CHAPTER 116

I do not own Skip Beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

~~Magical Summer trip ~~

~~ part 21~~

~~Family time and talks~~

~~part 1~~

She woke up to the light touch of warmth petting her hair. But buried under the softest of sheets, and into the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in, she dared to ignore it. She had been unable to fall in the arms of slumber quite that easily, yesterday night. Her mind too preoccupied by the events of the day to quiet enough to shut down her own program. In consequence, she had been in no hurry to come out of those delightful feathers of cloth. And her fuzzy head thought she remembered to have silenced her alarm when her phone had buzzed, sometimes earlier. But it couldn't be that long ago, she had just closed back her eyes.

She flapped the disturbance away when something messed with her hair again, earning a weird but enjoyable sound. But it threatened to wake her up, so she eventually decided it was not worth it.

Snuggling deeper into the sheets, she curled her head until she could slip it under the heavy transversal pillow, hoping it would deafen the sounds she could hear.

Despite her efforts, a far too distinctive chuckle reached her ear. Her lips twirled as she imagined his smile. Tired, her mind started to drift back to unconsciousness, as a few seconds ticked by. She vaguely had the thought of hoping it meant she would be left alone when a huge whoosh of cold wind reached her from under, just on the body's side that had been resting on the bed.

Which, after a gasp and a shriek from her, would make sense, as she noticed she had been properly lifted from the bed, sheets and all.

"Come on, time to wake up."

She gave her captor – in the name of Ren – a half alarmed, half-sleepy stare. He was all smiles and based on the shutters still in place, it could only be night. Totally logical.

"Good morning, sleepy head."

She groaned. She had half the thought to glare at him or be affronted he had woke her up and was not letting her go, but gave up.

She grabbed the sheets still wrapped around her and in his arms too, and folded them above her head before curling against him. If he thought she would give up on some time to slumber, he had another thing coming.

He just had to put her back in bed and he would be rid of her dead weight.

"Put me down and let me sleep!" She mumbled, snuggling deeper.

He remained silent, oddly.

She might have questioned both his weird reaction and her current predicament, if she had not been so delightfully getting distracted by the warmth of his chest against her cheek. Firm but so comfortable. And soon, she felt herself being lulled in that safe cocoon made of sheets and him, surrounding her. His comforting scent making her sigh and easing her muscles without her permission.

She tried to fight it but she kept snoozing off to his radiating heat and fast heartbeat. She had found just the right spot of uncovered area of skin, above his left collarbone, and it was scorching. Moaning-ly scorching.

Had she been in her right mind, she would have been appalled, truly.

She heard an incoherent mumble she couldn't make sense of. Her body inner senses regained awareness to a feeling of movement, and a muted thudding sound, and the sooth feeling around her shifted slightly. Until, she thought she now, had a blanket of heat she didn't possess earlier, under the thighs.

"You are really too cute," She thought she heard him say in her numb mind. She really ought to survey her morning grouchiness and be sure not to sleep too late, she was a mix between a pissed off bear and a dragging zombie opossum, when she hadn't had her proper hours. And now it made her hallucinate sweet whispers from him.

Time slipped her perception as she tried to make sense of his words, and her thoughts ceased to be as she fell asleep.

She woke up when the strength that had been supporting her body squeezed her. That's when it occurred to her, where exactly, she had been sleeping. She had the urge to imagine a big wave capturing her away from the earth-shattering embarrassment she was feeling. Looking up sheepishly from the spot she had occupied with her head, she couldn't help her cheeks to colour as she lifted her eyes to him. Greeted by illegal gentle eyes – he was watching over her with such gracious affection – her poor threatened heart lost control and started pulsing into her lips, and it poof-out the balloon of her apology ready on her mouth. An engaging light entered his stare, and she lost herself in it, the incommensurable pool of it swallowing her.

No word came back, and her memory refused to provide backup plans. Aboard mission.

She felt his thumb grazed under her left eye, before his fingers threaded themselves oh-so-delicately in her hair. She forgot how you breathed and air clang to the back of her throat.

"Rough night?"

His melodious low tone reached her and a whoosh of air escaped her when she tried to speak. His lips eased up, at her oddness, she knew. God did she long to kiss the tranquil smile he was sporting.

She coughed and felt herself nod, grasping for sanity. His hold surrounding her felt scorching, even through her PJ and the sheets. She tried to feel genuine regret but he was holding her in his arms and petting her. And he seemed in no hurry to let her go. Which suited her just fine. And his gaze.

He couldn't look at her that way ever again.

She would do anything while he looked at her like that.

She slipped her arms around his waist, stopping halfway as she realized what she was doing. She broke their stares to rub at her face and remove herself both from sleepiness and her indulgences in her behaviours towards him.

"Sorry for falling back asleep on you." She whispered in his shirt, dropping her forehead against his chest to hide herself from his stare.

He hummed and she heard his amusement even in that subdued sound.

"It is more than okay."

She needed to let go, she needed to get down from.

Fucking fairyyy!

Her mind was not a great source of help as she stared as where she stood. She was in his lap. On those glorious fairy thighs that were way too firm and comfy and…

How could a man has such muscular thighs, to begin with?

