The Game of Love

Chapter Six: Eirin's Track Star

The sun bore down on the athletes as they practiced for an upcoming track meet. Sweat glistened off their skins and permeated through their thin tank tops. From time to time, they stopped to take sips of water to keep the heat down. The air was warm for the fall. Some would call it "Indian Summer."

A group of girls were gathered in the stands watching one of the top athletes of the school. They had appointed themselves his personal cheer squad, but he never so as much looked at them. "Woohoo! Susumu-kun!" shouted one of his fellow upper classmen.

There was a hierarchy and a set of rules when it came to Makino Susumu. If one was a first year, then he was addressed as "Makino-san." If one was a second year, then he was known as "Susumu-san." And finally the third years, his year, called him "Susumu-kun" or just by his first name. There were also rules on how to approach him. Girls had to meet him in groups, while the boys could meet with him individually, but they were typically in pairs.

To be on the track team was a great honor in the school. Of course, Susumu never paid much attention to all the things everyone else was doing. Eirin's track team was one of the top ones in all of Tokyo. He was the person who made it all possible with all his hard work and determination. The only school that could rival Eirin in the championship was Eitoku.

Eitoku had an excellent athlete who had craved his reputation in the school because he wanted to be different from his older brother. His name was Nishikado Tori. He was Makino Susumu's top rival. The boys had a bitter rival that was coming to a head soon because the schools were practically guaranteed to compete in the final track meet for the championship in all of Tokyo.

"Okay, that concludes practice for today. Shower up, then you can leave," said the coach as he dismissed them.

Susumu took a quick shower and decided to go to his part time job. It was Tuesday and he hadn't heard from his sister in since Sunday. She had called to tell him that she couldn't make a visit to their parents, but he wasn't too surprised. She barely talked to him for two minutes before having to go off and have brunch with her producers.

Ogata Mariko had watched him shyly from the stands. She lacked the courage to even talk to him. He never noticed her, but he found the others very annoying. She sighed and decided it was time to go back to home. Mariko was the youngest of three sisters. Her two older sisters attended Eitoku, while her father was a member of the Diet. Her two older sisters were more sophisticated than she was and also prettier. One of them, Masaki, was in the same year as the famous F4, while the other, Hikaru, was in her first year of college.

She felt like she was a great let down on the family. She wasn't as bright as her sisters, but she was kinder than they were. They were so full of themselves that they spent their parents' money on a whim. Mariko wished that she had some of their self-confidence with guys. She was in her second year of high school and still hadn't had a single date, let alone her first kiss.

Mariko had resigned herself to that fact. She walked down the street away from school, unwittingly there were a group of guys waiting for students coming out of Eirin. They were stupid street punks who thought that the rich kids going there would be easy prey. They had purposely waited for the last students, but what they hadn't realized was that most of the students went home by car and driver.

Mariko stopped asking her driver to pick her up after she had seriously developed her crush on Susumu. She didn't want anyone from her household knowing. Her sisters would try to help her and make her into something she wasn't. She just wasn't the forceful type.

If only I could get him to notice me. He's so wonderful. He's polite, but he's quiet. He doesn't even wear the school uniform correctly, she thought to herself. Suddenly, out of nowhere, the guys grabbed her.

"Let me go!" Mariko screamed as they slammed her against the wall of an alley.

"Give us all your money!" ordered the lead guy. She reached for her wallet with shaky hands. She had spent the last of her allowance that morning. It was almost the end of the month. "But, I don't have any," she sobbed.

The lead guy opened it. "Hey! There's nothing in here!" he shouted as he threw it down.

"How can that be Kouji?! You said these kids were rich!" exclaimed one of the other guys.

"Well, then we'll have to take it out of her," he said as he reached for her. Mariko pressed back against the wall. She all she could do was shut her eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" asked a deep voice.

"None of your business!" shouted Kouji.

"I think it is," said the voice calmly.

