"Love Yourself"

windlady

She never exactly believed in love. For 19 years, her heart belonged only to her fantasies. He was always surrounded by the brightest lights. In his heart, he is always unsure of where his path will take him. Could it be his fate? Or just is it just one of her fictional stories?

windlady: Hello again. I updated as a sign of gratitude for all my readers. As usual, lots of ghost readers. I hope you enjoy this.

Disclaimer: I do not own and Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge nor do I own KAT-TUN's Love Yourself. I'm only an ordinary soul who is under a spell for a while.

"Scratch Paper: Impressing the Empire"

By windlady

The video my friends recorded is the worst video in Youtube. As I said just a week ago, I received a notification which says I was hired by Peak Recording Company. It was my childhood dream to be a manga artist and so I looked like an idiot. This video they captured showed the worst hairstyle a girl can have and I think it will be the ugliest me for the rest of my life.

"I don't hate Love. I just don't know where to find it."

That's the first sentence of my draft for the manga I'll be working on. I'm starting it since it's always great to be one step ahead when it comes to work. The manga needs its title to be about the self, for the plot to be inspiring and light-hearted, and for it to include romance in its genre. My employer is the one who requested this manga from the company. Since he is a wealthy young singer who is now rising to his stardom, the company agreed and hired me for his sake. Yes, it's amazing to get hired but what makes it more than just a job is that I have a huge crush on my employer—Kazuki Yamato!

Is it luck or an effect of some sort from a spell I learned from a freaky witchcraft book? Well, that doesn't matter now that I'm staring at Kazuki Yamato's face. He suddenly came out of nowhere and surprised me with an attitude. My heart continually pounds against my rib cage as I released a breath I've been holding. I felt my throat run dry as I suppressed a squeal. Eck, I'm totally being a fan girl.

I am Akimoto, Suzuna. For about 19 years, I have always been dating only my fictional boyfriends. That is because it never really mattered to me what other real male humans think about me. Humans lie. Humans are arrogant. Humans can hurt you. So why not stick with fiction? There won't be any lies, secrets or hurts. There won't be anyone to tell you that you're ugly for them. That was my fantasy of love. It was how I define my dream of Love. It has always been like that. But somehow my heart has started beating differently. It was that time. That time when I heard his voice.

Okay, so my emoting time was cut. I should really wake up and try my best to make a good impression today. I took one hour to bath even though I usually just take fifteen or a maximum of thirty minutes. I came fully clad for this and wore a dress though I'm uncomfortable with it and would prefer my jeans. I even used my favorite baby cologne just so I can make sure that I'll smell good. And I also applied light make-up on so that I'll be presentable enough. I bothered so much and went as far as this so I won't let my effort go to waste. I took in a sharp breath and stared at him. He also looked at me. His face made a weird expression as he seemed to study my face. I was tempted to do the same.

Kazuki Yamato is wearing jeans, sneakers, green body shirt, chain necklace with a cross pendant, a sun glass and a cap which covered most of his face. He is a lot taller than me and is probably about five feet and seven inches. Strands of his black hair can still be seen escaping from the cap. His body is not too muscular but his built is above average compared to the normal guys. His nose is well-sculpted just like those of a computer game character. His lips are pinkish red but it doesn't appear like he has his stage make-up on. And even though he has sun glasses on, his eyes struck me the most. They are chinky but they pierce me. They are so intense and captivating. What a beautiful creature. I felt smaller than how I should be. He's way out of my league. He's holding a black travelling stroller bag which is what might have hit my legs. My heart skipped. Shoot. It was wrong to give in to temptation! Now, my composure is falling apart. My breathing raced as he stepped closer.

'So handsome…' was all my brain could process at the moment. Yes, I've known that he's one heck of a handsome guy and I was actually expecting this kind of reaction from myself when I get to see him in person. But Dear God, why is it that I still can't believe that he's in front of me? Why is he moving closer and closer to me? AND WHY THE HELL IS HE LEANING TOWARDS ME?

"Oi…" He spoke when his face is only about an inch away from mine. "Do you not know?"

"Huh?" His breath is very warm and he smells so good.

"In Japan, it is rude to stare like that… old lady."

EHHH? What did he just say? And o—old lady?

Before I was able to react to the shock, a pack of girls suddenly came pouring in front of us. They were squealing, panting and holding big banners and cards which say all about their admiration for Kazuki Yamato. I heard my employer release a sigh of defeat.

