Kyoko adjusted her bubble gum pink jumpsuit, a vibrant splash of color that contrasted sharply with her flustered emotions. The memory of her passionate kiss with Ren lingered like an electric charge, causing her cheeks to flush a deep crimson every time she replayed the moment. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself and push away the anxious thoughts that threatened to consume her.

"Are you feeling okay?" Kanae asked, her voice gentle but probing as she glanced over her shoulder. "You seem a bit off."

"I'm fine!" Kyoko replied too quickly, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than genuine happiness. She could feel the weight of her earlier mishaps pressing down on her, a series of missed cues and multiple takes during the filming of Yappa Kimagure Rock. The producer's glares had been particularly sharp today, and the concern etched on the faces of the Bridge Rock brothers only added to her sense of guilt. "Really! Just... busy with work."

Kanae raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by Kyoko's cheerful facade. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right? I'm here for you."

Kyoko nodded appreciatively, grateful for Kanae's unwavering support. However, she wasn't ready to spill the chaotic mix of emotions brewing inside her, part confusion, part thrill over what had happened with Ren. Instead, she decided to divert the conversation. "So, what's this new drama about? I heard you were leaving soon."

"Yeah," Kanae said, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she walked toward her locker, fingers deftly sorting through her costumes. "It's going to be a tough one since it's going to be an action film."

Kyoko couldn't help but grin at the thought of Kanae in such a role.. "Well, I'm here for you if needed. I can't wait to see it!"

"Thanks! I'll need your support during filming," Kanae replied, finally turning to face Kyoko fully. Her expression softened as she stepped closer, sensing Kyoko's underlying tension. "And speaking of support, how's your Love Me work going?"

Kyoko hesitated for a moment, biting her lip as she considered how much to reveal. "It's... it's been a bit rough today," she admitted quietly. Memories of her flustered state and the awkwardness of the day weighed heavily on her. "But I'm trying to keep my focus. Hopefully, I'll get back on track soon."

Kanae placed a reassuring hand on Kyoko's shoulder, grounding her in that moment. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. We all have our moments. It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes."

"Right," Kyoko said softly, gratitude swelling in her chest for Kanae's friendship and understanding nature. "I just need to keep my head clear and not let my personal life interfere with my work."

As they chatted about the upcoming projects and shared laughter over their experiences in showbiz, the tension in Kyoko's chest began to ease. Perhaps she could navigate through this chaotic day after all, with Moko by her side to support her through the ups and downs of life in the entertainment industry.

Kanae felt hesitant to ask, aware that her friend often had peculiar concerns. She debated whether to remain silent or inquire, ultimately choosing the latter. "What's happening that you need to work to distract yourself?"

Kyoko looked at her friend, her eyes filled with concern.

"Oh my god Kyoko! You didn't killFuwa, did you?"

Kyoko shook her head and offered a small smile. "No, but I feel utterly embarrassed."

Kanae sat next to Kyoko as she recounted her experience of being trapped in the elevator, the necessity of collaborating with Sho, and finally, her kiss with Tsuruga. About time, Kanae thought. Although she was not pleased about hearing the elevator incident only now or that her friend had to work with Fuwa, she understood that Kyoko typically avoided burdening her. Still, the way Kyoko's mind operated baffled Kanae.

"Seriously Mogami, you could have died two days ago but you are freaking out over a simple kiss." Kanae said shaking her head. She looked over and her friend had practically melted into the bench which made her wonder if it was a small kiss. "It was only a kiss right?"

"Well yeah, but…. Iendeduponhislapanditwasanaughtykiss." Kyoko said very quickly and under her breath.

Kanae stared at Kyoko her jaw open in disbelief. "With Ren Tsuruga?" Kyoko nodded fidgeting with her fingers. "I knew he was a playboy."

"No! It was my fault!" Kyoko shouted.

Kanae covered Kyoko's mouth, "Shhhhh!" she said looking at the door. She removed her hands once she realized that her friend had shut her mouth and would keep it shut. "Did you initiate the kiss?"

Kyoko shook her head no. "Then it's not your fault, hell 99% of the women in Japan would have had a hard time in resisting the one and only Ren Tsuruga." Kanae sighed, "At least there are mutual feelings between the two of you, so at least there is that. So what, you two finally kissed. Was it bad?"

Kyoko blushed even harder and shook her head no which made Kanae smirk. "Well at least you have that going for you, just think how horrible it would be if the guy you like was horrible at kissing. I mean, I would think it's hilarious if the number one wanted man in Japan was shit at kissing, but that's just me."

