JUNJOU ROMANTICA / SEKAI-ICHI HATSUKOI
Chapter Eight – First Impressions
Author's Note: Any Love 365 (Voltage) fans here? Anyway, since fanfiction dot net limits authors in choosing two categories for crossover stories, and for purposes of keeping the story clear, this will happen in this crossover fic:
You'll see Love 365 / Voltage characters appearing in this fic starting this chapter. The fandom, places, and the characters as well as Voltage Inc., of course, will be given proper credit in the Disclaimer section of the chapter that the Love 365 fandom would appear in. The characters and places will appear more as cameos rather as part of the main or supporting characters of the crossover fic. Their appearances will help move the story along, especially since their respective "universe" easily merge with that of Junjou Romantica and Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi.
What Love 365 / Voltage fandom characters will appear in this fanfic? These Love 365 / Voltage characters belong from these fandoms:
Kissed by the Baddest Bidder
Masquerade Kiss
True Love, Sweet Lies
Romance MD: Always on Call
Metro PD: Close to You
Her Love on the Force
My Sweet Bodyguard
Kings of Paradise
Scandal in the Spotlight
Irresistible Mistakes
The following mini-fics are entitled Parallels, with each "Parallels" mini-fic exploring a specific angle that is indirectly tied with the story. Consider it as a "behind the scenes" fic which also serve as a stand-alone fic. This is done so that these side tales don't interrupt with the story flow yet gives readers who want to know more a deeper insight to what is going on.
Those who just want to focus on the main crossover fic and not read the mini-fics will enjoy the tale. You don't have to read the side-tales, and you are not missing anything by not reading them because the main crossover fic and each mini-fic are stand-alones.
Those who wish to read side-tales of how things came about behind the scenes, the mini-fics are for you. A good example from the previous chapter and this one is the appearance of Yachigusa Eiki and Asano Shusuke from Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) Second Unit. One thing that I can tell you is that it was not a coincidence or a "chance encounter" that brought these two handsome young detectives to rescue Mino Kanade and Mino Yamato's when father and son needed it most.
If there are Love 365 / Voltage cameos, they will be posted under the Disclaimer section of each chapter. To those who have reached out to me via e-mail or PM, thank you for your support. I'm glad that you're enjoying reading this fic as well as the mini-fics as much as I am writing them.
Let me know through reviews as well as to what you think. I'd love to hear from you that way, too!
Happy reading and enjoy!
Love 365 / Voltage Game Cameos for this Chapter:
Kissed by the Baddest Bidder: (Kisaki Ota, Bloom)
Irresistible Mistakes: (Addison & Rhodes, Tachibana Shunichiro)
Metro PD: Close to You: (Kirisawa Hiroshi, Asano Shusuke, Yachigusa Eiki)
Seimei University Hospital appears as a venue for Metro PD: Close to You as well as Romance MD: Always on Call.
August 5
Location: Seimei University Hospital
"Ah, there you are," said Isaka with a relieved smile as he saw Takano, the latter holding three canned drinks. "May I take one of the two coffee cans?"
"Go ahead, Isaka-san. One of them's yours," Takano told Isaka as he waited for his boss to get one of the coffee cans.
The two men's respective gazes trailed back to Yamato who now was asleep, with his head resting on Mino's hospital bed as he held Mino's hand.
Takano sighed and shook his head. "Poor boy…"
"He'll come with us. From there, let's figure out arrangements for the boy while Mino's recuperating," said Isaka to Takano while the two looked at father and son. Isaka could not admit to himself how the word "recuperate" made his heart feel heavy although he meant every good intention to remain optimistic about Mino surviving the ordeal.
The two men heard approaching footsteps and then a soft knock on the door to Mino's ICU hospital room. They nodded their heads as they saw Detective Yachigusa and Detective Asano accompanying someone who was just a couple of years older than the two young detectives and seemingly around Takano's age.
"Good afternoon," said the new arrival, speaking softly so that he would not disturb father and son. The handsome man wore a white, long-sleeved button-up shirt with the collar turned up, the first few buttons undone, and with no tie. The relaxed look was further complemented with a black Italian-style blazer and matching black slacks.
