The Chicken's Decree

. . .

He guessed he should have known better; Kyoko was very busy recently and probably didn't have time for something like this. A variety show because for the next few days, his schedule was still rather lax because of finishing shooting Tragic Marker earlier than expected. He looked at the message one last time before shutting his phone off:

Sorry, Tsuruga-san! I have another obligation during that time slot. Good luck tonight!

Then again... she was probably still upset with him. They hadn't left off on what he could qualify as 'good terms,' he didn't think. Perhaps it was best that she couldn't make it. Explaining their misunderstandings wasn't something he should have done on a variety show. He should have done it face to face.

Kyoko-as-Bo spotted her guest as she left her dressing room and was hit with an immediate wave of guilt. Tsuruga Ren. She felt bad because he tried to invite her to the taping...maybe to clear the air between them or maybe to apologize. But she'd never know because she couldn't drop being Bo on such short notice. The least she could do was offer some sort of comradery...he looked somewhere between frustrated and upset. She hoped it wasn't still because of her. She approached as quietly as she could and ducked to meet his gaze. "Yo."

"What...what are you doing in this neck of the woods?" Seeing the chicken in this side of TBM... fate must be telling him to talk it over with the chicken.

She snorted. She couldn't help it! Leave it to him to completely not know what show Yashiro scheduled him on. No, that's not fair. She doesn't remember ever telling him what show Bo worked on. "You're on my show, didn't you know?" She asked cheekily.

Ren blinked. "You're the mascot on Yappa Kimagure Rock?" He tried to rethink what Yashiro had told him before he left to pick up Kyoko. Bridge Rock hosted the show...but nobody said anything about a big chicken. Wouldn't that have been an important note? "At least I have one friendly face to look forward to."

"Oh, you shouldn't worry about that. Bridge Rock are all very friendly," Kyoko replied sagely. "Besides, you're agency family. They couldn't be hard on you even if they wanted to."

"That's true." He rubbed a hand over his face. Did that mean Bo is also an LME talent? He'd have to remember to ask Sawara-san about that later. He forced a smile looked to his chicken friend. "Do you have any hints about what your hosts might play tonight."

Kyoko smiled and waved her wing. "No, go, Tsuruga-san. That's classified stuff right there." Technically… it wasn't. However, she knew if she told him what they were playing, he was more likely to leave.

"Oh, Bo. There you are!" They turned to find a stagehand stepping from the studio. "We were just about to tell you to retrieve Tsuruga-san but it looks like you're already on top of that. We're about to start the pre-show huddle." He pointed to the studio.

Ren smiled. "My apologies. We were just catching up. I'm sorry for making Bo late." Kyoko turned, about to protest wildly but if she did, she knew she would end up revealing herself. Now not only the stagehand would get the wrong impression but also... no. That's about it. She was resolved to allow Tsuruga-san to guide her through the studio doors. "Excuse us."

The stagehand watched with wide eyes. There were rumors around LME that Kyoko was friendly with Tsuruga Ren...but he didn't expect them to be so close that they would hide and "catch up" in odd hallways outside dressing rooms. People could easily get the wrong impression. Best to keep this to myself, he thought.

. . .

The first half of the show went exactly as he thought it would. Bridge Rock was polite and cordial and kept their questions directed around his work. Yes, he had to skirt around his absence when he worked as Cain but the lie came easy. It also helped that Bo ended up creating the most wonderful distractions at just the right time.

If Ren didn't know any better, he would have thought that Bo had all these interruptions lined up for whenever the questions turned in the wrong direction. It wasn't possible, of course. For that to happen Bo would have needed to know his secrets.

It was the second part of the show that scared him. All he was told that he would play a question game with the hosts but there wasn't a hint as to what that game might be. When Bo escorted him back onto the set after the commercial, a knot grew in his stomach. Really?

Bo practically had to drag him to his position. "It's okay, Tsuruga-san. Nothing too weird, I promise."

For a moment, Ren blanked out because the voice sounded so unbelievably like Kyoko. Except that was probably because he couldn't stop thinking of her. She wasn't here. She had a job. "Welcome to Truth or Dare! The game where we—well you surely know the drill?" Hikaru started, forcing Ren from his thoughts as he settled down on the ground where the stage was set to look like a sleepover. He turned to Ren. "So, Tsuruga-san, truth or dare?"

Ren braced himself before diving in. "Truth."

The host smiled. He was supposed to start with an easy one. It was actually a question Kyoko helpfully provided during the show prep. "Is it true that you're friends with Bo, here?"

He laughed, relaxing into the scene. Perhaps all the questions would be this easy. But he knew he wouldn't luck out like that. "Of course! Bo is my very best friend, I'll have you know. We talk all the time." The audience laughed, buying into the joke (that was definitely not a joke). To his right, Bo cheered, fanning themselves with their wing, as if swooning.