Both girls started giggling at the thought, "Thanks Moko, I do feel better now."

"Get your head straight and get back into the game. I can't have my rival NG all time because of a kiss then due to poor performance never get another gig."

Kyoko's eyes widened at the thought, Moko was right! She slapped her face and put her game face on. "Thanks Moko, you are the best!" she said with a smile.

"Great, now find something else to do, I'm busy." As much as Kanae liked Kyoko, she could still only deal with her in small doses, especially when she had so much on her mind. But what she really was really curious about was the almost nonchalant way she spoke about Fuwa, she had only called him an egotistical idiot once, normally she would insult him a lot more. Maybe it was because she had to work with him, or was she starting to forgive him a bit? She would definitely make sure they kept in touch while she was in the US though which was just in a few days.

"You've been uncharacteristically happy today Ren, did something good happen?" Lory asked.

"Nothing that you should be worried about."

Lory lit his cigar with a lighter in the shape of a revolver. He was wearing a cowboy outfit that looked out of a spaghetti western, cowboy boots with spurs, chaps and Stetson included. He studied Ren with an eagle eye, something must have happened with Ms. Mogami he thought but what? How far would Tsuruga go, not very far, but if he slipped and Koun took over what kind of things could have happened. Ren was an angel, a pure gentleman, but Koun, he was different. Ren/Koun was Jekyll and Hyde in real life. "Are you going to visit Kuu and Julianna?"

Ren sighed, he knew that he should visit his parents especially since he would be in LA but he wasn't sure he was ready. "I haven't decided yet."

Lory frowned. "I'm not going to tell you what do to Ren, I've never told you what to do when it comes to your personal life, but I'm am going to suggest that you see them. Julie hasn't seen you in 6 years, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind seeing you even with brown hair."

"I'll think about it."

"Fine." Lory said in exasperation. "Now then, on another personal note, what's going on with you and Ms. Mogami?"

Ren looked at the president in shock, there was no way he knew what happened earlier in the morning. Takarada had been pushing him to be with Kyoko and knew his feelings without him even having to say anything directly, the president was a Lovemon after all. "What do you mean?" he asked trying to play it cool.

"What I mean is you came into my office like you were the happiest man alive so I assumed it had something to do with Ms. Mogami. Unless there is another woman in your life?" he asked taking another puff of his cigar and raising a quizzical brow.

"I've told her how I feel and we've agreed to not move on with anything yet and to keep our relationship as it was."

Lory grunted unhappily, "You will be gone for how long? 6 to 9 months at least? What if something happens during that time? I know she is going to be working with Fuwa and they do have a past."

"I have no worries of that." Ren said in false confidence. "She knows how I feel about her, and there are mutual feelings."

"Okay, but if not Fuwa, what if another young man comes along and sweeps her off her feet?" Lory asked, he wanted to know how serious Ren was about the young up and coming actress. She was certainly charming enough to catch the eyes of many men, and had already thinking about how Kijima once had his sights on her, as well as the singer for Vie Ghoul.

Ren's face grew darker as jealousy was rising at the thought, he wanted to think that nothing like that would happen, especially after their shared time earlier that morning, but he couldn't lie to himself that it was totally impossible, but he could try his best to sound confident to the president. "I'm not really worried, she is Love Me's number 1."

"Ah yes," Lory said sitting back with a smile, he took another puff of his cigar and looked Ren in the eyes. "But it seems that that wall has started to crumble."

Ren paled, the president was right. She had opened her heart to him, she also had opened her heart to Corn, who was to say that she couldn't open her heart to someone else? "If that's what she want's then I will congratulate her and wish her the best." Ren said lying. They both knew that is was complete bullshit

Ren sat in his empty apartment thinking back to the earlier conversation with President Takarada. What would he do if Kyoko ever fell for someone else? Could he sit back and watch her, he believed that he could, as long as she was happy he could watch from afar and be happy for her. He had done it once as a child, but of course that was a childish love of his. He had never forgot the little girl who would forget life's problems after a good cry, but he had grown up and she was only a memory. Could he grow up even further now if she were to move on. He promised his heart to her, but she wasn't completely his. He regretted the decision not to change their relationship, though the intimacy between the two in his dressing room was a change, a drastic one.

Images of Fuwa and her being together, kissing, Kyoko moaning from his hands flashed through his mind and infuriated him. Ren might be able to wish her luck but Kuon wouldn't. Kuon would take back what he thought was rightfully his, and to him, she was his.