JUNJOU ROMANTICA / SEKAI-ICHI HATSUKOI
Chapter Eleven – Setting the Stage for Love and Heartache (Part Three)
Something about this chapter:
There are parts of this chapter that also appear in the companion fic Parallels – Other Realms and Parallels – The Tangled Web We Weave. It took me a long time to figure out where I should place these particular parts because they're anchors for readers to know the villains.
After much mulling over, I decided that it would be best for story flow to put them in all three fics. This is the best way that I can think of to best serve these stories so that they can remain stand-alones for those who just wish to follow one fic, and provide a reference for flow for readers who read this fic as well as the accompanying "Parallels" side fics.
Thanks for your patience.
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 (Soryu Oh)
Masquerade Kiss (Kazuomi Shido, Yuzuru Shiba, Kei Soejima)
True Love, Sweet Lies (Nozomu Fuse, Commissioner General Namioka)
Romance MD: Always on Call (Dean Eiichi Matsunaga, Doctor Toshiki Kazumi, Doctor Munechika Takado, Doctor Tetsuya Hosho, Doctor Sentaro Kyogoku, Doctor Kaede Ekuni)
Metro PD: Close to You (Doctor Masashi Himuro, Lieutenant Tomomi Minase, Lieutenant Hiroshi Kirisawa, Deputy Chief Tadanobu Nomura, MC named as Ishihara Emira in this fic, Detective Kazusa Hanai, Detective Shusuke Asano, Detective Katsuyuki Kyobashi. Director General Toru Kyobashi)
Her Love in the Force (Detective Toru Kurosawa)
My Sweet Bodyguard (Prime Minister Hiraizumi)
Seimei University Hospital appears as a venue for Metro PD: Close to You as well as Romance MD: Always on Call.
Setting: Limousine leaving Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Final Destination: Okada Family Estate
Happening exactly at the same time as Marukawa Shoten project kick-off meeting at 12:00 PM
General Point of View (POV)
After camping by the doorsteps of Tokyo MPD Headquarters since early this morning once they have caught wind of Okada Aoi's arrest, the press went crazy as they see him walk out of the station with his attorney and suited bodyguards.
A multitude of flashbulbs lit along with the clamoring voices of reporters asking for Okada Aoi to make a comment, but all are disappointed as the now-bailed out man's limousine drives away from the police station.
Nearly drowned by the sound of outsiders tapping on the windows, Okada Sekai asks his son, "I've already mobilized your men. Those responsible for your arrest will regret dragging you and humiliating our family like this."
"I thought you have men on the inside, Dad," says Aoi to his father. "What are we paying them for?"
"They didn't know anything about the raid. Some who we've paid in our employ at the Prime Minister's residence made statements, but none of them link back to you or me," murmurs the elder Okada, his features looking more serious and disgusted. Referring to the drugs and the kidnapped people, he adds, "Our shipments have been confiscated. The delivery going to the Prime Minister's residence has been uncovered before tomorrow evening's gala. Every step of the way, we're getting thwarted!"
"So, what will the men do?" asks the younger Okada as he pores through a thick manila envelope filled with pictures. His brows furrow, and then he smirks while he decides to return to the top of the pile. This time, he segregates certain photographs in a separate pile.
The elder Okada replies with a sly grin, "You'll just find out. Better that you don't know anything in case you've been pressed to give answers."
Now done with his task, Okada Aoi hands his father the smaller pile of pictures. He inquires as he watches his father's reaction while reviewing the pictures, "Isn't that Ishino Michael's ward…also his son's girlfriend?"
"Ex-girlfriend," replies the elder Okada, his mind working as he reviews the pictures a second time…with him stopping here and there when something on the photograph piques his interest.
"Why is she in a lot of pictures with them?"
In the segregated pile that father and son have now been reviewing are pictures of Em. The top photo catches her ascending the steps leading to MPD's front lobby in the middle of the night. Another picture captures a moment with her and Nomura in the café. Another has her chatting casually with Nomura, Director General Kyobashi, and Commissioner General Namioka as they leave NPA Headquarters.
The elder Okada murmurs, "Alexandra Emrys… She has ties with them…."
"Ties…? What do you mean ties? Is she law enforcement, too?"
