Thank you for all the reviews. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: Hana Yori Dango belongs to Yuki Kamio sensei.
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@* @*@*@*
Chapter 7: Still Water Runs Deep
Domyoji
"Ha, ha, ha." Susumu was laughing. He looked at me at the eyes and said, "Mr. Domyoji, I was never really happy with you going out with my sister. Please don't take me for a fool. I know about the red-tags, beatings, near rape, kidnapping, hospitalization, which I know a lot of people would like to know, especially the people you had mentioned before. And please do not think that just because I acted humble before I approve of you. In the Makino family, the only one who thinks you are a gem is my mother."
I was seeing red. This rude boy sitting in front of me was not the Susumu I knew of.
He sensed my mood. "Mr. Domyoji, getting angry won't work. I might not show it but I can be as resilient as my sister. After all she taught me everything I knew. For respect of my sister, I show you respect. Though I am actually surprised you got through to her enough to allow you to be her boyfriend."
I could stand this boy longer. Makino's brother or not. My palm had a tight grip on his neck. "I do not like your attitude. Do you understand me?" I emphasized each word. I let go of him, knowing Makino will not appreciate me killing her brother.
"I understand. And that ends our conversation." He stood up and was about to walk out when Akira stepped in front of him. Then the most surprising thing happened, he kicked Akira's legs from under him, making him fall. I didn't even know how he could do that. Akira was a skilled fighter. It must be because we did not expect this of him. "Mr. Domyoji, Makinos can be treated like peasants, but a Kamiryu cannot. Though I am not a Kamiryu, people who loves my sister are. They taught me enough to protect my sister. I will endure being a fool only for my sister's safety. My sister is a person loved by many people. Your mother was wrong when she said my sister was not suited for you. Ask her if a Kamiryu is classified as the same rank, below or above the Domyojis. Knowing her wide connections, she might be the handful of people who knows them."
He bent down to help Akira up. He bowed to him "I deeply regret what I did to you. Please accept my apologies."
"Wait. You know who they are, don't you." I hated this arrogant boy, but he was the only source of information for now.
"Mr. Domyoji, I don't like to be bruised. I am rather delicate a person. And with your temper, a conversation with you invites them." He turned around, hands reaching for the knob when...
"If I don't get answers from you, than I ask Mrs. Makino." I will never do that seeing how Makino had asked me not to in such a serious tone, but Susumu does not know that. Years of manipulation lessons from the business world does come in handy.
He froze. When his eyes met mine, it was with a glint that hinted of danger. It means he will rather die, than allow me to deliver my threat.
I sighed, I just want answers not a fight. Not at the moment. "I just want to know what is happening with my girlfriend."
"Please call Mr. Hanazawa and Mr. Nishikado here." I was about to start shouting at him when I saw that he will refuse to budge if I don't do so.
After 15 minutes, Rui was here. We were all sitting opposite of Susumu Makino.
"Start talking." I demanded.
"Patience. First, swear. I want you to swear upon the Domyoji Corporation that not a word will get to my mother, and what is said, heard and seen here will never get to another's ears besides the 4 of you."
"You ..."I was about to hit him, when Rui stopped me. Soujirou must have explained the situation to him. "I don't think violence works." Rui said.
'Clap, clap, clap.' "I always knew Mr. Hanazawa was smart." Susumu said.
"Fine. I swear."
"Mr. Domyoji, are you thinking that swearing with the Domyoji Corporation for such a stupid boy is a joke. You won't be laughing when I finally say all I can say. And for your information, I am actually wasting my time here because, though I don't like you much, but I know my sister does. So I will endure."
His words cooled my temper a little. Even this rude boy, knows her sister loves me.
"My father is an outcast of the Kamiryu clan. He married my mother. The clan claims her to be a money monger- and they proved right. But in the Kamiryu, background does not rank as highly as attitude, ability, and morale. My father failed in ability and attitude. My mother failed in ability and morale. My mother thought that if she married my father, then when he inherits the Kamiryu business, she will be a rich man's wife. Sad to say, she was wrong in this, Kamiryu don't choose heirs through blood. They eloped, believing that Granpa will forgive them one day as father is his only son. Wrong again, they were banned from setting foot into the Kamiryu clan house, my father, not being able to eek out enough for both of them started gambling- he thought that gambling will gain him more and more money. Sad mistakes they are making right? The debts piled higher and higher, mother was pregnant with sister, they were running from the shark loaners. When sister was born, they left her at an orphanage, knowing a baby would only trouble them more. Heartless. Dominic was the one who was looking after their backs. Kamiryu outcasts they might be, but heartless we are not. Seeing the abandoned child, Dominic brought her home. Granpa was furious when he heard what they did. Abandoning their own child. He swore that from that day onwards that my father will not use the Kamiryu sir name again. He was not using it anyway when he was on the run, he used many false sir name, but when he got wind of this declaration, he took after my mom's- Makino."
Susumu paused. Taking a breather. I was surprised at what he was saying. This was a side if Tsukushi's past I never knew.
"Granpa was skeptical, about how sister would turn out but according to Dominic, sister was a strong, healthy, cute, adorable... and a list more of descriptions- you can see he loves her from the bottom of his heart. Anyway, Granpa did not disallow sister to stay. She was named Tsukushi by Granpa, meaning she is a weed, not some pretty, hot- house rose that will wither and die, a weed that will fight to live, that no matter how many times you step on it, it will still refuse to die, and that a weed is humble but strong. Tatsuha, Nick, Rafael, and Ryu are her half siblings. Adopted by Granpa. Kamiryu is not inherited by one person, rather it is world wide, like a spider with many hands and legs but with only one head. The head is not as important as the hands and legs he said. It is the hands and legs that are responsible for the prosperity of Kamiryu, the head is only to organize, plan. But traditionally, the Kamiryu head rarely participates in any of their undertakings. Sister was officially a Kamiryu when she turned 6. The youngest Kamiryu."
"Isn't she a Kamiryu if she is you father's daughter?" Soujirou asked.
"Like I said, Kamiryu cares not for bloodline, father might call himself one but he will never truly be one until he has proven his ability, attitude, and morale."
"Than I assume they are rich."
"Rich? You could say that. What I know of their real wealth is really little. But according to sister, she grew up in an island. Where is it?- I don't know. But she said it is a beautiful place. As for their wealth, let's say, they are very well off. My sister used to have personal tutors, pretty dresses, cars, a room as big as your house, and instruments even you might not have heard of. Granpa doesn't quite like modern musical instruments, that's why she never saw a piano, or a violin until she came to live in Tokyo."
"She drives?" I asked
"Tutors?"Akira asked.
"As big as our house?"Soujirou asked.
"Music?" And that was Rui.
"Yes. She car races with Nick. Crashed a Jaguar, a Porsche, and a Ferrari."
"What?!!" Domyoji's face paled a little. "She don't know how to drive."
"She doesn't have a license." Akira said.
"She is too money conscious to crash those cars." Soujirou added.
Rui was silent only with a glint of humor one could sense from his twinkling eyes.
"Ask her. She said it was nothing. Cars were to be crashed, races to be won, a few scratches to learn driving was nothing, she said. Remember, she was only 11 at that time. What else do you want to know?"
"Why is she so poor now?" it was Akira who voiced our doubts.
"Her training. Her independent training before she takes up a Kamiryu branch. It will finish when she is 18. Mama will no longer have a hold over her. If sister had not met Mr. Domyoji, I do not know what plans Mama will have to marry her off to get herself into the wealthies. You are after all useful as a distraction, so I pretended to welcome you. If you don't wish to endanger my sister's happiness, let not even one word get back to my mother. I have said more than enough. Goodbye."
"Training?" Rui asked.
"Mr. Hanazawa, I have said more than enough." Susumu bowed politely and was about to walk away when.
"When will she be back?" Rui again.
"Sigh. Mr. Hanazawa, my sister said you were a very quiet person. Isn't this very unlike you?"
Rui stared at him silently, waiting for an answer. He had noticed a linger of doubt when he asked him when his sister will be back.
"Actually I would like to know that a lot too. But it depends on how it goes. The training does ends when she is 18, but sister is already so advanced in her studies, she had actually passed all the required tests she can just quit the training any minute. Granpa wants her back with him, Tatsuha and the guys all want her back, they think that Tsukushi doesn't have to go through all the crap off being treated like rubbish, Dominic wants her back, sister had been getting thinner without him taking care of her food, he said, all in all the only thing keeping her back was her promise with mother and now maybe you. They are going to try to make her stay with them. Sister just might do that, she herself missed being with them. I want her to be with them. At least that way I know she will always be protected and taken care of." Susumu glared at Domyoji when he said this. "In fact if sister was malicious, you all would have been dead when she was red- tagged. If not for her insistence for being strong enough to handle her own problems and the fact that she did ask for assistance. Sometimes she can be so stubborn." Susumu's face was a mixture of pride for her sister and annoyance.
"But from what you said about Kamiryu's, I believe that is why Tsukushi was accepted as one. Stubborn, resilient, strong." Rui said.
"Sister should have chosen you, Hanazawa-san. You would have gained permission if you were the one to ask for her hand in marriage, but Domyoji, I doubt."
Suddenly, Susumu was hanging in the air. Domyoji had grabbed him by his shirt, "What do you mean by that." he growled.
"You have a very bad temper, Mr. Domyoji. And tempers doesn't get anywhere with the Kamiryu." Susumu said calmly, unaffected by the treat Domyoji was silently posing to him. "Kindly, let go of me. I might not win a fight against all of you, besides being scolded by sis, but I will definitely at least give you a bruise or two."
Rui placed a hand on Tsukasa's and looked at him. Domyoji stared at him for a moment before letting Susumu off.
"Thank you, Mr. Hanazawa." Susumu looked at Rui for a moment. "You remind me of them, always trying to protect sis." Susumu mused. "I don't want her to go back yet, I still want my one more year with her." he admitted silently. "If you see her again, please don't mention any that has happened, if possible forget everything. Any pressure may sway her decision. I might not know the whole story that happened, I don't think even sis herself knows, but I do know the Kamiryu's are very concerned about her. In fact her training condition is different. I am a little worried that." Susumu seemed to awaken from a daze, "I have said too much, remember your promises. Goodbye."
He walked out of the café and this time, no one stopped him. Each was thinking over what they have just heard.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@ ~@~
My longest chapter yet. Are your questions answered a little? The whole story in the next chapter? Susumu and Yuki only knew a small portion of what really happened. Who are the Kamiryus? How come Tsukushi is a Makino in Tokyo? Why is she poor? Ha ha ha. Indulge me. Review more and I will have the energy to write more.
I humbly bow to all my reviewers and readers and say 'arigatou' for your support and patience over the twisted story. In answer to one of your reviews regarding chapter 6, I am actually not back when it was posted. It was written by me, but posted by my sis. I was so motivated by your reviews that I couldn't bare to make you all agonize or forget?(() this story. Would you like me to write the Kamiryu story or only get bits of info from different point of views. Because everyone has a little different story on it depending on their standing. So? This chapter is posted by me. I am back. But hopefully, the Internet connection at the backward place I am at will be more stable when I go back. I am positively dying from fan fiction deprivation.
@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@*@* @*@*@*
Chapter 7: Still Water Runs Deep
Domyoji
"Ha, ha, ha." Susumu was laughing. He looked at me at the eyes and said, "Mr. Domyoji, I was never really happy with you going out with my sister. Please don't take me for a fool. I know about the red-tags, beatings, near rape, kidnapping, hospitalization, which I know a lot of people would like to know, especially the people you had mentioned before. And please do not think that just because I acted humble before I approve of you. In the Makino family, the only one who thinks you are a gem is my mother."
I was seeing red. This rude boy sitting in front of me was not the Susumu I knew of.
He sensed my mood. "Mr. Domyoji, getting angry won't work. I might not show it but I can be as resilient as my sister. After all she taught me everything I knew. For respect of my sister, I show you respect. Though I am actually surprised you got through to her enough to allow you to be her boyfriend."
I could stand this boy longer. Makino's brother or not. My palm had a tight grip on his neck. "I do not like your attitude. Do you understand me?" I emphasized each word. I let go of him, knowing Makino will not appreciate me killing her brother.
"I understand. And that ends our conversation." He stood up and was about to walk out when Akira stepped in front of him. Then the most surprising thing happened, he kicked Akira's legs from under him, making him fall. I didn't even know how he could do that. Akira was a skilled fighter. It must be because we did not expect this of him. "Mr. Domyoji, Makinos can be treated like peasants, but a Kamiryu cannot. Though I am not a Kamiryu, people who loves my sister are. They taught me enough to protect my sister. I will endure being a fool only for my sister's safety. My sister is a person loved by many people. Your mother was wrong when she said my sister was not suited for you. Ask her if a Kamiryu is classified as the same rank, below or above the Domyojis. Knowing her wide connections, she might be the handful of people who knows them."
He bent down to help Akira up. He bowed to him "I deeply regret what I did to you. Please accept my apologies."
"Wait. You know who they are, don't you." I hated this arrogant boy, but he was the only source of information for now.
"Mr. Domyoji, I don't like to be bruised. I am rather delicate a person. And with your temper, a conversation with you invites them." He turned around, hands reaching for the knob when...
"If I don't get answers from you, than I ask Mrs. Makino." I will never do that seeing how Makino had asked me not to in such a serious tone, but Susumu does not know that. Years of manipulation lessons from the business world does come in handy.
He froze. When his eyes met mine, it was with a glint that hinted of danger. It means he will rather die, than allow me to deliver my threat.
I sighed, I just want answers not a fight. Not at the moment. "I just want to know what is happening with my girlfriend."
"Please call Mr. Hanazawa and Mr. Nishikado here." I was about to start shouting at him when I saw that he will refuse to budge if I don't do so.
After 15 minutes, Rui was here. We were all sitting opposite of Susumu Makino.
"Start talking." I demanded.
"Patience. First, swear. I want you to swear upon the Domyoji Corporation that not a word will get to my mother, and what is said, heard and seen here will never get to another's ears besides the 4 of you."
"You ..."I was about to hit him, when Rui stopped me. Soujirou must have explained the situation to him. "I don't think violence works." Rui said.
'Clap, clap, clap.' "I always knew Mr. Hanazawa was smart." Susumu said.
"Fine. I swear."
"Mr. Domyoji, are you thinking that swearing with the Domyoji Corporation for such a stupid boy is a joke. You won't be laughing when I finally say all I can say. And for your information, I am actually wasting my time here because, though I don't like you much, but I know my sister does. So I will endure."
His words cooled my temper a little. Even this rude boy, knows her sister loves me.
"My father is an outcast of the Kamiryu clan. He married my mother. The clan claims her to be a money monger- and they proved right. But in the Kamiryu, background does not rank as highly as attitude, ability, and morale. My father failed in ability and attitude. My mother failed in ability and morale. My mother thought that if she married my father, then when he inherits the Kamiryu business, she will be a rich man's wife. Sad to say, she was wrong in this, Kamiryu don't choose heirs through blood. They eloped, believing that Granpa will forgive them one day as father is his only son. Wrong again, they were banned from setting foot into the Kamiryu clan house, my father, not being able to eek out enough for both of them started gambling- he thought that gambling will gain him more and more money. Sad mistakes they are making right? The debts piled higher and higher, mother was pregnant with sister, they were running from the shark loaners. When sister was born, they left her at an orphanage, knowing a baby would only trouble them more. Heartless. Dominic was the one who was looking after their backs. Kamiryu outcasts they might be, but heartless we are not. Seeing the abandoned child, Dominic brought her home. Granpa was furious when he heard what they did. Abandoning their own child. He swore that from that day onwards that my father will not use the Kamiryu sir name again. He was not using it anyway when he was on the run, he used many false sir name, but when he got wind of this declaration, he took after my mom's- Makino."
Susumu paused. Taking a breather. I was surprised at what he was saying. This was a side if Tsukushi's past I never knew.
"Granpa was skeptical, about how sister would turn out but according to Dominic, sister was a strong, healthy, cute, adorable... and a list more of descriptions- you can see he loves her from the bottom of his heart. Anyway, Granpa did not disallow sister to stay. She was named Tsukushi by Granpa, meaning she is a weed, not some pretty, hot- house rose that will wither and die, a weed that will fight to live, that no matter how many times you step on it, it will still refuse to die, and that a weed is humble but strong. Tatsuha, Nick, Rafael, and Ryu are her half siblings. Adopted by Granpa. Kamiryu is not inherited by one person, rather it is world wide, like a spider with many hands and legs but with only one head. The head is not as important as the hands and legs he said. It is the hands and legs that are responsible for the prosperity of Kamiryu, the head is only to organize, plan. But traditionally, the Kamiryu head rarely participates in any of their undertakings. Sister was officially a Kamiryu when she turned 6. The youngest Kamiryu."
"Isn't she a Kamiryu if she is you father's daughter?" Soujirou asked.
"Like I said, Kamiryu cares not for bloodline, father might call himself one but he will never truly be one until he has proven his ability, attitude, and morale."
"Than I assume they are rich."
"Rich? You could say that. What I know of their real wealth is really little. But according to sister, she grew up in an island. Where is it?- I don't know. But she said it is a beautiful place. As for their wealth, let's say, they are very well off. My sister used to have personal tutors, pretty dresses, cars, a room as big as your house, and instruments even you might not have heard of. Granpa doesn't quite like modern musical instruments, that's why she never saw a piano, or a violin until she came to live in Tokyo."
"She drives?" I asked
"Tutors?"Akira asked.
"As big as our house?"Soujirou asked.
"Music?" And that was Rui.
"Yes. She car races with Nick. Crashed a Jaguar, a Porsche, and a Ferrari."
