A/N: I do Not own S.T.A.R.S. by Marina Inoue.
Kyoko's seiyu is an actual singer so I used one of her actual songs. I thought it would be a fun idea. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
"What studio was it?"
"Nine." Kyoko answered. She was checking her make-up and found that most of it was still perfect. Her lipstick wasn't smudged and everything was where it should be. Her hair wasn't as nice but it still fell around her well.
Asami drove and found a bunch of cars parked by Studio 9. They parked and they both ran as it was exactly 9pm. Kyoko would have never made it in time if she had to ride her bike down.
"Did we make it?" Asami yelled out and several people turned to her. The large projector screen was just starting the "what happened last time" scenes.
"Haruki!" Director Ogata was the first to walk up and he was about to greet his good friend when he was stunned to find who was behind her.
"K…Kyoko-chan?"
"Ah, Hi. I'm sorry for my appearance. I came straight here with Asami-san." She stepped around her and chairs started screeching.
"Oh My God! Kyoko-chan!"
"You look Beautiful!"
"What are you dressed as?"
"What were you doing dressed as that?"
"I want that dress!"
"You look so different!"
Every single girl in the place swarmed her and started swirling around her like bees to a flower or sharks around their prey. The later was how Kyoko felt. She blushed and she tried to answer all their questions but she was sure she missed some. They all touched her hair and the dress. She was being poked and prodded as if under inspection. Then someone took her hand.
"Hello, Kyoko-chan. I saved a seat for you." Kijima appeared out of no where and was bowing with her hand in his. He smiled up at her and was slowly pulling her hand to his lips.
Suddenly just as she was about to pull back, her hand was in another's and she was half way to the seating area. "I glad to see you made it, Mogami-san, the show is just about to start."
"The hell…" Kijima whispered. He stood up and looked around. He looked around to see if anyone else was curious to know what happened but everyone just started to walk back and he went with them. Considering that Yashiro was the one sitting next to Ren at the time, the seat next to him was suddenly opened as Yashiro "wanted to sit in the back".
"Thank you Tsuruga-san." She smiled shyly at him and he was stunned at how beautiful she looked. He had seen the video, had seen that Yashiro was correct in his commentary of her but seeing it in person with that flush in her cheeks was heart stopping.
They couldn't speak much since the episode started right away. Everyone settled in and watched in quiet rapture until it ended.
"That was so sweet!" Yoshiko yelled out as the credits rolled. "You guys should definitely be together!"
"Stop, we were just acting." Momose-chan blushed and Ren just smiled and glanced at Kyoko. She was smiling sadly.
"Are you okay?" He leaned towards her.
"Yes. I'm fine. I still like happy endings." She smiled sweetly up at him sort of embarrassed by her admission.
"That's a good thing right?" He sat up straight and smiled at her. After all he wanted a happy ending with her someday. If she enjoyed them, then deep down she had to still desire it for herself. Everyone was talking about the show and he was more than eager to talk to her for the rest of the night.
"Yes, even if love won't happen for me, I still enjoy seeing others in love." She said with a soft sigh.
Ren wanted to sigh with her. "Mogami-san, I…"
"Kyoko-chan, I got you a drink." Kijima interrupted what Ren was going to say as he shoved a champagne flute in her hands.
"Oh, um, I can't drink, Kijima-san." She smiled politely trying to hand back the drink.
"It's just one drink and we are all making a cheer to celebrate the ending. Look see, all the other girls have one." Kyoko turned and looked around. Most of her actors that played her classmates weren't 20 yet and they still had a glass in hand.
"Oh. Okay then." She stood up and turned towards the crowd that was gathering around with champagne in their hands.
"You don't have to drink it, Mogami-san. Just pretend and then you can get rid of it after." Ren whispered to her and she smiled then shook her head.
"No, that would be disrespectful. What if I jinx the ratings and we don't beat Tsukigomori? It's just one drink. I'll be fine."
"To Dark Moon!" Everyone cheered and Kyoko drank the whole glass with both Kijima and Ren close by.
Kyoko was swaying softly as Momose sang with two other actresses with a big smile on her face. Ren was sitting as far back as he could and just watch the karaoke. He was a terrible singer and he has managed to escape the deadly act so far. He was surprised to find how well some of them sang from Kijima to even Ogata. Yashiro went up to sing and was absolutely horrid but that didn't stop him. No one seemed to mind his singing either.
