Kyoko snuggled deeper into the warm blanket, her face rubbed gently on the soft fabric of her pillow. She felt warm comfortable and safe. Yet for the second time in not so many days it was the smell that alerted her to the difference. Breathing in deeply Kyoko's sleep addled mind found comfort in the smell she knew to be Ren, the deep masculine scent that only he possessed. The one Kyoko would swear had been burned into her memory banks.
She could feel the rise and fall of his chest now as he slept beneath her. Her first instinct was to panic or even call out Setsu to handle the situation for her. But Kyoko just couldn't seem to summon the resolve to do so. As her body and brain slowly connected Kyoko couldn't help but rub her hand tenderly over the soft grey t-shirt below her. She remembered the muscular contours she had once felt naked in her Setsu role. Her hand almost glided over the cotton covered plains of his chest. And even though Kyoko tried to deny herself the thoughts of how Ren had looked half naked beneath her they surfaced unbidden as she worried her lower lip between her teeth.
She steadied her breathing that had started to become a little erratic. Kyoko used the breathing techniques the acting school at LME had taught her, calming her roiling emotions as she relaxed with every breath. She never noticed when her hand gently started tracing patterns on Ren's chest, but the slowly rousing Kuon certainly did. He wondered for a moment if he was still dreaming as the soft light touches sparked flames beneath his skin. He wondered how it would feel if she were to touch him without the cotton. If again like before it would be like electric currents were lacing through him.
It was the light growl Kyoko noticed first. Looking up, Kyoko smiled as subconsciously her hand continued its rhythmic movements. It happened again after a few moments and this time Kyoko couldn't help but giggle to herself. It was easy when Ren was asleep to forget just who he was... just what he was.
In his sleep Ren looked almost childlike. A catch in his shirt as it rumpled slightly made Kyoko realise just what she had been doing to the man beneath her. As she froze slightly her fingertips still rested against his chest on the rumpled bit of cotton.
"I must say that has to be the nicest way anyone has ever woken me up before. Yashiro normally just yells at me." Even with his closed eyes it was the small boyish grin on his face that made Kyoko's frozen state disappear as soon as it had appeared.
"I doubt you have ever been so late that Yashiro has had to wake you Ren-san." Kyoko replied with a chuckle as she gently pushed herself away from the man.
She could not understand why she did not feel ashamed of her actions with Ren. Maybe it was the fact he had been so kind to her the night before. Kyoko instinctively knew she would only upset him if she tried to apologise for her behaviour. They had fallen asleep in character after all.
"You'd be surprised." Ren said finally opening his eyes and looking at the woman before him.
He he was shocked at how at ease she seemed this morning. The day before only using Cain had made sure she did not leave his embrace. And even though she had pushed away slightly giving him room, she had not run as he had expected.
"We really need to try and stop Cain and Setsu getting us into these positions." Kyoko said with a nervous smile and a blush, testing her theory as to Ren's current mood.
"I don't mind." Ren replied with a devastating smile which made Kyoko's heart falter in her chest. He seemed OK at least, she decided as she tried to draw her eyes away from his.
"What man would ever object to waking up next to a beautiful woman?"
Too far! Ren realised instantly as Kyoko propelled herself off the bed muttering something along the lines of showering before breakfast, and they had better eat well this morning after missing dinner the night before. Kuon shook his head at how Kyoko had no self confidence at all. He really wished for once Kyoko could see herself as he saw her, how Ren and Cain saw her... Hell! How the world saw her. That one bastard and her own mother had made sure she had none left when they broke her down piece by piece. And now she could not even believe that she was beautiful... that she was someone that deserved to be loved.
Neither Ren or Cain could have stopped Kuon as he stood and finally decided that it was time someone set the love of his life straight. And really he should have done this a long time ago. He snarked at how his gentlemanly persona as Ren could have made him a little cowardly with the girl, but still at the back of his mind Ren cautioned him.
Kuon, Kyoko was hurt badly. It's not simply something words can wash away. No matter how much I wish it were that simple. Kuon knew this was correct, but still he wished he could change Kyoko's self contempt... even just a little.
Patience and repetition are the key. We cannot force Kyoko. Like we cannot force a flower to bloom, we just need to give her patience. Everything she needs to achieve has to be done on her own.
Kuon stumbled slightly as he realised one of his own words. 'Repetition' that's it! Suddenly Kuon saw a way to achieve his own goal but with the same resolve he had been using with Kyoko for all this time. Walking over to the bathroom door he did not enter or knock, but without the water running he knew Kyoko would hear him perfectly. e
Even if she did decide to ignore his words or simply not speak about them he was going to make sure she heard them anyway. And he was going to make sure she heard them everyday from that day onwards.
