A/N: Hi guys. Long time no see. :)

I was curious about something... if... like reaaaaally if... I happen to want to open a discord channel where we would just hang out and stuff... would you be interested? We can talk about anything and everything. Just a thought. Opinions will be much appreciated.

Like always, Skip Beat! isn't mine.

Enjoy!

Chapter 23

Kuon was eerily silent.

Like a calm before the storm.

Because he was feeling stuff that he could not explain and if he couldn't explain it that just meant he shouldn't engage in it further. Kyoko was still feeding him diligently. She was excruciatingly good at the things that she was interested in. Especially when she was trying to take care of someone but this time it kind of had the opposite effect on him. Because to him she wasn't taking care of Kuon the person, she was just doing what she usually does or what comes natural to her and it was bothering him.

Also because he didn't want to be Ren in front of her. He wanted to be himself. He wanted her to like him as Kuon with all his selfishness, possessiveness and demands. For the first time in his life, he wanted to go against his brother's wishes.

He was even more disturbed because he had this desire to monopolize her from that childhood friend of hers who wasn't even there.

Take her…. You heard them talking…. He likes someone else… Kyoko isn't going back to the brat…. You can just make her stay with you…. Why are you hesitating?

Kyoko spoke at last, feeding him the last bit of congee, pulling him out of his musings.

"Do you feel better now? You had an extremely high fever last night…. it was kind of scary"

He didn't answer, only nodded.

"I think you should consult with a doctor as soon as possible. You were kind of delirious last night. Do you remember anything?" she asked kindly.

"No, what happened?" He lied looking at her pointedly. He wanted her to say it, he wanted her to say what she thought about it, was she angry? Did she hate him? Will she quit now?

Whatever she chooses, he was not going to admit that he remembered. That he liked it.

I need to get laid or something. This is getting out of hand. She is the last type of person I should feel that way for.

But his innermost thoughts were different.

Why do you resist? There isn't any need for that….. she will comply and if she doesn't that is half the fun….

His darkness spoke again, coaxing him to do things that he couldn't explain.

I need to clear my head, He thought bitterly but then he noticed something that took his breath away.

Kyoko was getting redder by the second.

She was super embarrassed; she couldn't even utter a word.

"Nothing happened. You came home, you ate, and I fed you some meds. Then you fainted and I put you to bed that was it"

She was stammering the whole time stumbling on her own words.

"I should get going. I stayed back for the night; my parents are going to be worried. I have put your medicine in the bedside drawer and there is food in the kitchen if you need something. Do you want me to call your sister or your brother?"

"No. But you would be coming back in the evening anyway, do you think its feasible to leave?"

"Ah yeah. But I don't have a change of clothes and I need to catch up on the work"

"Can you hand me the phone?"

Kyoko looked for his phone and gave it to him. Kuon was acting weird. Yesterday he was like a different person and even before that too. For some reason it didn't sit well with her. It was kind of obvious to her that this version is somehow a role that he was playing.

The person in front of her right now wasn't really the Kuon she encountered so many times before.

The change happened right after Kanae said Yukihito proposed and that alone seemed to be the reason Kuon was acting polite around her. She didn't forget his challenge to drive her away. The 2week bet was still on and she wasn't going to let her guard down.

Kuon took the phone and called Sebastian and instructed him to buy some clothing and necessities for Kyoko. Signaling her to not talk when she tried to protest.

"You will be staying back because that is more convenient at the moment. As it seems that you are staying back quite frequently it just makes sense that you would have some back up in the apartment."

"But it's not necessary at all"

"It's more convenient for me and it also gives me a chance to show my gratitude for your nursing."

"It's not like you will be sick every day and I didn't do anything especial"

"Yes but we have already faced an emergency in a span of a week and you had to spend the night. What's the harm in being prepared?"

"OK but please let me pay for the items that will be bought" Kyoko insisted, unable to stomach such an expense on her behalf.

"You must be misunderstanding something." Kuon said, "My father was very clear about the compensation that you were going to receive for your services. This also includes any type of purchase that I am going to make on your behalf and I do not want to have a conversation about it or nor do I feel the need to explain myself to you"

Any protest that she had died in her throat after hearing his tone. The demon lord was back and she weirdly felt relieved.

