CHAPTER 75

I do not own skip beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

When messes are set on happening.

"Hi," She greeted him. She had apprehended meeting with him alone last time, but she was fine now. Her apprehension was gone.

He greeted her back and they began to discuss idle things for a little while before ordering their food. Jake shared with her all the news he had from their other friends in the states, and she relaxed. Now that her mind was not wandering on pointless things, she was able to enjoy herself.

At the end of their meal, though, Jake's expression turned serious.

"I wanted to apologize on Luke's behalf again," he said, frowning, "He was really out of line last time."

She waved his apologies away.

"You don't have to do that, Jake," She protested, "Yes, he might be young but you are not accountable for his behaviour. Plus he already apologized himself."

"Still – "

She shook her head.

"No. And it's already forgotten anyway."

"You are sure?"

She smiled indulgently and nodded.

If she couldn't protest her friends' mistakes then, what was the point anyway.

"So, how is your girlfriend?" She inquired, changing the subject to lighter things and bending forward after pushing her plate away to cross her arms on the table after making sure she wouldn't dirty the poncho Ren had offered and that she was currently wearing. She was glad she had chosen this for today since they had taken their food on the terrace. The clear day was agreeable but the chilling wind reminded her spring wasn't there yet.

He rubbed the edge of his nose.

" … Boyfriend," He mumbled but she heard him alright.

She pinched her lips in amusement and cross her jeans-clad legs in front of her. Four months ago, he was with a girl.

"What about Kathy?" She asked. Her friend tended to change partner often. Not that he wanted to but the usual reproach was that Jake was boring, so he was often dumped. He had even engaged in new hobbies, thinking he would be less 'boring' like that. Not that Kyoko agreed with their statement but he had shared some of the excuses that were given.

"I broke up with her." Now that was a first.

He had told her this sheepishly, and she could see plain as sight that he felt guilty about it still. Which, with the number of times he had been at the other end of that sort of situation, did not come as a surprise. He knew how it felt pretty well. But that he was the one to do it still came as a huge surprise.

"You did? When? What happened?"

She tried to stay as neutral as she could. She didn't want him to feel as if she was judging. She was mainly amused at this point.

He sighed and averted her eyes as he coloured a tint.

" … I met someone." He admitted.

She lifted her eyebrows. Oh-oh.

"Someone or someone-someone?"

He chuckled at her phrasing at her before replying with a little more confidence.

"Someone that means – … more."

She grinned happily.

"I'm happy for you. What's his name?"

"Clay."He said with such a fond face she was sure this time, he wouldn't get dumped.

"Wanna see a picture?"

She laughed and nodded as he pulled out his phone to show a man with messy hair dyed in silver grey and a dazzling kind smile.

"Cute." She said and giggled at the easy hue appearing on his cheekbones.

Their talk continued in this vein for a moment until Jake tilted forward toward her, placing his elbows on the table and crossing his fingers behind his chin.

"Enough about me for now," he stated, "tell me everything."

She blinked at him and returned his stare.

"I don't see what you mean."

He snorted and squinted at her pointedly.

"Not to me, Kyoko," He said, "You were nearly fretting when you saw me last time. But oddly, you are totally comfortable right now."

"I was recovering." She shot back, pretending to know where he was going with this.

He crossed his arms on his chest.

"Right. You know while I fully admit Luke's attitude was ill-mannered," He started, "Had you not tell us you weren't together and had I not known how bad of lier you were, I would have thought exactly the same seeing the situation I saw in that flat."

She groaned, relying she wouldn't escape this conversation. At least, Jake was much more sensitive about things and keeping secrets.

"We are not together," She insisted, however.

"Alright. Then what?" He pushed. "You are interested in each other?"

She shook her head.

"He is not."

"But you are." It wasn't a question.

She sighed.

"Are you going to make me state the obvious?" He asked. "I know very well why you felt that awkward when you saw me, you know."

She smiled ruefully.

"I should have guessed you would be as perceptive as the usual. And yes, I know that you know why."

He asserted her in silence for a good long minute before asking.

"How serious?"

She groaned again. He wasn't dropping it. He was staring at her, and she knew he would for hours until she would spit it.

"On what part?"

He glared at her for playing dumb but she was just preparing herself to talk. She didn't share about this often.