The round continued as each host answered their own round of the game. Some of them indulged in some gossip. Others, like Bo, played games for their dares. They probably made Bo's decision because he didn't speak on the show. Ren found himself smiling as the game continued, even as it circled back to him.

"Truth or Dare?" Yuusei asked, turning to Ren with a devilish grin. The actor was far too predictable, leaving him open for the discussion of gossip (pre-approved by the studio gossip, but gossip nonetheless).

Ren groaned inwardly. "Truth," he said as evenly as he could.

"Are you dating Kana-san?"

And there it was. The paparazzi picture filled the screen behind the group and Ren sighed. Bo let out an undignified squawk and shook Ren. The subtext was obvious: Please! Say it isn't so!

Inside the suit, Kyoko barely kept onto her character. While she's known about the photograph...he never gave her a straight and answer. He's either an actual playboy or has a lot of explaining to do. Mr. Not Involved with Anybody, my ass, Kyoko thought bitterly. This picture totally proved otherwise. She couldn't help feeling a little ticked off.

Ren laughs, pulling away from Bo's feathery rage. "Ah, no. That picture is a bit out of context. She kissed me out of the blue...I don't particularly know why." He shrugged and straightened out his clothes. "I'm not dating anybody at the moment."

Yuusei clapped his hands, tilting his head to the audience. "Hear that, everyone? You still have a chance to end up with The Tsuruga Ren!" The women cheered and even Kyoko had Bo dance a little. Though the answer was acceptable... she was pretty sure Bo would be happy with his admission. The round continued as the boys and Bo completed their turns. This time Bo was forced to howl like a wolf...which only confused Ren. It must have been some sort of inside joke.

Attention turned back to Ren. His turn. Shinichi turned to Tsuruga-san with a grin. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

Hikaru laughed. "Tsuruga-san! You know it's not very fun if you keep asking for the Truth. Then it's just a regular interview!" He motioned to Bo, who nodded sagely. "See? Even Bo agrees!"

"You're right. So I will change my answer to Dare." He braced himself. After watching Bo perform his dares...he wasn't sure if he really wanted to be taking part in a dare. He would do it, though, if he had to. It's not like they would make him do anything that would ruin his career.

Yuusei leaned forward, a mischievous grin crossing his face. "We dare you to tell us if you're interested in anybody. Romantically, of course."

Ren blinked. He laughed, settling farther into his beanbag chair. He'd seen the question coming. It always did. "If you were just going to say that, why couldn't I have chosen 'Truth?'"

It was the last question they were given before the segment was supposed to end. It wouldn't matter though. Tsuruga always dodged the question. Yuusei shrugged. "Dramatic effect?"

"Fair enough." Ren considered the question, his eyes flickering to the audience. He didn't know why. Kyoko wouldn't be there; she said she was busy. So maybe...maybe it was all right to admit this now? So it would be easier if/when he built up the courage to open a dialogue with her. "I'll say... yes. There is."

The studio fell deathly quiet.

"I would remind everybody that I am not dating her. But she's very important to me." Ren relaxed, letting out a silent sigh. Suddenly he felt like his father declaring his love for Juli. If he was not careful, this would get out of hand really quick. "She's helped me through the impossible, from helping me capture my Katsuki for Dark Moon to guiding me through a few private matters."

Shinchi was the first to recover. "Well, I think she sounds like a heck of a girl."

Ren smiled. One of his genuine ones that left even Bridge Rock a bit breathless. "She is."

"Well, that's all the time we have for tonight. We'd like to thank you, Tsuruga-san, for taking time out of your busy schedule for us."

The show continued with its outro but Kyoko could hardly focus. Even though she felt herself run through the motions of her final bow...she wasn't in control of her movements. She was a ghost outside her body. Her mind kept circling back to Tsuruga-san's admission.

Because no matter how she tried to think it through-there was only one person that fit the description of this "heck of a girl." But, no. It was impossible.

There was no way that Tsuruga Ren was in love with her.

. . .

Ren can't help himself; when the show wrapped, he wandered through the halls until he found himself outside Bo's dressing room. There's something about them that...that was different tonight. Except he can't quite figure it out. He poises his hand to knock but stops when cries from inside the dressing room force him to freeze.

He knew that crying.

It couldn't be.

A million thoughts circled through his head. Only one mattered. If Bo is really...who he thought it was...does that mean she's known about his feelings this whole time? No. Because she wouldn't have told him as Bo to seduce the girl if she knew she was the recipient of his feelings. She didn't do love. At least, not with him.

Taking a steadying breath, he pushed the door open. And there she was. Kyoko Mogami in all her glory collapsed beside her discarded Bo costume. She didn't even flinch when the door opened. All of his apprehension flew from his body at the sight of her. Ren stepped in and closed the door behind him. "Mogami-san?"

For a moment he thought she wouldn't answer. She just sat there continuing to cry. Not cry. Sob. He couldn't think of a time when he's seen her cry this much. It was worse than when he found her after the interview with her mother. Worse than when he helped her when they were children.

