Title – Destined Together

Disclaimer – I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard or any of its characters… Only the OC's in this story.

A/N – Hello! I'm back with a new chapter! Thank you for all the amazing reviews, favs and follows! By the way, there'll be more of the shippings (I have mentioned) in the upcoming chapters so hold on! In the previous chapter, both interactions with the two uncles was rather… tense except Ren was being… Ren, of course! I hope everyone enjoyed reading it. And I would like to read your thoughts regarding the scenes so please try to express your thoughts in reviews (It helps me in improving my writing!). Now let's see if they can persuade Misaki-chan!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy and take care!

Peace! ^^

'…' - Thoughts

"…" - Speaking

Chapter 19

No One's POV

"No, I won't" Misaki said with a frown.

Kai Toshiki was smirking. He was well aware of his effect on women. Women practically worshipped the road he walked on for whatever reasons and those women would literally jump on such opportunity while considering themselves 'LUCKY!' but… not this woman. He knows by now that she's different and he shouldn't be that surprised or amused by her refusal to be his 'pretend girlfriend' yet he was. She wasn't moved even when his friends showered her with reasons and excuses.

'These two are the same when it comes to such situations! Stubborn!' Miwa sighed and glanced at Kai who was quiet the whole time as if he wasn't involved. In fact, the brunette was smirking! He didn't understand what his best friend thought about all the events that had happened lately but he was sure that Kai doesn't look as frustrated as he was yesterday. He frowned at Kai's amused expression.

"Stop smirking! Your life is on the line here!" Miwa exclaimed at Kai. "Why don't YOU ask her, Kai?" he asked, frowning.

"Your lunch time is already up" Kai pointed out, looking at his watch.

At Kai's revelation, everyone started persuading Misaki in their own way and Kai was glad his uncle had went to another one of their branches.

"Misaki-san! Kai-sama will kick us out and also he'll make sure we don't find another job!"

"Nee-chan, please help us! We'll do whatever you say! This isn't even a marriage interview where he can reject her! It'll be only until his uncle leaves to US"

"Misa-Q! I don't want to face his wrath after he knows we lied to him! Who knows what he'll do? Please, help us- I mean, help Kai" Ren shuddered again. All of his friends sweatdropped at him. 'Just how afraid is he of Kai's/my uncle?' they wondered.

"I won't change my mind. This is just… wrong!" Misaki told them. "Kai, why aren't you saying anything…? I can't believe… You are on this too" she told him incredulously. This stopped everyone as they stared at Kai now who paused the typing on his laptop.

"…" Kai looked back, straight faced which gave Misaki her answer. "I don't want to get engaged next week" he stated the obvious. She rubbed her temple.

"You guys shouldn't have lied in the first place… Kai, just tell your uncle not to take your life's decisions such as marriage for you which you're capable of doing yourself" Misaki said.

"You're right, Tokura… But the thing is, I can see that my uncle is serious this time. Very serious" Kai explained. "I opposed this idea at first but… Anyway, my brave friends are willing to face my uncle just for me and I appreciate it" he said.

"Kai… Is this what you really want?" Misaki questioned.

Kai sighed as he stood up from his seat and approached Misaki. His friends watched in surprise when Kai faced Misaki and stared in her eyes. Misaki, with the attention they were given, looked up at him nervously as she felt her heart beating faster than usual at the closeness. She had an urge to step back but held her ground when he spoke.

"I don't want to fight my uncle. And I don't want to hurt him by going against him… He's the only family I got, Misaki" Kai said, his tone gentle.

Misaki's eyes went wide when he said her name while the others were shocked at their boss. Misaki saw nothing but sincerity in his eyes and she understood that he cares for his uncle so much that he had no other choice but to lie. The others were still dumbfounded by witnessing this soft side they thought Kai would never show in public. Misaki noticed that the others were waiting for her to speak.

"B-But won't he be hurt if he finds the truth… that you lied to him?" she reasoned, averting her eyes.

"I know… But since Miwa… no, we all had lied, I have no other choice but to go with this and I would like your help, Tokura" he said and he had surprised everyone again by asking for help.

"A-Alright… fine… I'll help" Misaki gave in with a sigh while Kai gave her a curt nod and leaned on the desk beside him.

"Phew! Thank you so much, Nee-chan…" Miwa sighed, relieved. 'You could've done this from the start, Kai! Him and his ways of amusement…' he shook his head at Kai.

"Thank you, Misaki-san. See you later! Well guys, let's get back to work" Aichi said.

"Misaki-chan, it'll be a tough job but we know you can handle it. Sorry for the trouble" said Asaka and smirked.

"Thank you, Misa-Q! I'll treat you to dinner today! Gotta go now" Ren waved while Asaka smiled as she followed Ren who told her while exiting, "A-chan, I'll treat you with Misa-Q coz you help me a lot too"

"Well… you just have to be convincing enough for his uncle. And please don't fight in front of his uncle" Miwa added, cheekily.

"Leave before I change my mind" Misaki glared and the door closed shut behind Miwa.