"How you feel." He said eventually.

She sighed and conceded: "Considerably so."

His face didn't show anything as he questioned her again. "And you sure there is no chance on his side of – "

She shook her head, cutting him before he would pursue.

He planted his chin in his palm, and let out a tired breath this time.

"And knowing you, I'm sure there is no room for even envisioning moving on." Again this was not a question but she quipped a short nod, not trusting her voice after he so easily spread the ugly truth in the frosting air. Suddenly it felt even colder, and she wrapped herself even more tightly in the gift of the very man on question.

They didn't talk, and Kyoko felt too raw on the inside and exposed to think about starting back the conversation.

"You know, about what I said earlier," He began, "I'm sorry for bringing it up. I know water has run under the bridge, and that we both felt awkward after- … it was low of me to bring it upfront again."

"Don't worry about it," She said, impatient to cloture the subject, "I know why you did it."

"But if you aren't together then why –

"I can't help how I feel, Jake." She said, letting out a bit of what she truly felt out for once.

He winced.

"Sorry."

She shook her head again but sighed.

"But I'm curious," She said, "I was pretty sure I had managed to convince Luke last time. What gave me away?"

Jake chuckled.

"Girl, you were wearing the man's clothes … I don't think anyone would fully believe that's all there was to it even if it had been the full truth," He pointed with a grin and she reciprocated.

"Fair point."

"But to reply you," He said, pondering for a second, "I think it's how you interact with him. I never saw you being so comfortable with anyone. It's as if he could tell you the moon was blue and kittens could fly, and you would believe him. That's how much trust it appeared was reflected in the way you interacted with him."

"That's what makes me so certain there was so much more than what you were saying," He added with a tiny conniving smile.

Her cheeks flushed.

"You are really too perceptive."

He chuckled.

"So there was indeed someone," he teased her, "I thought it might but you were so discreet you could have me fooled."

"It was kinda on purpose, you know."

"Oh, I know. It's a very privy subject for you after all," He stated and she wanted to curse him to have guessed so many things already.

"Don't worry, I won't tell a soul," He added when he saw her grimace.

"I certainly hope so," She shot back with a threatening smile.

"But I certainly can't blame your tastes," He added after a little while with a new grin forming.

"Oh?"

"He is "wow". He said, with an approving expression.

Amusement pulled at her lips.

"That, he is."

"You should hide him from Kyle or he might try to steal him from you." He teased.

Kyoko laughed. Oh yes, Kyle would drool the second he would see Ren.

"He is not mine to be stolen," She corrected with a sobering sigh.

Jake grabbed her forearm in a comforting squeeze.

"I will hope you will have some luck and that it will change then."

"Thanks."

He nodded before pulling her up all of sudden and passing an arm around her shoulders.

"Come on, let's go grab a hot cocoa," He said, "it's on me."

She laughed and nodded.

He knew she never refused chocolate.

"Now, tell me more about your boyfriend," She asked once they were midway to the destination.

He grinned happily and was about to when he seemed to have remembered something.

"I will but first I have a favour to ask if you don't mind," and she made him sign to explain.

"I'm leaving in a few days but Luke got a small job here and will have to stay 2–3 days more. The problem is our reservation will end the day I leave, and up until now everywhere we looked in, was filled up." He explained.

"So you were wondering I could take in Luke, am I right?" She asked, understanding filling her.

He nodded sheepishly.

"It would only be for two or three nights at the most," he insisted, "I know he can be hard to handle but he really is in a hurdle, so if you don't mind – "

"I don't mind," She cut in, "But it will be on the sofa or in an extra futon in the living room if he comes, I don't have a guest room there."

"That won't be an issue," Jake assured, "but I will warn him." And he sent a quick text.

"So, Clay?"

Jake cleared his throat.

"Right, where was I-

…"

Five days later.

The two nights Luke spent at her flat went without a bump. He was very adamant on making her go out, but with her time out she had many things to reorganize and had to decline. That aside, he didn't reproduce any bad attitude like what happened when they visited her at Hakone. He did ask some more questions about Ren, and though he had been rough, he was still civil about it, so she didn't see a problem.

And while he didn't let her review her scripts much as he conned her into playing cards, it was fun and he was pretty charming on those moments.

