For the first time in weeks, Tsukushi could feel free of the burden of things around her. She didn't even stop to think of her stalker. Tsubaki and Aki spent the party talking with her friends and found out so much more about Tsukushi's life away from Japan. The stage actors were especially eager to share information about her, which included some embarrassing stories.
The party went on for hours. Everyone who was invited to Japan was going to stay until New Year's. They were invited the performance that Tsukushi had to give, but her band was with her. Eddie, Sean, and Robby were going to join her. They had brought their instruments along for the trip. Even though only two songs were finished for the album. They felt bad for being left out.
The party wrapped up and Tsukushi returned to her apartment. She stepped out of the limo to see that someone was waiting for her. She didn't expect to see him. Dominic and the other guards came to her defense right away, but she held up a hand to stop them.
"I didn't expect to see you," said Tsukushi. "It's all right. I'm fine." She said the last part to her body guards.
Tsukasa smiled at her a bit. "I just came to wish you a happy birthday," he said.
Tsukushi didn't know what to say. Part of her was happy to see him, but another part of her didn't think it was wise to be see anywhere with him. "Come let's talk in the lobby," said Tsukushi, not wanting to invite him to her penthouse, but not wanting to be seen talking on the street. Tsukasa nodded.
"This is pretty nice," he observed. "I remembered that small apartment you stayed at before. The one without the bathtub or shower."
Tsukushi smiled fondly at those memories. "I remember how you went back to your house to sleep because you couldn't stand it."
"I am gentle person. I require proper beddings to sleep," said Tsukasa. He really didn't want to pick a fight with her like he had done in their previous encounters. Today was her day.
Tsukushi also felt awkward, so she didn't bother to make a quip at him. She was wearing the sweater that Charlie had given her. "Things have really changed, haven't they? Who would have thought that I would have a place like this without you?"
Without you?
Those words echoed through his head. He wanted her to need him as much as he needed her. It bothered him that she was able to take care of herself so well. He didn't try to reach her. Even though she was physically nearby, she seemed distant.
"You met my father, didn't you?" asked Tsukasa. It was the other thing that was bothering him.
"As I told your father, he didn't ask," replied Tsukushi. "Besides, I was trying to be kind. Some of the things I know about you aren't very flattering."
"But you didn't have to act like you never met me," said Tsukasa gruffly.
Tsukushi looked at him for a moment. Her brown, doe-like eyes locked with his. Those were a signature Makino feature. Like her brother's they held untold depth. However, unlike his, hers had warmth and humor in them. There was something else. Something almost like the coldness that was so blatant in Susumu's. It was sadness. Tsukushi seemed troubled as well as distant.
"Did you get anything good for your birthday?" he asked, deciding to change the subject.
"Yes. I got gifts from my friends. I really don't ask for anything, so everyone has to really think about it. It's just that I really don't know what I want," said Tsukushi.
"Here."
Tsukasa handed her a velvet box. It was a small one and unwrapped. Tsukushi took a deep breath. She remembered the last time he had given her a box. She was still wearing the necklace he gave her before. It was under her tank top and sweater. She felt the soft velvet against her skin.
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept this," said Tsukushi as she attempted to hand back the box without opening.
"It's not for anyone else, but you," insisted Tsukasa. "It's a custom made."
Just like the last one. Tsukushi shook her head. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"Just open it," insisted Tsukasa, starting to lose his patience.
Tsukushi sighed and opened it. Her mouth opened slightly as she stared at it.
It was an apple pendant. The apple was made out of large rubies and tiny diamonds. The leaves were emeralds. It was all on a platinum setting with a platinum chain.
She looked at him with disbelieving eyes. She was under the impression that he didn't like what she did for a living. "Makino, I would really like it if you would just accept this as an apology for what I said earlier," he said.
"Really?"
"Yes," said Tsukasa as he stood up. "I have to work to today. There's a meeting that's going on at the same time as a meeting that my father is attending. He can't be there, so I have to go."
