A/N: Realized I made some discrepancies in names and Japanese honorifics. I think for now I just won't use any of them, as it is very confusing for me since I am not Japanese. I hope I did not offend anyone. I'll also have to fix the last few chapters, just with small details. Happy reading.
Chapter 3
It's been four long hours of grueling business deals. Syaoran sat at his desk overlooking his office. In front of him was a black, faded, leather couch and a coffee table. With his office surrounded by the view of Tokyo, it's hard not to be in awe of the site itself during the daytime with no air pollution. He had all today booked for meetings and already he could feel the knot forming on his back. Everyone in the meeting was getting restless, so he had asked for a break for everyone. For just 20 minutes, he could have a moment of clarity to himself. Grabbing his coffee cup, he walks to the window. He took a sip of his black coffee and stared off into the distance not looking at anything.
His life has been chaotic since he took on this role, even after a total of 12 years of working in the Li Enterprise, nothing has slowed down for him. Syaoran reached for his neck massaging it some more, not wanting to contemplate on anything more than he had to. Before he knew it, the door opened. He looked at the gentlemen that trickled in. Eriol, Takashi Yamazaki, Sanjiro Ryusuke. These people were not the individuals he was hoping for. Syaoran thought.
"What do you want?" Syaoran said. He knew nothing good would happen with all of them barging in like this.
"Nice to see you too, Li," Sanjiro said as he took a seat on the leather couch with his feet up on the coffee table.
"I just saw all three of you in our meeting, I purposely ask for 20 minutes away, and alone, can't you all just stay away? Isn't that enough that I see you all in the same meeting for the day? Potentially even for the week?" Syaoran said as he watched the other two gentlemen get comfortable. "How did you guys even manage to get past my secretary?"
"We smiled at her," Yamazaki said teasingly as he grabbed the little chocolate bowl in the center.
"Is that something Mihara should know about?" Syaoran said. Yamazaki's smile fell flat as he shoved a chocolate in his mouth.
"He's just teasing Takashi, he would never speak to anyone, let alone Chiharu. But yeah, we did just smile at her. We said we needed to talk to you urgently. Who could say no to your henchmen?" Eriol said as took a sip of his coffee in hand.
"Yeah, Li. Get better secretaries. And why the cold shoulder? Well..I mean...I guess I would be more worried if I didn't get the cold shoulder," Ryosuke said thinking really hard about what he just said.
"Can you imagine the day where he actually really welcomes us? That would be weird," Yamazaki chided, "I mean, it would be interesting right?... I am just curious who would cause the coldest man on earth to be...not cold.."
"C'mon, Li's not that bad. Remember that time he took us on his Yacht in the Maldives? Or when he let us borrow his Maserati? Plus, he wasn't always like this." Eriol said, taking his shot at jabbing Li.
"Hahah, did he really let us borrow his yacht or did we just get on?" Yamazaki laughed, "Oh good times."
Li stared at all the idiots in front of him. Talking about him as if he wasn't there. "Why are you three gossiping as if I'm not here, in my own office with you, and I should have pushed all of you off the yacht and left you guys in the ocean."
"We aren't gossiping. We want you to hear, please join us," Sanjiro teased.
"Hahah yeah, remember that one time you told Yeom that Li was coming to his bachelor party this weekend?"
Syaoran's vein just about exploded on his forehead, "you did what?"
"Oh yeah Li, *ahem*, we told Yeom that you were going to show up, yenno. For his last hoorah before he gets married," Eriol said nonchalantly.
"Yeah, man, it'll be fun. Like the old times. The good times. Those were fun, my back hurt less back then." Sanjiro said reminiscing.
"No," Syaoran said.
"We haven't seen Yeom since college, he didn't even attend our wedding. AND did you forget we played soccer together. We were a team, you can't say no," Eriol said.
"In fact, I can. No. And it's his fault he didn't want to attend your wedding, so why attend his?" Syaoran said. He stared at the buffoons taking over his couch. Like a father telling his kids they can't get what they want.
