A/N: Thanks to the reviewers who make time to read and then review this story. Again, Toudai (or any other university in Japan) do not offer any postgraduate course that you can take part time, and not only that, a Master's course in Japan is 2 years, I claim artistic licence.

Chapter 9

The dinner with the Makino family was formal, and yet at the same time, for Soujiro, that is, informal.

"How was your day, Tsukushi?" asked Mr. Makino.

"Oh it went fine, I was glad I chose to go to Toudai instead of Eitoku," answered Tsukushi.

"You go to Toudai?" asked Soujiro.

"Technically, yes, though I have yet to sit for the entrance exam," replied Tsukushi. "So I should be finished in three years,"

"Ah," noted Soujiro. "Part time so that you can do other things?"

"She helps me out in the office, young Nishikado, working her way up the ladder," interrupted Mr. Makino.

"In London," noted Tsukushi. "I have yet to start my work in Tokyo, and what about you, squirt, how's school?"

"Boring," replied Susumu. "Dad, can I get transferred to one of those international schools?"

"Why?" asked Mr. Makino.

"Eitoku is not challenging enough," answered Susumu.

"I used to go to Eitoku," replied Soujiro. "And I enjoyed every bit of it,"

"But your brother did not go to Eitoku, right, Nishikado-san?" asked Susumu. "I don't recall any Nishikado."

"Yes, you are right, my brother goes to a boarding school in Hokkaido," answered Soujiro. "He's now in his second year of high school."

"I sense that you are very close to Hanazawa Rui, Mimasaka Akira and Domyouji Tsukasa," said Mrs. Makino.

"Yes, we sort of grew up together," replied Soujiro. "We are best friends,"

Immediately after dinner was over, Susumu asked to be excused, and his request was granted.

"Well, your mother and I are going to have a little time together," said Mr. Makino.

"Why don't you go out with Nishikado, Kushi?" asked Mrs. Makino. "Show her the sights, young Nishikado, this girl has yet to really look at Tokyo,"

"Is it ok with you, Mr. Makino?" asked Soujiro.

Mr. Makino nodded, signaling his permission.

"Well, if it is all right with the both of you, I guess I will join you for a night stroll of Tokyo, Nishikado-san," said Tsukushi. "It is true that I have yet to see Tokyo."

"So, where do you want to go?" asked Soujiro, as he escorted Tsukushi out of her mansion.

"Well, since I don't drink, so I don't do clubbing, and since I don't do clubbing, clubs are out of the question," answered Tsukushi.

"It would be pointless to ask you out to eat, as we've had dinner, hmm… why not I bring you to one of my brainchild?" asked Soujiro.

"Tranquil Teahouse?" asked Tsukushi. "All right, we can play Twenty Questions over there,"

"It's set then, let's go to Tranquil Teahouse, by the way, what's Twenty Questions?" asked Soujiro.

Back at the Makino Mansion

"Nice move, koi, pushing Tsukushi to go out with the young Nishikado," noted Mr. Makino.

"Well, the girl needs to go out," reasoned Mrs. Makino. "She only goes out with her cast members from the drama that Aikawa Anna acted in,"

"I do hope something comes out of this 'date'," continued Mrs. Makino.

"Koi, you cannot push Tsukushi into choosing Nishikado Soujiro when she hasn't even had a 'date' with Hanazawa Rui yet," counteracted Mr. Makino.

"But anata…" pleaded Mrs. Makino.

"No," said Mr. Makino firmly.

Tranquil Teahouse

"Good evening, welcome to Tranquil Teahouse," greeted the maitre-d. "Nishikado-san! I didn't expect you,"

"Good evening, Senri-san. Which rooms are available tonight?" asked Soujiro.

"The English tea room and the Japanese tea room, Nishikado-san," replied the maitre-d.

"The Japanese tea room please," said Tsukushi. "I'd like you to perform the abbreviated version of the Japanese tea ceremony for me,"

Soujiro smiled and let the maitre-d lead them to the Japanese tea room.

"Wow! I've never had a man give me the tea ceremony before, this should be interesting," said Tsukushi as they entered the room after opening their shoes.

