JUNJOU ROMANTICA / SEKAI-ICHI HATSUKOI

Chapter Ten – Setting the Stage for Love and Heartache (Part Two)

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!

Best regards,

PJ Zatken

Love 365 / Voltage Game Cameos for this Chapter:

Kissed by the Baddest Bidder (Ichinomiya Eisuke, Oh Soryu, Luke Foster)

Masquerade Kiss (Shido Kazuomi, Shiba Yuzuru, Soejima Kei)

Romance MD: Always on Call

Metro PD: Close to You: (Tennoji Yutaka, Kirisawa Hiroshi, Nomura Tadanobu)

Seimei University Hospital appears as a venue for Metro PD: Close to You as well as Romance MD: Always on Call.

Ishihara Emira or Emi for short is a name I've given to the canon MC for Metro PD: Close to You. Although the name belongs to me, the depiction here belongs to Voltage Games / Love 365

Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)

Setting: Mini Conference Room One – Marukawa Shoten Headquarters

After Preliminary Meeting regarding Joint Overseas Venture

"What has gotten into you, AJ!?" Michael blurted out immediately once Isaka closed and locked the door of the small conference room that they have just entered. "Can't you even control yourself?"

"Control myself?" AJ countered using an incredulous tone. He was not yelling like Michael but his voice was unyielding. "Dad, she was the one who hit me. What are you getting on my case for?"

Michael closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and fisted his hands in an effort to contain his temper. "Em was walking away and you picked a fight! You insulted her – here where the four of us are supposed to work! Where did your professionalism go?"

AJ let out a frustrated sigh as he sat at the edge of a table for support while he remained standing. "I'm not the one who skipped an important meeting yesterday to continue fooling around as they flew all over the world. I'm not the one making out in the parking lot with the Deputy Chief of Police. And I'm definitely not the one shamelessly flirting with Isaka-san in front of everyone to see. It's those two, and the greater blame goes to Em. I'm just pointing out the obvious. Someone has to."

"Are you really not going to listen to reason?" Michael asked, with Isaka picking up that this was not the first time that Michael had tried to talk to AJ about this issue. "If your goal is to embarrass Em, then congratulations… You did it with flying colors. But you also embarrassed yourself and our company. Didn't you even stop and think about it?"

"Someone had to speak out."

"This isn't, will never, and should never be the right place to do it," Michael pointed out, his voice firm. "If you can't control your temper, walk away. She should've done the same. But now that I think about it, she was walking away but you kept provoking her. You were asking for a fight."

"Someone had to say something, and so I did. I've had enough, Dad."

Michael deadpanned, "Guess what, AJ? Em had more than enough, too, and I couldn't blame her. It had to stop, and between the two of you she would be easier to reason out."

"So you gave her a graceful exit? What don't I know this time, Dad? Why do you keep enabling her? You're not only dealing with her with kid gloves. You're spoiling her!" AJ then met his father's gaze. "The last thing that I want to hear is a sob story on why they didn't show up yesterday. I'm sick and tired of being the clueless bad guy here."

Michael's eyes went wide, wanting to scream once more which was not really customary for him. He breathed in and out to calm down, and then shook his head because those efforts were not working as well as he thought it would. "You're worse than a stubborn bull. You refuse to listen to any reason. You already have preconceived notions. So why would people make an effort to explain themselves to you, especially after you've shunned them before they open their mouths?"

AJ remained quiet, his eyes continued being focused on Michael. Doubt and anger evidently coursed so strongly in his system and had already clouded his judgment.

Father, son, and Isaka all were silent for a while until Michael murmured, "This thing between you and Em for the past four years, both you and I have just made things worse. I don't want to say that I told you so, but when you finally decide to be reasonable you'll find out that it was you who betrayed the relationship between the two of you. Your love for her warped you, AJ. What you subjected her through left her with no choice but to warp her love for you, too."

AJ just told Michael in a resigned tone, "She and I are the past, Dad. You and Jii-san should just stop banking on a comeback or reunion for us."

"That's the point, son. You two are not the past. You, Troy, and Em are business partners. You three are family. For generations, the Ishino Group has always been a partnership between the Ishino, Emrys, Mako, and Tsuuri families. That will never change. I also wouldn't allow this generation – the generation that you three are in – to change that." Michael's eyes narrowed as he further reiterated using a tone that was firmer, "Out of the three of you, I expected you to understand this the most. Nothing ever happened between Em and Troy. Em never cheated on you."

"Forgive me, Dad, but let me spell this out. Your word isn't enough tangible proof for me that she never cheated," AJ says in a calm voice. He sighed, carding his fingers through his hair. "Dad… Just please let this go."

"AJ, I don't want the incident outside to ever happen again. What happened between you two went out of line because of your temper and her inability to deal with you. Grow up," hissed Michael, who then shook his head when he saw AJ showing signs of not giving in.

A long silence stood between father and son – all while Isaka was there to serve as a buffer per Michael's request.

Michael's voice took a somber, quieter tone. "You won't love and accept her for who she is. You dumped her and you still make her suffer all these years. It was okay to end your relationship with her. What wasn't okay was how you ended it four years ago. What's not okay is how long and deep you've been holding on to this resentment. Is this how I raised you to be, son?"

