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Unbreakable Chains

As she entered the modest family restaurant, Fumiko couldn't squash out the feeling of discomfort swirling around in her stomach as she reluctantly made her way to the table that already had four other women and one guy sitting at it. For the first time in the past few days, though, this feeling didn't have anything to do with Mogami, Fuwa or Tsuruga. Rather, the person to blame for Fumiko's unrest was the pretty, shapely woman with long, wavy dark red hair that sat in the middle of the booth casually sipping her drink and ignoring the approaching brunette in favor of reviewing the list in front of her.

Even after all these years, Ayazami Kohana could still make her feel lower than the dirt on her shoes…

"Sorry I'm late." Fumiko apologized as she slipped into the open seat, habitually tucking her purse behind her. "I was held up after I left the train station."

"Never mind that." Kohana's best friend, Tsukari Michiko, huffed impatiently from the redhead's side. The short girl waved off Fumiko's explanation with the same aggravation all the other girls held in their expression. Clearly, they were still bitter Fumiko won the lottery… "Everything's set with Fuwa-kun now, right?"

"Y-yes." Fumiko confirmed hastily, playing with the hem of her skirt as she tried to think of the best way to explain everything to her friends. "Fuwa-san says that he'll come, but he had a condition."

"YES!" The blonde to Fumiko's left, a rather pushy girl named Satsunawa Kiri, squealed as she hugged Chihoro Naoko, ignoring the glare that the sole male at the table sent them for their behavior.

"Knock it off before you cause a scene." Ichiryuko Daisuke snapped irritably before turning his attention back to Fumiko. "Great, so Mr. Big Shot's gonna grace us with his appearance after ten years. Now what's the catch?" Fumiko winced. Now for the part she wasn't looking forward to…

"He wanted us to invite Mogami Kyoko as well, and insisted that we not to tell her that he would be coming." Fumiko explained tentatively.

Dead silence fell over the table for a full minute after Fumiko's explanation.

"Mogami?" Naoko said with a sneer as she flipped her light brown curls over her shoulder. "He wants us to find Mogami? What for?"

"That doesn't make sense, Mogami left with Fuwa-kun, right?" Michiko pointed out, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Why would he need us to find her? Were they still together in Tokyo?"

"Of course not!" Kiri snapped, sounding morally offended. "You really think that Shou-kun would put up with a clingy brat like Mogami any longer then he had to? I still think that she followed him to Tokyo without him knowing. It'd be just like her, I always figured her for the stalker type."

"If she stalked him all the way to Tokyo, then why would he want us to find her now?" Daisuke demanded flatly, earning him a look that could peel paint from Kiri.

"Did you find her?" Kohana asked Fumiko, ignoring the chaos and complaints of the others.

"Um, yes…" Fumiko confirmed.

"And she's free to come too, right?" Kohana pressed impatiently.

"Yes, but you should know that-!"

"Then that's that." Kohana said firmly, eyeing the others coolly. "It doesn't really matter why Shou-kun wants Mogami at the reunion if it means that he'll come. Or can it be that you girls are afraid you can't even compare to the flat-chested freak?"

"No way, Kohana-chan." Naoko exclaimed with a giggle. "That boring little nobody? Please!"

"But Mogami-!"

"I don't care about Mogami, Fumiko." Kohana said, leveling a look at Fumiko. "If Shou-kun is really coming, then that's all that matters. And if he doesn't come, you're going to be the one to take the fall. Understand?"

Too frightened to speak, Fumiko just nodded.

Mogami-san probably won't come, after Tsuruga-san tells her about Fuwa-san. Fumiko reminded herself, picking at her skirt nervously. So it doesn't matter if I tell them about her or not. They wouldn't believe it, anyways. I mean, I was right there and I still can't believe it!

"And with that out of the way, how about we start focusing on other things, Ayazami? Like the fact that we're over budget 40 thousand yen and we still don't have a DJ?" Daisuke spoke up irritably. "Tomoya told me he saw you buying designer dresses with the money we're supposed to be using to pay for this party last weekend you know, and I'm supposed to-!"

"Bite your tongue and do your job." Kohana said curtly. "That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Since most of the money for our funds was donated in part due to my efforts, it's only right that I use a little on myself. But if you still disagree, then I can always talk to Papa about reinstating his plans to tear down this shoddy little restaurant and make room for something with a little more class. That ought to get us the money to make up for it, don't you think?" Kohana smirked triumphantly as Daisuke glared back at her, his hand clenching for a moment at the none-too-subtle threat to his family's business before he sagged against his chair with a look of defeat.

"…I'll find a way to make up the difference." Daisuke promised flatly, although anger still colored his words ever so slightly.

"Perfect." Kohana said cheerfully, standing up. "Then I'll start looking into decorations. Come on girls, we've got some shopping to do." Obediently, Fumiko and the other girls followed Kohana out of the store, too nervous to deny the girl when she got into one of her moods and started throwing her father's power around. No one was really brave enough to fight Ayazami Ryoto, the man who owned almost all of Kyoto, and Kohana knew it and wasn't afraid to use that to her advantage. Glancing back, Fumiko spared an apologetic look to Daisuke, who was still sitting in his chair, but her former class president didn't even notice, too busy glaring holes into the tablecloth to even glance in her direction.

Fumiko did feel bad for the boy, but really it was to be expected. Did he honestly think he could go up against Kohana and win? Kohana always got what she wanted, no matter what it took. In fact, the only thing to ever escape her clutches was Fuwa Shou, the handsome, talented classmate who ignored her attempts to flirt with him and only hung out with Mogami Kyoko. This was something she intended to rectify at the reunion though, and all the girls knew it.

…Somehow, this knowledge didn't make Fumiko feel any better about what was to come…

---

Amamiya Chiori was very, very impressed.

Normally, she was an actress who hated variety shows and avoided them at all costs. Especially variety shows that made celebrities act like morons to get a cheap laugh from the audience, which she felt was tacky and belittling. The only thing she felt she had to look forward to in Bridge Rock was seeing Kyouko-chan again, having gone without seeing her fellow former LoveMe Member for almost a month due to various filming projects on both of their parts, including a brief stint overseas so that Chiori could film a few scenes for her latest movie.

I should have known better, since it's Kyouko-chan. Chiori thought as she followed the girl off of Bridge Rock's stage after yet another mind blowing performance from the other actress, sighing loudly enough to catch her taller friend's attention even over the noise of the crew putting props away now that the show had finished filming. When Kyouko shot her a curious look at the sound, Chiori schooled her face into the most annoyed expression she could manage.

"When was the last time I told you that you're freakishly good as an actress?" Chiori asked flatly as she fell into step beside her friend, heading to the dressing room that Chiori had been given in exchange for coming that night. Kyouko made a show of thinking the question through, and even resorted to counting out on her fingers after a moment.

"About four weeks ago, I think." The other girl finally answered. "We're not due for our usual argument for another two weeks now, Chiori-chan."

"Well I'm having it early." Chiori huffed. "Honestly, Kyouko-chan, its times like this that make me wish it was possible to hate you."

"But then who would you call at two thirty in the morning when you've accidentally torn an 800 thousand yen dress that you need to model in in five hours?" Kyouko shot back teasingly.

"I still maintain that the dress ripped itself." Chiori grumbled, unable to stop the blush from rising to her cheeks as Kyouko laughed. "I just happened to be in the room at the time. And yeah, I guess you're right about that. If I call Kanae-chan and ask her for help, she'd probably murder me over the phone."

"Honestly, that still wouldn't be as bad as The Black Valentine Incident." Kyouko snickered as Chiori made a face as she opened the door to her dressing room and allowed the other actress in. "Poor Sawara-san still cries whenever someone brings that up."

"Takarada-shachou needs to give that man a raise." Chiori decided, shaking her head in sympathy. "I don't envy his position. The LoveMe Section is even worse now than it was when we were members." Shooting Kyouko a look, Chiori couldn't help but smirk. "…Although I don't think there could ever be a member who can surpass you on… originality, shall we say?"

"Really funny, Chiori-chan." Kyouko said darkly, making the other girl giggle as she gathered her things. Chiori was grateful that her manager was thoughtful enough to give her a minute alone with Kyouko, since it really had been forever since the two of them could talk to one another like this. As much as she loved being a fully accomplished actress now, Chiori could help but admit- if even only to herself- that she missed her LoveMe days a little bit.