"They can be so handful sometimes…" Kai muttered to the closed door.

"Look who's talking" Misaki shot a glare at the brunette. "Anyway, who's your fiancée-to-be to whom you're so opposed to? She must be really nice since your uncle directly made an announcement like that" she said as she took a seat on a chair, gracefully.

"Since you're that curious… it's Tatsunagi Kourin" he replied.

"Kourin-chan? Really?" she blinked in surprise and leaned forward, now intrigued.

"You know her?" he cocked an eyebrow.

"Yes. We were friends back in middle school but she went abroad. I didn't know she's back… Kai, have you met her before?" she asked and Kai didn't miss the excitement in her tone.

"No. What's your point, Tokura?"

"Your uncle must have a reason to choose her for you… I think you should give her a chance" she was in high spirits after hearing the name of her friend, he could tell by the smile she adorned and he frowned.

"Why would I do that? Just because you found out she's your friend, you're telling me to reconsider. Even after you agreed to act as my girlfriend?" he didn't like what she said.

"But you haven't even met her! You should at least-…"

"Why are we having this conversation? I don't want to marry her. End of the story" and he was suddenly angry.

"I'm just saying… Since you don't know her… What if Kourin-chan agree-…"

"I don't care!" he was upset and he didn't know why. "Besides, I don't want you preaching me since I'm merely doing what you did" he stated and left.

"…"

Misaki stood there unable to reason after his outburst. His words hit her like a big rock. She didn't consider his reasons. She was once in his shoes and she had rejected the proposal when she didn't even knew him or his name so who was she to preach him? She was furious back then. Besides, it's not her place to intervene. Well, he's right, she thought and sighed. And even after she agreed to help him…

"…I'll do whatever I can to help you when you are in need" she had promised.

"Then I'll take your word for it, Tokura"

Despite that she went on telling him to reconsider when he is clearly opposed to the idea. 'Why would he ask me for such pretense if he wasn't desperate for help?' she thought. With that, she left his office and followed him.

'What's gotten in me…? She's right… I overlooked the fact that Tatsunagi Kourin might agree…' Kai 'Tsk'-ed at the thought of new problem.

"Kai, wait!" Misaki called out to Kai when she saw him a few meters away.

Kai heard her but kept walking along the hallway. Misaki took hurried steps and grabbed his forearm which stopped his rigid form. He glared at her when she stopped in front of him, blocking his way. He glanced at her hand that was latched onto his arm while she chose to ignore that. Her grip was light yet he felt as if he was tied by something… which he cannot break free from. Suddenly feeling suffocated, he moved back and made some space between them.

"I shouldn't have said so much. You're right… It's your life" she said. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes, she was sure.

"It's… not that, Tokura. I don't know why-… I just-… Never mind. I shouldn't have lost my temper on you" he told her.

"Hmm. I can understand that's a sensitive subject" she nodded.

"Anything else?" he asked when she didn't move.

"Uh… I agreed to help so I'll help. I'm not an ungrateful freeloader and I won't back out after promising to help the person who saved my life" she told him. "So… you don't have to tell your uncle the truth and ruin your relationship with him" she said and he seemed amused.

"I don't know how you came to that conclusion but I don't plan to" Kai said and Misaki blinked. "I was going to retrieve that contract you have signed on your first day as an employee which states that you work for me and you'd do anything for me but I don't think I'd need it now" he clarified.

"W-what?!"

"Now that it's settled… Good decision, Tokura" he said, patting her head twice. She slapped his hand away, perturbed.

"You're infuriating" she gritted out, turning on her heels and stalked off. Unfortunately, she missed the small smile adorning his face.

"I know" and he followed her.

"How was your meeting, Ren? I heard you went with your favorite person" Miwa said and snickered. Aichi coughed while Asaka looked at Ren for answer.

"Can we NOT talk about it? Well… All this time I thought the uncle doesn't like me but guess what…? I found out… he actually hates me" Ren told them with a sullen face. "I mean… who hates a guy like me anyway?" he questioned. XD

Miwa laughed at that while Aichi patted Ren's back sympathetically. Asaka handed Ren a cup of hot coffee as he sat on his chair and told him how lovable he can be. Ren thanked her and smiled.

"By the way… why was your hair wet when you arrived?" Aichi asked and Ren sighed as he told them about the incident…

"And I could feel his glare in the car all the way!" exclaimed Ren, shaking his head. "It felt like last time when I spew coffee in him… Only this time it was vine…" he added.

Miwa and Aichi were laughing by now while Asaka giggled as Ren explained his 'adventure' with the uncle.

"It's alright, Ren-sama. At least, he finally acknowledge your skills…" Asaka told Ren.

"How I wish I was there!" Miwa hollered as he laughed.

"How I wish I wasn't" Ren said and sighed, ignoring his laughing companions.

"Cheer up, Ren-san. We'll be going now" Aichi said. "I'll be taking these copies and recheck them. Miwa-kun, you haven't handed me the report I had asked for" he continued, adjusting the paper copies in order.

