"Well shall we?" Kyoko asked as she handed him a warm coat from the bag Sebastian had packed for him before pulling out her own. There was also a warm hat and scarf each.
A disguise. Kuon thought as he pulled on the clothing and smiled. Today was going to be a good day he could tell. Kuon left the keys with Sebastian and the bento in the car for when Sebastian finished his errands and brought it back. Kuon grabbed Kyoko's hand and smiled as she blushed a little but did not let go. Hand in hand they walked towards the zoo entrance. Kuon watched as Kyoko paid telling him as this was her treat she would be paying. Kuon didn't like it but agreed thinking he would buy her something inside the zoo to make up for this. He watched smiling as she allowed the sales girl to talk her into buying not only a brochure but also a 'Save the Penguins' pin and a wrist band promoting wildlife aid, Typical Kyoko Kuon thought as he watch her turn and smile at him so sweetly that Kuon felt his knees weaken.
If only she knew how much she affects me, I would gladly be the laughing stock of Tokyo for her heart. Kuon smiled as Kyoko neared him handing him his ticket before grabbing the front of his jacket in a movement that almost sent him crashing down on top of her.
"Kyokooooo..." he gasped as he tried to right himself while she just giggled.
"Hold still." she ordered in a happy friendly tone as her nimble fingers pinned the 'Save the Penguins' pin to the coat he was wearing, "There we go, now you fit in!" she said with the same sweet smile. Kuon just looked down at the pin on his chest.
"Really?" he asked smiling at her in a lopsided way.
"Yes really! And for today so as to try and keep a low profile, your name will be Corn and I'm Asuna." Kuon just stared at her dumbfounded.
"When did you realise?" he asked as Kyoko tilted her head thinking about his question.
"I suppose I realised as soon as you confessed your real name." Kyoko said with a thoughtful smile. Kuon's heart was pounding as he wondered if she was angry...But wait if she was angry wouldn't she have confronted him before now? Wouldn't she have shouted at him? Left him and blocked him from her life? But she wasn't doing any of these things, just standing there smiling as she watched the emotions and thoughts playing across his eyes.
"You never mentioned it?" he stated needing some composure on his thoughts.
Kyoko smiled as she reached out grabbing his hand and pulling Kuon beside her started walking towards the entrance gate. "Well neither did you. To begin with I wondered if you had realised who I was or maybe you had forgotten. There were days I even questioned my own sanity, but all clues pointed to you."
Kuon nodded slowly, trying to keep up with the pace of this conversation. it took him until they had handed over their tickets and had their hands stamped to find the words that had been resting on his tongue. "You're not angry?"
Kyoko shook her head. "No not really, though I wonder when you found out and why you never said anything?"
Kuon looked at her wondering if he should tell her when he had realised who she was? Should he admit to knowing all this time? Yes... it was only right. "Remember the day you dropped your stone on the staircase? It was not long after you challenged Ruriko to an acting challenge for Ring Doh." Kyoko nodded slowly before looking at him stunned.
"That long!" she exclaimed stopping in her tracks to look at him. Kuon nodded and not wanting her to think he had been trying to hide their past together he added his reason.
"I just didn't want you to be disappointed." Kuon sighed as he scuffed his feet a little on the floor. "I didn't want you to know that the boy you had called a fairy prince was really a lost and scared little boy who grew up to be a man. Who had to hide away his true name because of all the bad things he had done with his life."
It was Kyoko's small hand on his cheek that pulled Kuon into the present again as Kyoko lifted her eyes to look at him. "Hey now don't think like that!" she said in a scolding, quiet voice. It would not have been audible if they had not been standing so close together. Kyoko's thumb caressed his cheek. "Trust me when I tell you I'm not disappointed, I'm just happy...Happy I have my friend back who gave me so much, expecting nothing in return when he too was hurting...If anything it should be me apologising to you..."
His words were just as quiet as hers. In their own little world surrounded by a sea of people, but still none of it seemed to exist to the pair as they gazed in to each other's eyes.
"Please don't." His voice was almost begging and Kyoko wondered just how close his emotions were to breaking. If they were like her own with tears being barely kept at bay as Kyoko nodded her acceptance.