Her mind gave her multiple number of possibilities on the things you could entertain with such thighs. Especially if it involved touching them. Or wrapping her legs around them. She stopped functioning.

She hit her head against his chest, trying to get rid of fantasized images of nude thighs prodding her legs apart or gliding against her own in a tempo.

"I was wondering if you were falling back asleep but – … You okay?"

His concerned voice came, slightly puzzled she was sure.

She grabbed the sheets and jumped down him and the bed in a twirl. Per-fect. Marvellous. Spastic Kyoko had even returned with a vengeance.

He throttled, and caught the sheets before she could get too far away.

"Wow. It has been so long I had seen you react so erratically."

She looked away.

"Shut up."

He snorted again, and softly took the sheets from her, dropping them on the bed.

"Come on, breakfast. My parents are waiting, I think."

And he took her hand, as naturally as that, leading her out of the bedroom.

They were in the second corridor when her brain reminded her he hadn't let her do any morning routine like wash her teeth, brush her hair or just go to the bathroom for the most basic need.

"Ren, wait, you… I didn't even have time to clean up a bit."

Her protestation fell on deaf ears when he switched around, perplexed.

"You look perfect."

"…"

She groaned at his smooth talk, making him laugh but she was not awake enough, and too stunned to do anything else.

Thus, he managed to lead her obediently into the dinning room, hand in hand, without so much of a protest from her. There should be a minimum hour before you had to compose yourself and protect your heart from cute assaults.

Damn fairy.

She was trying to memorize his palm's grain skin when they reached the room, and he made her sat on the bench again, pushing a glass of orange juice in front of her.

She stared at it blindly. She felt him sit besides her more than she saw him, and that's about the time she noticed his parents, sitting in front of them.

"Good morning, Kyoko-chan," said a feminine voice.

"'Morning."

By her side, she felt Ren's shoulders shake, but ignored it to watch eagerly as a cup in front of her was filled with a brown delicious nectar. This should help her brain and short night, until her neurones could be glued together again.

"Not a morning person. Especially when she lacks enough hours." Ren commented merrily, surely to her very lacking greeting and she mumbled an apology, shaking herself from her grouchiness, and greeted his parents properly.

Two pairs of eyes, filled with mirth met hers, waving her sorries away.

"It's okay, Kyoko-chan. We will just fill that away for later."

Her perplexity at her words must have been visible, because Julie-san specified.

"For next time." She said laconically.

"Oh."

Kuu chuckled at her reaction.

She ignored what else she could say. She found it hard to imagine a close instance she would come back. She didn't imagine they would ask her to come on her own if Ren were not here. And even if they invited them both, Ren would probably be crazily busy before it could happen again. And that was without counting she had mostly come as support while he wasn't sure his parents would welcome him so kindly. While she appreciated they had proposed this to her and wanted her to stay, and accepted Ren wished her to be there, she also knew her presence was void of utility, now.

But she could not deny Ren's genuine persistence so, she would not resume her being here, to usefulness anymore. Again, unless he mentioned it on his own.

At the same time, she was touched his parents would mention a next time – no matter how unlikely it might be to happen any time soon – , because it meant they would consider her coming back with at least a certain form of acceptance.

Ren pushed her shoulder slightly, making her unseeing eyes focus just as Kuu words rang in her ears.

"We are hoping there will be a next time you come with Ren."

Struck by the sincerity on Kuu-san face, her emotions wrecked havoc inside her and her thoughts refused to form. Melted by this family warmth, a softened smile grew on her face.

"I would love to."

Her voice was low but everyone heard it and grinned in response. Breakfast pursued with ease after that, despite the awfully decadent amount of food syphoned all-through. And she took great pleasure watching the dynamic between Ren and his parents. Especially when his mum tried to put more food onto his plate and fear entered Ren's eyes.

He smiled at his mum, and it was so clear for her he did not want to eat one more bit. He ate what had been added on his plate. She had to give him applause, his expression had been genuine. As if, no matter his full stomach, he was happy to please his mother. It was adorable. But she also pitied his stomach and made a mental note to share a digestive pill to him later.

They were sitting, enjoying one last coffee after clearing the table she had successfully been able to help with, when Ren explained his dad had asked to spend the morning with him.

"I'd like his help with something for a scene too," Kuu added merrily, and she was quick to react and tell them to go ahead and that she would busy herself rehearse some lines. It was clear Kuu-san wanted to enjoy some time with his son, and even more, they would talk about acting. She couldn't think of a better way to get comfortable with each other again. She would not stand in the way of that.

Both men frowned at her like they didn't like the way she had phrased that but they were stopped to react when Julie spoke.

"What about me?"

When none of the two responded, Kyoko realized suddenly she was talking to her, and looking to the side, she saw the beautiful face of Julie-san pouting slightly.

When their stares connected, her expression shifted to an open face as she asked her.

"Would you be okay spending the morning with me, Kyoko-chan?"

She blinked at the proposition, surprised. She had thought Julie might have something else planned or that she would join the two later.

"Sure."

"I'd like to purchase a few things and I thought you might love to tag along."