Hanging out with Kyouko and Kanae had never been boring, and her fellow LoveMe girls were some of the very first actresses that she acknowledged as being hardworking and talented enough to deserve all the glory they got and then some. She would never begrudge either girls for their success knowing how much blood, sweat and tears the other two had poured into their acting. And what's more, they both made her want to act again, so that she could stand alongside them and hold her head up high. For that reason alone, she always looked forward to every opportunity she got to work with LoveMe # 1 and LoveMe # 2.

"Besides," Kyouko continued with a wounded sniff. "I'd like to think that my originality has served me well in this industry."

"We'd be hard pressed to argue with you on that, Kyouko-chan." Chiori agreed with a chuckle as she fell into the chair in front of the lighted mirror. "But back to the LoveMe Section… what's this I hear about you letting one of the new members stay in your home?"

"You know about Keiko-chan?" Kyouko said, looking faintly surprised as sat herself down on the bench against the wall and tucked her feet underneath her. Ever the little Miss Grace-and-Manners… Chiori thought in affectionate annoyance. Kyouko always made everyone around her look bad when it came to things like that, though it was completely unintentional on her part. "How'd you hear about that?"

"Kanae-chan." Chiori said, as if it explained everything. Which, by the sheepish smile Kyouko sent her, it probably did.

"Ah, Moko-san thinks it's stupid of me to get involved…" Kyouko said, rubbing her head self-consciously. "But… I can sort of sympathize with Keiko-chan's situation. She's not a bad girl, so I think we'll be alright."

"Keiko… She's the one with the crappy parents, right?" Chiori mused. "Her father's some kind of business man and her mother just left her to be raised by the servants up until a couple months ago. Then they tried to force her into some sort of arranged marriage, so she left home to be an actress instead?"

"Basically." Kyouko sighed. A part of her wondered how her friend got such information, which only she, Keiko and the President were supposed to know, before she just shrugged it off. Chiori was always unnaturally shrewd, after all… "She came to LME because the other companies all refused to hire her after being paid off by her father, and since the president isn't the type to be bought he took her in so she could fulfill her dream. But because of her parents, she ended up becoming LoveMe # 14. Just recently, her father bought out the apartment she's staying in and kicked her out onto the streets, so she has no place to go. That's why I offered to house her until she makes enough to stand on her own two feet."

"That's just like you, Kyouko-chan." Chiori said, bemused. "Well, if they're anything like us, then I suppose a LoveMe has enough to worry about without adding housing to the list, too. Is it true that Takarada-shachou has that gaudy song playing in the LoveMe lounge now?"

"On infinite loop." Kyouko said, sighing heavily as Chiori winced in sympathy for the current LoveMe Members. "Moko-san is sure that it has some sort of subliminal mind control message in it and that the president is trying to brainwash every new member into joining a Love Cult."

"I wouldn't be surprised if that was true." Chiori admitted with a grin. "No one will ever be able to scare me as much as that man does…"

"Shachou-san's not that bad." Kyouko defended the man automatically, though she was fighting a smile as she did so. "He'd be indefinitely scarier if he wasn't as obsessed with love as he is."

"No arguing with that." Chiori said, shivering slightly at the thought of a less honorable man with Takarada Lory's brains, power and money. "The president aside though, what's this I hear about a class reunion in Kyoto? I thought you hated all your classmates back there…"

"You and Moko-san talked about that too?" Kyouko said, eyebrow kicking up.

"No, that I heard about from Director Takane." Kyouko frowned for a moment, trying to think if she even knew a Director Takane. She was certain she never worked under a man by that name, so how on earth would he know about her reunion? As if reading her mind, Chiori smirked playfully at the other actress. "Gossip isn't just for high school girls and housewives, you know. Or have you already forgotten the rumors about you and Tsuruga that made the headlines of every tabloid in Japan a few years back?"

"Oh god, don't remind me." Kyouko moaned, already feeling her face heating up at the mention of that particular memory.

"I'm surprised that got as much attention as it did, to be honest. I mean, anyone can tell that you-!"

"I said DON'T REMIND ME!" Kyouko wailed, burying her now beet red face into her hands. Chiori giggled to herself. Kyouko always had the best reactions, if you know which buttons to push… "…but to answer your question yes, I'm going back to Kyoto for a while. The president and Shin-chan feel that I need a break, and the party's taking place at a time when I won't be terribly busy, so it's good for everyone involved."

"Are you sure that spending an evening trapped in a hotel with people who used to make your school life miserable is really the best way to take a break?" Chiori asked, a little baffled.

"I'm sure they're not that bad anymore, Chiori-chan." Kyouko said, a smile working its way to her lips. "I mean, we're all adults now, so I think it's safe to assume they've outgrown the desire to hide my indoor shoes or throw my lunch in the trash."

"You just say that because you like to think the best of everyone." Chiori accused the girl before sighing. "…But I guess I can't stop you, if you made up your mind about it. You know I'm just a phone call away if things go sour, right? And Kanae-chan would never admit it, but if you even hint that one of those people is giving you a hard time, she'll catch the fastest ride to Kyoto and have a million ways to make them suffer before she even arrives." Hearing the open concern in Chiori's tone despite the joking way she delivered herself, Kyouko couldn't help the beautiful smile that made its way to her face, a warm feeling she had tried to close herself off from for so long taking root in her chest.

I have the greatest friends in the world. Kyouko decided- not for the first time and far from that last- as she smiled at Chiori.

"I'll hold you to that, Chiori-chan." Kyouko said lightly. "Oh, and before I forget! I wanted to thank you for the bracelet you got me! It really is beautiful, and it matches Princess Rosa really well! What kind of stone is it?"

"…Bracelet?" Chiori repeated blankly. "What are you talking about?"

"The bracelet you got me from your trip to Italy." Kyouko reminded the girl, rolling up her sleeve to show her friend the lovely silver jewelry she wore on her wrist, which looked as though it had been crafted by elves or fairies with the intricate design and lovely pink stones it boasted. Chiori's eyes widened at the sight of it.

"Kyouko-chan… this is wonderful, but… I didn't give you this." Chiori told the girl, fingering the bracelet delicately. "This sort of thing would be way out of our promised price range… is this an original DuLavachi design? Something like this would cost at least three hundred dollars over in America."

"T-th-three HUNDRED?!!" Kyouko said, her face paling rapidly. "That… that's twenty three thousand, six hundred yen!"

"…I'm not even going to ask how you did that off the top of your head." Chiori sighed as she dropped the other girl's wrist, deciding that it wouldn't do to mention the shipping costs and tax that would be added to the total amount. "And as much as I'd like to take credit for that, this is the present I got you from Italy." Here, Chiori dug around in her bag to present the girl with a stylish silk scarf, in a shimmering shade of blue-violet that was designed so that it could also be worn like a shawl, which would look absolutely wonderful when paired off with Kyouko's coloring. Kyouko accepted it with a small gasp.

"Oh… This is amazing, Chiori-chan~!" Kyouko breathed, her eyes sparkling as she ran her fingers over the silk. "Oh, thank you! This will go so well with the summer dress that Otou-san and Mama sent me!"

"You're welcome, Kyouko-chan." Chiori said, bemused at her friend's reaction. "But… what are you going to do about that bracelet?" The reminder of her much more expensive gift made Kyouko freeze with a look on her face as if she'd just been punched in the stomach. Chiori was pretty such as to where the bracelet had come from and how it had ended up in Kyouko's possession, but seeing Kyouko work it out for herself would probably be much more entertaining than just telling her outright.

"That's right…" Kyouko murmured as she eyed her bracelet with a puzzled expression. "If you didn't give me this, then why would Tsuruga-san-!" Ah, there it was. Chiori hid a grin as Kyouko's eyes widened in realization before narrowing in outrage as she leapt to her feet, bellowing out a screech that sounded more like a war cry then a sound of realization. "TSURUGA-SAN!!!"

Oh, yes… Chiori thought, forcing herself to endure the pain of holding her laugher in until Kyouko stormed off to find her sempai's blood, lest she attract the girl's deadly fury instead. Kyouko-chan's reactions are always the best, alright.

---

When he entered his home that night, Ren wasn't feeling very much more then tired, but satisfied after a long day's work. They had to shoot a few night scenes for his latest drama, which was why he wasn't getting back until this ungodly hour, but the scenes had gone well and there was even one where the camera managed to catch a shooting star in the background during the climatic kiss which had sent the director and crew into a frenzy of excitement. Ren had no doubt that that scene would make it into the final product, even if the director had to twist arms in order to get it in. But as much as Ren loved his job, he was exhausted enough to be considered dead on his feet after the day he had, and was looking forward to his dearly missed bed.

