-1- The Test To Debut

Paper scattered everywhere and a furious Midori Hinamori glared at her own daughter in utter disbelief. "Once again, you went and did something selfish Amu," Midori shouted, "now what am I going to do?"

"Please don't be so upset," Midori's assistant said, picking up the paper from the floor. "Amu has talent."

"Talent has nothing to do with this. You shouldn't help her Lulu," Midori muttered sitting down at her desk. She returned her gaze on Amu who clearly was trying to not get on her nerves anymore than she already did. "Why did you go and submit that manuscript?"

Amu Hinamori gulped, knowing her reason was one that would get her into further trouble with her mother. "I didn't have much of a reason… it was by mistake."

"Mistake," Midori repeated with rage, "you mistakenly finished off another author's manuscript that I was editing and submitted it. Do you know what you're doing? The rightful author of that story is furious. A press conference was held and the author has announced to the world that I, as the editor has stolen her unfinished work and published it. I need to pay up for your mistake and because of this, currently no authors are willing to let me be their editor."

"That annoying author," Amu murmured, tapping her feet, "we published a completed story not an unfinished one. How does that count as stealing her unfinished work? Besides I was the one who wrote the second half of that story…"

"AMU," Midori raised her voice, "you still dare to say such things. Have you no shame of what you have done? No reasons you give will fix this mess. I'm so mad at you right now, I don't even want to see your face."

Amu stared at the floor, slightly hurt by her mother's words. She knew she was wrong but, what is done is done. Even if she wanted to change the past, there was no way she could. Besides it wasn't entirely her fault if her mother left the manuscript out in the open to tempt her. It was also partly her mother's fault that she's developed such a passion to become a writer.

"Midori, that's rather harsh."

Midori immediately stood up to greet her boss who had just entered the room. "Please take a seat director Tsukassa. Lulu bring some tea."

"Yes," Lulu answered, walking out the room.

"I am deeply sorry for what has happened," Midori said, bowing. "I had no idea my stupid daughter there had done such an outrageous thing."

"It's fine Midori," Tsukassa said, "take a seat. You too Amu."

Amu sat down as instructed and avoided her mother's stare. She concentrated on Tsukassa, who seemed to be a nice person.

"The company has explained to both the author and readers about this incident. I must say, this is one strange case. The editor taking only the first half of an authors work and publishing it with the second half completed by someone else."

Lulu came bustling in the room again carrying a cup of tea with her. She set it down on the table before the director and stood to the side after closing the door.

Tsukassa took a sip of his hot tea before continuing, "I personally told the press that it was an extremely silly mistake made by our printing department. It's announced that apparently two completely different manuscripts were mixed up together, so the published work of one story somehow ended up with the work of two authors. Everything is resolved. Obviously, there are still speculations about your responsibility as an editor Midori and all I can say is, continue to try your best."

"I most certainly will," Midori said. "I won't let such a thing happen again."

Tsukassa nodded. He turned his attention to Amu now. "Were you the one who wrote the ending of that manuscript?"

"Yes," Amu simply replied.

"Why did you submit it?"

"Are you questioning me?" Amu asked, eyeing Tsukassa.

"Don't be rude Amu," Midori warned, "answer the director."

Amu sighed, "it was a completed story after I've written the second part. I was proud of that story and I didn't really think but submitted it."

"You have confidence in your writing," Tsukassa commented.

"Of course," Amu said with a small smile, "it has always been my dream to become a famous writer just like the legendary author who wrote-"

"Will you stop talking about that book," Midori grabbed Amu and whispered, "it's annoying how obsessed you are with it."

Tsukassa laughed, "yeah I understand." He picked up a freshly printed manuscript in the printer that Midori has yet to examine and took a glance at it before setting it onto her desk. "That legendary author who captured the hearts of all those that read his work. I still love that one book as well." He turned to look at Amu again, "you know, a lot of people are interested in who that second author is in that printed story. We had many feedback saying how well written and how touching the ending was. It was a success in its own way. Do you wish to become a true author Amu?"

"Director Tsukassa," Midori began.

"I've read the part you wrote. For a simple romantic story, it was very dreamy and truly heart-moving. Would you like to try properly writing your own story and debuting?" Tsukassa asked.

Amu practically jumped off from her seat. She took Tsukassa's hand and shook it, "I'd love to be an author. It will be a pleasure to work with you. Please take care of me."

"Then I'll need to prepare-"

"There's no need," Midori spoke, standing up as well. "Although director, I am honoured that you think my daughter is capable of becoming an author I must decline your offer in allowing her to debut."

"Your reason," Tsukassa said.

"Amu is still in high school, she's only 16. Most of the novels and stories we manage are from the genre of romance. I strongly believe a young girl like my daughter lacks the experience of love to be able to write with talent, a realistic tale about love."

"But Amu's writing was definitely very moving," Lulu commented, "it didn't feel like it was a child or an inexperienced person's writing. She fully captured the characters emotions and developed them in a way that was most realistic. I think she does have talent."