"Hey! It's one of the other kids. He might have some money," said one of the other guys.

Mariko kept her eyes closed. She couldn't stand to watch violence. Her voice was caught in her throat. Who was it that cared so much to help her?

"Well, I just got back from practice, but since I hardly broke a sweat: sure, why not? I could use the extra exercise."

The next thing Mariko heard were the sounds of the punching, kicking, and shrieks of pain. She couldn't stand it as she bit her lip. She opened one of her eyes. The sight she saw was totally unexpected. Her knight in shining armor was none other Makino Susumu. She watched him as he trounced all four of her would be attackers. They took off scurrying like cockroaches.

There wasn't a scratch on him. He looked at her briefly before picking up his gym back and walking off without a word. She sank on the ground, feeling utterly embarrassed for being so helpless. She could hear his footsteps as he walked away. He paused and sighed. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Makino-san," she whispered. "Thank you very much."

"No problem," he said. This was the most she had ever heard him talk. He walked back to her and offered her a hand. "Let's get out of here."

"Okay," she murmured.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Ogata Mariko," she answered.

"You shouldn't walk around alone like that. Why aren't you taking a car like everyone else?" asked Susumu.

"Um…I felt like walking. What about you?" she asked, hoping to learn more about him.

"I don't have a car or a driver," he said simply.

She was taken back by surprised. Most people thought he had come from a wealthy family, but he never revealed much of himself, so no one was certain. He had an expensive cell phone and once she had seen him dressed in expensive clothes. She realized how little anyone really knew about him.

"Susumu," said a female voice that caught, Mariko's attention. Her mouth dropped a little bit. There stood a petite woman with brown hair that was up in an elegant twist. She wore sunglasses and a white dress shirt with a black velvet skirt that fell just below her knees. She wore a pair of knee high boots. This young woman was shorter than Mariko, but with the heels made her appear to be just as tall. Combined with the way she walked and presented herself, she seemed taller still. "I've been trying to reach you," she continued.

"Oneesan," said Susumu in surprise. He wasn't expecting to see her. "I had to turn it off for practice."

"Oneesan?" asked Mariko.

"And who is this?" asked the young woman with a smile as she turned her attention to Mariko.

"This is Ogata Mariko. She goes to my school. Um…what year are you, Ogata-san?" he asked her.

"Second year, Makino-san," she replied in a whisper.

"I came here to have some tea with my brother. It is four in the afternoon. Tea time," said the young woman. "I would be delighted, if you'd join us."

Mariko found herself mesmerized by this young woman. There was something worldly about her. She was carried herself in a different way from other people and her voice sounded oddly familiar to her. It was her voice. It was soft and sultry. She had an accent that wasn't completely Japanese; it was partly European. This woman wasn't strikingly beautiful, but she exuded something else. Mariko couldn't put it into words.

That was how she found herself dragged to a café. Susumu was a little annoyed at his sister's arrival that meant he would be late for work, but he had no choice. "Where have you been, Onessan?" he asked as they settled down.

"I have been moving to my new flat and I've been busy with work. I'm sorry," said Tsukushi apologetically. "How was school?"

"Fine," answered Susumu.

"What happened?" asked Tsukushi, noticing how quiet Mariko was.

Mariko was quiet because she was marveling at the two people she was meeting with. She now knew something that the rest of the school didn't: Susumu had a cool older sister who wasn't as stuck up as most of the kids at Eirin. She wasn't paying any attention at all while they were talking, so by the time she had snapped out of it, she could only hear Susumu's older sister say, "That's terrible."

"Are you okay, Mariko?" she asked with deep concern.

"I-I'm fine," stammered Mariko as her cheeks flushed.

"Let's go and check you over at the ladies' room," said Tsukushi as she stood up. "We'll be right back, Susumu."

"Okay," he said. He had to wait for them to leave before he could call his boss and say he was running a little late.

"Come," said Tsukushi as she gently tapped Mariko's shoulder.