He left on the morning of the third day, and Kyoko herself, started her baggage for the skip trip that was coming really close. She thought the last three days before going would be relatively quiet. She was booked for a small gig and another interview, and some meeting with the LoveMe section. It was planned she would go by car with Ren to the inn they had reserved. She had planned to go by car from the start, for ecological reasons, but then had learned Ren would too. He had wanted to reserve a seat on a plane at first but searching at last minute like that, only economic class remained. And while he didn't mind taking it, he couldn't go as Kuon as he would stay in Japan and just didn't have the time, but it meant plane travelling was out. He would have been mobbed by the crowd. Well, he had thought he would be alright with a disguise, but fortunately she learned Kijima and Koga had put some sense into him and convinced him it wasn't a good idea.

So when he had learned she was going by car, he had proposed to drive them both instead.

She finished what she could pack for now, and grabbed her keys. She just needed to make a small stop for the LoveMe meeting today.

LME, heightened resting area.

"And there he goes, again," observed Kaï with a chuckle as he saw his friend all but running down toward a certain young woman. Love had really bitten him hard. Kijima, Jin, Ken and Momose-san snorted at his comment but said nothing else. Koga and Saki shook their head, and Taku tipped his lips upward, bemused. Airi frowned and Maï stayed impassive. Silence fell upon them as they all watched Ren catching up to Kyoko, a smile twice the size of his face as it always bloomed each time he saw her.

"I don't see why you are so surprised," Kijima quipped with a smile, between two loud slurps of his coke.

"Not surprised," corrected Kaï, "quite the contrary, it's pretty refreshing to see him so alive after the glooming version we have all known these last years. Someone would have told me, I wouldn't have believed him."

"Wait until they are together," slid Koga, "you are going to run from the overdose of candy that will clog your vision."

"Don't be your grumpy self, Koga, it's boring!" whined Kijima.

Kaï laughed at this. Kijima had known Ren and Koga before everyone else and they was one of the only ones to have witnessed the old all-the-time grumpy Koga, though right now Kijima claimed this closed off irritated version nearly never showed up and that Koga was pretending sometimes.

But that was the deal with actors, you had to be really attentive to know when they were the real self. Kaï was fine with this. It was always fun figuring out people. Especially Ren. That was some new sort of fun. And especially recently.

"But come on," he pushed, "You have to admit it's hilarious. And kinda adorable."

Momose-san and Saki nodded their heads vigorously, chuckling behind their hands.

"The otherwise mature and contained Tsuruga Ren looking – …"Kaï paused, he didn't even know how to qualify it, it was so-

"Disarmed, tamed and innocent"? Provided Koga with nefarious grin and laughs erupted all around.

Kaï chuckled. Koga-san could be happy Ren wasn't there at the moment.

"Yes, that."

"I find it unhealthy," Airi let out, apparent worry furrowing her face. "It's like he is obsessed with her."

Kijima rolled his eyes at her.

"He is in love with her, give the man some slack."

"It's only natural," added Taku with a tiny smile, speaking out about this for the first time.

Several of their friends followed suit in that note, clearly in agreement it was only normal.

Kaï nodded eagerly. He felt relieved Kijima and Taku were so loyal to Ren. The man could be so hard to read, and a few of their friends sometimes felt like distance. But between Taku that was cut in the same coat as Ren on that matter and Kijima who had known him the longest, they usually found a way to understand him, even when he appeared far away.

Though, obviously, a lot changed after Kyoko-san came back. After her return and to the surprise of everyone, all of sudden he became more approachable. He even let Kijima and Koga-san tease him about Kyoko-san.

He thought the new dynamic and the pros of the situation were obvious, but Airi-chan was easily worried. Though everyone knew it wasn't the only reason she was acting this way. He eyed Maï-chan and sighed. That couldn't be helped, though.

Airi crossed her arms in stubbornness, and eyed the two still speaking down there, though there was no way she could have heard them. She watched their interaction warily.

"How do we know she is playing him?" She demanded. "For once, he looked totally blind about it."

Both Kijima and Koga groaned audibly.

"Please," Koga said, "She doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She went out of her way to protect him, remember?"

"Then how to be sure she'll be good to him if they end up together?" Persisted Airi.