The pleading expression on Julie-san face made her half-convinced she didn't really have something to buy in particular. There was just something in her eyes, as if she was begging her to understand. And she wondered if her true reasons might have been the same as hers.

She nodded, thinking it might be fun, and Ren and his father would not be worrying about her that way, so it was even better. And if she was honest, she felt kinda curious about Ren's mother too.

The snort that followed right away after her response was the only thing that made her pause, and she pivoted to him. He was grinning, and Ren tilted to her.

"I'm not sure you know what you agreed to," his conspiratorial low tone alarming her when he continued, "Mum is worse than me."

She looked at him, a little scared, but he wasn't done.

"She is even worse than me as Cain towards Setsu."

She groaned a little too loudly, shocked. If he was the one saying it…

She needed a tactical plan. Or an escape route.

"Thank you for the heads up." She mumbled pitifully, and he chuckled, hugging her shoulders briefly just when his parents asked what the two of them were all mumbling about.

"Nothing."Chirped Ren in all the innocence she was sure he could muster.

§§§

And that's how -one hour later – she found herself in a very colourful car, parked in the most expensive street of L.A.

Julie-san exited the car in a glorious light-green summer dress going to the ankles but with a beautiful slit to the supple skirt and white heels. Her shining hair gliding down, and looking like a regal divinity that, not only belonged here but didn't ought to be seen to make everyone aware of her. Like a mafia glorious queen. You knew her power was potent and evident but there was no ostentatious moves, no bling-bling. She was positive her purse was from a famous brand, if only for how sleek it was, however, it didn't blind you and the brand name was not only not written in huge golden letters, it was invisible on the front. Her dress, while amazingly pretty, was not part of the flashy kind, either. It smoothed around her curves silkily and classically. But it did not scream 'Look at me, I'm made of money'.

But Julie Hizuri didn't need it. She necessitated no shining clothes or objects. She glowed so naturally, like a bright sun. Blinding everyone around. Now, she knew from where Ren got that capacity. Kyoko had never seen someone own the place and the attention of everyone with so little effort and so much grace. Besides maybe her son. She guessed Ren could be dressed in rags and still be the most glamorous and handsome man around. Though, she was hardly objective anymore. So, there was that.

Even people that hadn't been looking in the direction they parked seemed to inevitably turn around to look. As if they had felt the sheer energy, the attraction power emitted in their back. Just by her presence and her movement as she exited the car.

And Kyoko was supposed to oppose such a reckoned force, right now.

She smiled at her from the outside, making sign for Kyoko to get out. Julie's face shimmered as if she was made of sparkles as she grinned at her. It was so obvious Kyoko knew instantly, she couldn't wait to act any later. Dangerous smiles were something she was familiar with.

She pressed the window button of the beautiful baby blue Ferrari of Julie, and the glass went down on the passenger seat she occupied.

Time to take countermeasures.

Julie-san tilted her head, confused. She came closer to her door.

"Why don't you come out, Kyoko-chan?"

She thought hard on how to formulate this. She had to be smart about this.

"Well, Julie-san, I have more than enough outfits, I don't really need any, so I thought I would wait for you while you do your purchases."

She had said it as sweetly as a candy, she didn't want Julie to misunderstand.

When Julie stood flabbergasted, as she stared down at her, she added.

"I could wait for you in a cafe," She proposed her. Her smooth attempts were cut short when Julie regained composure.

"One does not buy clothes only when they need it, Kyoko-chan."

"I'm a highly convinced ecological person, Julie-san."

Her affirmation was said proudly if a tad spread with exaggeration. She did believe in ecology and truly tried to buy only clothes that could be of necessity for her. And those views extended to other necessities and objects. That being said, she also knew the limitation the job profession she had. Unless she quit acting and modelling and luxurious items thrown at her, she would always consume much more than the average person. And she was aware her job required her to present well in all circumstances for cameras and photographs. She wasn't an especially big fan of luxe for luxe, however. And she thought she could thank her economical core and common sense for that. If an outfit, or any cloth really, looked just as sleek and high-trend as one that cost trice that, she would take the cheaper one. She did have a few priceless pieces she thought she had to have or were given to her, but she wouldn't invest thousands in clothes if she could help it.

And when she was given clothes after modelling gigs, she would give away to charity anything she was sure she wouldn't wear or that was way too extravagant for her. Same for things that weren't practical enough, or clothes she would fear to damage or would take dust in her closet.

She would also try to invest in more qualitative things, to lengthen durability, when she could.

Even so, she was not naive enough to not realize she had to change some of her clothes when they got a little too visibly worn.

So, if she went to one of the high-price ventures, she might buy something. It would be way too expensive to her tastes and she might grumble all the way, but she would probably purchase a few things.

But she could also wait to return to her medium range high brands stores – which would be more than correct for any job purposes – instead of spending a literal bridge here.

"If it's about the price, you don't have to worry, Kyoko-chan." Julie-san said with a sparkly tempting smile.

There you go, the root of why she would secure her butt with tape to her seat, if she had to.

She returned a challenging grin to her.

"My former statement was honest but you are not wrong I wouldn't go to those priceless top-class boutiques, Julie-san."

Julie frown accentuated before she asked in a serious tone.

