To say Kyoko had butterflies in her stomach would be the understatement of the century. Maybe a herd of stampeding wildebeest would be closer to the truth as she sat chatting happily with Julie and Maemi whilst they had their nails done.
Kuon and Kuu were out on the golf course together, but Julie had insisted it was way too hot today to be out there swinging around a club when they could be relaxing by the pool. This was their last day after all and she was thoroughly going to make the most of it! Maemi had completely agreed with Julie and Kyoko being unable to look at Kuon without blushing due to a very realistic dream the night before had said something along the lines of girls sticking together and all that.
To begin with Julie tried to get Kyoko to actively participate in the conversation, but after a while she realised it was just making the young woman look paler. So she continued to converse happily with Maemi about subjects Kyoko could join in with when she wanted, but honestly Kyoko was simply enjoying the calming sound of Julie's voice. Even thinking of words to say was becoming a chore for her. Today was their last day, tonight would be her audience picked romantic date and then tomorrow would be spent packing and traveling back to the estate in preparation for the finale.
Kyoko thought of it more in terms of being the final curtain. The moment where the whole show had been leading to would come to pass and Kuon would choose the woman he wanted to be with. Even though the show was called 25 women 1 wife, Kyoko doubted that Kuon would actually propose to his chosen girl. But still the thought that he may actually choose her left an ache of longing in her chest.
As the clock slowly ticked away the hours the men returned to join the ladies who were by this time relaxing and sitting in the shallow end of the pool, cooling down after an hour of sun bathing. Kyoko smiled as she watched Kuu lean over and kiss Julie tenderly. They may have been married over 30 years, yet were still so in love. She hoped she too would find a happiness like that. Glancing at Kuon beneath her eyelashes she secretly wished she could feel that way with the man who was sitting not a few feet from her.
"How are you both feeling? Did you have a nice morning?" Kuon asked smiling happily at Kyoko and Maemi, who both smiled back.
"It's been a wonderful morning thank you." Maemi replied as Kuon turned expectantly to Kyoko who felt in that moment her throat had constricted so she nodded smiling.
Her reaction made Kuon wonder if she was Ok as he watched Kyoko blush and turn away from him engaging Kuu in a conversation about how the golf game had gone. He thought he heard Maemi huff a little and noticed her eyes on Kyoko, but he couldn't be sure it had been her making the noise as she just simply seemed interested in what Kuu had to say. He took this moment to look over at what Kyoko was wearing today. He wondered If Jelly Woods had simply packed Kyoko's suitcase for her or if the young woman had finally realised what a nice body she had and was now willing to show it off. He chuckled at that thought before returning to the first idea. This was definitely a Jelly outfit.
Kyoko was wearing a black two piece bikini. It was plain and simple with minimal decoration of a jeweled butterfly on one of the triangles of cloth covering a breast and then a dangling charm on the ties at the side of the small covering over her... Kuon's fingers itched to reach forward and drag her into his arms. He'd take her up to the private terrace reserved in the presidential suite before he kissed her senseless and made sweet love to her on the day bed situated there.
He watched as the small droplets of water curved across her silken skin, down her neck and then her back as the crystal like jewels of perfection fell from her wet hair. It was too much for Kuon in that moment as he swiftly removed himself from her presence in the context of having a little swim to cool off entirely before he started to have a little problem beneath his swimming trunks.
Kyoko watched Kuon go, her eyes glued to his muscular back which rippled in the sunlight. The coating of sunscreen only added to the shimmering effect as the hot sun caressed the skin she herself was dying to feel. To run her hands over it as the small beads of sweat made their slow track downwards. She had the need to use her tongue to remove them from Kuon's body... Truly that dream last night had definitely been too realistic! Kyoko decided as she wrenched her gaze away from the now completely submerged man, cutting off her view of his flesh.
Kuu and Julie both watched their children with knowing smiles. They could both see just how much the nearness and the distance played with both of their heads. The cute blush Kyoko got when she caught Kuon's eyes. The way Kuon seemed to have to physically restrain himself from paying all of his attention to Kyoko to deal with both of the women fairly. But to the people that knew him best this was no passing fancy. It had never been...Kuon was well and truly in love with Kyoko and Lory had stated Kyoko was in the same boat.
