KISSED BY THE BADDEST BIDDER and MASQUERADE KISS
PARALLELS – THE TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE
Chapter One – Biding Time with the Bidders
Disclaimer for Major / Main Appearances
Kissed by the Baddest Bidder and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.
Masquerade Kiss and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc.
Alexandra Emrys, Michael Ishino, AJ Ishino, Troy Tsuuri, Representative Okada, Uncle Gavin / Gavin Anson, Dylan Emrys, Ariadne Anson / Ariadne Emrys, Derek Anson, and other original characters are owned by PJ Zatken.
Disclaimer for Cameo Appearances
True Love, Sweet Lies and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Nozomu Fuse, Fuse Investigations, Sakura Naogoro and the mafia organization Sakuragumi)
Romance MD: Always on Call and its awesome characters that appear in the otome game Love 365 are the property of Voltage, Inc. (Seimei University Hospital)
Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi, Junjou Romantica, and their awesome characters are owned by their wonderful author Shungiku Nakamura. (publishing companies Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan, company Usami Group, Onodera Ritsu).
Author's Notes
For those who are familiar with otome games, Love 365, Kissed by the Baddest Bidder, Masquerade Kiss, and True Love, Sweet Lies, the female main character (MC) is part of the series' original characters. So how do the original characters (OCs) in my story figure out in this universe and fanfic?
The MC is the love interest of one of the playable characters in True Love, Sweet Lies.
My OCs – well, in the Love 365 / Voltage Inc. / otome romance world, they are temporary characters for the fanfic…so in the otome universe they never romantically get the man no matter what the circumstances may be.
I have seen how many folks are avid fans of Voltage Inc. otome games / Love 365. I do not know as to how many of them are also avid authors and/or readers in fanfiction dot net.
Also, for those who are familiar with my work, I tend to do epics. This fic would not be an epic. It would be less than 10 chapters… Maybe five chapters the most...
Background for this Fanfiction
This crossover fic for Kissed by the Baddest Bidder / Masquerade Kiss fanfiction serves as a companion piece to the Junjou Romantica / Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi crossover fanfic Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive. The goal of this fic is to fill the little holes that would be there because the antagonist(s) and the problems he/she/they bring to our beloved JR / SH characters are complex.
Secondly, the people who are there to help our beloved JR / SH characters through this time have complex lives and equally complex connections.
I figured that the best way to show how intricate these relationships and connections are is through "companion piece" fanfics. First is so the focus for Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive would remain mostly with our JR / SH characters. Second, having "companion pieces" would give readers and "inside glimpse" of what was really happening behind the scenes so that there would not be any confusion when a character or characters from Kissed by the Baddest Bidder and / or Masquerade Kiss are mentioned or would make a cameo in Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive.
As a result, my Disclaimer and Author's Notes on every chapter for Are Happy Endings Always THIS Elusive and each "companion piece" would properly mention and give credit to the fandoms and characters that appear in it.
These "companion piece" fanfics are experiments. I will do my best to do justice to the fandoms that I do, just as I have always done all these years. Come and enjoy this ride with me, and let me know what you think!
Best regards,
PJ Zatken
Location: Private Jet
Final Destination: Japan
Preliminary Destination: Phuket Island, Thailand
Alexandra Emrys' Point of View (POV)
I have been typing, reading, and researching like a madwoman possessed since Troy and I boarded the plane from England. My behavior admittedly got even worse after my video call with Nozomu Fuse just a few minutes ago. The phone call, along with the trouble that is before me, places me in a more depressed and pathetic mood.
I am normally a firm believer of the old adage, "The truth will set you free." Right now, I want to kick the bloody ass of the very person who coined the phrase and doomed mankind, or the first person who comes up to me and preaches the wonderful merits of truth-telling. I am so not in the mood for it right now.
Speaking of old adages, when someone coined the phrase "time is money," I will definitely agree with this person especially at this very moment. Time is running out against this joint partnership project between Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan – this partnership including the Usami and Ishino Groups where I have a personal, professional, and financial stake in. All those included in this overseas partnership…their heirs and offspring who happen to also be directly involved in this North American and European venture…have been subject to threats and blackmail.
On top of blackmail, I just confirmed that two Marukawa Shoten employees that have ties with the Onodera Shuppan heir Onodera Ritsu were assaulted. One is in critical condition at Seimei University Hospital. The other thankfully and successfully fought off the assault. These assaults and how they played out validated certain possible angles that have been playing in my head. The part that angers me to no end…one of the common threads between these two assaults…is the fact that each party had a child with them during the assault, and that the perpetrators worked in trying to kidnap the child while assaulting the accompanying adult.
