Chapter 10

Ren woke up at the first light of dawn. He got up quietly, relieved his bladder in the woods, and washed his hands and face in the stream. With his hair disheveled he looked like a sexy angel.

He started to make a fire, then took out a blackened Italian coffee pot from his bag. He wiped the pot and filled it with water, measured out the coffee and gathered some red embers on which he placed everything. He was still dressed in his pajamas, black cotton pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

Kimiko woke up too and joined him

I want to apologize for last night Kimiko-san, but you must understand that your insinuations are a risk to me. Not only are you a minor and this can cause me problems, but you are also giving a bad impression of me to the woman I really love. I am serious, if you continue, I will file a complaint, ok?

Kimiko said nothing and lowered her head, either upset or sad.

Ren was saved by the coffee maker, which, with gurgling sounds, indicated that the coffee was ready. Ren, using his T-shirt sleeve, took the coffee maker off the fire and poured a cup for Kimiko and him. They drank their coffee in heavy silence. Then Taira woke up, followed closely by Kanae and Kyoko. Kanae was dressed in a black nightie ; she must be cold, Ren thought. He took a sweater out of his bag and handed it to her. Ren's sweater made a dress for Kanae, it suited her perfectly. Kyoko was dressed in gray pajamas with "I don't care, I'm a princess" written on it. It was Kanae's gift for White Day. Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were still full of sleep. Ren found her adorable.

They decided to let Hidehito, Shotaro and Nana sleep, and went to get dressed in the forest. Then Ren took out a fishing rod and hooks from his bag. He was going to take advantage of this trip to catch some fish. He settled on a rock and cast his line. Kyoko couldn't help but admire him, there in the sun, making broad gestures to cast his line, he looked like Corn.

Corn was her fairy friend, she had met him when she was 6 years old, he had given her a magic stone that absorbs sadness. She had found Corn in Guam, but he had magically taken on the appearance of his sempai. Since then, she had been troubled by the resemblance. Was Ren a fairy too?

Suddenly Ren caught a fish, all the others started screaming with joy. It was a big cod, Ren was happy, the waters of this cove were full of fish, he was going to be able to catch lunch.

- Aren't you crazy to shout like that?

It was Hidehito and Nana, who woken up by their exclamations were making a little face. Shotaro followed behind, visibly not fully awake.

- There's hot coffee, Ren apologized. Taira-san, do you want to try? I have a second line.

He prepared a new hook and a worm that he had found in the damp humus of the forest. And explained to him how to aim under the rocks and swing his back to cast the line.

Thanks to Nana's cheerfulness, the rest of the group chatted nicely. However, Kyoko felt uncomfortable... This girl made pornographic films... However, she was so nice. That's why guys were sticking to her, she thought... I wonder if Ren has seen her films...

- How about we go see the waterfall? Kanae said, it should be on the left a few kilometers away.

And, after filling the bottle of cold water, they took leave of Ren and Taira, who hardly answered them.

On the way Kimiko was detailing Kanae… He likes a girl who must be part of the group otherwise he wouldn't have gotten so angry… Hmmm… He lent his sweater to Kanae. She must be his secret lover. Jealousy was firing her and arriving at the waterfall she looked for some ideas to get rid of that girl. Kanae would have an "accident" on the way back… After all, Ren belonged to her.

Kyoko noticed that Kimiko was looking at her friend weirdly. She made sure to be on Kanae's back all the time. When they went through a dangerous passage, she asked Kanae to go in front of the boys and left Kimiko behind. This girl was getting scary!

- I don't like the way he talked to you last night, Shotaro said to Kimiko, honestly who does he think he is? What an asshole!

- Thanks, Shotaro, but I deserved it a bit

- Even! He didn't have to be so mean.

- I think the woman he loves is part of the group.

- Yes, but she will never love him! That ass!

When they got back from their walk, Ren and Taira were deep in discussion. Kyoko was glad that the two men were getting along better, their co-worker has been right, rivalry can lead to friendship.

Kyoko helped her sempai to prepare the fish, there were 6 of them. A big sea bass, caught by Taira who was excessively proud, and 5 smaller fish. Ren salted and peppered them, then he wrapped them in aluminum foil with a drizzle of olive oil and placed them in the embers of the fire he had stoked all morning. When it was time to eat Kyoko had a slight apprehension, the food her sempai was preparing was the worst thing she had ever eaten, but visibly Nana and Kanae seemed to be enjoying themselves. She tasted it, it was delicious.

- I don't understand, she said, you can't cook an egg in your super high-tech kitchen and now you're making delicious fish. Did you go to scout camps all your youth?

- No, Ren laughed, I used to go fishing in the lakes with my father. Until one day he didn't want to come anymore because a bear stole his food.

- A bear? There are no wild bears in Japan.

- Yes, but there are some in California... He said in an enigmatic tone.

No one had the courage to dig further, not even Nana.

After lunch they sunbathed, then went swimming. Ren was the first one in the water again. Seeing him swimming in the waves, Kyoko thought he looked like a mermaid. Yes, her sempai could very well be one of those magnificent creatures that live at the bottom of the sea.

Kyoko and Nana talked about cooking for a good part of the afternoon. When the boys, all wet, joined them, they laughed as they told each other about their worst professional experiences. Ren made Kyoko laugh when he told how he had refused the advances of the health nurse and that she had ruined his arm to give him his vaccine in retaliation. Since then, he had not been up to date with his vaccinations… Nana suggested that they make a film about it, she was ready to take the role of the nurse...

