Title: How to Get Out of Debt

Chapter 1: Prologue

Disclaimer: I don't own, you can't sue. Comprende?

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-Hello?-

Ichigo Kurosaki was a proud man- a very successful one at that. At the age of twenty-two, he was already known as a prestigious business man who was a candidate to inherit one of the biggest companies in Japan, Shinigami Inc.

In a dog-eat-dog world, Ichigo would be the one on top. Women would always fawn over him, and men wanted nothing but to be on his good side. He was always in absolute power; no one could order him around. But if so, why was the said Ichigo Kurosaki running as fast as he could down the sidewalk to his job? Because his boss called him. Yes, even Ichigo had someone who ordered him around, and that man would be Yamamoto Shigekuni- the most powerful man in Japan.

Stupid old man, he thought, Just wait until I take over. You won't be ordering me around again...

Even so, Ichigo continued sprinting until he reached the largest building in sight: Shinigami Inc. With a large huff, he ran furiously towards the nearest elevator that had just decided to close.

"No!" he yelled, as the open space became narrower by the second, "Keep it open, you morons!"

The people in the elevator gave him a dumb stare before the elevator door shut completely. Ichigo banged his hand onto the metal.

"You stupid people! When someone asks you to keep it open, keep it open!" he vented to no one in particular.

"Shut up, Kurosaki. You're making a fool of yourself," another figure said calmly, pressing the up button.

Who the fuck does this guy think he is? He thought.

"Who the fuck do you think you are," he snarling, turning to glare at whoever had enough balls to call him a fool.

His deep brown eyes were met with a wrinkly face and bright white hair.

Shit.

"Y-Yamamoto!" he stammered in surprise.

"Kurosaki."

Ichigo coughed slightly and covered his mouth with his arm.

Cussing at your boss isn't going to help get you a promotion... he thought, still a little flushed.

"You called for me," he asked, hoping the old man would brush his outburst aside.

At this time, the elevator decided to open, allowing Ichigo and Yamamoto to step inside.

"I did," the old man answered, pressing the button to the top floor without sparing the orange-haired business so much as a glance.

A few seconds passed without a word being uttered, and the silence was beginning to get on his nerves.

"You plan on telling me why, old man?" he asked, showing his irritation through his face.

"I do," the old man answered, followed up by silence.

Ichigo was almost sure that there would be a bright red vein pulsating from the top of his forehead.

Patience, he reasoned, You messed up once already, no need to do it again.

Suddenly, a light ding sound was heard as the elevator doors opened. Yamamoto was the first to step out, leaving Ichigo to follow him a few steps behind. Even with his cane, the CEO was fast for someone his age.

Ichigo snorted. Fast.

"Mr. Shigekuni." the old man's secretary greeted.

"Chojiro." he nodded and walked on.

Two men of little words in the morning, Ichigo thought as Yamamoto walked into his office.

Ichigo entered as well, just in time to see the old man sit at his desk. He knew he was to be told the reason of his summons now, if ever. He could feel the tension build up in the room. Even the air seemed to thicken as his boss gave him a long stare.

It's gonna be something big, he told himself.

"Ichigo," Yamamoto started.

Here it comes!

"You'll be scrubbing the employee toilets for a week," he stated bluntly.

WHAT?, he mentally yelled in rage.

"Don't think I had forgotten about your little scene this morning. This will be your punishment," the old man said with a wrinkly, cheeky grin.

Ichigo could only gape. There were thirteen floors in the Shinigami Inc. building. Each floor having two bathrooms with twelve stalls- perhaps some had even more than that!

"B-but-!" he stuttered in protest.

The old man looked at him sharply, "This is your punishment, Kurosaki, and you shall take it if you even hope to qualify as my successor."

That instantly shut Ichigo up.

"Now, back to the reason as to why you've been summoned. I take it you are curious, correct?" he asked.

Ichigo nodded.

Yamamoto laced his fingers as his business aura began to flood the room, "As you know, I plan on retiring soon. Usually, it would be the children of the CEO to inherit the company, but seeing that I have no heirs to pass the company to, I have to pick from one of my employees. I'm sure you think that you are qualified for the position, but it's not only you. Although you are one of my favorite choices, Toshiro Hitsugaya and Aizen Sosuke are also very outstanding candidates."

Toshiro... and Aizen?

Ichigo began to laugh hysterically, pounding his fist on the desk.

"And what, may I ask, would be so funny, Kurosaki?" he asked.

"Ha-haha! Those guys are my competition! The shorty and pansy? This is to good! Bwahahahahahaha!" Ichigo howled, clenching his stomach in his fit of laughter.

"You would be surprised," Yamamoto said briefly before sending a sharp look in Ichigo's direction. "Now shut up and listen."

Ichigo's laughter stopped immediately.

"Since there are three of you to choose from, I am having a difficult time deciding. So I have decided to have a little test. The winner will become the CEO of Shinigami Inc." Yamoto informed the now alert businessman.

"A... test?" Ichigo questioned.

"Yes. Seeing that I have made an agreement with a client, your test will be to make this woman marry you by this exact day next year," he stated.

Ichigo was speechless, but one word rang through his head over, and over again.

"M-mary?"