Again, Michael paused to give AJ time to think and then added, "You won't like the truth that you refused to listen to all this time. Things between the three of you have been made so irreparable. The saddest part is that you've let go of someone who loved you with her all. In turn, you humiliated her. You treated her and everything that she gave to you, our family, and the business like trash when she needed you most. You might not have even deserved her in the first place, yet she still loved you. You'd never find another one who'd love you so wholly, AJ. You've done a lot of wrong against Troy, too, and he didn't deserve any of it either. Knowing him, he'd probably forgive you. As bad as you treated him, that pales to how you've treated someone you claimed to have loved and even wanted to marry."

"Regret dumping Em? It'll never happen, Dad. Mark my words," said AJ in a quiet manner, nearly saying his words through gritted teeth as he tried to restrain his temper. "I really did love Em back then. You never know how much, Dad…."

"If you really did love Em during those days, AJ, then why did you turn your back on her?" Michael countered. Sure enough, he knew that AJ would not have an answer – either through refusal or because the latter did not know how to answer the question.

After the long silence, Michael told his son, "You keep saying that I don't listen to you and you're my son. Yet you're so blind to see that whenever something like that incident outside happens, the one who I always ask to leave after losing face is Em – not you. And for the proud person that she always has been, she took it down for the bitter pill that it is. It's been like this for four years, AJ. You're not the type of man who'd be this cruel even if the relationship ended. I didn't raise you to be this way. I'm also not the type of man who turns his back from his children, but I do it all the time with her. It did it again to her just now. In spite of that, we continue to reap the benefits of being loved by the very person who receives our cruelty. Who do you think has been crueler over the past four years – you or me? You constantly shun and shame her. I constantly make her lose face, send her away, seek her forgiveness, and then do it all over again and hurt her. Who do you think has more to atone for over the past four years and counting, son?"

Michael fell silent for a while, the sting of Em's civil words of departure towards him and Isaka still fresh in his mind and heart. He thought out loud, the regret and sadness laced in his voice, "I guess Em's too fed up and hurt because of us, AJ. Can't say I blame her. She called me Ishino-san. Do you know that she always called me Father…Oto-san…Oto-chan…Oto-sama…since Day One? For her to purposefully remove herself from the relationship that she had been made aware of since you, she, and Troy were born…it tremendously hurts, AJ. It doesn't just hurt her, but it hurts me, too."

Isaka, absorbing the admission that Michael uttered and doing his best to empathize with everyone involved, placed a consoling hand on Michael's shoulder. He became tight-lipped and sad as well, recalling how much he and Asahina came to know, respect, rely, and trust on Em as well.

When AJ still chose not to say anything, Michael said, "You should really grow up, son. This one-man war you've waged against Em and Troy must stop now. At least for the sake of our business, control your temper and don't make this happen again. Do you understand, AJ? If you don't, then all of the hard work that the four of us have poured into Ishino Group will mean nothing."

Michael did not wait for an answer and had left, leaving AJ and Isaka behind closed doors.

Isaka waited for a few minutes, and when he saw that AJ was not budging, he sat down on the chair at the head of the table. He murmured just loud enough for AJ to hear, "Looks like you need company but at the same time want to be alone, too. I'll stay here, if you don't mind. I'll keep you company. We don't need to talk, but if you need to talk then I'm here."

AJ bowed his head and closed his eyes. His heart clenched from a wide spectrum of emotions coursing through him. His back remained turned from Isaka while he faced the door. "Thank you, Isaka-san…

"Anytime, AJ-kun…" replied Isaka, who propped his elbows on the table, joined his hands by interlacing his fingers, and then resting his chin on the back of his hands.

For many minutes, Isaka and AJ stayed in the small conference room without a word.

Finally, in a tone which hinted to Isaka that AJ had substantially cooled down his temper, AJ asked, "Isaka-san… You and Asahina-san went to England a handful of weeks ago to see Em. Days later, she left England with Troy and they have been on a plane since then and until last night. If you don't mind me asking, what errands were the two of them doing for you?"

Isaka sighed, his heart heavy. "I can only speak for the help that I sought out from Em-chan. I can tell you that what I've asked for is complicated and dangerous to say the least. You can ask Michael-san for the errand that he asked her to do. The only information that I can give you is that his errand and mine are interconnected. In addition, she's an ambassador of goodwill for Britain so she had to travel in that capacity. She also has business ventures outside of Ishino Group but the matters she wrestled during her plane trips also had all to do with the joint venture. I shouldn't even be talking about anything involving her work as a diplomat or her other business ventures. That's none of my business to discuss so casually. But since you asked, I felt that you should know."

"And Troy…?"

"To assist with the errands related to the joint venture, Troy-kun traveled with her. Because of him, things have been set in place even quicker. He followed your Dad and Jii-san's request to accompany her for her safety because she's in danger, too. He also traveled with her due to the same diplomatic matters."

AJ remained silent, contemplating over the information that Isaka just shared with him.

"I saw what you saw in the parking lot, AJ-kun. If there's anything that I've learned from and about Em-chan and my own life, it's the fact that you can't simply judge a book by its cover."

