So, I recently reread the Skip Beat manga and got caught up after putting it down for a number of years. Then I came to revisit this story. I think the last 20 or so chapters are ones I haven't read before. I really just remember that among Skip Beat fics, this was one that stood out, but I don't remember much on details. So in a way it was like reading something new. But in any case, I still find it really enjoyable.

First off, I really like that it involves pretty much everybody in the series. Even Lory's aide gets some "screen time". He doesn't have much to say, but through some of the tid bits he does, we get a better idea of what kind of person he is. Like how he salvaged the pouch Kyoko gave Kogo, and noticed that one shirt in Koga's closet.

I appreciate how you fleshed out the Bridge Rock characters. In the manga, they're barely there. Here, they all get personalities and they're all very fun and likable. I wouldn't mind having a couple of Ishibashi big brothers myself. LOL!

I LOVE that Sho gets to be a real character in this story. For this I thank you immensely! In most stories I've come across, he tends to be the one-dimensional jerk/brat antagonist. Here, he gets to change, grow up, progress. He is one of my favorites here. I love and look forward to all his interactions with Kyoko. The way they bicker is always amusing. After they made up, their play bickering and just how they communicate is really cute. And the more emotional bits get to me. I teared up a bit on a couple occasions like the thing he wrote in the sleeve of his single, and the description of his PV. I love that Sho gets the honor of being the one to go get Kyoko after the incident with Koga. And he was the one who knew how to "reset" her brain and get her out of her funk. The way he did it by doing the opposite of what everyone else was doing was so Sho. And the fact that it works on Kyoko was so Kyoko. It makes so much sense for them. LOL!

Koga is my other favorite. In fact, he might even edge out Sho. What can I say? The guy got a really nice personal arc in the story. In the beginning, he was presented as just some shallow playboy side character. Then slowly we start to see his issues. Then as his relationship with Kyoko becomes closer we find out where those issues come from. Then the incident happens and suddenly he's front and center. And I felt so bad for both of them I couldn't rest until they can work it out and be friends again. (OMG, so glad they made up before you stopped writing or I would be pulling my hair out. LOL!) Bless Lory for trusting him and taking him under his wing. I actually thought it would be hilarious if Koga ended up being the first male LoveMe member. LOL! I like his new manager, too. Koga could use a mother hen figure in his life. Ah, the poor guy. He really had it rough. I want nothing but good things for him from now on. He and Kyoko should be BFFs for life. Oh, I also really appreciate that the emphasized on-screen chemistry that Kyoko has is with Koga and not Ren, who is probably THE love interest in the story. It would be so tempting, easy, expected even to make it Ren. But the chemistry has to to with the art/work, and doesn't necessarily have to align with actual personal relationships.

Now, Ren. Would it be bad if I say that in this story I pretty much root for everybody else more than Ren? He gets mad and jealous over EVERY. LITTLE. THING! He forces/manipulates Kyoko into letting him buy her a new coat even though he knows she's uncomfortable with receiving expensive gifts so he can get rid of Hikaru's jacket. He kisses her boo boo to force her to think about him because he lost the opportunity to give her a ride home. That's basically stealing Sho's nasty V-Day scheme which he himself had condemned at the time. He frowns when he just sees her having any sort of interaction with any other guy. Ugh. It's like he just wants to piss a circle around her to keep everyone away. Dude, lay off! Being your girlfriend is gonna suck! Don't do it, Kyoko! LOL! It's funny, I don't remember being this annoyed with him my last read through. I guess I changed over the years, too. But my annoyance bumped up to being outright mad when he choked Sho after questioning why Kyoko had turned to Sho for help. And Sho didn't even say anything! All he did was smirk and Ren was on him. No, Ren. The girl you say you love is hurt and you react by unleashing violence on the guy who saved her because you're jealous he got to do it instead of you? You suck! And when he confronted Koga in the dressing room, he was just trying to manufacture an opportunity to beat the guy up. Double suck! Again, Kyoko, don't do it! LOL! Go with Sho or Koga (even though Koga has more of a BFF vibe). But logically speaking, Hikaru is probably the best choice. No drama. He's really a nice guy. He gives her her space. He'll wait. He's considerate. He's gentle. But that poor boy is so far out of the loop, I don't really see it happening. Haha!

The Innocent Whispers production itself is also fun. I am a fan of fairy tales with a twist or adapted re-tellings, so I enjoy those scenes we get to see in the story. I like Kingo and how he changes as well. His in depth discussion with Kyoko at the mansion put a smile on my face. And the developing relationship between Kijima and Kanae is also very cute.

I would love to see how things shake out but, that being said, it's been like 7 years. Is it safe to assume that you will not be finishing the story? If so, would it be possible to get a summary of what you had in mind for how this was going to end? LOL!

Regardless, thanks for sharing this great read!

I'm soooo greedy... still waiting after 7 yrs cuz 115 chapters is seriously not enough!
we were left still hanging onto the cliff waiting to see how it still unfoldsall the characters grow...
*sniffle* I'm just going to sit here... waitingre-read this all again... waiting...

hope you are doing well in this crazy world, stay safe

A few chapters will be 7 years so sad that it is not still in process

Hi Jhiz it's been a while... I'm glad I started reading this.. it's intense .. say will you continue... It's such a good story you have on..

Koga .. I bet you're this on purpose hmmm...

you know i never expected to finish a 115 chapter story in a day and a half. you drew me in. i hope you complete the story someday cause i sorta hope the frickin manager burns in heck and i want to know what happens at the end. you took us through many twists and turns and really i hope Kyoko knows that Ren wants to go through it all, good and bad, to the end. in my heart they are the soul of the story. thank you for only maybe 6 hours of sleep while i raced through to the last chapter :)

I REALLY hope your muse gets a hold of you and you come back to finish this, it is one of my all-time favorite Skip Beat! fics and I'm dying to know where you planned to go with it!

Completely didn't expect that hotel to be real but when I searched it up, I gaped just like kotonami. There's a flippin pool. on. the. roof.. what the heckkkkk.

AAAAAAAAA please please please come back to this! I know that it has been years, and you have stated that you want to finish the Buffy thing first, but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere either so please please please consider finishing this! This is hands down best Skip Beat fic ever, your characters and relationships are simply fantastic. I want to see how the story ends so please~

Love ur writer notes

I'm having problems visualizing the seans in this chapter I finally figured it's because you used the same name for koykos characters first name and kanae characters last name is that a typo or did you intend that I love this story although I don't think you'll ever finish it( rl is more important) thanks for what you did write it's amazing. Please forgive all mistakes this was written on a cell pphne .

Because of startrek ng (data) I know your reference lol.

La mejor historia jamás escrita de skip beat
Felicidades

Will you please upload this story to ao3?

ok, I caught up, so I can stop spamming your wall with reviews after this. You've done an amazing job on this story. as with all fanfic, it is alt universe... just by sheerly not being written by the original author.., but I love your take on the characters. while I'm looking forward to what Nakamura does with Koga, now that she's introduced him, I have to say, I am very attached to your Koga. I wish you would come back to this story, as it is phenomenal. your methods of growth and character development are creative, intense, and very believable. this being an alt future, from where the original was, when you started this, I could see much of this happening. it's also kind of funny that you had Koga pretending to be corn, and has green eyes... when your Ren/Kuon has blue (because that hadn't been clarified in the manga, when you wrote it).. totally unintended I realize, but it gave me a giggle.