"If Kyoko-chan isn't good enough then no one is." Kijima stated. "Plus, he won't want anyone but her."

"Fine. But you can't blame me for being a little concerned."

She continued to argue, waving at the two people still down.

"I mean, look at it, how can she not see how he feels if she is so incredible?!"

Kaï wondered how you could get the discussion back on safer grounds, because things were going to get messy if they let it play out. Airi was not one to calm down once twisted into knots.

"But it's so simple Airi-san," Interrupted Taku, "Don't you see? She just can't see it. It isn't she dismisses what her eyes see, it's just she doesn't take it for the same thing as we do."

She frowned at him but Kaï could see she was listening at least.

"Why?"

He breathed some air out, and twisted on his chair, looking awkward and that made Kaï realize it was one of the longest time he heard Taku talked.

"The same reason I don't speak much, Saki doesn't trust easily and Ren doesn't talk about his past," He explained, "We have our guards up, more at least than some others."

"She doesn't have her guard up with Ren," Airi said.

"Read between the lines, Airi," Snapped Koga-san before sighing out and apologizing for losing his calm.

"What Taku tried to say," Intervened Saki, "is that, while some people can be withdrew-ed-in one way or another – because it's their personality, it can also be something developed forcibly. Because who they were, was hurt, somehow."

Airi looked at her without understanding.

"I'm not sure to know what you mean…"

Saki smiled patiently. It was true she had sometimes a hard time trusting people Kaï remembered, but she was far more patient he could ever be. He wanted to strangle Airi for how she was behaving.

"If I was to tap from my personal example," She said in a rushed tone, "I became doubtful of people because I was hurt by being too trusting of people. Work out the rest."

Taku nodded before pursuing rather quickly after her, which make Kaï wonder if he wasn't trying to take her out of the spotlight.

"It's only an example, not something you can just copy apply obviously, but it can give you an idea." And finally, Airi seemed to appear calmer.

"If I had to extrapolate, "Taku added after a long minute of letting Airi-chan think it through, "Kyoko-san had been hurt being too caring."

He stopped just as soon as he had finished that sentence and looked severely Airi-can in the eyes. The void of voices that followed this as Airi stayed gaping was a cloak of sombre morosity stuffing their air.

"I'd like it if we stop talking behind their back now," eventually demanded Taku.

Saki nodded.

"It's rather rude to friends we are supposed to be encouraging." She said.

"One friend." Stretched Airi and Saki and everyone but one person narrowed their eyes at her.

"We all know it's bound to change at one point or another." Saki said. "Don't make me underline the true reasons we all know about why you just picked a fight about Kyoko-san," She added hardly after a glance to Maï who shrank in her seat but whose eyes seemed as arrogant as always, "Because as noble as those reasons are – the good one and the bad one – you just acted pretty shady right now."

Kaï saw Airi-chan grimaced and nodded grimly, admitting in silence only part of her concerns had been about Ren, while the other was because of Maï's feelings.

Kaï felt sorry for Maï, it was never easy if your feelings weren't reciprocated. But he couldn't even remember a time when she had really talked with Ren. Not just idle chatting. But really bonding and sharing. And she had unfortunately done everything that would prevent Ren from relaxing around her. She tended to just plaster a sweet smile and say whatever she thought Ren would like to hear rather than honestly be herself and sharing about her and discussing with him. The sort of fake display Ren had very little patience with. Because she was acting like a fan. Not like a normal person. Or a friend.

His friend had always been polite but he didn't know how to act around her, didn't feel like she was genuine and so kept his distance-which he wasn't wrong about – , and which obviously only irritated and sadden Maï. She would have to let go of things because no matter how much he empathized with her he knew his friend would only have eyes for one person. So better drop it now than let it poison you from the inside. He shook his head. That was something Maï herself needed to realize. He'd like that to help but he knew he wasn't the best person to do so. He was too sloppy with words. Diplomacy wasn't his strongest move.

Fifteen minutes earlier, down.

Kyoko was back from her meeting with the love me section and about to head home when she heard a familiar voice hailing her. Twisting around, she greeted him and held back a groan at the enchanting smile he attacked her with.

"Hi," She said softly, rubbing her hair away and certainly making a mess out of them. Why did he have to always greet her so warmly. She wanted a hug now.