Just like Asano and Yachigusa, the man was rugged and masculine in his own right…his kind, laid-back manner communicated through his friendly, authentic expression and his expressive gray eyes. His presence exuded a sense of calm and trust to those who were around him, yet at the same time carried an air of authority and respect. In spite of the affable and humble manner that he had with Asano and Yachigusa, Takano and Isaka could respectively sense the regard that the two detectives have towards the new arrival.
"Isaka-san… Takano-san… He is our Lieutenant, Kirisawa Hiroshi… He's the head of the 2nd Unit at Tokyo MPD," said Yachigusa with a soft smile. As he gestured, he added to his introduction, "Boss, please meet Isaka Ryuichiro and Takano Masamune from Marukawa Shoten."
"I'm very pleased to meet both of you," said Kirisawa as he bowed before Isaka and Takano. He then straightened up and explained, "Asano and Yachigusa briefed me on what happened. Arrangements have been made to have 24 / 7 security for Mino Kanade. We'll take shifts. We'll do all that we can to make sure that he's safe. If Mino-san or his son would need anything from us, please let us know. We'll do our best to help."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Isaka told Kirisawa, his glance resting for a moment on Asano and Yachigusa. "Takano, Yamato-kun, and I are very grateful to your men. If it weren't for their help, Mino would've ended up worse than he did."
"We all wish that any injury would've been avoided," replied Kirisawa, his sadness evident in his tone as he looked at father and son. At the same time, his tone also carried a quiet sense of assurance as he added, "We'll keep working on the leads we've gathered and catch whoever did this to him. The same goes for those who tried to assault Mister Kirishima."
Takano and Isaka nodded. As Takano glanced at the sleeping Yamato, he told Isaka as he absentmindedly reached for his pocket and checked for its expected contents, "Isaka-san, I'll step out for a minute. We can leave after that."
"Sure. Let's give the boy a little more time to sleep."
"I'll join you," said Kirisawa who knew fully well what Takano wanted to do. He requested Yachigusa and Asano, "I'll be right back…"
The two detectives nodded, and Takano along with Kirisawa went to the hospital rooftop for a smoke.
As Takano led Kirisawa to the elevator, got in, and pressed the button to the top floor leading to the rooftop, the elevator stopped halfway to their destination.
The door opened for a moment with Takano seeing the same young boy that he saw at the vending machine area, the latter having a sad smile on his face yet cheering up a bit from seeing Takano.
Takano gave the boy a warm smile and called out as quickly as he could before the elevator closed, "Bye, Hiro!"
Kirisawa got startled, and he threw a puzzled gaze towards Takano, "I beg your pardon…what name did you say?"
"Hiro…" replied Takano as he took the cigarette pack and lighter from his pocket, getting ready for the smoke break that he felt he needed. "I just met him at the vending machine today. The boy said his name's Miyamoto Hiroshi…. Now that I think about it, your first name is Hiroshi, too…right Lieutenant?"
"Yes…" said Kirisawa who now looked more perplexed than he earlier was. He then let out a sigh, doing his best to look calm and unbothered but feeling that he was miserably failing in that effort. "Call me Kirisawa. Everyone does…"
The two exchanged nods, and after a few moments, Kirisawa asked, "So, you can see him too…"
"See who…?"
"Hiro… Miyamoto Hiroshi…"
Finally, the elevator reached the two men's intended destination…
Takano gazed at Kirisawa, stepping out of the elevator as replying, "Of course I can see him. Why not…?"
Kirisawa shook his head and smiled ruefully. "No, nothing… Just too much on my mind today…" He then took out his own pack of cigarettes and silver Zippo lighter, following Takano to the rooftop area for a smoke break. He recalled the briefing that he attended with the other top brass from Japan's various law enforcement agencies along with Prime Minister Hiraizumi. There was much discussion and revelation coming from that briefing resulting in much work that would test the mettle of all agencies concerned – with all attendees which included Em via video conference feeling sadness since they felt as if they have let Mino and his family down in letting that injury happen to Mino.
