Disclaimer: Hana yori dango obviously doesn't belong to me.

But I love it. My first HYD fic. Enjoy.

Her mother had just chased Doumyouji Kaede out of the house, very much to her surprise. Tsukushi had briefly thought her mother might have accepted Doumyouji Kaede's money, considering her parents obsession with money.

'I'm telling you, that woman is really too much!' her mother ranted on.

'She's practically throwing money into our faces. I really think it's time.'

Tsukushi thought groggily. What time? Her mother had an unusually, untypical serious expression on her face.

'Tell what?' she asked.

'I… we… Oh, we'll just wait for your dad to come back home first.'

She wondered what was going on. Her mother sat facing her, spacing out probably thinking about something. Something was definitely up. Tsukushi sat opposite her mother, sat in confused silence. Life was complicated enough, what else more to add? Dad came back 2 hours later. Mom hurriedly rushed to him, whispering something quickly into his ear. The expression on his face could be considered hilarious if Tsukushi hadn't felt so lost. It was a very important issue. Their expressions gave it all away.

'Tsukushi.' Her parents sat opposite her, across the dining table.

'Mom, Dad. If there's anything, just say it!'

'We never thought we would tell this to you. But firstly, we're getting quite irritated with that woman's behaviour to you. Secondly, because he's dying, we really have to tell you.' Said her father, with the same, unusual austere expression.

'Who's dying?' Tsukushi was most confused by the minute. Her mind felt scrambled and tired.

'Tsukushi, you're… you're not our real daughter.' Her mother said hesitantly. Tsukushi's eyes widened, she gasped.

Her father started to explain.' Sixteen years ago, your real parents gave you to us. Your real mother was seriously ill and greatly weakened after your birth. Your father, a renowned businessman was declared bankrupt due to the economic slump. He was to be sent to jail regarding something about fraud and breach of trust.' Tsukushi nodded silently, blankly, to indicate that she was listening.

Her mother continued,' Your dad, as in him (she poked her husband) was working in your real father's company. I was good friends with your deceased mother. So when we heard the mess they were in, we decided to adopt you.' Tsukushi didn't know how to react. Her head spun, she sat there stunned.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered enough courage to ask,' Who is my real father? Is he still in jail? He's dying? Why?' A series of questions, indicating her confused mental state. Her mother patted her hand.

' No. he's not in jail, in fact he went to America 5 years back. And you should be quite familiar with the name: Matsumoto Ryu.' Tsukushi's jaw almost hit the floor. Matsumoto Ryu ? Billionaire extraordinaire, hotel chain tycoon, steel industry magnate with a PR and Printing empire. Her father? This was a sick joke of some kind.

' Mom, dad, you all are kidding right ?' Both shook their head.

'As we said, we planned to keep you forever, even though we guessed he'd want you back some day. And looking at the circumstances…'

'Wait. Why would he suddenly want me back since he didn't care at all for the past 16 years?'

'Difficulties, Tsukushi. Anyway, Matsumoto-san has got terminal cancer. He said so.' So that was why one week ago when her father answered a call, his face paled in shock. In fact both of them were acting weird the past week. And she'd been too preoccupied with other things to ask why.

'But I think the biggest reason he wants to see you? Tsukushi, you are the sole heiress to the Matsumoto Empire.'

Tsukushi fainted.