"H-hai, Sempai," said Mariko as she followed her. She must think I'm stupid. I can't talk to her. She's so..so…I can't describe it, she thought.

They walked into the restroom where Tsukushi took out a handkerchief out of her bag and wetted it under some running water. "You look little flush," she said as she pressed the cool cloth against Mariko's cheeks. She was smiling at her. "This brings back some interesting memories for me."

"Really?" asked Mariko.

"It wasn't too long ago that someone helped me like this," said Tsukushi fondly.

"What do you mean?" asked Mariko.

"Nothing. Let's get you cleaned up," said Tsukushi. "My brother has trouble making friends in Eirin. I've been busy with work for a while that I hardly get to spend any time with him. You seem nice."

"Um…we're not friends. W-we just met today," Mariko quickly corrected. "He saved me."

Tsukushi started to softly laugh. It sounded like music to Mariko's ears. "I'm sorry. I'm not laughing at you. Just something I remember."

"How much older are you than Makino-san?" asked Mariko.

"Four years. I was attending school in England for a while. I transferred to Tokyo University," answered Tsukushi. "Okay, I guess we're done. Are you sure that you're okay?"

"Yes. Thank you, Sempai," said Mariko as she bowed to her slightly.

"That's not necessary. Let's head back," said Tsukushi as she allowed Mariko to go in front of her.

They headed back to the table where Susumu and Tsukushi talked about what they were doing at their respective schools. Tsukushi asked Mariko some questions, but for the most part she was quietly observing them. She could see the family resemblance. They both had warm, chocolate brown eyes. They were having a wonderful time until Tsukushi's cell went off.

"Excuse me," she said as she looked at who called. "Hello? Yes. I'm with my brother right now. Okay. I'll be there. I'll go right now."

"Work?" asked Susumu.

Tsukushi gave him a sad smile. "I'm sorry. I really am. I'll tell you where my new flat is." She wrote out the address on a piece of notebook paper that Susumu provided for her. She handed it back. "I'll talk to you later. It was nice meeting you, Mariko-san," she continued.

Mariko watched with wonderment as Susumu's sister left. She hadn't even learned her name, which Mariko thought was odd. Neither Susumu nor his sister made an effort to introduce her. "You're sister. She's amazing," said Mariko truthfully.

"Thank you," said Susumu.

"What does she do for a living? She looks like she's so well traveled," said Mariko.

"That's because she is. She works for Gaia Records," said Susumu vaguely, but Mariko didn't know him well enough to notice.

"Really? They're the ones who produce Ringo Arisu. She's wonderful," said Mariko in awe. "Does she get to work with her?"

"You could say that," said Susumu as his eyes lit up with some amusement. "So, you're a fan of Ringo Arisu?"

"Aren't you?"

"I'm not sure. I've heard her music. I got to hear her live when she performed in front of the Emperor of Japan in Kyoto."

"Really? That's great. Did you get in because of your sister's connections?"

"You could say that," said Susumu. He was enjoying this game he was playing with her. He glanced at his watch. "I'm sorry. I have to go. Be careful walking home. I would escort you, but I have to go to work. Will you be okay now?"

Mariko could only nod. She didn't trust herself to speak. She stood still as he paid the bill and left. She couldn't tell him that she would take care of it. As she watched him walk away she stood up and started, but not before looking at his retreating back. "What an amazing family…" she whispered.

*

Tsukushi was feeling a little paranoid, which was to be expected. The Tokyo Police couldn't find anything wrong. It looked as if the roses had appeared there by magic. Luckily, she moved out of the hotel and into a flat. The building was located closer to Tokyo University. The security was increased around her. There were now bodyguards dressed as students attending classes with her. They were labeled as auditors. At least two bodyguards were present at any time.

Yesterday she had a press conference. The launching of the new project was announced. Tsukushi's career was like a snowball, growing and expanding with each passing day. It was rolling off a hill, threatening to go out of control without a moment's notice.

