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."
"OK cut cut..." the voice rang out over the startled members present.
Kuon looked like his entire world had just collapsed around him and Kyoko looked ready to bolt. It wasn't until a smiling Maemi grabbed the girl and turned to Kuon.
"Just hold that thought." The rest of the room became alive again as Maemi literally dragged Kyoko over to the side room which had been used all along as Makoto's office. "We'll just be borrowing this," she called over her shoulder as she pushed a stone like Kyoko through the door.
The use of her personal space must have stirred something in Makoto as she raced forward. "You can't do that Maemi! This is a live show!"
Turning to the host the young woman sighed. If she wanted to make this difficult she could do so, but at that moment in time she just wanted to get this all sorted out and it wouldn't hurt to appear to be the hero.
"Makoto, you're wonderful... So are the cast and crew and everyone present. The audience is wonderful. Without them we would not be able to work in the industry we love, but think for a moment how this industry is not perfect and mistakes can be made... You have just put a young woman before half of the country and then shocked her to the point she has become illiterate. How would you have reacted if Yashiro-san over there had done the same thing to you just now?" Maemi smiled as Makoto had the sense to blush. Yes Maemi did know of the growing friendship and maybe more between the manager and best friend of the show's star. Her knowledge only led to her advantage.
"5 minutes." Lory said stepping up beside the pair with a large smile on his face directed at Makoto. Not even he had known that little snippet of information.
"That's all I'm asking." Maemi said with a smile as she entered the room and shut the door firmly behind her.
Kyoko was still standing there, exactly where she had left her. If the situation wasn't so important Maemi thought she could have had a good laugh at the girl. But knowing the time limit she placed one of the chairs behind Kyoko and pushed her into it.
"OK snap out of it!" her tone was harsh and forceful as she perched herself on the desk before Kyoko.
"What have I done?" Kyoko whispered looking down at her hands before her as if she expected to see blood on them.
The way Kuon had looked when she had finally managed to get a word out would have made even her believe she had just ripped his heart from his chest with her bare hands.
"You freaked out, no big deal." Maemi knew she was being harsh and unsupportive, but really she needed to snap Kyoko out of her shocked state pronto if she was to save any type of relationship the two of them might have.
"NO BIG DEAL! I JUST SAID NO TO THE MAN I LOVE!" Kyoko nearly screamed before clamping her hands across her mouth in shock.
"Good then we're on the same page." The happiness in Maemi's voice completely stunned Kyoko.
"You think this is great don't you? If I reject him he will turn to you instead." Well that had not been what Maemi had expected but she couldn't help but scoff. This girl really was something else.
"No I do not think that just because you accidentally rejected Kuon that he would make the same offer to me. I'm not the woman he's in love with and no matter how much I have tried and how many different ways I have tried I've not been able to change that." Maemi watched the woman before her.
She had been the biggest challenge Maemi had ever come across. Maemi knew people and how to work them to manipulate them to her own desires. But here were two people that had thwarted her. From the first day Maemi had known Kyoko was her biggest threat. That first day she had watched all of them. Learning about their personalities, weaknesses and strengths. It;s what she had been taught to do since she was old enough to understand that people did not always say what they meant. Her mother and her grandfather were both top class lawyers. They lived in a world of lies and truths and that was what she had been taught... well to read the people that told them. She had seen in that first day in the way he looked at her. Though he tried to hide it for the sake of fairness.
To begin with Maemi had thought that she could change his mind, that she could be the one always in his thoughts, in his dreams. She had tried everything from befriending Kyoko to protecting and mothering her. She had even gone as far as to try and belittle her in front of Kuon, then turned her frustration on Kyoko before finally understanding that it simply was not meant to be.
"You know when I first meet you I thought you were a right Mary-Sue." Kyoko who had just been trying to understand the full extent of Maemi's words stared at her sudden change of conversation.
"Excuse me?" she asked not understanding the term.
"You know perfect?" Kyoko just stared at Maemi who smiled and shook her head slightly "You either had everything, or were able to do everything perfectly. At first I thought you were trying to show off. It wasn't until after I heard your background story that I understood you're not perfect."
Kyoko just shot her an annoyed look which made Maemi want to laugh. "I never said I was perfect." The annoyance in Kyoko's voice was evident.
"I never said you did, but you see just your upbringing aids you in seeming perfect."
Kyoko was now by this point extremely confused. "What does my upbringing have to do with any of this?"
Maemi sank into the chair beside the desk. "Everything to be honest. Kyoko what was the most important thing to your mother?"
Again Kyoko sat there stunned. By this point Maemi was pretty sure Kuon and his heartfelt plea were the last thing on Kyoko's mind. "She wanted me to be clever, but I was never clever enough."
Maemi nodded. "And what makes the perfect Okami?"
At this point Kyoko was just answering on instinct wondering if Maemi was going anywhere with this little chat or whatever it was? "She's the pillar that holds the entire establishment together! She does everything that the Tashio does not. Greeting customers, making sure everyone is happy, she is the perfect picture of grace and elegance."
