CHAPTER 100

I do not own Skip Beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

~~Magical Summer Trip~~

~Let's turn it on~

~Part~5~

She came back a little faster than she left on the way out of her home. Not able to contain herself. Just knowing Ren was sleeping in her apartment made her push the speedster and cut through turns a little less safely than recommended. But when she drove back her bike into her front yard, she was floored to discover Kyle and Jake were still there. She had been gone for a good hour, at the very least. And even if they didn't have work in the eery hours of the morning, what was the point of staying at her home?

She chatted briefly with them as she cut the motor off, discovering they were waiting for Clay to pick Jake up in a few minutes or so, as Kyle would be going to another direction than him. And since Clay had been busy when he received their call, he hadn't been able to free himself in the instant. She worried over their respective jobs, asking if they wouldn't be late for their shooting. But they brushed her off, saying that they would not even have been able to drop by if they had had something early.

She made a quick walk inside her house to check if Ren was awake but returned fast when she noticed the quiet penumbra still present in her main living area, and just picked up a few things she thought she might need, after all.

They discussed idly again for a couple of instants, before Kyoko climbed back on her machine, just as Clay was pulling in. She still had some time before it would turn into a rush but she'd rather arrive in advance, and she didn't want to end up waking her guest by all the noise they were making. Especially with the sound of another vehicle adding to it.

She bid her friends goodbye and turned on her bike to life again, holding back a grimace at the roar it let out, and hoping for the best. And to say this new model is the quiet version of the model… She didn't want to know how much noise it used to make. Though- if she was comparing – , it was nothing to the roars the bolides on circuits made. She had experienced it firsthand.

In any case, she didn't want to rob Ren of a neat needed rest. And based on his face yesterday and the echoes she had had of his last couple of weeks, a few more hours of sleep would come gratefully in. Without even counting jet lag. She was truthfully hoping she hadn't bothered him earlier, when she had left the first time and turned on the music, on top of everything. She should have been more thoughtful. But she had totally forgotten about it and had blasted the music on. I suppose I'm too used to being alone. Even if her friends came time to time, it was still sparse. And those last couple of days with them dropping by so much had actually contrasted a lot with what she was used to. They were all ordinarily way too busy to see each other in such close windows of time. She wondered if it was just a coincidence or they had missed her that much. Neither seemed credible, so maybe it was just the Kayla effect propelled to new heights. The thought stretched a smile to her face. That was definitely it.

She was muzzling over this with resigned fondness for her friend as she finished playing with some settings, and was reaching for her helmet hooked by the handle when she thought she heard her name over the motor.

§§§

He opened the front door and stood on the porch, spotting instantly a car coming by to park on the left, and recognizing two of Kyoko's friends. Jake and Kyle.

Then his eyes were attracted to a roaring sound and his gaze diverted, naturally. Gliding on the right. The new vision dancing before his eyes, refusing to settle clearly for a second. He stood motionless, as his eyes finally focused on the image he had in front of him. Not a muscle in his whole damn body didn't turn rigid, then.

Fucking hell.

Perched on a huge dark blue bolide of an unknown brand painted in a representation of a faraway galaxy, there she was. Straddling the speedster with her long legs, her hair was sensually cascading down her side as she checked some buttons. Unaware of his observation.

The hold on his throat accentuated as he stayed forbidden, transfixed by the vision.

He felt himself needing support and leaned on the doorframe with the left hip as his eyes ride up and down her figure in a mad spinning repetitive motion.

They followed her locks tickling her midriff that was uncovered by the knot she had made on a ridiculous tee, and his fingers twitched. Her tiny fairy tattoo was visible on her right hip.

He locked his arms into a grip cross, a necessary anchor.

Leather pants encapsulated her gorgeous legs in a dark tight double infinite dipping down to the ground and underlining every curve.

Blood had vacated his mind and it was becoming hard to think.

The only thought he managed was that bike had just become his favourite vehicle. This was the hottest vision he had had the privilege to be a witness of. She was just so – … So incandescent.

And he would have bet two years of jobs she wasn't even aware of that. That she would even think otherwise. When she was so, so … – naturally sexy. Not even trying. Lords, were his words failing him. And she was still wearing nothing under her t-shirt, damn the heavens. He would know. He could actually see the light pebbles of nipples faintly stretching her tee. Barely visible. Sometimes dipping backwards until nothing could be seen anymore. But just enough to tempt him to oblivion and make him want to tear apart the bloody shirt to shreds with his teeth.

Bloody heavens…

This was pure torture. The ultimate tease.