"She was flirting shamelessly, Isaka-san. She was making out in the parking lot. She was flirting openly with Kazuomi like she always does. She was flirting with you in front of everyone." AJ rested his gaze on Isaka, and then added as he further stressed his point, "It's so easy to fall for her charms. I sure did. I just saw how chummy she is with you."

"You've misjudged everything, AJ-kun. She treats Asahina and me like her older brothers. We treat her as a younger sister. She does have many relationships. Those relationships are all familial by nature – starting with Shido Kazuomi. That is an irrefutable fact."

"You're not seeing it, Isaka-kun…."

Isaka chuckled and shook his head. "You've greatly misjudge Em-chan and me. I regard her as a younger sister. She doesn't have any romantic feelings for Asahina or me. If that were the case, she would've openly spoken to us about those feelings. She did, however, spoke about how she considers us as family and that what's important to us is what'll be important to her."

Isaka's eyes narrow out of annoyance when he saw that AJ was still digging his heels, and so he continued, "She, Asahina, and I grew very close when we were in England. She opened up her home to us. She opened herself. She accepted Asahina and me for who were are even though we wore our masks before her. Before the three of us parted ways in England, we made a promise to each other. She promised to make this joint venture project a success because of what it means for both Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan. More specifically, she knows what it all means for the heirs of the two companies…and that's Onodera Ritsu and me."

As AJ was about to blurt out his rebuttal, Isaka just snapped and interjected, "Just stop now, and listen, AJ-kun…"

AJ froze, and Isaka said in a quiet yet intent tone, "There is and there will be nothing going on between Em-chan and me because I'm gay, AJ-kun. No one in Marukawa Shoten knows about it save for Asahina. Feel free to guess why he's the only one who's privy to that secret."

AJ's eyes went wide, and Isaka continued, "Em-chan immediately knew that I'm homosexual the very minute that I stepped inside Emrys Manor. At the same time, she knew what was really going on between Asahina and me. In the short time that I've known her, she extended the help that I've asked for because Michael-san asked her to. She has been using her connections to help me and this joint venture in ways that Ishino Group alone can never do."

Isaka purposefully paused for a minute, and when he surmised that AJ would not say anything he said, "There's more to Em-chan than meets the eye. Yes, she has secrets. Michael-san and Jii-san might know some of them but not the greater amount of it. Those secrets kept you all safe. And now, those secrets are keeping everyone I love and care about safe, too. I understand if you and she have your differences. She turns a blind eye to many things for the sake of this project and a lot of people. I also understand your pain. You shouldn't be blamed for things that you fully don't know. And believe me that you'd be better off not knowing her secrets. If you force things to satisfy your wounded pride, you'll endanger those around you."

"Then what do I not know? Why would her secrets pose such a danger to everyone?"

Isaka's gaze on AJ did not waver as he explained, "I'm in the dark as much as you. Again, you're better off not knowing Em-chan's secrets. You couldn't handle it four years ago. You won't be able to handle it now. It's best for all of us to do what she says. She's handling things in how she knows best. And she's best in what she does because of her life of secrets. She paid the price for those secret, even though they've enabled her and kept everyone safe. She's still paying for it now, judging by how things are between the two of you. If you ask me, she turned the unfair hand she has been dealt with into an opportunity for everyone. I ask for all of us to peacefully work together. Put aside your differences, even if it's just until this project is completed. Can you do your part, AJ-kun?"

After giving AJ a handful of minutes to respond, Isaka eventually left AJ to sort things out…with him giving the younger man an encouraging tap on the back before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

Once he left the room, Isaka sought Michael in hopes to placate the elder Ishino's heavy heart over how two of his three children have argued so unforgivingly – with one still trapped in the past and unwilling to move on, and the other dutifully lingering on due to a sense of loyalty.

Either way, Isaka knew that it was a "lose-lose" situation that would not bode well for any of the four Ishino Group partners. He stopped for a minutes and text-messaged Em, typing:

Em-chan

I hope that you're all right.

Rest assured that I understand you.

You did what you had to do with AJ-kun.

Have fun in your days off.

Have a good date with Mister Shido tonight!

Good luck in preparing for your concert.

We'll all see you on debut night!

Isaka

Isaka immediately got a response from Em….

Isaka-san

If any problems arises,

Text-message Lieutenant Kirisawa and Deputy Chief Nomura.

They'll have someone in their team help ASAP.

I'm sorry that I can't be physically there to help.

I'm doing an errand related to our matter.

Nonetheless, please keep me in the loop.

Em

Isaka let out a sigh and a small prayer of hope for an amiable resolution for Em, AJ, Michael, and Troy. He then sought out Takano, with him wanting to head back and be with the still-recovering Asahina…and knowing that Takano mirrored his sentiments since Ritsu was sick at home, too.

Within ten minutes, Takano drove out of Marukawa Shoten's parking lot with passengers Isaka and Yamato. Isaka, with Takano's permission, invited Kirishima and company to the apartment to have an informal meeting involving the joint venture – the meeting focused on the efforts to be made by both editors-in-chief.