It was just after a short lunch reprieve, where Kyoko purposefully sat herself between Kuu and Julie to eat, that she grabbed her remaining courage as Makoto approached with the golden envelope. With a genuine smile she handed it with much ceremony to Kyoko who visibly swallowed hard. For the second time that day her throat seemed to have constricted leaving her voice trapped inside as she slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the enclosed card. She read the card through at least 3 times before the feeling in her throat lessened slightly.
"Well?" Julie prompted, smiling at the girl she already loved like a daughter. The smile she flashed was one of those very smiles that had fixed Kyoko into Kuon's head for so many years. The smile that made so many men fall in love with her without her knowledge or intention. As the men around her almost swooned she turned that smile on Kuon who couldn't help but smile back lovingly.
"Tonight Kuon we will be spending an evening at sea. We will be catching one of Fairmont Orchids own starlight cruisers where we will be taken out to watch the marine wildlife before having a romantic meal and dancing on board. They've listed a few of the types of things we may be lucky enough to see and even offer the experience of swimming with sea turtles!" The complete excitement on Kyoko's face was thrilling as everyone around even Maemi couldn't help smile as the excitement rolled off Kyoko in waves.
Of course. Kuon thought as he agreed with both his parents that it seemed like a wonderful evening plan, I wonder how long it will take before she asks about mermaids?
Kyoko looked again at what she had chosen to wear for this evening. They would be starting at 6pm as this was the best time to try and see the turtles according to the information Kyoko had pulled up on her phone whilst deciding on what she should wear. Her instructions were to wear something first that she would be able to swim in but also to have an outfit ready and her needed items that she would then be able to change into on the ship before their meal. She checked for the 5th time that she had all the needed items safely in the dress bag Jelly had so carefully stored it in for the trip before stepping out of her room. Maemi was just walking towards her room and smiled at Kyoko softly.
"Have a nice evening," was her only remark as Kyoko bowed and thanked her before bustling off down the corridor.
The wildebeest seemed to have morphed into something much larger. At the end of the hallway a bellhop awaited her.
"I'm here to take your things for the evening, Miss Mogami. May I?" he asked politely as Kyoko passed over two of the bags and her wrapped dress carefully.
"Thank you very much." she offered with a small bow and the man smiled winningly at her.
Without her knowledge a few of the hotel workers had become rather smitten with the quieter of the two girls. Though both of them were extremely well mannered, there was just something about Kyoko. But saying that the Maemi fanbase which took up the other 50 percent of the staff would have said the same about her and to think that lucky git got to choose between them!
Kyoko made her way down to the private lounge area where she knew Koun and his parents would be awaiting her. Kuu and Julie had done the same for Maemi. Now as she entered the room simply dressed in a beautiful yellow sundress over her simple white bikini, with no decoration, she smiled at the welcoming sight they made. And finally for the first time that day her stomach settled to a light fluttering of butterflies. All was right.
"Well my dear have a wonderful evening," Julie said as she kissed Kyoko on both cheeks before hugging her closely. Kyoko smiled and hugged back with as much vigour.
"Thanks Mom," she whispered so none of the cameras could possibly pick it up as Julie stepped away and smiled at the daughter she had always wanted, but not been lucky enough to have. And maybe... just maybe after tomorrow she would.
"You look after him Kyoko. He may act like a man, but we all know he's a big kid at heart." Kuu pulled her into a bone crushing hug as she laughed loudly.
"Just like his father I'm sure." Kuu simply stuck his tongue out which made Kyoko only laugh louder as Julie giggled with mirth and grabbed her husband's arm before he and Kyoko could get into one of their many play fights.
"Are you ready?" Kuon asked offering Kyoko his arm which she gracefully took smiling at him as she did so.
"As ready as I will ever be." she replied as he smiled wider and led Kyoko out through the main doors and down towards the hotels port and there waiting vessel.
