The Game of Love

Chapter Eight: The Big Date

Tsukushi returned home right after the charity ball. Her energy felt suddenly drained again. It happened already twice since she had returned to Japan. Tsukasa had managed to drain her again. It was starting to be evident that she couldn't even spend any time around him without feeling strained.

Funny, part of her was relieved he was unattached. She was positive he'd be married by now because of his mother. The other part of her wasn't relieved at all. Tsukushi had gotten used to her uncomplicated life. Sure, she was busy with work most of the time, but at least her private life had been nice and peaceful. She loved what she did for a living and she loved her tight circle of friends.

Tsukushi had more friends these days. The less closer ones were from the acting troupe and others were classmates. Sammi was her closest friend from England, while Tsukushi kept Kin-san and Yuki as part of that group. She didn't know where to place Rui in the whole scheme of things. He was a member of the F4, so that automatically put him on Tsukasa's side.

Rui still had the ability to make Tsukushi's world a little less shaky. She had no idea how shaky it was until she ran into him in Kyoto. He had always remained as a special friend to her. She thought often of calling him from wherever she was, especially when things got strained. She never did. Even though she knew that he wouldn't say anything to Tsukasa.

She was pacing in her flat in the living room. She had a bad feeling about this whole dating thing. She had other problems to deal with. She walked up to the balcony and looked out at Tokyo. The lights lit up parts of it. She missed not seeing London outside her window. She shook her head. When she was in London, she missed Tokyo. Now she was in Tokyo, she missed London. She felt like she was torn into two people most of the time. Her public self and her private self.

"We are all merely players," she whispered as she turned back at her apartment. Thanks to Sammi, she was going to have to go out with Doumyouji again. Perhaps, she should have told Sammi about him before. But, it wouldn't have stopped anything. They never really ended their relationship. She was foolish enough to think that time would heal and fix everything.

Tsukushi didn't want to get pulled down again into it. She wanted her freedom and independence. Above all, she wanted control in her own life. She wanted to decide her own future. She remembered what it was like leaving home the way she did. Her parents and she had a throw down knock out fight. Her mother told her if she walked out on the family, she might as well never come back. Tsukushi said that they hardly did anything to raise her.

At first, knowing how angry her mother was, Tsukushi could only keep up with Susumu through Yuki who was passing messages for them. The person who helped Susumu get into Eirin by recommending it was Kin-san. He also kept an eye on Susumu for Tsukushi. Susumu couldn't relate to anyone in Eirin, so he started to hang around Yuki and Kin-san more. They all had one commonality: Tsukushi. It was exciting to watch as she rose through the world. Somehow it wasn't a big surprise for those who knew her best. Her brother knew about her ambition. Kin-san knew about her determination. Yuki knew about her strength. Sammi discovered her talents. Above all, they all believed in her.

*

Rui went home long before everyone else. He didn't feel like staying. It didn't surprise him that Tsukasa had won the auction. Rui wondered if he should have said something earlier about meeting with Tsukushi.

What was making Rui keep it a secret? It wasn't like he had done anything wrong. Rui realized he still would have kept the meeting a secret regardless of how Tsukasa felt about Tsukushi. Rui missed not meeting with her.

Rui had changed a bit from before. He was a little more vocal and he stood his ground in an argument. He had made it clear to his father that he would not assume his responsibilities in the company until he was thirty. His father agreed, but told Rui that there would an arranged marriage for him. Once again, Rui stood his ground and told his father he wouldn't marry anyone chosen for him.

He didn't want to get married to anyone right now. He wanted to see what the world had to offer him other than what was already given to him. He remembered when Tsukushi came to the emergency staircase that last time.

Tsukushi wore her school uniform as she walked up to meet Rui. He turned to face her. Three months had passed since the stabbing. No memories of her. She had spent more and more time with Rui during those dismal months.

"I've talked to my parents. We had a huge fight," she started.

"About what?" asked Rui, sensing that something was coming. He didn't like the way she kept looking passed him and into the distance.

"I don't want to hide my feelings any longer. I told them about how much I hated how they kept pushing me. They pushed me too far," she explained. "I'm sorry, Rui. I thought I could stay here, but I can't."

"What do you mean?" demanded Rui.

"I'm transferring out of Eitoku. I've had enough. I've had enough of not feeling like myself here. I feel like if I don't do something to escape, I'll die here," she answered in a whisper. Rui placed his hands on her shoulders.

"You can't just go. Tsukasa still needs you. Even if he doesn't remember you," whispered Rui. I need you, he thought.

"I don't know who I am anymore. I'm having an identity crisis. Please don't tell anyone that I'm leaving. You're the only person I can trust right now," she whispered with tears in her eyes.