"Stop following me. You, noisy girls, are really annoying."

EH? He treats his fans like this?

"KYAAAAH! KAZUKI-SAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

"DIDN'T I TELL EVERYONE THAT I ALREADY HAVE SOMEONE I LIKE?"

"MOE… KAZUKI-SAMA!"

EHHHHHH? He already has someone he likes?

"Then why don't you show her on TV, Kazuki-sama?" an amazingly beautiful lady suddenly stepped out from the crowd of his fan girls. His fan girls look this striking and beautiful? I was awed at how lovely and graceful she looks like. Isn't she a model or an artist too? I'm sure she's way above an average Japanese girl. I wondered as my eyes automatically transferred to Kazuki Yamato.

"Tch. Is that all you want?"

"PROVE IT! PROVE IT!"

"Fine." He said with much annoyance. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and pulled me close to his body. "HER."

My eyes widened and my heart pounded as the scent of his perfume and the warmth of his body enveloped me. What the hell? Why am I being embraced by…? And what does he mean by…?

"She's my girlfriend." He smirked as he looked at me.

EHHHHH? WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?

An hour later, I found myself inside the building sipping a tea from the company's staff. I followed Kyo with my eyes as he marched from left to right of Kazuki Yamato's private room. The air conditioner is cold but I felt my sweat gathering as thick beads on my back, forehead and neck. My heart is still beating frantically even now when I'm just sitting and staring blankly at my tablet pc. Today is my first day on my job and a lot has happened. I met my employer before I entered the building. I annoyed him when I got star-struck by him. I was introduced as his girlfriend to his fan girls so that he can get away from all of them. And now, an hour after he posed embracing me and introduced me, I sat on a soft red couch in front of my tablet pc with Kazuki Yamato calmly drinking tea just across the room and his manager Kyo Ishiwada who is furiously marching about. Wah, so much for trying to succeed on the good impression plan.

"So what now?" Kyo finally spoke. He's clearly trying to hold his frustration but his voice didn't hide much of how he feels. Kazuki Yamato remained quiet as he continued drinking his tea. "It's all over the news, Kazuki. There are pictures all over the internet."

"Yeah. I saw those." He said simply and as if it didn't interest him.

"Now, don't give me that attitude of yours, you brat!" He yelled at him. And I couldn't help but feel so small and awkward. My hands began to tremble. "S-sorry, Aki-chan. I didn't mean to startle you." I gave him a nod and a small smile of reassurance as I looked on the small news paper in front of me. Only an hour since that incident and all these photos of Kazuki Yamato and me are all over the papers and internet? No wonder Kyo is mad. I glanced towards Kyo and him as they continued to argue about what has happened. My employer is really something big, right?

"HOW DO YOU WANT TO HANDLE THIS NOW, HUH, YOU SICK BASTARD?"

"THEY ANNOY ME! WHY SHOULD I CARE IF THEY GO AWAY IF I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?"

"BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR FANS AND THEY PAY FOR YOUR CONCERTS, FOR YOUR MUSIC, FOR YOUR ENDORSEMENTS AND FOR YOUR TV DRAMAS!"

"Ah, I still don't care."

"GAAAHHH! YOU STUPID BRAAAAAAAT!"

I sighed.

I feel sad for Kyo. He's the one I've been communicating with for the past week and he's really nice. He doesn't deserve handling someone as stubborn as Kazuki Yamato. It'll make his life hell and the stress will make him appear older than he is. Kyo is only turning 25 years old 2 months from now. He's mature, capable and very reliable even though he's only a year older than Kazuki Yamato.

I looked at him again. I still can't believe it. I'm here and he's there. But what's more unbelievable is the way he acts. Has he always been like this? But his music is… very different from how he is today. His music is sensitive and really heart-warming. His voice is tender and comforting. So does this mean that my friends are right about him? He isn't how the media defines him to be? I felt strangely sad but not very disappointed. It's just that… I didn't expect him to be so real.

"Oi, old lady." He called me and walked towards me.

"HEY! At least respect Aki-chan, Kazuki! You—"

"Enough already, Kyo-chi." He said playfully as he grabbed my arm.

"A—Wa—Wait!" I stuttered. "Where are we going?"

He grinned at me before he answered. "Heaven."

EHHH?