"Lulu is right. I also think her talent can make up for her lack of experience."

"We aren't certain of her talent yet," Midori stated, "she's only written half a story that the public happens to love. If she is to debut, I must be certain that she has what it takes to be an author. The genre of romance is a competitive one. I don't want to waste time on someone who won't do well."

Irritated, Amu stood before her mother, firmly gazing back at her, "I know that Mrs Hinamori is the 'flawless editor' of romance novels and anyone who debut under you do extremely well. I understand if you wish to make certain of my skills. So what are you going to do?"

Midori eyed her hot-headed daughter carefully, knowing as soon as Amu had decided to do something she won't stop until she completes it. That kind of attitude was precisely like hers. No one can deny that they were daughter and mother. Midori smiled, suddenly having came up with a bright idea to play around with her daughter's determination, "director Tsukassa. Will you allow me to test her to judge her effort and talent? If I and you both end up approving her skills as a writer, we'll let her debut as our new rising author."

"I think that is fair," Tsukassa agreed.

Amu smiled pointing a finger at her mother in a really cool manner, "bring it on. I'll show you I can write anything and I will surpasses the legendary author."

"I like your spirit," Tsukassa smiled, "I'm looking forward to this. What is the test Midori?"

Midori let out a rather evil grin, "Amu must debut under a fake name and become famous in the genre…erotic! Furthermore, she must write that erotic novel from the perspective of a guy."

"WHAT?" Amu gasped immediately, not expecting her mother to be so sly.

"You can't do it," Midori taunted Amu, "well as a talented writer you should be able to write any kinds of genres. Even if you have no experience at all, if you possess the talent of an author, anything is possible. Can you do it? I'd advise you to give up sooner than embarrass yourself."

Amu clenched her fists. There was no way she would let her sly mother get the better of her. It has always been like this. Midori was the best mother in the world to Amu. Midori truly loved Amu and most of the time they think the same way apart from on one subject, Amu's ambition to become a romance author. Midori was somehow very opposed to it. Amu never understood why, but seeing her mother's grin, she was even more fired up to pass the challenge now. She may be opposing her mothers wish, but this was her dream. "I'll do it. I will debut with an erotic novel."

"Ok, its decided then. Amu, you will use the name Kurusu Reiji," Tsukassa announced, "the deadline for your first manuscript will be in 32 days. I wish you luck." Tsukassa left the room swiftly, winking at Midori as he did.

"You'll need a editor," Midori pointed out.

"Aren't you going to be my editor?" Amu asked.

"I'm way too busy to be babysitting you," Midori said. She looked at her assistant Lulu and pointed at her, "Lulu de morcerf Yamamoto, is my current assistant editor in training. She will be your editor and I'll pass her if you debut and become famously."

"Hold it," Lulu protested, "how can you just go and decide that. What if Amu fails?"

"As an editor you must make sure your author doesn't fail. I'm killing two birds with one stone. I'll be testing both of you," Midori said, sitting back down at her desk. "Both of you can quit as another option."

"NO WAY," both Lulu and Amu exclaimed. "We'll be off right now to start our masterpiece."

"One thing," Midori shouted just as Lulu and Amu was about to leave. "Your not allowed to do anything erotic Amu. As a mother, I forbid such indecent acts from my daughter. Of course for the challenge, imagining and writing about it is fine."

"Wait," Lulu began, "how is she going to write about erotic stuff if-"

"Give up now," Midori mouthed with a smirk on her face.

Amu pulled a face before dragging Lulu out Midori's office. "Hurry, bring me as many erotic novels as you can find. I'll read them all and start writing."

"Are you serious Amu?" Lulu questioned, "how can you write about erotic stuff from just reading about it and not experiencing it."

"Does not matter," Amu said, pressing her lips together, "I'm a author. My weapon is my imagination. I can do it."

"Alright," Lulu said, running off before Amu to get the books. Lulu returned to the Hinamori's house where Amu was waiting for her in the living room. She dropped the pile of erotic books before Amu and went into the kitchen to make some snacks, giving Amu time to read. Lulu was slightly anxious now, her whole future as an editor depended on Amu's success. She wasn't an expert in erotic books either but she would do her absolute best to make sure both of them passed. They can do it if they try. Thinking more positively now, Lulu bought the snacks out into the living room. "How is it going?"

Amu handed her a piece of paper, "I've read some of those books and here is my draft."

"A draft already," Lulu said excited. She took it from Amu, reading it and her face became that of a monsters. She scrunched the paper up throwing in onto the floor, "don't kid around. How is that a draft? It only had two sentences altogether. The boy and girl fell in love. The boy and girl did erotic stuff. The third sentence if I count it as one, the end."

Amu shrugged. "My mind simply went blank. I tried reading those erotic books but I fell asleep as soon as it got to the erotic part."

"You," Lulu said holding a fist up at Amu, "my future depends on this and I won't let you fail you milk smelling princess."

Amu leered at Lulu, "who are you calling a milk smelling princess?"

