CHAPTER 21
I do not own skip beat! Nakamura sensei does.
~Together in the world~
~Goodbye & shady~
Touched by her words, Ren just blacked-out.
"You were the magic" echoed in his dizzy mind again and again.
To imagine that she would care about our times together enough to be more concerned with me than me being a fairy.
To consider my very being and the moments together as the real magic…
God this girl…
Stop saying such things…
Can't you see I'm already an ice-cream puddle…Melt at your feet…
If you warm me any bit more I'm going to evaporate in the air…
After a little bit longer Ren felt Kyoko moved an inch away from him and observed him with worry.
…
-You okay?
He nodded warmly.
-We should go back, you have work tomorrow, it's very late. Correction it's very soon, Kyoko said watching the sky brightening little by little as dawn was breaking gently the former night.
Ren watched the direction her eyes were looking and acquiesced absent-mindedly.
Kyoko extended her hands to him but he studied her with confusion.
-Can you stand mister fairy or should I carry you again, she proposed.
-I will never hear the end of this.
She giggled.
-Your fault Ren #Corn #Kuon. God you have too much names already.
He rocked his head from sides and longing hidden deep inside slowly stretched his long fingers to her extended hands catching them with delicate strength and let her pull himself up.
When he stumbled a bit, she steadied him and asked with an amused glint:
-You are sure you are firm on your feet?
-I will manage he grumbled and he ruffed her hair as a revenge.
She cheekily smiled at him.
They head back to the hotel and wished each other goodnight when they reached their respective rooms
. It will be the first of many nights Ren wouldn't be woken up by nightmares and wouldn't found sleep tortured by his thoughts. Just peaceful wonder. And slow realisation of how grateful he should be to his former friend.
…
When Kyoko woke up later that day, she finished packing her bag, she would take a plane tonight; and had the surprise to find Ren waiting for her when she opened up the door.
-Hi he brightly said.
Too much happiness…arghh
She run her hand through her hair.
-Hello, she greeted awkwardly. What about work? Shouldn't you be at it?
-It's lunch break he showed her his watch.
-Ah. Right.
-Would you like to have it with me? He abruptly asked.
-Ah but you are not…and there is-…she trailed off.
Why is it so awkward? I already knew and I was perfectly fine yesterday.
Or maybe it's because he is staring at me with so much eagerness it's unsettling?
-You can propose to Kotonami-san to join us if you want Ren added.
-But-…
Kyoko didn't want to force either of them.
They don't really know each other, I don't know if Moko would be up to it.
-I don't mind, really he assured.
-Okay. I'm going to-..to see if she's okay with it, give me a second.
She quickly sent a message to her friend and waited for her reply.
And that's how they found themselves all three sitting around with unease at a table in the casual dining room of the hotel.
-Kotonami-san, would you like some tea or juice? Ren proposed. I'm going to get some drinks and whatever you would like to eat he said standing up.
-Thanks. Tea is fine her friend answered.
-Ren, I can-Kyoko rushed to help but he cut in.
Kanae arched a brow.
-No way Kyoko. I'm not letting you do it. It's the least I can do and it's really nothing, sit.
She obeyed with a grumble seeing he wouldn't bulge.
-Now what would like, Kyoko? He asked with a sparkling smile.
She sighed.
-Iced tea if you don't mind.
They discussed what they would like to eat then and he left.
-I'll be right back.
-What happened to him? Kanae asked. He's glowing.
-…
-What? Spill it.
-I'm not sure actually.
I know what happened last might have alleviated him but to this extend…
And what about this new proximity? Kanae demanded changing subject.
-Hmm? New proximity?
-Yeah. Since when are you on first name basis?
-Oh. That.
-Yeah, that.
- It's been a month and half I think she replied distracted.
And it's already old news…So much happened after all.
-What are you thinking about? You are staring at the buffet like he had offended you.
-Sorry Moko-san but I need to check something Kyoko muttered and stood up.
-Check something?
-Yeah if I don't, he won't get anything for himself.
She stared at Kyoko.
-You mean the rumours are true. He really doesn't eat.