Shaking his head, the elder Okada responds as he holds a particular picture and points at Kyobashi and Namioka, "No, she's not… She's a British citizen. She's not a law enforcement professional in Japan or Britain. She might have indirect ties, but that's due to her position and influence. Remember the gala you've attended with Dan and me – the one held for Hiraizumi's return as Prime Minister? She comes from noble family just like Ambassador Soejima Kei. She's been an ambassador since she was young. She does have ties with the NPA because of her dissertation for her archaeology and biochemistry degrees. If she has ever been consulted by law enforcement, it was more likely for her academic knowledge as an archaeologist and a biochemist. Her parents and Ishino Michael are good friends with these two, so there's word that she had asked them a favor for her studies. These two have been father figures to her, just like Michael. She's close to Hiraizumi and Prime Minister Brown."
"And this guy?" the son asks as he points at Nomura in the picture.
"A suitor, maybe…? Although our inside sources have confirmed that she's like a little sister to those she knows at MPD and NPA, although those people are a few. I heard much about Deputy Chief Nomura Tadanobu. I can see why he'd pursue her. She a beautiful catch and she has solid connections through many networks. For someone who's ambitious, earning her good graces – no matter what form – can pay off handsomely." the elder Okada tells the son with a suggestive smirk escaping from his lips. "Michael's son was the only one that had a confirmed relationship with her. The others, like this one, might have the same predicament… But…."
The son tilts his head a bit. "But...?"
"She's been seen throughout the years with Soejima Kei, too. She has also been seen with Shido Kazuomi and Shiba Yuzuru. Mister Anson confirmed that," says the elder Okada as he relaxes against the limousine's leather seat while finishing off his drink. "I wouldn't be surprised if there's already a marriage arrangement between Emrys and Soejima. Makes sense since the two are nobility and serve as diplomats. They were also Oxford alumni. A lot of ties between them…"
"So the two of them are going out?"
The elder Okada thinks about the question for a moment, and then responds, "Trent says that they do a lot of diplomatic assignments, and at times work as a team…nothing more that he's aware of. The Queen relies on them a lot. Trent's not happy knowing that Alexandra Emrys had close ties with the now-departed Prime Minister Brown... He wants to eliminate any trace of Brown that remains close to the Queen. He still considers Brown as a threat even though he was the one behind having her poisoned. So he considers Emrys as a threat although she served him well without question, too."
"For short, no one serious in her radar…not even Soejima…" adds the son, matching his father's grin. "Looks like she loves to play around just like I do…"
"It seems that she managed to catch your eye, too."
"She's definitely a looker…" the younger Okada mumbles as his expressive brown eyes and his handsome features displaying the malevolence running inside his head.
"To Trent, though, she's bothersome. As young as she is, she carries a lot of clout. Trent considers Soejima as a threat. He thinks that she can easily encourage Soejima to aspire for higher office someday. He wants to nip it in the bud before that happens. He's very angry that our plans for the gala were foiled. It's important for plans to pull through, so that it'll be lucrative on both sides. Many more avenues will open up for your business, Aoi. Great Britain and Europe will be your oyster once everything falls in place. Trent will make sure of that," The elder Okada's eyes narrow as he thinks back to the party at the Okada Estate many years ago…specifically the part wherein she took AJ away from him.
"Is that why Shido Kazuomi and Shiba Yuzuru are targeted, too?"
"Those three are linked to the hip. Same as Alexandra Emrys… Each one's movements can have a global effect. Imagine if the four of them combine their efforts, which is always the case. Trent's not the only one who recognizes this. Derek Anson acknowledges this, too."
"Don't worry, Dad. There's still something in place. They didn't get rid of all the obstacles yet. They'll be in for a big surprise. Let them have their sense of confidence that they've caught everything just in time."
The elder Okada is pleased to hear from what his son has just said. "I've moved up the timeline, so I've toyed with them enough. I sent your men to press things further. I want Usami Akihito, Onodera Ritsu, and Ishino AJ. I also want those two children your men have failed to get."
"And I want her, Dad," the younger Okada says with such certainty as he keeps eyeing on Em's picture. "Once we do get her, leave her to me. I'll take good care of her."
"Then you'll see her at the gala tomorrow with Soejima. Keep in mind that Mister Anson has plans for her. We only get to keep her for a little while. He did say, however, that we have free reign. He warned Trent and me to make sure that we don't kill or hurt her or there'll be hell to pay. As long as she's not dead when our work's done, he's fine with whatever happens. So sure… If you want to play with her first before we deliver her to Mister Anson, by all means go ahead. If she ever gets killed, he wants the honor of snuffing her life to belong to him."
