Full Summary: Due to a sudden sickness, Yoshio had to announce Kyouya as his heir. But he needed to be engaged first, then live with his fiancée without using a single yen from his withholdings. He also have to live a commoners life for three months seeing that his fiancé is none other than the queen of commoners herself, Fujioka Haruhi.
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Foreword - July 13, 2012
God, has it really been six years since my last update this fiction of mine? Anyhow, some of you were probably wondering why brought up a dead fiction back to life. The answer is simple: I just felt like it. When i reread the whole thing weeks ago, in one or someway, my muse for this story has sprung anew and before I knew it, I was revising the whole story altogether. If by some coincidental chance, some of you may have read the original version of the story, you'll notice that it had lean on the comedic approach of writing considering that I have a passion of writing along the comedy romance sort of way back. However, the revised edition won't solely emphasize on the humorous romantic side of the story but more into the in-depth struggles of the characters in the story. Fear not though, it will still have a good expanse of humor and romance on it. I also plan to add some action, mystery, spiritual, slice of life and maybe a tad wisp of angst in it. Well, enough of my ramblings for now seeing as I've prolonged the continuity of this story long enough for you guys to earn the rights to strangle me to death.
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For better or Worse
Chapter I: "For triumph or disappointment."
Standard Disclaimer enclosure.
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Humans life is solely composed of goals.
Whether it be financial, spiritual or personal gain, each and everyone of us has a certain set of aspirations that we want to attain our daily lives. Without it, one had the risks of losing sight of his or her own reality. All the more so for those who belongs to the higher parts of the ladders of society.
Kyouya Ootori knew this very well. Even at the wake of his youth, tremendous goals had already been long established by his father for him to accomplish, to attain—to prove. In all of his eighteen years of existence, it felt as if he's been walking on a delicate thin surface of frost, and his only ally is his own reflection on the ice staring back at him as if to remind himself to never gave up.
And he never did, not even once. Even if he was all alone in his struggle to prove his worth, he never felt like giving up nor did even once even complain about it. In fact, it even fueled him to push further, to go the extra mile.
"No man is an island…" The raven-clad young man whispered particularly to no one. It was said in a silent hum that only he, himself can hear it. There's no particular meaning to the words itself but perhaps, the maxim was the reflection of his sentiment at the moment.
In hindsight, Kyouya would very much agree to the adage. Indeed, one cannot survive in this harsh world by himself. One must constantly seek the aid of others in order to succeed. However, an island can only be called an island if it's by nature floating all alone in the vast cold surface of the ocean.
While it's true that he seeks the help of other people, but it doesn't really mean that he needs other people.
It's semantics. For seeking is different than needing. Seek 'demands' the help of others, need 'depends' on the help of others.
Kyouya wants people at his disposal—not to be at people's disposal. His father had long taught him that in order to succeed, one needs to put people who benefits him at arm's reach, but not too close enough for comfort or they might turn against you.
That's why he had so many connections but only less than a few handful of contacts in which he can truly call friends.
"Oiiiiiiiiiii, What are you doing here in the balcony Kyouya," Said by the flamboyant blond, jolting his glass wearing pal out of his reverie. "Unbelievable, it's the most important day in your life and you're here outside spacing out. Oh yeah you're sister's looking for you Kyouya, she just arrived actually."
The onyx-haired teen looked back at his friend while Tamaki ate the drumsticks on his hand without a care of the world. He couldn't help but chuckle, Tamaki would always act in a Tamaki-esque fashion whenever he goes, he should've expect that.
"Just how many servings of chicken legs have you already devoured Tamaki."
Of all Kyouya's friends, it's this self-proclaimed modern day blond Casanova incarnate that he felt really close to the most and no matter how much of a polar opposite the two are, Kyouya could proudly say that Tamaki is his one best friend.
"Hey, dird yoe even trai *munch* eatin' theis? Man I gotza tell yoe de taste is godsodeliciouz."
He furrowed his eyebrows, adjusting his glasses altogether.
"I think I'll pass, I bet you already ate all of it anyway."
Kyouya was about to add another remark about manners and proper etiquettes when a sudden surge of applause halted the third Ootori heir. Looking back at the hall, he recognized a tall azure-clad man talking by the fulcrum of the main hall. It was his eldest brother and by the sound of it, he was thanking the guest for coming and asking them if their enjoying themselves so far.
"I on behalf of the whole Ootori enterprise would like to thank you all for coming in this momentous event of our lives," Started by the eldest of the heirs, gathering the crowd's attention among him. "As you may have known, on this night my father, Yoshio Ootori, would proclaim the next leader of the Ootori group of companies…"
The rest of the dialogue had died down when a pair of hands coming from the person behind him had enclosed Kyouya's field of vision.
"Guess who."
Kyouya smiked.