"Kyoko-chan… Are they perhaps not paying you enough in your current jobs?"

She chuckled at her assumption.

"They are. It is a perfectly honest sum, I'd dare say."

"Then why – "

"It is just me. I just don't believe in spending thousands of dollars in one piece of cloth."

The perplexity that took shape on Julie's face was way further priceless than any of those clothes she could have found in those pricey stores. It was so hilarious Kyoko had to bite the inside of her cheek to not quack. Then, at long last, reality appeared to dawn in Julie, and she let out a long-suffering sigh.

"… You are one of the frugal ones." She groaned out, fingers held on her eyebrows in despair. A snort escaped Kyoko, and she barely held snickers at bay inside her locked up throat – for same measure – , but her lips couldn't help but quiver.

"I'm afraid so."

Her eventual response came from the very tip of her lips, and Julie looked, noticing her amusement.

She smiled at Kyoko, despite her obvious disappointment.

"Spending money to treat yourself is not a waste, you know."

Still thoroughfully amused, and not surprised in the least the battle wasn't won yet, she nodded.

"I agree. In reasonable measures, however."

The beautiful green eyes of Julie – reminding endlessly her Ren own ones – narrowed at her.

"What makes you say it wouldn't be reasonable?"

Now, that was too easy. Nonetheless that she was relieved she would not have to fight tooth and nail over this much longer.

"I know your son. If I walk in with you in those stores, I would bet my foot we won't walk out without half of it in each. And knowing the overly eagerness in generosity from your son, I'm suspicious of your intentions, Julie-san."
Julie crossed her arms at her.

"Even if we were to, I'm allowed to buy whatever I want, aren't I?"

"Obviously. For you."

Her agreement provoked a short-lived winning face in Julie-san expression when she added.

"But there would have no need of me being there. And unless I mistook your cues of earlier, Julie-san, you were hardly thinking about shopping when you proposed we'd go."

She was coming a little hard, knowing how she barely knew Ren's mother, but if she hoped to escape the clear plans shining in her adversary eyes, she had to beat the iron when it was hot.

Julie gaped at her for a whole two seconds before challenging with eyes just a tint too much accentuated to feel natural.

"How do you know it was not the occasion that tied the two knots? Isn't it a bit presumptuous?"

Kyoko crossed her arms too, and nodded.

"It is. Kinda. And I will bow and apologize if I'm wrong. But I can't hardly be naive about it if I wanna stop what I suspect."

"I might just have wished to have your companionship and have had some clothes to buy, Kyoko-chan. Isn't it a bit rude?"

She pressed and Kyoko resisted the urge to apologize once more and the irk it provoked in her if she had been wrong and was actually being incredibly presumptuous and impolite.

She looked into Julie's eyes seriously.

"Alright. Then, would you tell me what you were planning to buy, please?"

It wouldn't make up for her rudeness but there was no need to not be as pleasant as possible when not directly on the upfront matters.

Ren's mother stood frozen, silenced, and tightening her arms for a second, clearly unable to retort anything.

"You know, in this family we like to spoil our friends and guests, it is hardly fair."

What was unfair was to pull out that card out of her casket. She refrained to say it, though.

"I'm your guest. But I cannot say I know you enough already to have the honour to be called your friend, Julie-san. Though, I would love for it to be the case, one day."

She saw the stare directed at her soften at her spoken words. She meant it, she would love to know Ren's mother better and she didn't want Julie to think she didn't want to spend time with her. So, she was immensely relieved when – despite the slight furrow still present, Julie-san had appeared to have understood.

"Still." she insisted again, "Are you sure?"

Kyoko shook her head, smiling despite herself. Ren's mother hadn't used puppy eyes. And she was sure it wasn't because she wanted to go easy on her. More like she wanted to play fair. Or so it seemed.

"It would only be fair to treat you after all you did…"

She let out, clearly throwing her last card out.

Yet, Kyoko still shook her head.

"Ren oversold what I did, it should not count, truly."

Out of luck, Julie just looked at her pointedly, and it was her turn to throw off her last cards to the ground.

"The last time I went to a store with your son, he bought me ten pants," Kyoko started, lifting her index, "and when I fought him about it and managed to make him return eight of them, he returned with 30 tops. If your shopping spree if only as half the same as your son – and I'm sure you wouldn't hide the common floor you have with him – , then I won't enter any of those stores with you. Especially with how outrageously priceless things must be there."

"That seems quite reasonable…" slipped Julie in a mumble, thinking aloud, and Kyoko shuddered at the prospect of what it could mean. Ren's mother looked sheepishly at her, suddenly aware of her blunder.

"I'm afraid he did take after me on this front. Though, him is just a smidge compared to me." The last statement made Kyoko blanched a bit.

Her sigh of defeat was promising, however. But Kyoko decided to put one last nail, just be sure she had foregone temptation. She concurred Julie-san former sparkling face with her own, grinning nefariously.

"Let's be clear. The only way I enter any of those stores with you, Julie-san – she stretched – , "is… If you leave your wallet, your cards, your phone and disguised yourself before going in or if we go in a shop that doesn't know you, and if I'm the one to pay."