Worse, because he had no chance of comforting her.

It stunned Kyoko to see the man himself enter her dressing room without so much as a knock. Perhaps if she was in a different mindset...she would berate him for entering a room that might as well housed a woman in the middle of changing. Though Tsuruga certainly had no way of knowing a woman played Bo and he couldn't have expected it was her.

She'd collapsed as soon as she pulled herself from Bo's sturdy costume. And she was faced with the reality that the girl Tsuruga-san was talking about was her. Because it wasn't supposed to be possible. It was never supposed to be her.

Finally, Kyoko looked up. Her eyes were rimmed with red and snot dribbled from her nose. She didn't wipe it away...just stared at him miserably. "All this time? It's been... it's been... me?" She choked on the last word, breaking eye contact.

"Yes?"

There was no good way for this discussion to happen. This shouldn't be done in a dressing room. Yet, there they were. There was no stopping the inevitable. Not when it was threatening to burst for so long.

"You would love a plan and boring girl like me? When you have access to all that shines? All that's beautiful?" She scoffed, choking on her tears. It was unbelievable. Too good to be true. So she refused to believe it. "Why would you ever stoop as low as me?"

"Mogami-san, please-" He knelt beside her. Please look at me. He could not speak. All he could do was sit beside her. If he touched her now, he was sure she would never forgive him.

She shook her head and scooted an inch away. "I've been so stupid; I thought my heart was safe because... because there was no way you could ever lo-" Kyoko's hands curled into fists. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She couldn't say that now! A groan escaped her lips. "I'm a miserable excuse for a girl and an actress."

"Mogami-san-"

"I promised him! Did you know that? I promised Sho I would never lose sight of my dream and lose my heart to Tsuruga Ren. And I thought I was safe. Because there was no way you'd ever love me back." She continued without allowing him to reply to her babbling. Deep down, she knew her heartbreak would worsen if she allowed him to speak.

Ren flinched. There was no way you'd ever love me back. He couldn't celebrate this declaration that she loved him. Not when she was crying. He tried interrupting again. "Moga-"

No use. She continued as if she couldn't hear him. "He'll force me back to Kyoto to repent my sin. My mother and his gave me permission to stay but...but I can't back down on a promise." The floor she stared at was blurry because of her tears. And yet she couldn't stop crying. "You wouldn't love me, then. A plain waitress in a Japanese inn. You'd be stupid if you did."

"If you have to return to Kyoto, I will follow you." He couldn't hold back anymore. If she was going to ignore rationality, he could at least attempt to help her. Ren reached out and placed a hand on her back. To his surprise, she didn't move. Though it seemed she didn't even register that he touched her. He rubbed slow circles and spoke softly. "Mogami-san, I'll even learn to become a waiter if you'll be with me."

Now she flinched away, pulling her arms around her torso. God, it hurt to hear him say sweet nothings like that. As if she mattered. "Don't make jokes like that," she spat.

"I'm not joking. Kyoko-"

Kyoko jumped up, her eyes wide as she looked to him. "Don't!" She shook her head furiously. "Don't call me that!"

Her screeches lingered in the air. Neither of them spoke. Ren stayed on his knees, unable to look away. She stood, barely. Her legs were noodles and if she stayed there any longer she would end up on the ground again. And that simply wouldn't do. She needed to get out of there. Sooner rather than later. She pulled in a deep breath and closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to look at him. "I wish..."

"That you never made that promise?" Ren supplemented hopefully. He thought he could handle it. Now? He wished he never went searching for Bo. He wished that he never opened his big mouth back on the show; he wouldn't have ever said anything if he knew Kyoko was Bo.

She shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes. She opened them to meet his gaze carefully and for a moment; he hoped that she would calm down. Kyoko had a tendency to shift emotions rather fast. However, he couldn't have ever predicted her next words:

"I wish you were anybody but Tsuruga Ren."

Kyoko grabbed her bag and bolted as soon as the words left her mouth. Ren sat, dazed for a moment before he was finally able to process what she'd said. He jumped up and swung the door open, looking down both sides of the hall.

But she was already gone.

~End Chapter One~

A/N: My apologies for the lack of an author note at the beginning of the chapter! And for the very vague summary. And the fake title. To make a LONG story short, this is dedicated to ASubtleCuddle who told me very specifically not to warn her when I ended up using this plot-line. As soon as she finds this, I'll be updating the summary + title! *jazz hands*

I figured I'd whip this out while she's distracted with the novel-draft I sent her. She's helped me through so much (personal and writing wise) and I can't even express how much I appreciate her. So this one's for her! My first ever Skip Beat! multi-chapter fic!

It's probably going to be a bit more angsty, melodramatic, and a bit more OOC than my usual stuff. But let's have some fun, okay?

Note: I have no idea what actual shenanigans are played during variety shows.

As usual:

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Leave a Review!