Moreover, Kirisawa did his best to push the questions at the furthest reaches of his mind when he saw Hiro along with his amazement on why Takano could see the boy, too.
The two men then chatted away, getting to know each other more for the few minutes that it took to smoke a stick of cigarette and get some fresh air…with Kirisawa asking Takano seemingly innocent questions to figure out why the shojo manga editor could see the same boy that he could see.
August 5
Location: Ijuuin Kyo's Apartment
(at the same time of Isaka and Takano's visit to Mino at Seimei University Hospital)
Breakfast for two had just been set on the table and all the dirty pans and dishes used to prepare the meal had been washed.
Ijuuin Kyo was deep in thought while he cooked breakfast. It might have been just a few hours of sleep, but his memory could not recollect as to when was the last time that he felt refreshed waking up. In fact, he allowed himself to bask in contentment during his half-asleep, half-awake phase when he stirred in bed…being careful not to wake up the person next to him. When he woke up, he realized that he cuddled Yanase Yuu from behind as if the latter was a body pillow.
Over-fatigue from abusing their respective bodies for days and nights on end with manga work, their bodies charging them with a vengeance for sleep deprivation, or for whatever reason had brought them from the predicament that he found them in when he woke up, Kyo welcomed it with a warmth that entered and settled in the core of his being…this prompting him to cuddle Yuu closer to him.
The memory of how the two of them were in bed, as harmless as it was, placed a soft smile on Kyo's face. Once the table was ready, he washed his hands and entered the master's bedroom where he and Yuu slept.
The smile on Kyo's face became kinder…softer…warmer…as he sat on the bed and gazed at Yuu as the latter continued to sleep. His right hand instinctively lifted and gently swept the thick brown hair that covered part of Yuu's eyes.
"Yanase-kun…" thought Kyo as he took in and let out a deep, cleansing breath… The grueling deadline was now done, thanks to the two of them working together beyond their respective limits. As he reminisced those days and nights that they worked together and became even closer still as a result, part of him became sad. To him, it meant that Yuu and he would return to their normal lives…and in the end, he would be left in this large apartment on his own.
"But it doesn't have to be that way…" Kyo further thought as he continued to sadly smile and gaze at Yuu, his hand touching the latter's hair. He then sighed, his hand now touching Yuu's cheek as lightly as he could in order not to wake the other. He then pondered on the thoughts that had been in his heart and mind more strongly so these past seven days and nights, making a decision on what to do next.
After a moment, Kyo then laid his left hand on Yuu's arm and then quietly said, "Yanase-kun… Time to wake up…"
Yuu stirred and then glanced at Kyo. He then sat up and murmured, "Sorry… I overslept…"
"No, you didn't. I just happened to wake up earlier than you did." With a kind grin, Kyo said, "Brunch is ready…or should I say lunch. Let's eat and then take showers. We have a meeting to go to in a couple of hours."
Yuu murmured, "It smells good."
"Miso soup, grilled fish, rice, and a couple of side dishes …." Kyo then rose from the bed and added, "I'll wait for you at the dining table."
"All right…."
As Yuu moved, marched to the bathroom, and washed his face, he could not help but think about the seven days and nights that he spent in Kyo's apartment. For a moment, he wore up in the middle of their sleep with Kyo's arm draped over him…the memory making him initially flustered, his heart racing for a moment. Then after a little while, he acknowledged the welcomed warmth that the other's touch had brought him…touching his heart and making it ache in so many ways. Eventually, he allowed that gesture – regardless of whether it was done deliberately or through an act of fate – and accepted it. Once he accepted and basked in the warm feelings that it brought him, he fell into a state of contentment that was pleasantly foreign to him.
But now that Yuu was awake, those feelings of guarded doubt returned…those inner voices dismissing and stripping the moment that he innocently spent in bed with Kyo as just a "convenient accident" and should not be interpreted as anything more than that.