She added when she saw her enthusiasm rising again, and she wondered if she had missed a payment method in her list. Wallet and cards check. Phone and codes, out. And if she came disguised, she couldn't use her name to put payment for later or at plate name. But seeing how much she had perked up, Kyoko guessed she had.

Few. I nearly failed to escape this one.

But now, she just knew what to do. Best idea ever.

"Anything and everything you take, I'll pay. You can always reimburse any article you wanted later but you won't know in advance how much I paid and I won't promise I'll give you the right one. Most likely won't."

Ren's mother stumbled back, aghast and utterly K.O.

"That is so unfair… How did you even think to – "

Kyoko grinned, much pleased with herself.

"Just using the very own Hizuri medicine, nothing fancy. You tried to unnecessarily spoil me, I'll go reverse Uno and will be the one to do it."

She groaned and lifted her hands in the air, reluctantly, making Kyoko laugh.

"I cave. That would defeat the whole purpose, anyway, so no, please."

Victory.

She exited the car, at last, and Julie-san locked it by reflex, before looking at her with perplexity.

"But if we are not – "

Kyoko smiled, hoping her olive branch would be well received.

"Well, I won't go into a cloth shop with you but it doesn't mean we can't go anywhere," she said, "I have a proposition for you."

Her idea finished to distract Julie from any impossible spoiling – if she was to account for the glow in Julie's eyes at the idea – , which had exactly been the purpose of that, and they walked away.

§§§

In truth, Kyoko's idea had been simple. She had thought a little thing for Ren and his parents for the occasion could be fun. Something to commemorate their reunion. For both Ren's parents and him. She had not been as thorough in her explanation to her companion, though. She had just proposed her to look for a present for Ren together. She had also hinted she could look for something for Kuu-san too. Kyoko herself wouldn't have dared to pick something, not knowing what Ren's dad might have liked, besides food.

For the family gift, however, she already had an idea, had kinda thought of it while looking to buy a picture album online. So, she had a couple of places in mind.

And as they strolled by the streets, Julie showed her around, pointing restaurants she knew – especially the ones with big menus – , shops and areas she had friends working into, famous concept stores that had just opened. Underlining her awareness Kyoko might not have the time to visit any of those, any time soon, she thought it could still be a good idea for her to already know the good places to go to, were she to come back in L.A. for work or otherwise in the future.

Touched by the thought, she carefully listened through it all, hoping she would have the occasion to come back, and visit for herself those areas.

Until Kyoko spotted one of the very promising places she had been hoping to identify.

"Julie-san, would you mind if we went into this one?"She enquired, lifting a hand to designate the venture on the opposite pavement side. She smiled eagerly at her before crossing the road at the next pedestrian crosswalk. Ren's mother followed after her, looking a little sceptical, if Kyoko dared to say. Which she couldn't blame her for. It was not your typical shining store facade. The forefront was narrow and little compared to those mammoth-like boutiques on each side of it, and the natural tones that coloured the signboard of the store, stood out like a sore thumb. Particularly compared to those bright – nearly fluorescent – colours of all the shop ventures around.

When they reached the humble window front, however, she noticed a couple of lights embedded in the showcase window's ground, casting a warm glow on wood shelves, a whole decor, and what they were packed with. She grinned, it was even better it had seemed on their site. Granted, the online store hadn't delivered much information, and it was shared they didn't take special orders via it. You had to visit on location for anything not directly available and check directly with the tenant for specifics.

She glanced on her side, about to address Ren's mother but she was cut by her just before she could speak.

"You'd like to check it out?"

She nodded.

"If it is no trouble, that is." She added, worried she would make her wait.

Julie waved her concern away with her hand, and smiled at her.

"Do you have something in mind?"

"Yes. I'll try to be fast as possible but it could take a little while." She admitted. "So, if you are not interested, please feel free to leave me here, and go shop on your own. You can just tell me where you are and I'll join you when I'm done." Kyoko added, hoping it would ease Julie-san enough so that she wouldn't feel like she was abandoning her if she decided to go, and so she wouldn't get bored either staying there. That was only part of the reason, of course. She had half the mind to manage to make what she had in mind a surprise for the whole family. And if she stayed with her, it would not be doable. She was resigned to the other possibility. But she could still try.

It seemed to tempt Ren's mother for a good couple of seconds and the way her eyes shined looked dangerously scary – making her glad she didn't know what she was thinking – , before she shook her head.

"I'm actually interested, so I'd like to stay with you."

That ruled out making it fully a surprise, she guessed. But it didn't mean it couldn't be just as good. She pushed the door open and they entered.

A man of a certain age sat on the far side of the centre desk, way behind and mostly more part of the rear shop – but not quite – , barely visible as he was. He was also deadly silent and focused on something in his hands, but Kyoko stopped paying attention to him next moment, too blown away as she looked around. She had had a vague idea of what was sold here. But there was clearly much more variety than portrayed on the website.

Countless wood figurines sat on the left rows. Some represented people, others, sea animals like turtles, dolphins or rays, shells, but there were also classical pets like cats and dogs and colourful painted birds. It was also very elaborate. More rarely, she picked a couple invented creatures. Some terrifying, others very enthralling. What had captivated her online, and sparked her imagination, though, were the ones mixing wood and glass.

