CHAPTER 93

I do not own skip beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

—Wink of a party –

3 DAYS LATER.

Sometimes, she just hated her ideas.

They had decided to come separately. That was one thing to go to the party with him, another was to greet the wall of journalists together like an item. She had proposed to join him once he would have stepped the threshold of the entrance. The Avant Premiere was supposed to happen in a huge building with many rooms able to welcome theatres, ballrooms, and huge gathering halls. The entrance was situated on an over-elevated platform square on the left side of that area of the city. The only ways to access it was either to come from the tiny privileged parking lot giving direct reach to it, or to climb the huge brick stairs leading to it. The inside also had several levels of numerous and sumptuous flights of stairs. But the structure actually had a less extravagant entry, still situated a few stairs up from the actual reception but one level down from the big entrance, permitting to avoid the clutter of above for the ones that had that preference.

Kyoko knew she should have favoured the loud entrance, if only for her career. "Always do your upmost to be noticed." But she had chosen not to. It wasn't she wasn't aware it would have been smarter to use Ren in any way to make her more famous. That was the game of being part of this industry. But their friendship had already been plastered everywhere with the time they had spent together since she came back. She hadn't found it necessary to add that to the fuel. And putting her feelings of disgust in the mere idea of using Ren for her own gains in any manner asides, she had just found it very inappropriate. She had mostly shouted loud and clear she was only a friend for Ren, and that the world didn't need to worry about her. She had been talking for the fans mostly, of course. But still. It would have been like spitting on their faces and on her own words. To come through the big gates like a couple, showing off, and in high glamour at his arm. Getting as many pictures and attention from the press that she didn't even need, because of that. It was even worse than if she had come back on her words. It would have felt not only like she would have lied but that she was also close to Ren only for his fame. It would that hurt her reputation but Ren's too.

She had still needed to conciliate a way to come. This and that needed to mix in subtlety to not step on the toes of anyone.

In conclusion, she had ended up proposing to Ren to meet him at the doors of the party hall once she would have slipped inside. It wouldn't mean the press wouldn't know she was the plus-one of Ren Tsuruga that evening. But the more vulture press kinds will have been locked out on the square area, meaning the articles published later would have a slightly more tasteful touch. More importantly, those were the kinds that did not gossip but report on things, and would listen to their side of things. Also, there would be fewer pictures of her with Ren. And since she wouldn't have walked by the gates at his arm, like an implicit signal they were an item because she was his date and because bringing people to such a gathering through the grand doors would have been definitively like an announcement, no reporter would have any excuse to tag them as the new couple. Or as an underlying statement Ren Tsuruga could have been making.

It would reduce her coming along as his plus-one as just that, being his companion of the night. That, and nothing more.

And that was the least she could do. To not cause him a disservice by coming with him when he had asked her as a favour to be his date.

To say that Ren hadn't been happy would be an understatement. He had grumbled against the very idea all-the-way through their discussion about it. He thought it would have been fully alright to come together. The fool had even truly wanted to. They had argued for a bit until he finally aligned to her arguments. But he had still not been happy about it.

The man had no self-preservation. Clearly. If he couldn't see how it could damage things. And she didn't want to be the one to do it. She didn't want their friendship to hurt their respective careers because they would have been careless. And she didn't want some of his fans to not like him anymore because of her. Even more, egoistically, she didn't want his fans to hate her. Even if realistically speaking, she knew it wouldn't be possible.

But it hurt her. To not be able to walk by his side, at his arm. As his partner and lover, and not as a friend. It hurt.

Like hell. Even if she knew it was necessary. Even if she knew it was better. Even if she was the one proposing the idea. It damn hurt. Sometimes she just hated her ideas.

That's how that evening, she found herself, walking discreetly to the side of the outside stairs while everyone was climbing, or were already on the square platform. A few people recognized her, but most didn't. Not that many were used to her new appearance or simply hadn't seen through the prepping and her costume of today. But to her opinion, it was most likely because she was still not very known in Japan. She had been forgotten, and was just barely making back a dent with her new jobs here recently. It was not surprised most people wouldn't know who she was. And on top of it, she was used to be a chameleon, and it had even been very useful to her at several occurrences in the past. In less fairness, she might have pointed out that she had done enough international jobs that got famous here by now that some people should have picked her out. And she hadn't been lazy since she came back in Japan. She had done enough modelling shoots and ads that people should have had some inklings at least. And that was without counting the broadcasting of her movie with Ren, of the small roles she took here and there. But that was if you were trying to be unfair. She knew how the industry worked. It took longer than that to be well known in a place.

