you like that. Also I never agreed to date you. I always thought after we got married I could learn to act more like the husband you deserved but I never wanted to hurt you like that."

He looked at her with such conviction in his eyes that Kyoko didn't know what to say.

"I always thought that something was wrong with me because I couldn't fall in love with you, you who was so perfect from the beginning and no one understood me the way you do. I came here to make amends. I won't say that I am a changed person, I am the same as I always was. But I miss you, miss hanging out with you. I don't really have anyone to talk to and…"

"Who is she?" Kyoko whispered.

"What?!"

"It would take a monumental event in your life to come to your senses enough to apologize and miss me of all people who swore vengeance against you. Nothing really fazes you because you are too proud to admit it. So that leaves us with only one option. You actually found someone that made your heart skip." Kyoko said narrowing her eyes at Sho.

"I don't know what you are talking about…." Sho averted his eyes.

"Wait… don't tell me…. But you like girls… you never shown signs…. Not that it matters...ita absolutely fine and I will help you explain this to your parents…."

"What do you mean...wait what bullshit are you assuming?"

"You like guys… you are gay"

It took a couple of moments for Sho to register what Kyoko said.

"What the fuck Kyoko?! I am not GAY!" He screamed so loud that the people in the other room could hear it.

"So tell me who you are talking about"

"I don't know her name okay!? I only saw her in a restaurant twice!"

"So whats the problem? You didn't speak to her?"

"No… she…. She is married I think", he mumbled.

Kyoko didn't know what to say. Married? Shotaro fell for a married woman?

"She might me older than me… like much much older but I can't stop thinking about her. I kept on going to the restaurant to just see her once more…. I am going crazy and I don't have anyone except you and you hate me so I…. I…"

"Sho, calm down first and lets talk about this situation right now…. You are still acting really selfish you know that right?"

" Huh?"

" No matter what your motive was, you hurt me really horribly. Moreover due to us breaking up you didn't even help us save our home. You come in here today to ask me of all people to share the burden of your thoughts without any regards to my feelings"

"Kyoko…"

"I am going to think about this situation thats all I can give you. I can't promise to forgive you and you can't hope to receive my forgiveness after what happened."

Sho understood. He just thought Kyoko would be over it if he apologized but he didn't think things through. He slumped letting go of her hands.

"That being said, you are also my only friend. Because the girls at school hated me for being close to you…"

"Whats wrong with being close to someone you lived with and hung out with everyday and did everything with…."

"Sigh…. Look you moron, I am gonna think about forgiving you, so leave for now. Okay?"

"But I don't have anything to do right now~~~"

"I DON'T CARE! Leave!"

"You are being so mean"

"I am not being mean you selfish brat"

"Okay fine! I will just say goodbye and leave but don't think this is the end…. I will not let you off until you forgive me… and you don't have to help me out or anything….just don't leave me okay?" He mumbled the last part and got up.

Both of them entered the kitchen area of the apartment where Kuon was being hosted by the Tsubasa couple and Kanae.

"Uncle Aunty… I take my leave. Mother said she will contact you soon."

Sho left after that. Kuon got up and said his goodbyes as well. He was feeling very irritated and he couldn't explain why.

Kyoko went to change into something more comfortable. She had a lot to discuss with her sister.

Kanae also had a lot to talk about with Kyoko and when both of them finally had a chance, she listened to Kyoko's concerns with Shotaro.

"Should I forgive him?"

"Do you feel bad that he has someone else he likes?"

"I would be lying if I say I wasn't hurt…. I felt really bad when I saw him and Nanokura like that...but what he says is true as well, he just went with his parents wishes and I did act like a love sick puppy around him." She shuddered thinking about her past self.

"Take your time and may be his behaviour from now on will decide it for you"

"So how was Takarada-sama and his family?"

"Ammm…. Yukihito-san…"

"What is it Nee-chan?"

"Yukihito-san kind of proposed"

"WHAT!WHATTTTTTT!"

"Pipe down Kyoko, Father and Mother doesn't know anything and they can't know anything!"

"What happened?"

Kanae explained the incident and added, "He was serious, I could tell. But we have only known each other for 2months and this is so soon…."

"Do you like him Nee-chan?"

"He is my boss, I have never considered anything else between us other than a professional relationship."

