TYPICAL ROMANCE – CHAPTER 1

Tezuka Kunimitsu's office located on the top floor of the Tez Co. Industry, one of the most successful businesses in the country, building.

A few hours of the day, one would find Tezuka behind his large wooden desk, made from high quality red woods, looking through reports diligently. Like all CEOs, he had his own dubbed most-qualified secretary by the name of Ryuzaki Sakuno, a young lady whose charismatic personality and beauty were a charm in their company that attracted all men working in the same company. Except, her boss wasn't part of all those men.

In fact, it wasn't a secret that Tezuka was born with no innate romance at all. He had never dated or eye-candied anyone before, and the only love he possessed was the love for his family. Though no one could argue that he had a wonderful loving family composed of his parents Kunihiro and Ayane, an older sister named Yushi, and a younger brother named Ryoma.

All who liked him were envious of his fortune and background and all who hated him were jealous of his success and wealth. He had many enemies, but none fazed him.

Back in his office, which had walls made from durable, non-reflective glass on all four sides that gave the room larger illusion than it was. It was adorned with a set of sofas and coffee table on the left side of the room and on the right side was where his neat desk located. The long rectangular window in the back of the room, which was on his right hand side, showed a scenic view of the metropolitan city below.

Tezuka was reading the report when a flash outside detangled his thought and his gaze diverted to the window. It was raining outside with a few loud thundering sound and lightning now and then, indicating an upcoming rain storm that night. He looked at the clock on the other side of the room.

"5:30." Tezuka murmured and picked up his pen to resume his work once again, but before he could do so, his door opened.

"Nii-san." Tezuka's younger brother, Ryoma, who was 5 years younger than him went in and shut the door.

"Have you finished with all of your school work?" Tezuka asked as he watched Ryoma took the seat on the chair in front of him.

Ryoma was still in college, pursuing his career in business, just like Tezuka before, but the big difference between them was that Ryoma hated school. He nodded uncaringly and rested his back against the back rest. "Are you almost done?"

"No." Tezuka shifted his glasses and looked out the window again. "There's still a lot to be done. I might need to stay until 8, at least. Go home first."

"But mother called and told us to go home early 'cause we're having guests over."

Tezuka looked at his brother questionably. "Who?" He hadn't heard his parents say anything about them having guests over.

Ryoma shrugged. "She didn't say." He didn't really care.

Tezuka nodded. "Anyways, go home first and I'll see if I can get off early. I'll call Oishi to take you hom."

Ryoma blinked and nodded aloofly. "Alright. I'll see you back home later then."

Tezuka grunted, watching his brother leaving the room.

The next time when Tezuka looked at the clock, it was almost 9. The work took him longer than he expected. He started to arrange his desk and gathered his suitcase before tugging on his coat. He turned off the light and left the room.

The desk of his secretary was dark, as she had gone home at 8.

He continued to walk to the elevator and push the button to the ground floor. When it opened the security greeted him and he left through the double door that led to the car garage with a nod to him and the other workers who were still loitering around.

It was windy and cold. There weren't many cars left.

A security office patrolling around in his little company cart drove up to him. "Good evening, Mr. President."

Tezuka smiled and nodded in recognition. "Good evening Momoshiro-kun."

"Wow, you're getting off late today. Tough day?"

Tezuka shook his head. "It was bearable."

"Ah of course. Nothing is difficult for you. Anyways, you should head home. Your family must be worried."

"Ah, yes. You too." Tezuka reached into his pocket and pulled out the key to unlock his car, entering it.

"Drive safely!" Momoshiro yelled out and drove away.

Tezuka liked the liveliness of his employees. They made his business life more enjoyable and easier.

He steered his car out of the garage into the heavy rain. The traffic wasn't heavy, but the sidewalk was crowded with pedestrians and their umbrellas.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Fuji Syusuke hated the rain because by the time he got home, he would be drenched from head to toes. Umbrellas didn't help a bit especially when it was windy.

He was both a student and a worker at a bakery. Because of his big family consisting of his healthy parents, 1 older brother and sister, and 4 younger brothers, they couldn't afford to be all in school. His older siblings Kuranosuke and Yumiko had decent paying jobs and families of their own. His parents own a stall in the market and sold fish for a living.

He lived with his parents and younger siblings in a small house. Weird enough, each of them were 2 years apart. Starting from Fuji (26) down, there were Kojirou (24), Eiji (22), Yuuta (20), and then Akaya (18), the youngest.

Kojirou, Eiji, and Yuuta went to college full-time. When they were free, they helped with their family fish stand in the market. Kuranosuke and Yumiko's income combined to send the three to college and Akaya to high school.

Fuji wanted to help out his family more so he decided to work and go to college part-time.