"Told you man, pay up Eriol. You too, Sanjiro." Yamazaki said to the two of them.
"The answer is still no. And you put money on this?" Syaoran looked at them in disbelief. These idiots.
"Yeah man, I mean, Eriol and Sanjiro both thought you wouldn't say no to Yeom since what happ…."
"Shut up Takashi," Sanjiro said, throwing a candy wrapper at Yamazaki, "Besides you owe US, you dip shit. You were the one that thought Li was going to be sooOOo excited and adamant to want to go together."
"w-W-Whaaattt? You can't just say that out loud, man…" Yamazaki said, pulling out his wallet in defeat, "I'm sorry, Li. We really haven't seen Yeom in years. We were all excited when we got the invite, just because he didn't come to ours doesn't mean we don't support him. We just thought maybe you'd like to join us Saturday night. It'll be him and some of his fiance's friends."
"So now it's a pow wow?" Syaoran hated the idea even more. At a bar, with a bunch of people who he didn't care to do business with.
"You didn't get the invite? He rented out part of Zeke's club. Remember, we got pissed drunk at graduation and then your mom yelled at you." Sanjiro said laughing to himself. Ignoring entirely what he said, Syaoran did receive the invite, he just happened to tell his secretary to send a gift and instructed her to toss the invitation to the bachelor party and wedding in the trash.
"I'm not going," Syaoran said again, avoiding the topic. His eyebrows furrowed.
"Fine, but if you change your mind, I already added your name in the invitation that you were coming, Syao." Eriol said before he stood up sipping his coffee again. Both Yamazaki and Ryosuke looked at Eriol in disbelief. If there was going to be a brawl, they would have put money on Li.
"Out, our meeting resumes in 5, don't be late to the meeting." Syaoran sighed, he couldn't believe this is how he spent his break. They two men followed Eriol as he led the way to the door. Their friendship used to be more than work meetings. They grew up together. Their families were interconnected so much through work, they were the next generation. They just also didn't think that their friendship would turn out like this.
Syaoran ran his hand through his already messy hair. With a deep sigh he turned around to look at the same view before him.
"Yeom…haven't heard that name in a while"
- That weekend -
Syaoran got out of his car and gave the keys to the valet driver. He was bombarded by a slew of texts from Eriol about how important it would be for him to show up tonight, for old time sakes. It wasn't easy for Eriol to convince him, but Syaoran had nothing planned that weekend anyways. No work meetings, no unfinished deals. Plus…really…he hasn't seen Yeom in so many years.
For old time's sake, I guess. Handing his card for the bouncer to look, he fixed his bomber jacket before walking in. Walking up to the upstairs to the private area, this place was nostalgic. It had been years since he's been here with his friends. Finally, walking up the final steps, he heard Ryosuke.
"Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye. Look who finally made itttt," Ryosuke said with a beer in hand, it was barely 9PM and he was already drunk. He came over to Li to put his arms around his neck, Syaoran was stoic as usual. Annoyed by the beer breath in front of him. Ryosuke face was planted next to Syaoran, "so GLAD you can make ittttttttttt you bimbo." every word of his slurred right out his mouth.
"Long time no see...Syao-Li," Yeom said. He was a tall 6ft, light blonde hair with deep brown eyes. He came over to give a handshake. Nothing about Yeom had changed since Uni.
"You too, Ito," Li said and shook his hands.
"Alrighty alrighty, enough with the formalitiesssssssssss. It's time to PARTYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Ryosuke lifted his drink up in the air as every other guy followed suit. Eriol gave Syaoran a drink and gave him a few pats on the back. He whispered into Syaoran's ears, "Relax. It's just like old times."
Syaoran said nothing. He hasn't been around his college teammates like this in years. He almost forgot how rowdy they were. This almost felt foreign to him. Without a second thought he took a big gulp of the beer. Ignoring his thoughts about how potentially boring he's gotten, he decided to just give in to the atmosphere.