"Then you need to believe me Corn, I could never be disappointed with the man you are. You were right...your wings have grown large and let me just say they're magnificent." Kuon wondered if he would have kissed Kyoko in that moment? But it wasn't to be as a family jostled Kuon slightly before apologising. Kuon just smiled and still holding hands the pair strode towards the first animal displays.
The camera crews would be minimal on these dates. Basically individuals with handheld cameras would be wandering around the zoo like visitors and filming from a distance. In doing this the producers, well let's face it, Lory was hoping they would be able to get some juicy footage for the show. It was just unfortunate that the first cameraman who had been posted near the gate had missed the exchange between the couple who strode past him hand in hand smiling.
Kuon was half watching the birds in the aviary and half watching Kyoko. He couldn't believe how her simple acceptance of him could make him feel on top of the world like it did at that moment. But watching her point out the flamingos, the crested mallards and the other labeled birds Kuon couldn't help but be wrapped up in the aura that was Kyoko. He found himself wondering how he ever could have worried about simply being himself with the woman next to him? He smiled at his own stupidity and faint-heartedness which had led him to wait so long to admit just how much this girl meant to him...He would tell her today, he would make sure Kyoko knew that she was the one and only girl in his heart. That she alone would be walking out of this competition with him and it had been like that since they were 6 and 10 years old.
Kuon had to admit the zoo was amazing. They had tried to cater to each animal's individual needs. And even though Kuon hated to see any animal in a cage this zoo at least was allowing the animals a more natural and spacious environment than many of the zoos he had heard of in Japan. Watching Kyoko's eyes as they went inside the walkthrough penguin aquarium was like watching her as a 6 year old once more. She lost herself in the beauty and magic of the moment as penguins gracefully flew through the water above them.
Kyoko was laughing as she watched Kuon come face to face with a very curious seal. She was amazed to see the upright tubes along the walkway as the seals swam under, up and over the people below . She couldn't help laughing loudly as the seal just floated in the water with ease, staring at Kuon who easily towered above most of the other zoo guests.
"I think he likes you Corn." Kyoko giggled as other people looked at the tall man the seal seemed fascinated by. Kuon walked forwards towards the tube and stood before the seal who gently nudged his nose against the glass.
A family of 2 adults and 4 children were beside Kuon. Each parent was already holding a small child as another little girl around 6 or 7 begged to be picked up so she too could see the seal. Hanging off the arm of a man Kuon believed to be her father, the man sadly told her she was too big now to be picked up like the little boy in his arms saying if he put him down he was likely to be hurt. Sobbing quietly the little girl conformed with a sad face.
"Allow me?" Kuon asked bending slightly to the young girl and looking towards the man for permission. As soon as he nodded the little girl squealed and hurtled forwards into Kuon's waiting arms. Kuon again stood to his full height and allowed the girl to look at the seal who seemed to have been watching the man who had interested her so. The little girl smiled and laughed as the seal seeing Kuon stand now with the child in his arms flipped over so she was facing towards the bottom of the pipe with her tail above her as the girl laughed.
He really will make a wonderful father. Kyoko thought as she watched the sight before her with a smile. She had always thought this watching Kuon with Maria, but now even her own thoughts shocked her.
I wonder if I could be as good of a mother to our children...Wait! What? She had only said it in her head, but still she had said it...Our... As in her and Kuon... As in they would be together and have children together someday! Could she really take his kindness that seriously? Could she really see Kuon picking her at the end of this whole charade? Could she really believe Kuon would return her feelings?
Half of her wanted to scream at herself, tell herself to stop being stupid! Kuon was being kind to all the women. It didn't make her special! But then there was another part of her...the part that she tried to quell and crush below lock and key for so long...The part of her that made her heart beat and ache for the man beside her, that begged for him to love her the way she loved him! The part of her that was telling her that Kuon did have feelings for her. And as Kuon turned to face her she couldn't deny that look in his eyes. It was the look of someone who needed this moment and many more like it...The look that spoke multitudes, and in the same breath infinite possibilities . Did Kyoko believe she could win?