And then Yuu thought about the now-completed deadline, his heart feeling burdened over the thought of something surreal and great now coming to a close – it meant that the very reason for the necessity of staying at Kyo's home for consecutive days on end was now completed. He would now be going to his own place starting tonight, and the prospect of being alone and constantly reliving Yoshino Chiaki's rejection of his love and affection made his heart heavier still.
Soon, Yuu sat down with Kyo and the two ate a late lunch. At first, the two talked about the deadline, with Kyo expressing his heartfelt gratitude. Then they shared their speculation about the meeting that they were about to attend in a few hours. But once the idle chats were over, the two found themselves sitting together in silence as they continued with their meal.
Finally, Kyo proposed to Yuu in order to break the ice between them, "You're welcome to stay with me tonight, too. That is, if you'd like…"
Yuu gave Kyo a searching look. "But we're done, aren't we?"
"Do you think that's the only reason why you should be here?" countered Kyo in a quiet yet meaningful way. "What if I tell you that I don't want deadlines or work to be the only reason that we see each other? What will you tell me then?"
Yuu did everything that he could to hide how stunned he was from what he heard. His heart clenched. Warning bells rang in his head, making him want to retreat. But as those taunting voices inside his head kept warning him, his eyes focused on Kyo…and the voices were drowned by the look that Kyo had given him as he uttered those words and even afterwards.
Eyes filled with so much emotion and sadness…deep yet communicating everything as openly and clearly as their dark-haired, creatively-talented owner had intended them. Once could drown so easily just by gazing at them for a moment…but it was also like a tantalizing, addicting drug whose effect you wish to linger at – with the subject of their gaze wishing to be the very cure to that deep-rooted sadness.
This made Yuu think, "How could I if I'm not whole…? I don't want to get hurt anymore…"
"I mean what I say, Yanase-kun… I've wanted for us to be closer all this time. I like you. Can I dare think that you feel the same way, too?" Kyo then said with a kind look on his face, "I want to see where these feelings between us will take us. I don't want to ignore it anymore. I don't want to hide what I feel under the guise of work. So if you feel the same way, please stay with me tonight and the days after that."
Finally letting out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh, Yuu murmured as he tried to push away and dismiss what he just heard, "There you are again, Sensei…making fun of me…"
"I'm not making fun of you, damn it!" Kyo declared as he slammed his hand on the table. His eyes kept their gaze on Yuu, the sadness even more evident. He told Yuu in a near-whisper, "I meant every word I've told you from the very beginning. I may tease, but the message my words contained are all true. Don't take my feelings lightly!"
The two fell quiet, with Kyo adding in a softer whisper…his rich tone laced with sadness and feelings of defeat, "Yanase-kun… Yuu… Why couldn't you see what I've been trying to tell you all this time…?"
"Sensei…" was all that Yuu could manage to say.
"I see you, Yuu… I always see you… All this time, Yuu, I've always seen you. You're not just a good assistant, but I see the person that you are beyond that. I do hope that you see me, too…"
Yuu lifted his face and gazed at Kyo, his eyes beginning to have more tears pooling at the corners when he heard Kyo say the words, "I want to be with you. I wish to be more than just co-workers. I wish to be that special someone for you. Because for me, you are that special someone… I want to believe that I deserve to be happy, even though taking a chance scares the hell out of me. I know full well how it feels to want someone special in your heart to see you, but you remain invisible to the other."
Kyo then pushed his hand towards Yuu, and when he lifted it there was an object that made Yuu freeze…
A key attached to a The*Kan keychain….
"That's the key to my place. Take it only if you feel the same way about me. Take it if you wish to see what fate has in store for us together. If the key is left behind by the time that we leave for our appointment, it means that you don't feel the same way as I do. I may be giving you an opening to say no, but I am serious about this. If you don't take the key, I'll take it that we'll simply be colleagues and nothing more. If you do that, you'll have nothing to fear. I'll adjust," Kyo further explained to Yuu, doing his best to stay calm and curb his feelings.
