JUNJOU ROMANTICA / SEKAI-ICHI HATSUKOI
Chapter Nine – Setting the Stage for Love and Heartache (Part One)
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. The side stories are there to show you that the encounters in this fic are not "chance encounters.".
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 (Bloom Advertising Agency - Kisaki Ota's firm)
Masquerade Kiss (Shido Kazuomi)
Scandal in the Spotlight (Revance, Rikudoh Kyohei aka Sir Kyo, Enjo Iori aka Prince Iori)
Irresistible Mistakes (Okubo Go, The Bales, Addison & Rhodes Advertising Agency)
Metro PD: Close to You: (MPD)
Timeline: 12:00 PM, August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)
Setting: Marukawa Shoten Headquarters
Preliminary Meeting regarding Joint Overseas Venture
At Marukawa Shoten's largest conference room, the enthusiasm, excitement, curiosity, and positive energy continued regarding the joint venture project among four companies – Marukawa Shoten, Onodera Shuppan, Usami Group, and Ishino Industries.
Although the attendees have pockets of conversation simultaneously taking place as they waited for Isaka and Em's arrival to the meeting, some of them engaged Troy and AJ with questions and comments regarding the upcoming projects. The two carried on as if there was no rift between them. With Troy, this was customary behavior for him. With AJ, it was more of a struggle for him but he somehow managed to do so…with him being able to deal more civilly with Troy rather than Em over the past four years.
Today, however, might be an exception for AJ who was still bothered that Troy and Em were not in yesterday's meeting. He considered the absence of Ishino Group's two partners as disrespectful even though he was advised that they were taking care of matters related to the joint venture. He had no knowledge that the two are working behind the scenes on business and safety-related matters in behalf of the joint partners and their respective heirs.
The door opened and everyone stood up.
"Please help me welcome Ishino Group's two other partners Mister Troy Tsuuri and Miss Alexandra Emrys," Isaka announced to the attendees.
Em and Troy respectfully bowed before everyone….
The door closed behind them, and Isaka entered the conference room with Em in his arm. He escorted her to sit at his right side before he sat at the head of the table. Being the gentleman that he was, he brought over the promised mini carafe of sweetened black coffee as well as a cup and saucer for her.
Em gave Isaka a warm-hearted smile, telling him in a near-whisper, "Thank you very much, Isaka-san. You're such an angel."
Isaka had a light-hearted laughter laced in his reply, "Oh, I know… Remember that you bonded with Asahina and me very well weeks ago. We know some of your habits by now. You're a caffeine fiend as much as I am. You also switch between café au lait, café mocha, and pure black coffee depending on your stress level. The only common thing is that sugar's a must for you."
To those who did not know anything about either Isaka or Em, they would read the quiet gesture between the two as intimate, too friendly, or even flirtatious as the two seemingly whispered sweet nothings in each other's ear. It was obvious that the two already have a rapport with each other yet much speculation had been playing in people's minds, with them judging the two based on how comfortable and warm they smile at each other. Troy knew that Em considered Isaka and Asahina as big brothers and vice versa, but AJ and the rest thought otherwise.
After Isaka touched Em's back with familial affection, he sat down at the head of the table.
Everyone faced the large video screen and gazed at the screen for each teleconference attendee.
"Thank you so much for your attendance, everyone… We'll make this as brief as possible," said Isaka with a warm smile as he scanned the room, happy that the excitement level from yesterday was at least maintained from yesterday. "For Troy's and Em's benefit, let's begin with introductions, please."
Each attendee made an introduction…
With Isaka sitting at the head of the table, to his right sat Em, Usami Akihito, Takahashi Misaki, Yoshino Chiaki, Hatori Yoshiyuki, Takano Masamune, and Kisa Shouta.
To Isaka's left sat Ijuuin Kyo, Yanase Yuu, Kirishima Zen, and Yokozawa Takafumi, Ishino AJ, and Tsuuri Troy.
Attending via teleconference from Takano Masamune's apartment were the following who also introduced themselves…Onodera Ritsu, Onodera Akifumi, and Asahina Kaoru.