It was about 9:30 when he arrived home.

"Syusuke! Welcome home."

"Hello mom! How was business today?" Fuji asked as he took off his wet shoes and placed them on the shoe rack on the front porch by the door.

Yoshiko, his mom, smiled warmly. "We managed to sell a lot before the rain came. What about you?"

They both walked to their living room where the low dining table was served with food. "We didn't have as much customer as yesterday."

Only Akaya was sitting on the ground at the table. He smiled when he saw Fuji. "Syusuke nii-san! You're home."

Fuji nodded and came over to ruffle the youngest one's head. "Yes I am. How was school?"

Akiya beamed. "My teacher let us out early because there was a blackout!"

Fuji chuckled. His brother was like a little kid. "That's cool. I never had a blackout at school before." He said while walking to his room to get his clothes for a warm shower.

"Akaya, why don't you go call your dad and other brothers for dinner?"

"Hai, kaa-san!" The young boy jumped up on his feet and left the living room to carry out his task his mom just gave him.

Within 10 minutes, the Fuji family all sat at the table enjoying their warm dinner.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Tezuka got home 30 minutes after, only getting a little wet when he got out of his car to enter his house.

"Ah, Kunimitsu." His sister Yushi greeted him as she emerged from the kitchen. "The guests just went home." She added when she saw Tezuka looking at the maids as they cleaned the living room.

"Ah. I heard from Ryoma."

"I'll ask the maid to fix your dinner. Go get a warm shower."

Tezuka nodded. "I will. Where are mother and father?"

"In their room."

"Thank you." Tezuka turned and headed up the grand stair case that led to the second floor of their big home.

He stopped in front of his parents' room and knocked on their door. He twisted the door knob when he heard the invitation. "Father. Mother. I'm home."

"Kunimitsu." Ayana came over from her vanity to table to give her son a hug. "You missed our guests, but that's okay. You must be hungry."

Tezuka smiled. "Yushi nee-chan is getting my dinner ready."

From the bathroom, his father came out dressed in pajamas. "You're home. How was work?"

"A tad busy, but everything is fine."

His father nodded with a satisfied smile. "I'm sure with you there. Anyways, shower and have your dinner. It's late."

"Thank you. I'll do so. Goodnight father, mother."

"Goodnight, dear." His mother said as he closed the door.

Yep, that was his family, warm and caring.

When he reached the door of his room, his little brother stepped out from his own room. "Nii-san."

Tezuka grunted. "Sleeping yet?"

Ryoma smiled sleepily. "About to. Guess who came." He said with a little more enthusiasm than his drowsy eyes gave off.

Tezuka shrugged and opened his room, entering it. "Someone important?"

Ryoma huffed and leaned against the door frame of Tezuka's room. "Not really, but could be."

"Meaning?" Tezuka took off his coat and draped it over the chair. He walked over to his wardrobe to get his pajamas.

"Important if you decide to marry their daughter, otherwise no."

Tezuka stopped in front of Ryoma on the way to the bathroom. "Not important then."

Ryoma merely chuckled and left the room. "Like always."

The food was waiting for him on the table with Yushi sitting on one chair enjoying her glass of Chardonnay.

"Thank you, nee-san." Tezuka sat down and picked up his chopsticks.

"You're welcome. Eat up." She said with a big smile.

Tezuka nodded. "Itadikamasu."

"Do you want a glass?" Yushi offered.

"Cabernet Sauvignon, thank you."

His sister stood up and poured him a glass. "Ne, when are you getting married?"

Tezuka took a sip and set the glass down. "When I fall in love."

"How long will that be?"

Tezuka chewed slowly as he thought, and then swallowed. "I don't know, but what about you? Aren't you in your 30 already?"

"Yah! Why do you always bring up my age?"

Tezuka chuckled, earning a whack on the head from his sister's fist.

"Hey!" Tezuka exclaimed, rubbing his head.

"Eat by yourself." Yushi was about to stand up when Tezuka leaned over to catch her wrist.

"Sorry, won't bring it up again." He offered a smile.

Yushi could only laugh. "Whatever. Anyways, the Yukimura family was here along with their daughter your age. She is very beautiful and nice. You should have a go."

Tezuka raised an eyebrow and continued eating. "I'm a busy man."

"A few hours from work won't hurt the company. I'm sure you will like her. Even if you don't fall in love with her, you both can be friends. The more friends you have the better."

Tezuka nodded his head like he didn't mean it.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Fuji helped his mom cleared the table so his younger brothers can return to doing their homework. The rain was still pouring heavily outside as he looked out the window on top of the sink.

"Syusuke, how much longer is your study going to take?" Yoshiko asked, handing Fuji a soapy dish to rinse.

