A STRANGER'S DREAM
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS.
Storyline: A girl with a fiancé, who she's never met, attended a ball and ended up talking to a drunken stranger about their dreams.
Part 4
His Part of the Deal
"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." ~Henry David Thoreau
A week after he received the letter from his fiancee, Li Syaoran found himself standing in front of Nihon University. Instead of his usual Armani tux, he was wearing a plain white sweater, jeans, and a pair of comfortable sketchers, with a dark blue knapsack on his left shoulder.
He could just imagine himself smiling broadly. Never in his life did he imagine he'll be studying again, much less, taking his dream course architectural engineering.
His smile turned into an amused grin when he recalled his reason for being there. He had his mysterious fiancée to blame. No wonder she said it could delay their first meeting. He needed five years to finish the course, not that he cares.
His thoughts were interrupted by females' squealing. He turned to his left and found the source, a bunch of college girls probably younger than him all giggling. Some of them even have guts to actually wink at him.
"Some things never change." He said shaking his head as he dismissively walked his way to his first class.
He wasn't surprised when he was greeted by more squealing as soon as he stepped inside the room. Even the professor, being female, was ogling at him but he chose to ignore it and maintain formality.
He politely smiled, bowing in acknowledgment of his professor before heading to a vacant seat at the last row. He heard disappointed sighs from the rows he passed by but chose to ignore them.
"Hi dude! Name's Yamazaki Takahashi." His seatmate, a black haired white Japanese, offered a handshake.
"Li Syaoran." He said, returning the offer.
"So I've heard. I'm actually surprised. You weren't like how they portray you in the news." He said, eying him.
"And how do they portray me in the news?" He replied nonchalantly. He wasn't the most sociable person. Heck, he wasn't sociable except for business matters. But he prepared himself for this day. After all, to fulfill the demands of his dear mystery fiancée, acquaintances is a must.
"No offense dude, but in TV, you seem like a cold stoic business man. Rumors spread around here about your transfer. Everyone's curious why a young achiever like you will bother taking a business unrelated course in our humble school. But I got to agree, you made a good choice. Our school's the best when it comes to board exam passers!" The last words were followed by a proud smirk and a challenging look from his new acquaintance.
The amber eyed returned it with an even prouder smirk of his own.
'Maybe it wasn't bad to be acquainted after all.'
…
Classes went fast on the first day, and on the second and on the third. The subjects weren't necessarily easy, not even for a certain Li Syaoran. Though it did help that even when he was working as CEO of Li Corp., he was already familiarizing himself with architecture books and was knowledgeable enough on the know-how.
The real deal began on the fourth day.
"Group yourselves into four. That'll be for the entire semester." The professor, a man this time, said. Since college was all about freedom, the class made enough noise reaching the halls.
"So, you wanna be grouped with me?" Yamazaki asked, hinting Li.
"Sure. Who are the other two?" He asked, looking around. He gulped when he saw the female population with some males all looking at him, eyes pleading to be accepted.
"Ahm, Yamazaki, I'll leave it to you." He said, before turning his head back to the book he was reading.
Yamazaki chuckled. "Alright man. In that case…" he roamed his eyes around. He got to admit, hanging out with Li was definitely advantage, and it could be even more if he was single, which he wasn't. "…my girlfriend, Chiharu and her best friend Yanagisawa Naoko."
"Girls?" Li looked dismayed.
"Don't worry. These two are one of the few girls in the campus who aren't after you. Besides, Chiharu's taken." Then with a glint of arrogance, he added. "…by me."
Li smirked.
Their attention was brought back to the professor when he announced their first project.
"Brainstorm on interesting topics on architecture. What architecture is about, why pick the course, facts from basic to the complex whole. Ask seniors, conduct interviews, I don't care, use whatever method you like. In a week, you'll be presenting your research. The one who convinces me architecture isn't boring gets the highest grade. The rest, I'll give 60. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir!" The class responded.
Complains were heard only after the professor left.
"Seriously? We're not even having majors yet!"
"Lucky me, I get to be grouped with Yuna! I'll just leave all work to her!" the other chirped.
"Hey!"
"It won't hurt to get 60 if it's only the first project. We'll have our chances. So, shall we head to the mall?"
The pessimistic remarks went on. Yamazaki was amusing himself with the switching reactions from his popular seatmate.
