ACT.281

A Fallen Apple
ACT.281
Character/s in the cover	N/A
Volume	46
Original Release	April 20, 2020
Arc	Confession arc
Chapter Guide
Previous	Next
ACT.280	ACT.282

A Fallen Apple is the 281st chapter of the Skip Beat! Manga Series. This is the first instalment of three chapters that have precede under the same title.

Plot

Kyoko is interests piques as she finally puts a face to a name upon seeing Cedric D. Bennett. Ren is jealous at her sudden interest in Cedric. Kyoko gets caught by Ren in having knowledge about things she shouldn't. Kyoko debates coming clean about Bo, but decides to give a bit of a white lie instead and also throw Morizumi under the bus without remorse. Now that all misunderstandings are cleared up, Ren wonders if he may be allowed to be consider her boyfriend?

Summary

Kyoko is curious about Cedric D. Bennett and pauses to listen to the T.V, announcer as they introduce him. Kyoko's surprised to hear that he is actually a musician and has been dominating the American billboards. Kyoko thought he was actor. Ren comments with a disdainful expression as he too watches the presentation that acting is definitely his main career. Ren snarks that maybe acting just wasn't enough for him anymore because he's flamboyant and likes to live a flashy lifestyle. Kyoko looks at Ren and wonders if he has met Cedric before as he seems familiar with him. This was the first time she has actually seen what he looks like to be honest. Ren answers that he sort of does. Cedric actual modelled a bit in the past. Kyoko is shocked, he also models?! For a very, very brief time according to Ren. Kyoko inquires if he ever worked with Cedric. Ren cuts her off with a firm no, that Cedric had quit long before. Ren guides Kyoko into the elevator that is working and the doors shut behind them. Kyoko ponders this new information she has received about Cedric, maybe he's the type to get bored of things easily thus the many careers? Well he is royalty so he could be just interested in trying everything and all has to do is ask his grandfather.

Ren asks the quiet Kyoko in the elevator if Cedric is her type. Kyoko tunes back in and wonders is what her type? Ren asks if Cedric is her type, as it feels like he might be as he is the 'Princely' sort. Kyoko sends him a hurt look and when Ren glances over his expression softens as he apologises. He was being jealous again he admits as he exits the elevator. Kyoko jolts at the easy admission, as a blush steams it way across her face. She follows Ren out of the elevator then manages to find her voice to also explain that its not her. She's not the one interested in Cedric, Morizumi is actually the one who likes him. Ren stares at her blankly, Morizumi? Kyoko looks at him exasperated hoping that he doing this on purpose as she literally just explained who that was. She quirks a look at him, does he really want to erase her from his memory that bad? Ren stops walking as he gives this a considering hum, could be. As he and Morizumi just don't mesh.

Ren continues through TBM only to halt a second later and turn to Kyoko. Wait a second, Kyoko knew who Morizumi had a crush on but at the same time she still suspected Ren and her of having a thing together? Kyoko reasons that she thought he had given Morizumi a ring and she couldn't see him as the type of guy to give out rings to girls for no special reason. Ren nods, he is happy she got that point right about his character however this conversation brings up another question. Considering all the news about him and Kana, why amidst all this confusion about his relationship has she not once mentioned her? Kyoko inwardly feels her fight or flight mode trigger as she realises she has been caught knowing something she shouldn't. Ren continues saying that shouldn't his confession to her be considered an act of unfaithfulness and make her run away in disgust. Inwardly Kyoko is panicking as she had learned the truth about the scandal but while she was Bo, if she hadn't she likely would be acting like that. Ren also says there's something else bothering him, and points out how she seemed to know that he was confessing his feelings in the elevator. How did she know that? He literally made up his mind to confess only minutes before bumping into her. Kyoko's eyes are dead, as she wonders if she's in trouble. Ren pushes asking how did she know? Kyoko wonders if she is getting cornered. Should she just confess everything to him, about her being Bo? Then she remembers all the candid conversations she had with Ren, all the embarrassing stuff said. Inside she screams in denial at the very idea of admitting this. Outside she keeps a straight face as she stiffly tells Ren that its not something she can talk about here.

They relocate to Ren's dressing room. Ren tells her there shouldn't be any issue here, as he's the only one present. Kyoko sees Ren's Blind Alley strategy for what it is, only this time its physical not mental. Kyoko takes a breath as she tells a bit of a white lie to Ren that the reason she had not inquired about the Kana scandal is that she learned a certain secret about Kana. Ren wonders what the secret is? Kyoko says she cannot tell him, she's been sworn to secrecy. Ren looks at her in surprise. Kyoko continues saying that it is due to this secret that she was aware that the Kana scandal was likely fake. Ren inquires if the secret she learned was something she found out on a LOVE ME Mission. Kyoko blinks and manages to cover it. She inwardly exclaims that that's an amazing idea Ren and she's going to use it. Kyoko shamelessly states that yes she did, but it was not Kana, someone else requested the secrecy on her behalf. Ren muses, as he puts the pieces together. Kyoko mentally sighs in relief when he seems to accept the explanation.

Ren then asks about how she knew he was going to confess. Kyoko admits that Morizumi knew that she respected Ren a lot and thought it amusing to play around with her. It's a little embarrassing to admit, but she doesn't have a lot of friends so when she cutely asked at the audition to swap email addresses with Kyoko, she did so. Ren quickly tells her to delete it! She's cutting ties with her this minute! Besides she already has Kanae. Ren sighs as he grumbles with a hand rubbing his temple, he can pretty much picture what Morizumi was likely telling Kyoko, stories full of half-truths and out of context in order to create this many misunderstandings. Darn that girl! Kyoko pretends to delete Morizumi's email from her phone, mentally apologising to Morizumi for using her as a scape goat but not really meaning it because compared to Morizumi's other crimes this is child's play. Ren is still picturing Morizumi, weeping and deliberately making herself look pathetic and heartbroken, as she sobs about if Ren is happy that's all she cares about but still it feels like her heart is about to break. That's likely the angle she played and Kyoko would've been sympathetic and even pity her.

Ren realises something though and voices that thought, asking Kyoko that she wouldn't give up against a rival would she? If she had thought he liked Morizumi then she obviously prioritised his feelings over her own. Kyoko looks a little fragile at this announcement and crumples a bit in embarrassment as he tells that even though in this case she was totally and completely wrong to the point of causing him trouble even. But that was very mature of her, she's a proper adult. Honestly if he was in the same position as her, he could likely wish her well but he doesn't think he could watch over her peacefully. So is it alright if he asks for a bit more? He would like the right to call himself her 'boyfriend'.

Characters in Order of Appearance

Characters in Order of Appearance
T.V. Announcer (on TV) Cedric D. Bennett (on TV) Cedric's Bodyguard (on TV) Kyoko Mogami Ren Tsuruga Bo the Chicken (Flashback only) Kimiko Morizumi (flashback only)