She made her way towards the normal-sized doors with the people going through that way too, and felt grateful for her forecast in passing on the very long coat seeing the humid drizzle that had begun to fall around.

Once inside, she fast passed by to the bathrooms to check water hadn't damaged her outfit of tonight. It wouldn't do to look like a drenched kitten as the date of Ren Tsuruga. Not that it would do even if she had been part of the cast or celebrities attending. But she couldn't help wanting to do him honour in the way she looked. If only for one night. Especially knowing she was lacking in that area. She couldn't help herself. She knew he hadn't asked her just to present well. That he had needed a date for the evening and was in a rush, and that it was only as friends. She knew. But she couldn't help herself. She wanted to appear good to him. She wanted to appear good by his side. To not look like a sore sight by his side. She wanted to close the gap, if only for a wink, and be able to make people think, if only for a second, that they didn't look too bad together. She knew it was ridiculous that nothing would ever make her a good match to him, in particular visually, but this would certainly be her only occasion. So, if she could graze at the illusion she could look like a potential partner to him, if only for one evening, it would make a good memory. A memory she could keep, where she could think to herself she had been like a proper partner to him.

She knew she was telling herself stories to console her lonely heart. But since she couldn't have the real deal, maybe she could treasure the crumbles she could gather. She could do nothing else, anyway. Might as well try to enjoy what she could.

Fortunately for her, the rain had been light enough to not ruin her outfit. She walked out of the bathrooms, careful to wait the crowd had dissipated since she had had to climb back the flight of stairs to get to the restroom area.

She looked around in the large hexagonal area welcoming the entrance and the prominent stairs elegantly stretching in pale marble sand hues that leaned into pinkness from one wall to the other. Like those cute tiny shells that would look bland at first glance but would shine a purple or pink tones under the inclination of the sun. She was taking the time to appreciate the insides, now that she didn't have to worry about her surroundings as much. The steps on respective opposite sides went down in spirals and the view perspective felt amazing, standing from her point. Besides directly outside, no press had remained behind – only a few sparse people too well dressed to be reporters, were still there – and she breathed in relief. Everyone had already started the evening or were about to, she supposed.

There was no sign of Ren, of course, and she thought he should already be downstairs, hopefully not too chewed up by numerous journalists.

Her only issue was that she hadn't imagined there would be several paths leading to the party halls, and Ren had told her another premiere would take place the same day, in a neighboured hall room. But he had forgotten to tell her which side he would be. He had tried everything to convince her to just come with him naturally after all. Maybe it hadn't occurred to him that logistics would change when he eventually and reluctantly adhered to her plan.

It was odd having so few people in such an immense gathering area. She felt like she was swallowed by the room she had for herself. And to say she was used to big structures, by living in the US. But she felt so tiny all of sudden. A catching softened song was playing in the big speakers hanging from the ceiling meters up. She felt like bobbing her head to it for a second but then was in luck when she finally spotted someone from Ren's cast climbing down with assurance the stairs on the left. Not the ones she had come from when she got in. Now she felt happy she had had to go to the bathroom to notice this.

Carried by the charming tempo of the violin and piano, she took a step. She felt silly as an odd excitement bubbled its way in her chest. Her sandal heels – fortunately still not too high for her to remain comfortable – , made a subdued clap against the hard floor. First on the tiles, then on the marbles steps when raising the edge of her dress, she began to walk them down. Clap. She had no right to feel this way. Clap, clap. Yet she did. Clap. She paused. She felt giddy. Clap, clap. Like a princess. In an enchanted dress. Clap, clap. Knowing whom she would meet. Clap, clap. Clap. Feeling, wanting to see him. Clap, clap. To see his smile, even imagining, fantasizing he would find her, if only a little pretty. Clap. Clap. About to meet her fairy. Clap, clap, clap, clap. Hoping to let her gaze look down and glide up to fall into his tender eyes. Clap, clap, clap.

Clap.

Her feet stopped as she reached the landing between two curves of flight. There he was. His back to her, tall and elegant.

Talking with someone, he hadn't noticed her, and she took all her time admiring his silhouette in his regal suit. She hadn't thought he would wait for her here, she thought they would join just before the doors of the party hall.

She hesitated at the steps, those being bigger than the others, and started anew carefully.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

§§

He heard the tapping sound of heels walking closer before he turned. But he pivoted. And he saw.

Higher up for his gaze and light in his eyes made him unable to recognize the womanly figure walking down the stairs, for one instant.

Yet again, she closed down with slow precise steps. Clap. Clap. Clap… Suddenly his eyes were in the gold of hers and he forgot how to breathe. Damn it. It had to be blue. Swaying out of focus, like a boat in a storm, rocked by waves bigger and higher than the deck, by the blue apparition gliding down to him. She had her beautiful amber locks up, pinned in intricate twirls and tiny braids, a few strands escaping, and he wanted nothing more than to wreck havoc in those hair with his hands and let it loose. The contrast between her brightness and her dress like a shining sun illuminating a cleared up vibrant blue sky vacant of any cloud.

The one-long-sleeve-shoulder gown wrapped her down to the ground in baby blue and lavender's tones. The sleek texture of the cloth folding smoothly around her from under one denuded arm to over her bust and around the other shoulder and arm, before gracefully skimming down her figure to a small but elegant sweeping train. The fabric looked silky soft and as supple as a veil, yet it wasn't so thin and it looked solid. Maybe stretched jersey. The dress was not too complex, yet formal and chic. Appropriate. Perfect.

He wanted to laugh at himself as his mind rambled what his mum had told him about fabrics all those years ago when, right now, he couldn't even figure out his left from his right anymore, the heart in disarray.

Why couldn't he just think she looked beautiful or pretty? Cheap words of description for what he was seeing, though. The wonder and the grace she emanated should have better words to retell how charming she appeared.

He found himself priming a move, footfall he didn't feel he took. Legs numbed as he climbed the huge shiny steps leading him to her. Rising him home.

He saw the moment she noticed his movement and stare as stairs continued to place themselves under the sole of his feet. She granted him a timid shrugging smile, lifting her hand like she wanted to pass it in her hair as usual but containing it at last second. Probably afraid to mess her hairdo by doing so.

He reached the step just under the one she was on, and he cut to a stop. With the added height of her heels and the stair, they were looking into each other eyes directly.

"H-Hi."She said, eventually rubbing at her neck for lack of other places to move her hand. Like he sometimes did. She was nervous, though he didn't get why. It has been long, it was cute. "I hope I did well with the outfit, based on what you told me about the party." She said, looking worried she had picked wrong, apparently. As if anything could be wrong right now. He let his index follow the path of a stray strand on the left side of her face, grazing her cheek in the process as the curling lock twirled around finger. He couldn't stop looking at her. She blinked her eyes away, breaking their stares apart. In a whisper of a touch, he pushed the strand back to let go of his finger and wrap around her ear.

"You look enchanting."

His lips murmured with a smile and he had the pleasure of watching a light hue spread on her cheekbones, for once. He felt proud he could still embarrass her, he had thought she had become insensitive to his teasing. So much she stayed stoic no matter what he did, since she came back.

"Like out of a fairy tale." He added because he just knew she must have thought this kind of stuff after finishing the gown. Proof was, tiny butterflies were imprinted, sewed on the down edge and on the train of it.

"It's the dress." She mumbled but he actually saw a smile flourish on her face, and her eyes shined just a little more. Saying she knew, he had said this because he knew her thoughts, and the curled-up nose telling him she had perceived it as a new onslaught of teasing.

He lifted his palm carefully. Upwards.

"Fair lady, will you grant me this evening with you?"He inquired.

She grinned.

"I thought I had already replied this."She said, and the palm of her hand glided inside the heart of his. That smile.

Those eyes. Gods did he wish to lose himself in her gold and drown every single day.

He crossed her arm with his own, placing it at his elbow bend, and they walked down the rest of the flight to reach the reception. His heart was swelling to be able to come with her like this. That, even if it was only for one evening, she was his partner. His date. He wanted to chuckle when he felt the urge to redress even more, pride swelling at managing to come with her like this.