After many minutes of silence, Yuu finally said, "If I take the key and I hurt you…or I get hurt… If we hurt each other…"
Kyo paused for a moment, his eyes focused on Yuu. "You could call me a glutton for punishment. This isn't the first time I've been hurt before. However, here I am doing the same thing that hurt me before. I risk everything because that's the only way you'd know how I feel about you."
Giving Yuu a sad smile, Kyo approached him and rested his hand on the other's hand. He continued in a kind tone laced with such vulnerability, "I'd rather hurt knowing that I gave my feelings a chance. If you turn your back from that key and all that it stands for, my only consolation is that I know I did the right thing. I'll be hurting, but I won't have any regrets. I won't regret telling you my feelings, and I will never regret having feelings for you."
Yuu's hand – the very one that was within reach of the key, and the one where Kyo's hand now rested – crawled on the table. It eventually stopped only a few inches before the key. Finally, he reached for it and clutched it so hard as if his life depended on it…all while Kyo's hand rested on that hand which spoke volumes.
Kyo, having myriad emotions slam inside him, communicated all his affection and need for Yuu as he wrapped the latter's clutched hand which now held the key to his apartment. He then wrapped Yuu with a tight embrace from behind, his eyes closing as he soaked into the feelings that such a seemingly small gesture communicated. His heart tightened and soaked in such warmth as he felt Yuu's left arm rest on his forearm, as if the latter was responding to his embrace.
Once the embrace ended and the two exchanged gazes, it was Yuu who initiated the kiss between him and Kyo…the first kiss lingering yet chaste, and the second one infused with the held-back feelings that they respectively had for each other.
Timeline: August 5
Setting: Preliminary Meeting regarding Joint Overseas Venture
At Marukawa Shoten's largest conference room, those who gathered exuded a lot of energy, excitement, and curiosity regarding the joint venture project among four companies – Marukawa Shoten, Onodera Shuppan, Usami Group, and Ishino Industries.
Another source of excitement was the involvement of these four companies with the upcoming worldwide tour for Alexa, whose debut and first appearance before the public would be at Tokyo Arena on August 10. As to how the four companies would be involved in the singer's first public appearance remained a mystery which all hoped would be revealed during this meeting.
After Isaka and Takano have respectively talked to Onodera Akifumi and Ritsu, the four deemed it best for Isaka and Takano to attend the meeting in person while Akifumi, Ritsu, and Asahina would attend the meeting via video conferencing.
In the meantime, Em was conversing with Kisaki Ota regarding having Bloom do the print advertising campaigns and a Bloom / Addison & Rhodes collaboration for the video advertising campaigns for Japan, North America, and Europe. She packaged the deal in such a way that it would allow Bloom as well as Addison & Rhodes to learn from each other, share resources, and merge collaborative talent and networking opportunities throughout the project.
Troy, on the other hand, was negotiating with Shunichiro Tachibana from Addison & Rhodes for the same arrangement that Em had already laid out with Kisaki Ota and Bloom…with Troy focusing on the legalities.
Once Troy finished negotiating with Tachibana, he and Em swapped calls – with Em now chatting with Tachibana regarding how pleased she and Troy were with the third wave of advertising campaigns for the debut concert as well as entrusting Addison & Rhodes with another wave of projects related to the overseas venture.
Troy and Em finished making all necessary advertising arrangements with 15 minutes to spare before the meeting start time. Once they were done, the two hopped on to their respective laptops. Linking up to the virtual conference website to join the rest of those attending via teleconference, they disabled the video portion of their transmission to keep their anonymity for one more day.
Em picked up a call coming from Isaka and the two talked briefly – with him keeping her apprised of Mino Kanade's condition. Again, she apologized for only appearing via video conference but the errands were essential and must be completed prior to their noon kick-off meeting tomorrow at Marukawa Shoten.
Isaka reassured Em and Troy that all was well, and once the call was done he and Takano left the rooftop to head towards the conference room.
The attendees slowly but surely made their way and gathered…
Attending in person at Marukawa Shoten's conference room
Isaka Ryuichiro – President of Marukawa Shoten after his father retired a year ago. He and Asahina Kaoru had been long-time childhood friends and eventually became lovers more than 10 years ago. At first, Isaka dreamt of becoming an author yet over time he discovered that his true gift lies in editing as well as discovering and honing authors to be at their creative best.
