Chapter 12

It was a simple text message, "save the date for the nights of December 23rd to 25th. Ren", that Maria-chan, Kyoko-san, Kanae-san, and Yashiro-san received in the same time.

Honestly, his text is minimalist, Kanae thought to herself, but since she had a feeling it was a Christmas present for Maria-chan and Kyoko, she replied "Ok. Kanae". She didn't like texting either! She had heard back from Ren and Kyoko's meeting that they were unofficially a couple. Soon, Kyoko would be out of the love me section, noooo. If only Ren could be bald and ugly! It was all his fault! Apart from this existential torment, she found them rather cute. Kyoko often received flowers in their love me room and he had admitted, a little embarrassed, having bought her the pink underwear. Kyoko let herself be pampered and the fact of being loved made her more beautiful day by day. For her part, Kanae had seen Taira Murasame twice, the second time they had parted with a kiss. Maybe she would get out of this horrible love me section too.

Maria-chan, very smart for her age, replied to the text immediately, "Oh a surprise Ren-sama. This is great. I can't wait for 23." There was a misspelling but it was unimportant.

Yashiro-san put on his gloves and tapped on his keyboard, "You can count on me!"

Finally, Kyoko, embarrassed that he was preparing a surprise for her, wrote to him, "There's no point in going to all this trouble Ren-san, but I'll be there."

Ren smiled at all the positive responses and then composed another text message, "Okay. See you on the 23rd in the love me room at 4pm. Ren." Ren didn't like texting, he had been struggling with Kanji for 6 years, written Japanese was difficult.

- He still hasn't learned to be more talkative, Kanae chuckled.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, everyone was waiting in the love me room, and, contrary to his usual routine, Ren was late. He was talking to the president to allow him have Maria for a few days. The president wasn't very eager that Ren was stealing his little girl's birthday, but Maria was so happy that he agreed.

When Ren entered the Love Me room, he apologized profusely for being late and announced that they could all go now. They all fit into Ren's car, the girls being a little cramped in the sports car's back seats. Ren started the car and got into the city traffic. When he entered Disneyland and parked in front of the park's big hotel, Kyoko and Maria almost cried with joy. Kanae was skeptical, Disneyland with her family was just awful.

They took their luggage up to the room. It was a 2-bedroom suite in one of the hotel's round towers. They even had access to the hotel's pool and jacuzzi. Good thing Ren had said to bring swimsuits!

They got ready and went up to the pool. They played at splashing each other. Yashiro-san had taken off his glasses and his hair was slicked back by the water, Kanae found him cute. What was happening to her that everyone was cute? She had Taira-san! Anyway, she was troubled by Ren's manager. After the pool they had dinner in the hotel's restaurant and Kyoko had to insist for Ren and Maria-chan to finish their plates.

In the evening, they planned for the next day. Yashiro-san and Kanae seemed to want to avoid any violent rides. Maria chan wanted to do the haunted house and Kyoko the doll world.

- Well, we have two days to do everything, that should be good, said Ren.

They went to bed early to be in good shape for the next day.

The Christmas decorations were beautiful, Kyoko gaped at a tree decorated with white angels. Speakers were playing Christmas carols. All that was missing was snow!

In the morning, they had all celebrated Maria Chan's birthday. She had received many presents. Her grandfather sent a huge stuffed Koala to her. Ren wondered how it was going to fit in the car on the way back.

Here and there you could buy Mickey ears, Maria had Ren try on a pair and everyone laughed. Ren pretended to take the ears off when Yashiro-san begged him to pose for a picture. It would look great on his blog! Ren was already wearing dark glasses and a big scarf. With the ears he was the ugliest he could get.

They went for rides and at noon ate a hot sandwich in a fast-food restaurant. They then passed in front of a "Frozen" store where Kyoko, Maria and Ren had a singing contest, it was Ren who won because he knew the song in Russian, which surprised the girls.

After the meal they went to the world of dolls, Kyoko was amazed and wanted to do it twice, the others found the music horrifying. Kyoko thought that she should make Ren dolls dressed according to different countries. He would be so handsome as an Indian! Then they visited the mine train and the haunted house. Kyoko was very scared and clung to Ren who wanted to do a second round just for that. From time to time people stared at Ren but no one came to interrupt his leisure time with his friends.

With a lot of effort, they managed to convince Yashiro-san and Kanae to go up the tower of terror. Kanae was livid and wanted to turn around but couldn't. She screamed like crazy in the attraction and came out staggering, supported by Yashiro-san who wasn't brilliant either. To take a break, and give Kanae time to recover, they watched a car stunt show. Ren was really into it, but the girls were bored.