"Please don't go," he managed to tell her as he wrapped his arms around her. "Where will you go? Are you ever coming back?"

"I can't say. As for returning to Japan…follow what your heart tells you," she said simply.

They stayed at the stairs the rest of the day until the sunset. There was nothing more either of them could say.

Rui followed what his heart said. It told him that she would return one day. It wasn't the same as Shizuka. He and Tsukushi were kindred spirits. Tsukushi and Tsukasa matched in personality and they had the same passion for things. However, Rui felt a special higher and deeper connection to her.

He didn't regret not winning the auction. He would always be there for her when things were low because she had been his guide. The way she lived her life to the fullest, even when the odds were against her, showed Rui there was so much more to life than just waiting for things to happen.

Some would have thought that Rui would have stopped functioning after Tsukushi left, but he became stronger. She took a big risk leaving home without anything but herself. That was why Rui never backed down now. This time around, he wasn't going to back down from what he wanted.

*

Tsukasa considered the evening to be a victory. It didn't matter how large the donation to charity was. He had secured some time with her. He had to plan for the date. It was Friday, so the date was only six days away. Where was he going to take her on their date? It had to be a place that was private, away from the press and other prying eyes. It also had to be a place where she wouldn't just leave him.

After much thought, he finally came up with the perfect location. It was a location that was very dear to both of them. The very next day the directions to Tsukushi's flat were sent to his offices. Also, the newspapers had the results from the auction. Tsukasa got the desired effect: she was labeled as his for the world to know and see.

Tsukasa was impressed with Tsukushi more than ever. She was really talented. He always knew that she would rise in the world. However, he didn't want her to work so hard. He wanted to take care of her. Tsukasa was one of the people who saw her before the rest of the world did.

His sister walked into the room. Reiko was down for a nap, so she decided to check up on him. "So, you spent so much money on one date?" asked Tsubaki with some amusement.

"It was for charity," said Tsukasa with a casual shrug.

"Right. How was she?" asked Tsubaki.

"Fine. I'm not sure," answered Tsukasa.

"Then, you'd better not read the entertainment news in the paper," she said with a smile. Tsukasa opened the newspaper on the table and flipped over to the entertainment section. He started to read it as his eyes widened. "What the HELL is this?" he asked out loud.

"They're just rumors, Tsukasa," said Tsubaki as she rolled her eyes. "None of them could be possibly true. Calm yourself."

"It says here that she's going around with Megumi Hiro. They were at the auction together," said Tsukasa. He wondered why Amakusa Seinosuke wasn't mentioned. He had escaped in time. "Megumi works for Hanazawa Records. Rui has never met him though."

"So, Tsukushi-chan could be just working with him," said Tsubaki. "There's no reason to get so worked up over it."

"Who says I'm worked up over it?! I'm not. She can do whatever she wants. I don't care," declared Tsukasa.

"I see. So, you don't care. That's good. I think they are a good match," said Tsubaki thoughtfully.

"What?!" he roared.

"You don't really care, so it doesn't matter," said Tsubaki as she walked off.

*

Yuki arrived for her first day of work early Friday morning. She sighed as she walked through the front doors of Gaia Records. It was a marvel of modern architecture. The building looked like it was made out of glass.

There was a secretary who was meeting and greeting people in the front. Yuki was dressed in a simple business suit. "Hello, how may I help you?" asked the secretary in Japanese.

"My name is Matsuoka Yuki and I'm the new accounting assistant," answered Yuki.

"Oh, you're here," said a man. He was a foreigner who spoke Japanese very well. He had a Scottish accent. He had dark brown hair that was almost black; it was short. He wore a business suit the sculpted his body perfectly, which was slim. His brown eyes were behind a pair of simple wire framed glasses. "My name is Ryan McCormick. I'm here to introduce you to Gaia Records, Matsuoka-san," he continued as he gave her a gentle smile.

"Hello McCormick-san," said Yuki, remembering that Westerns typically had their family names last. She wished that her English was as good as Tsukushi's.

"This way," said Ryan with a smile as he guided her to an office.

Sammi Collins was waiting for them. "Hello, Yuki. I mean Matsuoka-san," she corrected with a smile. "Your resume is impressive."

"I'll be going now. I have some other things to attend to," said Ryan as he nodded to women and walked off, but not before closing the door behind him.

"You may call me by my first name, if you want," said Yuki with a smile.

"There are a few papers you must sign. It's required for those who work around Tsukushi especially. These are confidentiality agreements. We have to maintain security around her at all times. The people who work around her must be able to keep their mouths sealed. But, I don't think you'll have a problem filling out these agreements," said Sammi.