Which was why he had to cringe when he entered his apartment and found Mio waiting for him at the door.

"Tsu-Ru-Ga-Saaaaaaaaaaan…." The dark creature in front of him hissed out angrily, her fury poisoning the air around her.

Crap. She found out about the bracelet. Ren thought with a barely noticeable wince. He should've known Amamiya would rat him out. She and Kotonami took almost sadistic pleasure in watching him stumble around trying to catch their friend's attention, and offered him almost no help unless he did something that made them feel he had earned a little pity on their parts.

"Ah, Mogami-san…" he said as pleasantly as he could. "Is there a problem?"

"Chiori-chan came onto Bridge Rock today, Tsuruga-san." Kyouko explained, though it still managed to sound more like a threat than anything else in the tone she delivered in in. "And she knew nothing about the bracelet you told me you got from her."

"…Ah…" Ren struggled to keep his expression innocent under Kyouko's accusing glare, fighting back the urge to laugh. While most people would probably be intimidated by the look Kyouko was giving him, Ren just found her reactions to the things he did funny and refreshing. There were times when Kyouko could still surprise even him with the faces she could make, and he always looked forward to seeing each one.

Even if it is almost two in the morning after a long day of shooting…

"You tricked me again, Tsuruga-san." Kyouko accused darkly, drawing Ren back to the present. "You knew that Moko-san, Chiori-chan and I always buy each other presents when we shoot on location somewhere, and you used that to make me accept another gift from you. Another expensive gift from you." Kyouko narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the man as she breathed out a frustrated sigh. "How much did the bracelet cost, anyways? Chiori-chan said it was probably over 300 dollars, but even after I found the brand she was talking about I couldn't find this bracelet specifically, so I don't know the exact price."

"I'm not sure myself, actually." Ren admitted honestly enough before delving into another lie. "It was a thank you present to me from someone I worked with overseas. I simply felt that you would appreciate it more."

In truth, the bracelet had been sent to him by his mother, who saw the design and immediately thought of the crazy-but-charming girl who she was hoping would someday marry her misplaced son. In was a one-of-a-kind design, but Julie Hizuri knew people. It was almost impossible to say no to the model, so she managed to secure the bracelet for herself and sent it to Lory to give to Ren along with an oddly worded warning that if he didn't make a move soon then Julie would take legal action so that Kuon really would be welcoming Kyouko into the family as a sister rather than a wife.

Wisely, Ren took the warning to heart.

Liar. Kyouko thought at hearing her sempai's excuse. She kept it to herself though, in no mood to deal with Ren's 'Gentlemanly Smile' as he bullied her into accepting his probably insanely expensive present. It seemed that the older actor conned Kyouko into accepting everything he gave her without any sort of thought to how it was affecting her. Really, the man was just too dangerous for words!

Well not this time! Kyouko vowed, her competitive spirit rearing its head. You're NOT going to win this one, Tsuruga Ren, no matter what you try to pull!

"So a person you worked with overseas just happened to send you- a MAN- an expensive bracelet designed for a WOMAN, Tsuruga-san?" Kyouko clarified in a tone that clearly portrayed her disbelief. "Just like Princess Rosa just happened to end up in the rose you gave me for my seventeenth birthday?"

"I still stand by the legend of Queen Rosa, no matter what anyone else says." Ren maintained, once again silently cursing Kyouko's manager for explaining the truth of that particular present to the girl when Kyouko told him of her sempai's gift.

"And let's not forget the Porsche you bought me when I turned eighteen." Kyouko reminded him with a glare.

"I had just finished teaching you to drive for your role as Haruna in Pedal to the Metal. It would be a shame if you lost touch with those skills because you weren't using them." Ren defended himself in his sempai-knows-best voice.

"And the cooking supplies you bought me after I won that award for my role of Mio? The 40 thousand yen knife set and 115 thousand yen worth of pots and pans?"

"You end up cooking for me more often than not so it's only fair that I repay you for the meals you make." Ren said firmly.

"You know that I do that because I care about you, Tsuruga-san!" Kyouko huffed in frustration. "You don't need to repay me for something I choose to do of my own free will!"

"Then you don't need to feel that you need to repay me for wanting to show you a little of that kindness in return." Ren countered, turning away under the guise of putting his things away to hide the smile that came to his face at Kyouko's confession about caring for him. Even if it was just as a friend, at least it gave him some claim over her heart, which was why he couldn't help himself from wanting to do anything to keep himself at the forefront of her mind. Especially with Fuwa Shou trying to creep his way back into her life again.

That thought had the smile falling from Ren's face, a dark feeling pooling in his stomach as he remembered Shou's latest stunt.

Ren didn't know what Shou hoped to accomplish with this reunion scheme, but he didn't like it. The thought of Kyouko and the musician meeting up in their old city, surrounded by their old classmates and memories of the childhood they had shared together…

No, Ren didn't like it one bit.

His first instinct was to accompany her to Kyoto to keep an eye on things and protect Kyouko from Fuwa's actions before the selfish creep could hurt her anymore. Unfortunately, there was no way he could accompany her to her hometown. He'd already subtly asked Yashiro about his schedule for the three days Kyouko had taken off to attend the reunion, claiming that his car would need some work done soon and those days seemed most convenient. Yashiro probably didn't buy that, judging by how gleeful he looked after Ren asked, but after looking through Ren's schedule, he found that there was no way the work the actor had scheduled for the 22nd could be rescheduled, since he was shooting for a movie all day that day and the place they were filming at would only be available then.

Ren had tried desperately not to show how much this had disappointed him, but Yashiro still noticed and spent every free moment he had since then trying to rework Ren's schedule so that he had at least some meager shot of going to Kyoto, despite Ren's repeated reassurances that it wasn't necessary. If he couldn't make it, than he couldn't make it, and that's all there was to it. He would never be able to forgive himself if he let a personal problem interfere with Tsuruga Ren's work, and Kyouko would probably be ten times as disappointed in him if she found out he did so.

Yashiro seemed to understand this, but clearly he did not like hearing Ren say it out loud, since he kept shooting the actor looks for the rest of the day that had Ren feeling as if he'd run over his manager's cat.

Still, though going along with Kyouko to her reunion was out of the question, there was another option to protect Kyouko from Shou's plotting; If Ren could keep Kyouko in Tokyo, then the musician's scheme would fall apart before it could even start. There were any number of ways he could do it, with all the respect and adoration Kyouko had for him. He wouldn't even have to tell her about what Shou was doing, which would just get the girl thinking about Shou and cursing his wicked ways and the lows he would sink to in order to get what he wanted, which was the last thing Ren wanted her doing. The more Shou was on her mind, the more damage the musician inflicted upon the heart that she had spent years tirelessly patching over after he broke it without a second thought.

"Tsuruga-san?!" Kyouko's concerned voice cut through his musings, drawing Ren's attention back to her face, with was pulled into a concerned look as she leaned forward onto the balls of her feet to leaf her tiny hand under Ren's bangs. "Is something the matter? You're not getting sick, are you?"

"No, Mogami-san. I'm fine." Ren said carefully, concentrating everything he had on pushing back the urge to grab her hand and keep it- and the girl it was attached to- close. Gods, how could she so easily read his moods, but completely miss what she did to him…? "I'm just a little tired is all. It's been a long day…"

"Oh!" Kyouko said, her eyes widening before guilt overtook her face. "I'm so sorry, Tsuruga-san! I didn't even realize- I feel so stupid now. I shouldn't be bothering you at such an ungodly hour. Sorry, I'll leave so you can get some rest!"

"It's fine, Mogami-san." Ren said as firmly as he could. He did NOT want Kyouko feeling as though she wasn't welcome in his home. "Really, I'm glad that you're here. I've wanted to speak with you about something, anyways."

"Oh? About what?" Kyouko asked, tilting her head to look up at Ren with curious gold eyes. "You could have called if you needed me for anything."

"I know, Mogami-san." Ren said, his true feeling bleeding through and making his words a touch warmer then he intended before he could tone it down. "Actually though, it's about your upcoming trip to Kyoto." He couldn't talk to her about this over the phone. If he wasn't careful, didn't watch her expressions and choose his words well, then things could end up backfiring on him. He had to get Kyouko to stay in Tokyo without alluding to Fuwa Shou.