Then they went back to the hotel. Kyoko suggested going to the pool, but Ren said "no, not tonight" in a cryptic tone. They dropped their coats in the room and Ren led them to the hotel lobby where several people, mostly girls, were waiting. They were shown into a room full of small booths and there they were asked to choose from a bunch of dresses.

- What's this crazy thing, said Kanae.

- It's the princess dream party, Maria-Chan replied, once a month there is the princess ball.

- Great! Kyoko was daydreaming.

She chose with great difficulty an indigo dress that brought out her eyes and her hair. It was a tulle dress, empire style. The fabric, pleated under the chest, cascaded down her slender body. Thin straps held the dress up and the train spread gracefully on the parquet floor. To complete the outfit she wore amber-colored heeled shoes. Then her hair and makeup were done.

Kanae, with her hair in a bun studded with white flowers, wore a cream-colored dress, the bustier emphasized her slim waist and highlighted her chest. Her dress had no train, which displeased Kyoko. But even without a train, her friend looked like a princess.

Maria-chan shone in a magnificent sun-yellow dress. Belle's dress, Kyoko thought. The sleeves were long and the skirt extended its folds to the ground.

- You girls are gorgeous, Kyoko exclaimed.

- Yes, but I still don't know how to dance, Kanae grumbled.

- I learned at the ryokan, said Kyoko.

- I can dance too, exclaimed Maria-chan. I'll show you, it's easy. And lifting her skirt she performed few steps of a waltz.

They were taken into a large room with chandeliers on the ceiling and an orchestra playing waltzes in the back of the room.

Suddenly trumpets sounded and the princes arrived. Ren and Yashiro-san were as handsome as kings. Ren was dressed all in white with epaulettes and a golden belt. He even had a sword. Yashiro-san was dressed in a midnight blue outfit with a white belt. This outfit suited him perfectly.

Ren invited Maria-chan to dance, they twirled between the other couples.

- I don't know how to waltz, but if you would like to dance with me... Yashiro-san suggested to Kanae.

And they went to the dance floor, dancing a slow dance rather than a waltz.

As they were dancing Ren confessed to Maria-chan:

- Maria-chan, I have something very important to tell you… Here, I am in love. I tell you this because you can understand now. I am in love with an 18 year old girl, promise me you won't hate her?

- Too late I already hate her...

- Maria-chan...

And that was the end of the song and the discussion, they parted ways upset. Then Ren invited Kyoko to dance.

Their waltz was light and fluid, they were soon the attraction of the whole assembly. Some even began to recognize Ren. Ren and Kyoko danced alone in the world, eyes in eyes. They were happy to be together and to be in love. There, under the candlesticks they were so beautiful, so complementary, their love was obvious.

- No! Maria-chan cried. Not my big sister!

And then looking at them closely she realized that their couple was an evidence. They looked so happy together.

- Okay! She said quietly, if it's Onee-san it's fine for me. But I won't babysit your children!

At the end of the music, Ren, slightly intoxicated by the dance, took Kyoko's hand and kissed it. Kyoko smiled at him kindly.

- Okay! You can date my Onee-san but if you make her cry, I'll have you kicked out of the LME, got it?

- Understood Maria-chan. Thank you. Said Ren, dead serious.

Then the band let the place to a DJ and the princesses danced all night long. They went back to bed at 4am. Maria chan had fallen asleep on a bench during the party. Ren carried her to her bed.

In the living room Kyoko and Kanae, laughing, were looking at the photo book they had been given. They had had a great evening. The pictures were superb, Kyoko was very happy with the picture where she posed with her best friend. The one with Ren wasn't bad either. He was really handsome as Prince Charming.

- Thank you, Tsuruga-san, said Kanae

- Yes, thank you, thank you, Ren-san

- Thank you Ren-san, Yashiro-san joked, which made the girls laugh.

- Happy birthday, sweetheart, Ren said, handing Kyoko a small box.

She opened it and inside stood a tiny fairy with diamond wings, golden hair and emerald eyes.

- Corn, she said.

- Corn? Kanae and Yashiro-san repeated.

- This is my fairy friend, he used to come play with me when I was 6, he could almost fly. I saw him again in Guam but he looked sad. I tried to lift the curse but I'm not sure I succeeded.

- That doesn't make any sense, Kanae told her. Let's go to bed and we'll deal with that tomorrow.

They left for their room, not without a pointed look from Kanae to Ren that meant: you're going to have to explain yourself. Ren and Yashiro-san went to bed too.

- If I ask you, you won't answer me, will you? Yashiro-san asked.

- No, said Ren.

- Okay then good night, his manager replied making an outraged face.