He dragged me out of the room and as the door swung, I heard Kyo sighing as he said, "Kazuki, you sick bastard…"

My heart began to race against my breathing again as he shoved me into his car which surprisingly seems ordinary probably to hide his identity while he's on the road. He drove really fast to somewhere I don't really know of. Heaven? Oh, Dear God, help me…

About half an hour later, we arrived in a big house. It's like a villa. It looks a lot like those that they show on TV. Big windows, carved expensive-looking walls, beams and doors. Elegant fountain and garden with a breath-taking landscape and the swimming pool paraded in front of me. And just a bit further from where he parked his car, I saw several other extremely expensive cars. As expected, he really is astonishingly wealthy. His house proves to be a worthy place for someone as influential as him. Just like a dream home. So big. I was in trance as I moved out of the car and stood in front of his fantasy-like home. This is Kazuki Yamato's place? A-Amazing…

"Hey, old lady…" I was startled when he talked so I jolted a bit. I heard him snicker just behind me. "Let's go inside. I don't keep exotic animals so you can relax for a while."

I followed him like a lost puppy. The inside of his home is even bigger than how it appears from the outside. The walls are painted in cream which gives it an immaculate look. The whole place is well-furnished. But his place is really quiet. Somehow, I started feeling uneasy when I didn't feel any presence of a person. Where are his maids? I'm sure that he has at least four or so. A house this big can't be this spic and span if it's just one maid who would keep this place clean. I took another look around me. Everywhere is really classy and very modern. The designs are mostly Western. I can hear our footsteps echo through the hall as he led me towards the living room. There's still no presence of anyone else besides us. Is it just the two of us here? I felt nervous.

He flopped himself on his sofa and turned his TV on. I just stood by the door and watched him scan the channels. He didn't even invite me to sit. The laptop bag I was carrying with me suddenly started to feel heavy. I felt my hand grow cold. I looked outside the window and saw the sky darkening. I think it will rain very soon. I have to get home.

"Uhm…" I began my attempt to ask where I can get a cab.

"Do you hate me that much?"

"Huh?"

"That you want to leave already?" He caught me.

"Uhm… erm…" I stumbled on my words as I tried to gather my thoughts. It's not that I hate him. I'm just, maybe, undergoing through a shock. Besides, it's just the two of us here and it's not that comfortable. It's also about to rain so I might as well go on my way home. And he might be tired already so—darn it. I have to gather my courage and stand up for myself.

"Call me Kazuki or Yamato. Whichever suits your taste." He said as he motioned his hand to signal that he wants me to move closer to him. I walked as if I was dragging my feet towards him and I heard him stifle a laugh.

"C'mon I'm not going to kill you. Let's just discuss your work for today, old lady."

That again. Why does he keep calling me old? Nevertheless, I complied and stood in front of him. Work is work. Even if he's a normal store owner, a big time banker, or an emperor of some sort, I should be able to work with my best. I'm still his employee after all. I gave a sigh and replied in the calmest voice I can come with. "My name is Akimoto, Suzuna. Please address me properly, Yamato-san."

He smirked and nodded. "Okay." He turned off his TV as the rain started pouring heavily. "It's raining already?" He was looking outside when he murmured those. I felt a bit disturbed as I don't want to be soaked. "Do you feel cold?" He asked, clearly deviating from discussing about the manga.

"Uhm… About the manga—"

"AH! Yeah, sure. The manga." He moved his eyes to my direction and stared at me intensely. "You're worrying about the rain?"

"Sir, I'd like to discuss about the plot I came up wi—" I was unable to finish my sentence when he suddenly pulled me to his sofa. I closed my eyes, scared of the impact but strangely the sofa felt so soft. Then I felt some weight pressing on my body. Yamato was above me, smirking mischievously.

"You're really too serious for your age." I gasped as he bended closer so that I can feel his warm breath against my face. "Didn't I tell you? We're going to heaven... old lady." He smiled like a demon ready to tear me apart as he moved his face closer to mine. I felt my body stiffened.

"Now, impress me. 'Cause from today onwards, I'll be your whole empire."

CRAP.

~To be continued~

windlady: So how are you, guys, today? I'm tired from the entire cleanup I did and also the anime convention I attended. Apparently, I have decided to make some kind of variation to this story. I came up with a sister story for this so better wait till I'm done writing this one. Yes, I'll be writing only from Suzuna's point of view since I'm a girl after all. Review?