"A virgin is a milk smelling princess," Lulu stated. "Damn, you're absolutely no good at this rate."

"Who cares if I'm a virgin. What matters is if I can write erotic-"

"As I've been saying, how are you going to write if you don't know about it. Don't you forget, you have to write this from the perspective of a guy as well. This test is way harder than you think," Lulu reminded Amu.

There was silence in the room for the following few minutes whilst both Amu and Lulu calmed themselves down. "We'll start by getting to know what erotic stuff is like. We'll rent a porn movie and watch it."

"Is that going to actually work?"

"Have you got any brighter ideas then?" Lulu snapped at Amu, "we better not waste any time. Let's go."

The movie played. The moans from the actors filling the rather quiet room. Lulu sat staring at the TV though she kept glancing away from the screen. She was an adult, she knew this kind of stuff, well it was still embarrassing to watch this. "This is kind of intense isn't it?" Lulu whispered. Hearing no response she turned to look at Amu and rage filled her as she shook Amu. "WAKE UP! AMU HINAMORI, HOW DARE YOU FALL ASLEEP! WHEN DID YOU FALL ASLEEP?"

A surprised Amu woke, yawning, staring at a angered Lulu, "I think I fell asleep from the moment those two took off their clothes."

"That's the bloody beginning of the movie, the only part where no erotic stuff happened," Lulu shouted, "What the hell do you think your doing? How can you learn about erotic stuff if you fall asleep?"

Amu sighed, turning the TV off, "I really couldn't stop myself from falling asleep. Maybe I should really give up. I can't write erotic stuff."

"Don't give up so easily," Lulu commanded. She took deep breaths, calming herself down once more. "We'll approach this in another way. Do you have a boyfriend?"

Amu blushed and a happy smile filled her face. "I-I do. He's wonderful, he's smart and kind and-"

"Do it with him," Lulu ordered.

Amu blinked at Lulu.

"If you have a boyfriend you love then just do it with him. That way, you will know about erotic stuff and then you can write-"

"I can't do that," Amu said with certainty. "I can't betray mother's expectations and Tadase is a really gentle person." She smiled warmly at the mention of Tadase, "Tadase is from a prestigious family and I'm sure he thinks the same way as I do. Things like erotic stuff is only alright after marriage. He's a real prince. Oh, I wouldn't want him to think badly of me either. Only ungraceful girls talk and think about erotic stuff."

Lulu dropped to the floor, clenching at her head that was hurting now. What the hell was she to do now? Amu refuses to cooperate or do anything about their current hopeless situation. Amu was a really innocent virgin alright, Lulu thought, there has to be a way to get that innocent girl to think erotically or motivate her. Lulu shot Amu a sharp glance, "are you seriously giving up? Midori was right. You truly lack talent."

Amu's happy expression left her immediately, the thought of Tadase gone as well. Lulu watched as Amu's body seem to shake in an odd way. Was she mad? Amu wrapped her arms around herself. Something didn't seem right to Lulu, Amu's body was seriously shaking badly. "Hey are you alright?"

Amu turned to face Lulu, her leering eyes gazing at Lulu so intensely that she felt a chill run through her body. Amu seemed different now, she gave off a crazy feeling.

"I'll pretend I never heard any of that Lulu de Morcerf Yamamoto," Amu hissed walking into the kitchen. She pulled a piece of paper out from a drawer and started writing on it before attaching it to the fridge. "Hurry up and prepare the car. We're going to get inspiration."

Lulu smiled as she got ready, finally Amu was being serious. That prideful look on Amu's face was definitely something to behold. Lulu got into the car and waited for Amu to lock the door before joining her. Lulu started up the car, "So where are we going?"

"LOST EDEN," Amu said.

Lulu stepped on the brakes, stopping the car out of shock. "Amu, you can't possibly mean…"

"Yes," Amu said more assertively, "the most famous host club in this area… LOST EDEN."

Lulu stared at Amu, unable to comprehend her thoughts. "Amu, I'm not so certain you know what your saying. You're only 16, to go to a Host club like Lost Eden… I thought you wanted to rent more porn or something but going to that place is ridiculous."

"Does it not serve my purpose being at that place?" Amu retorted. "Clearly, watching those stupid porn videos and reading erotic novels doesn't inspire me. However, why should I be working so hard when I can get first hand information from a Host club. Think carefully Lulu, I'm writing this from the perspective of a guy. A host is the perfect person to provide me the quick education on erotica."

"Crazy. A innocent girl like you going to such a place is wrong. Me taking you there can be considered a crime. It is strict by the law that you must be at least 18 to enter those places in this area. If your mother finds out I'll be fired for sure."

"Do you not care about passing?" Amu questioned, "Lulu, you were the one who pushed me to be serious and I'll have you know once I decide to do something, there's no going back. Are you with me?"

Lulu gripped onto the stirring wheel and stepped on the accelerator, heading towards Lost Eden, a place so famous, she's heard of it but never been herself. Gamble, she'll take this as a gamble of her future and on this girl's crazy pride, on this girl's hidden talent as a author.