Okada's son tilts his head and expresses his surprise by asking, "So you've changed our plans? I thought we wanted to use those close to her as a bargaining chip for her to come to us. Fair exchange, as you say…"
"We strike while the iron's hot, my boy…" The elder Okada then quietly chuckles to himself and then adds, "Someone's been messing with our plans. I want things neatly wrapped up before any more plans get derailed. Trent's success relies heavily on our success here – starting with the joint venture's death and propping myself in time to become the next Prime Minister of Japan. Without our success in Japan, matters in Japan and Britain will fall flat. Almagest and Mister Anson don't accept failure. I'm also not going to let all of them go without paying their debt to me from long ago."
Little do father and son know that the unseen Miyamoto Hiroshi has been watching and listening all this time as the two talk and scheme. The boy's eyes burn with such hatred as he throws a piercing gaze towards the elder Okada…that gaze turning sharper and angrier as the two fill the limousine with their malevolent laughter.
The limousine eventually arrives at the Okada Family Estate. The household staff reverently greets father and son, with each one already conditioned to remain neutral or non-reactive to anything unusual or unscrupulous that happens around them…knowing that this is the best course of conduct should each one wishes to keep his or her job or life.
Okada Aoi covers his mouth and tries to stifle his yawn. He affectionately taps his father – Representative Okada Sekai – on the shoulder. "I'm beat, Dad. I'm going to my room and sleep."
The elder Okada nods his head with a kind smile towards his eldest son. "Everything will take care of itself. Rest, and then you can focus on recovering what we've lost."
When Aoi is about to climb the stairs, he hears his father say, "And Aoi…"
Aoi stops.
"You are still going to attend the gala tomorrow night, right?"
His expression turning serious, Aoi has no hesitation when he replies, "Of course I'm attending, Dad. I've nothing to be ashamed of. I'll be with you and Dan tomorrow night, just as we've planned."
Okada Sekai nods in approval, pleased with his eldest son's answer. He then says to the other, "And please call your brother when you get a chance. He may have been on his own all this time and wants to make a mark in this world through his own efforts, but his concern and care has always been with us. He's been trying to call you and had been calling me a lot since word broke out about your arrest."
Aoi's grim features lighten up, fragments of a small and gentle smile escaping from his lips. He lets out a sigh, reassuring his father in a gentle tone, "I'll call him, Dad. Knowing Dan, he's worried about me to say the least. I can take care of my companies. I'll hold a press conference and placate my employees' concerns. I just don't want my arrest to affect Dan's businesses."
"Very well… Let me make the arrangements. You get some rest," says the father with a nod to his son. He then watches Aoi as the latter ascends the stairs.
The elder Okada's gentle visage reverts to its usual mode – stoic, condescending, scrutinizing, and shrewd. As his mind wanders back to Aoi's arrest and the foiling of many well-laid plans, he thinks, "Whoever you are that caused all of this, all of you will pay. No one could stop me before. What makes you think that anyone can stop me now?"
Okada Sekai's eyebrows knit, his eyes narrowing as he feels compelled to look behind him. He has been feeling edgy over the past months, at times having this nagging thought that someone's been watching him…although the concern did not make sense since he is at home where there is heavy security.
Little does the elder Okada know, not that he has the sixth sense to pick up on it, that Miyamoto Hiroshi continues to watch him in the shadows whether it be day or night…the specter laying in wait for matters to fall in place.
Representative Okada goes to his home office, unlocks the door and locks the door behind him, and then sits behind his mahogany desk. He opens a special compartment at the topmost drawer in the right-hand side of his desk. He pulls out the fake bottom of the top drawer and takes out a black leather folder, pulling out the set of pictures from the front pocket.
There are now several pictures in the politician's hand, all of them dating at least from 30 years ago…most of them are pictures of him along with a much-younger Onodera Akifumi, and some are group pictures which include him and Onodera Akifumi along with Usami Fuyuhiko, Isaka Sana, and Ishino Michael. The images captured on photo were of happier times between the men, especially the ones with Onodera Akifumi.
Okada then picks a particular photo – one of him with his long-deceased wife and the mother of his two children, Junko. His eyes stare at the photo with melancholy and longing.