-The rumours are nice compared to reality Kyoko rectified, now excuse me.
…
Kanae watched from afar when Kyoko reached the place the man was, the eyes of her friend nearly popping out when she saw there was only a ridiculous half cut apple on his plate and water.
She wasn't lying…How he can be so in shape without eating is a wonder…
She entertained herself watching Kyoko filling his tray with food and the man's face paling several shades.
…
-How can you eat so little? It's not healthy Kyoko groused while they made their way back to their table.
-I'm not hungry today that's all.
-You didn't even eat this morning.
-…
-Have pity I won't be able to eat all of that and you know it he whimpered slightly and released the puppy dog look at her with a pitiful expression and Kyoko winced.
-You don't have to eat everything but a bit of all of it conceded Kyoko beaten.
He suddenly looked at her with challenge in the corner of the eye and Kyoko turned suspicious.
-How many bits?
-You really gonna fight for the bits?
-How many? He persisted.
-Ten of each.
He blanched.
-Three?
She gasped in horror and stopped her footing.
-No less than eight.
Another puppy came out.
-Five?
-No she shakenly stood her ground.
He pouted.
-Five?
-Seven! She said at last.
-Pretty please he asked with a pout and another puppy.
-Six bits is my last word. I won't go for any less no matter how pitiful of a look you take. It wouldn't be nutritious enough if it was less.
He beamed.
-Okay. Fair bargain.
Kyoko snorted at that.
Can I ask you something? Kyoko said suddenly serious.
-Sure.
-It concerned you childhood she said in a constricted whisper.
Ren smiled fondly at her.
-My answer is still the same. I've nothing to hide and I trust you anyway. Do ask.
Blushing at his compliment Kyoko breathed out a bit before speaking:
-I kind of remember Hizuri-san telling mew his charming spouse used to force food into his son's throat when she would judge he didn't eat enough to her taste. Is it the truth? She asked in a mutter.
-I'm afraid so he replied with an ever paler face.
-Is it the reason of your traumatism with food? Kyoko demanded.
-It might be, he laughed a bit at that but I was never a big eater. What? Does this mean you will be more clement now that you know there is trauma behind he interrogated with hope in the voice.
-You dream. But I understand more why you are so difficult with food.
They finally reached their table and ate with Kanae under her suspicious eyes observing how closed they had become and how often then man would soften while looking at her friend.
Her friend though would be a lot more difficult to read at those moments and just that was enough to make it all the more fishy.
She would grumbled and prodded him to eat with kindness though. And now, they would banter-back like old buddies. It was creeping her out.
…
Time passing they would go back to set and before they had noticed the afternoon would finished and soon it was time for Kyoko to get ready to leave.
-I'm sorry Kanae apologized. I would have gladly seen you off but I still have one scene left tonight.
-Don't worry. I'm just going to the airport. It's not anything special. And I still need to pick my luggage in my room.
She waved to the cast and headed out outside, she hadn't tell Ren goodbye but she was still felling oddly silly after yesterday and she knew he was probably busy so she quickly sent a goodbye text and went looking for her bag.
She was going out of the hotel and calling a taxi when she butted against a familiar chest.
-A text, really? I hope you didn't seriously think it was okay to leave without a proper goodbye he sullenly prompted looking at her a cropped eyebrow.
-Sorry. I thought you were busy and I didn't to disturb you.
-You wouldn't have. I had cleaned this time so I would be able to see you off he explained.
-You don't need to Ren. I can take a taxi and board by myself you know Kyoko countered with a smile.
-Please. I want to.
Troubled by his attention to her but happy she quietly nodded and their caught a taxi to the airport.
When they reached it Ren escorted her to the departures area.
When the time came where she needed to leave, Ren turned towards her dramatically and Kyoko felt a knot forming inside of her, constricting her voice and stopping her of talking.
-Can you text me when you arrived? Demanded Ren.
Kyoko pinched her lips.
-Worrying again?
He just stared at her sternly and she nodded embarrassed.
Kyoko wiggled under his serious gaze observing her, his eyes lightened in underline with something akin to loneliness.