Again just a nod from Maemi before she looked Kyoko deeply in the eyes. "Do you think the Okami-san is perfect though? Do you think Fuwa-san's mother was perfect?"
Kyoko was perplexed. "She was a wonderful Okami-san!"
Maemi smiled the smile that was now starting to bug Kyoko the smile that seemed to say she understood something Kyoko did not. "Yes but was she herself perfect?"
Kyoko almost felt flustered. "Of course she wasn't but the Okami-san should always appear to be."
Maemi smiled fully now. "See that's where your Mary Sue traits come in." Kyoko was all about ready to leave the room at this point, but Maemi continued. "But it's also where your answer tonight came from Kyoko. It was a mistake when you said no to Kuon wasn't it?"
What happened only minutes ago weighed down upon Kyoko like a ton of bricks as she nodded twisting her hands in her lap.
"You really wanted to say yes and you have been doing alot better with your self assurance. I'm not the only one who's noticed that you have come into your own while on the show. But now it's finally time to let go of the fears you grew up with. You do not always have to appear perfect Kyoko, you do not have to cry alone and never show your emotions to the people who care about you. I realised after the first time Kuu and Kuon asked you to come snorkeling with us, that I'm guessing you can't swim?"
The shake of Kyoko's head was all that was needed to confirm this. Maemi slipped from the chair and knelt before Kyoko. Taking the young woman's hands in her own she smiled up at the younger woman.
"Kyoko you have found how to take pride in yourself. You found that you are worthy of love and being loved and I and everyone else out there believes in that. Truly we do. I have never seen a man so in love as Kuon is with you, so I think it's about time you dropped that last little ounce of fear that made you say no and go out there and tell Kuon the truth...don't you?"
Kyoko breathed in deeply. Was Maemi right? Was it just that last ounce of uncertainty that held her back? That last little memory of never being good enough for her mother? Never being good enough for Sho and the Fuwa's? Always striving to be perfect and show them that she was worth something? But she was somebody... She was worth something, and the simple fact was she didn't need to be perfect for Kuon to love her. As Maemi had just said he already did. Kyoko smiled and squeezed Maemi's hand.
"Thank you! I know what I need to do now."
Maemi smiled and stood up offering Kyoko a hand to help her rise. "Well you just make sure you're good to him or I might just change my mind about making him mine."
Kyoko giggled as she let Maemi help her up. "If I ever need a reminder you have permission to make me remember."
It took only a few minutes for them to check each other over before they exited the office together. With Kyoko going first they went back to their original places.
"I wonder if we have any viewers left if Lory has been the entertainment?" Maemi stage whispered making everyone aware of their return as Kyoko smiled prettily fighting back a laugh.
"I'm sorry Kuon, would you mind starting again... I wasn't quite ready before." Kyoko asked quietly.
Damn the high tech recording equipment. Kyoko knew Lory had been using it so of course they would hear her. Kuon cleared his throat and Kyoko smiled at him again. This was it and Kuon's heart was hanging on by a thread as he tried to get the words out, tried to tell Kyoko how much she meant to him. How much he loved her. He always had and always would. But the words wouldn't come as those golden eyes stared lovingly into his.
"Be mine?" Kuon whispered his heart ready to explode if she shot him down again.
This time her small hands found his and just like on the morning of his birthday Kyoko rose onto her tip toes and just before their lips met Kyoko whispered the words that Kuon thought he would never hear.
"Always."
It had been 12 months. 12 months to the day that the T.V show The Bachelor: 25 Women, 1 Wife had ended and tonight for the first time they were getting as many of the contestants and involved members back together as possible for a reunion show. Of course there had been those who were unable to attend which was unfortunate. Some others had refused entirely to be associated with the show or any of the people after the show.
Kyoko smiled as yet another private car pulled up outside the hotel where they were meeting. Kuon couldn't help but chuckle at his girlfriend's excitement. Kyoko had moved up steadily. Her career was now at a level where she was having to refuse more roles than she could take, she simply didn't have enough time in the day. Even though without her manager Makoto she may have tried to.
That was one of the many big changes that had happened in the previous year. Yumi Makoto had approached Lory about a new role within LME. Yes she had loved being the host and coordinator for the show but she found that she really wasn't all that cut out for the more cut throat aspects, or as Lory had told him in private 'the evil mechanics of some of the women.' So seeking a reprisal Lory had been quick to offer her the role of Kyoko's manager. She was quick-witted, sharp and perfectly suited for the up and coming star. Not to mention Lory had high hopes for her and Yashiro. Turns out his observations had not been unfounded as they became a couple not 3 months after taking her new position.
Chiori had also rethought about where she wanted to be. She loved acting and she still did it every now and then but she also found a new passion in writing. Something that she had done for so long as a release for her hate and scorn now became something she could use to bring joy to others. Working with some of LME's top screenwriters she was quickly gaining a name for herself as a romantic writer to Lory's surprise and pleasure.