Li Syaoran bit his lip, then sighing, pulled down the book from in front his face. He'll close it then open it again. The more complains he heard the more frustrated he gets. The twitching of his eye brows were another proof.
"Yamazaki…" he called, and turned to see a grinning companion.
"Yes?"
"Exams will be after two weeks. What do you think will be the passing rate for this class?" He asked with a hint of inquiry.
The black haired didn't expect the question but managed to keep up. "I don't know. I heard Prof. Inyo's really hard to please. You heard him yourself. Only one group will receive a hundred, the rest will be given 60."
"That's not good."
"Why? Don't tell me you're not confident?" He challenged the young heir.
The young heir sighed. "Nope, I am. It's them I'm worrying about. If they're this lazy and it's just the first project, I don't trust they'll do any different on exams."
"Huh?"
"Preparation means everything. You don't prepare, you prepare to fail." He stated firmly as he would when speaking to his employees.
"You sound like a businessman." His seatmate stated.
"I am."
"Still, I don't see why their grades concern you. It's their future, not yours." Yamazaki argued.
"Trust me." Li sighed, standing up. "It has a lot to do with me."
His seatmate eyed him with full curiosity. Li tried to consider the situation. 'If I let him know, he might actually be able to help. No screw that, I'll make him help.'
Seconds passed, and Yamazaki's curiosity was still evident. The young heir hid his smirk of satisfaction.
"Come with me. I'll tell you." He whispered, passing by him to leave the room. His seatmate followed. All eyes were on them till they were out of sight. Some students tried to follow them but Li walked too fast, and Yamazaki having no choice but to follow, they lost them.
They were alone in the rooftop when he stopped. He searched his bag and pulled out a letter.
"Here." He handed it to his soon to be assistant.
"What the-" Yamazaki was about to retort but Li cut him in.
"Don't ask. Read first. Ask later." He said, but to the other it sounded like an order.
Nevertheless, he nodded. It wasn't every time you get to butt in the Li heir's business. Plus, he was extremely curious ever since he saw the heir's frustration to their classmates' whining.
He read the letter word by word, not stopping even in the exclamation points.
"Are you kidding me?" The black haired asked boldly, eyes accusing the heir who didn't flinch.
"She's something, isn't she?"
"You mean she's for real? These demands are for real?" Yamazaki exclaimed in disbelief, his lips curving into an amused smile.
"Yes, and I'll be direct. As you can see, I'll be needing help." Li said in business tone. His aura suddenly changed and the other felt inferior, as if he was talking to a very important person, which he knew he was.
"So you want me to-?" Yamazaki bit his lip. If he was nervous, he hid it well. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Organize study groups. Basically, you'll just invite people. The rest you can leave to me." Li shrugged.
"Wait! Is that all? Then why do you need me?"
Now the heir wasn't prepared for this question. Should he tell him? There's a high possibility he'll laugh, but he wants him in, doesn't he? Still, there must be some other way. His character of being antisocial in non-business matters isn't enough excuse. He knew that.
"What you read, those are just a few of her demands. I separated them." He answered, covering the internal battle he was having with an authoritative tone.
"What? You expect me to help you accomplish all of them?"
"Yes. Of course, I don't expect you to help me for free. I'll give you a million yen after all these, or if there's something else you want, I can negotiate. What do you say?" He asked, the business tone never leaving.
Yamazaki couldn't help his eyes from widening. There in front of him was Li Syaoran, one of the most wanted bachelors in Hong Kong and Japan, a guy who has everything: looks and money. Never in his life did he think this day would come when that very man will be offering him a job. What would Chiharu say if she finds out? Heck, even he couldn't believe it.
"One question." was all he could think about. "Why me?" He asked, looking straight in the amber eyes of his possible soon to be employer.
The young heir seemed to be contemplating for a moment but he too looked him straight in the eyes. "Because I think I can trust you." He confidently said with challenging eyes.
Both stood still for a while. Neither said a word for almost a minute. It was Yamazaki who broke the silence with a proud smile. He crossed the meter distance, surprising the young heir when he was about to pass by him but stopped beside him putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm in. And I won't accept payment."
Hearing these words, it was the young heir's turn to look at him in disbelief. But it left as soon as it came and was replaced by interrogating eyes. "Why Yamazaki?"
The black haired smirked but looked at him with challenging eyes. "Takahashi. Call me Takahashi if you want me to do it for you."