It was so simple...Yes, she had denied it for so long. Tried to prove it to herself countless times that she was worthless, plain and...boring. But then at the end of the day, people like Kanae, Chiori, Honoka, the president and so many other people had been there, telling her and forcing her to see just who she really was. Who she wanted to be...Acting had changed Kyoko, it had pushed her to find herself. Find who she truly was and now standing there with the man she knew she loved more than anything in the world she didn't find herself lacking. It had finally hit home.
Mogami Kyoko was only as plain and boring as she let herself be... and she would never let herself be called that again.
Kyoko looked at the time table before her and smiled."We have time for lunch now before the show starts."
Kuon nodded amicably, though asked to be excused for a moment to use the 'Little Mens Room' which made Kyoko giggle as she nodded and said she would wait for him. It was when Kuon exited the bathroom he realised one big flaw in his plan. The sea of people before him had swallowed up Kyoko. He scanned the milling crowds, but could not see her. He didn't know what brought it on as he knew Kyoko was just fine, but in a moment of weakness on his own part, being unable to see Kyoko frightened him.
"Kyoko! Kyoko!" he called out forgetting he was supposed to be calling her Asuna, which was a part in a drama she had filmed the year before. He felt himself panicking as he strode into the sea of people, calling out for her, thinking the worst possible scenarios. It was a moment of pure fear felt by those who have lost sight of a child. Or when you were young you lost your parents for a short time. At one point in everyone's lives they feel this little moment of complete and utter fear. The things you think in that moment even though they may be the most absurd things are things that at that time are believed indisputably. This was how Kuon felt in that moment as he searched for Kyoko. How Kuon felt could never be described as he felt Kyoko's hand grab his own and heard her voice call his name.
"Kuon...I'm here." was all she said as her slight weight pulled Kuon back slightly before he spun and literally picked Kyoko up off her feet and strode out of the milling crowd and across to some benches set at the side of the walkway.
"God Kyoko...I thought I had lost you." Kuon sighed as he hugged her small body to his own in sheer relief.
"And where did you think I would have gone silly?" she asked smiling and perplexed by Kuon's behaviour and need of her.
"I...I don't know." he answered not wanting to tell her all those unlikely scenarios he had made up in his mind as Kyoko tweaked his nose and chuckled.
"I'm not going anywhere Kuon." she said sitting beside him on the bench as he let her go.
"Promise?" he asked feeling silly but needing the reassurance anyway. Kyoko smiled and nodded not trusting her words at the look in his eyes, but as soon as Kuon smiled his relief Kyoko's breath was taken from her anyway.
"Wait here I have an idea." Kuon said standing up suddenly and striding off. Kyoko shook her head ridding it of that wondrous smile and the effects it held over her, wondering what Kuon's idea was this time.
Her question was answered though not even a few minutes later as Kuon came striding back with a large flamingo balloon on a red string. Kyoko laughed as Kuon made her hold out her hand and he tied it securely around her wrist.
"There we go, now I won't lose you." Kuon stated as he knotted the string.
"Why a flamingo?" Kyoko asked looking up at the balloon and smiling sweetly.
"Because of the string." Kuon said matter of factly as Kyoko looked confused at the red string tied to her wrist.
"The string?"
Kuon nodded "Yes, I suppose it's just the feeling in my mind but the string binding you to that balloon is kind of like the one that seems to have bound us together. Think about it, we meet as children and what else but fate could have brought us together all these years later? It's like you have always been there at the back of my mind pulling on that little red string, always there and always going to be coming back to me one day." It was official. He had said it. That he was tied to her and always would be... Kuon wondered if she understood just how deeply he meant his words. He would have happily just have said it out loud... Kyoko I love you will you marry me. But just before he was about to, he had noticed the camera trained on them. Not one, but two of the blasted things, but he hoped his words would be enough... That she would see and understand. The way Kyoko smiled at him told him she understood to an extent. He just hoped it was to the extent he was implying.
Lunch as always was perfect, and Kuon found himself happily eating more than usual as they talked and laughed. The afternoon was just as fun as they watched the sea lion show and even walked around the Children's Ranch, petting the animals and feeding them. This again made Kyoko laugh as one very brave goat found it very entertaining to climb onto Kuon's back as he bent down to pet one of the fellow goats. Kyoko was almost on the floor in tears as the goat then decided to munch on Kuon's hat.