Behind Takano's car was Kirishima behind the wheel with passengers Yokozawa and Hiyori. An excited Hiyori proposed to cook for Yamato, Asahina, and Ritsu…and Yokozawa, in support of her efforts and kind-heartedness, volunteered to help in the kitchen.

Kirishima quietly stewed as he drove his car and followed Takano. He was jealous as hell because he knew Takano's importance in Yokozawa's life, and it didn't matter if it was in the past. Additionally, he was in protective "Father Bear" mode because Hiyori wanted to cook for a boy…surmising all of this because his daughter mentioned Yamato's name first, and she did not even had "Papa" in her radar as a reason why she wanted to cook in someone else's kitchen.

For short, Kirishima was pouty, petulant, and pissed as different versions of jealousy thickly coursed through his veins.

Yokozawa, noticing the rather dark mood that Kirishima was in, quietly reached out and tapped Kirishima's back to console him…and then subtly let it slip down behind Kirishima's back and kept his hand resting on Kirishima's seat.

Kirishima glanced towards Yokozawa for a few seconds, giving the latter a small yet appreciative smile before he returned his eyes on the road and towards their destination. Although still pouty, his mood lightened up even a tad bit. He glanced at the rear-view mirror and once he noticed that Hiyori had dozed off, he held Yokozawa's hand and allowed the exchange of warmth between them to soothe his heart.

Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)

Shortly before explosive argument between AJ Ishino and Alexandra Emrys

Setting: One of many conference rooms – Marukawa Shoten

Same floor as meeting venue and argument

Happening concurrently with all events above…

The conference room was half-occupied yet tension filled the room and much more…

To the side closer to the door sat Usami Akihito, Takahashi Misaki, and Yanase Yuu.

To the opposite side of the table across from the three men sat Hatori Yoshiyuki, Yoshino Chiaki, and Ijuuin Kyo.

At the head of the table sat Tsuuri Troy, armed with various marketing and trend data as well as projections. His goal was to facilitate the discussions.

Through Troy's help, the six men were supposed to brainstorm ideas for new creative projects: a novel or two from Usami, a shojo miniseries from Chiaki, and a shonen miniseries from Ijuuin – with each project open to the possibility of expanding into respective full-blown series. In addition, each author had full license to inject inspiration brought about by the joint venture into their current works.

The tension and brewing ill sentiments were thick and undeniable…

What Usami saw was Ijuuin glancing at Misaki, and one stare alone was more than enough to drive Usami's jealousy through the roof. The jealousy along with the stress of being sexually harassed once more by the nightmare from his childhood placed him on perpetual tenterhooks.

What Misaki noticed was Ijuuin's gaze moving between Yuu – the one who sat across from Ijuuin – and Usami. As much as Ijuuin's sights were more focused on Yuu this time around, the attention still flustered Misaki, making the latter recall the many times that the novelist and the manga author posed challenges against one another for his affections.

What Yanase Yuu noted was Ijuuin glancing here and there between him and towards the end of the table…the area where Usami and Misaki sat. The observation made Yuu wonder at first and when he pieced together whisperings, he surmised that Ijuuin was gazing at Misaki…the notion of which causing Yuu to feel as if blood was being squeezed out from his heart – not just out of jealousy, but out of hurt that he would never be the apple of his love's eyes. Sure, there was one time that he glanced Chiaki's way, but the focus of his sights, affection, and heartache was Ijuuin.

Since Ijuuin and Chiaki's seats were fairly close, Hatori was incensed with anger and jealousy towards Yuu. As a reaction which he tried his hardest not to do, Hatori threw irate glances over Yuu's way…something that Yuu sensed but did his best to ignore for Chiaki's and professionalism's sake.

As to Chiaki, his lightheartedness rendered him oblivious to the gazes exchanged between the five other men. All he did was be professional, polite, and kind towards everyone around the table while honoring the bonds of friendship that existed between him and Yuu. As to his bond with Hatori, that would always be upheld to the utmost importance.

Ijuuin was not blind or unfeeling, though…. From the corner of his eye and without making obvious movements, he followed were the glances go and noted the conspicuous glances shared among Yuu, Hatori, and Chiaki – particularly Yuu and Hatori. To say that Ijuuin did not like it one bit was an understatement, for the pencil that he customarily kept as a constant companion and used as a fidget tool during such meetings to focus now bore many indentations from his fingernails.

In addition, the glares that Usami threw across the table irked Ijuuin even more…his dark moods becoming murkier as each minute passed. He was caught in-between getting over Misaki, starting anew with an open heart with Yuu, being the subject of Usami's ire when there was no need to add insult over injury, getting angry over Hatori staring down at Yuu, and restraining himself from jealousy while not understanding the circumstances between Yuu and the two that sat beside him.

Troy was not blind, although he continued the discussion with a quiet yet watchful eye to control the situation. He had to half-content himself with the fact that the six men around him were giving feedback to the ongoing brainstorming session. He knew quite well, though, that they could have been more productive if there was no tension.

Just when Troy was hoping to continue further, he heard the yelling from outside followed by his thoughts as he heard Em and AJ verbally duking it outside, "God… What now?"

And then Troy heard the yelled-out words…

"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!"

