Disclaimer: I only own this story's plot. Some of the names I made up, some, I took from other mangas. Gakuen Alice and all related characters are under Tachibana Higuchi's copyright.
Chapter ONE: Meet Tsubasa
'I am Andou Tsubasa, a twenty-five-year old bachelor. I got blue eyes, and guess what? I got blue hair. I have this cool little birthmark under my left eye shaped almost like a star. I'm 5 feet 11 in height, and I am the tenth successor of the Andou family. We're a bunch of businessmen that manages a company specializing in developing and distributing electronic appliances and gadgets like televisions, sound systems, computers, laptops, iPod or MP3 players, digital and Polaroid cameras, video cameras, you get the idea. My dad, Andou Matsude, got married to my mom, Imai Nadeshiko, the heiress of Japan's first five-star hotel chain. Think of her as Hollywood's Paris Hilton. She's that rich and that beautiful! They told me they didn't know how rich each other was until the eve of their engagement. That was to make sure they married each other because of love, and not of the money.
'We share the company with a family friend and his family. They are the Sonos. My best friend is their tenth successor, Sono Kaname; a blonde-headed, brown-eyed, same-height-and-age-as-mine guy. It's a good thing that Kaname and I are both guys, because if we weren't, we might've been in a fixed marriage. Well, our parents aren't that obsessed with a family member's decision when it comes to marriage. But, just thinking about it makes Kaname and I shiver; I mean, get married with each other!? Yeah right! It's gross! Ugh. Maybe mom and Auntie Norada's joke was due to Kaname and mine's tight bond. We have been best friends since pre-school, you see, like my dad and his dad, Uncle Kanuichi.
'Our families both live here in Tokyo, only in different subdivisions in the city. It's got big, beautiful houses, with green lawns and beautiful flowers; not to mention the hot ladies I can see every morning at the balcony. But, almost everyone's still covered up in sweaters because it's still spring time in here. Well, I don't mind because I love this season so much. Not only because of the cool breeze that I love, but also because of the memories it brings back…
'This season reminds me of the girl I saw when I was five. She was really beautiful. She has this slightly tan complexion; a nose shaped like a ski-jump; lips that are as pink as Sakura blossoms; and a set of tiny, deciduous teeth. She isn't like any of those Barbie-looking girls I've dated. Of course Kaname knows about this, too. It was just a crush, but I can't forget her because I didn't have the courage then to ask her name or to even introduce myself properly. I was just five, remember?
'But, things are different now…
'The ladies come to me. I don't even have to woo them just so they'll agree to be my girlfriend. It's kinda boring, being wooed by girls instead of the other way around. Well, who can blame them? I mean, I've been recognized as the top eligible bachelor for 5 consecutive years by some magazine. As they say; I have looks, brains, and cash. I'm also pretty popular because of the girls I dated. I had my crushes and flings when I was younger, but I started dating when I was seventeen. Since then, I could say that I've already dated quite a number of girls. Say, more or less, fifty? It's unbelievable, right? There were models, actresses, singers, friend-of-friends, employees, childish girls, too mature girls, cheerful girls, somber types, old-fashioned ones, too liberated bitches… I can actually say that I've dated every single type of girl there is.
'But, even though I've dated those girls, I've never really had a real relationship. I haven't had a girlfriend that I saw as my future wife! Some girls I dated only lasted for about a week, but that was unintentional. My little inside joke was: If kids have the attention span of a couple of minutes, maybe I have the interest span of just a week! Haha. Don't get me wrong, though. Even though I'm a playboy, I am still a virgin. Okay, don't laugh. It's true! Sure my exes- and I shared hot, passionate kisses and other deeper stuff. Sure, my lips aren't virgin anymore because they've been kissed already; but my manhood is still pure, because I value my virginity, but not to the extent of wearing a purity ring or something peachy! And seriously, I have never brought any girl to a hotel room or wherever to take her. I don't want to be a father yet, at least, not with the wrong mother! And I told mom that the only girl I'll ever introduce to her would be my future wife. Did I just tell you things about my love life?! Ugh. Share that with anybody and you're dea-…'
He was still lying on his bed when Tsubasa's cell phone suddenly rang. He picked it up when he saw it was his best friend.
"Hey, Kaname. What's up?"
"Yo, Tsubasa. Nothing's up. But listen, buddy. We've a problem."
"What is it?"
"Actually I don't, but you do."
"What did I do now?"