He had always known he had violence inside of him. Towards people that had brought him down and hurt him. But this new savagery he felt… It was like an animal trying to claw its way out. But instead of rage, this wildness was mixed with lust. The ideas seeing her on that bike made him entertain. The leather surface of that machine seat you could grab hold onto. He wanted to… He wanted to…

Imagery of naked skin on leather danced in his mind, and he closed his eyes for a second.

To all the deities of above… This is…

She was driving him mad. Fully mad. He was holding his biceps for control so hard he knew it was going to bruise.

He wished he was that bike she was riding right now. So much.

That lone thought worsened his nether businesses, and he let out a low groan.

He saw her reach for her helmet, grabbing it with both hands, obviously ready to depart when –

§§

She tilted her gaze up, and stilled as her eyes met Ren's stunned ones. Time stood, frozen, stretched, as they stared, astonishment in both gazes, but for singular reasons. His bewilderment made her come to the realization she had completely forgotten to mention she biked, and she came back to earth with some embarrassment. He was leaning against the door frame, only dressed up to the waist-sneak fairy – , the smooth PJ pants gliding down his legs to nude feet. Like he had rushed outside. He appeared a little tense and was standing oddly.

When – ?

Why? She diverted her eyes from his tempting skin, starting to feel guilty. She had woke him up at the end. Damn it. She bent back on her seat, surprised when she saw him hasting to make his way to where she was on her bolide. She frowned as she saw him moving his step on the concrete floor of her garage alley. This was not easy on bare feet, he was risking hurting his feet plant. She got ready to dismount but he got to her level faster.

She looked up to him as he stopped a mere inch away from touching the front of her bike, still looking a little dazed for some reason. Had he woke up with a start because of the bike's sound? Or their voices?

"Hi." She greeted above the sound of the motor, before opening her mouth again with the intent to apologize if they had woke him up. Yes, she knew he was in her house and she shouldn't have to feel guilty about it. But she still felt bad.

He didn't let her, however. He caught her full attention in his stare as he got to her. There was something odd in his gaze. It pulsed. Darkly.

"You drive a motorbike?"He questioned with some sort of – … Curiosity? Amazement? Excitement? Glee even? It looked like all of this but twisted in a smokier taste. That really threw her off in wonder.

And his question was weird, he could see it, as if she weren't on the sitting proof of it. Or like he couldn't believe it. Which would have been even more ridiculous.

Was he the sort to like two wheels? She didn't want to go into categorizing clichés like "men liked speedsters, men liked cars", and all that. And it would be especially hypocrite of her to even think of it when she was so fond of bikes herself. She did competitions and even wanted a second bike, for goddamn sake.

Still, she was curious to know where he stood with tastes on those matters. He had a Porsche after all. So, it wouldn't be wrong to think he cared if only a tint about cars.

"Yes."She replied at the end. "Do you like bikes?"

He nodded distantly before firing questions at her too fast for her to reply.

"Since when? When did you learn? What made you like it? What brand is this? Is it yours? Are you going to work with it right now?"

She laughed. His enthusiasm was unexpected. It stunned her. And it electrified her. She glowed happily as she continued to laugh but raised her hands in amused defence.

"Hold your horses. Give me a minute between questions so I can reply." She let out eventually, cheeks hurting from the prolonged pull upwards.

He just kept looking at her. But this was different from the usual. He looked frazzled. But also kinda charged? A little too much. If Tsuruga Ren could be overcharged. It was unnerving her nerves. The gleam in his eyes tensed her, and she unconsciously bent her muscles. It looked – enchanted? – by what it was seeing. The acute gaze stroked her like she was a cat, ready to purr. To be pet. To roll. Her breath got stuck in her throat. Oh-oh. She leaned forwards on the bike in an innocent smile-pretexting to be checking something – , and dissimulating astutely nipples that hurt with how hard they had turned. Her whole body now tingled, shaking in repressed pleasurable agony, in full expectation of a stimulation that wouldn't come.

He had turned her on like she switched on her bolide. As simply as that. One gaze.

That's all it had taken him.

She didn't know if it was her who was pathetically reactive and sexually depraved, or him that was just too good.

But that light in his gaze had succeeded in bringing her one hair away from – …

She locked her shoulders as she tried to come back to her senses as her hazy mind caught a voice that seemed rougher than normal in her cloudy hearing.

And eyes still looking into each other, she blinked at him.

"Since when?"He simply repeated. And started back with, she supposed.

She cleared her throat as she composed herself.

"A few years, I'd say."