Glancing at the other photos that have Onodera, Usami, Isaka, and Ishino Michael, Representative Okada's features darken back into the hatred that perpetually boiled inside him – all while he repeatedly swears in his mind that he will not stop until the men in the photo have paid the blood debts that he feels are owed to him.
Setting: Okada Family Estate – Aoi's Master Bedroom
Happening exactly at the same time as Marukawa Shoten project kick-off meeting at 12:00 PM
General Point of View (POV)
Meanwhile, Okada Aoi reaches his room and locks the door. He speed-dials a familiar number and says once the other line picks up, "Dan… I'm home."
"Are you all right, Nii-sama? I've been so worried about you!" asks Okada Danuja – who family and close friends call Dan for short. He leans against the back of his comfortable chair at a café he normally frequents, drinking his usual espresso. This time, though, he chooses to pair up his favorite caffeinated beverage with crème brulee and a complementary serving of assorted fresh berries.
"Our attorneys in our retainer work hard. I didn't stay there that long." The gentle feelings that Aoi has towards his little brother are evident in the tone of his voice. He sits on his large king-sized bed, taking his preferred cross-legged position. "Now don't let this affect you, all right? Focus on your businesses. Focus on your campaign. You're running for office. You'll soon join Dad at the Diet. You need all the good vibes that you can get. Keep your eyes on the prize."
"You never ask for my help," Dan complains, although his voice does not show any hint of blame or regret. "You and Dad can rely on me more, you know. That's what siblings and family are for."
Aoi chuckles and then smiles, his heart feeling lighter as he reassures and encourages Dan at the same time, "I'm the one who's supposed to be protecting you. I'm your big brother. I should know how to clean up any misunderstanding that comes my way. Have you ever lost faith in me?"
This time, it is Dan's turn to let out a comforting small laugh. He is now allowing a sense of relief to descend upon his being now that he knows his brother's out of jail. "Of course not…"
"That's good, then. Best of brothers and best of friends – right…?"
"You're right. Best of brothers and best of friends – always…."
"Are you going to come and join us for dinner tonight?"
"I can do that today. And even if I can't, I'll make it a point to come join you and Dad tonight. And you're joining Dad and me at the gala tomorrow night at the Prime Minister's residence. You better because you didn't do anything wrong… Just as you said…it's all a misunderstanding."
"Of course I'll be there," replies Aoi, although his face clouds momentarily as he provides that answer to his younger brother. "I told you that the trading business has a lot of baggage like this. It's inconvenient at a time like this, but I love what I do."
"I know you do. Just be careful, Aoi. You said so yourself…our family has many enemies so we better watch our backs. Some are out there to ruin our good name."
Aoi smiles more generously. "You take care, too. I'll get some rest and we'll see you tonight."
After the brothers bid farewell over the phone and the call ends, Aoi lets out a sigh. His features become more serious as the anger and desire for revenge find their way back in his heart. He then walks into his huge bathroom, taking an invigorating shower in hopes of calming down his frayed nerves.
But every now and then, Aoi ponders about his younger brother at the hot water lands on his body and gives him a feeling of being washed clean, "You're like Mom, Dan. I wish that Mom can see you now. You have such a kind soul. Please stay that way."
Soon, the man leading the dual life as the ruthless international crime boss and the kindly young President of a handful of diversified and highly-lucrative companies now lay on his bed. He allows his body and mind to sleep, yet his anger and thirst for retribution continue to burn strongly in his dreams.
Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut- immediately after phone call between Okada Brothers)
Setting: La Crème Café
Happening exactly during the time of the search conducted at the Prime Minister's residence – after Alexandra Emrys' Makurawa Shoten Meeting
General Point of View (POV)
Meanwhile, Okada Dan focuses on his drink and dessert although he pauses here and there as he warmly returns the greetings of people who say "hi" or "good afternoon" to him. Dan, just like his brother and father, has a dignified and commanding presence…yet the biggest difference with him is that he radiates such authentic warmth and kindness. It doesn't matter how private his spot or how crowded the setting is, he manages to grab people's attention.
Inconspicuously sitting at another table is the Public Safety Department's very own Kurosawa Toru, thinking while hiding his sheer boredom while tailing the 26-year-old Okada Dan, "This guy's as clean as virgin snow – definitely not like his brother or Dad. The guy's busy with his own companies. His employees love and respect him. He's a babe magnet but doesn't play around. He volunteers in two orphanages. His guilty pleasure is coffee and dessert everyday at a café such as this – saying hi to people who greet him while he scribbles stuff in that brown leather journal of his. Does he even know what his other family members have done in the past or are doing? And I still have how many days of surveillance to go until I pass the baton to the next person?"