Mino Yamato and Kirishima Hiyori – Mino Kanade and Kirishima Zen's children – were doing homework in the smaller conference room next door. Takano and Kirishima took Isaka's consideration to keep the children close to them in light of what almost happened to them, with Isaka's advice being backed up by MPD police detectives Yachigusa Eiki and Asano Shusuke. In addition, MPD Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi talked separately to Takano and Kirishima and promised that his 2nd Unit team would keep them informed and protected.
Many ideas were discussed by the attendees, with Isaka being a great facilitator in encouraging everyone to contribute to the brainstorming process. There was mostly energy in the meeting due to so many reasons – new continents to establish business, the teaming up of two established giants in Japan's publishing world, a new building in the United States, a planned new building in London, new anime and manga projects, new and bolder story ideas, a quarterly magazine that will feature celebrities and influential figures in Japan and the world, souvenir shops and cafés at the new North America and Europe joint venture locations just to name a few. Each project, especially those that would involve huge investment of cash and other resources, would be contingent upon the long-term success and profitability of smaller projects.
In Isaka's words, the joint venture project was to "bring out the best of both companies while unlocking new gifts."
But first, though, the talks focused on four projects. Two books to be authored by Usami Akihito – one under his own name, and boys' love novel under the name Yayoi Aikawa. One new manga action series for Ijuuin while his long-time manga series The*Kan and current side projects continued. And last but not the least, one new manga romance series for Chiaki under his usual pen-name Yoshikawa Chiharu while his current long-time series and side projects continued.
As much as Isaka seemed so animated in being facilitator and recipient of great ideas from staff, he was ever-observant of what had been going on. While Onodera Akifumi shared his favorable viewpoints about the current brainstorming proposals and how to approach them on a business and strategic standpoint per recommendation from the Ishino Group, the minute behavior shifts that Isaka had been observing from certain participants became more evident.
The funny part was that Isaka had a general idea on the motivations behind these behaviors, with him deciding to feign ignorance. However, there was still much that he did not know about what was going on inside everyone's heart.
Guarded glares were exchanged between Usami and Ijuuin, with Usami clearly incensed that Ijuuin was present in the same room as Masaki for two days in a row. An uncomfortable and fidgety Masaki, knowing that Usami has been rather irrationally jealous and despondent of late, did not know what to do.
Ijuuin, on the other hand, entertained Usami's behavior with a confident smirk. Beneath the exchanged platitudes and comments, only a few knew exactly what was going on – with those few having a much keener sense for such things.
What surprised Isaka and Takano was Hatori's more evident cautious behavior against Yuu – all while Yuu did his best to maintain his calm and Chiaki remained baffled in what was going on around them. They also noticed how uncomfortably short Yuu's responses have been, making it more obvious to Isaka and Takano that something was brewing between Hatori and Yuu…and it was just natural to attribute this to anything that had to do with Chiaki.
Ijuuin, who was far more attuned with anything that had to do with Yuu, quickly noticed Hatori's behavior and was rather bothered over what he saw and heard from Emerald's assistant editor-in-chief. Although Hatori did not say anything offensive or tactless against anyone, Ijuuin felt that Hatori harbored stewing animosity towards Yuu. He wondered the reason behind it, most especially since he noted how Yuu seemed uncomfortable and saddened whenever he looked towards Chiaki's way. Between his feelings for Misaki and Yuu, Ijuuin was a ball of uncertainty and jealousy hidden underneath the façade of rationality and composure. He inconspicuously reached out to Yuu with his foot, having it gently tangle along with the other…his silent way of reaching out and touching the other, yet knowing that they could not under the present moment.
In regards to Takano and Kirishima, Isaka observed that the two editors-in-chief continued with their amiable rapport with each other. Isaka, drawing from his own experiences with Asahina, noticed subtle nuances of a relationship between Kirishima and Yokozawa. Isaka admittedly saw that Yokozawa and Kirishima had a much better handle in keeping the relationship discreet than he ever did…with him attributing his petulant and childish behavior as love craziness.
And then there was AJ, Em, and Troy which Isaka had noted from the beginning was volatile to say the least…although their behavior was only noticeable to Isaka. Troy was cool as a figurative cucumber. AJ was on tenterhooks whenever it was Troy's and most especially Em's turn to speak. Em was maintaining a poker face, which Isaka immediately knew was her way to maintain civility…although he could imagine how the young lady would probably like to mangle AJ since she walked in the building due to AJ's subtle potshots which continued during the meeting.
