CHAPTER 55

I do not own skip beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

The Christmas ball

Cozying around -part 2-

Hello there, enjoy the chapter. Kekeke. This part of the story isn't finished yet.

Casters rolled and rolled on the slick floor disturbing her peacefulness and ticking her as some irrepressible chuckled could be heard through the mike. No doubt to which it belonged to.

The maddening man then proceeded in calling people to stand up and come with their envelopes, to open them, give their coupon and start rolling the Wheel-of-Gifts.

And little by little each guest stood and went to spin the silver-blue wheel. Getting all sort of things. Make-up set, an adventure day at a park, tickets for amusement park, concerts tickets, A prepping day, some spa days again, A collection of the most popular shows of the moment and on.

All this time, Kyoko opened only opened her eyes back two times, in the shadows as she was she didn't to pretend and she feeling a little drowsy. Once when she heard the whispers of many women at some other corner of the room when Ren came back just before the wheel started to swirl.

And a second time when an excited gasped rang out and a man all but ran to Ren wagging high in the air a bright golden tickets looking a bit like hers. She had seen Ren congratulating him and had guessed he had won one of the trips hidden in the wheel.

She had smiled watching the sincere smile and affection on her friend's face as his overly too excited comrade barely contained shimming in joy. She recollected with a start, the man had also won third place. Now, she got why he was that happy. He had been lucky enough to won two main prices tonight.

His friend looked like he was the bubbly cute kind and she repressed a giggle. Ren sure needed those kinds of friends to pull in out of his broody silent self.

They had apparently already switched to the five winners of the night while she wasn't paying attention and now it was Ren's turn. He got up and walked to Lory's side in his gracious sexy walk and played the game with an amused smile on the face. And blatantly ignoring the grinning Lory behind him as he was making the wheel turn. She was impressed. It would have itched her all the while she would have been day to hide away or just get some distance knowing the crazy faces he would have been making in her back.

Ren won a VK game experience, a diner paid by LME and with someone of their choice, a premium sport set, a collection of the most popular music of the moment and an outfit paid and chosen by LME.

Ren's smile turned very bright at this one while the expression of the man behind shifted to madness.

He thanked the president and LME for the gifts very politely and regained his seat on some red cushion at the left side of the room.

She sighed as she realized it was her turn but diligently made her way to the president with an expression she hoped only contain a neutral smile and not urge to flee and awkwardness she felt.

The president asked her to open her envelope and give one coupon as a time before making the wheel spin. Kyoko executed herself.

As he did for the guests before, he announced the gifts loudly each time the pointer stopped. Feeling his glee in her back was indeed unnerving and she forced herself to stay relaxed.

"A spa day" he told with a little pout but Kyoko was happy, it would be very relaxing and it was the kind of things she didn't take the time to do. So it could be very nice.

"A sweets day" he said which apparently consisted of a tour of the best sweets and sweets shop of Tokyo. She pinched her lips, puzzled. She liked sweets, she did, too much even but it would be bad for her diet. Still, it wasn't every day you were offered that sort of stuff and she still loved culinary things. She would just need to do extra training the next day, she guessed.

"A pets day" followed and she glowed joyfully at that, she loved animals, it promised to be fun.

"An adventure day" said the president, fully sulking now and she grinned internally, it would compensated the sweets one. She would need to try to fit the two close in time to each other.

One of the numerous weekend somewhere in Japan and a collection of books were the final ones and she saw how difficultly the president contain his disappointment, wondering what else was it in there that could have suit the president tastes. She shuddered at the possibilities. But he perked fast back up and Kyoko didn't like what his renew of enthusiasm hided.

She made her thanks, feeling properly undeserving of all the gifts. She didn't do anything that could ever make it right to receive all of those amazing presents but she knew it was the game and she hadn't a voice into it.

Her boss then made a short speech about how and when the gifts or tickets could be retrieve and Kyoko took the opportunity to retreat to her seat quietly.

