A/N: Hello! Okay-I've always written stories where the girl was shy and all that, but I wanted to try one that has a more outgoing charactetr-especially if she was to be paired up with Atobe! And if Atobe seems a bit OOC in this chappie or Ayano seems a bit Mary-Sue-ish, please forgive me-but there'll be an explanation to Ayano later in the series. Constructive criticism is asked for, and reviews would be great! Thank you! Oh yeah, and for those who actually read this, this chapter is sort of a prologue, so, yeah...Ehehehe...Newbie-ness taking over...
-Shining Star-chan
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"Multiple Personality Disorder...Maybe."
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Atobe's left eye twitched slightly.
Although he wore a pleasant smile on the outside, on the inside, he was boiling with rage and annoyance.
His jaw was unnoticeably tense and clenched tightly.
Across from him sat an empty chair, and to his left sat his mother and father.
Across from his parents sat a couple-Hitomi Shiro and Hitomi Mia.
Hitomi Shiro currently sat atop the business world of China, despite the fact that he was Japanese. He and Atobe's father were the best of friends since childhood, and frequently visited each other.
Hitomi Mia was a lady from a noble family, rich in both money and beauty. She was known as a 'Yamato Nadeshiko,' as Atobe's mother, and was one of Atobe's mother's close circle of friends.
And currently, Atobe was trapped underneath the four's conniving, sly minds; an arranged marriage.
Atobe's father had begun to grow worried about his son's future, as had Shiro-san for his daughter's-despite the fact that both of them were no older than fifteen. Their overly-romantic mothers had suggested getting the two teenagers engaged. Engaged!
So the result was the six of them gathered at the most expensive, flourished cafe around-however, currently, there were only five people for the Hitomi couple's daughter had failed to show up.
"We're terribly sorry-we could not find the girl anywhere!" Mia exclaimed, worry flickering across her delicate face.
Shiro's face portrayed anger atop worry.
"That girl...! I should've known when she said that she wanted to go off and 'explore' on her own when she's just arrived from England! Oh-"
"Its quite alright-no need to make such a fuss," Atobe Senior assured.
"Yes-I wouldn't be surprised if she arrived any minute now. I can't wait to see her again in...what-nine years?" Atobe's mother, Saya, agreed.
"Ten," Mia corrected.
As the four adults began to laugh, the glass door jingled open, the bell attached to it ringing clearly.
A flustered girl stepped in, a hand on top of her sun hat to keep it in place.
Her crystal blue eyes were dilated and worried, her delicate lips slightly parted. Pale skin was flushed a bit from running, the girl's golden-brown hair was a bit mussed. She wore pale yellow sundress with a cut-off cardigan of a slightly darker shade of yellow. A satin ribbon was tied around the waist area of the dress, coming to a bow on the right side.
"Ayano-my dear! You look terrible-come over here," Mia ushered, waving a hand.
Relief crossed the pretty girl's face as she gracefully, yet awkwardly, walked over.
Before Shiro could even utter a word, Ayano bowed hurriedly.
"O-tou-sama! I'm terribly sorry! I'm so very disappointed in myself-I'd gotten lost! I'm so sorry!"
Shiro's look of anger slowly faded, until it was completely replaced by one of amusement and relief.
"That's alright," he said rather gruffly. He nodded his head towards the empty chair in front of Atobe.
"Hai!"
The girl plopped down in the empty chair.
"Its nice to meet you-I'm Hitomi Ayano," she bowed her head.
A smile spread across Atobe's parents' faces.
Atobe's heart dropped.
They liked her!
"Ayano, my dear-its such a pleasure to see you again," Saya smiled stunningly, gently.
Atobe's father, Kaito, grinned.
"And I've heard of your sucess in England-I heard for high school you'll be going to Winchester's School for the Musical Arts. Congratulations," he smiled warmly.
"Thank you so much! I've been so very excited for this opportunity," Ayano eagerly replied.
Saya had a mildly impressed look on her face.
"Ara? Your Japanese is quite fluent, I see," she noted.
Mia laughed.
"Oh, with much effort-we've had to place mountains of tutors to get her to know this much. Keigo-kun, please help Ayano as much as you can," Mia smiled apologetically.
"O-kaa-sama!" Ayano's face became flushed and she pouted.
All this while, Atobe had yet to even smile in Ayano's direction.
"But of course-Ore-sama would be happy to," he forced on a small smile on his face.