"No. I kept her secret for five years. I was the first one who knew where she ended up after she left Japan," said Yuki. She looked over the papers. They were written in Japanese. She signed and initialed all the papers in ten minutes.

"Okay, here's a run down. Other than your duties in accounting, you are also a Japanese representative of Gaia Records. As such you are expected to be in the public more. My Japanese, in case you haven't notice, isn't the best," admitted Sammi.

"There is also the matter of security. You will be assigned a security badge. Do not lose it. There is a constant stream of bodyguards surrounding Tsukushi in public at all times. You won't be able to get passed them in formal functions without the badge. You have to report to security right after this meeting. You're lucky. You got passed the background check pretty easily because I sped your application along," she continued.

Yuki nodded. It all sounded so strange to her. Why were there so many security procedures surrounding Tsukushi? Yuki thought that it was a bit extreme. She knew that Tsukushi was the top seller, but this went beyond regular protection of Gaia Records' top investment.

She sat there as Sammi continued going over things for the next half hour. Yuki waited until Sammi completed her presentation.

"Do you have any questions?" asked Sammi.

"Um…yes. Why do you have so much security around her?" asked Yuki.

Sammi sighed. "First of all, since you signed the agreement, nothing I am about to say will leave this office. Do you understand?" Yuki gave a nod.

"Tsukushi's position in the spotlight has garnered some unwanted attention. In fact, a great security risk. She has a stalker. As far as the London police can tell, he's been at it for more than a year. We can't tell for sure. However, there have been threatening letters, phone calls, and other things. The London police has perceived him as a threat," said Sammi in a quiet voice.

Yuki paled over all at once. She opened her mouth slowly. "That's why Gaia had to push up the time table on the Japanese album. She was due to stay in Europe and possibly the Americas for two more years, but we thought it would be best to come to Japan. However, we still must keep security at all times," continued Sammi.

"What about school?" asked Yuki.

"Ah, we have some security dressed in plain clothes. They are labeled as auditors in her classes," replied Sammi.

Yuki thought about it and said, "I remember seeing this guy around us. I mean when we had lunch on campus. He was sitting by himself. He was talking on a cell phone microphone. Was that one of the bodyguards?"

"Yes. However, that is a little conspicuous. I'll have to talk to them again," said Sammi.

"Why do you have to make them so inconspicuous?" asked Yuki, but part of her already knew the answer."

"Tsukushi," they said in unison. They looked at each other briefly before laughing.

"You've known her much longer than I. So, you do know how she feels," said Sammi with a smile.

"Yes, but you've known her for the last five years. I haven't. So, we are both puzzled by her equally. She's always been a very determined person. She's not about to let a stalker conduct her life. So, she wants to continue with business as usual," concluded Yuki.

"It worries me. It's like she's not taking it seriously at all," admitted Sammi. "If she doesn't worry about her safety, there are others who have to."

"She probably does, but if she admits that she worried, it will show weakness. That is the last thing she wants to show the stalker," said Yuki thoughtfully.

"Exactly. The only thing we can do is tighten security without being too obvious about it," agreed Sammi. "That's why I had to do a quick background check on Doumyouji Tsukasa before he could take her out."

"There's no need for that. He wouldn't hurt her," said Yuki quickly. At least not physically, she thought, but she couldn't be sure of that either.

"How do you know that?" asked Sammi.

"Um…I can tell," said Yuki. "Anyway, has anything happened recently to prove that there's a need to increase security?"

"Yes, I'm afraid. There was a breech at the Maple Hotel. There were a dozen roses in the room, but no one can figure out how they got there. The Tokyo Police have been alerted, but as far as anyone knows they just appeared out of thin air," admitted Sammi.

"How do you know they're from the stalker?"

"There was a note attached to it."

Yuki felt her blood go cold for a moment. She knew that there was a price to everything. The idea that someone out there was lurking around, waiting for a moment of weakness.

There was a hunter lurking and waiting. His prey was a human being. She was like a bug in a jar or under a microscope.

Little did anyone know just how much danger Tsukushi was in and so was everyone else around her. The only person who knew that was the stalker. And he was saying nothing.

*

The night of the date arrived before Tsukushi could even mentally prepare for the date. Of course, it would take another five years for her to be ever truly ready to face off with Tsukasa again. No. She must stop thinking like that. It wasn't as if she hadn't gone out on a date with him before.

She was dressed in a red dress. It came to just about her knee. The dress had on strap on one side, while the other left her right shoulder bare. There was a ruffle that ran down from that strap to her hip. She wore her hair down and wore minimal make up. She didn't want to look like she had put any effort into getting ready. She wore a pair of high-heeled sandals that were clear plastic and opened at the toes.