The party was in full blast. While Syaoran didn't quite enjoy how crazy Ryosuke and Takahashi were, it did remind him of the good times. These two were always the fools, drunk first even if it wasn't their party.
Takahashi came along, drink in tow, "C'mon, you gotta catch up, mate." Syaoran, not wanting to argue with Takahashi, took the shot down like a champ. The alcohol burned his throat, not wanting to cough, he cleared his throat.
"Don't be weak, man," Takahashi said, pouring him another shot, "This one's for Yeom, his last time before wedding the love of his life, joining us on the cooler, darker side."
Syaoran groaned, taking the next one, swishing his drink down with it. When was the last time he drank like this? Was he a light weight now?
He took a seat on the stool next to him. Not long after, the stool next to him was taken by someone as well. Looking next to him, Syaoran thought it would have been Eriol, but in fact it was Yeom.
"Just like old times, huh?" Yeom asked, drink in hand, staring at the group of drunk men singing to the blaring song. Syaoran laughed. While it was his bachelor's party, Yeom was sober as ever. It was like him to be sober at his own party. He was always the responsible one, making sure that at the end of the night, his mates would get home safe. He would hold the same drink for as long as possible.
Syaoran just nodded and sipped on his drink. Yeom reached for his drink and clinked it to his glass before taking a gulp of his own.
"You need to drink more," Syaoran said, looking at him, "It's your party and you're the most sober."
Yeom just laughed, "Never was a drinker. But it was fun watching you all get pretty stupid. Not that you weren't already stupid before the alcohol."
Syaoran had a small laugh, "Then who's bright idea was it for you to do it at a bar? Let alone Zeke's if all places."
"Guess."
"Ryosuke." Syaoran answered. Yeom laughed, "Yep, like the gold ole days."
Everything was nostalgic. Just this time, it's been years since they did anything together. Sure, there were business deals abroad, but Yeom left his family industry years ago after the incident. Yeom didn't even attend the wedding of the other three. So oddly enough, to attend his bachelor party was…weird.
Syaoran noticed that his drink had gone empty, time for another one, but then he heard Yeom grabbing his attention.
"Syao-Li," Yeom started, "Thanks for coming. I honestly didn't expect to see you. Also…thanks for the toaster?"
"I'm here, aren't I?" Syaoran responded flatly. Toaster? He was seriously going to have to talk to his secretary for such an odd choice of a gift. Regretting not taking another shot, he looked at his empty drink instead.
"Yeah. You are. How's work and your family? It's been nearly 5 years." Yeom asked.
"The same. Not much has changed since I started there besides the expansion, but I'm sure you know that." Syaoran responded.
Both gentlemen were side by side but instead of talking to each other, their eyes were glued to the punks in front of them, acting like fools.
Despite the blaring music, it almost felt silent. Looking at his empty drink again, he heard faintly…
"How's your sister?" Yeom asked. Syaoran's body got hot suddenly.
Syaoran faced him, "Happier."
Yeom nodded, "Good. I'm glad. Li...I mean...I just wanted to apolog-."
"Don't," Syaoran cut him off, "seriously. Not here, not now or ever."
"You know I cared deeply for Shi-" Yeom continued.
"Seriously, don't," Syaoran said again, looking at Yeom, "You're getting married man. Why are you bringing the past up? Shiefa is fine, she's married, she has a son. People's lives move on." Syaoran tried to play this nonchalantly. He was hoping he could just divert the conversation.
Yeom nodded as he looked at his drink. His fingers rubbing against the rim of his drink.
"You're right. I am. I just thought I'd apologize." Yeom said once more.
Syaoran stared towards his friends again.
"Shit happens," Syaoran said. The words burned in his mouth as he spoke this time. He waved for the waiter to bring him a new drink, grabbing the first one he saw, he took a gulp of his drink, the alcohol didn't wash the tightness around his throat.
"I just wanted her happy, and I fucked up our friendship too-" Yeom tried to bring the conversation again.
