-1- A Fitting Girl
Ikuto Tsukiyomi stared at his uncle with utter resentment, as he stood leaning against the wall of the office and listened intently to him speak. Despite how infuriating some of the things he was hearing, there was nothing he could say back. He waited until his uncle had completely finished before he gave his answer. With a emotionless expression on his face, Ikuto walked over to Kazuomi Hoshina's desk, leaning over him as he hissed, "is that all uncle? Are you sure that is everything I have to do? You wouldn't have deliberately left out any details now would you?"
Kazuomi Hoshina turned his gaze away from Ikuto who seemed to be intimidating him with his cold attitude to the subject at matter. If Ikuto wasn't the son of his sister Souko, if Ikuto wasn't his daughter's favourite then he would not resort to such dirty tactics to keep Ikuto Tsukiyomi in his place. "As long as you fulfil my requirements Ikuto, our agreement will be kept. I am a businessmen and businessmen keep their words."
Kazuomi pushed a piece of paper towards Ikuto. Without taking his stare off from his uncle, Ikuto grabbed a pen on the desk and signed his name onto the contract, believing he will succeed in fulfilling the requirements and he will take control. There was nothing he couldn't do after all and a measly contract such as this one had too many loop holes for Ikuto to cheat.
Ikuto smirked turning to leave the office, "I understand. I will find a suitable candidate and show you I am mature enough to take over my parents company."
"It's good to be ambitious," Kazuomi said, "but we shall see. I await your good news." Kazuomi let out a deep sigh as Ikuto left his office. He held the contract in his hand, knowing that Ikuto will never win. "I'm sorry Souko," Kazuomi whispered, taking a glance at the family photo on his desk, "I cannot allow your son to take anything of the company. He doesn't deserve it. Everything has to remain in the Hoshina's hand."
Outside Kazuomi Hoshina's office Ikuto was greeted by Kukai, his one close friend and his retainer. "Did you hear everything then?" Ikuto asked, walking towards the lift as Kukai handed Ikuto his jacket.
Kukai Souma smiled, trying to suppress the small laughter that was building up within him. They got into the lift and Kukai reached to press the basement button, where the car park for the company was. As soon as the lift doors closed, Kukai answered Ikuto's question, "it seems that Kazuomi Hoshina knows you very well. He most certainly gave you a hard task to complete."
"You think something like that would trip me up in my goals?" Ikuto questioned, though he didn't need an answer from Kukai as he continued himself, "I don't know how the company has ended up in uncle's control but legally, I should be the one to inherit it. No matter how much he doesn't want to, he'll have to give it to me eventually, but…"
"You're worried that Kazuomi Hoshina would use some sort of trick to stay in control of the company, so you'd prefer to take it from his hands as soon as possible. You even went as far as to agreeing to his ridiculous terms," Kukai finished for Ikuto.
The doors of the lift opened and they both stepped out, walking casually over to their car. Ikuto got the car keys out of his pocket and pressed the unlock button.
Having served Ikuto since he was a child, Kukai understood Ikuto's thoughts the best. Rather than a servant, it was more like they were close child-hood friends and they knew everything about each other. Kukai got comfy in the passenger seat and waited for Ikuto to start the car. "You have 32 hours to find a suitable candidate though. Is it really possible for you to complete such a task?" Kukai couldn't help but ask.
"I'm sure I can find a desperate soul somewhere out there who is willing to cooperate. I could just hire someone to play the part for me."
"Ikuto," Kukai almost shouted, worried about Ikuto's carefree attitude, "you can't hire yourself a wife. Besides it's not temporary, you're supposed to be married for at least two years to prove you're mature enough to Kazuomi. That is his requirement to handing over the company back to you for free. But if you mess up during these two years of your marriage, then everything's over. How can you say you'd just hire yourself a wife without any deep consideration?" Kukai took a deep breath before continuing, "Plus, you've only got 32 hours to find yourself a suitable bride, get married and start the contract. It's such a harsh deal; I can't believe you actually accepted it. Where are we going to find you a bride? Do you have anyone in mind already? Oh god, when you do sign the marriage papers, have you considered any other things, like beforehand, making sure your wife signs a contract to say she won't hold any assets of the company or-"
Kukai's ranting was cut off by Ikuto's sudden burst of laughter. Bewildered, Kukai could only half stare and half glare at his unreliable master. Did he really not care about this at all? This was serious matter; marriage could get tricky if not handled properly, especially if you were in a rich family such as the Tsukiyomi's and Hoshina's.