"You really are a beautiful young woman Kyoko, no matter what some one trick pony of a singer may think, Remember that." And with those parting words Kuon turned and walked out of the headed for the coffee maker awaiting his turn for the bathroom.
Kyoko had not been able to move far from the door, not trusting her legs after Ren's sincere words and smiles. So she never missed a single word of his little sentence. And even though her heart clenched, the simple fact he as Ren had called her beautiful made her spirits soar. Even if she denied the truth in his words the fact he had said it nonetheless was something she would enjoy... even if it wasn't true.
When Setsu and Cain finally got to their parents suite, Kanae and Chiori had already arrived. Sayuri opened the door and smiled at her children warmly. "It seems some naughty children skipped dinner last night." Setsu just shrugged and smirked as she kissed her Okaa-san, while Cain also swooped in for a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry Mom, but Setsu really wasn't well so I thought it best she get her rest."
Setsu huffed a little irritated. "And we all know if I don't force him to eat, he will take every opportunity to avoid it."
Sayuri laughed as Cain simply ignored his young sister, neatly wrapping his arm around her waist before moving her towards the dining room.
Otou-san and the Love Me ladies where more than likely already seated. "Setsu!" Calvin cried happily seeing his little girl. "Are you feeling better?" he asked his full concern and love showing on his face.
Setsu nodded to the Love Me girls before kissing her father's cheek. "Yes much better, thank you." she replied before sitting beside Cain and beginning to ladle food onto his plate.
Both Sayuri and Calvin, but also Julie and Kuu were d trying to laugh at the look in their poor son's eyes as Setsu piled his plate with almost twice his normal portion of food.
"And you will eat it all Nii-san. Without complaint." she told him in a hard voice as she seated herself directly next to her brother. She got as close as possible without affecting how he would be able to eat. Setsu and Kyoko missed the obvious gulp, but neither Sayuri or Calvin did as they hid their grins. At least the boss had been very right about one thing. Kyoko as herself or any of her characters was a stickler for healthy eating and that was something that only made her and Kuon more perfect for each other.
The rest of the meal passed in a comfortable silence with none of them really feeling the need to chatter. Cain tried his best to eat all of the food his sister had laid out for him. But towards the end as he began to struggle, he was happy when Calvin's phone began ringing.
"Morning Lory." Calvin cried in a happy tone as he excused himself from the table.
He wasn't 3 steps away from the table though before he turned and surveyed the other occupants. His wife and daughter were sipping tea whilst the Love Me girls were busy tidying up. His son was looking at him with pleading eyes as Calvin smiled warmly allowing Kuu to slip through briefly.
"If we are all happy for the time being Lory would like to speak with us."
All eyes turned to him as his family simply nodded. He motioned for the two Love Me girls to sit. When everyone was once more seated including himself he set down his phone and pressed the speaker phone function as Takarada Lory's voice boomed through the device.
"Good morning everyone! hope we all slept well." Kyoko blushed at this statement, hoping that no one would have come to check on her and Ren when they didn't turn up for dinner the night before.
"Just so you know I've sorted out your first family interview." Ren wanted to groan, even as Cain sat there nonchalantly listening.
"It will be tomorrow morning on 'Good Morning Japan.' 7am sharp." Lory could not see the faces of the people seated around that table, but in that moment he really wished he could as he knew exactly what would be running through each and everyone of their minds.
'Good morning Japan' was notorious, it wasn't that the show was not well watched or anything... it was more that the host was what most celebrities would class as a living nightmare. Mitoki Sakura was not only a well known host, but also what was called in the industry a breaker or a maker. She left no stone unturned, no secrets hidden. And Ren was damned sure in that moment just as both of his parents were that they had all had her contracted into their contracts as a member of the industry they would not work with.
All three Love Me girls were also shocked by the president's choice, even though Kyoko as Setsu did an amazing job hiding it. They all simply thought what the hell does Lory think he's doing! When no one spoke, Lory coughed hiding his laughter.
If they could fool Sakura, they could fool the world. Lory thought as he smiled evilly. Although choosing that show had also had a double meaning for Lory. If Sakura could not pull their acts apart no one could. That had been his main though. And even though he had little doubt in his mind that his amazing little family unit would fail, he could always go back to plan B.
"Well I will let you get on and ready for your shoot today. I'm sure Setsu and the Love Me ladies will have a very busy day. So I will see you all 7am sharp tomorrow morning. Bye!" He was gone leaving the still silent table in limbo.
It was the simple look between the Love Me pair as the silence around the table made them wonder if the family knew just what the president had let them in for. But it was also a sudden need on both of their parts that led them to warn the family beforehand.
"Mo! Shacho! What do you think you're playing at!" she stage whispered.
All eyes turned to her while her eyes rested on the phone on the table before Calvin, full of apprehension.