She had replied as composed as she could, and she crossed her arms over her chest to give some control stance as she sat back properly. But she knew she was a little breathless.

He just kept staring at her in that intensified look of his, pointedly and nearly installing command in his stand, despite his state of undress. Ren Tsuruga slash Kuon, giving orders even when half-naked. She snorted internally. She knew him too well to fall for that. He wouldn't order her around with volition. It was just how interested he was.

He remained silent, waiting for her to elaborate, and she smiled more. She was planning to. Even if she failed to understand why he made such a big affair of her having a bike and driving one. Though, it made her happy to know he liked bikes too. And she kinda wished she'd have told him earlier if she had known he was such a bike maniac.

"I did a small role where I had to do some stunts on a bike three-no-three years and a half ago." Kyoko said. "I was just supposed to be the back passenger, stood up behind the driver for a few seconds, and then jump from the bike. But to be able to do it at the right moment, I needed to have some small understanding of how motorbikes worked. Like curving points and all that." She explained and Ren nodded in silence, tensely drinking her words.

"But that kinda left me unsatisfied and didn't suffice me to grasp it. We did a test run of the stunt scene and the director was okay with it but I felt like it lacked something, concerning my character and my stances, so I took a few lessons between test run and final take. All those had been done in very small portions and at low speed, letting me understand mostly the mechanics of it."She continued.

"But?"Prompted Ren.

She failed to really hear him, however. Her mind had returned to that time. The time of the proper take of the scene. It was a grey day. Yet, it was one of the most thrilling experiences she ever had had.

*Flashback*

'"Clouds were gathering in dark mushy menacing cotton-ness. Ready to pour their overload anytime now. And it was becoming urgent to film the scene if they wanted to shoot it before the rain. Rain would make it way too dangerous, and postpone it for weeks long. Even months maybe.

Kyoko was standing to the side, waiting for the director to give the go to the scene. The engineers were working on the last of her safety net for her fall. She was shivering a little in her outfit. Her thin under pull barely reaching midriff and the perfecto vest reaching same level obviously failing in keeping her warm too. The jeans full of ripped parts didn't help.

The wind was bringing goosebumps on her belly and playing with her hair. Messing up the locks now reaching the top of her shoulder blades.

She had asked the director if it were an issue and proposed to attach them but he had simply replied it wouldn't matter. That had been the one thing the makeup artist hadn't worked on, to her utter surprise. The wild look was what the director was looking for, and he had said her hair looked the part naturally, so to let it be. And going as far as saying it would be even better if the wind worsen it.

She had understood his point on the moment, though she didn't know if it had been a compliment or an insult.

She pushed back a strand, looking at it dubiously. She had decided to let them grow a little less than two years ago, somehow. She was liking her new outlook, though in rare occasions, she would question her decision. One of those was about how it was growing. When she had just begun growing them, they were staying put, just going a little longer.

But now, strands had come to the habit of going every direction possible. And true to be told, she couldn't blame the director for saying it gave off a naturally savage look. As she thought the same. She had wondered if she should ask the opinions of Kayla or Kanae. But she was afraid none of their views would match hers, so she had settled against. She had asked a professional beautician if it didn't seem too untidy, and when she had had the confirmation it wasn't, she had decided to wash her hands of the issue. It had brought her some unruled roles, which was a plus. And since it didn't make her look bad, might as well take all it could bring. The weight of them would eventually make them settle down when her hair would be longer, anyway.

Those were the conclusions she had come to have at the time.

But on occasions like this, she had the slight urge to shave it all. Even more so when she knew what a pain it would be during the scene they were about to shoot.

The director suddenly called everyone, and they brought the Davidson bike and the unknown stunt biker that would drive while they film her.

The director turned back to her as they checked she had every item needed, and they went through the process one last time.

"Remember, compared to fake runs, the bike will go much faster. It will be harder to stay stable as you will rise to your feet on the seat. Are you still positive you want to do it yourself, instead or using a stunt?"

She nodded. No way was she ever going to let someone else do her stunts. Not on her dead body. Not when he would do it.

"Alright."Said the director, looking impressed but also not that pleased. "Remember to fall on the side and to roll. There will be grass where you are supposed to land, so the fall will be softer. But it doesn't mean it won't be a little brutal. Up until the last minute, you will still be able to change mind. But not after that."

She nodded again and the director pursued.