It was nearly 3 am and it was also the moment for the guests that didn't desire to remain, were too tired or had things to do in the morning to leave. Some had warned the president they couldn't remain through the end and now that everyone had at least had their round at the Wheel-of Gifts, a fair share needed to leave. That's how soon and little by little and finally at least three quarters of the people bid their goodbyes and good wishes before slowly leaving.

There was a floating moment while the remaining guests chatted together and were served or proposed a new service of hot beverages with this time hot red wine as an option and Kyoko finally got her cup of cocoa to warm her insides.

The silver wheel had been put away after some time and only remained daringly and painfully pink in the heart of the room, the Wheel-of-Traps. But contrary to the silver one, you couldn't see anything. Long stripes of white paper covered what could have given any indication on what was to be expected out this pink gaudy thing.

Then after some more time, the first fifteen people having been discovered were asked to come for some indications of last minute and soon the second and first place winner too.

They then asked out of them the most ridiculous request: To each put on some paper the names of at least two people they completely trust, safety people they called them. And to also put the names of a few, between 3 and five, they appreciated enough or enjoyed to spend time with but not necessarily trusted as much. Then to close the paper from prying eyes and give it to the organizers.

When they asked why, the only answer they got was that the wheel-of-Traps cur-gifts were about giving and receiving of some sort and thus always involved several people at once. The papers, one of the organizers had said at the time while dangling them in the air after collecting them, were their safety net from things they wouldn't absolutely want to do with people they didn't know at all.

The seventeen people presented had paled a little before going back to their respective cushions.

But they had barely made half of the way back to those when the president took the mike again.

"Now to everyone still there", started the president, "before we begin, I'd like to ask for a small arrangement".

"As you can see", the president explained with a wave in direction of the vacant seats and a shook of the head, "we lost a lot of our companions". And he still wondered why more people couldn't tell him the change they had made earlier didn't fit with them or wasn't possible. He had even taken the time to ask them. This tendency their culture had to not speak up was something than though Japanese himself he had never understood.

"We are barely a little more than one hundred now, 120 maybe, and the ballroom is far too large to be spread all around with so little people", the president continued, "so if you could all draw closer your pillows to make little circles of five to ten cushions that would all round the wheel at the centre, It would be a lot funnier for everyone" demanded Lory.

All guests easily complied, dragged or grabbed their cushions to bring them all forth and around while helped by some assistants, the president removed the base of the only wheel still present making it a lot smaller, standing on barely one inch-long bottom. Then Lory himself brought a large majestic golden cushion and established elegantly in a crossed-legs position on it, pulling his heavy robes of his costume up to the front.

"Now that we all are in a friendlier seating to enjoy ourselves and discuss", restarted the president with a purposeful pregnant pause and Kyoko sitting still on the right but as everyone much closer than before wasn't sure what exactly he was planning but she could tell he was scheming something, not surprising of course. She sighed and resigned herself to be his little marionette for a little longer tonight.

"Let's the pink wheel twirl" finished the president with a flourish and he swiftly called out the person who was the guest that had been unveiled by the most people.

The man, not quite middle-aged but only just stood and Kyoko recognized him as Takaji, one of the employers of LME that had been barely disguised tonight. He walked slowly to the monstrously pinky thing and made it swirl faintly before it stopped on a triangle of paper dissimulating the trap behind.

An assistant of the president caught the little carton-paper between two fingers and pulled at it to remove it.

And Kyoko thought she could relax when the letters printed out showed A make-over directed by one of the guests remaining here. The president then asked him how at ease the man was with this and depending on his answer, they would either choose from all the guests or from his safe people. He also informed as some last minute information that on some things, guests wouldn't have the choice and it would be directly chose from your safe people or extended. The guests not concerned by this looked around quite lost at those words but excited to what was to come.

The man, that didn't have much a choice, chose the later and was brought to another room with what she guessed, was someone he knew and her boss called the next person.

Her relief was short-lived.