He looked dazed for a second and cleared his throat before answering.

"Hi, how are you?"

She saw straight where he was going with this.

"I'm very well, thank you. I've been perfectly good for days, now so don't you dare start." She grumbled with a half smile.

He had the decency to look sheepish as he asked still.

"No bout of weaknesses?"

Her attempt at glaring ended as a fail when she couldn't help but be amused by this.

"I've recovered since two weeks, Ren, seriously."

He stared for a few seconds more as he wanted to assess if it was the full truth before nodding.

"Ready for the trip?" He inquired then and she nodded.

"I have nearly finished packing this morning, just after Luke left," She said, and did not realize something had changed, even after he questioned.

"Luke?"

"Ah, yes, he stayed at my flat the last two days," She replied easily, leaning against the railing of the first floor but was surprised when she thought she saw anger in his eyes.

"What's the problem?"

"He stayed over?"

"Yes, Jake needed to leave sooner than planned but the booking was at his name and – "

"That was a bad idea," He stated coldly and she frowned.

"Why? He was kinda stuck so I wasn't going to let him on his own I could – "

"Kyoko, he is still a man and how do you know it's safe?" And she could see he was more and more aggravated with her, though she still failed to see what was the problem.

"First he is a boy, and young if you are referring to what happened last time, he can be hot-blooded but I know him – "

"The age difference is barely one more year than between you and me!"He articulated in an angered mutter.

"And so?! You know it's different anyway." She shot back, fighting to keep control of her voice as her annoyance rose further. "He is my friend, Ren, what was I supposed to do?"

"So what? You are going to let anyone that claims to be your friend sleep in your home?!" He roared, and hit the railing with his fist. She took a step back. She had forgotten how scary he was when he was fuming.

"Obviously not!" She said. "But I trust him, and I should be able to assess which friend is safe to let in or not. Not you!" She shot, seething. Oh yes, she saw what it was, now.

He closed in on her.

"How can you be so sure when the man has a crush on you?!"

She blinked at the unexpected question before starting to chortle.

"Now that is ludicrous."

He breathed out an annoyed puff of air, turning his face away, before looking back at her.

"No, it isn't. Why do you think he was so irritated to see you in my clothes?" He whispered pointedly, and she couldn't help a light hue to rise in remembrance. But maybe it was more due to the rage boiling more than embarrassment, for once.

"You shouldn't let any man sleep in your home, just because it's your friend." He finished like he was giving her orders and she had enough.

"First he does not have a crush, it's ridiculous," She said and stopped him with a hand when he was about to object again, "But even if he had, I don't see how it concern you? I'm perfectly able to defend myself anyway. And just because it would be the case doesn't mean he would be some sort of unknown threat or something."

"That what you say but am I not allowed to be worried that–" He tried.

She cut him again, beyond furious this time.

"Or you could simply trust me that I will be able to handle it." She declared hardly. "He is my friend after all, I know him best."

"Well, clearly I can't," he said, pissed again, "Since that the conclusion you are coming to."

She felt a knot forming in her throat, and mumbled something.

"What?"

"I'm not seventeen anymore." She growled back, I'm my own person and I took care of myself for the last five years. I might listen to your advises but I don't have to. I'm a proper adult and I can fare all good by myself."

When comprehension did not seem to ram into him, she exploded again.

"Don't treat me like a child!" She yelled, and twirled around and left in a haze. She couldn't believe that after all this time he still didn't trust her to be able to manage on her own. Like any proper adult would. No, he still saw as a kid that needed to be taken care of, that wasn't strong enough to cope. That didn't understand the world and needed advises. She accelerated her steps as she felt a tear escaping her control. She felt so pissed so why did it have to hurt so much. Why did it have to still hurt? Why could anger not submerge every other emotion? Feelings were not fairly wired.

PS:Hello everyone, hope you are all enjoying this month and happy. Here is unexpectedly a new chapter again. Didn't think it would happen so soon but no one will complain, i think.

Now, before everyone pull out his gun to shot me for this cliffhanger, i have a bulletproof vest, so it's useless. You can cry, wail, scream, fume but it was the perfect place to cut, and i'm sadistic. Smirk^^.

Nonetheless, run away under rock to hide.

Kisses to all of you.

Reviews are food, feed me.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.