"Shut up, Ito. Shut it, ok?" Syaoran was getting furious at this point, he stood up ready to leave, "Why now?"
"Li, you were my best friend man...all of us were..it affected all of us…" Yeom looked down. Syaoran wasn't sure why Yeom was so adamant about this. It was his bachelor's night, and instead of wanting to celebrate him, he wanted to dig up the past.
"Li, I-" before Syaoran knew it. He punched Yeom in the face. Eriol being the closest held Syaoran down.
"WHAT THE FUCK MAN?" Eriol yelled. Syaoran snapped back to reality, looking at Yeom on the ground, he whispered "fuck" under his breath.
While violence is never what he would resort to, tonight his fist got involved. Not sure if it was the mix between alcohol and anger, Syaoran's blood boiled. He shook Eriol off him and stormed off.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Eriol followed Syaoran. Before reaching the stairs, Yeom with his hand clutched to his bleeding nose, pulled Eriol aside.
"Let him go, it was my fault."
"You alright, man?" Eriol asked. Yeom nodded.
- Outside -
As Syaoran exited out of Zeke's Bar, the cold air hit his face. The autumn night was chillier, or perhaps his body felt so hot it almost exploded. Quickly asking for valet, the moment his car arrived, he sped off into the night.
- Sakura -
"Nakao, I'm just going to go for a quick run!" Sakura yelled.
"Ok but please be safe!" Nakao yelled back.
"Yesss, I will." She looked at her watch. 1011PM, quick run.
The week was finally over for Sakura. She will be off until Tuesday. Wanting to start her night with a clear head, Sakura decided to lace up her shoes for a run. Going around the corner, down to the river way, the air felt crisp as she inhaled it in.
Since her agreement had started, while not much had happened, there was so much that she needed to prepare for. She needed to go to Tomoyo's to get a dress fitting. A week before, which sounds absolutely insane. The charity would be offering jewels for auction, so the outfit had to be black to let the jewels stand out. She didn't understand why what she had to wear was any importance to the jewelry that would be showcased there.
All he sent her was:
Charity Gala starts at 7PM next Saturday. Please contact Daidoji for dress fitting, it's important that the dress will be black to showcase the jewelry.
What the hell was that supposed to even mean? Jackass.
On her run it suddenly felt like her mind was empty. Nothing in the world felt better than just running from reality and listening to the thoughts in her mind that tells you to keep going. Every breath she took on her run felt like pins and needles in her lungs, but it was so refreshing. The autumn breeze, the full moon radiating into the river. Normally this area is filled with people on their picnic or riding bikes, but as winter is around the corner and the night is cooler, the place was nearly empty.
As she came slowly to a halt, she took a deep breath. Sakura felt like she was going to fall right into the patch of grass, gasping for air. She looked at her watch. 30 minutes. That's it? She thought flabbergasted. 30 minutes felt like an eternity to her just now.
Not wanting to turn back home she decided to walk a little farther along the river. Taking this time to stretch, she passed a man standing alongside the ledge. He was tall in frame; you could see the chestnut color in his hair from the moonlight. Wanting to mind her own business she walked right past him. Not even a couple steps more, she quickly turned around.
"Li…?" she asked.
He turned to face the direction he heard his name. Indeed, it was Li Syaoran.
Of all people. She thought. You gotta be kidding me.
A/N: Thanks for sticking around until the end. Sakura really met her match, or perhaps, Syaoran did. I really love each character so far. I know Yeom is made up, but he's such a pivotal character in this fanfiction. And yes! Syaoran only has one sister, Shiefa. I realized that maybe having all his sisters may have been too much. I already have so many "side" and fake characters that I don't want it to be too much of a hassle. Of course, I could have just made their friends play other characters, but tbh, I really love the whole idea about their friend group being together and not split by history. Just me though. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
P.S. I did change the title of the new. I figured "Purely Business" was better than "It's Business." Thanks, Cheese, for the recommendation!