"Now, you are Casee. You are escaping mafia agents that will kill you if they get you. Fires are landing. You threatened an unknown biker to drive you on the other side of the border. But on the way, a pursuit starts. You need to throw a knife right on the land mark cross that will be on the ground and that will be changed to show another bike running after you. After that, two bikes will really be there behind you, and only a few metres away. You will stand on your feet on the backseat, to see ahead and plan your move. Then you will see a grass valley falling down towards sea softly. You will jump on the grass, and roll down until the net catch you."

Kyoko nodded again. Nervous but also excited to try it.

"Remember, you are perfectly safe. No need to be afraid to fall or jump. There are two other nets, one just under the first one, another further. Just in case. And cushions. And people will be here, ready."

"I know director. You don't have to worry. I'm perfectly alright." She said. And she was. She had seen the nets and seen how much checks and tests had been made to make it safe. "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry, director."She added with a determined nod. She would master this. She could do it.

Someone snorted in the assistance and the director gaped at her.

"Are you trying to reassure me, by any chance?"

"Ah…"She started, weaving her hand in her locks and trying to rule them a little to be able to see director Parker properly. "It's just… You seemed worried I couldn't do it or that I was too frightened, so – she smiled sheepishly at him – "I wanted to assure you I could and that I was okay. I can do it, director, "She said again, raising her fist in a tight grip contrasting her glowing smile, "I know I can."

A few more people chuckled while the director turned his head with a shake and a smile, grouching as he gave orders.

The scene started.

She climbed on the bike and held tight as the engine roared to life, focusing and entering her character. The bike took some speed but it was still in what she had experiences in run tests. She saw the cross coming closer to them, the one she was supposed to throw the knife at, once they would have passed it.

Then, they drove by it. She counted seconds, looking once, twice, thrice behind her, like she was being followed and letting deep focus and concentration mare her face, with a touch of fear.

She turned one last time. Then threw the knife. Perfectly on the mark.

In the story, that would be the time one of her pursuers would have a flat tyre. She signed in relief. Some respite.

Now came the trickiest part.

Her driver asked her one last time if she was ready and she nodded imperceptibly.

The bike took speed, pushing into the tours. Wind blew in her face like a mad storm had just started right in front of her, stunning the heck out of her at the force it had. But it wasn't fright she felt. It was joy.

The bike went even faster, and to her astonishment, she laughed aloud and unrestrained, throwing her head back. She had never felt anything like this. She hadn't thought it would go so fast. It was incredible. It thrilled her to no end.

The refreshing provocative sensation of hitting the force of nature. It was like she was floating on very fast very risky and very narrow plane. It griped at her and appealed to her every nerve. Adrenaline rushed in her veins as she felt like embracing all the sensations. It was like she was one with the wind, with the world. It was so invigorating and exhilarating. There was no more thinking, you just were. In the moment, in that instant. You felt and you were. Alive. More than ever.

She wanted to scream, shout to the world.

But they were closing in on the moment she was supposed to jump, and when the bike accelerated once more- despite her utter glee – , she knew it was time. She tightened her grip on her driver, to stabilize herself, and slowly, deliberately, as she kept turning around focused, yet smiling with confidence, she rose to her knees. First, then, carefully, she waited. And after the last curve, she placed one foot, then the other on the seat, looked a last time behind her, where real bikes were driving now, as planned, and then waved at them with a grin.

Then-

She jumped at the first sight of grass to her left.

She landed on her side with an impart that was a little harder she thought it would be but nothing dramatic, and rolled down the hill with arms raised around her head to protect her head before hitting the first net brutally. It stood stable and she finally shouted.

"'That was amazing'" She thought, bursting into more laughs.

When technician team gathered her from the net and bring her back to the road, they were looking at her with shock, and she suddenly worried as she realized she had kinda gone on improvisation during the scene. Her character wasn't supposed to laugh, neither smile. And the worst part was that, no matter the fact she might have to do the scene again and the trouble it could be, she wasn't able to refrain her smile. When they reached back main filming area, she schooled her face and apologize for going off track.

The director waved her excuses off but didn't tell her if they would need to redo the scene.

"Tell me something. If I were to say we can't keep it that way, what would you do?"He asked her.

"I would be ready to redo it anytime director."She replied instantly. "I would even have a blast at it."

His eyes enlarged and he burst a short laugh.

"Why did you laugh, can you tell me?"He inquired and she was ready to apologize again but he made her drop it again. "Tell me."

She blushed slightly before replying honestly.

"We hadn't had a chance to drive that fast. I was surprised by the sensations, and I – … Kinda liked it a lot." She explained. "The laugh got out before I could suppress it." She said with embarrassment.

