CHAPTER 21 : A NEW RIVAL

Tsukasa signed the last document with a flourish, then raised his hands over his head to stretched his tired muscles. Standing to his full height, he strode towards the window where the night view is displayed spectacularly.

Frankly speaking, this is his favorite part of the day. He enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the busy life on the streets below. Many a time, he had imagined himself walking down the same path, peering through shops, bantering with small business owners and interacting with the people as they go through their routine. Everything seems so alive, so spontaneous as people went about their chores. In stark contrast, his life is an endless sea of meetings, business deals and socialization all in the name of business.

From the time he was born, his fate was sealed. His destiny was to be the heir to the largest empire in Japan and most of Asia. Great things are expected of him and certain measures are taken so that these expectations can be met.

He really should not complain. His life was what people always dreamed of . He had money, prestige, breeding, social status, good looks and a loving fiancée. If anything, he should be down on his knees and thanking his lucky stars for the life he was given. So why does he feel so hollow inside, so incomplete, as if something vital is missing in his life?

With one last longing look at the streets below, he finally turned away and started getting ready to leave. His secretary or maybe his fiancee will be appearing anytime soon.

Thinking of his fiancée, he couldn't help but smile. Maybe it was her exuberance and zest for life that attracted him to her. Being with her makes him feel more alive somehow, less lonely and almost….human.

Hearing footsteps approaching his office, he faced the door and waited for his assistant or fiancée to open the door. When it finally opened, who stood there couldn't have shocked him more if the Emperor of Japan has paid him a visit.

" Yo!" the young Mimasaka heir greeted with a wave.

" Hello stranger," the heir to Nishikado empire saluted him.

" Tsukasa" nods Hanazawa in greeting.

Finally, a tentative smile from the only girl in the group.

Who is she? Could she be one of these guy's girlfriend? What is hse doing her? For that matter, what are they all doing here?

" What? NO greeting?" says Mimasaka.

" What are you doing here?" Tsukasa finally blurted out.

" To see you of course" replied Nishikado.

" But why?" Tsukasa asked, voice raised in frustration.

" What do you mean why? You just suddenly disappeared and we never heard from you. Of course we're worried," this coming from Mimasaka.

" Why?" Tsukasa once again asked, getting angrier by the moment as he tried to understand what the heck is going on.

" We suddenly cant contact you and you never called us. We don't know how you were doing, considering the manner iin which we lastr saw you" Hanazawa explained.

" For the last time, WHY? Why do I have to call you and what business is it of yours how I am doing?" Tsukasa can hardly contain his temper at this point.

Rui, Soujiro and Akira exchanged looks. Something is definitely not right about Tsukasa. He's acting like a stranger and not at all like the firend they knew. They gland over to Tsukushi to see how she's taking all these.

Tsukushi, who remained silent the whole time has never taken her eyes off Tsukasa since entering the room. She stepped forward, concern etched all over her face and she reached out to touched Tsukasa.

Tsukasa's eyes widened at the approach of the girl. She was acting strange and when she extended a hand towards him, he instinctively moved away. She actually flinched as if he physically hit her. He didn't understand her reaction nor the pain that showed plainly in her eyes. Moreover, he didn't understand his own reaction to her. For a moment, he had this overwhelming urge to comfort her and ease away her pain. But before he could decipher his feelings, he noticed the reactions of the other males in the room.

" Tsukasa! What the hell!" yelled the ever lively Mimasaka heir while Nishikado just glared his disapproval of him.

"Are you alright Tsukushi?" a concerned Hanazawa went over to the girl and peered into her face.

The girl called Tsukushi just nodded her head and didn't say a word, nor did she raise her head.

Tsukushi was fighting back tears. She didn't know what hurt her more, the lack of recognition in Tsukasa's eyes or his apparent disdain for her touch.

"What the hell is going on here?" demanded Tsukasa, tired and annoyed by the angry looks he has been getting from the others.

" That's what we should be asking you," Hanazawa said softly. " What is wrong with you?"

" Nothing is wrong with me! However, I am beginning to think that something is wrong with you. You come in here unannounced then start sprouting nonsense and behaving strangely and you asked what's wrong with me??/" Tsukasa exclaimed.

Again, the trio exchanged glances then Nishikado sighed. " I don't know why you are behaving like this, but it is us….your buddies and your girl, the love of your life..Tsukushi."

Tsukasa looked at him unblinking for a long moment before glancing at each face. Then a brilliant smile lit his own face before breaking into a full laughter.

The others laughed with him, relieved at his reactions; that is except Tsukushi. Somehow, she knew that his reaction wasn't a good sign - and she was right.

" You nearly got me there," Tsukasa finally managed to say, " that was truly a good one."

Now it was the others turn to be puzzled (sans Tsukushi). They don't know what Tsukasa was talking about.

" So, who put you up to it? My sister? My fiancee?"

" Fiancee!!" chorused a trio of male voices.

" I knew it!" crowed a jubilant Tsukasa. " She's the only one I know that can come up with an outrageous idea as this. Love of my life indeed! And how she was able to get you to do it…I don't know, but I am certainly impressed."

Tsukasa was still chuckling when the sudden hush alerted him that something is wrong. Scanning the faces before him, he took in their look of stunned surprise and immediately sobered up.

"You have got to be joking!" Tsukasa burst out. When the others just shook their heads, he got angry again.

" I really don't know what stunt you guys are pulling but enough is enough. It's impossible what you're saying for I already have a fiancee. Furthermore, I don't really know you aside from the occasional meeting in some parties," Tsukasa angrily stated the facts and as if on cue, the door opened and in came his fiancee.

" This is the real love of my life, my fiancee….Okanagawa Shigeru" Tsukasa proudly introduced her to them.

Shocked disbelief was the reaction of the others. Rui, Akira and Soujiro stared at him in stunned silence wondering what the hell is going on. They tried to look for clues that Tsukasa was acting but could find none.

But before they could say anything, Tsukushi turned and ran out of the room.

Rui swore softly before swiftly going after her. Akira and Soujiro looked at each other thinking here we go again and with one last look at Tsukasa, hurried after their companions.

" What the hell was that all about?" Tsukasa once again asked.

_______________________

" There must be some explanation to this," Akira voiced what everyone else is thinking.

" Yes, and we will get to the bottom of this," promised Soujiro.

Rui remained silent, more worried about Tsukushi than Tsukasa's situation right now. When he caught up with her, he expected to see her in tears. Instead, she was composed - too composed and just merely nodded when asked if she is okay.

When Akira and Soujiro arrived, the two keep making assurances that everything will be alright, that there has to be an explanation, but through it all, Tsukushi remained silent, giving the occasional nod, in agreement or what, no one really knows.

Arriving at their luxurious hotel, the four entered the lobby when someone called out Tsukushi's name.

" Junpei! What are you doing here?" Tsukushi exclaimed in surprise.

" Makino sempai, you have to come with me," Junpei begged nervously looking about.

" Go where! And you have yet to answer my question. What are you doing here?" Tsukushi asked again.

" Please sempai. If you will just come with me, everything will be explained," Junpei was acting really jumpy now.

"She's not going anywhere until you tell us what's going on," threatened Akira.

Junpei nervously stepped closer to Tsukushi, seeking protection against possible torture from the infamous members of F4. When phone rang, he literally jumped in response.

Not bothering to answer, he shoved the phone into Tsukushi's face, motioning for her to answer the call.

" Hello?" Tsukushi tentatively asked in English.

"Tsukushisempai?" a familiar female voice answered.

" Sakurako?" Tsukushi couldn't be more surprised if the sky fall down on her.

" Sempai, you have to come here. Junpei will show you where," Sakurako excitedly told her.

" What's going on? Why are you here? Why are you both here?' she asked the other girl.

" We have a surprise for you, but you have to come here! No….don't do that…sempai, I have to go now but please hurry," and then she hung up.

" Al right, let's go." Tsukushi told the relieved Junpei.

" You don't have to come," Tsukushi told the other three, while Junpei nods his head.

" NO way are we leaving you alone with him," replied Akira.

Sighing, Tsukushi nodded as they all piled back in the car. Truthfully, Tsukushi was grateful for the company as she doesn't know whats really going on. With all that is happening, everything is possible.

Finally telling the driver to stop, Junpei practically jumped out of the car in his haste to escape the dangerous and threatening looks the other males are giving him. Leading the others to a fancy looking villa, he ushered them inside thru a long hallway before stopping in front of door.

As if on cue, the door opened and a girl pulled Tsukushi inside.

"Sakurako, what the…..?" began Tsukushi as she rubbed her sore shoulder.

"Nevermind that," Sakurako waved airily. " Looked who I got- Domyuji Tsukasa," she motioned towards someone in the room.

Rui, Akira and Soujiro heard Tsukushi's shriek of surprise and rushed inside to find out why.

They received their second shock of the day as they saw a man tied up in a chair. What surprised them wasn't the fact that he was tied up but his uncanny resemblance to Tsukasa.

" That is NOT Tsukasa," screeched Tsukushi.