"Even if you rendered my eyesight blindly, you still ain't fooling anyone," Touching the smooth soft hands that blinded him, Kyouya can't helped but smile a little. Only one person has the guts and nerve to pull this kind of stunt on him.
"…Tachibana."
The pair of hands leaves his vision back on par again. Turning around to face the culprit behind him, Kyouya's smile went even a bit wider when he met the most cutest pout he'd seen on this night.
"That's just mean Kyouya-san," His older sister scowled at him, crossing her arms as she put her best guilt-trip face that could make Hunny's sad puppy eyes pale in comparison.
"Surely my voice doesn't sounds like your scary bald chaperone."
"Bodyguard." Kyouya corrected while adjusting his glasses. "Besides, I knew it was you sister. I just couldn't help myself—it's been awhile since I've seen that look of yours after all."
"Haha, I'm glad that you find humor in teasing your older sister by mistaking her as one of your ruffian groupies." Sarcastically replied by Fuyumi, still pretending to be mad at her younger brother. "Seriously Kyouya-san, is it just me or did your dry humor just went up a notch while I was away?"
"For the last time its bodyguard—sigh, why did I even bother," Sighing in exasperation, Kyouya lean back at the pristine wall behind him. It's a known fact that argument is futile when it concerns his older sister. It's just a wasted effort really so he decided to change the topic.
"Anyhow you should be glad, you know that I rarely humor anyone at all."
"Yeah as if that would make me feel very flattered, thank you very much." Dryly replied by the only female in the Ootori kin. To a bystander it may seem like the two of them are arguing but it's quite the opposite actually. Fuyumi couldn't helped but beam widely, giving up the notion of acting mad anymore.
"It's been awhile little brother, I'm glad you're still the same as ever." Embracing him for the first time in months, she was truly glad to have met him. "How do you fare tonight?"
The youngest Ootori only shrugged nonchalantly in response. "As good as I can be I guess."
"Nervous?"
He could tell she was worried for him. Kyouya had always wondered since out of all her siblings, it was him whom Fuyumi felt close to the most despite her being closer to the age group of the other two older brothers of him.
Maybe it was her maternal instinct that draws her to him but he was truly glad nonetheless. She's only the one whom he had feel comfortable to in their family.
"Hardly. Anxious perhaps, but nervous?" Turning to face the worried face of Fuyimi, he put the best cool face he could make to ease the worries of his sister. "You know that an Ootori must never get nervous no matter what circumstance is Fuyumi Nee-san." .
Fuyumi giggled, it was so typical Kyoya-esque response. "I know but how about that time when I called you in the middle of the night telling you that I'm pregnant? I know it turned out as a false alarm but I remember you nearly had a heart attack back then saying you're still not prepared to be called an uncle at such a young age."
Kyouya deadpanned. "That was an entirely of different matter."
"Still—"
"Ah Fuyumi It's been awhile." Turning to the person who interrupted their light conversation, they were graced by their second brother, Akito. He was dressed in a very classy white Armani suit that perfectly tailored his build. He had the same air of superiority akin to the likes of their father along with his no nonsense attitude. Akito and his father were so much alike that one could even say that he was the perfect carbon copy of Ootori Yoshio, only younger and didn't wore a pair of glasses that is.
"Akito Nii-san," Greeted by the only girl in the family. "It's nice to have met you again."
"Likewise," Replied curtly by Akito, turning to eye Kyouya for a second. "Anyhow, what are you two doing here outside, especially you Kyouya. you know that it's improper for the guest if the host of this banquet is nowhere in sight."
"My apologies Ni-sama, we are just taking a little breather out for a second, we will come back right away."
The second nodded in agreement just as he turned back at the gallery. "Father will probably come out anytime now so you better be there when he arrives." Akito added in reconsideration as he began to walk away in a graceful manner.
Alas as if on cue, every guest halted from what they have been doing when a middle-aged looking individual suddenly came out of the gallery. Yoshio slowly walked down through the lavish stairs with professional elegance as if he had rehearsed the whole thing beforehand.
Even though his health considerably declined as of late, The main CEO of one of the largest establishments in the world still carries that intimidating demeanor that can make the devil himself cringe.
Each individual stared at him with utmost respect but noticed the sudden loss of weight and paleness of the aged man. No wonder he brought up such unexpected congregation, with his health declining by the days, there's no saying that he can still fully operate as the head of their corporations.
Hence, it's seems really necessary as of now to declare whose going to be the next inheritor of the title head to ensure the stability of the Ootori enterprise and its business associates.
After the rain of applause had died down, Yoshio gave a curt nod and walk to the center aisle, finally ready to give a speech.
"For everyone who had given their time to come to this night of congregation, I Yoshio Ootori, head of the Ootori group of companies would like to express my utmost gratitude and appreciation to all of you," The elderly man said with a start. Pausing a second to look around the audience, He looked back at every eyes boring at him as if looking at their very souls.