"You remember that girl Mizuno?"
"The one we met last week who has that black perm hair, super thick make-up and violet contact lenses?"
"Exactly."
"What about her? Don't tell me you like her, man! I mean, she's not my type… But-"
"Ugh. Quit it. Well, she's been bugging me since then. She wants you to go out with her on a date, or else."
"Or else, what?"
"No idea. I'm a good kid; she can't dish out any dirt on me. I'm more worried of what she'll do with you."
"Nonsense. I can totally handle her. But, if she's been bugging you because of me, then I'll do it."
"Thanks, Tsubasa. But, wait. What about Akiko, that girl you're dating? You're two-timing, huh?"
"Is flirting with other girls when your current date isn't around called two-timing? I think not. Anyway, I'm planning to call it quits tonight. She's too clingy and is too much of a baby for me. I need someone to take care of me, not someone to take care of."
"I think it's two-timing, but, as long as you're happy, man."
"Thanks mate. Oh by the way, that girl from last month, Miruyu? Do you still remember her? Girl-friend Number 62?"
"Oh. She's that blondie that's got thin lips and hazel eyes, right? What's up with her?"
"She went looking for me last night at the office saying she was my fiancée! Can you believe her!? Plus, she told my employees that she carries my baby with her! Can you believe that!?"
"Really?! That girl's got some guts- she must've been drunk! Darn it, I wanted to see that scandal, hah! Too bad I'm still stuck here in Nagoya for this business trip. Tch. I hope someone got it on tape! Ha-ha!"
"Don't go looking for souvenirs cause nobody filmed it, sorry, dude. Anyway, you're right, she was drunk! Ugh, I was about to go home when that happened, so after that, I called a meeting for my employees. I told them that she was no one, that they should never recognize anybody as my fiancée unless I myself introduce her to them. I told the guards to never allow another unrelated girl in the office unless she's already engaged with me. I also told them that I didn't do it with her. They believed me. Good thing my employees trust me. Eventually, my furious dad found out. Kusami had my back; he explained that she's just some crazy, drunken girl unrelated to me looking for her ex-boyfriend that looks a little like me. "
"And Uncle Matsude bought it?! Ho, ho, that Assistant of yours is really efficient; maybe you should give him a raise!"
"Ha-ha. I'm actually considering it! God, I can't believe some girls like her existed! Believe me or not, she's even the one begging me to have her laid! You know how that turns me off! They're so unbelievably ridiculous! How could some girls get so… desperate?"
"Maybe they're desperate for you…"
"Tch. Maybe they're desperate for my money… Gold diggers."
"Easy, man. Say, how about we go out tonight? Business here will be finished later this morning. I think I can make it there at around lunch time. We can go somewhere tonight."
"Good idea, I totally forgot that it's a Friday today."
"Well, yeah. Today's also the due date for our presentation, Tsubasa. I presume you're done with it already...?"
"About that..."
"Tsubasa!"
"Okay okay, I'm not completely done yet. You know, minor revisions and finishing touches. How about you?"
"I'm already done with it, you slacker."
"I'm not. Hehe but I better finish my part. I gotta go, buddy. I'll catch up with you at the office, okay? Bye."
"Alright. Bye."
He quickly took a bath, changed into his working attire and went downstairs, where their house helpers already had his breakfast prepared. He ate slices of bread, ham and bacon quickly and chugged it down with iced tea. Then he brushed his teeth, went outside, took his car and drove towards their office.
As soon as he reached his office at the 15th floor of the building, his assistant, Kusami, gave him his appointments for the day.
"Good morning, Sir Tsubasa."
"Good morning to you, too, Kusami. How was your date with your girlfriend last, last night?"
"It was awesome, sir. Thanks for letting me off early that night."
"No prob. Tell me about it during lunch, okay? Anyway, what do we have today?"
"You only have three appointments today, sir; an interview with Forbes-Japan at 1:00 PM, a presentation for and a meeting with the Board of Trustees at 4:30PM, and Madame Nadeshiko's dinner."
"Wait, today's a Friday? Shit! Can you call Kaname for me, please? I have to remind him of mom's weekly tradition." 'And I guess I have to postpone breaking up with Akiko tonight… maybe tomorrow.'
"Haha. Sure. Oh, and your father asked me to send you his best wishes for your presentation today."
"Thoughtful. Haha. Okay, I'm on it. Thanks a lot, Kusami, especially for having my back last night."