Another staring contest occurred between them. This time, it was Li who broke it with a knowing and for the second time since he had a talk with a female stranger in the balcony on his sisters twenty first birthday, he gave an appreciative smile.
"Alright. Then it's Syaoran to you, Takahashi."
…
That night, Li Syaoran couldn't sleep. He couldn't stop thinking about how his dull life turn upside down all because of his curiosity to find out if his fiancée was the same girl he met in the balcony.
He couldn't help but remember her face, especially those green mesmerizing eyes that made him need to pretend to be asleep just so he can stop himself from drowning in them.
"Sakura." He whispered, his lips curving to a warm smile.
How was it that saying her name would always make him smile, he never knew. But he couldn't help it, just as he couldn't help but be encouraged by the internal voice that kept reminding him of the big possibility that it could really be her.
Still smiling, he pulled out the original document from his lamp desk.
Under legal contract, I L.S., commit myself to do/be all the demands required by my potential fiancée, S.K. If I fail to comply, then I acknowledge either imprisonment or being subject to employment of any position as desired by S.K. Also, I acknowledge my need to provide evidences of my accomplishments of her demands. Failure to provide acceptable evidences will give her right to do every means to prove my accomplishments, even if I am to be put under medical tests/taken to custody. I also acknowledge her representative to monitor my actions for as long as the demands were unmet.
Signed: Li Syaoran
LIST OF DEMANDS
1. Read the Bible and pray every night.
Note: I don't require you to finish it. At least 2-3 chapters every night will do. Honesty is the best policy.
2. Take a course (your choice) different from what you had in the best university you can think of. You are to graduate with flying colors.
Note: Any grade less than the highest possible grade in any subject will mean disqualification, thus imprisonment/working for me. You're not allowed to retake any subjects either.
3. You are to help at least 60% of your classmates in your major subjects pass without fail.
Note: Failure to comply with the 60% passing rate will mean disqualification, thus imprisonment/working for me. Piece of advice, make friends along the way.
4. You are not to have any sexual affair with any women. You're not allowed to have girlfriend/s either. If you have current one/s, break up with her/them. Plus, you are NEVER to hurt or raise your voice at any woman.
Note: I trust you are a man of your words. Failure to comply will mean disqualification, thus imprisonment/working for me.
5. You are not to smoke.
Note: Modern technology has a good way to confirm if you're able to do so. Failure to comply will mean disqualification, thus imprisonment/working for me.
6. Be healthy and you have to look really attractive. Shave. Work out.
Note: No tattoo! No piercing either! Limited drinking only.
7. You are to write letter/s about what you have to say to me at least once every semester.
Note: I'll read them when we meet, if we ever will.
8. This is just something I thought. But, if you happen to truly be in love with someone else, then you have to let me know. If you don't have any, then disregard and treat it as if there are 7 requirements.
Note: Having someone you love will mean disqualification, thus breaking the engagement. I might consider the consequences on this one.
9. Use your free time to be a regular worker in an orphanage of your choice.
Note: Complains from the kids and other workers will determine if you'll be receiving punishments or not.
10. Be stylish.
Note: My representative will assist you on this one. Just leave everything to her.
11. Read at least 25 non-business and non-academic related books before our date of meeting.
Note: Dictionaries/Encyclopedias/Almanacs/Magazines/Atlas/Comic books aren't allowed.
12. List ten places that you want to go to but haven't been able to and go there.
13. Pick two things that you want to learn but haven't been able to and learn them.
Note: By legal contract, you are obligated to freedom by number 12 and 13. No one, not even your clan/mine can object to this.
PS: I'm sending my best friend after a month to assure everything in my list is going to be complied with. I trust you're going to treat her well. She's VIP.
S.K.
A/N: Actually, I wanted the real deal (the fiction, not the fanfiction) to be about an Asian woman and a European man. But this is a fanfic so I had to make some diversions. Still, I hope you like it and comment if you ever want me to post an original fiction version (with no limits), probably in fictionpress.
Special thanks to: konan248, brightambereyes, cupid17, BlossomCutie, reader, CalXiNamiKai, Ceciali, deadflo, Primrose Mellark37, CLAMPsFluffMeisterGirl, Ran-chan, GrossGirl18, redeyes143, anon, Miki-Chii103, Synea K, Shrizzitania and to those who are just about to review. Thank you very much & God bless!
More reviews = faster updates! ^^
BTW, I'd like to know, who among you are in college and by any chance, are taking architecture? Please reply. Thanks!