"Really? Do you want me to pick you something up over there? I've already started making out a list of souvenirs to bring back to Tokyo. I remember a little dress shop that has clothing Moko-san will love, and there's a shop near where my old school was that sold the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen, so I was planning on getting some of those for Shachou. I'm going to pick up an omamori from the shrine I'd visit for New Years for Maria-chan too, so if you need something I'll be happy to bring it back for you." Ren's careful words died in his throat as he regarded the auburn haired actress with open surprise at the excitement coloring her tone.

"I thought that the president and Igami-san had to twist your arm to make you agree to attend this reunion, Mogami-san." Ren said in evident confusion. "It sounds to me like you're really looking forward to it." Kyouko blushed at Ren's observation, wringing her hands together nervously.

"Well, I was sort of dreading it at first, because I was worried that I'd go there and all I could think about was Shoutaro." Kyouko confessed, frowning for a moment over the musician's name before brightening again. "But then I started thinking about it, and I realized that I had a lot of happy memories from back in Kyoto that had nothing to do with Shou. The forest were I used to play by myself… the restaurant I studied in whenever I needed a quiet place to cram for exams… The park I'd walk through in the morning to clear my mind… the elderly man who used to give me deals on groceries when I brought him homemade dinners… all of that was there too.

"When I came to Tokyo, I was too busy taking care of Shou's needs to even think about the life I left behind. Then as an actress I was trying so hard to rediscover myself and made a point in not thinking about my past, but after talking to Watanabi-san, I started thinking that maybe it would be good for me to go back to Kyoto. Maybe that would finally give me a little closure over my past, and let me move ahead as an actress. I… I know that probably sounds strange, Tsuruga-san, but-"

"No." Ren said, his voice heavy with emotion as he fought back a wave of memories of his own childhood, of the places and people he'd forsaken in order to fulfill his dream, a pang of loss hitting him rather heavily. Really, how this girl always knew just what to say to affect him without even meaning to… "It… it doesn't sound strange at all, Mogami-san." Ren hated himself, even before his next words left his lips, but somehow he forced them out despite every selfish instinct in him that wanted to stop them. "You're right, you should go to Kyoto. Just… promise me something, will you?"

"Eh?" Kyouko said, eyebrows stitched together in confusion. Promise… but, didn't Ren want to hell her something…?

"Promise you'll come back." Ren pleaded with a smile that was warm and heartbreaking at the same time. "No matter what's waiting for you in Kyoto, swear you won't forget everything you have here as easily as you forgot those wonderful memories of Kyoto you were talking about earlier."

"I… of course, Tsuruga-san." Kyouko promised, heart pounding in her ear. There was no way Kyouko could promise anything less, with the look her sempai was giving her. Part of her wondered how Ren could ever think, even for a moment, that she could forget all the wonderful friend she'd made in Tokyo, the family she had found in LME, and her career as an actress… all of it still felt like a dream come true to Kyouko. She wouldn't leave that behind, even for all of the princesses and fairies in the world.

And then, there was Ren himself…

"Um, if that's all, then I should get going, Tsuruga-san. You need your rest." Kyouko said, edging past Ren towards the door.

"It's fine, Mogami-san. You're more than welcome to stay." Ren assured the girl, only to be rejected with the shake of a head.

"No, I should go, really. I have a taping later for a morning show, and Shin-chan will kill me if I show up with bags under my eyes. I'm sorry again for bothering you so later, Tsuruga-san."

"You're never a bother, Mogami-san." Ren chuckled, smiling at the girl as she flashed him a look of gratitude before leaving. As soon as the door closed behind Kyouko though, Ren's smile fell away as he raked a hand through his hair in frustration.

What a mess… The star thought with a scoff as he made his way to his bedroom. What it was about Kyouko that brought out all these emotions, he would never know, but it seemed like no matter what he did nothing ever changed. It was killing him an inch at a time, being forced to witness again and again that Fuwa and Kyouko had an inseparable bond that refused to be severed, as if the hands of the Gods had willed the two for one another. And now… now they'd be alone together in Kyoto, the place where that bond had been the closest, and there was nothing he could do about it.

I must be some sort of masochist or something. Ren decided humorlessly as he undressed for bed. That, or this is all punishment for everything I've done. That was actually pretty likely, everything considered. Sighing heavily, Ren shook these thoughts from his mind and turned back to his task, determined to get some sleep before his next shoot started around eleven, though he already had a feeling that it would be no easy task.

---

As all of this was going on inside Ren's apartment, Kyouko stood outside in the hallway, her back pressed against her sempai's door as she tried to quell her heartbeat back to normal.

Really, that man is too much. Kyouko thought with a heavy sigh. Not for the first time, Kyouko realized what a dangerous man her sempai was for poor, unguarded women. Had it been anyone but her in there talking to him, hearing him practically beg to come back to him…

No, not him. Kyouko reminded herself firmly. He just wants me coming back to my job. Abandoning work to go off and play is completely unprofessional. That's what he was talking about in there.

Kyouko's inner Bo gave a self-deprecating snort at that, but she mulishly ignored it as she pushed herself away from Ren's door and made her way to her own apartment.

She had already been through that drama once with the president, right before she 'graduated' from the LoveMe Section and was deemed a fully functioning human being capable of expressing love, after all. She didn't need to stand there arguing with herself in the middle of the hallway about the feelings-she-did-NOT-have towards Japan's hottest bachelor. And a man who was already in love with another woman, at that.

Kyouko was a lot of things she wasn't proud of, but home-wrecker had never made the list up until this point, and there was no way it would now. She knew Ren had someone he felt passionately for, he'd told her about the mystery woman a few times before she gave up Bo. From the way Ren described her, she was beautiful, talented, and passionate, with a pureness about her that was rare in most modern women.

She'd led a difficult life, but still managed to create blessings for herself out of the wreckage that those she thought she could trust the most had left for her to shift through. She fought tooth and nail for everything that she had, and earned so much for her efforts, including the love of the most attractive man in Japan. The whole thing sounded as if it had come straight from a fairytale, and Kyouko could close her eyes and conjure up the image of a breathtaking woman with long blonde hair and lovely blue eyes dressed in a ball gown.

Apparently, Ren had met her when he was a child, and grew attached to her in the short time that they knew each other. He didn't recognize her when they met again, though, and she hated him at first (this was the one strike Kyouko had against the Princess. How on earth could anyone hate Tsuruga Ren?!) but not too long after Ren realized who she was, their relationship started to improve and she showed a kinder, stronger side that made him fall irreversibly in love with the Princess. Since then Ren had thought of almost nothing but her, no matter where he was or what he did.

It was stupid to think that she or anyone else could ever steer Ren away from such a gentle and beautiful woman, and she refused to even embarrass herself in making the attempt. No, she would be content to keep Tsuruga Ren as her sempai and friend, and hope that he found his ultimate happiness with the faceless Princess.

If anyone deserved a happily ever after ending, it was them.

I hope he lets me meet her someday. Kyouko thought with a sad smile. It was rather curious, but even with all the time she spent around Ren she had never once seen the girl he spoke of. She really wanted to know the Princess for herself, if only to see if the girl was truly as wonderful as Ren insisted she was (Ren was an excellent judge of character, so she really didn't have much doubt, but anyone could be fooled when they were in love. She was Example #1 of that little fact of life…).

Before Kyouko could continue her musings any longer, the soft chime from her clock informed her that it was now 2 AM, surprising the young woman as she took in her surroundings. Face flushing, the girl realized that she must've wandered back to her bedroom on autopilot while she was thinking. Really, what kind of actress dragged herself around like some mindless zombie? Moko-san would smack her if she saw that…

Shaking her head with a chuckle, Kyouko began to undress, hoping to catch at least a few hours of sleep before she had to be up at seven to make her appearance on Mornings with Mayumi for an interview about Taste of a Sigh. In the middle of pulling off her shirt, though, she caught sight of the bracelet Ren had tricked her into accepting and froze dead when she realized that she had- once again- been duped into accepting an expensive present.