Those were the ones that brought her here.

She looked at the few behind the transparent doors of a demure but solid display case made of glass. Seeking attentively for something coming even remotely to what she had in mind.

Julie-san came near to get a peek as well.

"Those are truly outstanding."

She marvelled, as she made the turn of the case.

Kyoko nodded, giving an astute smile to her, just as she guided her steps to the counter.

She reached it and let her fingers trace the blue shades of crystalline glass curving into the huge mass of solid oak that was the lowered counter. The natural tones the tree had had before the construction of this piece of art, had been first enhanced, before polishing the surface and washing it down to lighter hues. Or so it gave the impression. She was, of course, no expert, the only reason she could even describe that was because she had to pick tonalities when she had renovated her house. The mere but highly probable explanation behind her not being stamped with utter clueless ness about it. Instead, she was of the neophyte kind, maybe.

As she admired the way the blues shined at every shadow moving, every inclination of light or sun even whispering the tiniest of reflection through the glass – even when each round corner of wood stopped its progression – , she wondered if the choices of smoothing the tones lighter, were to highlight the out-of-time feel of the furniture.

Or if the intention had been to underline the true nature of this counter carved in half a circle. As, between all the ups and downs, turns and smooth lines curling, between the glimmers of blue and the spans of brown, through the curves of the wood, shined out an ocean wave. As if extirpated from the Sea itself. The shape so well designed your brain pained to register what it had in front of the eyes until it was so there, you couldn't see anything else.

The artisan would not need anything else to portray their skills. It was right here, right then. Just that counter would have sufficed shouting how high the talent you needed to use to be able to blow such value out in the open.

She heard the moment Julie finally realized what had been under their nose all this time, and saw the little smirk blooming on the man, still sitting in the far corner. Clearly, making so part of the room it escaped your sight, before swallowing you all in its pull, has been a crafted intention.

"I'm starting to understand why you were attracted to this shop."

Ren's mother mumbled out as she, too, let her eyes and hands drifted out the artful structure.

They waited patiently the man would deem coming to them. Well, her, mostly. When Kyoko peeked on her right, she saw the calm of Julie Hizuri was quiet remotely faked. She was positively shaking with curiosity. Sometimes directed at her – which her words did not miss to communicate on her questions concerning the idea of Kyoko – , sometimes directed at the man. And she wondered how much of an iron will he must have had to resist the pull of insistent eyes locked onto him, begging him to look up and come, analysing his every move, his every twitch.

But she was sure he wouldn't be the artist at the origin of those wonderful art pieces if he couldn't focus so immersive-ly in whatever work he was working on in his hands.

At last, the man stood. He looked as collected and calm as if nothing peculiar were afoot, if not for the slight pull on one corner of his lips, returned once more. He made his way to them with all the ease and comfort in the world, a one hundred and eighty degree contrast to the Duracell bunny that was Ren's mother by her side.

This little display of what she supposed was part of whom Julianna Hizuri was, permitted her to collect more information and get to a new understanding. Her son's patience and calm -in the adult man she had come to know all those years, as she ignored how he acted when he was a child besides their brief encounter – , had not been inherited from her. Of that, she was sure. Julie-san was having a huge trouble staying calm. If her excitement, little tap of fingers, little tap of feet, were of any indication. It wasn't of the rude kind – Kyoko might dare say – , and she didn't look upset. She was still smiling and it was genuine, too. But she looked ready to leap, to take action. To go on a whirlwind of things if she was honest.

Yet, she was also a glorious glamorous top model of a woman, so she would only allow her fingers moving in slow but repetitive caress of the wood. A repositioning of her stand and one foot tilting up and down, sometimes. And the occasional crossing of her arms, in a high-poised shift. All of those carried in a leisure studied lushness and dignity. Always measured, never rushed or frantic, and she questioned if she was conscious or not on her part.

Nonetheless, her impatience was as fresh and evident as dew in the morning. You wouldn't be able to miss it, the moment you looked.

It was with great pleasure, thus, that she noticed the final shift of arms from Julie-san, when the man eventually moved. Just a tad less gracious than before.

She wondered if then, Kuu was the one Ren had inherited his calm collected self.

As they watched him approach, Kyoko realized he was far sturdier than she had thought. Once standing, it was clear his tall stature was as clear as day, as well as how active in his life he was. If he hadn't had more than a couple wrinkles, she would have downgraded her somewhat slackly appreciation of his age to barely 35.

"Hi. What can I do for you, ladies?"He asked smoothly when he reached the counter, just in front of them.

"Hello, Sir. I'd like to make some specific orders to you. Some combining crystal glass and wood, to be precise."

The man nodded.

"That is possible. What would you have in mind?"

Kyoko asked him a pencil and a sheet of paper and drafted a couple of quick drawings on it, Julie eagerly watching over her shoulder and making 'ohhh' and 'awww', at times. And she didn't mind at first, because it was the parts she knew Ren's mother had to know about, since they were picking the gift together. But the second and third parts needed to be a surprise, so she shooed Julie away when that time came. She used the other side of the sheet to draw more but quickly realizing she wouldn't have enough room, asked for more paper.