"Oh, right. Sorry, it slipped my mind. Let's go then. See ya" Miwa said and exited and Aichi followed suit.

"Ah! I almost forgot! I have to collect documents from Suzuki-san in few minutes. Do you need anything else, Ren-sama?" Asaka asked, grabbing her memo.

"Umm… I need another cup of coffee please!" Ren said and stood up. "A-chan, I'll collect the docs since I need to check some other things too. So just bring me coffee and print these out" he told her, handing her some papers.

"Sure, Ren-sama"

Some Time later…

Few female colleagues were chatting when they saw Asaka exiting Ren's office and they didn't look any pleased. They went on with their talk when Asaka left the premises.

"See that? I told you she's just trying to get close to him" one woman said.

"They do look close… I mean, I have heard Ren-sama calling her by nickname… A-chan or something, many times" next one pointed out.

"Ah… They leave and arrive together too. Narumi-san is really clever one" another one shared.

"Hmm. She doesn't let us in Ren-sama's office. Always arrives before we can go and says it's her job to attend Ren-sama but the truth is, she wants to be closer to him. She's always around him" the forth one named, Suzuki complained.

"Really now?"

"R-Ren-sama?!" the women panicked when Ren suddenly appeared. He looked displeased which told them he had heard them.

"W-We were just-…"

"Save it. Saying such things is an insult to Asaka and as her boss, I won't appreciate this. It's shameful to think about your colleagues when you don't even know them" Ren glared which was very unlike him.

"W-We're sorry, Ren-sama" the women apologized.

"I'd appreciate it if you all refrain from circling such rumors about Asaka… or anyone else. She has gained this position by her abilities and hard work so it'll be unfair to ruin her image just for some of your petty gossips. Think before judging people like that. This isn't just a workplace for some of us so don't ruin the friendly atmosphere" Ren was frowning, unlike to his usual smiling face.

"Yes, Ren-sama…" the women chorused, some embarrassed and some scared.

"I won't be forgiving next time" he added.

"We're really sorry, Ren-sama!" they chorused again.

"I believe I haven't given you permission to address me with such familiarity. It's Suzugamori-sama to you all" he ordered and turned to leave "Suzuki-san, hand me the documents I had asked for"

Evening…

Misaki's room

"There you are, Misaki-chan" Rukino smiled as she entered the room. "About dinner-… Are you going somewhere?" she asked when she saw Misaki picking out some clothes.

"Yes, Rukino-san… I'm invited for dinner" Misaki replied and Rukino's eyes lit up.

"Ohh! A dinner date! Finally Toshiki-dear-…"

"N-No!"

"Eh? Then who're you going on a date with?!"

"I'm not going on a date, Rukino-san. Suzugamori Ren has invited me… There will be others as well, including Kai"

"Oh… Seriously, Toshiki is so slow!" Rukino sighed in disappointment and Misaki sweatdropped. "By the way… I heard his uncle has arranged his engagement… Toshiki must be really upset" she said.

"Yes. And you wouldn't believe what he and the others came up with to prevent that! I still can't believe they involved me…" Misaki huffed.

"Really?" Rukino was now intrigued and Misaki told her 'The Miwa's idea'.

"Wow… But Toshiki would never agree to such façade… And to go to such extent as to lie to his uncle…" Rukino looked thoughtful.

"I guess he's that desperate?"

"Mmm-uh… Anyway, you'll be late if we keep chatting. Have fun with your friends!" Rukino said and left when Misaki nodded with a smile.

Few Minutes later…

"Good evening, Ishida!" Ren greeted with a smile as he entered Kai residence. "Where's Misa-Q?" he asked in a hurry.

"What are you doing here?" asked Genryu, frowning at Ren who jumped at the voice, almost.

"I'll call Misaki-san" Naoki left the two, ignoring Ren's arm that was extended to stop him. Ren's face showed 'Please, don't leave me with him!' all over it.

"I was… uh… Hey, Kai-kun~!" Ren waved his hand at Kai. "You see Uncle Kai… I am here to escort Misa-Tokura-san for dinner since she doesn't have my address" he explained when Genryu kept glaring at him.

"First of all, I'm not your uncle, Suzugamori. Secondly, why would you invite your boss's so called girlfriend for dinner?"

"Because I promised her…?" Ren said in nonchalance, not really understanding Genryu's point.

"Ren, you're late" Kai came to Ren's rescue. "I'm ready for a while" he added while approaching the two.

"You're going too?" Ren and Genryu asked at the same time.

"Of course, he is" Misaki said, following Kai.

"We'll take our leave, uncle" Kai bid.

"Hn" Genryu left the three, grumbling something like "He's surprising me more and more day by day…" while Kai and Misaki walked off.

"Phew!" Naoki breathed as he revealed himself from his hiding spot.

"You traitor! You were here the whole time!" exclaimed Ren and Naoki looked away, sheepishly.

"Sorry, my bad"

To be continued…

A/N – So I hope you enjoyed reading! Do share your thoughts! Once again…

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR! ^^

Peace~! ^^