Artificial Love

windlady

Summary: The Imais are stinking rich and because of this many are after them- either to marry or kill them. Now, after their parents died in a car accident, Subaru and his sister, Hotaru, are the only surviving heirs of their family's vast fortune. Being the older, Subaru raises Hotaru in the best way that he can... But how on earth can he call it his 'best' when Hotaru believes everything can be made artificial? And a terrible secret of the past keeps on haunting them?

A/N: Hello, summer! Now here it is... the much awaited rukaru from windlady. This took me a long time and a long wait from you but I hope you'll find this worthy. ^_^

Disclaimer: As much as I would've loved to but I really don't own Gakuen Alice. The credits go to Higuchi Tachibana-sama.

Chapter 1: "A Dilemma"

Dedicated to: "Ryuamakusa4eva, candysquared, & CattyGothLoli…"

"If one is aware of what reality is, then one may either live or run away from it. And so, sometimes it's a wonder how it would be like not to know and not to be aware of it… life's harsh realities."

Softly and gently as if done so artistically, the spoon went stirring the coffee in a shiny porcelain cup. Suds formed broken circles at its center, growing bigger and bigger only to disintegrate when it touches the walls of the container. The smoke rising from the said cup slowly mingles with the scented air coming from the air conditioner. It is the rich aroma of an afternoon break. And for a moment or so, only the gentle stirring of the silver spoon as it bumps against the finely crafted cup could be heard.

Flipping another page of this month's financial reports from the Imai Group of Companies, Sakurano brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip. There was a slight arching of his brows before he cleared his throat. "Even the coffee turns colder in just a matter of seconds when you're around."

Setting the cup back on the coffee table, he gave a short sigh and closed the financial record before walking towards a display cabinet. He placed a finger on the glass cover and slid it across, feeling the smoothness it offered. He inspected his finger. Dustless as usual. Shaking his head in amusement, he threw his best bud a glance. The man sat with his back straight and eyes focused on his laptop, typing something speedily. It was as if nothing else exists for that guy. Subaru's like a top quality machine. And Sakurano believes that it is his best friend's essence to be stoic as an empty shell. Subaru has always been prim and proper. Meticulous and stern in everything.

He, however, is an opposite of this man. While Subaru is 100% efficient in the department of poker faces, he remained expressive of all his thoughts. He is carefree while Subaru is always skeptic. Why they became best friends remains a paradox to both of them.

Turning back to the display cabinet, he pressed on the glass cover to open it. His eyes traveled to a certain picture held in an ivory frame with emerald stones stuck in each floral design which bordered it in smooth curves. The picture is of Subaru and himself during the inauguration of the Pineapple Computers Corporation. They were only small children of age 5 or 6 back then. It was the very first time he saw him. And he hated the young Subaru's arrogance so much. He could even remember sticking his nose up while the child prodigy was praised due to an excellent piano performance that genius rendered. Subaru, even as a child, was as composed as ever. The boy didn't react to his rude actions but simply ignored his presence throughout the whole evening.

"Subaru…" he called casually before facing the guy. A smile crept on his face when he saw the irritated Subaru looking at him nonchalantly. "How long has it been?" he left his question vague to see further irritation on his best bud's face. "…since that inauguration?" inwardly he smiled as he saw the raven-haired guy furrow his brows.

"19 years, 4 months, and 16 days", came Subaru's precise answer. "Why do you wonder?" It was accompanied once again by the tapping of key board keys.

Waving his hand in a bored manner, he simply threw another question. "Why don't you relax a bit?" No response came from the stoic man. "Look, you don't have to worry so much about your finances and with the current stand of our companies; we'll be swimming forever in bundles of money!" he declared so energetically and yet the man didn't even bulge. "Subaru, we're 25. Just when do you plan to settle down, huh?"

"I'm not a woman whore." Subaru answered in defense and also as an insult to Sakurano who has been enjoying his good looks quite a lot.

Sakurano frowned at his reply and decided to continue what he was trying to point out. "You're pushing yourself too much even when everything's already good for us. We-"

"Hotaru…" Subaru cut him off. "It's for her, not for me…"

For a moment, Sakurano just stared at his best friend who also paused for a while before continuing what he was typing. This is because both of them knew it too well. Hotaru, who grew up as a fine lady or needless to say an ideal lady, has a certain flaw which makes her invalid as Subaru's best. She grew up distant to people, believing that everything can be made artificial!