Once she was done, she gave the second sheet to the artisan and he looked at it with acute attention. She checked Julie-san was away from earshot enough, though she was sulking, before turning back to the man.

"Those aren't urgent and you can take your time with them, I'd just like to have them before December time, if possible."

She slid as lowly as possible.

The gruffed out a nod, his interest peaked.

"Totally manageable. You'd like them in colour, with shapes inside the glasses as resembling as possible, I gather."

She quickly confirmed it with her head.

"If it is inspired from people and you want them looking even remotely like them, I'd need a model."

"It is. I'd ask her once we have confirmed this. My second order has the same feature in that matter."

"Alright."

His tone, as conniving as his smirk was as low as hers.

"How many?"

"Three of those," she started and after some prolonged hesitation as she caved to her inner silent longing, "and four of those."

He took a notebook and scribed in it the specifics.

"I also liked two of your wood picture albums I saw displayed," she added in another whisper.

He wrote it down before lifting smart eyes to her.

"I've got some in the back boutique, I can wrap them up for you right now."

"That would help a great deal."

He proceeded to do just that, and came back moments later with a thick package wrapped in brown layers of paper and sturdy thread of cords. He put them aside and looked at her, waiting for her other sheet.

"Julie-san," she called out softly and Ren's mother joined them back.

She presented the paper to her, letting her look further on what had been just outlined earlier. She proceeded to explain what her idea had been, then.

"I had thought one could have been for you and Kuu-san and one for your son."

Her tone low, so that the man – who had had the delicacy to let them on their own while they chatted- wouldn't hear if Julie-san thought it too risky.

"Is that supposed to be us three?" she asked and Kyoko nodded. "The artisan said he'll need a picture if we want it more resembling," she added.

She kept her eyes trained on Julie-san as the latter observed her sketches in further silence and ponder, until a frown marred her sophisticated face, and Kyoko started to worry. She wasn't too bad in drawing but she knew she was not the best either, and it was quickly done. But it could also be she didn't find it to her tastes.

"If you think something else might be better, I don't mind, Julie-san. I thought it could be a fun thing but – "

Ren's mother suddenly looked back at her with worry, before a soft expression graced her face.

"No, I love it. Don't worry."

Kyoko looked at her face, hoping she'd be able to decipher if she were honest or not but understanding she might not know Ren's mother enough for that, yet. As far as she could tell, though, her words were genuine.

"Do you think both of them would love it too?"

She knew Ren might indulge her. But she wasn't sure he would like it in this context, linked to his parents, nor if his father would.

Julie smiled at her.

"Yes. I think it is a wonderful idea." She added and traced the contours of her sketches. "And it is super cute."

A sigh of relief escaped her, glad she was somewhat approving, and they called back the artisan to share the other sheet.

"But – … Could I suggest one modification?" Julie-san asked, just they finished explaining their demand to the crafter.

She nodded instantly, not truly understanding why Julie-san was even asking. She had proposed her to make it a gift from them both, originally, anyway. It was only fair she got to give her tastes and opinions in it.

"Yes, of course."

"Since it is your idea – ," Ren's mother started, "I think you should be part of it too."

Eh?

She lifted her hands, her body already trying to push back the idea before she could even have processed what she wanted to say exactly.

"No, no, I shouldn't. It's supposed to be a gift for your family."

Ren's mother frowned again, just like before.

"But this gift wouldn't be born without you – "

"But – "

"And I'd really like for you to be in it too."

She pulled out the puppy eyes and Kyoko fought her damn right to resist, until Ren's mother added.

"And I'm sure Kuu and Ren would love it that much more if you are part of it."

She really didn't know how she could be so sure of that. She barely knew her. She was just her son's friend. And granted, maybe Kuu had told her about her at some point in the past, but it didn't mean any of them would want her in that gift, especially with the meaning she was going with.

"I'm not that sure that is… I mean, this is supposed to be for you three, I have no room in any of that, besides in the offering part – "

But then, Ren's mother face softened, and very delicately she took her left hand in her elegant warm fingers.

"Both my son and my husband think very highly of you, Kyoko-chan," she said, "It doesn't come out of nowhere. And I'd be honoured if you accepted to be part of this."

Ah, it truly was Ren's Mum, indeed. She had just been flowered with compliments, just like that.

Thrown off balance by the unexpected sweet attack, she tried to muster another attempt on the arguments side, but only sputtered.

She guessed her companion could still see her remaining reluctance because she pursued her determined march on her caving. And she smiled at her, in an oddly comforting way.

"You don't have to be always so afraid of being a bother. It is truly okay."

She felt a sensitive cord twinging inside of her at Julie-san reassuring words, and knew she was beginning to sport a charmed defeated smile on her face, unable to resist the warm persistence of Ren's mother assurance. She wondered how she had figured so perfectly how to convince her it would truly be alright, as the last drop of fight left her.

"I'm the one asking and proposing after all," Julie-san finished, putting the last nail in the coffin of her acceptance, and she nodded.

"I concur the sentiment," slipped the artisan who had kept respectful silence during the last of their discussion, and he had a peculiar twinkle in their eye. "It will be better with you."