The trip to their first destination was short, just a quick hop around the coastline to a secluded beach where the sea turtles were known to feed. Kuon and Kyoko hardly spoke, happy with the comfortable silence. Kyoko stood up at the front of the boat with the wind blowing through her hair, whipping her dress around her well-shaped frame as she laughed happily. She would often turn and smile at Kuon who stood beside her as he smiled back. His view of the surrounding beauty was mostly taken up by the woman beside him and her carefree nature. And though she seemed to be taking in every single inch of the expanding horizon in Kyoko's mind she sighed over the beautiful figure that was Kuon dressed simply in a peasant style half open shirt and black board shorts, his hair blowing and shimmering in the wind as the setting sun seemed to caress it lovingly.
This was going to be a magical evening.
The audience watched in rapt silence. The financial backers would be having a field day thought Lory as his teams reported record breaking numbers of viewers tuning in to watch the live date footage of Kuon and Kyoko. Last night had already broken all of the previous live shows but tonight the numbers were looking to break that one and then some.
He watched them standing there together at the prow of the boat and saw how far they both had come not just physically but emotionally. He remembered both of them right from the beginnings of their careers that to this day he had nurtured, structured, and coaxed. Now he watched them grow into the exceptional beings they were today, but here was something he could not assist them with, here was where he left them.
"We're here Hizuri-san," the captain called as Kuon smiled at Kyoko, offering her his arm before they walked to the back of the boat, smiling the whole way.
Kyoko gasped at the sight before them. At least 9 sea turtles were swimming around the cove in the falling daylight.
Kanae smiled to herself as she watched Kyoko, this girl really was something else . The pure joy at the sight of the underwater mammals was clear on her face and in her eyes as she slowly stripped away her clothing. It wasn't that she was trying to be sexy or seduce the man that was watching her with rapt attention. No. That silly girl was too transfixed with the hard shelled creatures to take her eyes off them for even the slightest second.
Kanae chuckled to herself as she remembered how she had first felt when she knew about Ren's... No, Kuon's feelings towards her best friend. She had always felt there was something off about that man... He was almost too perfect, too much of a gentleman. She had refused to let him take her Kyoko in the form he held back then, but now? Now the mask had fallen away and he was no longer the perfect acting god of Japan. Now he was the man who had made mistakes, turned his life around and become the man who had worked so hard for what he loved. Kanae could understand that, and she could accept that man for her most amazing best friend. So long as he made her happy.
"Are you just going to stand there all night staring Kyoko?" Kuon asked waist deep in the shallow water of the cove.
Kyoko was still amazed by the beautiful sight, as she allowed Kuon to literally pick her up by the waist and lower her gently into the sun warmed water.
"Oh Kuon aren't they wonderful?" she asked as her feet touched the sandy bottom, Kuon couldn't take his eyes away from the most beautiful thing in the world to him as he replied breathlessly.
"Yes."
When he heard Kuon's response, Yashiro almost spat out the mouthful of water he had just taken. Well he's not talking about the bloody turtles Yashiro thought chuckling to himself as Kuon and Kyoko slowly made their way through the water.
The more curious ones came and butted them gently. Kuon had still not released his grip on Kyoko. She laughed with joy as she stroked the leathery backed creature. Yashiro smiled at the closeness it was something he doubted he would ever have seen between the pair. Kyoko had always been so afraid. Who could really blame her though? After what she had been put through in her life? A mother who abandoned her, a family that used her as a maid and then trained and in his mind brainwashed her into becoming the bride for their spoilt son. That same son who used her worse than a maid before dropping her like she was nothing. No Yashiro couldn't really blame Kyoko for her fear of loving another, for wasn't it only human nature to fear the unknown?
"Feel its shell Kuon!" Kyoko said as she grabbed his hand in her own and while entwined rubbed them across the animals hard housing. Kuon was standing behind Kyoko, one hand still at her waist while the other entwined in hers did her bidding. Though the feel of the object below his fingers was the last of his thoughts as he felt Kyoko shiver delightfully as his warm breath caressed her neck.
Jelly woods sat on the edge of her seat by Lory's feet as she leant forwards, Go on Kuon you know you want to kiss her! Her mind was screaming, but in the next moment one very boisterous turtle pushed between the pair pushing them apart. Kyoko laughed as a second turtle held her stead yet Kuon floundered as he tried to regain his balance.
