Chapter Text
Ren regretted everything.
He'd been hurt, sure. Angry even. But seeing Kyoko's reaction- how empty she looked as she moved between scenes with that same hollow sadness her character was known for- that had been ten times worse.
It had also confused him.
If she reacted like that she clearly didn't HATE him. So what was it? Why was she so adamant that he not costar with her? It didn't make sense. And to make things worse, he hadn't been on set today so he hadn't had another chance to talk to her or even just see her. He could call her but he didn't know what to say. It was all so confusing and upsetting and he was glad his day was finally over. His apartment would be a welcome sight after such a long day.
However everything was just made more confusing by the sight of Kyoko sitting in his house with a big plate of food.
She met his eyes as if she was afraid he would yell at her for coming and he wanted nothing more than to apologize for snapping at her so harshly the day before. Seeing her like this killed him.
"I'm sorry for intruding." Her voice was just above a whisper.
"It's fine. I'm the one who gave you the key." She nodded.
"Ren, I don't hate you." He almost cried out in relief but she had such a pained expression that he remained quiet. "I don't hate you. But I didn't want to do this movie with you, you were right about that. So tonight I promise I'll explain everything." He sat down across the table from her and waited.
"I'll listen then."
"Before I do you have to eat dinner!"
"I ate on the way home."
"Gas station food is not dinner."
"Just-"
"Please Ren." He sighed, accepting the bowls she passed him and ate quickly. A heavy silence hung over head as they ate. She made quick work of cleaning up and sat down across him again. Forcing herself to meet his eyes, Kyoko began.
"When we first met, you automatically disliked me. I didn't have the best intentions in my acting pursuits and your anger only fueled mine towards you. But then I acted as your temporary manger and I realized what an incredible actor you were. You seemed so far away, like a god, but that's when I started to really see you. And I met you as Bo and you seemed so much more relaxed and welcoming. It was like you automatically accepted me as an equal, it was incredible how much you opened up to me and trusted me.
"Of course it wasn't until Dark Moon that I started to-" Kyoko swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "We started getting closer after I acted as your manager. You helped me with my acting and listened to me without complaint. You saved me from that stupid Beagle. I guess even before that you had been saving me as Corn though, huh?" She shook her head.
"It got worse when we acted as the Heel Siblings. We were together all the time and I really, really respected you. But I also got to see a different side of you. A more human side. You weren't as perfect as you always appeared but I didn't hate that. I didn't want you to fall down to my level, yet at the same time, I felt like I could understand for once. That's when the President found out about my-" she shook her head and wiped her eyes before taking another breath. "And then I met Corn in Guam. I didn't know it was you of course. Well part of me did but, I just couldn't accept it." She laughed, but it almost came out like a sob. "And then I ran back to the restaurant and told you I'd had my first kiss. I told YOU about my kiss with YOU. But you listened anyways. You always listened. When my role with you ended things just got messier though. What with my mom showing up again. But even then you were always there. Sometimes you were hidden but if I needed you, you always seemed to find me. And after having a proper talk with my mom I felt so much better.
"President said I had graduated. I had given up my hatred of Sho. I had accepted my mother. And most importantly I had accepted my love-" the tears fell now just as they had last night with Kanae. She was so scared that she couldn't meet his eyes anymore but she had to keep going, she had to tell him. So with a shaky voice she continued as she stared at her hands, "my love for you. And he graduated me but I still couldn't tell you how I felt. But I played Cinderella and every time I looked at the prince I thought of you and my characters became more real. Everyone kept saying they could see how in love I was, but I didn't love any of the actors I was working with like you. And I was scared if I acted with you and was allowed to hold you and kiss you, you'd figure it out. So I avoided any romance roles with you. When you told me about Kuon it only got worse. I'm more of a fool than I ever was before, so Ren please don't ever assume I hate you. I love you so much I don't know what to do." She could hear him stand and his footsteps as he moved towards her but she kept her eyes firmly shut. His hand brushed her cheek and she jumped, finally looking at him again.
"Kyoko." He leaned forward slowly, giving her enough time to move away, and rested his forehead against hers, mouths just centimeters apart as he met her eyes. He was waiting, she realized, letting her make the choice this time. With trembling hands, she cupped his face and closed the space between them.
* * *
Kyoko blushed fiercely as the spotlight found her and Ren. Confetti shot up from canons around them as the dancers that had begun circling them drew even more attention towards the couple. Kyoko greatly regretted ever telling the President about their engagement. It was almost as bad as the party he'd thrown when they announced they were dating.
Almost.
Lory made his speech of well wishes with his usual flourish and waited for the crowd's applause to die down before parting the dancers so the couple of honor could go back to mingling.
"Remind me why we let him do this again?" Ren leaned over to whisper.
"I don't remember it being a choice." Cameras flashed in all directions, but by now the pair had learned to ignore them.
"Father, you made it!" Kuu pulled Kuon and Kyoko into a tight hug.
"Don't hog them." Julie sulked. Ren stepped out of his father's embrace and laughed as the model practically tackled him. "You two never visit!" She complained, dragging Kyoko in next.
"Mom, we all have very busy schedules."
"There's always time for family."
"Julie, the kids have become Japan's favorite couple, they can't just take vacations whenever they want to." Kyoko pinked again at the mention of the title. After their first romance together produced a new relationship between two of Japan's top stars- previously untouchable in the dating scene- they had been cast together again and again. It was rare they ever had other partners anymore, and the couple secretly preferred it that way.
"Kyoko!" Kanae sped over, her work as maid of honor was already keeping her busy at the President's ridiculous party. "Jelly wanted you."
"Did she say why?" Kanae shook her head.
"Just that it was important."
"Alright," Kyoko turned back to her family, "I'll be right back." Once she'd left, Kanae turned to Ren.
"The President wants you too."
"Stealing away my children again! What is that man up to?" Julie complained.
"Maybe if SOME people hadn't snuck in when the President wasn't paying attention, he wouldn't have me tracking them down." Ren figured there was probably some truth to that. He and Kyoko had been trying to avoid at least some of the eccentricities. They'd already been at the party a few minutes before the spotlight hit them. He had carefully maneuvered his way through the crowd and headed down a more secluded hallway towards the President's home office when he heard a scream. Running towards the source, he flung open the door to find his fiancée in a white dress perfectly suited for a princess.
In all the years he'd known her, she had never given up her love of fairytales.
"Ren, you shouldn't be in here yet! Darling has your costume." In spite of Jelly's insistence, Ren came further into the room to take Kyoko in more fully. He would never get over how beautiful she was, especially when she lit up with that old, childlike excitement.
Kyoko spun around to show him the full dress, "Do you like it?" He kissed her with a smile, eyes still on hers instead of the dress.
"It's perfect." She pulled him down for another kiss. "What was that one for?"
"After Ten does my make up, you can't kiss me for the rest of the night." Ren laughed at her serious tone. She blamed the make up, but he knew she just got embarrassed when he fussed over her in public.
"I love you." Jelly was pushing him out the door now, huffing something about disturbing her work.
"Darling specifically asked me to not let you see until we were done. Go get into your costume." She closed the door on his face and turned back to Kyoko with renewed determination. "Now, let the real magic begin."
The night was everything a party thrown my Lory promised to be and it wasn't quite as exhausting as Ren usually found it.
How could it be when the woman of his dreams was beaming like the sun?