Beautiful Target (Almost Out of Time)

Beautiful Target (Almost Out of Time)

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After returning from an overseas job, Kyoko went back to her almost daily routine. The streets of Kyoto were busy as ever, bustling with joy of the arrival of early spring. After a harsh winter, she could imagine people were happy to welcome the warm, sunrays.

The local transportation bus made a stop and Kyoko got off. She waved goodbye to the bus driver, before running down the block heading to her school building.

She arrived to class with plenty of time to spare. Kyoko decided that it would be the perfect time to study. She took out her textbook, notebook, and pen. She organized them neatly on top of her desk, before she proceeded to read over her highlighted notes.

Her fellow classmates were talkative as ever and the latest gossip about a one day transfer student arriving to school…. Or something to that extent since she blocked them all out, concentrating on her book.

After classes were over, she was walking through the school courtyard. ‘His birthday is almost here. I wonder if I will get to see Tsugara-san.’

 A voice suddenly stopped her dead in her tracks.

“Kyoko,”

Her heartrate picked up and she felt her face flush. Her body temperature suddenly felt excessively hot. ‘Tsugara-san is here! B-but why is he addressing me without honorifics, much less using my first name! Oh no, this is so embarrassing for my body to be reacting this way!!’

“I finally found you. Hey, what’s wrong?”

Koko felt his hand tap her shoulder. She took a silent breath before turning to face Tsugara-san.

She was surprise to say the least.

“Corn!!!”

“Hey,” Kuon smiled brightly. His blond hair and green eyes greeted Kyoko’s vision as she had expected to see dark brown hair and mysterious eyes that belonged to Ren Tsugara.

“What are you doing here Corn?” Kyoko asked, feeling happiness at seeing her fairy prince.

“Back at Guam, you said that when we meet again, I could get to call your name without using honorifics. So, I came to meet you again because I really wanted to say your name out loud.”

“I am glad to see you, too. You suddenly disappeared the last time we were reunited. I did wonder when we would see each other again. I didn’t think it would be so soon, though!”

“Are you disappointed?” Kuon cocked his head to the side.

Kyoko waved her hands in front of her. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. Of course I am happy to see you, Corn!”

“Kyoko, can we go somewhere else to continue our conversation? I am afraid that my presence has attracted an unwanted attention. Maybe, it’s my appearance?”

Kyoko felt her heartbeat thump painfully in her chest at hearing his voice call out ‘Kyoko’. But she did remember telling Corn that the next time they meet, she wouldn’t mind him calling her without the honorifics, but she didn’t think they would meet again so soon. Her heart had not been prepared.

She ignored the feeling of her fluttering heart and looked around to see that indeed some school girls had gathered around the courtyard and were whispering amongst each other. It seemed that Corn’s princely aura had attracted women towards the courtyard.

“Let’s run!” Kuon exclaimed, before he took off running holding her wrist. Kyoko followed after him as she tried keeping up with him. She couldn’t help but feel a déjà vu feeling as she ran down the crowded streets with Corn.

They finally slowed down and were standing near an arcade.

“Let’s go inside here, okay?”

“Yes, ok.” Kyoko nodded her head following him inside and taking a seat across from Corn in the table booth.

“Sorry for making you run all this way. Are you ok?” Kuon asked in concern.

“No, it’s alright. Its better this way anyways. Hey but I has a question, why are you borrowing the voice of Tsugara-san? Didn’t-“

“I told you last time, I borrow the voice of the last person you are thinking of, and it happened to be this person.” Kuon’s lips quirked into a small teasing smile.

“That’s unfair! I was not prepared at all.” Kyoko huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Oh well, hey Kyoko can we play that game together? Is this a magical place, its filled with so much sparkles?” Kuon motioned over to the attractive lights displaying the arcade games.

“Umm, yes you could say that. Actually, I’ve never been here before, but it certainly does look magical doesn’t it?” Kyoko’s eyes sparkled in excitement.

Kuon hid his smile behind his hand. ‘I am glad this place makes her happy.’

As it would happen to be, Ren Tsugara’s birthday was just a few days away from today.

The present he wanted the most was to spend a date with Kyoko. Since he couldn’t have his present come true as Ren, he decided to become Kuon and visit her at school hoping to make his own wish come true.

“Well we are here. So I don’t see why we shouldn’t enjoy ourselves!” Kyoko said cheerfully before she stood and took hold of prince Corn’s hand.

“Come on, I want to play this game first.”

They spent two hours playing at the arcade having the most fun. Onlookers would even mistake them as a high school couple with the way, they were so comfortable in each other’s presence. Both of them were wearing school uniforms and blended easily with the other teenagers in the game arcade.

After the day was coming to an end, they both stood on a pedestrian walk path watching the sunset.  

“You know, I am glad you can finally laugh and smile Corn and be free from that curse. I think this day is going to also be one of my precious memories to remember by.”

“I am glad.” Kuon said, before ruffling Kyoko’s orange short hair.

“Hey!” Kyoko protested but had a smile on her lips.

After a moment of silence. “Do you have to go, Corn?” she asked knowing that she was almost out of time to be with her precious friend.

“I do. I am sorry to have to do this to you. One day, I promise I will tell you everything.” Kuon had a look in his eyes that resembled guilt. Kyoko decided to not question him.

“Corn, please have a safe trip back home, ok?” Kyoko said as her hand squeezed his own in affection.

“I will. Thank you. After seeing you today Kyoko, I think I can finally face all my enemies. Don’t worry, I will be just fine.” ‘After all I have you. I am glad to have been born and met you.’

Kuon reached out his free hand and caressed the back of her neck by playing with a strand of her hair.

‘Let’s meet again. Next time, I will tell you everything. I promise.’

Kyoko closed her eyes and released his hand. Moments later, she felt a soft breeze sweep over her and when she opened her eyes to no longer see Corn by her side.

Although her smile was sad, her eyes held resolve.

Many days later, Kyoko found herself standing in front of Ren Tsugara’s apartment. She was wearing her school uniform as she had gotten out of acting school. She took a deep breath and held her beloved Corn stone in her hands. The blue stone’s surface was fresh against her palm giving her comfort.

After putting away her Corn stone, she knocked on his door.

When the door opened, she was greeted by his familiar face.

“Mogami-san, what brings you here? Did Yashiro-san sent you?” Ren asked surprised to see Kyoko standing in his doorway.

Kyoko bowed formally, extending out a ticket to him. “T-today is your birthday, so I am here to give you your present. Please forgive me, if I arrived at an impromptu time.”

“No, it’s ok. Thank you, uh what is this?” Ren reached out and took the ticket from her hands.

Kyoko straighten her posture and stared at Ren with a shy expression. “Umm, Happy birthday, Ren.”

Ren was shocked to hear Kyoko address him without honorifics and her present only amplified that feeling of astonishment he felt surging inside of him.

It was a love ticket. A coupon for him to spend the day with her on a date.

He wondered if the heavens above had granted his wish. Because surely, this present was too good to be true.

Kyoko smiled brightly as she took hold of his hand. ‘Today my time with him will not be short, because surely he and I are meant to be together. Isn’t that right, Kuon?’

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Dear Ren,

Ever since I first picked up Skip Beat, I have loved how your personality has been developed over the volumes. I think for your birthday, you deserve a gift that would make you happy. As much as I would like to draw you a present I decided instead to write you this story. A story where Kyoko accepts both Kuon and Ren into her heart. Although, it is short, I do hope you will enjoy reading it. I wrote it with a lot of love. I believe Kyoko will love you no matter what your’ true self may be.  

Happy Birthday, here is my present to you.

SweetAyu~