As the people having lost the game scrolled by and more incongruous traps came out.

The first few "traps" that followed still looked alright and if it hadn't been orchestrated by a certain lovemon, she wouldn't have feel edgy about it. It wasn't so bad. It was things like A peck on the cheek of a person chosen or A small hug, Organizing something for the talents of the agency or even something like helping out at the Love me section which seemed pretty good, she was already doing that though the sight of some grimaces was a tell the section got still some reputation. But there was still this je-ne-sais-quoi* feeling of where things were moving so she fixed with eagles' eyes each guest passing and white paper being removed when the pointer would stop with this hunch of an axe ready to fell.

She wasn't disappointed. It escalated quickly and she paled.

The trap turned sneakier as what followed were things like Organizing Valentine's day event of this yearthen Organizing white day event of the twofollowing years, Helping out the president with his costumes dressing roomor even A peck on the lips of a person chosen by LME.

For each trap chosen, it was removed from the wheel thus each time was different and you never knew what next guest would get but to each triangle being removed she could feel the president overjoyed bouncing climbing.

To all guests credits, they all took their curse gracefully though the ones that followed systematically started to specify far before the pink wheel began to twirl, they would only accept their trap with one of their safe people. Kyoko, her, was deeply regretting opening her mouth earlier when they had to give their safe people names.

I was too naïve…

And inevitably, the more stirring and thrilling curses were to come; and came. What could you expect, really, from an addict of love affairs beside improper love meddling. She shouldn't be surprised.

She wasn't thrown off then when a strangled gasp was pulled out loudly from some throat.

It had been Hiou turn. Like for Ren, most people had recognized him she guess on contrary for him, people had took the time to give away his name and not supposed everyone would give it anyway.

Thus, he was in the group of the firsts discovered.

And currently very much gaping and blushing at what was printed out on the wheel.

Kyoko looked back at the wheel, snorting at what it implied despite what she thought of it but shocked she still turned to the president making big accusatory eyes at him. He had dared to put that for a public event.

He was pouting a bit for some weird reason as he looked at the wheel then saw her glaring at him and whistled happily. All his creepy enthusiasm leaking out.

The trap said: Passionate tongue-kissing.

And Kyoko could easily figure out who was maybe the only person he gave on his safe people list.

Though she knew that at some, he could have trust enough to figure on that list too despite his fake hostility toward her in the past but she had been away for so long, it was normal. She hadn't even had the chance to talk to him about Kanae yet.

She observed her dear friend sporting a light hue herself, expecting her to protest loudly and all sort of "moh" to come out at the display of all of this but nothing.

Kyoko put her chin in her hand, chuckling inwardly as a very rigid Hiou made his way to her friend.

Now, that's interesting.

Maybe the love madness of the president would help them and she wouldn't even have to say a word to Hiou, after all.

She peaked between her fingers when it happened seeing her friends flushing a lot and looking all awkward afterward and wished it would suffice to do the trick. Guests applauded a lot, laughing. At least the ones not still concerned by the wheel.

Every remaining people needing to go fetch his/her trap turned nervous and tense, eyeing with bad warily eyes the pink thing, now.

Kyoko wanted to pray to all fairies divinities as new ridiculous traps came about. A normal kiss, A two-days trip with someone chosen by LME, Walking home with someone this evening…

She rolled her eyes at this.

I have six chances, only one out of them is dangerous…it will be okay.

How deeply she regretted it. She had made the mistakes to ask the organizers that whatever her two traps would be, it would only be with the safe people she had put the names on. She hadn't wanted to risk it. And now, it was far worse.

She hadn't expected the president to go so absurdly far. She thought it would silly things. Like the ones asking to organize some events. About love of course but still very much okay. Silly her. So naïve.

She wished for so much for more possibilities, now. More people possible. But no, she had only 6 choices thanks to her stupid mouth. And she had to put his stupid name on this stupid paper.

There were only two people left before her, now. One was Ren and she suddenly wondered what he would get and how well could she pretend she would take whoever it will be with.