"Oh," whispered Tsukushi. It was odd that he had to work, when she didn't. He leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek, catching her by surprise. She looked at him with surprise, but he was out the door before she could react. She still had the box in her hand.
"Are you all right?" asked Dominic with concern. He had never seen anyone do that to her before. He couldn't understand most of what they were saying. He could tell that they had some history together.
"Yes, I'm fine," said Tsukushi, even though she wasn't completely sure of that.
Tsukasa got outside to the limo that was waiting for him. What he didn't know was that his picture was being taking again. It was taken when he first met up with her. The stalker took more and more pictures of him, adding him to the list.
*
The next day, Tsukushi had to wake up early. There was only two days to prepare to do a live performance that was going to be aired all over the world. There was also a buzz in the air as the concert was being planned and put underway.
Yuki was not working so much in the accounting department. Instead, she was working with Ryan by helping hiring the staff and crew for the backstage. Background checks had to be performed before going through to security. It was predicted that the concert was going to draw a number of international visitors as well.
Sammi was busy with Tsukushi's day-to-day dealings as well, making sure that she got extensions for all her dissertation work. Ryan was in and out of the office all day long. He was keeping in touch with his cell phone. Tsukushi had to get to the stage to practice at a television station that was owned by the Hanazawa Corporation.
There was more security checks done, which Ryan had to go and do ahead of time. Dominic stuck close to Tsukushi where he normally was. Sammi called ahead to make sure that the preparations were done before they had arrived. Ryan met them at the front.
"Everything has been triple checked," he reported. "I've even made sure that entrances have studio security on them."
"Excellent," said Sammi.
"Let's do one dry run, so that I can figure out what I need to have changed," said Tsukushi.
She saw her band preparing the sound equipment themselves. The boys were like monkeys, tech monkeys to be more accurate. She greeted them before taking her guitar out of her case and plugging in the amps. She was still wearing her Saturn necklace under her shirt and left the new apple one at home.
"Everything's set up," announced Eddie happily. "Let's get this party started."
Sean, Robby, and Tsukushi started at him. "What?"
"I think I speak for everyone when I ask: how could you be drunk before New Year's?" asked Sean in his usual monotone. Robby and Tsukushi snickered at his comment.
"I am not drink! Stop saying that, Sean!" exclaimed Eddie defensively.
"Okay, okay," started Tsukushi, who was always playing babysitter to her band. "Enough, boys. Let's jam. We'll go on your count, Eddie."
"Okay," said Eddie as he took his place at the drums. "On three. 1. 2. 3." The drums started to beat as the keyboard came in. Tsukushi came in with Sean on the guitars.
They were doing very well. The computer was moving the lights about with the program that was set. The lights surrounded Tsukushi. Ryan stopped to watch. His foot tapping to the music. Sammi was busy talking to the manager about the other preparations. Dominic was no where to be seen.
Tsukushi was singing beautifully. It wasn't hard to imagine how well the critics would accept this afterwards because it was the new single in Japanese. Suddenly, there came sparks during the performance, but she and the band were too distracted to notice anything.
CRASH!
Everything went dark as the lights turned off. The sparks started up again. There was broken glass everywhere. The wire from the light was still live.
"SHUT OFF THE POWER!" shouted the station manager.
"Ally! Ally, are you all right?" asked Robby in a panic stricken voice.
"Answer us!" shouted Sean.
"Ally!" called out Eddie.
"What the Hell is going on? Arisu, where are you?" shouted Sammi.
"It's all right. We're fine," said Ryan as they turned off the power and turned on flashlights. He was holding her in his arms. He had pulled her out of the way in time. Her guitar had been smashed into bits. Tsukushi looked shaken. She had cuts on her arms and one on her cheek, but Ryan took the brunt of it. He was shielding her from the glass. He had a cut on his cheek and lip. His glasses had been knocked off his face. "Bloody Hell! I can't see anything. Where are my glasses?"