The café's quaint bell rings, heralding the arrival of new customers.
Kurosawa notices Em and Shido Kazuomi walk in the café, with Em giving Kurosawa a subtle hello in a customary way – the exchange of pleasantries done only through eyes and known between just them. Those who are familiar with law enforcement and NPA know better that the first greeting should come from PSD personnel in case that the detective is in the middle of surveillance.
Kazuomi and Em line up, the two already knowing what to order per his recommendation and her beverage preference and spending the wait chatting animatedly about mundane matters...
Kurosawa quietly observes while continuing his cover of reading reports coming from one of the many folders in his leather briefcase. This time he not only resumes his surveillance on Okada Dan but also takes note on how Kazuomi and Em are with each other. He wonders as to how close the two really are since he saw her with Nomura earlier this morning.
A barista comes to Kurosawa's table, carrying a bag with a handle. She smiles and tells him, "This is for you from the house. Please enjoy."
Kurosawa blinks, definitely caught off-guard for a split second. He returns the barista's kind gesture and says, "Thank you so much! I'm so lucky!"
The barista blushes, finding Kurosawa's friendliness and upbeat demeanor cute. She bows and then returns to her station behind the counter.
Taking a peek in the bag, Kurosawa cheers up even more as he finds two boxes of honey castella bread along with a note that says:
A small treat for everyone back home…
Enjoy!
AE
"Em… So sweet as usual…" Kurosawa says to himself as his heart warms up over the kind and thoughtful gesture. He glances towards Em and Kazuomi, with her carrying on without glancing his way. He does not expect for her to return his gaze, for he knows better that she is as much of a Public Safety professional as he is. However, he is intrigued as he gauges the rapport between her and Kazuomi.
The sight of Kazuomi and Em also catches Okada Dan's eye, with the latter's eyes going wide and a small yet heartfelt smile veiling his handsome face.
After Kazuomi and Em completed their purchase, the two sit at an empty table to wait for the barista to deliver their to-go hot cups of café mocha. They continue their conversation as they share a few laughs from their usual bantered exchanged laced with teasing…the exchange between the two not escaping from Kurosawa or Dan although the two men are not privy to the couple's conversation.
Kurosawa pretends not to notice anything as Dan stands up from his table and waves goodbye to the café's baristas, then inwardly wonder as he sees Dan walk towards Kazuomi and Em's shared table.
"Excuse me," says Okada Dan to Kazuomi and Em as he politely bows, "Mister Shido, Miss Emrys… I didn't want to leave without personally saying hi and welcome back to Japan, Miss Emrys…."
Em smiles warmly and returns the bow. Kazuomi gives Dan a kind and acknowledging nod. She looks up and meets Dan's gaze, with her returning the friendly gesture. "Okada…? Okada Danuja, am I correct?"
"Please, Ambassador Emrys… Call me Dan… Do you still remember where we've met? It was at a political function a couple of years ago to celebrate Prime Minister Hiraizumi's return to office. I also met Ambassador Soejima that day, too."
"Yes, of course I remember. Let's skip formalities. Call me Emrys, please…" Em then fondly looks at Kazuomi, formally introducing the latter to Dan and watching the two men shake hands.
"So will you and Ambassador Soejima be attending tomorrow's gala?"
Em nods, replying to Dan, "Yes. Kei and I will be there. Kazuomi and Shiba Yuzuru will be there, too."
A rueful smile escapes from Dan's lips. "Oh… Ambassador Soejima's your date for the evening this time around, too." One can tell that he accepts this newfound knowledge since his grin warms up. "I'll make sure that the three of us will chat tomorrow night. I'll ask the ambassador if it'll be all right to dance with you just like last time."
Kazuomi gives Dan a smile. "We'll all be waiting to dance with Miss Emrys."
Dan's grin is authentically friendly and gracious. "I agree. It'll be worth the wait."
The barista comes with Em and Kazuomi's coffee orders, prompting the two to rise from their seats after thanking the server.
"Well, Dan…let's not forget to say hi to each other tomorrow…" says Kazuomi, once again offering the other a warm handshake.
"I definitely won't forget, Mister Shido. I'm about to go out. If you and Miss Emrys won't mind, may I join you two since we're all heading out?"