Isaka was the one who encouraged Usami Akihito to publish his first novel, resulting in Usami winning an award for the work and becoming the famous author that he is today. He serves as a big brother figure not just for Usami and Takahashi Misaki but for certain staff members at Marukawa Shoten…cryptic and nonchalant in his ways and at times in giving advice, yet meaning well in his puzzling ways.
Usami Akihito – Famous award-winning literary author who not only publishes work under his name but also as Yayoi Aikawa…the equally-known and lucrative boys' love author. As hardworking and accomplished as he is since he was young, he has an endearing child-like streak in him as seen in his obsession for cute and obscure things such as teddy bears and moss balls. After he carried an unrequited love for his classmate and long-time friend Takahashi Takahiro, he finally found love bloom for him as he tutored Takahiro's younger brother Misaki. The two have been dating for more than four years and counting. Through thick and thin and apart from the usual way that Misaki blows a gasket whenever he sees himself featured in an Usami / Yayoi's latest boys' love project, the two have shared a relationship that brought out the best in both of them.
Takahashi Misaki – Intern at Marukawa Shoten as well as Usami Akihito's flat-mate and lover. He and Usam…who he calls Usagi-san…had what one would call the worst first meetings since he caught Usami hugging Takahito in an uncompromising fashion at their front door. As fate had it, the two fell in love with each other during the time that Usami tutored Misaki for the Mitsuhashi University entrance exams. From there, he has been witness as to how kind and loving Usami was in so many ways. He was…or maybe still is…the object of Ijuuin Kyo's infatuation until he turned down the famous manga author whose work he adored all through the years.
Takano Masamune – Editor-in-Chief of Marukawa Shoten's Emerald Division which handles all of the shojo manga creative works and their respective authors. He is not only Onodera Ritsu's boss but also was an old flame from 10 years ago. He is well-respected and admired for being able to make a floundering Emerald Division into a lucrative unit within one year's time – with Isaka giving him the latitude and trust to run Emerald Division as he saw fit.
A turbulent family life and Ritsu's sudden disappearance nearly broke Takano close to high school graduation, with him constantly searching for Ritsu's whereabouts. He suffered a mental breakdown during his university days when he caught news of Ritsu being engaged during the time that the two were dating. He was so distraught that he engaged in self-destructive behavior, with Yokozawa being there as his close friend and moral support. Just recently, the he and Ritsu had reconciled after their decade-long separation and misunderstanding …making the two of them current lovers.
Hatori Yoshiyuki – Assistant Editor-in-Chief of Marukawa Shoten's Emerald Division and Takano's second-in-command. He is also the editor, best friend, and lover of Yoshino Chiaki. The two have been dating for a couple of years now.
Yoshino Chiaki – Famous shojo manga author creating under the female pen-name Yoshikawa Chiharu. It was Hatori who encouraged him to continue pursuing a career as a manga artist. Knowing Hatori since childhood, the two best friends became lovers for a couple of years now. He is also the object of Yanase Yuu's long-time unrequited love.
Kisa Shouta – Editor at Marukawa Shoten's Emerald Division. He is currently dating Yukina Kou, an art student and a part-time manager at a bookstore which sells not only novels but also shonen and shojo manga. Prior to him dating his current boyfriend, Kisa engaged in promiscuous behavior since he used to believe that genuine love did not exist.
Yokozawa Takafumi – Sales Manager for Marukawa Shoten and nicknamed "The Wild Bear of Marukawa." During college and Takano's breakdown, the two close friends had a tryst and afterwards agreed to remain friends. All those years, Yokozawa hoped that given time then Takano and he would eventually have a relationship once Takano was emotionally ready.
After years of pining and then being rejected by Takano, fate brought him closer to Kirishima Zen. Since then, the two began dating and kept their relationship under wraps at work as well as around Kirishima's daughter. For him, Kirishima and Hiyori are his family…with him doting and taking care of Hiyori as if she was his own daughter.