The lights came back on because the crew was able to unplug the broken light. Eddie saw Ryan's glasses on the ground. They were worse for wear with a crack in one of the lens. Eddie picked them up and looked at them oddly before handing them back to Ryan. "Here you go. I'm sorry."
Ryan looked at them and put them on. "It's better than nothing," he said with a sigh.
"Are you all right?" asked Sammi as she rushed to Tsukushi's side. "You're bleeding."
"I'm fine. It doesn't hurt that much, but look at my guitar," said Tsukushi. "There's no way I can repair this." She was holding the broken handle of the guitar.
"Don't worry about it. It'll be fine. You have other guitars," assured Sammi. "But, you have cuts."
"My guitar," said Tsukushi.
"Did I miss anything?" asked Dominic as he came back in with a coffee in his hand.
Sammi stood up like a flash and stalked up to him. "WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?!" she shouted.
"I was on a break," he replied.
"That light," Sammi pointed at the light, "nearly came down on her head. And you were on a break?" She looked fit to kill.
"There are laws that allow me to take a break," said Dominic. "Wait--the light almost fell on her? We should get a team up here and--"
Sammi cut him off. "Never mind that, why the bloody hell were you on a break?!"
"Come on. Let's go and take care of our cuts and bruises," said Ryan with a soothing smile as he helped Tsukushi to her feet.
"Okay," agreed Tsukushi. They left with Sammi yelling in the background. He pulled out a chair for her and she took a seat. Someone came with a first aid kit and said that the studio doctor would be coming soon.
"Do you think anything is broken?" asked Ryan.
"No, I don't think so," replied Tsukushi with a sigh. "What do you think happened?" Her real question was: did he think that the stalker did it?
Ryan took off his glasses. He was looking up at her because he was squatting in front of her. "I don't know. Don't worry. You're safe right now," he assured her.
"I don't feel safe anywhere," she whispered. He placed a reassuring hand on hers.
"Believe me. Nothing will happen to you," he told her.
*
Tsutomu was waiting for breakfast with his family. It was odd that he would get easily used to having breakfast with his family. He had spoken with his wife earlier that morning. They had a mild argument. Nothing major from his perspective.
They had argument over Tsukasa's birthday. Specifically over what Tsutomu had planned for his birthday. Kaede had too much business to take care off before the 31st of January to talk to Tsutomu properly about the whole thing. She told Tsutomu not to do anything to Tsukasa until she arrived. Tsutomu hung up on her before she could say anything more.
Tsubaki walked in with Reiko. "Aki's in the shower. He'll be joining us in a minute."
"Where's Tsukasa?"
"The young master left early this morning for work, Doumyouji-sama," answered the maid.
"Did he have anything to eat before he left?" asked Tsutomu with concern.
"No. He said he was going to meet with Hanazawa-sama, Nishikado-sama, and Mimasaka-sama."
"I see. I'll talk to him later," said Tsutomu. The maid bowed and left. Tsubaki took her seat after she put Reiko in her high chair.
"He's been acting strangely ever since her birthday," said Tsubaki. She and Aki had reported how the party had gone to Tsutomu in Tsukasa's presence, but he barely batted a eyelash.
"Yes, but there was a meeting yesterday. He was a little bit late for it," said Tsutomu with a slight smile.
"I see." Tsubaki smiled as well.
*
Tsukasa met with the F3 that morning. He was actually smiling because he had seen Tsukushi's face when she had opened her birthday present. It was the first step to winning her over. He thought back at the strange way she looked on her birthday. She hiding something.
"It's strange that we can only meet like this every once in a while these days," said Akira.
"You sound old," said Soujirou.
"Yesterday was Makino's birthday," said Tsukasa.
The F3 paused and looked at him. "Yes, it was," confirmed Rui quietly. "We never celebrated it when she was with us in Japan."
"I wonder why," said Akira.
"Think about it. When we first knew her, her birthday came and went without us doing much. She didn't bother to tell us because she didn't think we'd really care," said Rui.