"It's no big deal, Sir. I should be thanking you for giving me a job." He gave his old schoolmate a tap on the shoulder and a grin. Then he went inside his office.
Once you enter this circular office, you'll set foot on a navy-blue-with-constellations carpeted floor and you'll see Tokyo's sceneries through the surrounding glass wall. Tsubasa's table is on the far, right side of the room. Behind it was a line of bookshelves, filled with books related and unrelated to their business. In front were two magnificent looking chairs flanking the table's edges at both sides. His table, which is made of mahogany, is filled with technology's off-springs. Beside those gadgets are some stacks of papers, some folders, a telephone, a couple of picture frames, his stress-relieving ball, some writing materials, post-its, paper weights, and a jar of miscellany. The office had a sofa set neatly assembled in the middle, facing the 32" plasma TV on the west, and its back to Tsubasa's table on the east. Flanking each side of the television set were two tall and slender speakers. Below the television were a DVD player and a VCD player. At the back of his chair, just beside the end of bookshelves, you can see a refrigerator filled with treats and bottles of his favorite drinks. His office looked like a bachelor's condo unit; only, you can see the employees rattle about through the smoked glass door.
As soon as he settled in, he brought out his laptop, plugged it in the nearest outlet, and finished his presentation. Half-way through his finalization, his telephone rang.
"Hello?"
"Tsubasa-kun!" answered a girl from the other line.
"M-mom?..."
"Who else, honey? Don't tell me you mistook my voice as one of your ex-'s?!"
"No, of course I didn't, mom. I was only wondering why you called."
"Oh, well, I wanted to tell you about my dinner tonight. There's been some change of plans."
"Does that mean Kaname and I could go out tonight?"
"Not really, you and Kaname-kun are still not allowed to excuse yourselves, young man. Ada's best friend since our high school days is coming over, and she wants you two to be there. Understood?"
"W-wait… What?"
"Your Aunt Ada's best friend, Yumenatsu-san, is coming back from a European-cruise; so Ada-san asked me if her best friend can have dinner with us, too. I agreed because I've heard of her best friend before, and I even had the chance to be-friend her. I've seen her and Norada-san many times whenever they joined nationwide beauty pageants because one of our hotels sponsored the pageant then.."
"Oh, so Aunt Norada's high school best friend is your friend since their beauty pageant-days?"
"Exactly. So, tonight's dinner would be like a reunion for the three of us. I expect you to be on your best behavior, okay?"
"I'm always at my best behavior, mom. Anyway, is dinner still at Prima Italia?"
"Oh, no. We'll eat at Bon Appétit tonight. Be there before 6:30 PM, okay? Dinner starts at 7PM."
"I got it. Anyway, I'm kind of in the middle of something right now, so, anything else, mom?"
"Hmm… Oh! Wear something formal. If I heard from Ada correctly, Yume will introduce us to her family, too. So, you must look more presentable. That's all. Good luck with the presentation, son. I love you."
"I got it, thanks mom. Love you, too. Bye."
'Thank God, I finished my presentation on time. Kaname's flight back to Tokyo was delayed, so he ran a little late a while ago. Good thing the investors were caught in traffic, I had the time to practice the presentation and wait for Kaname to arrive! My interview with Forbes went well, too. And guess what? I was nominated – again, for the 6th time around! – For the Most Eligible Bachelor title! Today has been a wonderful day because I finally had that presentation off my back! Thank God!... Now, where the heck is Kaname? It's nearly 6 PM, and mom says we should be at Bon Appétit before 6:30 PM!'
He was about to go out of his office to proceed to Kaname's office at the opposite end of the hall, when his best friend suddenly opened the door to his office.
"GAH!" they both gasped. Then, after receiving curious stares from their employees, they started laughing to themselves and proceeded to the elevator.
"Hey Kaname, how was Nagoya?" Tsubasa asked.
"It was fine, sales have gone down for a mere digit and some employees have panicked already. I just told them to review everything then pass me a summary of their reports."
"You're still as lazy as ever, Kaname. Ha-ha!"
"Hey! I'm not like you!"
"Anyway, how do I look? Mom says Aunt Norada's best friend will introduce us to her family and mom will kill me if she thinks I'm not presentable enough. Ha-ha!"