That was the beginning of the end though as people noticed Kuon's beautiful blond hair and recognised the woman with him. It took only moments for them to be surrounded by people as they smiled and tried to back away from the gathering crowd.
"How about we make a run for it?" Kuon asked quietly to Kyoko who shot him a pleading look.
"I'm really sorry everyone, but this is actually part of the show and we must be going." With that Kyoko was amazed once more as Kuon grabbed her hand and spinning around almost sprinted away in the opposite direction. Kyoko flapped along behind him like a wet paper bag as they made their way down the main stretch and into the zoo's gift shop. Before anyone could really understand what had happened they were gone.
Kuon got his wish, buying Kyoko a cuddly red toy panda which she had cooed over. Even though she told him not to, the look in her eyes as she thanked him could have sustained him for years. So with light hearts they made their way out of the gates together and into the waiting car. Sebastian smiled as Kyoko asked him to take them back to the mansion.
Lory couldn't help but feel a thrill as he watched Kyoko and Kuon part on the cameras to go and get ready for dinner that evening. He could see it in the way Kyoko held herself and he understood that look instantly. Kyoko had finally learnt one of the most important lessons about love... You cannot love another until you love yourself.
The next morning at breakfast again Kuon was missing. This time though Kyoko knew where he was, but still it didn't stop the niggling worry in her chest as she thought of what Kuon would be doing today with Sachi. It was still early, so Kyoko was alone at the breakfast table for the time being.
Flipping through the script for 'Love in the Fold' for what seemed like the 100th time Kyoko reveled in the thought that Kuon would be playing opposite her as her possible love interest. The little bubble of happiness in her chest at the thought of being able to act opposite Kuon was overwhelming. Still she wondered, was she ready for it? Could she act against Kuon at a level that he would be unable to lead her as he had Mimose in Dark Moon during his Katsuki acting test?
"Morning...You're up early." Seina stated as she sat down beside Kyoko and reached for the coffeepot.
Kyoko smiled and shut the script, glad for the momentary distraction. "So are you."
Seina just nodded and smiled brightly. "Sachi had me up early picking out her outfit for her 'special' date."
Kyoko smiled, but it was the kind of smile that tried to hide the clenching of her heart in her chest. Seina noticed it and sighed before placing her head on her hand and smiling comfortingly at Kyoko whilst leaning on the table.
"She doesn't love him you know." Kyoko looked into Seina's kind eyes wondering why she was telling her this, but felt a warmth at the words nonetheless. "I'm not sure if she realises it yet, but she and Kuon are just not meant to be."
The next words were out of Kyoko's mouth before she could stop them. "And what about you?" Kyoko felt like smacking herself at her blatant questioning of the beautiful woman beside her, but again Seina just smiled.
"No. When it comes to Kuon, we're both the same. As for Kuon...well don't get me wrong. He's attractive, successful and rich." Seina watched Kyoko's building tension at her words, her hunches were never wrong, "But it would never work between us." There it was, the relaxing of the muscles as Kyoko began breathing once more.
"Oh?" the sound was the question. Even if Kyoko wasn't too sure what that question was.
"His heart is closed as well, I think." she continued this time looking away from Kyoko as she reached for an American style bagel. Kyoko didn't move as she watched Seina spread cream cheese on it, but she had to know.
"What do you mean closed?" she asked barely daring to think of the meaning behind those words.
"I mean that Kuon already has a woman he loves. He has already chosen her and given her his heart." Kyoko just stared at Seina, who took this moment to look back at Kyoko. Her eyes registered Maemi as she walked in chatting with Julie. Then she lowered the tone of her voice slightly knowing how much weight her knowledge would hold, using the noise of the people to cover up her words as best she could. "Just don't let him go Kyoko."
With those simple words Seina turned and welcomed the new arrivals in a loud, cheery voice telling them of the hassle her sister had put her through that morning and of the problems she had caused. Kyoko sat there and spoke calmly, while inside her feelings burnt bright and fierce.