Like a damn peacock. He thought secretly with inner amusement at how ridiculous he was behaving, but unable to repress the desire to. He had captured the attention of the most endearing, the bravest damsel, and for one evening she was his.

Him, who was never one to appreciate the show-off moves, he had the sudden crave to parade. Though, mostly, he was dazzled by the amount of joy he felt. Just being able to do this. Thinking that maybe, maybe it could be a source of hope things were moving in an encouraging direction. Ah, sweet hope. Even if it was only the illusion of one night, but the sensation of arriving like a couple, as peers and lovers, as their most trusted one: that feeling refused to let him go. It had captured him in its delightful web and he was rolling in it, all too happy to tangle himself more.

"Thinking about something funny?"She asked and he grinned at her. If only she knew.

"I'm just happy you are here with me."He replied, trying to convey how glorious he felt, and she seemed to lose attention for a second, looking at him funny, before she shot him back a bubbly grin, looking happy as she turned her head to look at the reception's entrance.

"Good, then."She said happily.

§§

By his side, Seito saw the moment the man's eyes landed on her. Like a redirected magnet. He was able to witness – as a forgotten guest – the demure adoration and ardent yearning transforming the expression of their favourite actor as he looked up at her. Seeing this made Seito crave the thrill of love again. It told everything and more, and made the reporter smile a lot, thinking that this, was definitely not something the man was able to act his way to dissimulate, anymore. The bygone era when he could hide behind placidity was over. One funny thing was that the actor didn't seem to care, no more. But the most hilarious of it all was that even if Tsuruga – 'san wasn't camouflaging with astute his feelings and that everyone was now able to pick on them, she was still unable to.

That was the whole incentive of the provisory peace treaty that was going on in the press, too. Everyone was praying, was seeing, wanting it to happen, and was virulently shutting their damn mouths to not spill anything in silence impatient hope. In glitter smirks and rubbing hands.

But when Seito was watching this in front of his eyes, he was reminded of many things. Genuine ones. He was confronted with the blatant innocence lingering in what he could see.

It told him everything. One instant.

That she was his first love, he was persuaded of it. That he was clumsy sometimes, around her. Because she had undone him so profoundly. That his craze and crave was so rooted he could have been just as blind. Only on her, the colours remained.

And also, it might have been only a gut feeling or it was his experience talking, but being the observer of such a joy erupting on his face when he was by her side, Seito could have sworn on it. She hadn't been and wasn't just love for him, she was the one to have brought him back joy, life, inside, in him. In consequence, he could only conclude that behind the usual polite sleek facade of the handsome actor had lurked sorrow. Despair, even. Something deeply hidden to not appear in the public eye. That would have explained the distance he had always maintained in the past. And so much less there, in the present.

And then, she came, like a hurricane of sweetness and life.

Blowing away the shadows of his heart and making bloom light in his all being.

He would have bet his career that, this, might be the true reason why it felt like no common infatuation. To the public eye. Why they were witnessing such a transformation from him since he became unable to hide it. Why, when witnessing such purity in their blind enamoured behaviours – hers too, even if her cues were still well hidden, you didn't do it to an old bear like him – , no one could resist wanting to support them. Because there was no trickery, no scheme, no half-ass sentiments in them. Everything was genuine. They were genuine. Their inability to see things for what they were, even more.

Because it looked like worship. But also friendship. And attraction. And a bond beyond their scope of understanding. Because they already looked like true partners in every aspect, but the intimacy.

Because it looked like love. The no-return-fall one. As it should be. The connecting of two souls through their views, their lives and their affections.

As it should always have been.

That's why, seeing them, searching for the other, witnessing even a shutter of their bond, left everyone breathless.

Gasping and hoping.

That their hands would finally link.

And as Seito sees Tsuruga-san reaches her, and as the man grazes Kyoko-san cheek – , the softness nearly too much for an observer – it gives him hope. Close. The thought that the dam might be close to rupture passes through him.

Then, in the silent flight of stairs, his ears catch Tsuruga-san words, and suddenly he has the title of his next article for this evening.

Like out of Fairy Tale. – Shinban Newspapers-

By Seito-san.

On this fair evening, in the palace of theatres building, here I am to comment on the Avant-Premiere of Crusade, the new project of collaboration between Japan and the States that is about to get out on the big screens all around the world. I'm about to enter the hall evening when I meet Tsuruga-san in the stairs and I ask him his thoughts on the movie, and the shooting of it. Though you won't have the full details of this here. You can find a more succinct report of the nominated ones, and the unfolding of the soiree at page 6, which is the next page, after the pictures.