Ren was blessed to have Kyoko stay in the back with him. He didn't want to leave her side and Yashiro tried to keep them alone as best he could. It would have been nice if it wasn't for the fact that Kijima kept coming up to talk to Kyoko every few minutes. He offered her more champagne which she refused, water, food, and was chatting her up when ever he could.
Thankfully, the few times that he tried to steal her way, she shook her head promptly and told him she wanted to stay. She even grabbed his sleeve when he took her arm. It was then that he wondered off. She turned and looked up at Ren smiled brightly at him. she was hugging his arm and looking at him with these dream like eyes.
"Psst." She beckoned him down as if she wanted to tell him a secret. He leaned down and she rose up and kissed him right on his lips. She giggled as he sat there frozen in shock.
"Kyoko-chan, come sing a song!"
"OKAY!" She bounced out of her chair and started to make her way through the crowd. Everyone was still watching the celestial creature that was Kyoko while Ren was still frozen in that same position.
"REN! Ren! Did I just see that?" Yashiro came squealing over as soon as Kyoko walked away. "She kissed you! What did you tell her? What did she say? You ki…" Yashiro's words fell away as he saw Kyoko step up on stage and plant a kiss on Momose's lips.
Everyone watched stunned but Momose just laughed it off and so did everyone else. Ren looked up just as Kyoko pulled back and she was picking her song.
"Did she just…" Ren started and Yashiro finished, "kiss Momose-chan."
The song she picked was very upbeat and she said the first line in perfect English then switched to back to Japanese like a pro.
You're my star, and no matter when,
I'll start with you and run past from behind
You're my star, and I'll lock on my target
And make you turn towards me for sure
She actually sang very well and she looked positively adorable in the angel costume singing. She danced and the dress swayed with her hips.
The moment I realized, "Why?"
The fingertip that touched me just a bit was precious
And I felt a heartbeat that
I've never sensed before up 'til now
Everyone was laughing and cheering her on. Ren sat in the back ground with Yashiro trying to convince himself that he was just dreaming. There was no way that actually happened.
I'll understand when I get a little closer to you
But the moment after that, I won't understand
Since there's no point in worrying about it,
My heart won't stop throbbing, will it?
She sang as if her life depended on it and Ren wondered why she picked that song. It was cute yes but it was about love. She animated her words, clutching her heart when appropriate. Her hands flying into the air as her body moved to the beat. He watched her and it was like she was looking at him. She even smiled and pointed at him when she sang, "You're my star, and you're shining."
I'll start with you and be able to see something
You're my star, so it'd be meaningless with anyone else
"In - to - the - heart - of - my - dreams"
You're my star, and no matter when,
I'll start with you and run past from behind
You're my star, and I'll lock on my target
And until you turn my way, I'll give you a sign
The song ended and everyone clapped including Ren. Ogata went up on the little platform and took the mike from her clapping then she wrapped her arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. Ogata turned ten different shades of red and Kyoko stepped down giggling merrily.
"I think she is drunk." Yashiro spoke at the same time as Iizuka stepped up to Kyoko and spoke.
"Mogami-san, how much have you had to drink?"
"Mommy! I had one drink that Kijima-san gave me. I promise!" She hugged Iizuka and then leaned up and gave her a kiss as well. She stepped back in shock.
"She's a kissing monster!" The younger girls laughed and Kyoko was making her way on somewhat steady feet to Ren.
"Haruki, maybe you should…" Ogata started.
"I'll take her home!" Kijima stepped up and took Kyoko's hand. She looked up at him with a smile and leaned up. He grinned, leaned down with his eyes closed and kissed someone's hand. He frowned and looked up to find a very pissed off Ren covering Kyoko's mouth.
"I'll take her home, I know where she lives." Kijima frowned and stepped back. He really couldn't argue with him and to be honest with the way he glared at him, he didn't want to.
"Asami-san, can she return the costume tomorrow?" He asked as he tried to keep Kyoko off of him. She had turned around and hugged him then started nuzzling his chest. His heart was pounding and he wanted nothing more than for her to continue but it was wrong.
Asami nodded. He turned Kyoko around and she giggled merrily without a care in the world. They walked over to Yashiro.
"Yashiro-san!" She took a step towards him and she stopped short as a very strong arm wrapped around her waist. Yashiro just gave a sigh of relief.
