Chapter 1

Ren took the glass of champagne that was offered to him. He smiled kindly at the waitress, making her to tremble slightly, a reaction betrayed by the movement of the sparkling liquid in the glasses. "Thank you," he said simply. Since his adolescence, Ren had often provoked these panicked reactions in members of the opposite sex. It was worse since he had become Ren Tsuruga, the most famous actor and the most sought-after bachelor in the archipelago. However, Ren had more affinity with the waitresses than with these capricious actresses who courted him assiduously. He liked simplicity and calm. But he was doing his best to hide this trait of character because it hardly suited his role of perfect gentleman. Japan's number 1 actor couldn't be a lonely bear!

Such was the price of Ren Tsuruga's success, living someone else's life while hiding deep inside everything that defined him. But he was an actor and a good one, it was in his genes, he was born to be an actor, and he played his role of perfect man to perfection.

The character of Ren Tsuruga, as he had created it, was his fantasy, the person he would have liked to be. Kind, polite, always radiant, this role's perfection had annoyed him a lot at first. Now he played it without thinking about it, he had learned a lot by playing this role. Learned the happiness of doing his job, learned the complicity and the moments shared with other people, his manager, his colleagues. By playing his role of perfect guy, Ren had gained inner peace and a certain serenity.

Tonight, Ren attended the movie awards ceremony. He was nominated for the best actor for his character "Katsuki" in Dark Moon, a hugely successful remake of a 20-year-old series. He was proud to be nominated for this role because he had worked a lot to find his Katsuki. He had come out of his reserve and used the insolence of the one he really was to bring this character to life. Moreover, playing Katsuki had helped him to untangle his own feelings. Champagne in hand he approached his manager, Yukihito Yoshiro, in deep conversation with the director of Dark Moon, Ogata-san. The young man greeted them politely and joined the conversation. Just like him, the two men wore black tuxedos. Director Ogata seemed nervous, he was playing with the last button of his jacket, Ren wondered if the button would survive the evening. Dark Moon was nominated for best series, enough to make the director Ogata, so fragile, extremely nervous. In addition, the show was compared to the one from 20 years ago whose director was none other than Ogata-san's father. This gave a personal dimension to this award event. That said, Ren was not worried, he was sure that the director would be perfect when the time came. He too was nervous, he did not like speeches and did not care about awards, the stage was his only motivation.

Suddenly Ren twitched, the actresses of Dark Moon arrived in the room, laughing. As they approached them, Ren was captivated by the vision of his Kouhai, in her mouse gray evening dress the paleness of her complexion stood out. Her high heels highlighted the slenderness of her legs and the necklace she wore brought out the delicacy of her neck. Her light makeup enhanced her features and brightened her complexion. Yes, tonight Kyoko was stunningly beautiful. For Ren it was already too late, he had loved Kyoko for over a year, maybe forever if he counted their meeting in Kyoto on the creek's side when they were children 10 years ago.

Ren's feelings for Kyoko were totally irrational, they had started out as enemies before becoming friends. Despite his despise for the young woman's first motivations, he had fallen in love with her, or rather fallen back in love with her. Seeing her so beautiful tonight, he was proud of his little Kyoko-Chan. Unfortunately, she was allergic to love and he himself, eaten up by guilt, was resistant to this feeling. In short, the current situation, him the sempai, her the kouhai, suited him for the moment. Well, not quite if he wanted to be honest with himself...

Tonight, Kyoko was nominated for her role as "Mio" in Dark Moon, as best supporting actress, and she was nervous. No, she was terrified! Terrified of getting the award, of not getting it, of tripping over with her damn high heels! In short, the sight of her beloved sempai gave her back some serenity. For her, Ren Tsuruga was a model to be equaled on a professional level. She would have liked to say that that was all there was, but she had to admit it, she had fallen head over heels for him. Oh, it hadn't happened all at once, but this man had managed to foil all the traps and cut all the chains that surrounded her heart. And if that was all… Their rapprochement during the filming of his latest film, Tragic Maker, had allowed her to see her sempai from a different angle. An angle that showed him as he was: handsome, sexy, desirable. And that was too much for her. You don't desire your senpai, that's not right. So, these last few weeks, she was torn between her desire to see him and her need to flee from him... In the end, she couldn't avoid him anymore tonight.

He smiled at her kindly, magnificent in his black tuxedo, he was elegance made man.

- Good evening Tsuruga-san, how are you?

- Very well, you look radiant Mogami-san. I congratulate you on your nomination. I am proud of you.

- Oh, wait until I win to be proud. I'm just a beginner, I don't think I'll get the prize. You, on the other hand, I'm sure you'll win, everyone was impressed by your character.