"That depends. Tsukasa, you probably would have made a big to do about it," said Soujirou. "Wouldn't you?"
"You'd be surprised," said Tsukasa, thinking back to simply seeing her and giving her a present.
A cellphone went off. Judging by the ring tone, it was Rui's. He answered. "What's going on, Otousan?" he asked. "Really? What do you need me to do? Yes. Of course. I'll be there."
"What happened?" asked Soujirou.
"There's been an accident on the set of one of the television studios. A major lighting problem. Tsukushi was there to practice for the New Year's Eve performance," said Rui calmly.
"What?" asked Tsukasa in alarm as he stood up with Rui. "What happened?"
"My father called because Gaia Records is mad. Really mad. A spotlight nearly fell on Tsukushi's head. I have to talk with the president of Gaia and smooth things over," he replied. He knew it was an emergency because his father wouldn't have called him otherwise.
"I'm going with you," said Tsukasa.
"Don't you have some meetings today?" Akira reminded him.
"This is more important. Let's go, Rui," said Tsukasa.
Akira and Soujirou watched them leave. "Some things never change," said Soujirou. Akira nodded in agreement.
Tsukasa and Rui arrived at the studio and went to one of the board rooms. Tsukushi was sitting with Sammi and had a cut on her cheek. It wasn't all that deep. Ryan McCormick was next to them with pair of broken glasses sitting in front of him and he had more bruises on him than Tsukushi. There were three boys standing around. The president of Gaia Records was a woman with pale gray eyes and platinum blonde hair.
The station manager of Hanazawa was trying to calm her down. There bodyguards that were stationed in the room.
"This will not be tolerated!" shouted the president of Gaia. "Our artist was nearly killed due to your incompetence." The translator quickly translated everything.
"I am very sorry. Please accept my apologies. It was an accident. Ah, Hanazawa-sama," said the station manager as he stood up and bowed. "And Doumyouji-sama?" He wasn't sure why the heir of the Doumyouji Corporation would be there.
"I heard what happened," said Rui in English. He turned his attention to the president of Gaia Records. "Let me assure you that this will not happen again. We apologize for what happened."
"That is not good enough. Your company's incompetence nearly got Ringo Arisu killed," said the president of Gaia.
"Please calm down, Patricia," said Tsukushi calmly. "I am fine. Just a few cuts and bruises."
"Surely, it's just some kind of coincidence," backed up Ryan.
Rui turned and looked at him. He hadn't met him before, neither did Tsukasa. Tsukasa was looking at the three gaijin standing nearby. He also spotted the bodyguards.
"Yes, it's just a coincidence, Patricia. Sammi. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar," said Tsukushi.
Rui was wondering why she was so quick to dismiss the accident. It seemed as if the people from Gaia were hiding something. Patricia looked at Sammi in some kind of silent communication they came to a conclusion. Patricia looked at Tsukushi and did the same thing. She sighed and said, "Very well. We'll continue this. However, I want to have Ringo-san's guitar replaced."
"Done. We'll replace the guitar along with any medical bills for your people," said Rui as he nodded at Ryan.
"But, I have six guitars. Two more electric ones. I'll just pick up the one that's back at the rec room at Gaia," said Tsukushi.
"It's all right. Consider it a late birthday present," said Rui as he stood up. He smiled at her. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine. Just a little shaken up," she admitted. She looked at Tsukasa who was standing nearby. "I think we should call this a day. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can work at it today. We'll work harder tomorrow."
"I was about to suggest that myself," said Patricia as she stood up. "Sammi, we have to return to Gaia and take care of some other business."
Sammi nodded. "Make sure she gets home safely," she told Dominic. Ryan stood up at that moment and winced in pain. He had been in pain for quite sometime, but didn't voice it. He put on his glasses, even though there was a crack on them.
"Were your glasses damaged during the accident?" asked Rui.
Ryan nodded. "But, it's quite all right. I have a spare pair at home," he replied.