Sakurano slowly turned to face the display cabinet again and gently, he reached for another picture frame. This time it is a portrait of a small girl around the age of 2 with short raven hair reaching till her shoulders and an amethyst pair of eyes sparkling with life. She was wearing a colorful summer dress and a beach hat. Held in her hand was a yellow plastic shovel while a red plastic pail sat on the sand. It seemed like she was building a sand castle. Behind her was a banner saying: "Happy Birthday, Hotaru!" and also countless boxes of gifts.

It was a priceless moment that the camera has captured but then what actually made it very special was not the background of a splendid party. It was her soft smile. It was something as deep or maybe also classified as superficial like an ordinary expression one would see in almost anyone's face. Well, but not in this girl's anymore. Not anymore for in that very same year, that smile and warmth died together with the vehicular accident which stole the young Imais's parents from them.

'And they were so happy back then…' Sakurano thought to himself. "It's not your fault, Subaru." He said all of a sudden while spacing out. "…why your sister grew up thinking that way." He continued but the young business tycoon didn't seem to hear him out. "I have always thought…" he paused as he returned the frame back. "…that it was because of 'her'."

The tapping took a sudden halt, leaving the room in another meaningful and deadly silence. He has touched another delicate issue, eh? If it wasn't for the honking of a car from the front gate then that deafening silence would have lasted for a lifetime.

Subaru gazed out of the window just in time to see the driver opening the door to the passenger's seat. Hotaru came out, looking as elegant as a princess. Fondness grazed her brother's features, as he watched her. With the wind blowing her silky black bangs so tenderly and her short straight hair being carried along by each wave of the air, her lavender tinted dress sways in the same rhythm with the baby pink Sakura leaves. The sight of her has become a dance which could only be made more enchanting if a smile would be painted upon that her lips.

"No…" Subaru said causing Sakurano to stare at him in confusion. "This does not concern 'her'… anymore."

"You have 16 messages," came the mechanical voice from her phone.

Hotaru has just entered her room and pressed the button on her phone to retrieve the messages. Pulling the curtains together, she engulfed her room in a sea of darkness.

"BEEP. This is Imai, Hotaru. I'm probably out or I simply wouldn't want a bother. Leave a message after the beep if urgent. Bye."

She heard her own voice and as always it sounded blank, void of any expression she could decipher.

"BEEP. Ms. Imai, this is the Electrovolution Batteries Company. We would like to inform you that the latest product you've ordered has arrived today in France. We shall have it delivered in Imais's residence tomorrow. Thank you for your patronage."

'So it's there already, huh?' Life came easy for her. Everyday luxury, richness and power showered her. Living in an enormous mansion as big as their country's top university for the wealthiest citizens in Japan; being cared for by her own bodyguards 24 hours a day in 7 days a week; and having 3 personal maids to attend to all her wishes, isn't it such a dreamy life? What's more? Her bed is soft and wide enough for 2 or 3 persons to share in it. The former cover which she had her servants change into cotton was then made of silk and every pillow case was covered with raffles and laces. This could have been every girl's fantasy but then she hated it, being pampered that is.

"BEEP. Imai-sama… Imai-sama, please tell your brother that we're having a grand opening next Saturday. We have made it a point to invite you and your brother as our guests of honor. I beg of you. Please persuade him to come. We're the New Fuel Corporation."

Sliding her fingers on her back, she dragged the zipper down to open her dress. 'This is power…' her mind stated. She is keenly aware of it. People look up to her family as if they are celebrities all because of the power their surname holds. The presence of her brother could turn a simple party into one of the most glamorous gatherings one has ever attended. And for Hotaru, they are no more than leeches.

They also came up with a different strategy to get Subaru to favor them which is to use her. She hates this more than raffles and laces. But she can understand it too. When you're at the bottom of a food chain, you can't chose who you want to be friends with. You'll just grab anything to save yourself… even if it means doing things that kill your real sane spirit.

"BEEP. Hotaru-sama… It's me, Senri. How's school? I always worry about you. I want to protect your pretty face, your vulnerable emotions, and fragile life with my own hands. Sincerely, I really like you. The moment I saw you, I knew I already have fallen for you. I hope we'll see each other soon. I really have missed you even though it's only been a day since our family's meeting. Take care always."