Director Parker snorted.

"Unfortunately for you, I think we will keep the scene as it is, actually."He told her with a smile to her shock. "It makes you look more confident."

Her newborn soul for biking felt like sulking but her professional actress side was just happy he liked it this way.

She nodded.

"You will have to find another way to find back those sensations."The director teased her.

She grinned happily.

"It's okay, director."She said and declared a little too loudly with vivid determination, proof of her new excitement. "I'm going to learn to drive a bike. And maybe even buy one."

A silence followed her words spoken a little too high before the set exploded in laughs.

"Did you really develop such a liking for biking?"

She nodded.

He chuckled and ruffled her hair a little.

"Well, if anyone can do it, it's you. And however short the time you were here was, it was pleasure working with you, Kyoko." He told her, unfortunately aware it had been her last scene on this movie.

"It was for me too, director. I hope we will be able to work together again." She said with a smile, "Well, if you would have me."

"'

*end of flashback*

She came back to earth, and quickly resumed the past event to Ren.

"And that's how my interest in bikes was born."She finished. "I took more lessons after that and passed the license, eventually. I just love the feeling of freedom it gives."

"So, this is yours?"He pressed her with a smile.

She nodded.

"Yes, I bought it after getting my licence."Feeling a little embarrassed about unveiling so many personal things to him, she replied quickly, wanting to be done with it. She trusted him, that wasn't the question. But he was perusing so closely at what she was saying about it, it was disturbing.

"And what model is it?"

She came to life at this question.

"It's a BMW K1600 B. A classic Touring bagger with a boxer model, a bi-cylindric 1800 with six cylinders with the metallic midnight galaxy for the paint pattern. Its maximum speed is 180 km hours and delivers a power of one thousand revolutions by minute."She excitedly said.

He blinked at her. Then chuckled to the sides. Mumbling incoherent stuff.

"This is… I can't believe- …-she is so se- … – and all that knowledge – he laughed more- …-and still so oblivious…"

She raised an eyebrow at his nonsense, not even trying to make sense of his gibberish.

"You are a full biker girl." He commented at last, seeming so entertained and happy it was annoying.

She huffed. He was mocking her.

"I don't see how it is a problem."

He smiled mutely.

"Never said it was." And his eyes shined that mysterious glint again.

"So, are you going to work with it?"

"I am." She looked at her screen of her bike. "Actually, I have to leave in not too long. I was about to when you came out. Sorry if I wake you up, by the way."

He shook his head.

"It's better this way. How long does it take to go to the studio and when are you supposed to be there?" He asked, and she was taken aback by the abrupt change of subject, but told him anyway.

He hummed in response, in thought, and she looked at him in confusion until he returned his gaze to her.

"Can I go with you?"

"Eh?"

He slowly, deliberately placed both hands on the front of her bike, on the handlebars, right in front of her and the tyre in between his legs. Keep your eyes up, Kyoko. Up, the eyes.

"Let me come with you."

What was he sprouting about?

"Ren, I need to leave soon, you – "

"I just need a quarter, as long as you let me use your shower. I promise I won't make you late. You will even have some time to spare."He added. She frowned.

"What about breakfast?"

"I will eat something afterwards."

Her frown deepened. Not believing that.

"I promise."

She didn't know how to respond. What was the point of him coming? She was going to work.

"But why?" She inquired, at lost. Was it just the interest for the bike? There was no point in going with her.

"Is the studio and director the kinds that do not allow visitors?" He asked instead.

"No, it's a show, not a movie. And as long as we are quiet and we do not post pictures, then visitors are allowed."She replied on automatic. "But – "

"Then, I would love to see it. And I would love to be your passenger if you would have me." He continued with a smile, not even letting her resist. "I'd like to come with you. Please."

She stayed muted this time, and he leaned forwards, over the handles of the bike and even closer to her. Only someone his size could bend over the front like that. Someone smaller would have had the top of their chest-bumping in the windshield. But he was so tall, he could bend above it.

His eyes displayed a joyful excited query. Yet, with such a pulsating lingering wildness in the request of his eyes, it felt impossible refusing him to take him with her.

"Let me come."

Her muted agreement was duly noted when she made a sign of assent.

PS: Hello everyone. Yes, me again. Happy new year to all of you. I'm happy to present you CHAPTER FREAKING 100 of Evolving to reach each other. I can't believe i'm already at 100 chapters. Sorry i couldn't publish earlier in January. Beginning of year was hectic.

Anyway, i hope you will love this chapter as much as i loved to write it. Kisses.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.