In the evening, they ate Kyoko's delicious bentos. And Taira scared them by telling horror stories. He loved this kind of movie and knew a lot. Kyoko was terrified. Kanae appreciated the actor's calm tone of voice, she found him rather cute and liked his mature air. She wondered if he had a girlfriend.

The night was getting cold, and they took refuge in their sleeping bag. Kyoko had trouble falling asleep when suddenly she felt a hand squeeze hers and jumped.

- Calm down! It's me, Ren whispered, don't be afraid.

Then, with her hand in her senpai's she fell asleep peacefully.

It was the croaking of a crow that woke Kimiko up. She got up and, consumed by jealousy, she noticed that Ren and Kyoko were sleeping hand in hand. This pest, she had already stolen the role of Momiji from her, now she was stealing Ren, it was too much.

Kanae woke up in turn, at the sight of her friend hand in hand with her sempai she smiled. Finally things were moving forward. She woke Ren up. He quickly removed his hand from Kyoko's, they were crazy, the place was crawling with cameras.

They all stood up. Shotaro was the last one, he always had trouble getting up early. Kimiko came to him immediately.

- You're right, he's a bad guy. He and that bitch of Kyoko deserve a little lesson.

- I'm always right, but right now I need a coffee.

The descent back to the city was pleasant. Nana at the front of the line sang, quite out of tune, songs from the 90s. She was on the spice girl which made Ren laugh because her english was approximate. Kimiko and Shotaro were closing the line.

They were walking along a steep ravine when Kimiko, passing Ren and Hidehito, took position just behind Kyoko and pushed her into the void. Kyoko didn't even have time to scream, she slid down from the embankment and disappeared into the void. The others were holding their breath, Kimiko took advantage of it to turn back and flee along the sea.

- Kyoko! Ren and Kanae yelled. Ren flattened himself on the side of the path to see below.

- I'm fine, replied Kyoko, in a very small voice. I'm being held by a tree.

As Ren stretched, he could see her, she didn't look well at all. She was very pale and was holding on to the tree with all her strength.

- I have a rope, said Kijima.

He took out the rope from his bag, put it around a tree and tied Ren. He put the rope around his back and told his colleague:

- Go get her. I get you.

Kanae and Nana kept in touch with Kyoko, encouraging her and describing the rescue preparations. Ren slid down the rock wall and slowly went down to his kouhai. She was white and trembling from all her limbs, when Ren was near her, she hugged him. He explained to her how to go back up, Hidehito was going to help her. She let herself be tied up calmly but cried when it was time to leave Ren.

- Go ahead, Hidehito, she's ready.

And Kyoko began to rappel up the wall. Arriving at the top Ren saw Taira's two arms lift Kyoko up and set her down in a safe place. Soon the rope was swinging a few meters away from him.

- A little more to the right Hidehito. It's good I have it.

He harnessed himself and after a signal to his colleague, he began to rise into the air. He had to pull himself up to the edge of the cliff alone because everyone surrounded Kyoko. She looked shaken, someone had tried to kill her it was normal that she was in shock, but apart from that she seemed to get away with a few scratches, Ren was reassured. He thanked Hidehito who answered him:

- No problem, I've been climbing for many years I'm glad it helped save Kyoko-chan's life.

Kyoko drank some water and declared herself ready to go the rest of the way. Kanae and Ren surrounded her and stood ready to intervene if needed.

Sho stayed behind, he had the fear of his life. If that was a little lesson for Kimiko... Kill someone! This girl was crazy. He had especially realized that he cared for Kyoko, not on a romantic level, he had noticed how she looked at Ren. But like a sister. He had grown up with her, he had realized almost losing her, that he really loved her and that he wanted her to be happy.

- This is the second time she's tried to kill you, I hope you'll file a complaint now. Kanae exploded.

- But she risks prison, Kyoko replied.

- Good. This girl is a psychopath. Nana argued.

- The second time! Mogami-san why didn't you tell me anything Ren cut them off.

- I thought Yashiro-san told you that and I especially didn't want to hurt you. Said Kyoko

- Hurt me?

- I thought Kimiko was special to you because of that ring you gave her for White Day... Kyoko said shyly.

- I didn't get her anything, Kyoko-chan, Ren softened, she lied.

So much better, Kyoko thought. I hope so, Kanae thought. Who could this mysterious high school girl be, Kyoko wondered.

When they arrived at the meeting place, it was chaos. Ren and Kanae called an ambulance for Kyoko. Shotaro and Nana called the police. Hidehito and Taira tried to convince the production team not to air this show.

After hours and hours, it was decided not to broadcast the entire program, Kyoko-chan's accident would not be shown. Kimiko was found by the police quite easily and surrendered. Kyoko was able to leave the hospital in the evening. Ren drove her and Kanae back to their hotel. Kanae insisted on spending the night at her bedside.

- I'm fine Moko-san.

- We could still call each other by our first names, right? Kyoko-chan?

- I don't know. Yes, why not.

- I was really scared, you were lucky. This girl is a great danger. Come on let's sleep now I'm exhausted. Kanae stifled a yawn.

- Good night, Kyoko said.

- Oh, before I forget, do you know if Taira-san has a girlfriend, I really like him.

- ...

- Watch out, I'm going to get out of the love section before you! Kanae said mockingly.

- It's likely. Go good night Moko, uh, Kanae-san.

Bonjour dear followers,

Thank you for following my story, things will start to go faster from now on. I hope you will like it. Thank you for your reviews too, it really makes me happy to share that story with you.

I wish you all a nice Valentin's day.
Sue.