"Only one more season, mom, and then I can get a better paying job."

"You should study more while you can. I believe you can accomplish more than just being an accountant."

Fuji smiled. "Maybe after Akaya graduated from college."

Yoshiko sighed. "I'm sorry you have to work while going to school."

Seeing the guilt from his mom, he quickly said with assuring words. "I want to, mom. Don't blame yourself. I will try my best to get us a better house and you and dad won't have to work anymore."

Yoshiko smiled and patted her son's wet hand with her soapy one. "Thank you, Syusuke."

At night in the room Fuji shared with Akaya, the plot sound of water from the leaking roof falling into the water bucket kept him awake.

He was glad that he got a caring family and he couldn't ask for more.

The next morning, he woke up to send Akaya to school. Even though Akaya was already in high school, Fuji didn't want his little brother walking alone to school in the rain. But of course, there was another reason behind that.

"Nii-san." Akaya poked his brother on his arm.

"What is it, Akaya?" Fuji regarded him with a soft smile. His hand was cold from holding the umbrella over both of their heads.

"Can you bring home some cake today? I haven't had some in a long time."

Fuji nodded. "I will, but only if you do well in school."

"I do!" Akaya protested with a pout.

Fuji laughed. "I know, that's why I will bring home some cake for you tonight, alright?"

Akaya nodded enthusiastically. He ran into his school when they got to the gate, holding his hands over his head to shield his head from the rain as much as possible.

Fuji watched Akaya's back until the boy disappeared into the building.

When he got home, Saeki, Eiji, and Yuuta was getting ready to leave for their morning classes. They bid each other good bye and Fuji went inside their house to get ready for classes as well.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Tezuka dropped his brother off at his college before heading to work.

As usual, Ryuzaki Sakuno had a steaming coffee mug in one hand and a file in her other waiting for him as he stepped out of the elevator.

Tezuka had no idea how his secretary had such perfect timing on his arrival, but he didn't bother to ask. He took the mug and the folder. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"What is my schedule for today?"

Tezuka asked as they both walked toward Tezuka's office, Ryuzaki trailing behind reporting. "You have a meeting with the shareholders at 10 am and another one with one of your consumer at 3 pm."

"That's all?" Tezuka walked behind his desk and set the mug and folder down on his desk. He took off his coat and hung it over his chair.

"Yes sir! You're going home early today."

Tezuka smiled. "Thank you."

Ryuzaki bowed and left the room. Tezuka reflected on how lucky he was to find a diligent secretary like that. She was anything but seductive or suggestive, which he was highly grateful for.

After the meeting with his shareholders, he went back to his office around 11:30.

As he walked by Ryuzaki's desk, the secretary stopped him in his track.

"Yushi-san called and said she made a lunch appointment for you and someone named Yukimura Seiichi."

Tezuka's elegant eyebrow went up in question. "…Where?"

"At Aozu Villa."

"When?"

"As soon as possible."

Tezuka sighed. "Alright." He handed the folder he had in hand. "Make 2 copies of this and leave them on my desk after you're done."

She took it. "Yes, sir."

Tezuka went to his office to grab his coat and left.

The rain was lighter on the way to Aozu Villa. Tezuka thought it was a weird name that his friend decided to use for his restaurant.

Upon arriving, the host immediately recognized him. "Shall I let Inui-san know that you're here, sir?"

Tezuka shook his head and took off his coat, giving it to the host. "It's fine."

"Then this way, sir." He led Tezuka to the terrace of the restaurant on the second level.

When he saw a person with long wavy blue hair, he asked the host. "That's her?"

The host nodded.

Tezuka told the host that he could get to the table by himself and the host left.

Tezuka approached the person from behind.

Hearing footsteps, the person turned around and Tezuka got a good look at his lunch companion for today. She was a beauty, almost a model if not for her height.

"Hello, my name is Tezuka Kunimitsu." He offered a handshake in which the beauty took.

"Hi, I'm Yukimura Seiichi." She returned in a soft polite voice.

"I apologize for making you wait."

She smiled beautifully and shook her head. "Don't be. You must be busy."

"It's fine."

"That's a relief. I don't want to interfere with your work."

Tezuka smiled and tapped on the wine glass in front of him. "So, where do you live?"

Yukimura relaxed onto the back rest. "Almost an hour drive, but it's not bad."

"I see." Tezuka's eyes divert to his glass wine.

"I heard from your family that you never had a girlfriend."

Tezuka's eyes looked up at Yukimura. Well, she was straightforward. Tezuka nodded. "How about you?"

"Not at the moment."

"Ah."

"I'm currently modeling for my dad's company. He said I should stop dating and get married. I guess I must be at the age to settle down in his standards."