Kirishima Zen – Editor-in-Chief of Jappun – Marukawa Shoten's shonen manga division, Hiyori's father, and Yokozawa's lover… After being a widower for many years after his high school sweetheart and wife died, he did not think about finding a new wife…dating but such relationships never being serious. He did his best to balance his work and home life, and made sure that he was there for Hiyori even though he was a poor cook and housekeeper.
For the longest time, Kirishima believed that he could never find true love again after losing his wife until he met Yokozawa. As much as he and Yokozawa agreed to have a relationship, the two have been discreet around Hiyori. They intend to tell her the true nature of their relationship when she becomes old enough to understand. Meanwhile, the three already see each other as family.
Ijuuin Kyo – One of Kirishima Zen's "high profile" shonen manga artists and famous author of long-time manga series The*Kan. He bears an unrequited love for Misaki Takahashi, one of his loyal fans and much to Usami Akihito's jealousy. For a while, he began to develop feelings for Yuu Yanase while the issue of his unrequited love currently remained unresolved. Just like the broken-hearted Yuu, Kyo recently confessed his feelings of infatuation to Misaki but had been ultimately rejected.
Yanase Yuu – Gifted manga assistant who works with many of Marukawa Shoten's manga authors, well-known for his strong work ethic as well as his efficiency. creativity, and skill as an artist. A middle-school classmate of Yoshino Chiaki, he bore a secret unrequited love for Chiaki for many years. Lately, he was slowly developing feelings for Ijuuin Kyo while nursing a broken heart from having his feelings of love rejected by Chiaki.
Ishino Michael – one of the four principal partners and Chief Executive Officer of the Ishino Group, father to AJ and former legal guardian to Em. He had been long-time friends with Usami Fuyuhiko, Onodera Akifumi, and Isaka Ryuichiro's father. He had been worried about the long-standing cold war between AJ and Em which had been indirectly affecting Troy as well. He continued to be a mentor and father figure to both Em and Troy.
Ishino AJ – one of the four principal partners and Chief Operating Officer of the Ishino Group's global operations with the exception of North America and Europe. He learned the ropes of business and the Ishino Group since he was a child along with Em and Troy. He and Em were childhood friends and sweethearts, but he broke off his relationship with her four years ago – a reversal to the engagement that he planned to do during that time. He still bore heartache and resentment towards Em and Troy after four years and counting.
Mino Yamato – Mino Kanade's biological nephew and adopted son. Mino and Yamato's relationship had been somewhat strained as Yamato had been adjusting to his life after Mino adopted him. Adopted father and son eventually reconciled after Yamato felt more secured that Mino chose to be his father and that the latter was doing his best to embrace the responsibility – starting with achieving a better work-life balance so that the two could spend more time together.
Kirishima Hiyori – She is Kirishima Zen's daughter. She and Yokozawa are the apple of her father's eyes. At a young age, Hiyori has been independent and responsible…doing her best to look out for Kirishima's well-being. She had taken a liking to Yokozawa, trusting and treating him as a member of the family, and calling him "Onii-chan."
Attending via teleconference from Takano Masamune's apartment
Onodera Ritsu – Only child and heir to Onodera Shuppan. He and Takano dated 10 years ago but had a major falling out after three months into the relationship. Due to the huge misunderstanding, the distraught Ritsu sought refuge in England where he finished his studies and then returned to Japan.
After working for Onodera Shuppan as an editor for known authors such as Usami Akihito for a handful of years, Ritsu left the company in hopes of achieving success away from the shadow of his father and the family business. When he was hired at Marukawa Shoten, he reunited with Takano. Since their reunion, the two had undergone much heartache and misunderstandings before they finally resolved their decade-long separation – today marking the first day of their long-awaited reconciliation.
Onodera Akifumi – President of Onodera Shuppan – a literary publishing company that had been in existence for generations. Usami Akihito is one of the company's high-profile authors. It is still in his hopes for Ritsu, his son, to take over as President when the time comes. In the meantime, he is allowing Ritsu the freedom to learn and grow not only as a professional but as a person.