The limo pulled up to her apartment. She found it odd that Doumyouji wasn't there to meet her. She wondered what he had planned for her. She didn't like the feeling she had in her stomach. She couldn't tell where the limo was going exactly and the driver wasn't talking to her. I've walked into a trap, she thought.

When the limo came to a stop the door was opened for her. She stepped outside and immediately felt a cool breeze hit her shoulders and loop around her hair. She looked around and realized that she was at the pier. She looked in front of her and saw it.

It was the boat that she and Doumyouji shared their first kiss on. It was the same boat that they had run off to during his eighteenth birthday party. She had never imagined seeing it again.

"I was wondering if you would come," said Doumyouji as he stepped off the boat in front of her.

"It was an obligation to the charity. I always keep my obligations," said Tsukushi in a brisk, businesslike voice. She had a simple black pea coat over her dress, but he could see the red peaking through. She felt chilly.

"The boat's warmer inside. Come," he said to her simply. It didn't sound like an order, which threw Tsukushi off balance. No. I must not let my defenses slip. I know the person I'm dealing with, she thought.

She had to admit that Tsukasa looked handsome that evening. He wore a simple suit without a tie. She thought it was a little odd because he was raised to be formal when it came to everything. She shook her head again. She shouldn't let his appearance fool her for one moment.

"I thought that this would be the best place for our date. We'll take a short cruise out to sea," he told her.

"I see," she said quietly.

The air was thick with tension. Tsukushi followed Doumyouji as they walked forward to deck where that party was held more than five years ago. It was the room where Tsukushi's first kiss happened. Doumyouji looked at her for some kind of reaction, but she didn't show any. "I'll take your coat," he said.

She nodded and took it off. He took it and handed it to one of the servants standing nearby. He marveled at the dress she was wearing. "Have a seat," he said as he pulled her chair for her.

Tsukushi sat down. Doumyouji gently pushed her in. For a moment, his fingertips grazed her skin. It was enough to drive any lingering chills from her body as she looked up at him. She watched him take a seat across from her.

The servants came in and served the dinner, but they quickly left. Instead of musicians playing, Doumyouji had a CD player with soft music playing because he wanted to ensure some privacy, even from the servants.

"How was your day?" asked Doumyouji.

"Busy, yours?" asked Tsukushi.

"Probably not as busy as yours. Tell me about your life. What have you been up to?" asked Doumyouji.

"Well, I've been going to school during the day and in the afternoon I go to work. It's almost the same as before, except the levels have changed. So has the pay," answered Tsukushi.

They sounded like they were discussing the weather. "When did you get back from New York?" she asked.

"Just about three weeks ago," replied Doumyouji.

"So, you went to school there?" asked Tsukushi.

"For three years. I attended Harvard," answered Doumyouji.

"It's nothing compared to London University," said Tsukushi.

"That's a public university, right? You also attended Guildhall School for the Arts and the Performing Arts."

"Ah, you read my biography on my website."

"And since you didn't ask, I'll tell you. I got my memories back not too long after you left. All you had to do was wait a little while longer," said Doumyouji. That was the thing that bothered him the most. For all the patience he had had with her, she didn't spare him much.

"You're not the only reason I left," said Tsukushi. "Don't flatter yourself. I don't want to talk about that. Let's not fight. Please."

It was fresh start for them, so Doumyouji didn't want to fight either. They could just start over. "Fine. What are your plans in Japan?" he asked.

"I hope to get my master's in English while I'm here. I also have to work on my next album. Company obligations, like this one, keeps me busy," she replied.

He didn't like her tone. It was so businesslike. They were incredibly strained and it was less than an hour into the date. The cruise was to last for four hours. He only had her for four hours. "Have you assumed your responsibilities in your company?" she asked.

"Started to," said Doumyouji.

"What about the rest of the F4?"

"Soujirou and Akira have. Rui hasn't. He's like you. He's still going to school in Eitoku. He's going for his masters in Economics," answered Doumyouji.

Tsukushi didn't like his tone when he said, "He's like you." It sounded like he thought that it was a waste of time. He still had that superiority complex. It was aggravating for her.

"Some of us value broadening our academic horizons, Doumyouji."

"There's also the saying, 'Those who can't, teach,'" he said.

"You've learned how to say things correctly. I would have thought you would have gotten that wrong," said Tsukushi smartly. She didn't care anymore. If they were going to fight, then they were going to fight. There was no point in letting this façade go on any longer than it had to. She personally didn't think that highly of a Harvard education because it was simple to buy. The competition in the public schools was fiercer and dirtier, depending on what the school was known for. Some of the professors at London University were refugees from private universities.