A fifteen seconds lip-lock was what the last of the fifteen people unveiled first got and Ren won A one day date with someone chosen by LME which turned out to be with Koga because for some weird reason Ren hadn't said anything about his safe people and true she had found he was a bit lost in thought when he has pushed the wheel.

He had just vaguely watched it turned and hadn't reacted when the little hand-wheel in Ruto-san's hand serving to choose either through the safe people of the guest either through all the remaining guests present the person helping/ receiving the other side of this curse thing had been pulled out so the president's assistant had just do planned and a guest was chosen.

Koga had exploded in laughs while Ren had blinked several times before smiling politely with his new date voucher in hand.

Kyoko herself had contained some laughs. She knew that in the past Koga wasn't especially fond of Ren and it apparently hadn't changed if what people told her was true though she hadn't checked with Ren himself so maybe it was more complicated than that nowadays.

A few minutes passed while people quieten after the uproar the new "date" of Tsuruga Ren and Koga was largely discussed. It's going to reinforce the rumour of him being gay, that's for sure she thought, shaking her head. Poor Yashiro-san would have some more work to control all of it.

Then her name was called.

She sighed. What could she risk? Didn't all risky things had been given already? What more could come out of this damn pink thing?

Sweating internally, she stood again and walked to the monstrous thing.

She had given six names. Kanae and Ren as safe people and Momose, Kijima, Hikaru and Hiou as people she enjoyed spending time with and knew. She didn't have much of a choice. She didn't know much of anyone beside a few at this party. She had been away for a long time. She didn't even know Kijima that much. She had known Hikaru and Hiou but there was too much time passed to say that she knew who they were anymore. Especially Hiou who though mature already before had still had a fair amount of time to develop and change. The only people she could say she really still knew tonight were Maria-chan, Kanae and Ren. Of course she put them on the list. Well, despite Maria's name because she went to bed after the Wheel-of-Gift conclusion.

She grumbled against herself some more before closing in. Ruto-san didn't ask her if she wanted to use only her safe people. Because of course he did his work well so he knew. Damn Ruto-san.

Deciding she couldn't do anything about it anyway, she pushed on the wood baton permitting the wheel to turn.

The pointer spun between the few remaining white cases, only three in fact, for some time until it finally stopped.

The white carton triangle was removed and you could read:A diner date with someone chosen by LME.

Thanks god.

It was a normal one.

A name was pulled out from the little hand-wheel.

She got herself a diner with Hikaru.

So far, so good. Only one left.

She eyed the president, nearly out of his seat with how far he was bending on the edge of it, and he grinned at her.

Right. It couldn't be that easy.

Ruto-san waved to her to proceed and make the wheel swirl again.

She nodded and pushed on the wood baton.

The pink wheel rolled and rolled, spinning faster this time, probably out of the sudden spite Kyoko was feeling at her boss scheming.

The wheel stopped moving, the point on some white triangle again.

The gloved hand of Ruto-san passed by her reaching for the carton, when the president shouted out, stopping him.

"Wait", the president said raising his hand with an annoying glim in the pupil, "Wouldn't it be more fun for the last person if we pull out the person with who it will be first?" he proposed to the crowd and they all cheered, happily.

"What? No, why would it matter, now?" she objected, not that it would change things but her damn boss was messing with her, clearly. No way was she making it easy for him in those conditions.

Her voice fell into deaf ears of course and his assistant obliged him diligently.

He took back the little hand-wheel and begun to make it spin. A name came out.

Turning her back to the crowd, she openly glared at the little square of paper. Of course.

Ruto took the little square in his black gloved hands, turned and presented it to the guests. Kyoko did her best to wear a neutral smile.

Chuckles, jealous whines and comments all erupted in the big ballroom while Kyoko made it her mission to not cross the stare of that person. Once the room calmed down the president gave his approval to Ruto-san to remove the white triangle.

It was quickly done.