"Call me by my first name, Dan…" Kazuomi nods and grins. "I don't mind if you join us for a short walk. How about you, Em…?"
"Not at all," replies Em, glancing at Kazuomi and then at Dan.
Being the gentleman that he always is, Kazuomi offers his free hand for Em to take. The two exchange beaming smiles once she interlaces her fingers with his.
Although feigning ignorance, Dan does notice the gesture of affection between the Em and Kazuomi. The three walk out of the café – all while Kurosawa continues tailing Dan from a distance.
Moments later, Em and Kazuomi wave farewell to Dan…with Kurosawa and Kazuomi noting that Dan's smile although authentically friendly and warm makes them feel edgy as they see signs that the gesture has mainly to do with his interests on Em.
Dan walks away from the chance meeting with Em and Kazuomi feeling happy…as if the encounter just made his day a bit brighter, considering that he has been worried sick about his older brother Aoi. He slips his right hand inside his pocket, walking back to his car with an extra pep in his steps.
Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)
Setting: Seimei University Hospital
Timeline: Mid-Afternoon
General Point of View (POV)
Deputy Chief Nomura Tadanobu takes in the scene before him and Detective Ishihara Emi as they run to Mino Kanade's private hospital room at the Elite Intensive Care Unit (EICU) as quickly as their feet can carry them….
Dean Matsunaga Eiichi is on the floor, semi-conscious. This prompts Emi to hit the side-by-side alarms inside the room – one to alert doctors and the other to notify security. She then crouches on the floor, having Dean Matsunaga behind her to keep him safe while she draws her gun.
Sergeant Tennoji Yutaka fights against two assailants at the far corner of the hospital room – all while he does his best in keeping the two intruders occupied and away from Kanade Mino and Dean Matsunaga.
Nomura runs and takes on the assailant closest to Mino Kanade's bedside, his eye quickly spotting a half-filled syringe with some of its contents now scattered on the floor. Just like the masked intruder in black, the one who Nomura fights with is armed with a hunter's knife. He also spotted an object glint inside the intruder's jacket pocket, and he thinks to himself, "He's got a gun, too!"
Nomura yells while he fights, "Careful with the gun, Emi! At least one of them has a gun!"
Emi's chest clenches as she thinks while scanning her surroundings and observing that there are oxygen tanks inside the room, "Nomura's right…. It's too dangerous to shoot with civilians and hospital equipment around. I can only fire close-range, if ever. But oxygen tanks don't explode, do they?"
Seeing a split-second opening, Tennoji ends his struggle by delivering two punches on his opponent – an upper-cut on the jaw, and a punch straight on the gut. As the masked man falls on the floor, Tennoji pins him down and secures him with handcuffs.
Security as well as Doctors Kasumi Toshiki and Takado Munechika, with Kasumi's eyes going wide and yelling at Takado, "Grab an empty gurney next door, now!"
Emi tells Doctor Kasumi after she introduces herself as an MPD detective, "There are no injuries. I checked."
Kasumi is tight-lipped as he replies to Emi, "Thank you, Detective. That confirms to me what I need to do."
Doctor Takado immediately runs and carries out the order while Kasumi secures an oxygen tank, placing the mask on Matsunaga.
Kasumi tells Matsunaga, "You're going to fight this like you've always done. You gave me your word – don't forget!"
Matsunaga weakly nods before losing consciousness, a sight that makes Kasumi's heart clench and then pound.
Nomura takes that distraction as his opportunity by first moving his enemy away from Mino Kanade's bedside, fending off another knife attack from the other, locking the enemy's arm and immobilizing it, repeatedly hitting the other's lower extremities with his knee, and bringing the man face-down on the floor for an arrest.
As soon as the two men are handcuffed, Tennoji and Nomura rise from the floor. They see
Doctors Hosho Tetsuya, Kyogoku Sentaro, and Ekuni Kaede come in the room in shock to see Kasumi with Dean Matsunaga.
Doctor Takado yells for everyone to clear the entryway, with all of the doctors helping to safely lift Dean Matsunaga and secure him in the gurney with the oxygen tank and the primary sensors for blood pressure and pulse monitors now secured as well.
Doctor Kasumi looks at Doctors Ekuni and Takado, "Come with me to the ER. Hosho, Sen…hold the fort! Send word to the OR – ER ASAP to get the room ready for surgery and that we're coming with a patient. Then check that Mister Mino is okay!"