"What about your leg?" asked Tsukushi who had noticed how he winced. "Did you break it?"
"I think I sprained it. But, it's not a real bother," replied Ryan.
"You should have a doctor have a look at that, Ryan. Come along," said Patricia.
Tsukushi got up without any pain and proceeded to walk out, but Tsukasa stopped her by putting his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him, but Dominic came up to them to keep an eye on her. "What do you want, Doumyouji?" she asked.
"Come with me. We'll go to my house. It's closer. You can get cleaned up there. Besides, my sister probably wants to see you," said Tsukasa.
"Come with you? Did you just give me an order?" she asked, her tone sounded neutral. Her temper flickered in her eyes for a moment. She shook her shoulder free from underneath his hand.
Tsukasa gritted his teeth. He could see all the people watching him. There was no way he could get away with yelling at her. This was the real world and not everyone in the real world listened to a Doumyouji. It was one of the cruel realities he had met with. Not everyone respected him just because of his family name. In fact, some just downright hated him. So, he changed his tactic. "Would you like to meet my niece?" he offered.
Tsukushi blinked. She had purposely gone out of her way to provoke him. She was hoping he'd yell like he normally did. She never thought that he was capable of holding his temper. However, his offer was intriguing. She was sort of curious to meet little Reiko. She didn't know why exactly. "So, you're using a baby a bribe," she concluded.
"Actually, Reiko's not too bad. You should see Tsukasa with her. He makes her cry," said Rui. Everyone else wondered why Ringo Arisu was so familiar with Doumyouji Tsukasa and Hanazawa Rui. Tsukushi gave a tight nod.
"Is your father going to be there?" asked Tsukushi. At this point she didn't know who to be more awry of. Tsukasa's father was an interesting person, but he was difficult to predict. He wasn't just plain scary like Doumyouji's mother. Either way, she didn't know how to handle both his parents.
"He had some meetings to attend today. I was supposed to go, but I cancelled," replied Tsukasa.
"What's going on? Stop talking in Japanese," interrupted Robby. "Wakarimasen."
Tsukushi switched to English. "It's all right. I'll be paying a visit with some old school mates of mine."
"Are you sure?" asked Eddie, not liking Tsukasa or Rui too much.
"We could go with you," offered Sean.
"You guys should know that I could handle myself by now. How do you think I learned to control you guys early on?" asked Tsukushi with a smile at her band. She did know how to wrangle them because of her past with the F4. The boys from the band looked at each other and nodded. It did seem that she had a hand on the other two.
"Fine, but you've got our cells just in case right?" asked Eddie.
"Yes, I have your numbers," said Tsukushi as she turned her attention back to Tsukasa and Rui. "You'll have to forgive them. From the beginning, they acted as my bodyguards."
"Who are they?" asked Tsukasa with a twinge of jealousy.
"They are my band. Eddie plays the drums. Robby plays keyboards. Sean plays the back up guitar and bass," explained Tsukushi.
"You didn't say your entire band were boys," said Tsukasa.
"You didn't ask," said Tsukushi with a shrug. He looked like he was going to yell at her, but Rui put in his hand on his shoulder. "Just be grateful she's going with us. Don't mess it up," he told him. Tsukasa glared at him, but kept quiet.
The three of them went to the Doumyouji Mansion. It was odd to return to the place after not having seen it for five years. It still looked the same. For a moment, Tsukushi felt like she was seventeen again. She remembered actually living at his house and working there as well. She paused at the same spot where Susumu had told Tsukasa that wasn't going to accept any thing from him, even his hospitality.
"What are you stopping for?" asked Tsukasa. Rui was also staring at her.
"Nothing. Just a strange feeling," replied Tsukushi. She looked around her. "It's feels odd being here. That's all."
"You're always invited," said Tsukasa.
"Your mother would disagree with you," retorted Tsukushi.
"She's not here. And my father actually likes you. Don't ask me why," said Tsukasa. That came as a surprise to her. "He's just a weirdo," he added.