"I think I'll get a ride with someone else tonight, if you don't mind." There was no way he was going to be in the same car with Kyoko kissing everyone in sight and the very jealous Ren driving. Ren nodded and started walking out the door.
"But Ren, I hope I don't have to tell you to respect the situation you are." He whispered to Ren away from the crowd, "Kyoko-chan is still very young even if she is throwing herself at you. I don't want…"
"Yashiro-san… please stop. I'm just driving her home. I'm not going to take advantage of her." Completely distracted from their conversation, Ren didn't notice Kyoko slip from his arms until she grabbed Yashiro's tie and pulled him down for a kiss.
Ren groaned and quickly separated them by throwing her over his left shoulder "Bye Yashiro-san, Everyone!" She screamed out as he carried her away and everyone just laughed while waving goodbye.
The night was cool but not cold. It was relatively silent except for the sounds of his footsteps on the gravel and Kyoko's humming. She was humming the song she just finish singing.
"Tsuruga-san, where are we going?" She asked musically.
"I'm taking you home." He stopped by his car and fished out his keys from his pocket.
"Oo I like your place. It's so big and comfy. What are we going to do there?" She talked to him as if she wasn't slung over his shoulder like a sack of flour as if it was normal.
"No, I'm taking you to your home then I'm going to mine." He corrected her and then opened the door or tried to. She squirmed and felt her hands pushing herself up.
"But I don't want to go home! I'm not tried and this is a party!" She pushed herself up so that he was holding her just below her butt.
"You are drunk, so that means no more party for you." His hand was on the handle but then he stopped.
"Ren…" She whispered and then leaned down and kissed him again. This time however he didn't freeze. Her hands were holding his face and she pressed her soft lips against his. He couldn't help himself, who could not kiss back if an angel was kissing you?
He wrapped his other arm around her and kissed her for all he was worth. She moaned softly in his arms and he leaned forward pressing her body against his car. She tasted so good, felt so good his arms and he was becoming drunk on her.
She started to slide down not because either wanted it but merely because gravity forced her to. As soon as she was on her feet, the kiss broke and Kyoko was left breathless.
"Wow." She whispered in daze. He smiled with a sense of satisfaction and then reminded himself who the responsible one was. She's drunk and I did the one thing Yashiro just warned me against. Okay, so he was probably worried about things going a lot further than a kiss but that was not how Ren took it.
Kyoko was running her hands up his chest again and his body screamed at him as she pressed her soft frame against his. Her arms hooked around his neck and started to pull him back down.
"No, get inside and let me take you home." He pulled her arms free and she pouted but did what she was told. He closed the door as soon as her dress was completely inside and he took a shaky breath.
As soon as he sat down she attacked again. She moved her body into his lap as she kissed him and he was struggling to find the will to fight her. She slid her body up against his, her butt wiggling in his lap and her sweet lips were sucking on his, her soft tongue teasing him mercilessly.
"Kyoko." He tried to talk between her intake of breath.
"Kyoko, stop." He heard his own words but his hands held her there. His arms wrapped around her squeezing her closer to him. His lips continued her assault and he was more than happy to have her pressed against him. She seemed to enjoy what they were doing to the point that even as his arousal pressed against her hip didn't make her recoil away.
She started to shift in his lap which made him groan from pleasure. He couldn't tell what she was doing, just was just rocking up and down his body making the most wonderful sensations run through him. Finally he felt her knee brush his stomach and he pushed her away. She was about the straddle his lap and he couldn't handle that, not right now.
"Ren?" She was back in her seat looking hurt and confused. He had to look away as she had slowly slid her dress up to free her legs.
"I'm sorry. We should go now." He turned to her and he reached around her to get to the seat belt. She leaned in and kissed him again. He returned the kiss but he pulled away as soon as she was buckled in. She smiled at him as he sat back and reached to unbuckle the seatbelt.
"NO!" He yelled. She jumped and her lip started to quiver.
"No, no, no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't cry." He said softly. Too late. A tear ran down her cheek and more soon followed. She brushed it away with her hand and turned away. She straightened up, pushing her dress back down and quietly cried in her seat.
"I'm sorry. Stop crying, please. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell." He pulled out a handkerchief and started to wipe her tears. She was even more enchanting when she cried. Her eyes were all shinny and her lips looked full and pouty, though maybe that was because of the kissing.
He leaned in again and tried to kiss her, anything to stop her from crying. He rather have a kissing Kyoko than a crying one but she turned away from him. He sighed and starting the car. He drove away with her sobbing softly next to him. After a few moments she stopped and he took a risk looking at her. She was asleep, the little handkerchief clutched in her hand.