"You've had the ceremony before?" asked Soujiro.

"Yes, but it was performed by a woman," answered Tsukushi.

"Since this is a very abbreviated version, it won't count," replied Soujiro. "One day, I will give you the full version,"

Tsukushi smiled and said, "I'll hold you to that,"

After the abbreviated ceremony, they conversed naturally, and sooner than they know it, it was time for Tsukushi to go home.

Makino Mansion

"Well, I've had a great time," said Tsukushi.

"Me too, perhaps one day, we can go out again," replied Soujiro.

"Now that my father has given you the 'ok' to date me, just tell me the date and time, and I'll see whether I can see you then," noted Tsukushi.

"Oh yes, you will be busy with your studies," said Soujiro and scratched his head.

"Yes, and you will be busy too, running the Nishikado Group, Nishikado-san," replied Tsukushi.

Soujiro let out a laugh, but then, a serious expression was on his face.

"Can I kiss you?" asked Soujiro. "You know… a goodbye kiss,"

"Nishikado-san, sometimes I think you forget that I was raised in London," said Tsukushi, and she let out a chuckle.

"Yes, you can," continued Tsukushi.

No sooner has Tsukushi said that, Soujiro gave her a peck on her lips.

"Well, I'll see you soon," said Soujiro before going to his car.

Tsukushi smiled at him and waved at him before going in the house. Inside the house, she was surprised to see her mother.

"Okaasan!"said Tsukushi.

"How was it?" asked Mrs. Makino.

"It was… nice," replied Tsukushi. "Maybe, if he calls, I'll see him again,"

"That's good," said Mrs. Makino. "By the way, your father asked you to immediately go to sleep,"

"Eh, why?" asked Tsukushi.

"Have you forgotten?" asked Mrs. Makino. "You promised to go golfing with him tomorrow,"

"Ah, the 'date' that he's forcing me to go," answered Tsukushi. "Even though he said it's going to be an outing with him and Nishikado-san, I know it is not as simple as that,"

"Yes, even though you are going with him, I have a feeling that he will ditch you to be alone with that Hanazawa boy," replied Mrs. Makino.

"Mum, why do I have a feeling that you do not like Hanazawa Rui?" asked Tsukushi.

Mrs. Makino cleared her throat before she replied, "Well, when I heard that he refused to meet you for the 'friendship' meeting, I got furious with him,"

"I thought, the nerve of that boy, does he think he's so gorgeous that he's too good for my Tsukushi?" Mrs. Makino continued. "I am rooting for you to be with Nishikado Soujiro, just so you know,"

Tsukushi laughed, and replied, "Well, go to bed, mum. I will not be easy with Hanazawa Rui, I promise you that,"

"Go make up with dad," continued Tsukushi before retiring to her apartments.

The next day, Tsukushi woke up with a feeling of dread.

"I don't like to play golf," grumbled Tsukushi. "He should have brought Susumu, that kid loves golf!"

Tsukushi's grumbling did not stop, even after she was dressed and ready for a day of golf.

"He should have brought me, not you, nee-chan!" grumbled Susumu, who loves golf, when they have their breakfast.

"I will bring you when you are slightly taller than a golf club, Susumu," commented Mr. Makino. "Besides, this isn't an ordinary game of golf, Rui is joining the three of us,"

"Ah, so it's actually a 'date' for nee-chan, huh?" asked Susumu slyly.

"Susumu! Otoosan!" shouted Tsukushi.

"Well, you could see it that way," replied Mr. Makino.

End of chapter 9 – please read and review.

A/n: This has gone unfinished for a few months. I finally finished this after rereading the super nice reviews that you all gave this story, thank you so much! I'm going on a vacation starting tomorrow and won't be back until the 8th of January, so I don't know when the next installment will be written. I'm a bit bummed when it comes to Rui and Tsukushi's 'date' at the golf course, which is why this chapter stops here, so please send me some inspiration. I have a feeling that Tsukushi will be a bit sulky, because Rui has refused to meet her before this, and Rui will be a bit out of character, trying to appease the sulky Tsukushi, so please do give me suggestion on how to pull it off.