Feeling the uneasy atmosphere building up around Kukai, Ikuto immediately stopped laughing. He knew himself how serious this deal was but being like Kukai and worrying about it won't solve anything. He'd rather keep composed. "I'm sorry Kukai. I didn't mean to laugh just then."
"Really," Kukai muttered.
"Well, I'm not planning to marry for real," Ikuto said.
"What?" Kukai queried, "I didn't hear you wrong did I? You're planning to have a fake marriage and trick Kazuomi." Kukai sighed, "no wonder you were talking about hiring a wife. From the beginning you just wanted a girl to pretend to be your wife for two years. Seriously only you can come up with such schemes."
Ikuto shot Kukai a smile, "as if I'd get married for real and let my life be tied to a girl I don't even know." Ikuto's grip on the stirring wheel tightened, "if I can find an obedient girl who will be willing to be in this fake marriage for two years, I win. Nothing needs to be done with the girl; I'll make her sign a divorce agreement beforehand."
"And where are you going to find this girl?" Kukai asked directly.
"Possibly an amateur actress would do or a random girl on the street," Ikuto answered seriously.
Kukai shook his head, already deep in thought, trying to figure what Ikuto's options were and how best to disguise this fake marriage. Perhaps the only reason Kukai could feel slightly less nervous then before was because Ikuto wasn't going to marry for real. Ikuto had never been in love. He had dated girls on and off but there was never a girl, special enough to become his wife. At least Kukai can be relieved that Ikuto wasn't forcing himself to commit to a girl he didn't love. Then something struck Kukai, "what about Utau?"
Utau Hoshina was Kazuomi Hoshina's daughter, the only girl, Kukai could think of that is really close to Ikuto and himself, their childhood friend. There was silence as Kukai could tell that Ikuto was thinking things through.
Ikuto finally spoke, "if Utau wasn't his daughter then I'd be more inclined to consider her. If I marry Utau, I'll forever remain under Kazuomi Hoshina's influence, plus, I don't want to be so unfair to her."
Kukai nodded, not saying anything more. He realised mentioning Utau wasn't the greatest idea ever. Her identity as both Kazuomi Hoshina's daughter and Ikuto's childhood friend was conflicting. Kukai took a quick glance at Ikuto who kept silent now. Perhaps, the seriousness of the issue at hand finally struck him and he was thinking hard about 'who' should be the wife.
The traffic lights ahead turned amber, signalling for the quick change to red and for the car to stop but Ikuto didn't seem to stop or slow down. He was lost in thought after Kukai had mentioned Utau and he didn't notice the changing lights ahead. Kukai who noticed the lights quickly shouted at Ikuto but it was too late. As Ikuto stepped onto the breaks, the tires screeching from the sudden friction placed on them, there was a loud thud as a shadow seemed to flicker over the window. A splash of red was left where the shadow rolled off the window onto the floor in front of the halted car.
"Shit," Ikuto cursed, stepping out the car and running to the front, where a young girl lay. He gently brushed away the girl's pink/cerise coloured hair and patted her shoulders, "hey wake up. Are you alright?"
There was blood on the young girl's forehead and she was motionless in Ikuto's arms but she didn't seem to be bleeding excessively.
Kukai hurried out the car as well, already phoning for an ambulance.
Both Ikuto and Kukai waited outside the emergency unit.
"No one knows we're here right?" Ikuto whispered. "I don't want the paparazzi to make a big story out of this."
"Don't worry, no one knows," Kukai whispered back, "it wasn't entirely your fault though. That girl rushed out onto the road without looking properly."
"Have you found out anything about her?" Ikuto asked.
Kukai shook his head, "I don't know her identity. We'll have to wait and see. You should be thinking about your deal with Kazuomi Hoshina. You've lost 2 hours already and it's not an easy task to find a completely obedient girl. Any girl would start off being good but once they've signed the marriage papers and become Mrs Tsukiyomi, it's hard to be certain they won't start having any ulterior motives for money."