He smiled as she slept quietly. He felt like he just got off of a roller coaster. First he was stunned with her first kiss, then jealous and confused as she continued, anger quickly rose back up as Kijima tried to take advantage of the situation. Ren gripped the steering wheel tightly. He better not find that man alone in an alley, he didn't know if he could restrain himself from beating him senseless.
Then there was their little make out session. He would remember that one for the rest of his life. She was so warm and willing. He wanted it to last forever. He felt his body agreed with him and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He wasn't angry with her when he yelled. He was just losing the battle. If he if didn't stop her then, he didn't know when the next time he could stop himself would be. He would have taken her there in his car without any qualms. Her crying was the cold douse of water he needed and her asleep was a blessing.
The drive was quiet with Ren alone with his thoughts, his new favorite memories making him feel warm. Every time she shifted he looked at her worried about what she would do or think or say, but she was just shifting in her sleep.
He arrived at her closed restaurant. It was past 11 and no doubt they were already asleep. He knocked on the door and waited. He glanced at her and she was still asleep. A few minutes passed and he turned to the side door and knocked again.
Nothing. He wanted to call but he didn't have their number. He looked them up on his phone and he found a number. He called and instantly the automated voice came up.
"The number you are trying to reach is either disconnected or…" he hung up.
"Stupid outdated info." He whispered and looked back at her. He climbed into the seat and tried to wake her up. He gently caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
"Kyoko, do you have the keys to the restaurant?" He asked softly and she half opened her eyes.
"In my purse." She mumbled and closed her eyes. Her purse… he looked around and didn't see it. He looked around the skirt of her dress and nothing.
"Where is your purse, Kyoko?" He whispered again and she shifted again.
"In the locker at Akatoki. Asami-san said we would get it after the party." She yawned, "I'm tired Ren. Shhh." She put her fingertips to Ren's lips and he could help but smile. Even if she was awake, she couldn't get inside anyway. He kissed her fingertips and held her hand in his.
"I'm going to take you to my home then." He leaned in and whispered to her.
"Okay." She mumbled in her sleep. He smiled and drove home. He was thankful that it was late and a secured building. The press would have a field day if they saw him taking an angel up to his apartment. He didn't think anyone would blame him if they saw her though. Even the door man was looking a little envious.
Ren asked him if he could help him to his apartment and the man started to hold his arms out for Kyoko.
"To open my door." Ren glared at him and the man blushed and nodded quickly in a panic. The man rode the elevator up, very careful not to look at the woman in Ren's arms. Apparently, he said that a little too forcefully. It as better this way anyway. The man opened the door for him and Ren stepped inside and thanked him.
He slipped off his shoes and carried her to the guest room. He laid her down gently, and she snuggled on top of the covers. He moved to her feet and took off her slippers and her feet disappeared under the folds of her dress. He sat on the bed and just watched her for a moment, his fingers moving the blonde strands of hair from her face.
He let himself slip one last time that night. He leaned down and kissed her. She didn't kiss him back but her eyes fluttered open and looked at him sleepily.
"Hmm?" She whimpered softly and he smiled. He stood up, walked over to the other bed and took the sheet off the other bed, covering her with it. Her eyes never left him as he moved. The sheet covered her and he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight Kyoko."
"Goodnight, Ren." She murmured and fell asleep.
The next morning…
Kyoko woke up with a horrible headache in a strange bed in a strange room. She jumped up awake and moaned in pain as her vision swam. She cracked open her eyes and looked around. After what felt like hours, she recognized the place. She was at Tsuruga-san's. She fell back onto the bed and one of the pins in her hair stabbed her.
"Ow!" She sat up and found her wig was tangled and completely messed up. She went to the mirror and started to take out all the pins that held it. She didn't even wash her face of the make-up and her contacts were still in. She got the wig off with it and herself in once piece and there was a knock at the door.
"Co…" She stopped at the sound of her own voice. "Come in." She whispered and felt like he wouldn't be able to hear her but the first squeak of her voice prompted him to enter. He had a glass of water and aspirin along with a heavenly smile.
"How are you feeling?" he whispered softly and handed her the glass with two pills.
"Like I got ran over by a truck. What happened?" She swallowed the pills and she drank the glass of water like she hasn't had a drink in years.
"It seems you are a little weak to alcohol." He answered and Kyoko looked up at him obviously. He chuckled. "Okay you are a lot weak to alcohol. One drink and you were out. I've never seen that before."
"Don't bully the one in pain" She half smiled and swayed on her feet at the pounding in her head. She looked around and frowned. "Everything is at Akatoki. Asami-san was going to take me back…"
"…after the party. Yashiro-san actually went with her instead and got all your things. I even had them cleaned. I'll get them for you and you can shower and change. Feel free to use anything you need."
"Cleaned? What time is it?" She asked before he left.
"It's almost 11am." He smiled and she looked at him in shock. He returned and she graciously took his advice and cleaned up. She threw away the contacts and tried to salvage the wig. While she did feel instantly better, her head was still throbbing softly. She came out to his living room carefully carrying the dress. She was relieved to find that she didn't spill anything on it or tear it in anyway.
She found Ren sitting with a cup of coffee in his hand and a bowl of something in the seat next to him. He smiled at her, stood up and pulled out the seat with the bowl. She looked into it and saw clear miso soup and then looked at him.
"It's actually great for a hangover. Eat up and I can take you to Akatoki to return the costume and then home." He whispered and he took her dress as she sat down. She lifted the spoon and took a sip. It was good. There wasn't much in it besides broth but it was very good. Ren sat back down and looked at her as he sipped his coffee.
"Thank you, Tsuruga-san." She said embarrassed.
"It was my pleasure." He said it with this little tone she didn't understand. She looked at him curiously and he was just sitting there content.
"Did I do anything stupid?"
"Hmm. You did karaoke. Does that count?" He smiled at her and wanted to laugh as she made a funny face of regret. Yashiro actually came over earlier that morning with all her things and he assured her that no one was going to speak of those events. He did warn him though that Kijima might be a problem now.
Kijima, he could handle. All he had to do was point him to another pretty face and he would go flying to her. It was everyone else that he didn't want them to tease her about being a kissing monster as they called it.
"Nothing else happened? Like I didn't get sick in your car or like flash anyone?" Kyoko was stirring the soup around as she asked.
Ren's eyes went wide, "So you've been drunk before huh? Maybe you should think twice before drinking if you knew that you were going to flash everyone after your karaoke number."
"I DID NOT!" She screamed and then her hand flew to her head.
He laughed, "I lied. You didn't do any of those things. I promise. You were just very… giggly."
"Tsuuruugaa-san!" She buried her face with her shirt and then popped out and hit his forearm. "You are so mean!" She whispered harshly and then started to eat her soup again.
"I was going to take you home after we found out you were drunk and then I found out you didn't have your keys so I brought you here and now here you are." Everything was true besides the wonderful make out sessions in his car and then her crying. But that was for him to keep in his memories. Oh and the picture he took of the sleeping angel in his guest room.
"Thank you again. I'm so sorry you had to do that for me." She seemed relieved that nothing had happened and he knew she would be.
"It was no trouble but I do want you to promise me one thing." He leaned on the table lightly, not really getting close to her but indicating it was something serious. She was quietly eating as he spoke.
"I don't ever want you to drink…"
"Oh trust me. I'm never going to touch the stuff again. Why anyone would want to drink is beyond me." She lifted the spoon to her lips again.
"Now, let me finish. I don't ever want you to drink without me around." She looked at him confused, "Sometimes things will happen and you might actually drink something. Maybe it won't be till you are actually legal to drink but please just say no unless I'm there."
She didn't understand why him being there would make it okay for her to drink. It really didn't matter anyway. First off the drink last night didn't taste good. She was just drinking it to be polite. Then if this is the end result of drinking, she wanted nothing of it. Still he seemed adamant about this.
"Mogami-san, promise me." He repeated then added. "If you are the person I think you are, you won't break your promises."
"I won't. I mean yes, I promise, I won't drink unless you are there. But I'm telling you now; I'm not drinking the stuff even if you are there." She stated frankly.
Ren sat back with a huge bright smile, "That's fine. You don't have to drink again. I just wanted to make sure my bases were covered."
Kyoko thought Ren was acting funny but she just shook her head and dismissed it to her pounding headache. Ugh… never again.
A/N:I hope you enjoyed this lighthearted story.
The rules for this story... Angel Kyoko at Dark Moon and drunken Kissing. :) I had to have those three things in the story. The rest was up to me.
How did I do?