Later that day, Kyouko was forced to apologize to the business tycoon in Room 53 for the angry string of curses that followed this thought, which Kyouko blamed completely on Shou. He was the one who taught her most of those words, anyways…

Description
Unbreakable Chains

As she entered the modest family restaurant, Fumiko couldn't squash out the feeling of discomfort swirling around in her stomach as she reluctantly made her way to the table that already had four other women and one guy sitting at it. For the first time in the past few days, though, this feeling didn't have anything to do with Mogami, Fuwa or Tsuruga. Rather, the person to blame for Fumiko's unrest was the pretty, shapely woman with long, wavy dark red hair that sat in the middle of the booth casually sipping her drink and ignoring the approaching brunette in favor of reviewing the list in front of her.

Even after all these years, Ayazami Kohana could still make her feel lower than the dirt on her shoes…

"Sorry I'm late." Fumiko apologized as she slipped into the open seat, habitually tucking her purse behind her. "I was held up after I left the train station."

"Never mind that." Kohana's best friend, Tsukari Michiko, huffed impatiently from the redhead's side. The short girl waved off Fumiko's explanation with the same aggravation all the other girls held in their expression. Clearly, they were still bitter Fumiko won the lottery… "Everything's set with Fuwa-kun now, right?"

"Y-yes." Fumiko confirmed hastily, playing with the hem of her skirt as she tried to think of the best way to explain everything to her friends. "Fuwa-san says that he'll come, but he had a condition."

"YES!" The blonde to Fumiko's left, a rather pushy girl named Satsunawa Kiri, squealed as she hugged Chihoro Naoko, ignoring the glare that the sole male at the table sent them for their behavior.

"Knock it off before you cause a scene." Ichiryuko Daisuke snapped irritably before turning his attention back to Fumiko. "Great, so Mr. Big Shot's gonna grace us with his appearance after ten years. Now what's the catch?" Fumiko winced. Now for the part she wasn't looking forward to…

"He wanted us to invite Mogami Kyoko as well, and insisted that we not to tell her that he would be coming." Fumiko explained tentatively.

Dead silence fell over the table for a full minute after Fumiko's explanation.

"Mogami?" Naoko said with a sneer as she flipped her light brown curls over her shoulder. "He wants us to find Mogami? What for?"

"That doesn't make sense, Mogami left with Fuwa-kun, right?" Michiko pointed out, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "Why would he need us to find her? Were they still together in Tokyo?"

"Of course not!" Kiri snapped, sounding morally offended. "You really think that Shou-kun would put up with a clingy brat like Mogami any longer then he had to? I still think that she followed him to Tokyo without him knowing. It'd be just like her, I always figured her for the stalker type."

"If she stalked him all the way to Tokyo, then why would he want us to find her now?" Daisuke demanded flatly, earning him a look that could peel paint from Kiri.

"Did you find her?" Kohana asked Fumiko, ignoring the chaos and complaints of the others.

"Um, yes…" Fumiko confirmed.

"And she's free to come too, right?" Kohana pressed impatiently.

"Yes, but you should know that-!"

"Then that's that." Kohana said firmly, eyeing the others coolly. "It doesn't really matter why Shou-kun wants Mogami at the reunion if it means that he'll come. Or can it be that you girls are afraid you can't even compare to the flat-chested freak?"

"No way, Kohana-chan." Naoko exclaimed with a giggle. "That boring little nobody? Please!"

"But Mogami-!"

"I don't care about Mogami, Fumiko." Kohana said, leveling a look at Fumiko. "If Shou-kun is really coming, then that's all that matters. And if he doesn't come, you're going to be the one to take the fall. Understand?"

Too frightened to speak, Fumiko just nodded.

Mogami-san probably won't come, after Tsuruga-san tells her about Fuwa-san. Fumiko reminded herself, picking at her skirt nervously. So it doesn't matter if I tell them about her or not. They wouldn't believe it, anyways. I mean, I was right there and I still can't believe it!

"And with that out of the way, how about we start focusing on other things, Ayazami? Like the fact that we're over budget 40 thousand yen and we still don't have a DJ?" Daisuke spoke up irritably. "Tomoya told me he saw you buying designer dresses with the money we're supposed to be using to pay for this party last weekend you know, and I'm supposed to-!"

"Bite your tongue and do your job." Kohana said curtly. "That's exactly what you're supposed to do. Since most of the money for our funds was donated in part due to my efforts, it's only right that I use a little on myself. But if you still disagree, then I can always talk to Papa about reinstating his plans to tear down this shoddy little restaurant and make room for something with a little more class. That ought to get us the money to make up for it, don't you think?" Kohana smirked triumphantly as Daisuke glared back at her, his hand clenching for a moment at the none-too-subtle threat to his family's business before he sagged against his chair with a look of defeat.

"…I'll find a way to make up the difference." Daisuke promised flatly, although anger still colored his words ever so slightly.

"Perfect." Kohana said cheerfully, standing up. "Then I'll start looking into decorations. Come on girls, we've got some shopping to do." Obediently, Fumiko and the other girls followed Kohana out of the store, too nervous to deny the girl when she got into one of her moods and started throwing her father's power around. No one was really brave enough to fight Ayazami Ryoto, the man who owned almost all of Kyoto, and Kohana knew it and wasn't afraid to use that to her advantage. Glancing back, Fumiko spared an apologetic look to Daisuke, who was still sitting in his chair, but her former class president didn't even notice, too busy glaring holes into the tablecloth to even glance in her direction.

Fumiko did feel bad for the boy, but really it was to be expected. Did he honestly think he could go up against Kohana and win? Kohana always got what she wanted, no matter what it took. In fact, the only thing to ever escape her clutches was Fuwa Shou, the handsome, talented classmate who ignored her attempts to flirt with him and only hung out with Mogami Kyoko. This was something she intended to rectify at the reunion though, and all the girls knew it.

…Somehow, this knowledge didn't make Fumiko feel any better about what was to come…

---

Amamiya Chiori was very, very impressed.

Normally, she was an actress who hated variety shows and avoided them at all costs. Especially variety shows that made celebrities act like morons to get a cheap laugh from the audience, which she felt was tacky and belittling. The only thing she felt she had to look forward to in Bridge Rock was seeing Kyouko-chan again, having gone without seeing her fellow former LoveMe Member for almost a month due to various filming projects on both of their parts, including a brief stint overseas so that Chiori could film a few scenes for her latest movie.

I should have known better, since it's Kyouko-chan. Chiori thought as she followed the girl off of Bridge Rock's stage after yet another mind blowing performance from the other actress, sighing loudly enough to catch her taller friend's attention even over the noise of the crew putting props away now that the show had finished filming. When Kyouko shot her a curious look at the sound, Chiori schooled her face into the most annoyed expression she could manage.

"When was the last time I told you that you're freakishly good as an actress?" Chiori asked flatly as she fell into step beside her friend, heading to the dressing room that Chiori had been given in exchange for coming that night. Kyouko made a show of thinking the question through, and even resorted to counting out on her fingers after a moment.

"About four weeks ago, I think." The other girl finally answered. "We're not due for our usual argument for another two weeks now, Chiori-chan."

"Well I'm having it early." Chiori huffed. "Honestly, Kyouko-chan, its times like this that make me wish it was possible to hate you."

"But then who would you call at two thirty in the morning when you've accidentally torn an 800 thousand yen dress that you need to model in in five hours?" Kyouko shot back teasingly.

"I still maintain that the dress ripped itself." Chiori grumbled, unable to stop the blush from rising to her cheeks as Kyouko laughed. "I just happened to be in the room at the time. And yeah, I guess you're right about that. If I call Kanae-chan and ask her for help, she'd probably murder me over the phone."

"Honestly, that still wouldn't be as bad as The Black Valentine Incident." Kyouko snickered as Chiori made a face as she opened the door to her dressing room and allowed the other actress in. "Poor Sawara-san still cries whenever someone brings that up."

"Takarada-shachou needs to give that man a raise." Chiori decided, shaking her head in sympathy. "I don't envy his position. The LoveMe Section is even worse now than it was when we were members." Shooting Kyouko a look, Chiori couldn't help but smirk. "…Although I don't think there could ever be a member who can surpass you on… originality, shall we say?"

"Really funny, Chiori-chan." Kyouko said darkly, making the other girl giggle as she gathered her things. Chiori was grateful that her manager was thoughtful enough to give her a minute alone with Kyouko, since it really had been forever since the two of them could talk to one another like this. As much as she loved being a fully accomplished actress now, Chiori could help but admit- if even only to herself- that she missed her LoveMe days a little bit.