"There's an olden adage that says money makes the world go round," Yoshio continued using a unexpectedly lesser tone of voice. This surprised some of the audience especially his three sons. Now this was new. Their father rarely succumb into light conversations considering that the guy has a tendency to be direct and concise of his point.
"I'm sure some of you might agree to that very idea while some might not," Kyouya's father continued, still cryptic about his point of the matter.
The third heir scoffed at that idea. If that's very true then the his family must've owned the world by now.
After all, they have so much money that they could've practically buy the deed of ownership rights of the Japanese Nation. He wondered what's the point of his father. Surely, his agenda is not to gloat how much cash they have—an Ootori must never openly show any pretension and delight of his wealth. It was his father own words.
His thoughts came to an halt when his father resumed his light argument.
"If one would ask me whether I believe in it or not, I would say that I have a different view of that maxim altogether," Yoshio explained as his audience listened intently. "It's not money that makes the world go round…"
Blinking a second for emphasis, Yoshio then drew a breath.
"It's comparison."
Answered the elderly man truthfully. He adjusted his glasses upwards while looking at the guest to gauge their reactions. It seems some of them did not get the arguments so he tried to elaborate it further.
"Think about it, without comparison, one cannot define his or her own individuality. Humanity needs to constantly be compared to something or someone on a daily basis. One cannot be called poor without comparing their situations to the rich or other equally meager beings before one can properly assess themselves as poor. One cannot be even called human if not for the other lesser living beings in comparison. We are constantly being compared to one another whether we like it or not."
Yoshio abruptly paused when a sudden cough escape his mouth.
"Comparison makes the world go round. That's the very line of reasoning I applied, when I brought up my three sons," Yoshio stated after a second, gesturing to this three heirs to come forth to the center aisle with him. "I want them to be compared to one another, to be compared to myself, to be compared to the finest, and thrive from such comparisons."
"I have watched these three at the wake of their births till up to this point and I can proudly say that they have met my every expectations." Eyeing his three sons beside him, Yoshio felt truly much proud as a father. They grew up as fine individuals that he wanted them to be.
"My Eldest," He pointed at the tallest of the three, motioning him to step forward. "Yuuichi Ootori, after graduating at the top of his class at Medical School had already been the chief Surgeon at the main Ootori Hospital branch and had been the acting operational head of the Pharmaceutical Kansai Division. "
"My middle son," Doing the same manner like he did with the first, Yoshio once again stated the achievements of his son. "Akito Ootori, even though an undergraduate of his medical studies, is currently pursuing a business administration degree. He is also the financial supervisor of our family's real estate holdings."
After a several round of applause for the first two had died down, Yoshio finally motioned his youngest son to step forward. The crowd once again give him applause though the most blatant cheer came from a certain blusterous blond whose caught quite an attention to himself being loud and all. The eldest Ootori coughed abruptly as he began.
"Ootori Kyouya, my youngest son, although still in his second year in highschool had already partake in our business and owns several Hotel and resorts on his name. He is also one of the most prominent stockbrokers in the Asian financial stock market with high yield investments in a very vast…establishments."
Yoshio eyed him, emphasizing on the latter words as if he shouldn't know such fact. Apparently, his youngest son has been a constant trader and had earned quite a bit of recognition in the field of finance trading. He had use several aliases to conceal his true identity but when he bought nearly more than half of their revenue stocks, Yoshio got alarmed and used all means possible to uncover the personality of that elusive broker Mr. K.O.
The man still can't forget his surprise when he learnt that the very guy was still in high school much more his very own son and blood. Kyouya had truly exceed his expectation very much.
"I'm very much proud of these three," His tone was earnest, given the lightheartedness of the conversation but all of that would be shattered by his next words. No matter how much Yoshio tried to prolong it, the time where he must proclaim the true legitimate successor is at hand.
"However, there can only be one, rightful heir to be the next in leadership of our company."
Everyone in the hall remained silent as they anxiously awaits the announcement of whom to be the next head of the Ootori Empire. The suffocating silence was suddenly broken when the head of the group finally spoke up, a determined look was etched onto his face.
"I'm sure that you're all probably wondering on whom will I accept as my successor," The elderly Ootori calmly stated, it was now or never. "And with my health declining every second that passed by, it is vital that I must proclaim the future head of our enterprise to ensure the stability of our Corporation."
He then paused for a minute to look at his three sons akin to a loin eyeing his cubs. Measuring each of them if their truly is fitted for the position that he would soon bestow on one of them. After a seemingly eternity of wait, he finally whispered the words that would soon turn the peaceful life of Ootori Kyouya into a raging tempest of unfortunate events that would either make or break the young man.
"As of now, I declare Ootori Kyouya as the true legitimate heir of the Ootori corporation."