"But he seemed to like you since the day we met in the auction"

"Yeah….to be honest its kind of hard to ignore. He is so sweet and considerate. But I don't want to overstep my position. Is father is a family friend…..its just so complicated"

"Did you give him an answer yet?"

"No I….I just said I need time to think about it."

"Lets get some sleep…. We both have work tomorrow and need rest."

Both of them tried to rest with so many thoughts running through their mind. Failing to relax.

Shotaro showed up for breakfast. He just showed up like it was his house. He even helped around the kitchen. Kyoko was so shocked that she could not eat properly.

He ate with them and went for work from her home. Even offered to drop her off to her university. She didn't expect him to do any of this.

She declined his offer and took the bus. She had two classes then she can come help with the lunch rush hour then go to Kuon's place to cook. She was trying to figure out what to cook for him tonight.

When she got to his house it was empty, that's good she thought. She went to work immediately and while working tried to finish some of her schoolwork. She was in her own world and didn't notice Kuon entering the house, seeing her, ignoring her, taking a shower and walking upto her while she was trying to blend some fruits.

"Tsubasa-san"

Kyoko didn't notice and continued to blend. Kuon decided to just look at her and made a bet with himself that she will not notice him until the cooking is done. He sat down on the dining counter and watched her.

He never felt so calm in someone else's presence before. It was so weird.

After she was done setting up the foods on the table and completely missing the person sitting there Kyoko cleaned up the kitchen with practiced ease. Then she finally looked at the clock and said,

"He should have been home by now, should I refrigerate the food…."

"Maybe some of it, I can't finish all of it" Kuon replied.

"Gahhhh!"

"Hello, Tsubasa-san"

"When did you get home?"

"Well about 2hours ago, have a seat. I will drop you home after dinner"

"Eh?!"

"Yeah, you have been working really hard. Please have a seat."

Kyoko sat down flabbergasted.

"Is this a project you have been working on? Is it for school?" Kuon said pointing out the paperwork.

"Oh yes. I hope you don't mind, I had a lot to do and….."

"Its completely fine. I could help you with those if you want"

Kyoko stared at Kuon for a long time. He seemed like a totally different person. His mannerisms and speech were calmer, polished. It was so weird.

"Amm…Hizuri-san do you need something?"

"Me? No I am fine"

"You seem a bit different"

Kuon smiled at Kyoko after this.

The smile was so blinding that some of Kyoko's demons were exorcised.

"Do I? But I am always like this. In fact I have not been myself lately that's why you must have thought that"

Kyoko was very weirded out.

"Do you need any help with your assignment? You seemed to have been struggling" Kuon offered again.

"Yeah sure if you are offering"

So they went over Kyoko's project while eating. Kyoko was blown away by Kuon's insight and knowledge. She was starting to see him in a new light.

"Leave the dishes I will wash them later."

"No, it's okay. You can go change since you offered to drop me home…. And Hizuri-san, thank you"

"For what?"

"For helping me out."

Kuon nodded and went to change.

In his room his real expression came out while he remembered today's conversation with Yukihito.

"Kuon, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah go ahead"

"You act kindly towards every woman you come across, nothing but a true gentleman. The only person you were so rude to was Kyoko-chan."

"I don't know what you are talking about"

"You know damn well what I am talking about. Look, she is the little sister of the love of my life and if by the grace of god Kanae accepts me she will become family. You remember your early days in the company….as Tsuruga Ren?"

Tsuruga Ren…. Yes he remembered creating Tsuruga Ren to infiltrate the HTC so that people didn't give him special treatment as the president's only son. He was Ren for a significant amount of time in his life. Tsuruga Ren was everything Kuon wasn't and it slowly merged into his original violent personality. It was the image he showed to the world. Only his family and now Kyoko saw Hizuri Kuon unadulterated.

"What about Ren?"

"Why not act like Ren around her? I know I am being selfish by asking you to act differently than yourself but Kanae…. I can't explain how much I adore her. Kyoko-chan needs to like us too…."

"Okay, I will do as you asked"

So he didn't take off his mask around her today and he will not take it off again.

Kyoko... She was really nice to him today compared to before.

'As I thought…..nobody will accept me as I am", he smiled bitterly before going out and taking Kyoko home.

Being a complete gentleman.

Playing the part.

Hiding himself beneath the shadow of the character he created.