After Onodera Akifumi spoke, Ritsu then shared his research to the group on an assignment that Isaka and Takano had given to him. Em asked Ritsu a handful of clarifying questions on his findings, with the group being satisfied over Ritsu's thorough answers which were backed up with data. With Takano and Isaka's encouragement and approval, Em and Ritsu would remotely work together on the marketing and branding angles of the joint venture project…with Ritsu working beside her during collaborations with Addison & Rhodes as well as Bloom advertising agencies as an observer.
Kisa and Ritsu were also supposed to work closely with Ishino Group – particularly with Em and Troy, with Ritsu as lead and Kisa as assistant lead for the quarterly magazine project.
Forty-five minutes had passed and Isaka, knowing that all items on this meeting's agenda had been covered, adjourned the main meeting and let the sub-groups continue working on their individual pieces. As with Ritsu and Kisa, Troy would be continuing to meet with them in the conference room while the others retreated to their designated spots and continue their respective brainstorming. Em, who had already provided her portion of the work to Ritsu and Kisa which led to the robust reports that the two have given, sat down with them for a few minutes and then set up a time to meet with them remotely a day and a half from now.
"Em-chan, AJ-kun, Troy-kun…" said Ritsu with a kind tone, still feverish yet slowly but surely recovering, "Thank you so much for the fruit basket and flowers from Ishino Group. It's greatly appreciated."
"Yes, thank you," seconded Onodera Akifumi with a nod and a smile. "I already thanked Michael, but I haven't thanked the three of you yet. Great work! I've read the reports from the three of you."
"We're glad that you're satisfied, Onodera-san," Troy replied with a genial nod and smile of his own.
"I'll come visit you, Ritsu-san, if you don't mind. Just give me a day and a half to recharge," Em told Ritsu. "I have to go. I hope that what I've forwarded to the team days ago would help for this meeting you're about to have."
"Yes, it will! We're way ahead of our timeline, which is great!" Ritsu commented, seconded by Kisa nodding his agreement.
Em then picked up her briefcase, telling everyone, "Then if you will excuse me, Gentlemen, I need to go. Call me anytime. If I don't pick up, please leave a message."
As everyone bade goodbye, Em walked towards Isaka who had been waiting for her. She purposefully ignored the angry pair of eyes that have been glaring at her since she walked in the building. The two then walked into the small conference room – the same one where Michael and Isaka have met with Nomura.
Em smiled at Isaka, telling him, "Please don't give me that look. As soon as I walk out of this door, I'm officially resting. Just a few minutes…"
"All right," said Isaka, his gaze resting on Em. "It's tense in there, and I'm not just talking about you, AJ, and Troy-kun. What in the world is going on with you three?"
"Long story, and quite frankly I want to numb my brain from it," replied Em after she let out a sigh, her fatigue evident once more. "I'm sorry if you've been made aware of it."
"I just observe things keenly. Don't worry about being obvious because you're not. You can't control anyone's behavior, and even AJ-kun's stewing wasn't obvious."
Em chuckled self-deprecatingly. "You're too nice, Isaka-san… Now before I forget, I need to see Kirishima Hiyori and Mino Yamato. I'd like to give them something for being brave."
"Sure… Right this way. They're just next door…."
Isaka led Em to the next conference room, with Em signaling to Ishino Michael and Shido Kazuomi to come join her if they wish.
The two men were conversing while the meeting was ongoing, with Kazuomi and Em going on a date starting from the time the two step out of Marukawa Shoten. They stood up, curious to see what would be happening in the small conference room.
Isaka and Em smiled, respectively being cheerful as the two saw the kids – with Takano checking on Yamato and Kirishima and Yokozawa touching base with Hiyori. Michael and Kazuomi were behind them and the four entered the room and closed the door.
The two children stop as Isaka told them, "Kids… Someone wants to personally meet both of you…"
Em smiled, approaching the children and squatting between the two seats where Hiyori and Yamato sat side by side. With a friendly tone that she normally would use for an adult, she told the kids, "My name is Alexandra Emrys. Close friends call me Em. I'm very pleased to meet you."