This article will be a mere sweet thing, I won't linger too much, knowing you are all waiting for the report.

I know, I know, everyone wants to know about the nominated. My apologies. I happened to be distracted that evening when I had the surprise to discover that the date of Tsuruga Ren on this promising evening was no other than Kyoko-san. I might add that I had the privilege to get the intel from Kyoko herself, that Tsuruga-san himself roped her into this at last minute.

She asked me to transmit she'd apologize if her presence with Tsuruga-san upset anyone or the fans.

My surprise, however, was not just motivated by her being our favourite actor's date of the evening, but also by the picture they made, and Kyoko herself.

So, as I was talking with Tsuruga-san, I noticed Kyoko-san that was walking down the stairs towards us. I must say, I myself felt a little charmed, our rising in fame actress definitely knows how to choose wisely garments. And in her sleek classic blue dress, she had looked really refined and sweet.

And I think our famous bachelor agreed to this because he called her both enchanting and out of a fairy tale. His words, not mine. And yes, thus the title.

You will be able to judge for yourself in the pictures below but I must question our readers on this. Am I the only one? Am I the only one finding they look a bit too good together?

I know I shouldn't gossip, and they both confirmed they were only friends.

But watching them, I find myself longing, there was more to it than what the surface is saying, if you see what I mean. To the point of thinking, it's a pity it is not the case.

They look too cute. And that's final. I might be a hardcore journalist but even those have hearts, and those hearts can swoon.

I usually don't have the occasion to comment on this sort of thing really often, and even if I had had it, most of the time, it would have been better to refrain sharing my opinion. This time, though, I would challenge anyone to raise their hand and to tell me that they don't look absolutely endearing together. Please, come at him with all you've got. I will stand tooth and nail than even some real couples don't look as good as they do.

Some of you might tell me I have lost reason. It is a possibility. The other is that I have fallen. I'm deeply infatuated with the dynamic of their friendship. Shame on me. I know.

The rest of the evening went wonderfully, though it was more of the classic kind, reason why I chose to separate the direct report of the evening from this little anecdote of mine.

Now that I have finished using this respected journal like my intimate diary, I want to take a minute to congratulate Tsuruga Ren once more for being the first nominated as best actor in that movie. I can't wait for everyone to see it when it will be out in theatres.

I wish you all well,

Pictures below of the soiree,

Seito-san.

On a famous forum, an under category of the platform crashed when the members tripled in a couple of hours, and eventually made the whole site go down for a day.

But on the sidelines, a new admin had seen it coming, and was just finishing the last touches of a brand new site. A site that would finally see day 48 hours later, already garnering nearly as many members as the main site has ever had.

And when LME RH branch would transmit the new analyses to their boss, the results would be screaming. Quota of popularity of their most famous actor, and thus number of new fans, doubled. Share of fans in those numbers that were already converted to The Cause, they had just passed the threshold of 75 percent.

A man in his big armchair grinned and rubbed his hands with appreciation. Things were looking good. His employers would get a promotion.

§§§

End of chapter.

PS: Hello everyone, I hope you are all well and bubbly. Yes, it is me. With a new chapter. I hope you will like this new chapter.

I know the pacing might look fast on this soiree. But my plans weren't to take too much time on this part. Sorry if it disappoint some of you.

Narange: I adore your reviews. And i agree fully with you on the fact that you have two choices in life. I'm really happy you still love my story so much. Thank you for always commenting and sorry i'm not always replying to your reviews privately. You have no idea how touching it was for me when you said you had lived rather than read one of the last chapters. It is one of the best compliments an author can get. Thank you.

Inna Konovalova: Sorry if last couple of chapters were a bit tense. The harsher parts are mostly behind us if it can reassure you. I'm glad you love the way i describe things and feels.

Elena(discord): Thank you again for such lovely reviews. I'm so happy you love my story so much.

RukiYuki: Thank you for all your recent reviews. I'm happy you still love it.

To all my loyal readers, hang in there, we are closing up on the end of the torture. We can all do it.

Kisses to everyone. And good wishes to you all.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.