- It was thanks to your help that I was able to catch the personality of Katsuki. I will always be grateful to you, Mogamis-san.

- No, not at...

She was cut by Ren's manager who came to compliment her on her outfit, which frustrated Ren who would have liked to be the only one who could tell her how beautiful and elegant she was.

Then the awards ceremony began, the entire Dark Moon team was gathered and Ren managed to take a seat between Itsumi-san and Kyoko without looking too suspicious.

As the evening progressed, Kyoko was becoming more and more tense. Ren, who was looking at her furtively, couldn't help but measure the distance that his heart's chosen one had traveled in just a year. He strangely felt a certain pride in it.

Kyoko had landed at the LME, and in his life, to become famous. Out of revenge! To get revenge on the singer Sho Fuwa more precisely. Along the way she had found a passion for comedy and had developed her natural talent for theater. This Kyoko, who was nominated tonight at the Night of the Stars of Cinema, was miles away from the Kyoko of last year. In her private life too the evolution was impressive, she had managed to straighten up after the disavowal of her childhood sweetheart and she had made many friends including Kanae, her best friend, also a member of the outrageous Love me section.

Ren had first hated this young girl who was sullying the acting profession by using it to get revenge on a man. Then he had recognized in Kyoko the little girl he had met 10 years ago in Kyoto and had let himself be moved by his memories and Kyoko's sweetness. And the more the young girl surprised him with a new character, the more he fell in love. He could only hope to see this formidable actress blossom. That is why, understanding the young woman's stress, he was confident about the results of the evening.

He leaned toward her, shook her hand briefly, and whispered:

- Everything will be okay, just stay calm and everything will be fine.

He knew she had worked on her speech with Lory, the eccentric president of the LME, their boss. The latter was very proud of Kyoko's evolution. He knew how to find gold nuggets among his employees. Ren had been one of these nuggets, Kyoko and Kanae were the next generation.

Finally, the expected moment arrived, after recalling the nominees for the second actress, the host opened the envelope and read... Kyoko's name. The latter panicked when she felt her Sempai's hand squeeze her wrist, this kind gesture gave her the courage to get up, climb those steps made dangerous by her high heels and approach the microphone. She delivered her speech which was very applauded and statuette in hand, she returned to her place. She had done it! She had won! Around her the entire Dark Moon team were congratulating her. Her sempai was congratulating her! While she was only a humble beginner! Intoxicated by success and relieved, she sat back next to Ren. He smiled at her, with his real smile, the one that could damn a saint, she smiled back and turned her attention to the stage where the evening continued.

Then it was Ren's turn to receive his award. He stood up and with a fluid movement walked towards the microphone. For 4 years he had been nominated and he had won the trophy every year, so it was with casual ease that he gave his speech. Kyoko was moved when he thanked her, she herself had thanked him a lot in her own speech. While he was on the stage, haloed by the light of the spotlights, she thought he looked like an angel. Yes, if angels existed somewhere, they must look like her sempai.

The archangel stepped down from the stage and returned to his place beside her. It was time to nominate the best series. Director Ogata was livid. Kyoko and Istumi-san tried to comfort him. Ren simply said these words to him:

- This is your victory, yours alone. Not your father's.

The director relaxed and when his name was announced he stood up and walked proudly to receive his statuette. His speech was perfect to the great satisfaction of his team who knew his difficulties in speaking in public.

The night was drawing to a close and the Dark Moon team was celebrating their victory at the party organized after the ceremony. It was time for photos, congratulations and champagne. Only Kyoko was not allowed because she was still a minor, she would be 18 in two months. Two and a half months, to be more precise. That was the deadline that Ren had given himself to confess his feelings to her. He had even thought about how to proceed. For the moment, he was trying to drag Kijima-san, who was made clingy by the champagne, away from his Kyoko.

At the party Ren was introduced to a famous Hollywood producer. The latter was looking for a Japanese actor to star in his next film and Ren has awaken his interest. They agreed on an audition in November, a month from now, in Los Angeles. Ren was perplexed, he was torn between the desire to film in Hollywood and the fear of facing his old life back home in the US.

As the evening slowly ended, Ren and Yashiro-san offered to drop Kyoko off at her flat. She accepted and they said goodbye to their friends. On the way Ren let his phone choose the music for him. Massive attack. At this late hour, it blended in with the deserted concrete landscape that was Tokyo. It was nice. They spoke little along the way. In front of her house, he told her again how proud he was of her. He went out, opened the door for her and led her to the door. There he said goodnight and kissed her on the forehead. He didn't see her blush. She murmured a vague thank you Tsuruga-san and disappeared into the restaurant where she was renting a room.

Ren came home remembering the smell of her hair... 2 and a half months!