Hiyori's and Yamato's eyes lit up, with the two looking at the male elders in the room and then focusing on Em. Hiyori asked, "You're Alexa?"
Em's smile became warmer still and she nodded. She closed her eyes, giving as much warmth as the two children hugged her…the gesture touching the hearts of those in the room. She gazed into their eyes as if the three of them were the only ones in the room, with her saying, "You two have been very brave in your own special way. There will be ones watching over you. Don't just trust anyone, and stay with your elders…all right?"
Yamato asked, "Where's the other singer – the cool guy who sings with you?"
"Oh, he sings and does the lead guitar. He's in the other room. Don't worry. Let's make sure to have Isaka-san get his attention so that he can introduce himself to both of you."
As the two children gave their respective nods, Em told Yamato, "I'm wishing along with you for your father's speedy recovery. The police are working to arrest those responsible for what they did to him, as well as what they tried to do to you and your families. Please trust on that."
In the room, only Kazuomi knew the full truth of what Em was telling the children and how involved she really was. On the other hand, Michael and Isaka have a bare-bones hunch that Em pulled strings with the MPD to ensure that everyone would be safe. The others regarded Em's words as heartfelt words of encouragement coming from someone that the children have idolized from afar.
Em's grin became cheerful, with her now turning to Hiyori, "I heard your birthday's coming up. So let's make sure that the three of us and your families celebrate that special day…all right?"
"Really?" asked Hiyori in a happy, upbeat voice.
"Yes, really…" Em then looked at the two children.
"How…?" inquired Yamato in such an excited way, his demeanor cheering up ever since the incident that sent Mino Kanade to the hospital's intensive care unit. He was still saddened with the fact that Mino remained in a coma as of an hour ago.
"Well, why don't we do this? If your parents are fine with it, why don't we spend a few hours doing self-defense? Now you're not being taught so that you'd face these people head-on. You're being taught so that you'd know how to defend yourselves and get away in case you're on your own. Escaping and distancing yourself from a dangerous situation is key – remember that," Em said with such sincerity and quiet enthusiasm.
Yokozawa glanced over to Kirishima, the latter listening to what Em was telling the children and quietly seeing the logic of what she was offering.
Kirishima interjected, "That's a great idea. We'll coordinate schedules with Takano-san…see which has more space."
"We can always do it at my place – right, Kazuomi? I reside between the Raven Resort and Tres Spades while I'm in Japan. There's plenty of space there, and I have equipment too. Now before I forget, let me do this…"
Kazuomi explained, which quietly impressed everyone and made Michael smile with pride, "There's a dojo, dance studio, music room, and music studio on the same floor where Em's suite is as well as a laboratory at Raven Resorts. She also has the same set up at Tres Spades. The entire floor where her suite is located is for her exclusive use."
The two kids watched while the others observe while Em opened her briefcase, pulling out black watches – one for a boy, and one designed for a girl. "It's a small gift from me to you to mark our meeting. Will you promise me that you'll wear it at all times? It's waterproof, so you don't have to take it off while you take a bath or go swimming should you choose to keep it on."
The children were wide-eyed and appreciative as they took the watch, wore them, and hugged Em once more.
Em then said, "I need to go now, so let me leave you my cell number. You two can call me anytime for whatever reason. Can you two grant me a favor? Please keep Troy and me a secret. No one in public knows what we look like. It's been a well-guarded secret for four years now. We want to keep it that way until our concert debut."
"I want to see you and Troy in concert!" pipes in Hiyori while Yamato nods his head in agreement…the children having smiles on their faces.
In a gentle tone and kind smile, Em says to Hiyori and Yamato while the other grown-ups can hear, "Tell you what… I'll have tickets and backstage passes for both of you on opening day. There's another surprise in store for you, but this is an even bigger secret than who Alexa really is. Troy and I will be sharing the stage with Revance and The Bales. What do you two think?"
Hiyori and Yamato's eyes respectively went wide, the two knowing exactly who Em was referring to. Hiyori squealed in girlish delight and Yamato fist-pumped in happiness, with Hiyori saying, "Revance's Sir Kyo and Prince Iori. Then there's Go from The Bales! Are you serious?!"