Now I'm starting to hallucinate things I wished I would see…Damn feelings!
Her plane got announced by some guy in the interphone and Kyoko scrambled to think about the right thing to say.
But all of sudden Ren brushed aside some strand from her hair with the tips of his fingers and she stared back at him.
-Kyoko, Ren begin in a tenuous voice, I don't have the words right now to tell you…You got me a role, you was there to me several time when I was falling in my own darkness again, you showed how to honour my friend without forbidding me of any joy, you made me understand the truth behind an event that had haunted for years, helped me come to term with it being an accident…
-You have been my friend and my support countless times…nothing, nothing I could voice aloud would ever compare to the degree the debt I have to you…Nothing could express how dear you are to me right now…
Kyoko hided her face bending it down, shaking at his words. Touched but frustrated by them.
Idiot man. Don't say that. It's misleading.
-So as I don't have the words, I would like to thank you once again. You are a very dear friend to me Ren ended at last with an enchanting smile.
Fumbling to look anywhere but at him Kyoko mumbled.
-I-…Okay. No problem and he chuckled at her awkwardness.
The interphone sound again.
-I-I will have to go Kyoko uttered at last.
-I know, he nodded, but can I demand one selfish wish?
Selfish wish?
She tilted her head in interrogation.
-I want a hug, Ren explained.
Kyoko coloured from head to toes and gaped at him baffled by his audacity.
He laughed.
-Is it a "no"?
-I-…You are serious? She blurted.
-Please?
Arghh…No…stop that…Don't get out the fallen puppy ears…I forfeit…
-I forfeit. Okay. Stop. Just stop that miserable cute expression.
-Really? He grinned.
-Yeah Kyoko signed in defeat.
In two steps he was on her. Holding her in those strong arms against him, his head nestled in the hollow of her neck. She tried to talk but her voice muffled by his chest was making it difficult. His strong musky smoked wood slightly honey-suckle aroma scent were intoxicating and the attention he was giving in holding her with strength gentleness was disarming her. In no time, Kyoko had lost any reasons to resist and rested her ear against his broad chest, forgetting everything. Her worries, her desire to run, the need to hide what she felt even her plane she forgot about it.
She glided her fingers on his back and circled his torso in a tight returning hug.
For one blessing moment, both were happy, very still and at peace.
Then a little pop rang at her ear when supple but firm lips tap a little kiss on her right cheek before Ren let go of her.
-I will miss you Kyoko, Ren told her when he step away.
Kyoko stood frozen, looking at him wildly before raising the tips of her fingers to her cheek, bewildered.
-Youuu! Again!
-Why?! She half squeaked while she was shifting to tomato hue.
-It's another thank you Ren while very slowly taking a step back at the view of her burning eyes.
-Oh really? Again. Now, I know where you manners are coming but still you must do that often,neh? Kyoko growled, infuriated.
-No. Just with you. My dear childhood friend Kyoko-chan.
-Oh you damn Corn. How dare you use the sensitive chord right now.
-It's true he defended a bit vexed.
Oh no. Not this time. I 'm not going to let this go without nothing.
-Come here, Ren. I'm going to strangle you before embarking.
-I'm afraid you don't have time for that Ren said backing away. See, you plane landed, he showed her the front screen for arrivals.
She approached with obstinacy.
-Come here Ren.
Kyoko finally cornered him against a wall.
-Kyoko, I surrender, please. What you doing to do?
-Avenge myself Kyoko stated before grasping him by the collar and pulling.
She kissed him soundly on the left cheek.
-Take that, mister fairy.
-I need to go. See you soon Ren.
She left with a huff leaving being a paralyzed and blushing Ren getting caught in his own trap.
PS: Soooo…It was the last fluffy chapter for a while. The darker ones are starting right next chapter. And will be in 3 chapters. Max 4 if I can't conclude it in 3. Be ready to dark and angsty.
Then second part will start.
I hope you will like this one. It wasn't really an expected chapter, more like a bonus one that ended this confession together part sweetly.
Kisses. See you soon.
Reviews are appreciated a lot.
