Chapter One: Signed Up
Fujioka Haruhi was a respectable woman in her early twenties. She was half way through her law degree and currently worked in an office as an assistant, as well as waitressing around casual cafes. She was naturally bright, hard working and attractive. She was content with life; in the past years her life had been smooth and full of good predicable things.
Oh yes, she was also engaged for 7 months.
"Sorry I'm late!" A bunch of flowers was thrust onto the table. Through sweaty hair, ruffled shirt and bags piling with folders and pen, he grimaced apologetically. She smiled back automatically before the expression faded away.
"Been busy?" She asked her fiancé, while watching through the window, people swarming past the street.
"Yeah," Kairi took off his jacket, hung it on his chair, smiled at the cute waitress and ordered two coffees. "You wouldn't believe it, the bus driver I met today!"
"What happened today?" Haruhi absently played with the zip on her sleeve.
"You know I left work fairly early and I walked down to the bus stop. I was standing there-"
Haruhi frowned slightly. "I thought you finished at six."
"I finished at four," He waved her concern aside. "I was standing at the side of the road-"
"Mmm." Haruhi watched a lone dark figure standing by the side of the road.
"-I was waiting for the bus to come-"
The dark figure was tall, the outline sharp and clear. Maybe that was why she was idly looking at that person in the shadows.
"The bus came, and I was walking at a normal pace-"
The sun shifted and the shadows lifted. The person standing by the side of the road was a very tall professionally dressed man. His hair was artfully arranged, and presumably dyed in an interesting shade of red.
"Like as in walking like that waitress over there-"
Nice suit, Haruhi thought as she eyed the man's expensive and fashionable attire. She recognized the internationally known brand symbol on the pocket. A sleek black BMW slid towards him.
"I got to the curb-"
The car door opened and Haruhi glimpsed a beautifully clad ladies' foot touch the curb. The man bowed, presumably to kiss the ladies hand. Haruhi sighed inwardly. So many rich people in this city.
"I thought the bus would stop, like it usually does- oh coffee. Thank you," he grinned at the waitress who brought it.
"Yeah, it usually does," Haruhi tore her gaze away from the rich couple outside and accepted her coffee. Her fiancé was looking indignant now.
"But it didn't! The bus driver totally ignored me!"
"That's not nice," Haruhi commented. She resumed watching the streets outside. The man was still there. He had straightened up now and seemed to be engaged in a conversation with the beautiful lady inside the car.
"I had to wait another twenty minutes. Twenty minutes!-"
Haruhi wondered why they were still at the side of the street. Gees, you aren't even allowed to stop the car there. I guess no one likes to tell off rich people. Why don't you just get in the car? She thought at the man. He half turned around to point at something, and Haruhi's heart caught in her throat because it was almost as if he had heard her. She glimpsed high angled cheekbones and arrogant eyes before he turned around again.
"At least I managed to grab these roses for you," Kairi nudged the wrapped flowers, still lying on the table from where he had thrown them.
"Thanks," Haruhi replied quickly, returning to look into Kairi's face.
"Hey, would you look at this?" he exclaimed, pointing at the newspaper on their table. Haruhi liked this café because you could always read the spare magazines and newspapers lying on each table. "What is it?" She squinted at the colorful ad, promoting a new type of toothpaste. "It's just an advertisement." She chanced a glance back onto the street. The black BMW and therefore the man were gone.
"No here," he pointed at the small text at the bottom. "Fiancée Swap."
"Recruitment for reality TV?" Haruhi asked wryly. "I hate those."
"No, it's not for TV. But it's interesting, how it says it's a test for how much you love your fiancée."
"Weird," Haruhi wrinkled her nose and sipped her now cooled coffee. "By being with someone else's fiancée? You test for how you really love your own?"
"Yeah," Kairi squinted to read the fine print.
"Do you love me?" Haruhi asked jokingly. She twisted the engagement ring on her finger.
"Of course I do," Kairi laughed.
"Better do this to check!" Haruhi pointed at the newspaper. They finished their coffees.
"Stupid to do that-" Kairi finally commented.
"What?" Haruhi picked up her bag, thinking about which bus she would need to catch.
"The finacee swap thing."
"Oh yes, that."
"I guess I'll see you on the weekend," Kairi swung his heavy bags on his shoulders. They walked out to the late afternoon streets.
"Yes." He kissed her briefly on the mouth. "Have a good n-"
"Hey, are you two engaged?" An excited voice interrupted them. Haruhi stared at the woman standing besides them. She had a number of leaflets in one hand, and was dressed in a curious green uniform. She glanced at the ring on Haruhi's finger.
"Yes…" Kairi grinned at her. "Recently."
"Why do you ask?" Haruhi questioned the woman slowly.
"Would you like to participate in our program?" She handed out her leaflets. "Our researchers will pay you to help them in their projects."
"How much?" was Kairi's immediate question.
"1000 000 yen," the woman replied promptly.
"EHHH??" both were equally shocked.
"Wait, what is this program? Will it interfere with our jobs and lives?" Haruhi asked.
"Yes and no," the woman replied brightly. "Basically what we'll be doing is swapping fiancées among couples. What our researchers want to know is-"
"What?" Kairi cried. "That program advertised in the newspapers?"
"That one," the woman nodded. "Are you interested?"
Kairi and Haruhi glanced at each other uneasily. "Ten thousand yen…"
"Each," the woman emphasized. "And it's only for a week."
"We'll do it," Kairi and Haruhi both nodded. They glanced at each in surprise at their prompt decisions. Each hadn't even thought about it properly! "But only for a week." The woman was delighted and started taking both of their details down.
"Whatever the case," Kairi looked at his fiancée hastily, "Remember, I only love you."
"I only love you," Haruhi replied back. "Ten thousand yen for a week. Easy money."
"Oh," the woman chucked as she took their phone numbers, "it's not always easy."
"Why do you say that?" Haruhi asked.
"Depends on who you're paired with." She winked and left them to stand in the setting sun.
Who I'm paired with? Haruhi frowned. Who could I possibly be paired with, who is difficult? That rich arrogant man I saw on the streets today with his BMW? Of course not.
"I don't know what she is talking about," Haruhi told Kairi calmly.
"Neither."
A/N: I couldn't resist writing this when I hit on the idea. I know I am writing several stories already but! This will be fun! Comments/suggestions/crit. Welcome.
lu.e3