Em giggles, telling the two children, "Yes, I am serious. So listen to your elders, stay safe, keep my secrets safe, and look forward to our big day – all right?"
"Pinky promise!" said Hiyori with a beaming smile, offering her pinky.
Yamato, with an excited smile equaling Hiyori's bright one, offered his pinky as well.
Em offered her left and right pinkies – clasping Hiyori's with her left, and doing the same with Yamato with her right. The two children then offered each other's free pinkies, thus the three forming a chain as they held on to each other with their pinkies.
Yamato happily uttered the common pinky promise rhyme, and the three giggled to their hearts' content before they let go. Em touched the crown on each child's head, saying, "A promise is a promise… Now let's finish exchanging phone numbers so you can reach me anytime."
As Yamato, Hiyori, and Em exchanged telephone information, Takano, Kirisawa, and Yokozawa looked on.
The three men then respectively thanked Em for cheering up the children. She digitally exchanged contact information with each of them using the smart phone.
"Thank you. You cheered both of them up, especially Yamato," said Kirishima to Em as Takano and Yokozawa listened.
"I heard from Isaka-san that you stood your ground against those kidnappers, Kirishima-san. Maybe you'd honor me with a sparring session," Em told Kirishima in a tone laced with humility. Her gaze quietly shifted to Yokozawa, and she gave him a smile as if she was asking for his permission…something that baffled and intrigued Yokozawa.
"Of course… I'm looking forward to it," replied Kirishima, adding, "It's been a long time since I sparred with someone."
Once done, Em said, "We'll stay in touch, Gentlemen. I believe that Isaka-san asked each one involved at Marukawa Shoten to interview AJ, Troy, and me. So please call me and I'll do my best to make time. Right now, I have to go. Please take care, everyone."
Em then gave Takano, Yokozawa, and Kirishima a bow. The three returned the respectful gesture.
Each of the three men was respectively intrigued, regardless whether Isaka had delegated all Marukawa Shoten staff to contribute towards full-blown articles on AJ, Troy, and Em as well as other celebrities and influential personalities for the first quarterly magazine – a team-up effort between Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan. In addition, Takano and Kirishima had to do a study on the three Ishino Group partners per Isaka's directive in order to guide Ijuuin and Chiaki in their respective new manga miniseries projects.
At first, it made Marukawa Shoten staff wonder why they needed to invest more energy in getting to know AJ, Troy, and Em as subjects. They then got half of their answer when they first meet the young, charismatic, and eloquent AJ. However, the reason as to why Isaka requested to use the three as subjects became so evident when Troy and Em joined them via teleconference and finally in person. One of them easily drew the attention of everyone in the room. Having the three of them in the same place especially during the first time proved to be a surreal experience.
As Em was getting ready to leave, Takano, Kirishima, and Yokozawa mulled over Isaka's request and their respective thoughts.
Kirishima was just happy that the two children, especially Hiyori, cheered up from the attention and doting that Em gave them. She was a stranger, but there was an authenticity that emerged as she interacted with the children to placate their worries. Seeing Em with the children semi-placated his annoyance over the fact that Takano and Yokozawa were spending time due to the joint venture project…but those feelings were now slowly but surely coming back. And once again, he was trying his hardest to shoo those possessive and unreasonable feelings away for it was making him feel on edge at the very least.
A quiet Takano was intrigued, sensing that there were many facets to Em's personality including something unexplainable that he felt an affinity to especially during those dark days when he was searching for Ritsu's whereabouts and wallowing over how his family totally crumbled. He sensed that she was at least intimately familiar to such darkness, which made him wonder as to what lengths she had gone through to emerge from it. He knew that he went through hell. He would not be surprised if she did, too.
Yokozawa was doubly torn, noticing that Kirishima and Takano were observing everything that unfolded before them as Em talked to the children. Deep down, he acknowledged that Em was authentic and comfortable with herself. He felt a sense of endearment for Em since she showed kindness towards the children, most especially Hiyori who he considered as his own daughter or younger sister. He was observing Isaka and Em closely shortly before the meeting, but he dismissed any thoughts touching on the scandalous. He also noticed how Kirishima and Takano seemed keen and intrigued about her. Such feelings made him unsettled…jealous, even.