Hanging out with Kyouko and Kanae had never been boring, and her fellow LoveMe girls were some of the very first actresses that she acknowledged as being hardworking and talented enough to deserve all the glory they got and then some. She would never begrudge either girls for their success knowing how much blood, sweat and tears the other two had poured into their acting. And what's more, they both made her want to act again, so that she could stand alongside them and hold her head up high. For that reason alone, she always looked forward to every opportunity she got to work with LoveMe # 1 and LoveMe # 2.

"Besides," Kyouko continued with a wounded sniff. "I'd like to think that my originality has served me well in this industry."

"We'd be hard pressed to argue with you on that, Kyouko-chan." Chiori agreed with a chuckle as she fell into the chair in front of the lighted mirror. "But back to the LoveMe Section… what's this I hear about you letting one of the new members stay in your home?"

"You know about Keiko-chan?" Kyouko said, looking faintly surprised as sat herself down on the bench against the wall and tucked her feet underneath her. Ever the little Miss Grace-and-Manners… Chiori thought in affectionate annoyance. Kyouko always made everyone around her look bad when it came to things like that, though it was completely unintentional on her part. "How'd you hear about that?"

"Kanae-chan." Chiori said, as if it explained everything. Which, by the sheepish smile Kyouko sent her, it probably did.

"Ah, Moko-san thinks it's stupid of me to get involved…" Kyouko said, rubbing her head self-consciously. "But… I can sort of sympathize with Keiko-chan's situation. She's not a bad girl, so I think we'll be alright."

"Keiko… She's the one with the crappy parents, right?" Chiori mused. "Her father's some kind of business man and her mother just left her to be raised by the servants up until a couple months ago. Then they tried to force her into some sort of arranged marriage, so she left home to be an actress instead?"

"Basically." Kyouko sighed. A part of her wondered how her friend got such information, which only she, Keiko and the President were supposed to know, before she just shrugged it off. Chiori was always unnaturally shrewd, after all… "She came to LME because the other companies all refused to hire her after being paid off by her father, and since the president isn't the type to be bought he took her in so she could fulfill her dream. But because of her parents, she ended up becoming LoveMe # 14. Just recently, her father bought out the apartment she's staying in and kicked her out onto the streets, so she has no place to go. That's why I offered to house her until she makes enough to stand on her own two feet."

"That's just like you, Kyouko-chan." Chiori said, bemused. "Well, if they're anything like us, then I suppose a LoveMe has enough to worry about without adding housing to the list, too. Is it true that Takarada-shachou has that gaudy song playing in the LoveMe lounge now?"

"On infinite loop." Kyouko said, sighing heavily as Chiori winced in sympathy for the current LoveMe Members. "Moko-san is sure that it has some sort of subliminal mind control message in it and that the president is trying to brainwash every new member into joining a Love Cult."

"I wouldn't be surprised if that was true." Chiori admitted with a grin. "No one will ever be able to scare me as much as that man does…"

"Shachou-san's not that bad." Kyouko defended the man automatically, though she was fighting a smile as she did so. "He'd be indefinitely scarier if he wasn't as obsessed with love as he is."

"No arguing with that." Chiori said, shivering slightly at the thought of a less honorable man with Takarada Lory's brains, power and money. "The president aside though, what's this I hear about a class reunion in Kyoto? I thought you hated all your classmates back there…"

"You and Moko-san talked about that too?" Kyouko said, eyebrow kicking up.

"No, that I heard about from Director Takane." Kyouko frowned for a moment, trying to think if she even knew a Director Takane. She was certain she never worked under a man by that name, so how on earth would he know about her reunion? As if reading her mind, Chiori smirked playfully at the other actress. "Gossip isn't just for high school girls and housewives, you know. Or have you already forgotten the rumors about you and Tsuruga that made the headlines of every tabloid in Japan a few years back?"

"Oh god, don't remind me." Kyouko moaned, already feeling her face heating up at the mention of that particular memory.

"I'm surprised that got as much attention as it did, to be honest. I mean, anyone can tell that you-!"

"I said DON'T REMIND ME!" Kyouko wailed, burying her now beet red face into her hands. Chiori giggled to herself. Kyouko always had the best reactions, if you know which buttons to push… "…but to answer your question yes, I'm going back to Kyoto for a while. The president and Shin-chan feel that I need a break, and the party's taking place at a time when I won't be terribly busy, so it's good for everyone involved."

"Are you sure that spending an evening trapped in a hotel with people who used to make your school life miserable is really the best way to take a break?" Chiori asked, a little baffled.

"I'm sure they're not that bad anymore, Chiori-chan." Kyouko said, a smile working its way to her lips. "I mean, we're all adults now, so I think it's safe to assume they've outgrown the desire to hide my indoor shoes or throw my lunch in the trash."

"You just say that because you like to think the best of everyone." Chiori accused the girl before sighing. "…But I guess I can't stop you, if you made up your mind about it. You know I'm just a phone call away if things go sour, right? And Kanae-chan would never admit it, but if you even hint that one of those people is giving you a hard time, she'll catch the fastest ride to Kyoto and have a million ways to make them suffer before she even arrives." Hearing the open concern in Chiori's tone despite the joking way she delivered herself, Kyouko couldn't help the beautiful smile that made its way to her face, a warm feeling she had tried to close herself off from for so long taking root in her chest.

I have the greatest friends in the world. Kyouko decided- not for the first time and far from that last- as she smiled at Chiori.

"I'll hold you to that, Chiori-chan." Kyouko said lightly. "Oh, and before I forget! I wanted to thank you for the bracelet you got me! It really is beautiful, and it matches Princess Rosa really well! What kind of stone is it?"

"…Bracelet?" Chiori repeated blankly. "What are you talking about?"

"The bracelet you got me from your trip to Italy." Kyouko reminded the girl, rolling up her sleeve to show her friend the lovely silver jewelry she wore on her wrist, which looked as though it had been crafted by elves or fairies with the intricate design and lovely pink stones it boasted. Chiori's eyes widened at the sight of it.

"Kyouko-chan… this is wonderful, but… I didn't give you this." Chiori told the girl, fingering the bracelet delicately. "This sort of thing would be way out of our promised price range… is this an original DuLavachi design? Something like this would cost at least three hundred dollars over in America."

"T-th-three HUNDRED?!!" Kyouko said, her face paling rapidly. "That… that's twenty three thousand, six hundred yen!"

"…I'm not even going to ask how you did that off the top of your head." Chiori sighed as she dropped the other girl's wrist, deciding that it wouldn't do to mention the shipping costs and tax that would be added to the total amount. "And as much as I'd like to take credit for that, this is the present I got you from Italy." Here, Chiori dug around in her bag to present the girl with a stylish silk scarf, in a shimmering shade of blue-violet that was designed so that it could also be worn like a shawl, which would look absolutely wonderful when paired off with Kyouko's coloring. Kyouko accepted it with a small gasp.

"Oh… This is amazing, Chiori-chan~!" Kyouko breathed, her eyes sparkling as she ran her fingers over the silk. "Oh, thank you! This will go so well with the summer dress that Otou-san and Mama sent me!"

"You're welcome, Kyouko-chan." Chiori said, bemused at her friend's reaction. "But… what are you going to do about that bracelet?" The reminder of her much more expensive gift made Kyouko freeze with a look on her face as if she'd just been punched in the stomach. Chiori was pretty such as to where the bracelet had come from and how it had ended up in Kyouko's possession, but seeing Kyouko work it out for herself would probably be much more entertaining than just telling her outright.

"That's right…" Kyouko murmured as she eyed her bracelet with a puzzled expression. "If you didn't give me this, then why would Tsuruga-san-!" Ah, there it was. Chiori hid a grin as Kyouko's eyes widened in realization before narrowing in outrage as she leapt to her feet, bellowing out a screech that sounded more like a war cry then a sound of realization. "TSURUGA-SAN!!!"

Oh, yes… Chiori thought, forcing herself to endure the pain of holding her laugher in until Kyouko stormed off to find her sempai's blood, lest she attract the girl's deadly fury instead. Kyouko-chan's reactions are always the best, alright.