Asahina Kaoru – Executive Assistant to President Isaka. He and Isaka have been lovers for more than a decade. Isaka's family helped his family after his father attempted family suicide. Since then, he dedicated himself to Isaka's family but most especially to Isaka.
Attending via teleconference from private jet en route to Japan
Tsuuri Troy – One of the four principal partners of Ishino Group and one-half of the team primarily responsible for operations in Europe and North America. As well-rounded as he is along with the other three principal partners, he specializes in all legal and regulatory matters pertaining to the business. He also serves as the lead guitarist and business manager for Alexa, with the two having an upcoming debut on August 10 as Alexa makes her first public appearance before her world audience – her tour beginning in Japan.
Alexandra Emrys – One of the four principal partners of Ishino Group. Better known by family and close friends as Em, she and Tsuuri Troy consist of the team primarily responsible for operations in Europe and North America. Aside from handling the strategic aspects of branding and marketing, she is also well-versed in the financial, administrative, and legal sides of the business like the other three principal partners. She also quietly handles complex problems for Ishino Group which requires various connections to troubleshoot for solutions. She, along with Troy, have an upcoming debut on August 10 as Alexa makes her first public appearance before her world audience – her tour beginning in Japan.
Isaka entered the conference room along with Takano, with him smiling and sitting at the head of the table. He and the rest of the attendees faced the large video screen and gazed at the respective screens for each teleconference attendee.
"Thank you so much for coming, everyone," said Isaka with a beaming smile, his eyes scanning the room and picking up on everyone's excitement.
Isaka's thoughts then drifted to Mino Kanade who was now fighting for his life at the hospital, and his gaze wandered and momentarily rested on the two children - Hiyori and Yamato - who were nearly kidnapped. He then scanned the table, his eyes making the longest contact with Usami...his heart clenching for he now felt that everything was now on the figurative table and that he was responsible for holding his family's honor and banner. Yet part of him took in the reality that he would be with all these people who had a stake in the success of the joint venture.
And for the rest of them, Isaka knew fully well that he was also not alone in terms of having much more to lose while enemies were upon them. He also knew, though, that he had to do his best along with the others to fight for what they have and stood for...and those vow-like words echoed inside him the more that his mind's eye remembered Usami's face the day that the latter broke down in front of him.
As Isaka pondered on how fortunate it was that there were those who were in the right place and in the right time that saved the children and had been there to assist Yokozawa, Kirishima, and most especially Mino. He felt as if invisible hands were there to protect them. He didn't know the extent and reach of those hands, but he was thankful...closing his eyes in hopes that no one he knew would be harmed from hereon out.
Reality brought Isaka back to the present, and he saw the sea of faces in the conference room as well as the video screen looking at him. He took in a deep breath, his smile this time showing a flicker of the concerns in his mind. "So, everyone... Shall we begin?"
End of Chapter Eight
Disclaimer
All the wonderful characters for Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi and Junjou Romantica are owned by their wonderful author Shungiku Nakamura. In the series (whether it be manga, anime, light novel, or drama CD), Ritsu's Dad is unnamed, and little is known about him, and so I gave him a name for the purposes of this fic – Akifumi Onodera.
Based on the manga countdown from Takano Masamune's December 24th birthday, there would be 224 days left until Ritsu's Love Declaration Countdown (the end of the manga said that there were 222 days left, but Takano's birthday fell two days before that countdown number, so it's 224). Taking that number, Ritsu's Love Declaration Countdown date would be August 5 (not taking into consideration Leap Year)…lol… So for the purposes of this fic, August 5 is Ritsu Onodera's Love Declaration Day as well as the anniversary date for Takano and Onodera becoming a couple.
Anything pertaining to Voltage Games otome series such as Metro PD: Close to You, Romance MD: Always on Call, as well as their others series including their lovable characters are the property of Love 365 / Voltage Games.
The original characters Andrew James (AJ) Ishino, Tsuuri Troy, Michael Ishino, and Alexandra Emrys and any other original characters are properties of PJ Zatken.