Kanae was still Kyoko's biggest rival, but she also allowed Julie to pull her into the fold of professional modeling. And with the help of the twins, which had been a quiet suggestion in the ear of his mother, the four of them were taking not only Japan, but the world by storm.
Honoka had of course been noticed by the world for her modelling talent and when the opportunity came she flew to America to become one of the most renowned and beautiful models they had ever seen. This never surprised Kyoko in the slightest. She kept up a very good correspondence with her Onee-sama which was something the woman had laughed over when Kyoko said she was like the older sister she had never had.
Itsumi and Airi both continued with their acting careers until Airi feel in love and married a French director and moved to his home country. She had written and told Kyoko she was happily awaiting the birth of their first child before she could even consider acting again. And after many questions Itsumi had admitted to Kyoko she was going steady with non other than Kijima!
Sudo Yuka was one of the girls Kyoko wasn't too sure about what happened with her. When asking Makino Honami she had simply said they had creative differences and she hadn't spoken to the girl for quite some time, Honami how ever was now doing a regular talk show and from what she told Kyoko it was something she really enjoyed.
Ruriko and Harumi both continued great singing careers and the girls from Sakura Stone Ruri and Hana continued onto big things with their band. Right now they were traveling around Europe. The young actress Kaori disappeared not long after the show in much the same way Yuka had. One day she was there and the next she was gone, but as Kanae had said to Kyoko that was the way of show business. Hana Yumi continued working for Rmandy and did many shoots with Kuon, before she too followed Honoka to the US to continue her career.
Hotaru continued dancing, traveling and learning with the Russian Ballet and after a lot of hard work she had been tipped off to the fact that she would most likely get the part for the following year's Prima. Kyoko, Kanae and Chiori had never missed a performance when they were close enough to go and had stated to the world they were her biggest fans.
Maemi decided after the show that maybe she too would like to take a different path and approached Lory about possibly coming into the fold at LME to begin working on becoming a director. She too still acted much like Chiori, but she found her knowledge of people and how to get people to perform to be a very useful tool. And as Lory had said when she had approached him why not use what we are given?
Of course with life there are also some sad moments. Moments where young lives are ripped away or taken too soon. This could be said for Mimori who just 7 months after the show was found dead in her home. No official report was given as to why, but it was known within the entertainment industry that substance abuse may have played a role in her death.
Takashi Naomi was also one of these sad tales, though she was still alive. It was around the same time of Mimori's death that she was involved in a serious collision. Sadly there was nothing that could be done and after intensive surgery they were unable to save her legs. Paralysis was a hard burden to bear but when Jelly woods herself came back from the hospital she had told Kyoko that at least she was still breathing unlike Reika Suzumi who had been traveling with her.
Kyoko had the doors open and jumped out before Kanae's foot was fully out of the car as she and Chiori arrived with their special passengers picked up from the airport. Honoka and Hotaru seemed just as happy to see the young woman as she was them. They were now coming together in a big group hug as Kanae shook her head and Chiori smiled beside her.
Sachi and Seina arrived together followed by Itsumi, but that would be it from the women for this year. The showbiz life was a never ending one and it seemed to have kept most at bay. The people who had been waiting inside walked out now. Maemi, Makoto and Julie all hugged the newcomers as Kuu, Lory, Kuon and Yashiro greeted them gracefully.
"So are we ready?" Kuon asked wrapping his arm protectively around Kyoko's waist. She smiled up at him beautifully with flushed cheeks.
"Yes let's go." It was only a short walk just down the street. It was simply the fact that the people who saw this large group of such famous people pass had no idea just what was going on which stopped them from approaching the laughing crowd. So when they slowed down and looked at their destination with identical smiles on their faces no one bothered them, but the strong voice and tall woman who stepped out of the door smiled broadly.
"Welcome my friends," Oka called as she bowed slightly, "this is my restaurant." They walked through the door each greeting Oka who really had turned her life around. She'd married one of her fathers chef's and had built an entire business together with him. It had quickly become the hot spot to eat in Tokyo. Kyoko, who had made it a point to be the last one to enter, smiled and grabbed Oka in a fierce hug.
"I love the name," she said as she glided after Kuon. Behind the server Oka looked up and smiled at the glowing sign above the door.
'Stereotypical Me'
"Yeah me too," she said to no one in particular as she too went and joined the table for the evening.
It was that night one year later when Kuon got down in front of their friends and family and asked Kyoko to become his wife as Kuon handed Kyoko the Queen Rosa. He had told her this one held a great treasure and she had looked at him curiously. Next she began gently peeling open the petals to reveal the ring. When she looked up, Kuon had been kneeling in front of her.
"That flower holds my heart and the hope that you will accept it and be my wife." Of course there was no stumbling or muttering over her words this time. Kyoko simply repeated what she would always tell Kuon while happy tears ran down her face.
"Always."