Troy closed his eyes, inwardly fuming in his head, "Damn it, AJ! Fuck!"

The six men were startled as Troy stood up and marched towards the door…the young man looking as if he wanted to punch the living daylights out of the offender. They ended up watching him stop as all of them inside the room heard a loud thud.

All of them piled up behind Troy, the latter giving a little opening to peek through the door. The six men were stunned and Troy was tight-lipped over the sight before them….

Em punched AJ and slammed him against the wall.

Troy took in a deep breath, closing his eyes as he could feel the hurt from Em's words as she told AJ while slamming the latter once more…and harder this time around…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."

Troy closed the door but all seven of them did not move, hearing all the words said between the two estranged lovers.

The six men cringed as they heard AJ berate Em, followed by scuffle in between hurtful words exchanged between the two. No words were spoken inside the quiet room until they all heard Michael Ishino and Isaka break up the fight between the two.

One thing was evident – Troy was fuming. The word incensed did not cover the young man's emotional state. This turn of events sobered up the six from focusing on their own inner turmoil, bringing all of them to the present.

"Ummm… Troy-kun… Are you all right?" asked Misaki as everyone saw Troy close his eyes and let out a subtle sigh – the latter's last-ditch effort to compose himself.

After minutes' worth of silence, Troy said as he quietly gestured at the door, "Gentlemen… You saw and heard what happened outside. I suggest you all use this time to civilly air out your grievances with one another. We have much work to do. The tension in this room before the fight broke out between my partners has been more than enough to bring about a repeat. I see each of you as gifted, reasonable men. So for all that is good, settle this animosity between you…will you please?"

The room fell quiet….

Minutes later, Troy asked everyone, "I'll adjourn our meeting and give you gentlemen time to settle this. Let's meet tomorrow morning, as originally scheduled. Please aim to at least settle things today so that you can set aside your differences. Best if you can find and believe in the good dwelling in each other, so that your gifts will thrive as we work together… The world needs more kindness. Life's better that way, too."

Troy then stood up, falling quiet as he stared at the door and added, "My partners have been forgetting that of late. Unfortunately, only they can do resolve the matter between them. I understand both their respective predicament on how they ended up like this. I'm trying to empathize why I keep popping up in their arguments, but even I'm not spared as you see. So before the same type of misunderstanding destroys you and your respective creativity, please don't follow their example. I'll see you all tomorrow. If you'd excuse me…"

Troy bowed before everyone and then left the conference room….

For a handful of uncomfortable minutes, the six men left behind were quiet – with Chiaki and Masaki not knowing even one-fourth of the tension inside the room during their meeting with Troy.

Finally, Ijuuin broke the ice of silence and murmured, "So, Hatori-san…. Why have you been glaring at Yanase-kun for staring my way?"

"I beg your pardon, Sensei?" asked Hatori, who was caught off-guard from Ijuuin's question.

Ijuuin glances at Yuu and gave the younger man a kind smile – a gesture that caught Usami's eye which calmed him down considerably as it changed the context of how he saw everything. He had his swivel chair face towards Chiaki and Hatori. His tone sounded calm, although he seethed inside. "Yuu and I have been exchanging glances all this time. So technically, Hatori-san, you've been glaring at Yuu for looking towards my direction. It's rather odd for you to censure those who wish to stare my way. Are you going to censure me for glancing at Yuu and Usami-sensei here and there since the start of the meeting? Is it wrong for me to glance towards Usami-sensei because in the back of my mind, I'd like to sit down with him, Yuu, and Misaki-kun for coffee after this meeting?"

"Sensei…"

Ijuuin lets out a subtle sigh as he gazed at Hatori. "Yuu and I glance towards each other for different reasons – one of them involving projects we've been working on together. The rest remains between him and me. Now, Hatori-san… Whatever's on your mind, maybe you and I can discuss it over coffee sometime very soon? Just name the time and date…and I have a great cafe in mind."

Ijuuin's keen eye kept focused on Chiaki and most especially Hatori, the latter two rather surprised…although Chiaki knew that Ijuuin spoke the truth about Yuu's focus of attention, and he was more than ready to defend that truth to Hatori.

Hatori and Ijuuin's gazes meet, and remained there for a while.

Soon, it was Hatori who removed his gaze first and then said, "I mean no disrespect, Sensei. Please forgive me. And a meeting over coffee will be nice."

Hatori then was tight-lipped although he told Yuu, "I mean no disrespect, Yanase-kun…"

"It's all right," an equally tight-lipped Yuu replied.

"Then I'm glad we're in understanding," said Ijuuin with a small smile and a nod towards Hatori. When he noticed that Chiaki gave him an apologetic and kind nod, he smiled more graciously towards the younger man.

Ijuuin's gaze then traveled towards Yuu, and his eyes and smile quietly communicated much warmer feelings…with him understanding that his new love thanked him.

A more relaxed Usami then spoke up, informing Ijuuin, "Would you be open to a cup of coffee and a conversation after this meeting, Ijuuin-Sensei?"

A kind yet guarded smile escaped from Ijuuin's lips. "That would be nice, Usami-Sensei."

The six men exchanged glances and nods, signaling that they've just established a foundation to calmly settle their differences and understand each other. The meeting continued for a little while, the group this time around being more productive and efficient.

Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)

Setting: Seimei University Hospital

Happening concurrently with all events above…

Deputy Chief Nomura Tadanobu and Detective Ishihara Emira…also known as Emi…both casually walked through the doors of Seimei University Hospital towards Mino Kanade's hospital room in the Elite Intensive Care Unit (EICU) – the arrangements for Mino's confinement in the EICU was handled between the hospital and an anonymous donor who would assume financial responsibility for his stay.

Isaka and Takado were pleasantly surprised and caught off-guard with the arrangement, and the hospital's Dean Matsunaga Eiichi and Chief of Medicine Kasumi Toshiki would not disclose the generous benefactor's identity. After a brief discussion, the four men deemed for the arrangement being best for the still-comatose patient since the EICU floor was very secure.

Detective Tennoji Yutaka, a sergeant at Tokyo MPD and a member of Lieutenant Kirisawa's 2nd Unit, remained on watch outside Mino's EICU private hospital room. He kept a vigilant eye because doctors and nurses came in and out of the patient's room to continuously monitor their patient. He also hoped for Ishihara or anyone from his team to arrive soon in order for time to travel faster.

After checking in with reception, Nomura and Ishihara Emira obtained special badges to access the EICU wing where Mino was staying. The two continued their animated conversation in Nomura's SUV.

"So what are you up to after this?"

"Work, and more work," replied Nomura with a chuckle. "Well, Emi, at least you and Tennoji will keep each other company. But remember our conversation."

"I promise I'll behave. I'll help you with keeping you organized, Nomura. That's harmless – right?" quips Emi, referring to the case that Nomura and Kirisawa have respectively warned her to distance herself from.

"Yes, and you've been a great help," said Nomura with a smile. "You have the makings of a great detective. Just listen to us, if you'd please. You'd live longer that way."

"I wouldn't have become a police officer if I wanted a long, safe life…." Emi murmurs, grinning a bit sheepishly from Nomura's comment. "That's not how our calling as police works."

"Ah, Emi… You need to be with us here on Earth. You're too ideal for your own good sometimes. You remind me of Kirisawa in his younger days," bantered Nomura.

The two finally reached their destined floor, and once they stepped out of the elevator they were stunned.

Yells, sounds of shattering glass and thuds echoed…with the sounds becoming louder and more frantic for each passing second.

Nomura and Emi's eyes narrowed as they stared at each other for a split second. They ran as fast as their feet could carry them towards the direction of where the yells came from...

…and it was also coming from the same direction of their original destination – Mino Kanade's room…and the owner of one of those yells was Tennoji.

Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)

Shortly before explosive argument between AJ Ishino and Alexandra Emrys

Setting: One of many conference rooms – Marukawa Shoten

Same floor as meeting venue and argument

Happening concurrently with all events above…

Kisa and Ritsu had a productive teleconferencing meeting, the two bouncing off ideas regarding the quarterly magazine and advertising projects for the joint venture. The two were engrossed with discussions, although Kisa could tell that Ritsu was still tremendously under the weather based on the tone of the latter's voice.

Asahina and Ritsu's father, who were having fun conversing over mundane matters regarding destinations to see in Europe and North America, stopped here and there with smiles as they catch Kisa and Ritsu's conversations. Admittedly, the younger men's energies are rubbing off on them.

Both Asahina and most especially Ritsu were still under the weather, the two men in hopes of getting well as soon as possible. In the meantime, they were thankful that through teleconferencing they could still work and be kept on the loop in spite of their current conditions.

When Ritsu was in the middle of talking, Kisa gestured for Ritsu to pause for a minute…with Kisa frowning more prominently.

"What's wrong?" asked Ritsu.

"Shhh… Hold on for a minute," Kisa gestured, and then he could hear AJ clearly say to Em...

"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?"

Ritsu definitely saw Kisa cringe and frown, and it concerned him. "Kisa – what's wrong?"

Kisa was caught off-guard with AJ's comment. Although he knew that AJ directed his words and anger towards her, Kisa could not help but feel the deep sting behind the insult…with him feeling disturbed to say the least.

Kisa then heard Em reply defiantly to AJ….

"Go screw yourself. You don't know a damn thing about me!"

"What's going on?" Ritsu asked once more.

"AJ-kun and Em-chan are still arguing outside. AJ-kun started it. He called her names and insulted her."

"Why?"

Kisa's eyes narrowed as he looked at the video screen while explaining to Ritsu, "AJ-kun called Em-chan not very good names. Isaka-sama wants us to do a feature on AJ-kun, Em-chan, and Troy-kun. It sounds like AJ-kun's also pissed off at Troy-kun. Something about Em-chan cheating AJ-kun with Troy-kun. It feels awkward."

Ritsu looked really bothered, and so he commented, "I don't see or feel Em-chan to be that type of person."

Asahina, who was also sick, piped in, "AJ-kun and Em-chan have been broken up for four years now. AJ-kun ended the relationship. It was a huge misunderstanding on AJ-kun's part. And Ritsu-kun, you're right for giving Em-chan the benefit of the doubt. She's very liberal in her ideas and approaches but deep down, she's loyal and dedicated."

Ritsu then sighed, adding, "I just wish that–"

Everyone heard that loud noise, especially Onodera Akifumi, Asahina, and Ritsu… That was the sound of a door being kicked off its hinges.

Kisa, knowing that the noise came from Ritsu, Asahina, and Onodera Akifumi's end, asked with concern, "Ritsu-kun – what was that…? What's going on?"

Ritsu raised his hand, prompting everyone on his and Kisa's side to be quiet. He gestured for Kisa to mute his microphone. "We'll hide and stay quiet. We'll leave everything on. Turn off your camera and microphone, Kisa…. Call us help. Just watch out for us…."

The three men nodded to each other, each cancelling out the sound and vibration of their cell phones. Then, they tried to think of hiding places in Takano's apartment, with Asahina and the elder Onodera looking more towards Ritsu for guidance.

The noises coming from Ritsu's end became more pronounced – sounds of trashing furniture and anything and everything next door.

Kisa saw Ritsu and Asahina exchange worried glances with Onodera Akifumi, with Kisa wracking his brain. Kisa picked up his phone and text-messaged Takano to immediately come to the meeting room because Ritsu might be in trouble – marking the text as urgent.

Meanwhile, Kisa continued hearing sounds of the apartment next door to Takano being ransacked….making his heart pound in fear for Ritsu and the others.

As Takano got Kisa's text message while he was driving. Since the message was urgent, Takano glanced at his cell phone while waiting for a red light to turn green. His blood ran cold.

Giving his cell phone to Isaka, Takano requested, "Isaka-san… Please help me reach the police for help. Read the message." After he handed his phone to Isaka, he glanced at his rear-view mirror and noticed that Yamato took a short nap at the back seat of the car.

Isaka froze from reading the message. He immediately text-messaged Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi from Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's 2nd Unit and Deputy Chief Nomura about what had been going on.

Kirisawa immediately replied to Isaka's text-message, including Nomura in the communiqué:

Isaka-san

Will send Detectives Asano Shusuke and Hanai Kazusa

at Takano-san's apartment right away.

They're in the neighborhood.

Estimated time of arrival is within 15 minutes.

Kirisawa

Isaka then called Kisa to get more information, placing the call on speaker.

Isaka and Takano cringed as Kisa explained, "My microphone and camera are off, so I can see everything on Ritsu's side and I'm not seen. Asahina-san, Ritsu-kun, and Onodera-sama are hiding somewhere in the apartment. The apartment next door is still being ransacked. I don't know what's causing them to panic."

"Because the apartment that they're in right now is mine. The apartment next door…the one being searched…is Onodera's," explained Takano, looking very much concerned.

"Oh shit…" murmured Kisa, looking more nervous as he felt cold and helpless.

"I know…" Takano murmured to Kisa, and then steeled himself as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "Isaka-san and I will be there in 10 minutes. The MPD detectives, too… Don't sign out of that meeting and keep tabs on what's going on. Let's keep this phone call going, so we know what's going on, too."

"All right," said Kisa with a grim nod. "Please be careful, Takano-san… Isaka-sama…"

Takano, doing his best to keep calm although he was a nervous wreck inside, focused on the road and took every opportunity given to him in getting home as soon as possible.

"Thanks, Takano," Isaka said in a quiet tone laced with gratitude.

Without removing his eyes on the road, Takano nodded…the two continuing their speedy trek home while they both hoped that the elder Onodera, Asahina, and Ritsu would be safe.

Isaka braced himself, pushing down his worries as much as he could to keep his presence of mind intact, too – all while he kept thinking, "Kaoru… Everyone… Please be all right…all of you…"

Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)

Setting: Marukawa Shoten – Parking Lot

After Preliminary Meeting regarding Joint Overseas Venture

Happening concurrently with all events above…

Yuu was relieved seeing that Ijuuin and Hatori seemed to be in good terms as the group finally adjourned the meeting. He felt more relaxed seeing that Chiaki was in his usual friendly self. He thought, "It's time for me to slowly but surely let you go now, Chiaki…"

As Usami and Masaki along with Ijuuin and Yuu just boarded the elevator heading to the parking lot, Yuu quickly pressed the button and smiled at the person who he held the elevator door for…

"Thanks, Yanase-san… Thanks, everyone…" said Troy as he bowed before the four men. When he straightened up, he looked more relaxed and light-hearted. "From the looks of it, the meeting ended well?"

Usami and Ijuuin exchange glances, with Usami saying, "Yes, it did. The four of us are just stepping out to a café for something light to eat. Care to join us?"

Troy nodded. "Sure! I'm famished!"

Yuu continued to hold the elevator button, and in came…

"Good afternoon, everyone… Thanks for holding the button for us," AJ said to everyone with a kind smile – all while doing his best to remain civil with Troy.

Everyone moved to give room not just for AJ but also Michael Ishino, the elder Ishino giving everyone a smile. Michael then said, "I guess all of us are heading out…"

"We're going to a café 15 minutes from here. Would you like to join us? If you'd like, we can carpool in two cars. I'll drop you off back here once we're done," proposed Ijuuin, with him and the other happy to see that AJ and Michael were also open to the invitation.