"Why are you standing there for? And don't call Otousan a weirdo," said Tsubaki as she came up to the door, holding Reiko in her arms. "Tsukushi-chan!" she exclaimed happily. Even Reiko gave a squeal of delight to match her mother. "Why aren't you inviting her inside, Tsukasa?"
"I was trying to do that," he told her. Tsukushi step up to enter the house. The maids who were working in the area stopped when they saw her. She was a welcomed visitor to the house.
"Makino-sama!" they exclaimed happily.
"How are all of you?" she asked.
"We're fine. It's been so long since we've seen you," said one of the maids.
"Some of the staff is the same as before," said the other maid.
"Why are they so happy to see her?" asked Tsukasa to his sister.
"She was very popular when she was here. I think they had their hearts seat on her being the mistress around here," whispered Tsubaki.
"So, this is Reiko," said Tsukushi as she turned her attention to the baby. Reiko smiled at her.
"Yes, do you want to hold her?" asked Tsubaki.
"I don't think so," replied Tsukushi.
"What are you doing here?" asked Tsubaki, not wanting to press her about holding the baby.
Tsubaki monopolized Tsukushi's time at the Doumyouji Mansion. Rui got a call from Eitoku from one of the other teaching assistants. He had to cover for him, so he left. Tsukasa tried to get Tsukushi back, but one of the maids came in and told him he had a call. His father was on the line so he had to take it in his study.
"It's so nice to see you. It's been so long, even though we talked for a bit during your birthday," said Tsubaki.
"I was busy with my friends. Reiko's a beautiful baby. She looks like you," said Tsukushi.
"You think so? Aki keeps saying that," said Tsubaki.
"But, she really does. I suppose that still makes her a Doumyouji," said Tsukushi.
"Tsukasa's not too bad with her. They have their moments. So, what happened on the set? Are you sure you're all right?" asked Tsubaki as her eyes fell on the cut on her face.
"I'm fine. There'll be no permanent scarring," said Tsukushi. "But, I'm a little anxious about the upcoming performance and the concert."
"Actually, Reiko's probably your littlest fan. She's been listening to your music ever since she was born," said Tsubaki. "I really love your music."
"Thank you," said Tsukushi.
The maid came in and bowed before she announced, "There's a call from your husband, young mistress."
"Oh, I'll take it in the other room. Tsukushi, would you mind just watching her for a few minutes?"
"Um...sure, but I've never really held a baby before," admitted Tsukushi. Tsubaki smiled and showed her how to hold Reiko before leaving the two of them alone.
Reiko looked up at her and whimpered a bit. She was already missing her mother. Most of the maids in the house knew about her separation anxiety. They had to spend the whole day comforting her after her parents left for the fencing club on Tsukushi's birthday.
"Please don't cry, Reiko-chan," pleaded Tsukushi, but Reiko's eyes were already filling up with tears. "No. Please."
Reiko started to cry. Tsukushi rocked her gently, trying to calm her back down. She wondered when Tsubaki would get back. Reiko's sobs were getting stronger. Tsukushi started to sing. It was more to comfort herself, but Reiko sobs subsided.
She cling to Tsukushi as she sang. It was a little lullaby. She kept her head against Tsukushi's shoulder. The maids who were lingering outside stopped working when they heard her singing.
Tsutomu came home. He was still on the cell. He wanted to sneak up on Tsukasa, so he didn't say he was on his way home. He stopped when he got inside and could hear the sound of singing. He recognized the voice, and thought that Tsubaki was playing the CD. No. It wasn't a CD. It was pure a cappella. He founded the sound of the singing and saw that the maids had stopped working.
They looked at him and were about to say something. Tsutomu closed his cell, cutting off Tsukasa. He put a finger in front of his lips to signal the maids to be quiet. He looked inside the sitting room and smiled.