The threats from those infernal manila envelopes along with the assaults happen to only be the beginning of greater threats, and one cannot be too thorough to prepare for such things. Before this plane lands in Japan, I want to have things in motion with those who happen to have a shared vested interest on how my entire matter plays out.
Troy and I may be on a private jet, but there is one particular stop-over that I intend to go as well as three particular men that I must see before I step in Japanese soil.
In less than 30 minutes, I will meet up with three men who have been waiting for me – three big brother figures that I have known and befriended since they became my parents' students at Oxford University.
Destination before Japan…? Phuket Island, Thailand….
This matter regarding the Marukawa-Onodera joint venture is admittedly reviving and stirring bitter memories, raw emotions, and volatile feelings. Thoughts of my parents, Uncle Gavin, and how the three of them died… Along with thoughts of my now-departed loved ones are thoughts of Derek Anson – my other uncle who I am suspecting is the very root of this entire problem, and the puppet master behind Representative Okada.
Derek was behind my parents and Uncle Gavin's deaths, and he still has not stopped. I know that Representative Okada has a bone to pick on the patriarchs of the Onodera, Isaka, Usami, and Ishino families by manipulating and hurting their children…but the full extent of that reason and how far he is willing to go is still unknown to me.
At the same time, I feel it in my bones that Derek is using Representative Okada to hurt the Ishino and Emrys families…and what better way to accomplish that other than by hurting the business and me simultaneously?
And even though Ishino Group retreats from the overseas venture, or has never been involved in the first place, Representative Okada would still have done the same despicable harassment that he has been doing against Usami Akihito, Isaka Ryuichiro, and Onodera Ritsu. Nothing would have spared them from all of this….
Once this plane lands in Japan, my goal is to have enough information to confirm Derek and Representative Okada's involvement behind the threats, negative press, and assaults on Marukawa Shoten's two employees. I also want to know as to how deep their talons have embedded thus far on all that are involved, and who can be trusted. I also need to prepare on how to stop them, and I need everyone's help in this – not just those who are directly involved, but also those who have any and all resources to help me be one step ahead of this game.
That is my job to do…. At the very least, I must send Derek the clear message that the fight is between him and me...and leave everyone else alone. As to Representative Okada, a loud and clear message must be sent as well.
And now my hatred and intense desire to destroy Derek Anson and Representative Okada replaces my feelings of sadness once more. I can feel my eyes narrow as my heart clenches from anger.
My gaze catches the time, and it reminds me that I have another phone call to make…so the trip down memory lane has to be put on hold. When I am about to dial a call via video phone, a call comes in and displays the name of the person who I intend to reach….
I cannot help but smirk, thinking as I see Eisuke's name, "Hmmm…. Great minds think alike. Extra brownie points if Soryu's in this call with him. That'll save me time."
I pick up the call and immediately see Eisuke along with two very familiar faces, making me smile because it just makes me happy to see them together. "Eisuke... I was about to call you and Soryu. Hi, Soryu… Hi, Baba…"
Ah, here is another set of three big brothers…. I have more big brothers from this group, but the original ones were actually five. The three main ones are who I am now seeing via video phone. The fourth, the very first one I have met when my parents were still alive, is most probably in England performing one surgery after another. The fifth one was the second person in Eisuke's crew that I have met and befriended.
Ichinomiya Eisuke, owner of the Treś Spades Hotel chain and Chief Executive Officer of the Ichinomiya Group – one of the oldest, largest, most profitable, and well-respected zaibatsu currently existing in Japan and strongly influencing the world economy.
Oh Soryu, leader of the Hong Kong-based mafia organization called the Ice Dragons which now has a more powerful and influential reach all over the globe under his leadership.
Baba Mitsunari, also known as the modern-day Lupin, the infamous gentleman master thief of international treasures kept by crooks themselves.
Luke Foster, the miracle worker doctor and gifted surgeon, the black-market auction's back-alley doctor and long-time friend of Eisuke, Soryu, and Kei. Luke is the first one who I met in the group, not only formally through social gatherings and our respective parents' friendships but also informally through Kei.
Rhion Hatter, also known as the Mad Hatter...the enigmatic, charming, kind-hearted and larger-than-life former nobleman and auctioneer of the black-market auctions. Rhion and I started our friendship when both of us snuck out of our respective dorm rooms at Oxford and bumped into each other in the middle of the night. Through a ironic twist of fate, Rhion and I cross paths once more through the black market auctions. Ever since then, I make it a point to visit Rhion and catch up on old times whenever opportunity permits. Over the years, our friendship developed into a more familial bond between us where...a blanketing comfort knowing that there is another person out there that lives in a different world other than you, and that is okay. When Rhion auctioned off his dukedom at the black-market auctions, I made sure that I won the bid in hopes that someday when he changes his mind then I can give his rightful title back to him. As of now, Rhion does not know about this although Eisuke was the one who informed me of Rhion's noble title going to bid.