---

When he entered his home that night, Ren wasn't feeling very much more then tired, but satisfied after a long day's work. They had to shoot a few night scenes for his latest drama, which was why he wasn't getting back until this ungodly hour, but the scenes had gone well and there was even one where the camera managed to catch a shooting star in the background during the climatic kiss which had sent the director and crew into a frenzy of excitement. Ren had no doubt that that scene would make it into the final product, even if the director had to twist arms in order to get it in. But as much as Ren loved his job, he was exhausted enough to be considered dead on his feet after the day he had, and was looking forward to his dearly missed bed.

Which was why he had to cringe when he entered his apartment and found Mio waiting for him at the door.

"Tsu-Ru-Ga-Saaaaaaaaaaan…." The dark creature in front of him hissed out angrily, her fury poisoning the air around her.

Crap. She found out about the bracelet. Ren thought with a barely noticeable wince. He should've known Amamiya would rat him out. She and Kotonami took almost sadistic pleasure in watching him stumble around trying to catch their friend's attention, and offered him almost no help unless he did something that made them feel he had earned a little pity on their parts.

"Ah, Mogami-san…" he said as pleasantly as he could. "Is there a problem?"

"Chiori-chan came onto Bridge Rock today, Tsuruga-san." Kyouko explained, though it still managed to sound more like a threat than anything else in the tone she delivered in in. "And she knew nothing about the bracelet you told me you got from her."

"…Ah…" Ren struggled to keep his expression innocent under Kyouko's accusing glare, fighting back the urge to laugh. While most people would probably be intimidated by the look Kyouko was giving him, Ren just found her reactions to the things he did funny and refreshing. There were times when Kyouko could still surprise even him with the faces she could make, and he always looked forward to seeing each one.

Even if it is almost two in the morning after a long day of shooting…

"You tricked me again, Tsuruga-san." Kyouko accused darkly, drawing Ren back to the present. "You knew that Moko-san, Chiori-chan and I always buy each other presents when we shoot on location somewhere, and you used that to make me accept another gift from you. Another expensive gift from you." Kyouko narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the man as she breathed out a frustrated sigh. "How much did the bracelet cost, anyways? Chiori-chan said it was probably over 300 dollars, but even after I found the brand she was talking about I couldn't find this bracelet specifically, so I don't know the exact price."

"I'm not sure myself, actually." Ren admitted honestly enough before delving into another lie. "It was a thank you present to me from someone I worked with overseas. I simply felt that you would appreciate it more."

In truth, the bracelet had been sent to him by his mother, who saw the design and immediately thought of the crazy-but-charming girl who she was hoping would someday marry her misplaced son. In was a one-of-a-kind design, but Julie Hizuri knew people. It was almost impossible to say no to the model, so she managed to secure the bracelet for herself and sent it to Lory to give to Ren along with an oddly worded warning that if he didn't make a move soon then Julie would take legal action so that Kuon really would be welcoming Kyouko into the family as a sister rather than a wife.

Wisely, Ren took the warning to heart.

Liar. Kyouko thought at hearing her sempai's excuse. She kept it to herself though, in no mood to deal with Ren's 'Gentlemanly Smile' as he bullied her into accepting his probably insanely expensive present. It seemed that the older actor conned Kyouko into accepting everything he gave her without any sort of thought to how it was affecting her. Really, the man was just too dangerous for words!

Well not this time! Kyouko vowed, her competitive spirit rearing its head. You're NOT going to win this one, Tsuruga Ren, no matter what you try to pull!

"So a person you worked with overseas just happened to send you- a MAN- an expensive bracelet designed for a WOMAN, Tsuruga-san?" Kyouko clarified in a tone that clearly portrayed her disbelief. "Just like Princess Rosa just happened to end up in the rose you gave me for my seventeenth birthday?"

"I still stand by the legend of Queen Rosa, no matter what anyone else says." Ren maintained, once again silently cursing Kyouko's manager for explaining the truth of that particular present to the girl when Kyouko told him of her sempai's gift.

"And let's not forget the Porsche you bought me when I turned eighteen." Kyouko reminded him with a glare.

"I had just finished teaching you to drive for your role as Haruna in Pedal to the Metal. It would be a shame if you lost touch with those skills because you weren't using them." Ren defended himself in his sempai-knows-best voice.

"And the cooking supplies you bought me after I won that award for my role of Mio? The 40 thousand yen knife set and 115 thousand yen worth of pots and pans?"

"You end up cooking for me more often than not so it's only fair that I repay you for the meals you make." Ren said firmly.

"You know that I do that because I care about you, Tsuruga-san!" Kyouko huffed in frustration. "You don't need to repay me for something I choose to do of my own free will!"

"Then you don't need to feel that you need to repay me for wanting to show you a little of that kindness in return." Ren countered, turning away under the guise of putting his things away to hide the smile that came to his face at Kyouko's confession about caring for him. Even if it was just as a friend, at least it gave him some claim over her heart, which was why he couldn't help himself from wanting to do anything to keep himself at the forefront of her mind. Especially with Fuwa Shou trying to creep his way back into her life again.

That thought had the smile falling from Ren's face, a dark feeling pooling in his stomach as he remembered Shou's latest stunt.

Ren didn't know what Shou hoped to accomplish with this reunion scheme, but he didn't like it. The thought of Kyouko and the musician meeting up in their old city, surrounded by their old classmates and memories of the childhood they had shared together…

No, Ren didn't like it one bit.

His first instinct was to accompany her to Kyoto to keep an eye on things and protect Kyouko from Fuwa's actions before the selfish creep could hurt her anymore. Unfortunately, there was no way he could accompany her to her hometown. He'd already subtly asked Yashiro about his schedule for the three days Kyouko had taken off to attend the reunion, claiming that his car would need some work done soon and those days seemed most convenient. Yashiro probably didn't buy that, judging by how gleeful he looked after Ren asked, but after looking through Ren's schedule, he found that there was no way the work the actor had scheduled for the 22nd could be rescheduled, since he was shooting for a movie all day that day and the place they were filming at would only be available then.

Ren had tried desperately not to show how much this had disappointed him, but Yashiro still noticed and spent every free moment he had since then trying to rework Ren's schedule so that he had at least some meager shot of going to Kyoto, despite Ren's repeated reassurances that it wasn't necessary. If he couldn't make it, than he couldn't make it, and that's all there was to it. He would never be able to forgive himself if he let a personal problem interfere with Tsuruga Ren's work, and Kyouko would probably be ten times as disappointed in him if she found out he did so.

Yashiro seemed to understand this, but clearly he did not like hearing Ren say it out loud, since he kept shooting the actor looks for the rest of the day that had Ren feeling as if he'd run over his manager's cat.

Still, though going along with Kyouko to her reunion was out of the question, there was another option to protect Kyouko from Shou's plotting; If Ren could keep Kyouko in Tokyo, then the musician's scheme would fall apart before it could even start. There were any number of ways he could do it, with all the respect and adoration Kyouko had for him. He wouldn't even have to tell her about what Shou was doing, which would just get the girl thinking about Shou and cursing his wicked ways and the lows he would sink to in order to get what he wanted, which was the last thing Ren wanted her doing. The more Shou was on her mind, the more damage the musician inflicted upon the heart that she had spent years tirelessly patching over after he broke it without a second thought.

"Tsuruga-san?!" Kyouko's concerned voice cut through his musings, drawing Ren's attention back to her face, with was pulled into a concerned look as she leaned forward onto the balls of her feet to leaf her tiny hand under Ren's bangs. "Is something the matter? You're not getting sick, are you?"

"No, Mogami-san. I'm fine." Ren said carefully, concentrating everything he had on pushing back the urge to grab her hand and keep it- and the girl it was attached to- close. Gods, how could she so easily read his moods, but completely miss what she did to him…? "I'm just a little tired is all. It's been a long day…"

"Oh!" Kyouko said, her eyes widening before guilt overtook her face. "I'm so sorry, Tsuruga-san! I didn't even realize- I feel so stupid now. I shouldn't be bothering you at such an ungodly hour. Sorry, I'll leave so you can get some rest!"

"It's fine, Mogami-san." Ren said as firmly as he could. He did NOT want Kyouko feeling as though she wasn't welcome in his home. "Really, I'm glad that you're here. I've wanted to speak with you about something, anyways."

"Oh? About what?" Kyouko asked, tilting her head to look up at Ren with curious gold eyes. "You could have called if you needed me for anything."

"I know, Mogami-san." Ren said, his true feeling bleeding through and making his words a touch warmer then he intended before he could tone it down. "Actually though, it's about your upcoming trip to Kyoto." He couldn't talk to her about this over the phone. If he wasn't careful, didn't watch her expressions and choose his words well, then things could end up backfiring on him. He had to get Kyouko to stay in Tokyo without alluding to Fuwa Shou.