The written letters appeared showing what it was saying.

Stay in the lap of someone chosen for the remaining of the evening.

Ruto-san took his time explaining to her exactly what was behind. She was to keep company to the person chosen be being in his lap or let him rest in yours if at any moment he would prefer that.

Kyoko thought she died a little inside. She blocked the images blooming in her mind.

Fucking hell!

The silence was heavy. Not hostile. Just, in the expectative. Holding their breaths.

She didn't say a word, didn't look at anyone. Even less him.

She took her voucher from Ruto-san staring at the bright golden letter printed upon request stating her curse with a frightening perfection: coupon for keeping company to Tsuruga Ren in his lap.

It was official. She wanted to murder the president. Yes, the very man who was barely repressing his laughs and silencing himself on his prominent golden cushion.

She pocketed the coupon because Ren's present was just that perfect. It had of course pockets.

The previous mutism was still present but the minute she turned away from the wheel, all the eyes on her followed as she slowly, very slowly walked between the guests.

The little groups of people watched her pass by, smiles turning up, bright and teasing, they all considered it a game and for once women weren't shooting daggers at her just tagging along with this curse. She was also sure they could feel her awkwardness despite her best efforts at being nonchalant about it. The spell was broken when a loud whistle came, disrupting the soundless atmosphere. Kijima.

Other catcalls trailed after him. She tracked the sounds. Ren's friends. Kaï, she thought she heard his name earlier, was one of them. They were all cheering loudly, teasing as much her own person as him apparently. She smiled, amused, regardless of the trepidation of her heart and the deep awkwardness she felt inside, and to her greatest surprise she started to relax.

Yes, yes, she knew why it felt special. But at the same she was sure she couldn't at a safer place that where she would soon be if he was opposed to it. Which he totally could. Should even. He wasn't obliged to play mad president's games at all. He had an image to protect. It was already bad they danced several times together tonight. Rumours would already rage on tomorrow and with this? It would be hectic.

Though she guessed it would have been much worse if it wasn't mainly due to the game they found themselves but on their own intent.

She fought a new urge to turn crimson, so happy her skills had developed in this matter over the years. It wasn't perfect. More so when he was concerned. But make-up could do the rest most of the times and she hadn't had to fret over circumstances where it would less easy for years. Still, she was pretty sure people could overlook some light hue, considering.

She slowly reached his form, now sitting crossed-legs on a huge red pillow able to handle his frame after the closing up that had made him let go of the armchair he had been apparently sitting in earlier.

He watched her approach, arching a brow at the amused smile still present on her face but overall very still, very unmoving like he was afraid she would flee.

She wanted to laugh. She could hide the truth to him, lie to everyone but her heart knew. And it wanted nothing more than to go there and stay even if her head knew it was very dangerous as an exposition. Even when she was rebelling very much against those feelings so that she wouldn't show them.

She walked the remaining meters separating them, meandering her way between his friends and teasing guests.

It was kind of placating to know people were just enjoying themselves and tagging along with how things worked for tonight, for this play. But she was apprehensive of when it would stop and people would begin to condemn her for daring to play along. For not thinking about just plainly refusing.

Most of her mind stayed focus on the now close statue, though, immobile but still open, waiting.

Her feet eventually brushed the big pillow and he cranked his neck as for once she was the one watching him from above.

"Do you mind?" she asked.

"Come here" he replied, opening his arms.

Soooo….I was planning to make longer but hey, it looks like the perfect place to stop. Adorable. Plus, I love evil cliffhangers and you are going to hate me for this one, nnyarkk, nyark, nyark. HEHEHE…my my, some people are going to be turn crazy with this one, happy me. Yes, I'm sadistic.

Plus I have another chapter to write so, I needed to stop here.

But shhhh, it's a secret, you will know, eventually.

Kisses to everyone. I hope you are all well and that you will love this chapter. It's funny. At least, I'm very fond of it.

MIMAGFAN.

AUTHOR OUT.