Bloody animal! But still I doubt anyone has any questions about where your heart lies now Kuon. She smiled thinking about the times she had been privileged enough to make Kyoko over. She was like the perfect canvas just waiting to be painted into the newest masterpiece and each time Kuon's face had shown his shock yet great pleasure at the woman he cared for. Reaching for Lory's hand Jelly squeezed it tight and Lory returned the gesture. Jelly settled back into her seat to enjoy the show, happy in the knowledge that two of her favourite people were finally on the right track.
"Hahahahahaha are you ok?" Kyoko choked out as she laughed at Kuon sitting in the shallows. The turtle that had got between them now nosed at Kuon's foot, Kuon looked disgruntled at her for a moment before her contagious laughter caught him and he too burst into laughter watching the creature that was so amazed by his feet.
Chiori couldn't help but laugh along with her friend, Kanae who was seated with her and laughing too. As Kyoko offered her small hand out to the man who was seated in the lapping waves. Patting Tama who was sleeping on her lap Chiori thought about just how much her life had changed because of the two people on the screen, without Kyoko she would still be depressed and hating her lot in life. She would still be in a very dark place right now, of that she was positive. Her fingers tangled in the soft silky fur of her new friend who again she would not have made without Kyoko and the woman beside her who had come to be just as important in her life as Love Me's number 1 member.
She watched as the pair were assisted back onto the ship and towels were offered. It weighed anchor before pulling out of the cove. The cameras couldn't follow them now as they headed off to change for the second half of their date. Chiori had never been a mad Tsuruga fan like most girls her age or those she had pretended to be like. She had only really come to know the man through Kyoko, who even though she called him her respected senpai, always treated him just as Chiori thought people should be treated...like a human. With Kyoko's aid Chiori had found herself able to talk with the actor as a friend and colleague gaining valuable experience and wisdom of the world she had barely scratched the surface of before now. She had watched them become more than friends though neither of them would admit it. But now...now she hoped all of that was about to change.
Kyoko looked down at the light pink dress Jelly had chosen for her. It was beautiful and for once Kyoko felt she deserved this dress, and this night. it didn't take her long to have a quick shower and get ready. Jelly had packed just a few items of makeup and told Kyoko she truly didn't need that much. Looking in the mirror Kyoko agreed.
Kuon looked down at his attire. Do I look ok? Would Kyoko like it? Was he too dressed up? It wasn't anything fancy, just black slacks with a light pink shirt. He had argued with Jelly but she had insisted that it was the perfect outfit for that night. It felt light and comfortable, it was just a shame Kuon himself felt like he was walking to the gallows as his stomach twisted up in knots. He had never felt so nervous about meeting up with a woman before, and he had only been away from her for thirty minutes. What the hell was wrong with him? Well he thought ruefully I suppose this is what happens when you truly fall in love.
Sho couldn't help but smile as the girl he had loved and had been his best friend for most of his childhood stepped out onto the deck dressed beautifully in a pink dress. If he didn't have to look at the man that was waiting there for her Sho could almost be happy for her. He had blown it. He knew this now, he knew just how much he had hurt her and was paying the price. His life would forever be without the one girl who had been able to make him feel special. The one girl he had held in the highest esteem for the past year. It was hard but he had to move on... and he had to let Kyoko do the same. He was over his petty ownership, there was no one who could truly own Kyoko and that was just the way it was supposed to be. Smiling down at the beautiful black hair of his girlfriend Crystal he wondered if the two of them could have ever been friends?
Well maybe one day he could try and rebuild burnt bridges? Try and see if there was at least a little space left in her heart for her childhood prince? But until then he was happy with where his life was taking him and from the look in her eyes as she looked upon Kuon standing on the deck of the ship adrift at sea so was she.
Kuon's mouth was dry as Kyoko emerged. Had he now known who she was, he would have said a goddess had just descended before him. Her light blush pink dress made of multiple layers of fine silk and lace danced around her perfectly formed frame. The corset style ruffled bodice with jeweled decoration looked like something out of his dreams as she smiled a beautiful and confident smile. The Kyoko before him was beautiful and from one look into her golden sparkling eyes she finally believed him.
"You look stunning." he said taking her hand and bowing to kiss her fingers.
"Thank you, you look very dashing yourself Kuon."
He felt the slight blush at her words cover his cheeks. Hell he was behaving like a school boy again! But really when her arm linked with his and walked her towards the table set out for two while a small 7 piece orchestra began to play beautiful music he really didn't care!