"What?!!" Domyoji's face paled a little. "She don't know how to drive."
"She doesn't have a license." Akira said.
"She is too money conscious to crash those cars." Soujirou added.
Rui was silent only with a glint of humor one could sense from his twinkling eyes.
"Ask her. She said it was nothing. Cars were to be crashed, races to be won, a few scratches to learn driving was nothing, she said. Remember, she was only 11 at that time. What else do you want to know?"
"Why is she so poor now?" it was Akira who voiced our doubts.
"Her training. Her independent training before she takes up a Kamiryu branch. It will finish when she is 18. Mama will no longer have a hold over her. If sister had not met Mr. Domyoji, I do not know what plans Mama will have to marry her off to get herself into the wealthies. You are after all useful as a distraction, so I pretended to welcome you. If you don't wish to endanger my sister's happiness, let not even one word get back to my mother. I have said more than enough. Goodbye."
"Training?" Rui asked.
"Mr. Hanazawa, I have said more than enough." Susumu bowed politely and was about to walk away when.
"When will she be back?" Rui again.
"Sigh. Mr. Hanazawa, my sister said you were a very quiet person. Isn't this very unlike you?"
Rui stared at him silently, waiting for an answer. He had noticed a linger of doubt when he asked him when his sister will be back.
"Actually I would like to know that a lot too. But it depends on how it goes. The training does ends when she is 18, but sister is already so advanced in her studies, she had actually passed all the required tests she can just quit the training any minute. Granpa wants her back with him, Tatsuha and the guys all want her back, they think that Tsukushi doesn't have to go through all the crap off being treated like rubbish, Dominic wants her back, sister had been getting thinner without him taking care of her food, he said, all in all the only thing keeping her back was her promise with mother and now maybe you. They are going to try to make her stay with them. Sister just might do that, she herself missed being with them. I want her to be with them. At least that way I know she will always be protected and taken care of." Susumu glared at Domyoji when he said this. "In fact if sister was malicious, you all would have been dead when she was red- tagged. If not for her insistence for being strong enough to handle her own problems and the fact that she did ask for assistance. Sometimes she can be so stubborn." Susumu's face was a mixture of pride for her sister and annoyance.
"But from what you said about Kamiryu's, I believe that is why Tsukushi was accepted as one. Stubborn, resilient, strong." Rui said.
"Sister should have chosen you, Hanazawa-san. You would have gained permission if you were the one to ask for her hand in marriage, but Domyoji, I doubt."
Suddenly, Susumu was hanging in the air. Domyoji had grabbed him by his shirt, "What do you mean by that." he growled.
"You have a very bad temper, Mr. Domyoji. And tempers doesn't get anywhere with the Kamiryu." Susumu said calmly, unaffected by the treat Domyoji was silently posing to him. "Kindly, let go of me. I might not win a fight against all of you, besides being scolded by sis, but I will definitely at least give you a bruise or two."
Rui placed a hand on Tsukasa's and looked at him. Domyoji stared at him for a moment before letting Susumu off.
"Thank you, Mr. Hanazawa." Susumu looked at Rui for a moment. "You remind me of them, always trying to protect sis." Susumu mused. "I don't want her to go back yet, I still want my one more year with her." he admitted silently. "If you see her again, please don't mention any that has happened, if possible forget everything. Any pressure may sway her decision. I might not know the whole story that happened, I don't think even sis herself knows, but I do know the Kamiryu's are very concerned about her. In fact her training condition is different. I am a little worried that." Susumu seemed to awaken from a daze, "I have said too much, remember your promises. Goodbye."
He walked out of the café and this time, no one stopped him. Each was thinking over what they have just heard.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@ ~@~
My longest chapter yet. Are your questions answered a little? The whole story in the next chapter? Susumu and Yuki only knew a small portion of what really happened. Who are the Kamiryus? How come Tsukushi is a Makino in Tokyo? Why is she poor? Ha ha ha. Indulge me. Review more and I will have the energy to write more.
I humbly bow to all my reviewers and readers and say 'arigatou' for your support and patience over the twisted story. In answer to one of your reviews regarding chapter 6, I am actually not back when it was posted. It was written by me, but posted by my sis. I was so motivated by your reviews that I couldn't bare to make you all agonize or forget?(() this story. Would you like me to write the Kamiryu story or only get bits of info from different point of views. Because everyone has a little different story on it depending on their standing. So? This chapter is posted by me. I am back. But hopefully, the Internet connection at the backward place I am at will be more stable when I go back. I am positively dying from fan fiction deprivation.