Reiko's attention was rapt as she look at Tsukushi. Tsutomu walked into the room. Tsukushi turned away from the window that she was looking out of while walking Reiko at the same time. She stopped, causing Reiko to immediately whimper again.
"Don't stop. Your audience doesn't like it," Tsutomu told her as he smiled fondly at her and his granddaughter.
Tsukushi started to sing again. Reiko's attention remained focused on her. Tsubaki came back and snuck in just as her father did. They both took a seat as they watched and listened. Tsukushi stopped again when she noticed Tsubaki. Reiko whimpered again.
"I think that's enough for today. It's time for your nap, Reiko-chan," said Tsubaki with a laugh. "You don't have to keep singing to her. She's already a bit spoiled."
"It's all right," said Tsukushi. Reiko pouted as her mother retrieved her.
"Are you all right?" asked Tsutomu as he looked at the cut on her cheek as Tsubaki and Reiko left the room.
"Hello Doumyouji-san," said Tsukushi. "Yes, I am quite all right."
"You get along very well with my granddaughter. Do you like children?" he asked.
Tsukushi stared at him wondering what he was up to. She wanted to give a neutral answer without giving him an indication of either preference, so she changed subjects all together. "Doumyouji, I mean Tsukasa, said you were at a meeting," she said. It felt odd calling Tsukasa like that in front of his father. She only really referred to him by his name when she was with Sammi or Yuki.
"He didn't show up, so I decided to come home and surprise him since I knew he would be here. Why don't you have a seat? I'll have some tea brought here," said Tsutomu.
"Oh, that's not necessary. Don't bother," said Tsukushi as she shook her head.
"I take it that my son brought you here. He left early this morning, but he skipped the meetings he was supposed to be attending," explained Tsutomu.
"I should have followed my instincts about not coming here," said Tsukushi out loud. She shook her head.
Tsutomu laughed at her comment. She looked at him like his head got cut off. "Believe me I think about that myself from time to time," he laughed.
He stopped laughing after a moment before he spoke again. "You have done very well for yourself. Starting from nothing and ending up being someone. That is truly an accomplishment, Makino-san."
"Thank you, but somehow I think that you're up to something, Doumyouji-san," said Tsukushi.
"What makes you think that?" asked Tsutomu, innocently.
"I'm a little suspicious because the reception I received from your wife was less than encouraging," said Tsukushi.
"My wife has a certain way of doing things, but she means well," said Tsutomu.
"Means well? I suppose so. I can understand that, but after all the things she's done to me, I don't think so," said Tsukushi coldly unable to hide it any longer. "It seems that I'm being pulled into this again. I always make the mistake of thinking that a Doumyouji isn't asking much of me."
Tsutomu said in a very gentle voice, "You are a very special young woman. I can see why my son loves you very much."
"I really don't care. I worked very hard to get to where I am. I am not about to give any of it up for him. Or for anyone else. I will not have him ruining everything I have worked for. I've earned it, which more than what I can say about him. He's spoiled thanks to you and your wife. He's also stifling and thinks he has the right to run my life. It must run in the family, especially since you're going to sit here and tell me how to live my life. I am not going to give any of you anything, especially him. You and your family can go to Hell."
Tsukushi expected him to get angry. Tsutomu looked at her. "What happened between you and my wife exactly?" he asked after a moment passed.
"She tired to destroy me before. She didn't have to do much. All she had to do was wait and your son would have finished me off for her," said Tsukushi. "Do you know why Tsukasa is so obsessed with me? Because I am the one thing he can't possess. I'm going to keep it that way."
"Never mind my son. I understand why he is the way that he is. I know it is my fault for not being around so much when he was younger. I had an empire to build. I used to think that it matter more than my family, but look around you. I lost touch with my children. I am trying to rebuild what I have lost," said Tsutomu.
"Getting me here isn't going to make your son love you," said Tsukushi.
"As I have said. Never mind my son," repeated Tsutomu. "No, this is advice for you. Try to make sure you know what matters to you. Time slips by so quickly. One day you'll wake up and realize how much you've really missed. It's something you may not be able to live with."