"Kukai, you sound more like a nagging grandpa that worries about everything than my butler," Ikuto commented.
Before Kukai could say anything, the curtains opened and the doctor stepped out. Ikuto and Kukai rushed over to see how the girl was doing.
The doctor greeted them, "she's passed the dangerous stage. She should be fine, however, she has hit her head pretty hard and that could impact to some brain damage which we don't know until she wakes up. It's also hard to tell when she will be able to wake up either. What relation are you to her?"
"Err," Ikuto hesitated, "her cousin."
"Ok," the doctor said, passing some paperwork to Ikuto, "please sign the following and register her into the hospital. You may visit her once she's in her room but don't stay too long." The doctor took the signed papers back from Ikuto and rummaged in his pocket for something. He held a trinket towards Ikuto, "this was in the girl's clothing."
"Yeah, thanks," Ikuto said taking the trinket from the doctor as he left to tend another patient.
"What is it?" Kukai asked, looking at the trinket in Ikuto's hand.
Ikuto studied the golden and ruby trinket in his hand, "this emblem is quite pretty isn't it; a very intricate design." He flipped it backwards and read the letters engraved on it, "Amu H."
"The girl's name," Kukai presumed, "let me see if I can find her family and contact them."
Ikuto nodded, letting Kukai do his task whilst he went into the girl's room, Amu's room. He sat by her bedside, watching her sleep there unconscious.
"Thank god I didn't kill you," Ikuto whispered, he stared at his watch and let out a heavy sigh. His expression was sullen as he stared at the pale cream coloured walls. Where am I going to find a girl? Ikuto questioned himself in his mind, Kukai was right to worry. I've only got 28 hours left and I'm still stuck in this hospital room. Maybe I could hook up a nurse but… why would a nurse want anything to do with a fake marriage. Patients in the hospital, I can get their records quickly but can I trust them is another matter. Ikuto sighed again, is Utau the only option? But I can't treat her that way; I can't be so unfair to her. Ikuto closed his eyes, his thoughts trailing away.
There was a few light knocks on the door. Kukai quietly entered the room and glanced from the girl to Ikuto who seemed to have fallen asleep. Kukai stepped back out the room and headed straight to the car. He initially wanted to report back to Ikuto to tell him that he found nothing on that girl named Amu, sleeping in the room, but he couldn't bring himself to wake Ikuto up, who must be tired from the entire ordeal. Kukai got into the car and began to drive, in search for a suitable bride for Ikuto. At least, this was the most he could do for his friend.
It must've been hours since Ikuto fell asleep from thinking. His eyes were still closed, unwilling to wake up and face whatever it was in his life right now. The mere thought of losing to Kazuomi in the deal was too much for him to accept, despite him setting out to complete it at all costs in the beginning. Ikuto was slightly awake now and the more he felt awake, the clearer the voice was heard.
It was a soft delicate voice, a female's voice, sweetly singing very near him. A tune that Ikuto knew very well but don't remember where and when he first acquainted himself with; the tune, Amazing Grace. A song that always warmed ones heart but this girl's voice, it melted his worries. Ikuto opened his eyes and looked up at the girl before him. She was awake now; she turned and looked at him with a sweet smile on her face.
"Hello," she said, slightly nervous, "were you looking after me?"
"Err," Ikuto stammered to say, "yes. Yes I was." It wasn't a complete lie; he was in the room to check on her after all, though it came as his duty because he was the one who hit her with his car. Now that this girl was awake, he could leave.
"Thank you," the girl said. She glanced around the place, looking lost.
Ikuto stood up, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run you over or anything. I'll pay for all the hospital fees and any compensation you want so don't worry. You should contact your family. I'll leave my number with the doctors so contact me if there is anything major. I'm leaving now."
"Wait," the girl said, grabbing hold of Ikuto's hand quickly before he even had the chance to move. She didn't speak, just stared at him.
Ikuto stood there for a few seconds puzzled, and then remembered the trinket in his pocket. He took it out and placed it into the girls hand, "I forgot to give this back to you. It's a very pretty emblem. Amu, is that your name?"
"Amu," the girl repeated, "is that my name?"
"What?"
The girl smiled, "I'm Amu. Amu is my name."
Ikuto stared at Amu. The way she looked at him as though expecting something from him was weird. Something seemed off about this girl.
"Can you let go?" Ikuto asked, "I need to go."
"Where," Amu asked directly, "where are you going?"
"That's none of your business."
"No, please," Amu suddenly called out rather tensely, "please, I don't know who I am. You've only told me my name so please, at least…" Tears started to spill from her eyes, "I don't know who I am… you, you looked after me so you must know me right? Who am I?"
No way, Ikuto thought to himself, this girl…. This girl, Amu, has lost her memories.
Ikuto lightly shoved Amu's hand away and immediately went to find a doctor. The doctor rushed into the room and gave Amu a quick check before stepping out to chat with Ikuto.
"It's possible that she has lost her memories from the accident. An impact to the head usually results in this. At the moment, I cannot predict whether it is short or long term memory loss, but do take good care of her. If you want her to remember, try going to places that she's been to and talk to her, but take things slowly," the doctor advised before leaving again.
Ikuto stared at Amu through the gap in the doorway, who was now curling herself up on the bed. She was trembling, her small shoulders shaking; she must be frightened that she has no memory, scared that she was and is a blank canvas, with nothing to define her.
There was a petite unease in Ikuto. He kind of felt sympathetic for her in a way. He shook his head, realising this was probably the first time he felt anything for someone else besides those already close to him, which was only his family, Kukai and Utau.
"Ikuto, you're awake," Kukai said, rushing towards him with a pile of paper in his hands, "I've been researching and these girls are possible for you to choose as…" Kukai paused, taking a look into the room, "oh, that girl's awake. Did the doctor say anything about her condition? How much do you need to pay her?"
"She's lost her memories," Ikuto said, "everything. She doesn't know who she is. When I told her, her name is Amu; she thought I named her or something." As Ikuto stared at Amu, a sudden thought struck him hard, she's lost her memories, and she's blank and empty.
"Oh god," Kukai said, staring at Amu, "there's nothing we can do though. Anyway back to the topic at hand… Ikuto…"
Ikuto ignored Kukai and entered the room again. As soon as he stepped in, Amu loosened up her tight cuddling of herself. She shovelled slightly forward towards Ikuto, still sitting on the bed.
"You don't know who you are?" Ikuto asked.
Amu sadly shook her head, though she didn't seem to be as nervous as before and she kept her gaze on Ikuto.
"Aren't you afraid?" Ikuto continued to ask, "Are you not afraid of me? You don't know who I am?"
"I don't," Amu answered truthfully, "but when I woke up, the first person I saw was you. Somehow, seeing you there besides me made me feel safe and I had this feeling that you were there watching over me, protecting me. I thought that even without my memories, it was a blessing I had someone by my side when I woke up so I-I guess, I don't feel scared about you."
"Ikuto," Kukai said stepping into the room in which is shut up immediately as Ikuto signalled for him to. What are you doing Ikuto? Kukai thought, you need to hurry and find yourself a fake bride.
Ikuto sat down besides Amu's bed again, "Amu, do you honestly not remember anything? You're name; you're family, what you like? What you hate?"
"I honestly don't," Amu answered with a sad expression. "I… I'm sorry I forgot you as well. Who are you?"
Ikuto smiled, "I'm your husband, Ikuto Tsukiyomi."
"Ikuto," Kukai shouted accidentally from shock, "what are you-"
Ikuto pointed towards Kukai, "that loud mouth over there is our butler, Kukai Souma." He pointed towards Amu, "You are my wife, Amu Tsukiyomi."
Amu smiled whilst blushing a little. Ikuto turned and gave Kukai a quick wink, whilst Kukai could only watch and return Ikuto's wink with a shake of the head. Seriously, Kukai thought, what is Ikuto thinking, making Amu his fake wife? Would this actually work out?
"Don't worry Kukai," Ikuto said with confidence, "Amu is the most fitting girl for me at this time. I'm sure of it."