Tezuka bobbed his head, indicating that he was listening. "Have you found the right person?"

Yukimura took a sip from her wine glass. She looked as if she was reluctant to give an answer.

Tezuka eyed her observantly. "So you have a candidate."

"I'm sorry."

Tezuka looked at her with confusion. "Why?"

"I am supposed to be here with the thought of falling in love with you, but…"

Tezuka simply smiled. "Don't be. To be honest, I don't plan on getting married soon. My sister suggested that I should at least meet you, if anything befriend you."

Yukimura's eyes brightened and she looked more comfortable. "Truly?"

Tezuka nodded.

She let out a relieved sigh. "I was worrying over nothing then."

"Well, I guess we're friends then?"

Yukimura nodded and the food came.

After lunch, Yukimura had to leave right away for her medical appointment.

Inui showed up right after and took the seat in front of Tezuka. "She looked quite happy. Got a catch?"

Tezuka regarded Inui with a lightly scrunch of the forehead. "We're friends."

Inui seemed disappointed. "I thought you really got her. She is a beauty."

Tezuka shrugged and finished his glass of wine.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're gay or really have no interest in romance at all."

Tezuka glared at Inui.

"Hahaha. Just kidding." Inui raised both hands up in surrender and stood up.

"Whatever, I need to get back."

Inui walked Tezuka to his car and he drove off.

He slowed his car down to a stop in front of the red light. While waiting, he looked around at the busy stores on the sidewalk and the pedestrians walking by happily.

It had stopped raining.

The sound of the pedestrian walking signal alerted him that the light was green. He stepped on the gas pedal and the car propel forward slowly. Before his car picked up the speed, a car ran a red light zoomed right across his car. In an instant, he reflexively swerved his car to the left, luckily avoiding friction, but not so lucky when he looked out from his window pane and saw a pedestrian in front of his moving car. He stepped on the brake hard, hearing screeching noises his tires made.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Fuji just got out of his school and now he was on his way to his work place. He waited for the pedestrian sign to light up to cross the street. He was one third to the other side when he heard a loud vrooming and then the pedestrians screamed as they scurried to the sidewalk, trying to avoid the speeding car that violated the red light.

It was a chaos, and the only thing in his mind was to get off the road because the cars that tried to avoid friction were swerving around dangerously.

But a small child in the middle of the crosswalk made him run into the middle of the street instead of the other way. When he reached the child, he heard a loud screeching sound and he looked up to see a car going toward him. He hugged the child protectively and tightly and crouched down the cement. It was too late to run away.

After a moment when the screeching sound stopped, Fuji looked up with shaky eyes. He looked around and saw people running toward him and the child in his arms. He thought he was dead with only his spirit seeing what was around them.

Until the child ran out his arms to her mother did he realize he was still alive and uninjured. He was still breathing heavily when a man tugged on his shoulders, asking him if he was alright.

Fuji turned his dazed eyes to the man's face. Slowly his eyes widened and he blinked, staring at the man's face.

"Are you alright?"

Fuji nodded absentmindedly.

"Are you sure?" The man looked worried.

Fuji merely nodded lightly again.

The man frowned, as if expecting Fuji to say that he was hurt somewhere. "…Alright." He removed his hands from Fuji's shoulders and reached into a pant pocket, pulling out his wallet. "Here's my business card. If you find out you're injured somewhere later on, give me a call."

Fuji took the card, without shifting his gaze away from the man. He nodded again.

The man smiled and stood up. Fuji watched the man moved into his car as he drove away. The other cars slowly detangled from the mess. The policemen were there to file reports on any damage.

Fuji stood up when the man's car was out of sight. He blinked again thinking that was the handsomest man with the warmest smile he had ever seen in his life. He looked down at the business card. He blinked. "Tezuka Kunimitsu."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

After work, he remembered to bring home a slice of cake for Akaya, who was the only one in his family had a sweet tooth.

Good thing the weather calmed down somewhat, at least there wasn't any wind, but it was still drizzling outside. On one hand he held an umbrella over his head and the other he held the little box of cake.

He stood at the curb line, waiting for a walking signal that he had just missed a minute ago. He pushed the button on the pole and waited, looking ahead.

Cars going across vroomed pass him on green light. Then yellow light, the cars slowed down. On red, the cars stopped.

Fuji was about to take a step down the road when a familiar man in a familiar car at the front of the line looking down at his phone in the driver's seat. Fuji blinked and smiled wider.

Tezuka Kunimitsu, the man from earlier.

He was so happy and was about to tap on the car window when a pedestrian bumped into him, reminding him that the signal had gone off some seconds ago and that he needed to go home.

He sighed and crossed the street after a last longing look at Tezuka.

Rich people.