'Mechanical words.' Hotaru's brows twitched as her dress gracefully fell off from her body. Indeed, she is a beauty. She's a well-sculpted lady in her blossoming teen years. Yes, she is currently 17 and few months from now, she'll turn 18. It is something many rich bachelors are looking forward to which is something she dreaded. It is awareness… it is what causes fear in one's heart. If one is aware of what reality is, then one may either live or run away from it. And so, sometimes it's a wonder how it would be like not to know and not to be aware of it… life's harsh realities. How would it be if she isn't an Imai?

She loathes it the most.

9 more messages of similar contents passed as she dressed herself in her comfort clothes: a loose shirt and ¾ pants. She hates how everyone should be living up to society's standards. Norms. She has observed how everyone acts and there is always a standard reaction which she would see as if it is a skit or is acted upon cue. Even emotions are trained to obey commands. Tamed. Cultured. Artificial. Her eyes narrowed when she heard the word 'love' in one of the 9 stupid lovesick messages she received. It's a pity, really. That one should trick a heart into believing love could exist.

"BEEP. HOTARU!" a female voice sniffed. Hotaru's eyes widened as she heard the caller snuffled.

"He said he… h-he loves me!" Another parade of sobs and tissue blown here and there decorated the call. Hotaru gently closed her eyes. She has always believed that life has a plain color and yet this girl would always prove her she's wrong. Yeah. It's Mikan, her best friend since third grade.

"I just wanna die!" Loud sobbing came again from the other line but it doesn't worry Hotaru. She knew what Mikan would say next.

"But I can't! I don't wanna leave you alone! HOTAARUUU! Call me later!" She gave a sigh of exhaustion as she walked towards her bathroom for a shower.

"BEEP. It's me again. Call me back when you're there. Oh! And what I actually mean is call me as soon as you stepped in your room, 'kay?" Hotaru knew that Mikan would say that and that she would call again for one last time.

"BEEP. HOTARU! Are you sick? Don't worry me too much." See? 'Life really has a pattern.' Hotaru thought as she entered her bathroom, taking her sweet time.

"BEEP. Please don't die, Hotaru! I'll be there in a minute! HOLD ON!" Hotaru tripped on her own feet when she heard the last message.

"BEEP. You have no more messages." Hotaru looked back at the phone still in her slumped position as, silently, she asked. "…Or maybe life has its own exceptions?"

"Oh come on, Subaru…" Sakurano continued with much exasperation in his voice. "You've been working on that for the last 8 hours which had passed. Will you stop it for a while?"

There was no response from Subaru but a certain female voice yelled from outside the front gate just before a bicycle came in, speeding towards the main entrance. "HO-TA-RUUU!" shouted a brunette for the second time. "I'm coming to save you!"

Sweat drops formed on both Sakurano's and Subaru's heads as the monitoring camera showed Sakura, Mikan who was storming her way to Hotaru's room. To get a better view of a supposedly amusing scene, Sakurano walked towards the office table where Subaru is.

And as soon as the door opened and the brunette saw Hotaru, she practically darted towards the expressionless girl and cried on the raven-haired girl's shoulder as she embraced her tightly. "I feel so sad, Hotaru…" Mikan sobbed while, inwardly, Sakurano asked to no one in particular 'I thought she was going to save Subaru's little sister, eh?'

His amusement was disturbed when he heard Subaru flipping some pages. Then, the tapping of the keyboard keys resumed, wholly catching Sakurano's attention.

"S-Subaru that's a-a—" his eyes widened as big as saucers when he saw what it is that Subaru has been busy about all this time.

"…A M-MARRIAGE INTERVIEW?"

**END OF CHAPTER***

A/N: Have you, guys, seen Vampire Knight? Well, it's a very random question but just some days ago I watched the DVD and it's incomplete. I wonder if it's still unfinished even when that series already appeared on TV.

Oh! And I've been told that this story's title sounds too familiar. If you ever know any other thing that has the same title/name then kindly inform me. I just formulated this title on my own but if you feel odd about it, I can always disclaim whatever it is that I need to disclaim. I'll always be grateful for the help. Thanks!

Anyway, how is this story? Do you like it? Or perhaps hate it? Tell me what you think about it. Review by clicking on the button just below this crap. Thanks again! ^_^

~windlady

(March 2011- Tell me if there are errors here okay? Thanks. :) )