She remembered something. The profile that the police back in London had come up with about the stalker. He was college educated. He wasn't just some punk who thought he was smarter than everyone else. No. He was someone who was just as smart as he assumed himself to be, which made him even more dangerous.

But, she was safe for the time being. There was no way the stalker could be on the boat. Doumyouji's presence also made her feel secure. Oddly enough, it didn't before. He was the lesser of two evils as far as she was concerned.

"Are you alright?" he asked, noticing that she was staring off into space. "You seem distracted."

"I'm just tired," she replied as she gave him a small smile. She felt the odd sensation of feeling joy because he cared for her.

"You work too hard still," he said. "Maybe, you should get out more. Away from work."

"I can't. At least not right now."

"There's always time for something, if you make it so."

"That's easy for you to say, Doumyouji. I'm still technically working class compared to you. Besides, I like working. I love my career."

Doumyouji felt a twinge of envy as he heard her words. He wished he could say that about his career choice. Then again, he didn't have a choice. She did. She had shaped her future on her terms.

The rest of the dinner went by smoothly. Perhaps it was because they didn't talk much. They talked back and forth about little things like how everything tasted good or how the music was nice. It was so strict and formal that it looked like a business dinner. There was more tension as the dinner went on. It wasn't going to take much to set either Tsukushi or Doumyouji off. The four hours were slipping by quickly.

"Would you like to take a walk around the deck?" asked Doumyouji as dessert was coming to a close. The boat was now headed towards the shore.

"I would like to," agreed Tsukushi.

Doumyouji offered his arm, which Tsukushi took without any reluctance. He studied her again as she walked beside him. He was on her left side and looked down at her feet. The tattoo caught his eye again.

"That must have hurt," he commented.

"What?" asked Tsukushi.

"The tattoo on your ankle."

She stopped and looked down. "I got this before I was discovered in a little tattoo parlor in London. Sammi was supposed to get one of a lily, but she chickened out at the last minute. I still got mine."

"Why would anyone in their right mind get a tattoo?" asked Doumyouji. His voice was rough with disapproval.

"Why would anyone pierce themselves?" asked Tsukushi as she looked at his earring.

"That's different."

"How is it different?"

"It just is."

"It's my skin. I don't have to ask anyone's permission to do anything."

"I suppose it's normal for your line of work. Do you know what that makes you look like?"

"What are you implying? I don't like your tone."

"It makes you look like a prostitute," said Doumyouji simply. "Then again, that is essentially what you do for living, isn't it? You're selling yourself."

SMACK!

Doumyouji pulled back in surprise. Tsukushi had backhanded him. He rubbed the spot on his cheek that her hand had met.

"You bastard! You haven't changed one bit. Let me tell you something: at least I worked and earned my way to the top. You're nothing more, but a corporate dummy. I have control over my future, which more than what I can say about you. So, you have no right to judge me. I earned my money on my own. I didn't earn it off the backs of others!"

"DAMN YOU! LOOK AT YOU WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO YOURSELF!" shouted back Doumyouji.

The boat had come to a halt at the dock. Tsukushi wasted no time. She didn't even bother to go and get her coat. She didn't care. It wasn't worth tolerating him any longer than necessary.

"You can go to Hell! I am proud of what I do for a living. It is more than just a job to me!" she roared. "I'm getting out of here."

"You go to Hell!" shouted Doumyouji. How dare she walk away from him again. He felt like he was on fire. He went after her and grabbed her wrist. "You had a chance to make a better life for yourself before. How stupid have you become?"

Tsukushi glared at him. "I'm still smarter than you. I'm smart enough to walk away from a fight that is a waste of my time and energy. You aren't even worth that any more," she told him coldly as she walked off.

AN: It was too good to be true. However, if you think about it almost any job you do can be considered "whoring." It's just that Tsukushi's occupation is a little more obvious. I wasn't planning on making this story that long, but ideas keep coming to me. Who thought that date would have jump-started their romance? Wrong. This is Hana Yori Dango.

What else could possibly go wrong for Tsukushi and Tsukasa? What will happen next? He didn't just insult her job, but her passion. That's pretty low. He could have express how proud he was of her.

Someone said that I put too much detail in my story. Sorry, I don't care what you have to say since you didn't leave your name or an e-mail address. Therefore, your opinion is invalid. It is also part of my style to put detail in and there are loads more people from previous works that adore the detail I put in. I tend to write between play and novel style. It is part of my style.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango.