The Peaceful Dawn

"Ahh…" Kyoko opened the double doors that led to the balcony in her room and looked out at the beach in Okinawa. The previous week the president had announced a mandatory vacation for all of his talents. He said it was in celebration of finally solving an important life-changing issue that had plagued him for months. Anyone who did not have an immediate work obligation was required to come.

Everyone had been curious about what the life-changing problem had been and how the president had solved it. There were many speculations ranging from a chronic illness, to the company almost being bought out by Akatoki, to him running out of ideas for new costumes and nearly being forced to give up his cosplaying tendencies. No one really believed that last one but it was fun to imagine.

No one but the eccentric man's most loyal servant knew that the cause of his most recent burst of joviality had been the accomplishment of finally making the forever stubborn and heartless Seichi fall in love with him in his favorite romance simulation game. Yes, Lory had managed to capture the illusive boy's heart and it only took four months and two corporate takeovers to do it. The feeling of love was overflowing from him and he decided to spread it to all of his talents.

Unfortunately for Kyoko, her beloved Moko-san was not able to come with her because she had landed a role in a made for TV movie and was currently filming. Kyoko sighed as she finished putting her clothes away and left her room to explore the resort. She was happy for her friend, honestly she was, but she wished she could be here with her. And deep down Kyoko wondered when she would grow enough as an actress to get film roles also. The president and Sawara-san had both said that she needed to overcome her weakness of not wanting to love or be loved but what does love have to do with it really? She had been a part of the biggest drama in Japanese history performing a role that centered on hatred and everyone loved it. They loved it too much in fact because now that's all she got requests for. Did she really need to learn to love in order to get out of the trap of being stuck with mean girl roles?

She sighed again. Maria-chan would surely scold her if she could see her now. Kyoko smiled as she thought of her little sister. At least she had one friend on this trip. She also had Tsuruga-san and Yashiro-san but neither of them really counted as friends did they? Either way she wouldn't be alone.

Kyoko was snapped out of her thoughts as a pillow suddenly came flying out of the open door of a nearby room. Kyoko was about to go give whoever the rude person was a piece of her mind when she heard three familiar voices coming from that room that immediately lifted her spirits.

"If you think it's that funny why don't you write them then and let me enjoy the vacation!"

"No way man. You're the leader therefore you get stuck with all the boring work."

"What he means is, you're the best out of all of us and he couldn't put two verses together if he tried. Right Yuusei?"

"Yea, whatever." The dark haired member responded. "Just make sure all of the songs aren't about brown haired, golden-eyed girls."

At this point Kyoko had to dodge another pillow that came flying at Yuusei who was standing near the doorway. She knocked tentatively on the door frame as she entered the noisy three bedroom suite the band members were sharing.

"Good afternoon, Ishibashi-onii-sans. I umm…found this in the hallway." She said handing the first pillow to Shinichi.

"Kyoko-chan!" Hikaru nearly shouted, the surprise evident on his face. "I didn't know you would be coming on this trip too."

"Ah yea," she laughed shyly, "I tried to stay behind so I can put in some hours at the restaurant I live in but the president and the owners insisted so, here I am."

"I'm glad you're here." Hikaru said softly before the shocked look on everyone's face snapped him back to reality. "I mean we sometimes worry that you work too hard is all." He hastily added trying to ignore the smirks on his friend's faces.

"Well we're about to go check out the pool." Yuusei said as he and Shinichi headed for the open door. "Have fun getting inspired." He added to the leader as they left the room.

"Inspired for what?" Kyoko asked innocently as she came into the living room area of the suite.

Hikaru fought back a blushed as he answered his cute co-star. "We haven't announced it publically yet but since it kind of concerns you too I guess it would be alright to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"We've decided to take a few months off from filming Kimagure Rock and go on tour. The show was supposed to make us household names as an up and coming band but the popularity backfired and many people have forgotten that we're actually musicians… Judging by your facial expression it seems you've forgotten also."

Kyoko's mouth snapped shut. She really had forgotten that Bridge Rock were musicians. Sure she remembered that they were in a band together but every time she thought about musicians her mind went to that idiot Shotaro and that other idiot Beagle. Her kind and funny sempais just didn't fit her warped image of what a musician was.

She immediately started to apologize but Hikaru just laughed it off.

"Don't worry about it Kyoko-chan. That's why this tour will be such a good thing for us. We get the chance to remind everyone of who we are. But it also means I won't be able to really enjoy this vacation."

"Why not?" Kyoko asked sadly.

"Because I write all of the songs for the band and the agency wants us to shock everyone by performing all new songs that no one has ever heard before. Since the tour will kick off in just under a month I need to get started now. I won't have much free time for awhile."

"Oh… Well will you let me hear some of your songs when you finish?"

"I would love to Kyoko-chan." Hikaru smiled tenderly at her and Kyoko felt the urge to look away as she fought a blush trying to creep up her cheeks. She didn't know why but this smile seemed somehow different from the ones he usually showed her and it made her feel…strange.

"Well I should get going, you have a lot of work to do." She said hastily making her way toward the door. Hikaru walked her out to the hallway and smiled down at her.

"You're always welcomed to come here anytime Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko bowed. "Thank you Hikaru-san. Good luck with your writing."

He turned to go back into his room, nodding briefly to the two men coming down the corridor before closing the door behind him.