Em then told Michael and Isaka, "Dad, Isaka-san… Kazuomi and I are leaving." Seeing the worried look on Michael's face, she added, "Dad… I promise that I'll get my rest. I already plan on it."
Kazuomi reassured Michael, "She's in good hands, Michael. Just call Em or me in case you need to get in touch of us."
Michael grinned warmly, letting out a sigh. He told the Em and Kazuomi, "No, I'm not going to be one of those Dads and disrupt your date. Enjoy your time together, especially when I know you're in good hands, Em."
While Em threw a meaningful, happy glance towards Kazuomi, she replied, "Oh, we'll have a good time. See you, Dad." She then planted a kiss on Michael's cheek and then waved goodbye at everyone…with her waving more enthusiastically at Hiyori and Yamato.
As everyone watched Em and Kazuomi get ready to leave, Isaka murmured to Michael, "Those two look great together. Just imagine…the Resort King and third richest man in the world, and an accomplished prodigy who's soon going to be making her concert debut."
"I've known Kazuomi along with the many others now falling in line to date Em for a long time." Michael then seemed nostalgic as he told Isaka, "I know he'll treat her very well. A father's greatest joy is to see all his children live happy lives. I'd love for all three of them to be happy and have a great future."
Isaka sighed, saying, "Isn't this exactly what this joint venture is for – so that we can expand our boundaries and give us options for the future?" Of course, he was referring to the fact that both he and Ritsu shared the same predicament. They were sole heirs to long-standing family businesses and along with that were the attached obligations to continue the family dynasty and meet society's expectations. An expansion would allow them to do business and live elsewhere where there would be more freedom to pursue their choices in business, life, and love with minimized fear and hindrances.
Michael nodded with a smile, giving Isaka a fatherly pat on the back as his sign of wholeheartedly agreeing with Isaka's statement. "You're right. Let's make the most of this. At least let's rest assure that everyone's doing their best. We'll all be successful, and stay safe."
As Kazuomi opened the door for Em and him, AJ was about to enter the room…with AJ and Em being caught off-guard…the first one recovering composure being Em as Kazuomi rested a consoling hand on her back.
AJ moved to the side, giving way to Em and Kazuomi to exit the room and watching the two leave. His eyes did not leave the two, noticing how Kazuomi was escorting her in such a gentlemanly fashion. He noted that Kazuomi normally behaved this way towards her, but there was a notable change in demeanor between the two.
AJ opened the door and went out. He bit his lip, doing his best to control himself but his lack of control or better judgment made him slip and utter loudly to Em, "If you want to flirt and be risqué, do it in your own time. You're a partner in Ishino Group, sadly so. Do you have to scratch that itch of yours to the meeting, starting from the parking lot? Worse yet, having a different guy for each location including the meeting room… You're even trying to get into Isaka-san's pants? You really have no sense of decency, do you?"
Em, who stopped for a while, held her breath. Anger coursed through her, but she tightened her hold of Kazuomi's hand and chose to continue walking without saying anything. She would have brisk-walked but the last ounce of energy that she had was depleted, and hearing such things from AJ made her knees even weaker. However, she refused to give in and bit her lip.
Kazuomi felt the shift of Em's weight against his body, judging that she physically needed more of his support. He said to her in a near-whisper, "Let's just leave..." He protectively wrapped an arm around her waist as his way to support her weight as inconspicuously as he could.
But AJ added, seeing how Em and Kazuomi continued walking away and still very much incensed over what he saw starting with Em and Nomura in the SUV at the parking lot, "What? Your three-week mile-high club with Troy not enough for you? You two even extended it for another day and missed an important business meeting!"
Hearing everything that AJ told her, Kazuomi was more angered as well and wanted to deck him himself. Seconds later, Kazuomi got stunned and found himself running after Em as she turned around.
Em marched towards AJ, punched him on the face, and then slammed AJ against the wall.
At the corner of Kazuomi's eye, he noticed how the door to the small conference room opened…out came Michael and Isaka, while Yokozawa, Kirisawa, and Takano overheard. The five men came out, closing the door to isolate the two children from the disturbance outside.