"Then please rest, call me if you need something"

With this she left the room and Kuon was left alone to contemplate.

One thing was for sure…. He was attracted to her. She made an impact on his subconscious and he desired her for some reason. He thought back to their encounters and felt her defiance riled him up. He wanted her to submit but at the same time he did not want to hurt her.

Usually his desire stemmed from dominance. He was used to getting his way and any challenge to his authority and control was not taken kindly.

Although the one incident that got out of hand was the Dawkins, it's not like he turned a new leaf right after that. It was a constant battle within himself because his hatred came from the desire to protect. So he kept on justifying himself. He wasn't some protagonist in a story…. If anything he could be the antagonist.

But that's the reason why his desire for her didn't make sense. She in the first encounter, shattered his control and undermined his authority. For a very long time that wasn't something he faced.

There wasn't anything special. He told himself. Maybe he was just curious, as soon as she fell for him, his interest for her would disappear.

But now more than ever, it seemed as if he should drive her away…. His brother didn't need to know and he didn't want to deal with her anymore. If anything the more he behaves like Ren the more she will be comfortable and will not leave.

But his brother's happiness was important than him tolerating Kyoko's presence. Also if everything goes the way Yukihito wanted… Kyoko will be related to Yuki soon. May be it was time to bring out Ren more so than ever.

Shotaro was back in the restaurant. He has become somewhat of a regular customer. There wasn't a day that he didn't have lunch in the restaurant. He knows the menu by heart at this point , hoping of catching another glimpse of her.

It seems luck has is on his side today because after he entered and sat down on his regular spot, Jude came in.

She sat down not too far away from him. He felt unreasonably happy to see her. She glowed like the morning sun.

He was shamelessly observing her, what she was doing, how she was behaving.

She on the other hand kind of realised that he was looking very intensely at her but not in a way that would creep her out. He kind of looked like a younger, more punk version of Kuon. May be because his hair was bleached out? Hmm... its been a while since someone so blatantly stated at her more so someone who was quite famous himself as many other customers were openly staring at him. She smiled to herself, amused... Oh she recognised him alright, the media dubed him as her brothers new rival because of his merger with Akatoki. Curiosity got the better of her as well as a sense of adoration, the kid kind of looked like a puppy. If the stared closely she could even notice puppy ears and a wiggling tail...

Pffft! She coldn't control her mirth. Should we see what he wants?

Suddenly she got up from her seat and sat down in front of Shotaro making him go on a cardiac arrest.

"I notice you're looking at me quite intensely, do we know each other?", she asked politely.

Sho forgot how to talk, he could not form another word. Instead ended up just looking at her and feeling like a teenager sitting in front of his first crush.

"I think I have seen you on TV, you recently had a press conference... due to the merger with Akatoki…. Fuwa-kun?… Please forgive my rudeness. You are quite young to be taking over." She said. Just because she wasn't involved in the business directly… didn't mean she was unaware.

He on the other had could only not in the affirmative.

Jude smiled at his antics.

"Do you know me?"

He whispered, "N-no".

"Nice to meet you, Fuwa-san, I am Yamada Jude", she held out her hand for him to shake.

Sho slowly took her hand and shook it lightly.

"Fuwa Shotaro", he was so nervous he blurted out his full name and instantly regretted it. Shit, that was so uncool man! Shotato?! Why did you have to add the Taro you idiot!

"Since you have made your presence known in the business world after your succession, I thought you would be much older. Especially when I thought someone is taking over the famous Fuwa conglomerate. I had the pleasure of visiting some of your establishments over the years."

"Is that a bad thing? Me being younger that is", He said genuinely curious, finally able to answer and look at her head on.

"Of course not. My brothers were very young when they got into the business as well. I think its commendable.", She smiled.

"If you don't mind, you can eat with me…. I-if you don't have company that is…. I am alone anyway and I would not mind company…", he tripped over his words.

"Oh, I don't mind. I am eating alone today. That's very kind of you. ", she replied.

This was just the beginning…. Beginning of an end.