"Oh!" Mia exclamied looking at her silver watch. "Well would you look at that! Its time that we old people get moving-we might miss our flight! Let us go and leave the lovebirds be."
"Flight...?" Atobe raised an eyebrow as the four adults stood up.
"Ah, Kei-chan, gomen! We four are going to catch up a bit on a trip-to Hawaii. We'll be back in a week or two. Don't worry! Oh, and Ayano-chan is going to be staying at our house. Bye!"
Saya was the last one out the door, waving at her son.
Atobe glowered at the door; great, he was stuck with a goody-goody girl who was to be his fiancee for two weeks. Happy happy joy joy.
The glasswork nearly shattered underneath hsi glare.
He looked up when he heard a sigh.
"Whoo, this hat is stuffy."
Ayano whipped off her hat, fanning herself with it. She leaned back, crossing her legs.
Atobe raised an eyebrow once more, staring at Ayano.
"Yo! Oi...are you staring at me or my chest?"
Atobe's mouth drooped open a bit, a look of disgust crossing his face.
"Ore-sama does not stare, much less at such places. Besides, if Ore-sama were the type to stare, he'd stare at something more becoming than you-don't flatter yourself," he taunted, his usual smirk in place.
The girl shrugged, then smiled mischieviously.
"Ne, you're kinda cute, you know that? I've decided-you're my next target!"
"Target?"
"Un," the girl giggled.
Atobe frowned; what the hell was wrong with this girl? Did she have a multiple personality disorder?!
"So," the girl stood up. "Let's get going!"
"Where, exactly...?"
"Your house, of course, sweetie. Where else? Unless, you wanna take a small trip with me to the ladies' room," Ayano coyly smiled, leaning her head in towards Atobe.
Atobe smirked.
"You can take that guy over there. He seems to be enjoying your little solo 'leg shows.'"
Atobe motioned towards a tanned man dressed in monk's clothing.
"What the fu-ahem. Excuse me!" Ayano smiled sweetly, slid her arm around Atobe's, dragging him out the door.
When they were outside the door, Atobe snapped his fingers.
Immediately, guards pried Ayano off him.
He slid in his car smoothly, shut the door, and drove off, leaving Ayano in a swirling mass of dust.
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Atobe sunk into his royal purple chair, enjoying the luxury of privacy and the silence. He threw his head back in gratefulness, as he deeply breathed in the lilac perfume scent his maids had sprayed into the air. Just as he reached for the glass of mineral water, a knock was heard on one of the double doors.
Sighing, Atobe answered.
"Yes?"
"Young master, a guest has arrived. Shall I send her in?"
Too tired to question the mysterious character, he consented.
The door opened, and a slightly miffed Ayano stepped in.
"Oi! I'm your fiancée! How could you just leave me there like that?!"
"Like what?" Atobe narrowed his eyes, nearly into slits.
"Never mind, sweetie. Its alright," Ayano winked.
Atobe gaped.
"So-where's my room?"
"Your…room?"
Ayano nodded.
"You don't have a room." Atobe looked her straight into the face.
"What do you mean? Look-you have over a hundred rooms in this mansion!"
"Um…young master, sorry to intrude, but…the master had us prepare a room should a young lady named Hitomi Ayano-san arrive." the maid tentatively peeked inyo the room.
Atobe ground his teeth and smiled coldly.
The maid flinched.
"Oh? Well, if it isn't too much trouble, do you mind taking me to the room?" Ayano resumed her lady-like posture, smiling softly.
The maid unconsciously straightened herself underneath the stare of two prosperous heirs.
Atobe smirked.
'Ore-sama's brilliance is extending once again.'
Ayano's stare grew more dominent.
'Easy bait.'
"Hai! Right away, Miss."
"Oh, you don't have to say 'Miss.' Ayano is fine!"
"Iie, I couldn't. It is my dutry, and should the Master hear-"
"Should the master hear, I'll tell him properly that it was my order."
"H-hai. O-of course. Mi-A-Ayano-san..."
Ayano smiled elegantly, as a proper lady should.
"Arigatou. Saa-let's go, shall we?"
"Of course, Ayano-san," the maid happily pranced down the hall, eager to run her mouth off to the other household members.
"Bai-bai, cutie-pie!"
Ayano gave a swift, passing peck on Atobe's prominent cheek before leaving the room.
Atobe inwardly nodded his head.
'Ah. Definately. Multiple Personality Disorder.'
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