Kaname looked at his best friend's attire. Tsubasa was wearing a dark blue tailored vest over a white long-sleeved polo with its hems showing below the hems of the vest. He was wearing that on top of his gray tuxedo-bottoms. He has a silver tie on, and his hair was still unruly. "You look fine, Tsubasa. Ha-ha. Aunt Nadeshiko could be quite vicious at times. Wait, do you think I look presentable enough for Auntie Nadeshiko?"
Kaname, on the other hand, was wearing a gold-in-front-black-at-the-back type of vest over a brown long-sleeved polo. "You look presentable in that, buddy. Our moms would be happy now."
They took Tsubasa's blue Bugatti Veyron Targa, since Kaname's red one was at home. He was picked up at the airport by the company car so he didn't have any car with him. They arrived at Bon Appétit at 6:27 PM. You could just imagine Andou Nadeshiko's fury when she thought her sons – he considers Kaname as his child, since he and Tsubasa acts like they're brothers – would never come. Good thing the Harada family weren't there yet. They arrived exactly five minutes before 7 PM.
Yumenatsu Harada arrived with her husband, Mirayuno. She was a beautiful woman; with purplish and wavy hair flowing till the middle of her back, a supermodel physique, a striking pair of emerald eyes, a nose shaped like a ski-jump, and a very fair complexion. Her husband looked equally beautiful. He has brown hair and emerald eyes, thin eyebrows and a slightly tanned complexion. After the wives exchanged kisses, and the husbands exchanged handshakes, Tsubasa and Kaname still stood there, looking at the people socializing before them like they're kids lost at the mall.
"Oh, and who are these good looking gentlemen?" Yumenatsu asked.
Kaname was first to introduce himself. "Good evening, Aunt Yumenatsu and Uncle Mirayuno. It's wonderful to finally meet you. You must have heard of me from my mother, I am Sono Kaname. This is my friend, Tsubasa." With that, Tsubasa bowed his head and said, "Bonne nuit, monsieur et mademoiselle. My name's Andou Tsubasa."
"Oh, what darling boys," was the lady's reply. Then, her husband bowed said, "Mr. and Mrs. Andou, thank you very much for inviting us to your dinner, too."
"Oh it's okay. And don't call us like that anymore. We're friends, no need for honoraries. Calling us with our first names is fine," answered Andou Matsude.
"Okay, okay. Let's take our seats, now. The food is about to be served, and I don't want to eat while standing up," joked Sono Kanuichi.
Their food arrived after a couple of minutes. While eating, Tsubasa was still intrigued by the husband and wife before him that he suddenly blurted out, "I wonder if they have a child already." Everyone at their table suddenly stopped eating and looked at him. "D-did I-I… Did I just say that? ... I… I'm s-sorry…"
"Now that Tsubasa-kun mentioned it, where is your child, Yume-san?" Norada Sono asked.
"Well, our child is still at Paris. She's finishing some modeling projects there."
She!? Tsubasa thought, his fork still raised in mid-air. Beside him, Kaname noticed the sudden change of his blushing best friend's aura. Because he was in his teasing mood, he asked, "Hey, Auntie Yume. I bet your daughter is beautiful, too, am I right? Being a Parisian model is a huge compliment. How tall is she?" Then, he took a glimpse of a Tsubasa who had a face as red as a tomato beside him and let out a small smile.
"Well, I'm her mother; of course she's beautiful for me, ha-ha! Anyway, my daughter is 5 feet 6". I can't describe her appearance properly because I tend to exaggerate; at least that's what she tells me." Everyone laughed and Sono Kanuichi asked, "Does your daughter plan to follow you here? When will she arrive?"
Harada Mirayuno answered for his wife's sake, whose mouth was full with food. "Her arrival would be this Sunday, at noon. Yume and I were actually planning on having a welcoming dinner for her that day. Would you like to come? It would really mean a lot to us."
After exchanging smiles, Nadeshiko Andou said, "Oh, of course, we'll be delighted to come! I can't wait to finally see her. It's a shame she's not here, but if I can see her at that dinner, then I'd be delighted!"
"It's settled then!"Yumenatsu Harada said. Misaki would be so happy when she finds out.
A/N:
I've finally finished chapter one! I had a hard time with this one because it's so detailed! And you know how OC I can get, especially when I'm writing... I really hope you'll like this one. And I hope I gave justice to Tsubasa and Kaname's personalities. This ff, Playboy Diaries, isn't really like a diary. It only shows how Tsubasa feels being tagged as a playboy and how he deals with it. Add that and the fact that he's sometimes narrating the flow of the story, just like what we do in a diary. R&R. :)