Kyoko gave him a frowning unpressed look, wanting to grumble a slight displeasure at the clear depiction of 'picking sides'. She contented herself with a gaze that displayed she knew what the man was doing, eventually, and silence.

Julie beamed at him with grateful eyes.

"Would a picture be possible?"He then asked and Julie – san pulled out a picture of her and Kuu-san, and another of Ren with his natural hair, most probably from when he was around the age he left. If she was to judge the grim-kinda-forced smile he had on his face. Her heart burnt at the sight, she truly hated the sight of him in such a state of sadness.

Not the time, Kyoko.

She took a huge gulp of air, pulling herself together.

Once the pictures drew, she slipped them on the counter and to the man. Which nodded and in return looked towards Kyoko.

"Could I have one of yours, too? It would be easier."

She shuffled a bit, still at lost at this new twist of situation before saying.

"I don't have any on me, but – … You can take one if you need it."

Once that done, she went for the last piece she needed from him.

"For the second order, you can send it to my address when it is done, as we talked earlier."

She paused after the man nodded in confirmation, wondering what could be possible.

"For the first one, however… I don't suppose you could have it done under a week, right?" It was mostly rhetorical, truly. He was a crafting artist, and with the quality of his oeuvres, he certainly had a ton of orders to fulfil first. She expected him to only be able to have the first command products done in several weeks, if she was honest.

So, she was truly surprised when he cut her thoughts by those words.

"Actually, it might be possible."

She blinked at him.

"Seriously?"

He nodded.

"You are in luck. I am going on a holiday in a little less than a week and I finished my last order of the season before them."

Seeing both of their stares, he added.

"I was even going to open only two-three hours a day during this week. Honestly, even getting to pick the right time when I was open today was impressive of you." He said with a wink. "One hour later i would have been closed, and one hour ago, i was still not opened."

Kyoko frowned, and by her side, she saw Ren's mother coming to the same conclusion.

"That is awesome, but – " started the latter and Kyoko hummed a disappointed nod.

That was indeed very fortunate, but it was still coming just short with the time, and she told the man as much. They were supposed to stay four days and leave on the early morning of the fifth one, and one had already passed. They both would leave in three days.

He pondered and replied.

"Challenging but I think I can make it work."

"Truly?"Gasped out Julie-san. "But that such a short amount of time, how would you – "

He smiled.

"For one piece, I will need around two hours for the rough work, three more for the detailed wood work, which is the part that will define the wood completion into recognizable shapes." The craftsman explained, counting the time on his fingers. "Then maybe two, or three hours at most, for the colouring part if it gets tricky. And the glass being quite easy for what you asked, it won't take me more than a couple more hours, too."

Lifting two fingers, he showed his hand to them in a victory sign as he finished.

"It will be full days but presuming all goes well, I could make one piece per day, so have the two pieces of our first order by the end of the second one. Or at worse, by the third."
Both of the women gaped at him, and Kyoko felt even guilty, feeling he was pushing himself to be able to present the order to them in such a short time.

"It might be quite intense, though. Are you sure you want to – "

"I agree," added Ren's mother, "we'd like to have them soon, but not to the price of someone health."

He grinned at them, and Kyoko had the impression it was less professional but more good-natured than when they had entered the shop.

"That's kind of you to concern yourself with my well-being, ladies, but those days would still be way more laid-back some other can be."

But when they only frowned further, he snorted a little and pursued with this bit.

"If it helps, the project genuinely interests me so it would be a quite fun ride, not just a forced one. So, it would be a pleasure to spend my time on this for the next couple of days."

That only reassured her a little. The man would not be bored, as he sometimes could be with some of his clients' orders, apparently. Great. Didn't lessen the work load. And she still felt he was pushing him, making her regret to have mentioned when they left. Not that it should be her concern, and he did look in shape and was there to do his job. But she just could not help herself.

"I would still take your money, you know. And with all your ordered, it will cost you thick." He said with a cheeky smile unbecoming on a man his age, and as if to reassure them.

"We would hope so." Both Kyoko and Julie said at once. Which spurred an outright laugh from the artisan this time.

And right after that, they moved to payment, Kyoko settling the second order as well, and – after rough negotiations with Julie-san– she managed to pay in full the piece that would be for her and Kuu-san, but had to share the price of the one that would belong to Ren. But she resigned herself. She was already impressed she had succeeded into getting away with as much, knowing this family overgenerous tendencies. And Ren's mother hadn't discovered one bit of what the other order was. Which she could be proud of, all things considered.

They bid their goodbye to the shop's owner afterwards, and, carrying the wrapped albums under her arm, she left with Julie.

PS: Well, well, well... Look who is back. I know, a while passed. And my chapters are becoming monsters, so it is harder. I have you know this one was supposed to be 20k words. So, I just had to cut it into two parts. You will have the second part next time. I just wish you could see what i have planned for you all. And yes, sometimes i'm smirking alone in my corner, imagining your reactions. Afraid this author is sadistic and crazy, can't help with that, it is too late.

Have fun with this chapter and see you soon hopefully. I hope you will love my take on this and i can't wait to read your kind reviews.

I hope you are having a wonderful beginning of year, and that 2024 will be amazing for you all. Kisses.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.