Through gritted teeth which held back a dam of tears accumulated for four years and counting, Em told AJ as she slammed him even harder against the wall, "Get this to your thick head – your big one as well as your little one down there. I never cheated on you. You've been a great reminder for the past four years on why I should've loved myself first before I poured my love for anyone else. If I had known how sick and petty you can be, I would've never given up so much for you to begin with."
AJ glared at Em so mercilessly. "God, spare me the melodrama! If you're that desperate, I'm here for your quick fix. I'll even pay you to make it more worth your time. You've given up so much for me? What bull-crap! You've probably sold your soul already, too, knowing how low you've gone. So what's there for you to give up?"
Hearing the word soul sent the blood rushing up to Em's head. She slapped AJ and placed him on a chokehold. She looked into his eyes with such venom. She told him as her eyes did not leave him, "Not everything in the world revolves around you. I really wanted you to be happy, but your behavior makes it impossible. You don't know the truth, and you refuse to know it. So just leave things civil between the three of us."
"You're right. I don't know you at all. I don't want to hear your bullshit." AJ's eyes showed such pain and anger as he spat, "You're a lying booty call for our so-called childhood friends. Maybe you're right. You're not a whore, but you're everyone's friends-with-benefits type of girl. Can't charge top dollar for discarded or overused merchandise, can you?"
"Go screw yourself. You don't know a damn thing about me." Em's eyes narrowed even further, hate reflecting even more fiercely through those eyes of hers. "Out of respect for Dad and Jii-san…out of what we had before…I held back my tongue all this time. This all stops now, AJ. This means that from now on, you'll be nothing more than a business partner. Whatever ties you and I had before will just be a memory."
"Em…" Kazuomi said in a kind voice, being watchful and saddened on how matters escalated between the two ex-lovers…the two he considered as younger siblings. He saw Troy emerge from another conference room, the latter joining Michael and picking up on what was going on.
Em told AJ, but at the same time declaring to Michael, "Dad, Troy's parents, and my parents were the Ishino Group. I'm not turning my back on my parents' legacy just to get away from you. I've poured far more than you know for the Group and the family. I will do everything that I can for this joint venture project. Too many people's dreams are dependent on its success. You might have broken up with me four years ago but we're still family. As much as you and I don't like the idea, it is what it is. Get that through your thick head and grow up."
Kazuomi approached Em, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Now paying heed to Kazuomi's quiet prompting, Em let go of the loose chokehold on AJ with such disgust. She closed her eyes, trying to calm down her already-shaking body as more of the fatigue had set in…the price that she had to pay to hold back her tears from falling. She shook her head, and as she glanced sideways and saw Michael and Isaka. "Dad… Isaka-san…"
"Just go, Em... Leave…" said a still-shocked Michael who was sorting out his emotions over what he saw and heard between AJ and Em. He did not look at her, and his voice was flat.
Hurt over what she heard and perceived as a flat reaction from Michael, Em murmured, "I see..."
Michael could not say anything, and neither could AJ.
In a calm voice, Em turned to face everyone who witnessed the incident. She then apologetically bowed before everyone, saying, "I'm sorry, everyone. I'm sorry, Isaka-san… Ishino-san…"
Em then looked at Kazuomi, saying in a near-whisper, "Kaz, I'm sorry…"
"You have nothing to apologize for," replied Kazuomi in a quiet tone. "Let's go. Are you ready?"
Em quietly nodded. Her gaze rested on Michael who still remained silent, with her chastising herself, "Family… So presumptuous of you to think that way… He's AJ's father, not and never been yours. Should've known that from the start..."
Troy said to Isaka and Michael, "I'll walk them to the parking lot. I'll be back quickly."
Michael did not say anything, nor did Troy wait for an answer.
Em told Troy, pushing her negative thoughts aside, "We'll just talk the next time we meet…during practice, day after tomorrow."
Troy was tight-lipped but he honored Em's wishes when he saw her give him a small yet sad smile before she turned her back from everyone.
With a heavy heart, Em left with Kazuomi inconspicuously supporting her unsteady gait since the fatigue had set in more fiercely throughout her still-shaking body.
AJ stirred, with a serious-looking Michael telling his son while Isaka listened, "You and I need to talk…."
End of Chapter Nine
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.