She remembered being bombarded with questions and comments. They were all wondering about her. She intrigued the Japanese press. They wanted to know everything about her life. They asked what some of her favorite things were. The most embarrassing question was the one about her love life.

Knowing the tabloids, they would write something sensationalized. Tsukushi was afraid of them finding out some of her past connections. If they found out about her past with Doumyouji, they would write so many things. She really didn't want that to happen. The past was the past and she had already left it there.

Today was a new day. Sammi had called Tsukushi that she was having a meeting with one of the other musicians she was going to work with on the new album, Megumi Hiro. Sammi met her at the front.

"How did it go?" asked Sammi.

"He's fine. I was just a little worried about him," answered Tsukushi. She stopped when they entered the room to find a handsome young man with his group that consisted of his manager and others.

"This is Megumi Hiro of Hanazawa Records," Sammi introduced them. "And this is Ringo Arisu of Gaia Records."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Tsukushi in Japanese.

"That's not necessary. I'm more comfortable with English," said Hiro as he looked at her over his green tinted sunglasses. His eyes were blueish-green and his hair was jet black and a bit longish. He was one of the top musicians in Japan.

"All right. I'm comfortable with either," said Tsukushi.

"We should be comfortable with each other. Our companies would like us to work together to produce your album," said Hiro with a smile.

He was very handsome. His features told Tsukushi that he was half foreigner. He was tall and graceful. "You have a very big voice for such a small person. I thought you'd be taller," he continued.

"I get that all the time," said Tsukushi.

"Okay, we're thinking that you should do a song in English or Japanese. It's up to you both," said Sammi happily.

"You will have to meet on your own," said Hiro's manager.

"How long have you been with Hanazawa Records?" asked Tsukushi.

"For three years. I heard you're a wicked guitarist," said Hiro.

Tsukushi shook her head. "I'm just average. What kind of instruments do you play?" she asked.

"Saxophone," replied Hiro.

"I love jazz and blues. Actually I love all kinds of music," said Tsukushi.

"Then maybe you should join me sometime. I know the best jazz clubs in Tokyo," said Hiro.

"Um…I don't think so," said Tsukushi very quickly.

"Why not?" asked Sammi. "You could go out more. Stop being such a home body."

Why does this feel like a marriage meeting? It's like they're trying to set us up or something. Am I just being paranoid? Maybe I am working too hard, thought Tsukushi. She glared at Sammi.

"What did I say?" she asked innocently.

"I look forward to working with you," said Tsukushi. "I have to get going. I have homework assignments to finish."

The meeting wrapped up after that. Tsukushi was more than happy to return home to her flat, which had new furniture. It didn't make much of a difference to her. There was hardly a place she really called home. She felt like she had been traveling for the past five years straight. It could make anyone feel wore out and tired.

There came a knock at the door at seven in the evening. To her delight, Yuki and Kin-san came over to visit her. "We wanted to see your new flat," said Kin-san. "I brought dinner."

"It's great to see you. Come in," said Tsukushi at the door. As long as there were people with her, she felt safe.

Yuki and Kin-san admired her new apartment. "It's so pretty and big," said Yuki. "I can't believe you're living in such a big place."

"Someone in the company picked it out. I had to move out of the hotel. Sammi won't tell me how much it costs. I'll have to check with my accountants. Let's eat. I'm starving."

They gathered around a Western table that was painted with rich wood paint. The chairs were expensive along with everything else. Tsukushi was trying her best not audit everything. It was part of her success. Her image as a rich person had to be reflected in the place she lived. She felt a little embarrassed by her flat. She knew that Yuki was still living at home and working to support herself so she could move out. Kin-san lived a tiny apartment and worked hard at his restaurant while also going to school. Neither of them was as well off as Tsukushi. It was rather ironic because she used to be the one who wasn't well off.