Looking relaxed but still sounding serious, Eisuke tells me, "You have three presents here. One from each of us…"
I lean back against my seat, trying to stretch out the tension from my body. "Good timing. I'll be in Japan in a few hours. I'll still be all over the place, but temporary home-base will be Japan. Are you still picking Troy and me up at the tarmac?"
Ah, there it is… That wise-alecky, charming, trademark Eisuke smirk…. "Yes. Have you forgotten?"
I chuckle a bit, and then smile. "So what do you three think about the desserts I've sent you guys a few weeks ago?"
Eisuke crosses his arms over his chest, lying back against his leather chair. "It's appetizing. I'd like to find out the recipe."
"Soryu…? Baba…?" I ask as I turn my gaze to the other two, "What do you think?"
Soryu and Baba look respectively grim as they nod.
The ever-formal Soryu replies, "We've been keeping an eye for more. We devoured what you've sent us. Not even a crumb left. A recipe will be nice."
Oh, I know exactly what Soryu is talking about. After all, I sent Eisuke, Soryu, and Baba information that pertains to their individual and shared interests. I am just glad that Soryu's pest problem is resolved for the most part thanks to his quick follow-up of the problem. I will do the clean-up once I arrive in Japan and do the preliminary introductions to send this mess to its intended happy ending. The anticipated result…? An alliance and long-standing friendship between Sakura Naogoro's Sakuragumi and the Oh Soryu's Ice Dragons.
In addition, I have new information for Eisuke, Soryu, and Baba. I am sure that if the information that I sent weeks ago was highly entertaining for them then this one in my hand will definitely be worth more of their attention.
Baba, the ever-gentlemanly charmer that he always is, gives me that million-watt smile of his along with that velvety rich-voiced response, "You give us the most unique desserts, Little Lady. I'm still raving over this last one you've sent us. And you know me – my heart belongs in the kitchen. I'd love your recipe, if you can share it with me."
I raise an eyebrow. "Little Lady? I really don't know if I should be flattered or offended with that nickname. I am a lady, but I am not little. At least not anymore…and that has been a while."
"You are somewhat a lady," Soryu deadpans as a semi-smirk escapes from those lips of his, a hand resting on the nape of his neck.
"Little Lady…? Somewhat…? The nerve of you two," I tell Baba and Soryu as I laugh it out. I see Eisuke's reaction and warn him, "Oh, I know that look on your face, Ichinomiya. Don't tell me you're going to join in this bandwagon, too?"
"No," Eisuke smugly declares in a nonchalant tone, resting his head against his hand as he comfortably leans to his right. "I'll save mine when I can see you squirm personally."
"Still a sadist…" I cannot help but shake my head and chuckle more. Ah, I miss hanging out with them.
Baba puts his hand over his heart and bows before telling me, "It's always in the spirit of endearment. Never think of it in any negative light. But tell me... You seem in an 'off' mood right now. Everything all right?"
I respond with a small smile, "Truthfully, no, not everything's all right. That's why I'm heading your way as soon as my feet touch the ground. You really know how to sweep a lady off her feet, dear Sir."
With an enthralling grin gracing his handsome face, Baba says, "Only for special ones who've caught my eye all this time, my Lady. And you know that you always have an empathetic ear with Big Brother Baba here."
"I know that. I might take you up on it, Baba..." I then give the three of them a nod. "I'll see you all in a few hours. I'm glad you're picking me up."
The three of them nod in return.
"And Eisuke…"
As my three big brother figures stir and focused more of their attention on me, I added, "I can't wait to open my presents from you guys. I'll see you and everyone shortly."
Eisuke gives me a rare, warm brotherly smile. "Your gifts will be waiting with us. There's a particular gift I'd like you to see. We'll see you shortly."
The video phone hangs up and the call ends.
I sit back and think about Japan, Eisuke and group, my upcoming debut concert, and the tasks waiting for me there. If there is a gift from Baba, it mostly means one thing…and I cannot wait to see if that "gift" of his will pass the test or not.
As to Eisuke's "particular gift," my heart clenches and hope swells at the same time...a prayer that this "particular gift" is a hot item on my list of "must haves" that I have long been searching for. And if it is that item that I have in mind, then this will bring the closure that one of my brothers currently in Phuket has been seeking for more than half his life.
But first, I close my eyes and try to find a semblance of peace in my head and heart as I think about Phuket and the three who are waiting for my plane's arrival.
End of Chapter One