"Who was that Kyoko-chan?" Yashiro asked immediately. Ren fought the urge to roll his eyes at his rude manager but couldn't deny that he was more than a little curious about the man who's room Kyoko had just come out of and why she apparently was 'always welcomed' there. Whoever the guy was he seemed too familiar with Kyoko for Ren's taste.

"Good afternoon Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san," she said bowing, "that was Ishibashi Hikaru from the band Bridge Rock."

"I didn't know you knew anyone from the music department Kyoko-chan, how did you meet?" Yashiro pressed.

There was a momentary pause as Kyoko's mind began to work overtime. If she told them she'd met the Ishibashi-onii-sans doing Love Me work they would probably want to know what the job was and she absolutely could not let Ren know it had something to do with Kimagure Rock in case he started asking questions about Bo.

"We met at work and became friends." She replied. It wasn't really a lie, it was just a small portion of the truth.

"He did seem very friendly. Didn't he Ren?" Yashiro smirked at the taller man.

"He really is. In fact all three of the Ishibashis are very nice." Kyoko responded innocently.

"That's good Mogami-san," Ren finally spoke up. "It's important in this business to make connections with people in all different areas of the entertainment world. It will ensure that you always get offered work."

"Speaking of work, Tsuruga-san I'm still surprised you made it on this trip. With Tsuruga-san's schedule I was sure you would be too busy to take a vacation."

"It's not really a vacation Kyoko-chan." Yashiro answered for him. "He has three photo shoots lined up this week. In fact we're going to one right now even though we just got here."

"I told you I don't need you to accompany me Yashiro." Ren said annoyed. "Go enjoy the beach, I'll be fine on my own."

"Like I'll believe that." The manager scoffed. "You'll just push yourself too hard, not take any breaks, and skip all of your meals. Someone has to be there to watch you."

"Yashiro-san is right Tsuruga-san, you need someone to make sure you take care of your body." Kyoko scolded him.

Irritated at being lectured by the two of them and not looking forward to Yashiro's teasing about Kyoko having male 'friends' while he worked, Ren came up with a brilliant plan.

"Mogami-san how would you like to see a professional photo shoot? It would give you good insight on what to expect when you become more famous and have to do them to promote a show or a movie. Would you like to come with me and make sure I eat in the process?"

Kyoko couldn't say no. Ever since the first time she had been his temporary manager she loved watching her sempai work and learning from him. Also, she could make sure he really did eat something healthy. Deciding quickly, she happily agreed to tag along.

Ren smiled and turned to his manager. "Yashiro you are officially relieved of your duties for the remainder of the day. Mogami-san will be my temporary manager."

Yashiro didn't know whether to be happy at them spending time together or offended at being replaced. So he just stood there looking shocked.

"Ts…Tsuruga-san I…I couldn't-"

"Are you changing your mind Mogami-san?" Ren smiled his gentleman smile at her.

She quickly shook her head. "No, it's not-"

"I just thought that since you will be there to make sure I 'take care of my body' as you put it, I could let Yashiro relax for the day. Unless being my temporary manager again is too much for you to handle?"

As expected, Kyoko's temper immediately flared. "Enjoy your day off Yashiro-san." She said stiffly before turning on her heel and heading for the hotel exit. "Are you coming or not Tsuruga-san? We don't want to be late."

"Yes manager." Ren smirked as he followed the girl out the door.

Yashiro grinned once they were out of sight. That sly Ren, I knew he was bothered by Kyoko-chan being in Ishibashi Hikaru's room. Now he gets to spend the rest of the day with her. Poor, innocent Kyoko-chan. She really has no idea what she's gotten herself into. He thought as he made his way to his room. He would press Ren for details later, for now he had an appointment with the martini bar by the pool.

No one had noticed the door to the suite across the hall had been cracked open the entire time. A figure moved out into the hallway and silently headed in the direction the two actors had just gone.

Kyoko really wished she would stop blindly accepting every challenge that was thrown at her. She stood at the edge of the photo shoot trying desperately to look professional while her entire head was a brighter shade of pink than the Love Me uniforms. She held out a bottle of cold water to Ren as he approached her in a pair of black slacks that fit him perfectly and a white shirt that was completely unbuttoned showing every contour of his perfectly sculpted abs. The theme of the shoot was a businessman who had washed up on a deserted beach so they'd hosed him down and slicked his hair back.

"Are you enjoying the shoot?" Ren asked as he took a long drink from his water bottle.

Kyoko tried with all her might not to stare at the dripping wet expertly formed man in front of her as she mumbled something nearly incoherent that was along the lines of it being a great learning opportunity but she didn't understand why he had to be almost naked in a shoot that was supposed to be modeling clothes. Ren smirked at the blushing girl in front of him.

"Am I making you nervous Mogami-san?" His voice lowered as he took a step toward her with a devilishly seductive grin on his face.

Kyoko instantly went from pink to red as she shook her head furiously before rambling about getting their bentos from the staff and hurrying off. Great job Ren you scared her away. He thought to himself as he watched the red blur run to the other side of the set where food was laid out for after the shoot was over. Even though she didn't return to his side until after he was finished and fully dressed, Ren was satisfied with the thought that she had at least taken notice of him as a man. Now he just had to use the rest of this week to make her look at him as more than a sempai. He had no intention of letting this week go to waste.

Author's Corner: The stage is set so sit back and enjoy the show! Until next chapter…