"I'll keep that in mind," said Tsukushi as she stood up. "Oh, before I do leave, there's something I should tell you: ask your wife the circumstances behind your daughter's marriage."
"And one thing I should tell you as well, the Doumyouji males have a tendency to mate for life. Once we find someone we have a tendency not to let go so easily," said Tsutomu, causing to only pause for a moment before leaving the house altogether.
*
Tsukasa was staring at the receiver, wondering where his father had gone. He quickly redialed his offices. "Hello, you hare reached the office of Doumyouji Tsutomu. How may I help you?" asked his father's secretary.
"Where's my father?" asked Tsukasa.
"Ah, Doumyouji-sama, your father was on his way home. He should already be there," replied the secretary. Tsukasa hung up the phone, realizing that his father was coming home. Damn that man. He told me that he was at his office. He knew I'd try to leave if I knew he was coming here. Wait...Makino. She's still here with Tsubaki, thought Tsukasa as he stood up.
He started to run down the hall for the front door. He stopped when he nearly collided with Tsubaki in the hallway. "Tsukasa! What's wrong? Don't run in the hall!"
"I'm sorry," shouted Tsukasa. "Otousan is coming home, if he hasn't already."
"He did come home. He's talking to Tsukushi in the first sitting room," Tsubaki informed him.
"What? And you just left them?!" shouted Tsukasa.
"I had to put Reiko down for a nap," said Tsubaki as she rolled her eyes at him. Tsukasa ignored her and rushed off to the first sitting room only to find that only Tsutomu was sitting there. He stared at Tsukasa he rushed in.
"What are you doing here?!" shouted Tsukasa. "Where's Makino?"
"Well, I live here," replied Tsutomu. "And why do you keep calling her Makino?"
"Answer me, old man!" ordered Tsukasa.
Tsutomu's temper rose to the occasion. "What did you just call me?"
"You heard me." They were standing toe-to-toe.
"I will not be spoken to in that manner by my own son. Do not forget that you would not have anything if it was not for me," said Tsutomu. He had a tendency to speak in formal speech when he was angry.
"What? Since when have I ever been anything to you, but your heir? I didn't ask to be born. But you and Okaasan always have to have things your way, don't you?" asked Tsukasa.
Tsutomu stopped when he saw Tsubaki standing at the doorway. She looked shaken as she looked at them. She had never seen them fight like this before. Tsutomu remembered the last thing Tsukushi had said and decided to do something about it. His anger faded away. "Tsubaki, I need to talk to you."
"What about?" she asked.
"Come with me. I'll deal with you later," said Tsutomu to Tsukasa as he turned around and left the room.
*
The next few weeks flew by. Tsukasa's birthday was the same day as the concert, so the common people of Tokyo were high charged as well as the business community. The concert had been advertised all over Japan and people were flying in from different parts of the world. There were posters all over Tokyo Square. Everyone was waiting for the concert.
The New Year's Eve performance went well. It seemed to make the audience want more. Practices began in the amphitheater. Tsukushi had to do a lot of work for school also. She was working around the clock.
There were a few changes made prior to the concert. Sammi decided to remove Dominic's position as head of security. He was now general security for Gaia, but not Tsukushi's bodyguard. Patricia found out that Ryan never took any time off, so he was ordered to go on vacation. Yuki was filling in for him, so Sammi still had an assistant.
There was the threat of rain that day. The rain came in the midmorning. Everything washed away.
And then everything changed.
AN: This is the last set up chapter. I hope. In the next chapter, we get to see the stalker in real action. This was the longest chapter yet. Go figure. It was really hard to set everything up. The next chapter may end up as long as this one. There's a lot of things that happened here. This ends the filler part and moves to the next and last story arc of the story. The next chapter opens on the day of the concert, January 31st.
Go to ayane.blurty.com for more ideas, theories, and post any extra comments there.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hana Yori Dango.