"Really? Do you want me to pick you something up over there? I've already started making out a list of souvenirs to bring back to Tokyo. I remember a little dress shop that has clothing Moko-san will love, and there's a shop near where my old school was that sold the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen, so I was planning on getting some of those for Shachou. I'm going to pick up an omamori from the shrine I'd visit for New Years for Maria-chan too, so if you need something I'll be happy to bring it back for you." Ren's careful words died in his throat as he regarded the auburn haired actress with open surprise at the excitement coloring her tone.

"I thought that the president and Igami-san had to twist your arm to make you agree to attend this reunion, Mogami-san." Ren said in evident confusion. "It sounds to me like you're really looking forward to it." Kyouko blushed at Ren's observation, wringing her hands together nervously.

"Well, I was sort of dreading it at first, because I was worried that I'd go there and all I could think about was Shoutaro." Kyouko confessed, frowning for a moment over the musician's name before brightening again. "But then I started thinking about it, and I realized that I had a lot of happy memories from back in Kyoto that had nothing to do with Shou. The forest were I used to play by myself… the restaurant I studied in whenever I needed a quiet place to cram for exams… The park I'd walk through in the morning to clear my mind… the elderly man who used to give me deals on groceries when I brought him homemade dinners… all of that was there too.

"When I came to Tokyo, I was too busy taking care of Shou's needs to even think about the life I left behind. Then as an actress I was trying so hard to rediscover myself and made a point in not thinking about my past, but after talking to Watanabi-san, I started thinking that maybe it would be good for me to go back to Kyoto. Maybe that would finally give me a little closure over my past, and let me move ahead as an actress. I… I know that probably sounds strange, Tsuruga-san, but-"

"No." Ren said, his voice heavy with emotion as he fought back a wave of memories of his own childhood, of the places and people he'd forsaken in order to fulfill his dream, a pang of loss hitting him rather heavily. Really, how this girl always knew just what to say to affect him without even meaning to… "It… it doesn't sound strange at all, Mogami-san." Ren hated himself, even before his next words left his lips, but somehow he forced them out despite every selfish instinct in him that wanted to stop them. "You're right, you should go to Kyoto. Just… promise me something, will you?"

"Eh?" Kyouko said, eyebrows stitched together in confusion. Promise… but, didn't Ren want to hell her something…?

"Promise you'll come back." Ren pleaded with a smile that was warm and heartbreaking at the same time. "No matter what's waiting for you in Kyoto, swear you won't forget everything you have here as easily as you forgot those wonderful memories of Kyoto you were talking about earlier."

"I… of course, Tsuruga-san." Kyouko promised, heart pounding in her ear. There was no way Kyouko could promise anything less, with the look her sempai was giving her. Part of her wondered how Ren could ever think, even for a moment, that she could forget all the wonderful friend she'd made in Tokyo, the family she had found in LME, and her career as an actress… all of it still felt like a dream come true to Kyouko. She wouldn't leave that behind, even for all of the princesses and fairies in the world.

And then, there was Ren himself…

"Um, if that's all, then I should get going, Tsuruga-san. You need your rest." Kyouko said, edging past Ren towards the door.

"It's fine, Mogami-san. You're more than welcome to stay." Ren assured the girl, only to be rejected with the shake of a head.

"No, I should go, really. I have a taping later for a morning show, and Shin-chan will kill me if I show up with bags under my eyes. I'm sorry again for bothering you so later, Tsuruga-san."

"You're never a bother, Mogami-san." Ren chuckled, smiling at the girl as she flashed him a look of gratitude before leaving. As soon as the door closed behind Kyouko though, Ren's smile fell away as he raked a hand through his hair in frustration.

What a mess… The star thought with a scoff as he made his way to his bedroom. What it was about Kyouko that brought out all these emotions, he would never know, but it seemed like no matter what he did nothing ever changed. It was killing him an inch at a time, being forced to witness again and again that Fuwa and Kyouko had an inseparable bond that refused to be severed, as if the hands of the Gods had willed the two for one another. And now… now they'd be alone together in Kyoto, the place where that bond had been the closest, and there was nothing he could do about it.

I must be some sort of masochist or something. Ren decided humorlessly as he undressed for bed. That, or this is all punishment for everything I've done. That was actually pretty likely, everything considered. Sighing heavily, Ren shook these thoughts from his mind and turned back to his task, determined to get some sleep before his next shoot started around eleven, though he already had a feeling that it would be no easy task.

---

As all of this was going on inside Ren's apartment, Kyouko stood outside in the hallway, her back pressed against her sempai's door as she tried to quell her heartbeat back to normal.

Really, that man is too much. Kyouko thought with a heavy sigh. Not for the first time, Kyouko realized what a dangerous man her sempai was for poor, unguarded women. Had it been anyone but her in there talking to him, hearing him practically beg to come back to him…

No, not him. Kyouko reminded herself firmly. He just wants me coming back to my job. Abandoning work to go off and play is completely unprofessional. That's what he was talking about in there.

Kyouko's inner Bo gave a self-deprecating snort at that, but she mulishly ignored it as she pushed herself away from Ren's door and made her way to her own apartment.

She had already been through that drama once with the president, right before she 'graduated' from the LoveMe Section and was deemed a fully functioning human being capable of expressing love, after all. She didn't need to stand there arguing with herself in the middle of the hallway about the feelings-she-did-NOT-have towards Japan's hottest bachelor. And a man who was already in love with another woman, at that.

Kyouko was a lot of things she wasn't proud of, but home-wrecker had never made the list up until this point, and there was no way it would now. She knew Ren had someone he felt passionately for, he'd told her about the mystery woman a few times before she gave up Bo. From the way Ren described her, she was beautiful, talented, and passionate, with a pureness about her that was rare in most modern women.

She'd led a difficult life, but still managed to create blessings for herself out of the wreckage that those she thought she could trust the most had left for her to shift through. She fought tooth and nail for everything that she had, and earned so much for her efforts, including the love of the most attractive man in Japan. The whole thing sounded as if it had come straight from a fairytale, and Kyouko could close her eyes and conjure up the image of a breathtaking woman with long blonde hair and lovely blue eyes dressed in a ball gown.

Apparently, Ren had met her when he was a child, and grew attached to her in the short time that they knew each other. He didn't recognize her when they met again, though, and she hated him at first (this was the one strike Kyouko had against the Princess. How on earth could anyone hate Tsuruga Ren?!) but not too long after Ren realized who she was, their relationship started to improve and she showed a kinder, stronger side that made him fall irreversibly in love with the Princess. Since then Ren had thought of almost nothing but her, no matter where he was or what he did.

It was stupid to think that she or anyone else could ever steer Ren away from such a gentle and beautiful woman, and she refused to even embarrass herself in making the attempt. No, she would be content to keep Tsuruga Ren as her sempai and friend, and hope that he found his ultimate happiness with the faceless Princess.

If anyone deserved a happily ever after ending, it was them.

I hope he lets me meet her someday. Kyouko thought with a sad smile. It was rather curious, but even with all the time she spent around Ren she had never once seen the girl he spoke of. She really wanted to know the Princess for herself, if only to see if the girl was truly as wonderful as Ren insisted she was (Ren was an excellent judge of character, so she really didn't have much doubt, but anyone could be fooled when they were in love. She was Example #1 of that little fact of life…).

Before Kyouko could continue her musings any longer, the soft chime from her clock informed her that it was now 2 AM, surprising the young woman as she took in her surroundings. Face flushing, the girl realized that she must've wandered back to her bedroom on autopilot while she was thinking. Really, what kind of actress dragged herself around like some mindless zombie? Moko-san would smack her if she saw that…

Shaking her head with a chuckle, Kyouko began to undress, hoping to catch at least a few hours of sleep before she had to be up at seven to make her appearance on Mornings with Mayumi for an interview about Taste of a Sigh. In the middle of pulling off her shirt, though, she caught sight of the bracelet Ren had tricked her into accepting and froze dead when she realized that she had- once again- been duped into accepting an expensive present.

Later that day, Kyouko was forced to apologize to the business tycoon in Room 53 for the angry string of curses that followed this thought, which Kyouko blamed completely on Shou. He was the one who taught her most of those words, anyways…