"So that's great, gentlemen… Just walk with us, then…" Usami tells Troy, AJ, and Michael as all of them now exit out of the elevator and then enter the underground parking lot.

"I'll have Troy-kun ride with me, Sensei. You'll have room for Michael-sama and AJ-kun, right?"

Usami gave Ijuuin an affirmative nod to the latter's inquiry.

AJ took in a deep breath as he loosened up his necktie, folding it neatly with his left hand and slipping it in his coat pocket with customary ease.

Troy stayed closer to Yuu and Ijuuin, his eyes taking in his surroundings. A few minutes later, he said in a low-key manner, "Gentlemen, we have company…and not the good kind. We're being surrounded."

AJ asked Troy while remaining inconspicuous, "Where?"

"At least one per direction… Three, four, eight, and nine o'clock… Possibly six o'clock, too…" was Troy's reply, his right hand clenching on his leather briefcase's handle.

"Good thing we're positioned well." AJ became more tight-lipped as he told Troy and Michael, "Two each – hands on the steering wheel."

Troy commented, "You're correct on positioning… I'm right flank. You're left flank."

"Yes," AJ responded, and then he now asked Michael, "Dad? See anything?"

"Shadows on one and 11 o'clock," said Michael while he pretended to look at his wristwatch and give someone the time.

"Dad… Once you see an opening, run away with everyone else. Troy and I will handle them," murmured AJ, doing his best to hide his tension.

"What's going on?" asked Yuu to Troy.

"Just look unaffected, Yanase-san… You four stay close. We'll do this together. AJ and I will fend them off. The rest of you escape and get us all help. Michael-san will lead you back in the building."

"All I see are office people," murmured Misaki.

"Trust us, Misaki-san… Troy's right. Dad and I confirm it," AJ interjected. "And they're about to show their fangs right about…"

"Excuse me, gentlemen," said a tall and handsome dark-haired man in a well-tailored three-piece wool-gabardine suit and a genial smile as he approached the Marukawa Shoten group. He came from the 11 o'clock direction. "Might I trouble you for directions?"

AJ carried on, looking unaffected, "Sure. Where were you going?"

"To the nearest hospital, although it'd be easier if we call an ambulance – don't you think?"

The dark-haired man's handsome features became malicious as a blade from a butterfly knife clicked and glinted from his right sleeve. His eyes narrowed as he eyed everyone, most especially when an equally well-dressed gentleman stepped out from the shadows coming from the one o'clock position.

Troy braced himself…

Ijuuin told Troy without having his gaze leave to what was going on in front of him, "Troy-kun. AJ-kun… We're surrounded."

Usami then told Misaki and Yuu, "Misaki… Yanase-kun… Step behind Ijuuin-sensei and me… Be alert and cautious."

"Yes," Misaki and Yuu respectively replied, with Yuu now steeling himself knowing that he and Misaki would need to fight at any given second.

The novelist and the manga author both looked at each other and exchanged a nod, joining in solidarity with Michael, AJ, and Troy in protecting their group.

AJ asked the first dark-haired gentleman, "What do you want?"

With a sneer, the first dark-haired gentleman replied, "Usami Akihito and you, pretty boy. You two are my patron's esteemed guest. If you two accept our invitation without any opposition, everyone can go about their day quietly."

AJ smirked and chuckled. "Sorry, not interested."

"Usagi-san…" murmured a worried Misaki, his hand resting on Usami's back.

"I'm not going anywhere, Misaki," Usami reassured his lover, his voice laced with such gentleness and reassurance. "Now stay behind me, all right?"

"No one's going with any of you," said Troy, who did not move yet his keen eyes and perception took note of where their opponents were. He subtly told AJ, "Two six packs, Ishino. They're equipped and look like they know what they're doing."

"Roger that," replied AJ. He relayed the same information exactly as it was phrased to Michael, the latter murmuring his affirmation.

The elder and younger Ishino both knew that Troy used one of the code words meant for the phrase six by six – specifically six enemies to the left and six enemies to the right based on where the messenger stood and the reach of his peripheral vision. It was code-speak that only a few understood namely Troy, Em, Michael, and Jii-san.

For short, there were nine of them – Usami, Ijuuin, Hatori, Yuu, Misaki, Chiaki, Michael, AJ, and Troy – to fight at least a dozen armed men who were not only skilled in fighting but were not afraid to inflict pain. AJ and Troy hoped that 12 was it and that no more would join.

And through Em and Troy, that circle of those who understood the code expanded to the 3S composed of Shido Kazuomi, Soejima Kei, and Shiba Yuzuru as well as Ichinomiya Eisuke and all the auction managers…with that code coming in handy many times whenever they needed to coordinate themselves out of tight spots.

"Suit yourselves. You're still both coming with us, anyway," said the first dark-haired gentleman in such a smug manner. He snapped his fingers…

And once that man snapped his fingers, 11 others rushed with him to harm the group of seven – their sights set on capturing Usami and AJ….and to hell with the rest.

End of Chapter Ten

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.