"Everything looks so nice," admired Yuki. "You deserve it. You work so hard."

"Thanks. I met with Susumu today. He seemed busy, but I met this girl who was with him. She's cute," said Tsukushi with a smile.

"Oh, I see," said Yuki as she giggled.

"Ladies, you aren't going to give him a hard time are you?" asked Kin-san. "That would be cruel of you."

"I've never seen anything like it. I've missed so much. But I'm glad I didn't miss this," said Tsukushi. Her cheek rested into her palm.

"You sound like an old woman," said Yuki.

"Hey, I've been thinking, Yuki. How much do you get for working at Mimasaka?" asked Tsukushi.

"Um…just enough for my extra expenses. I'm thinking of moving out of my parents' house. Why?" asked Yuki.

"I'm thinking if you want to move out, you should get a job that makes more money for you. You're studying to be an accountant, right?" asked Tsukushi.

"Look, as nice as your place is, I'm not moving here," said Yuki quickly.

"Of course not, I wouldn't insult you that way. You should get a job that would lead you into your occupation right away. You're working as a secretary, but that doesn't mean you'll get a better job straight out of school. So, what I'm saying is to get a job that would directly lead you to your occupation," said Tsukushi calmly.

"What do you mean?" asked Kin-san, getting more interested in the conversation.

"Gaia Records' offices need Japanese employees. You can work in the accounting department as an assistant. If you want," said Tsukushi as she ate some of her dinner.

"You're kidding right?" asked Yuki eagerly.

"However, you'll have to interview on your own. It's just a tip. I won't give you anymore help than this," said Tsukushi with a smile.

"That's fine!" exclaimed Yuki. She really didn't like her supervisor. "And I'll actually get to spend more time with you."

"I don't know about that. I have to get to work on the next album. I've been trying to write, but there are a lot of things to do. The work at school is getting heavier."

"Why are you still going to school? I thought you graduated," said Kin-san.

"I did. But I wanted to get my master's. I still have to work on my thesis," said Tsukushi.

"But you don't need to," said Yuki.

"I should…just in case this whole music thing doesn't work out," she said with a casual wave of her hand.

Her friends looked at her strangely as she started laughing. She finally joined in. It was wonderful just to be with them. They made her feel safe despite the danger lurking near her.

*

"I have something that you may be happy to hear," said Tsubaki as she walked in with Reiko who was smiling at all the guests.

"What?" asked Tsukasa. The F4 were all gathered at the house.

"There is a charity ball coming up for the Children's World Fund. Ringo Arisu is going to attend. Other than command performances, she only attends charity events," said Tsubaki.

"When is it?" asked Tsukasa.

"Next week. That's not all. The charity decided to do something interesting this year. They are having celebrities for a date auction. They've managed to secure two of the most popular musician in Japan, Ringo Arisu and Megumi Hiro," answered Tsubaki.

"A date auction?" asked Soujirou.

"And she's actually going through with it?" asked Akira in disbelief.

"I can't believe it," said Rui quietly as he looked at Tsukasa.

What's wrong with her? Has she really lost her mind? God only knows who she'll end up with in that case, thought Tsukasa. "Why would she do that?" he asked out loud. "Why would she sell herself?"

"It's for charity, Tsukasa. For the Children's World Fund. You may want to consider making a large donation," said Tsubaki. Reiko gave a giggle as her mother smiled.

Tsukasa didn't wear an expression on his face. He realized what he had to do. No matter what he had to win the auction.

AN: I made the parts with Susumu and Mariko so shojo. I got the idea about the rules from Fruits Basket. Kin-san will be Tsukushi's escort to the auction. However, Sammi wisely doesn't tell Tsukushi about the auction. Um…care to guess who wins the auction? Or better yet how much will Tsukushi go for? For more info go to http://kirika.ujournal.org

Disclaimer: Hana Yori Dango belongs to Yoko Kamio. I don't own it. No $$$ for law suits anyway. ^^