Oka watched as the two sat and chatted though her eyes passed over the food more than the conversation as she sat writing in a little book on her lap. She smiled at the way the pair looked at each other and wondered how she could've been so blind not to have seen the chemistry before. Or maybe it was something that had grown over the past weeks? She wondered about this but let it go as a hand appeared offering her a small pastry she smiled taking the taster and when it touched her tongue she couldn't help but break out into a smile as large as the girl smiling across the table at her dinner companion. Nodding her head with a big thumbs up, she was able to turn her attention back to the screen just as the desserts were finished.
She wondered where she would have been now if it had not been for the show? Probably out at one of the many famous clubs chatting up the hot and handsome men that were always there, drinking so much she would be violently ill. Or maybe even doing something her father the next day would have to clear up so as not to ruin her reputation anymore than she had already done herself. Looking down at the old worn yet exceptionally comfortable sofa she wondered how many people would have guessed her to end up in a place like this? A small 2 bed apartment with secondhand furniture and a view of just another apartment building across the way. No one probably... But then again she really couldn't care, they had taught her that the ones called the Love Me girls were also pink suited messengers of love. And that's what their lessons had given her...That's what her life had been missing.
"Would you dance with me Kyoko?" Kuon asked as he stood and bowed slightly.
Kyoko wondered as she gracefully accepted if smiling this much should be allowed, if feeling this happy was even legal as they danced around the deck to the small orchestra. Truly this was a magical night, she just hoped that she had already passed the enchantment ending at midnight. She really wanted her happily ever after now.
Honoka couldn't help it as the tears trickled down her cheeks. It was simply enchanting to watch two people she cared about deeply finding their happiness together. She could not begrudge either one of them, there was no one she knew that deserved this more than they did. They simply seem to fit together so beautifully out there in the moonlight. It really was like a fairytale and Kyoko had the role she had told her that she had always dreamt of.
"You are finally getting your fairytale honey."
How had it all gone so fast? Kuon wondered as he stood there holding the box before him, he had looked at it many times since he had it made by special order. It was a craft that was still practiced in some parts of Hokkaido, a special technique of glass blowing and sculpting. And as he looked down at the beautiful crystalline rose with red hues before him. He knew he was about to do the most important thing of his life to date.
His parents, Lory and Yashiro were there, but so were half a dozen crew and stagehands plus Makoto. It wasn't really the audience he would want, not to mention the hundreds maybe even thousands of people watching worldwide. He stood there trying to get a grip on the courage he needed to finally tell the girl that he had loved her for all these years. Just breathe chap, he kept telling himself like a mantra as Maemi and Kyoko descended the stairs together to stand before him for the final time. When he saw they both wore the same white dress he couldn't help but wonder what the hell the producers were up to! Was he really going to tell Kyoko he loved her and then have to marry her on the spot as the show name suggested?
Had he seen that in the contract? Wait a minute? God he remembered he had hardly even looked at the contract! Damn you Boss! As Makoto stepped forwards and said her part Kuon heard none of it. His head was swimming and the drowning sensation was only getting worse.
"Kuon?...Kuon?" It took a few moments for the voice to reachh im but finally he looked towards Makoto who smiled. "The stage is yours," she said with a gesture.
Kuon finally felt his feet hit the earth with an almighty thud which just might have been his heart exploding. But somehow his years of having to improvise took over as he smiled at the two very beautiful ladies before him.
"What can I really say which hasn't already been said before? You both are amazing young women. Anyone in this world would truly be lucky to have you. But in the end there can only be one. Only one of you has captured my heart in a way I don't think I ever could have expected and won the show."
His knees knocked and his heart pounded as he lifted the beautiful glass sculpture from its nest of tissue and foam. Stepping forwards and amazing himself by the fact he didn't trip and fall he approached the two women as equals.
Then at the last moment he turned to Kyoko and held out the rose to her.
"Please accept this rose as a heartfelt token of my sincere love and appreciation."
All sound had been shut off in the room as Kyoko's breath caught in her throat. The words just wouldn't come out right and before she had even thought about what she was saying, the whisper was caught by the sound equipment.
"No."