Eyes of the Heart
Author notes: Ok this is my first fanfic; I have really been inspired by so many of the authors on this site. I hope you enjoy. It is kinda like an alternate universe set in the HDY universe (if u can figure that out)
Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango or any of its characters; I am just a single writer showing her appreciation of the time and effort it took to create such a wonderful series.
Chapter one: The Interview
Bing-bling ... Long well manicured hands reach over and turn on the touch screen picture-com revealing a young not quite ugly but not quite pretty face of a girl.
"Doumyoji-sama, the young lady from the Eitoku clinic is here."
"Thank you Aika, please send her up."
With that said off went the screen. Doumyoji Kaeda, one of the most feared and wealthiest women in Japan, is lost in thought. The primary concern at this moment is the young lady on her way to the office for an interview. If the young girl proves to be worth the time and effort spent on her than she would have a very well paying job and a good reference for her next assignment. Anything with the Doumyoji name on it, whether business documents or a grocery list, always got immediate attention.
Kaeda reaches for a file bearing the name Makino Tsukushi and begins to flip through the various pages as she had done many times before.
Name: Makino Tsukushi
Age: 19
Education: Graduated from Eitoku University. The first of her age to get a certification
in therapy for the blind. She is now currently the head of
that department in the Eitoku medical clinic located on campus.
As she continues to read through the file she begins to think that her credentials are close or similar to the previous candidates. All top of their class or heads of some department, all...failures. She closes the file and reaches for another one, bearing the same name but, stamped Confidential Investigation Report. Now this report contained the real reason why she was now having an interview in a few minutes with the young girl.
Inside, the report contained much more personal data.
Family background: A very conservative and poor family who struggled to put her into the most prestigious university. The father has been known to have a problem with gambling that has led to the family finances being drained on more than one occasion. The mother has had odd jobs now and than, but is determined to keep her daughter in school.
Friends: Matsuoka Yuki, a collage student working part-time at a karaoke bar as a waitress. Aoike Kazuya, a college student, whose parents recently came into a little money putting him slightly above lower-high class.
Kaeda continues to scan her report until her eyes reach the part that aided in her decision.
Personal Observations: Makino Tsukushi has a distaste of men. Outside of work and family she has been seen with one member of the opposite sex, this one being the friend named Kazuya. Any attempts made in engaging the girl have been met with both polite and rude rejection. Possible cause is unknown; subject may suffer from possible self-esteem problems.
After reading this Kaeda knew that she had the perfect candidate. The girl was both well educated, and because of her self-esteem issues most likely to be easily manipulated. She had sent various agents to try and entice the young girl, but it was quite obvious that she had no interest in men. All the agents employed for the purpose of testing the girl were "hot" as the young women of the day would deem them. Most of which were actual models for one of her company's clothing-line ventures.
Yes she would do very well in her assistance with her ... problem, Kaeda made a grimace. Now this problem was a young man who will one day be the heir to one of the most powerful companies in, not only Japan but, the whole of Asia, and parts of the US, Doumyoji Tsukasa. But this young man is also temporarily...blind. She sighed at the thought of this child in his current weak state. And if it is one thing Kaeda hated more than gold-digging women, she hated a weak man even more. And she refused to let her son be just that.
She had groomed him to be the young powerhouse he was now, even though such ambitions had left him hating her in its wake. It was all for the sake of the company...no for her son. (It can be interchangeable) Her son was very strong willed with an uncontrollable temper and that temper had gotten worse since his accident. But it also showed to Kaeda that her son was slowly losing his edge. If he can not control his temper now, then ... no she would stop it here and now.
So Kaeda began to seek out companions to not only help him with his condition but also weave a pattern of reliance on the one person he will need until his arranged marriage was carried through. And that person was her, his mother. The plan was simple, insert a "friend" have said friend betray son, son than comes to her and she picks up the pieces. With that thought in mind she begins to reminisce about some of the past candidates.
Each companion was carefully chosen; at first they were all males. Of which did not last long, each would turn in his resignation because of the physical abuse they suffered. Next she began to hire women, which her son would not lay a hand on. Thank God his sister had taught him early on that violence against women was never acceptable. But so far each of the women chosen had failed horribly.
The first girl, Asai, was a prissy young lady, with a voice of a cat in heat, yet was in possession of outstanding credentials even attending the same university with as Makino. But once hired was quickly let go, it turns out that her son had developed extremely sensitive hearing, causing him to demand Asai's immediate departure.
The second young lady was a Miss Umi, who at first seemed was well meaning, always caring and out going. She and Tsukasa were getting a long very well for about a week and a half and it was decided that the girl should be tested because of certain tendencies she displayed. One of the "special" agents was sent to go and show Miss Umi a "good" time. It is amazing the things a little wine mix with a little drug, Kaeda liked to call "loose lips", does to one of little or no will. Miss Umi revealed to a complete stranger that she had sought employment with Doumyoji Kaeda for the expressed purposes of "grooming" a rich husband. Miss, and she use the term Miss casually, Umi then spoke of that 'witch of a mother thinking she could control her and how she would show her once she became the wife of her son. Yes that witch of a mother would be shipped off to a nursing home at the slightest, cough. Oh yes she would tell her husband that it would be for the best. And of course my Tuskasa will back me seeing as how he hates her too.' All of this little conversation was recorded. The little fool even went so far as to use his first name as if they were already more than friends and she had him wrapped around her little finger.
When Umi came in the next day to work her things were packed for her departure. It seemed as if the Doumyoji corporation no longer needed her services and that the agency that sent her was going out of business due to the "ill-mannered" employees that they trained and hired. The last she heard of Umi she was working in a low budgeted nursing home that was soon to be sued for patient neglect. Of course Kaeda had nothing to do with such a scandal but, out if the goodness of her heart, she had on of her subsidiaries lend their lawyers at no cost, EXCEPT with the ousting of a certain bad-tempered employee.
No one, Kaeda smiled, not one of happiness but one of a cat who has just caught its prey, no one would try to make a fool out of her. The results could be detrimental to not only the offender but those who are friends and family of said offender.
Kaeda was lost in thought when there was a knock at her door. She carefully put her files away in the drawer and locked it
"You may enter."
The door opened slowly, with Kaeda's assistant Aika ushering in the new candidate for her son's companion. Companions for the blind, ha more like seeing-eye dogs. She though.
"Please have a seat Miss ... (she pretends she is looking for a piece of paper with her name) Makino Tsukushi. (She is says after picking up a random sheet) It's best she does not think herself too important for me to remember her name.
The young girl walks in and takes a seat. Kaeda than begins to take in the young girls appearance. Hmm... the report was not kidding when it said he was of the conservative type. For one so young she dresses like an old woman. The young girl had glasses on that, hid big eyes, she had her hair tightly help up in a, old school maid bun, and very light make-up. She wore a long skirt which was obviously her mothers, because it was a little large on her. She also had a plain white blouse that revealed nothing. Even though her attire was very plain she was very neat, which Kaeda expected all her employees to be. The girl seemed mousey at first but there was a certain fire in her eyes that Kaeda couldn't quite place, but decided to dismiss it as the excitement of being in such a privileged position.
The first thing Makino Tsukushi notices is the big window behind the woman she is to be employed by. The view was almost breath taking. She could clearly see a lot of the beautiful metropolis of Tokyo. The sun would be setting soon and she could only imagine the scene it would create with the myriad of colors, pastel oranges, soft pinks and slight hints of... Tsukushi's thoughts were interrupted as a light cough came from the beautiful yet cold woman sitting behind the desk.
Tsukushi could not believe that she had not noticed the woman before her and she was quite angry at herself for going off into her other world sometimes called "La la land". She really needed to stop doing that. As she focused on the woman she began to notice that this woman, Doumyoji Kaeda, had a very commanding presence. A person could not help but shiver at the look her eyes gave you...one of calculation. And as Tsukushi watched those calculating eyes sizing her up, she began to get both nervous and a little irritated. Yes her outfit was a little dated. She had to borrow cloths from her mother. The skirt was too big and the shirt fit somewhat. Thank goodness she grew a chest after high school; she would hate to go through life being called "Tsukushi the boy wonder". Than again she also was not an animal, the kind that you examine, such as a horse or a show dog. But before Tsukushi's temper could flare up, the woman spoke.
"Welcome Miss Makino, you came highly recommend by the universities clinic. I would first like to ask you a few questions. Of which you can chose to answer or not. BUT, I trust you will answer them all.
"I understand Doumyoji-sama." Just who does this woman think she is? And what is with that condescending attitude? The only reason I came for this interview was at the plodding of my good friend Yuki. According to Yuki this would be a good opportunity to get a taste of what field work was like. Not only that but it would bring prestige to my department that usually got little respect. Plus the pay was good and I would be living rent free away from my family.
At the thought of her parents, a range of emotion passed across her face, but was quickly hidden. I must learn to control my facial expressions, especially around this woman. I refuse to display any type of weakness to one such as herself. But Tsukushi couldn't help but smile slightly at thoughts of her family. She loved them dearly, especially for all the hard work they had done to put her through school, but then (and this is what irritated her the most) the only reason they had done this was so that she could try to catch a rich boyfriend, enabling her mother to live a carefree life and her father to have a big allowance. Even if she never fulfilled that dream of theirs she would at least finish school to reach her own goals.
There were many times when Tsukushi had wanted to quit college and leave that retched school. She was constantly picked on because of being poor, and more than one time she had been played like a fool by so called "boyfriends". All of them rich and all of them dirty. Each of them though it would be "fun" to have a "poor" girlfriend thinking that maybe she would be loose and an easy romp in the bed. And each one was just as wrong as his predecessor. At this moment a painful though clouded her eyes, and caused her heart to sink. No, Tsukushi don't open that door, or all the raw emotions will come out. Keep it closed. Her conscience plodded her.
"So how would you answer Miss Makino?"
"Huh, I'm sorry but could you repeat the question?" There I go again off in La la Land. Or should I call it Tsukushi-verse
"What was your first reaction to being selected to have an interview for this position?"
"Actually I was quite shocked. I am barely out of college and to get a request to come to such a high profile assignment is really a privilege. I am in hopes of..."
"Ok thank you, on to the next question. What are your goals?'
"...I...am ...in ... hope..." What the heck is this woman's problem, she is so rude 'Tsukushi please control your temper, see this is what gets you in trouble girl, you always lose it at the wrong time, and you must be professional.'
"...of getting my doctorate in physical therapy. I enjoy helping people, and encouraging them to reach their goals."
"Miss Makino, do you know about my son's condition?"
"Yes I do. Your son suffered from an accident that put him in the hospital for a few weeks resulting in him being blind. The doctors said that it will only be temporary because the nerves within his retina need to heal. The healing process could take up to a year and a half. But the patient would be subject to slight periods of sight. These periods could last from 2 min to 2 hours. Of which the patient may begin to think he has regained sight but in actuality is in a brief session. Such a case has had various effects on patients. These can include depression, insomnia, headaches, and withdrawal. I have seen this many times and ... it saddens me."
What was that pause for I wonder. But I am impressed she did her homework. She even enlightened me somewhat. And I do not like being enlightened except when I ask to be. I will have to talk to those doctors when I get the chance. I was not informed of some of these symptoms; they should know how much I hate surprises.
"Very good Miss Makino and the final question, what will be your goal here working for Doumyoji Enterprises?"
"My goal would be to help your son, to the best of my ability, to recognize his full potential despite his slight set back based on his temporary condition."
"Very good Miss Makino, I expect you to report here, at 6:00 am sharp, your things are already packed and at your new residence. I will give you time to see your parents, because once you start work you will have no time to see them except when your very busy schedule allows. Of which my assistant will give you tomorrow when you arrive. You will report directly to me on a monthly basis. I will be leaving tonight for my office in New York..."
What the heck ... my stuff is already moved... when did that happen. This woman had already decided on me before I even had the interview. So what were all those questions for? Something is not right here; and there is something she is neglecting to tell me. I must be weary of this woman, because I feel that one mistake could cost me a whole lot more than just my job.
"Miss Makino it is very important that you follow the instructions I give you to the T. My son has an extremely promising future and right now he is going through major changes that can quite possibly affect the future of not only this company but that of all Japan. You are playing a big role in the out look of his future."
Me play a major role? Who are you kidding? Now I am really skeptical as to why I was placed in this position. I must not have been the only one to apply for this job. I am sure there are other more qualified people to do this. So, why me?
"...Miss Makino do you have any questions?"
"Ano...Yes. When will I be meeting your son?"
Ok that is it for chapter 1, sorry to just leave you hanging like this but, I am doing this at work. I would really appreciate R & R. This is my first fanfic and I want your input on it. I hope you enjoy the chapter, this chapter is kinda like a prologue I just wanted to set the tone a little. And don't worry there will be lots of Tsukasa in the next chapter. I will continue the story based on your reviews so please gives me feed back, I have a lot in store and I have already begun work on the next chapter. It is up to you viewers as to whether or not it gets posted. So I beg you (on bended knee) to R &R.
