Skip Beat! new manga chapter and ficlet
so the new chapter (171) of the Skip Beat! manga just came out (read it here: http://cyberakumamechgouki.blogspot.com/2011/02/skip-beat-chapter-171-scanlations.html) and I had to write another little fic in response to the new developments!! it's really just a snippet and I'm not sure if I should try to continue it or not. especially since the next chapter will be out in 2 weeks, and I may not finish this before that.
Anyway, Ren/Kyoko as usual, or Ren angsting about Kyoko as usual. Enjoy!
Ren reached out and grabbed a champagne flute from the table that Yashiro was leaning against. He emptied the glass in one long swallow, the bubbles tingling down his throat. His profile faced Yashiro as he set the glass firmly back on the table, staring at his fingers curled at the base of the glass, forcing them to relax and let go.
“Yashiro, I need you to do me a favor.” Ren could feel his manager’s curious yet cautious gaze on his jaw and closed his eyes. “I need you to make sure Kijima and I don’t cross paths again tonight.” He felt his fingers tense once more and relaxed them again one by one, muscle by muscle. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a party and this isn’t what you came to do but--” he swung his gaze back to Yashiro expecting to find that ubiquitous look of patient frustration only to see his manager-turned-confidant gazing at him with sympathy.
“I get it, Ren. I’ll keep an eye out.” His face was suddenly determined and professional, the signature look he used to carry before the president introduced the LoveMe section to LME. ”And if I spot her without him? “ Here Yashiro’s eyes got that particular sparkle that had plagued him since the inception of those pink uniforms. “Should I do a little nudging? Give you a signal?” Ren sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I don’t think she’s keen to be in my company tonight. I think I’m the last man she wants near her at all.” With this last remark, Ren downed another glass of champagne and walked away from anymore of his manager’s questions.
Questions that would only remind him of the way she’d looked when he tapped her shoulder to get her attention. She’d cringed away from him as if he’d attempted to ravish her. When he’d apologized for startling her, she merely brushed it off and excused herself to return to Kijima’s side. He watched uncomprehendingly as she curled her arm in his and Kijima stroked her fingers with his other hand. He had to walk away before he did something ridiculous, but he didn’t trust himself to stay away so he’d gone looking for Yashiro to act as his leash.
It didn’t help that she looked beautiful and that he’d all but exposed himself to her only days before. His heart felt raw and the tenuous hold he had kept on Kuon was quickly slipping ever since he’d let him out during the omurice incident. How was he going to avoid Kyoko all night? Would Yashiro actually be able to stop him if he decided to go after Kijima after all?
~
I was think of continuing this with a conversation with the other Dark Moon actors and Ren finding out exactly how Kyoko got her little makeover, but I'm not sure where I would take the fic from there especially since I've gotten Ren a little buzzed and I don't really want to write a fight scene between him and Kijima. I suppose he could try to confront Kyoko, but I don't know how Kyoko would handle that. This new persona she's created is kind of an ice princess. I have a feeling it wouldn't bode well for Ren. Things never seem to bode well for Ren in my fics :-/
Anyway, Ren/Kyoko as usual, or Ren angsting about Kyoko as usual. Enjoy!
Ren reached out and grabbed a champagne flute from the table that Yashiro was leaning against. He emptied the glass in one long swallow, the bubbles tingling down his throat. His profile faced Yashiro as he set the glass firmly back on the table, staring at his fingers curled at the base of the glass, forcing them to relax and let go.
“Yashiro, I need you to do me a favor.” Ren could feel his manager’s curious yet cautious gaze on his jaw and closed his eyes. “I need you to make sure Kijima and I don’t cross paths again tonight.” He felt his fingers tense once more and relaxed them again one by one, muscle by muscle. “I’m sorry. I know it’s a party and this isn’t what you came to do but--” he swung his gaze back to Yashiro expecting to find that ubiquitous look of patient frustration only to see his manager-turned-confidant gazing at him with sympathy.
“I get it, Ren. I’ll keep an eye out.” His face was suddenly determined and professional, the signature look he used to carry before the president introduced the LoveMe section to LME. ”And if I spot her without him? “ Here Yashiro’s eyes got that particular sparkle that had plagued him since the inception of those pink uniforms. “Should I do a little nudging? Give you a signal?” Ren sighed again and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I don’t think she’s keen to be in my company tonight. I think I’m the last man she wants near her at all.” With this last remark, Ren downed another glass of champagne and walked away from anymore of his manager’s questions.
Questions that would only remind him of the way she’d looked when he tapped her shoulder to get her attention. She’d cringed away from him as if he’d attempted to ravish her. When he’d apologized for startling her, she merely brushed it off and excused herself to return to Kijima’s side. He watched uncomprehendingly as she curled her arm in his and Kijima stroked her fingers with his other hand. He had to walk away before he did something ridiculous, but he didn’t trust himself to stay away so he’d gone looking for Yashiro to act as his leash.
It didn’t help that she looked beautiful and that he’d all but exposed himself to her only days before. His heart felt raw and the tenuous hold he had kept on Kuon was quickly slipping ever since he’d let him out during the omurice incident. How was he going to avoid Kyoko all night? Would Yashiro actually be able to stop him if he decided to go after Kijima after all?
~
I was think of continuing this with a conversation with the other Dark Moon actors and Ren finding out exactly how Kyoko got her little makeover, but I'm not sure where I would take the fic from there especially since I've gotten Ren a little buzzed and I don't really want to write a fight scene between him and Kijima. I suppose he could try to confront Kyoko, but I don't know how Kyoko would handle that. This new persona she's created is kind of an ice princess. I have a feeling it wouldn't bode well for Ren. Things never seem to bode well for Ren in my fics :-/