All the doctors nod and follow Kasumi's directive, with Takado and Kasumi running and navigating the gurney that Matsunaga is now in while Ekuni runs ahead of them to handle any obstacles such as doors and elevator buttons.
Meanwhile, back in Mino Kanade's room, Doctors Hosho and Kyogoku check Mino's vitals, draws blood from the patient, and requests the nurses to send the blood for urgent lab work – specifically to check the blood for poisons. Based on what the two doctors see thus far on Mino, they take the supposition that Mino is okay thanks to Tennoji, Nomura, and Ishihara arriving just in time.
Finally, Ekuni busts the operating room doors open while Kasumi and Takado wheels in Matsunaga's gurney.
A split second later, the light comes on…informing anyone outside OR 3 that it is occupied.
Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut) Happening concurrently with all events above…
Primary Setting: Takano Masamune and Onodera Ritsu's Apartment Building
Secondary Setting: One of many conference rooms – Marukawa Shoten (Kisa's Location)
General Point of View (POV)
Isaka calls Yokozawa Takafumi's cell phone and tells him, "We have to hurry to Takano's place! Asahina, Onodera, and Onodera-san are in danger!"
"All right," replies Yokozawa and instructs Kirishima Hiyori and Mino Yamato without hanging up the call, "Children – make sure your seatbelts are secured." He then turns to Kirishima Zen, "Follow them – Asahina-san and the others are in danger from the same men who tried to kidnap the children!"
The children's eyes go wide, with Yamato freezing from what he just heard.
Kirishima nods and focuses his attention on the car that Takano's driving, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he remembers how the masked men in black tried to hurt his daughter and lover.
Kisa's voice blares loud from Takano's cell phone which is on speaker mode, affording everyone to hear, "Takano-san – hurry! They're dragging Ritsu, Asahina-san, and an older man out of the apartment! They're hurting them! There are about five or six of them!"
Meanwhile, Takano and Isaka leaves Takano's cell phone line open so that Kisa – the one who still has the teleconferencing meeting and camera on at Takano's apartment – can keep them updated.
A black van speeds away from them….
Takano and the others finally arrive at his apartment building, with all of them bumping into Detectives Asano Shusuke and Hanai Kazusa from Tokyo MPD.
"Everyone, stay downstairs and away from here… Go back in the car where it'll be safe and you can leave right away," says Detective Hanai.
"No, detective – I'm coming with both of you!" replies a determined Takano.
"I'm going, too!" Kirishima seconds Takano, and then his eyes meet Yokozawa's and Hiyori's gazes…telling his two loved ones as he gives Yokozawa the key to his car, "You two keep each other safe, all right? Takano and I will be back. Isaka-san – stay with them, please… "
Yokozawa, feeling helpless, can only nod. He lifts his spirits as he gazes down at Hiyori and Yamato, vowing to keep them safe.
Kirishima and Takano join Detectives Hanai and Asano. The four agree for Kirishima and Takano to take the elevator while the detectives take the stairwell so that all routes of escape are covered.
Meanwhile, Yokozawa opens the door to Kirishima's car. He along with the children and Isaka come inside and lock the car.
As the elevator door opens and the two of them step out, Takano and Kirishima see two men escorting an older man. Any normal person can easily mistake the scene as innocent – two men helping out a near-fainting elderly man to his feet and back to their car.
Takano and Kirishima, however, know better. The two identify the man as Onodera Akifumi – Ritsu's father. Takano, however, follows Kirishima's lead and carries on as if the two of them are strangers to the disguised unconscious man.
The next moments fly by quick, with Kirishima kicking one of the men while Takano catches Onodera Akifumi while fending off the second man.
Kirishima deftly renders the first man unconscious with a round kick and then he along with Takano deal with the second man. This time, Takano punches the second man on the face and knocks him out.
Kirishima nods his head, signaling for Takano to leave the two men behind for him to handle.
Soon, Takano sees that the doors to his and Ritsu's respective apartments are wide open
Takano runs towards his apartment and sees the MPD detectives. The three of them immediately eye on two of the four remaining men haul out an unconscious Ritsu from Takano's apartment.
"MPD! Hands up!" yells Hanai as he and Asano draw out their guns.
Moments later, the sounds of gunfire echoes in the hallway along with a man's scream.
Detective Asano, the sharpshooter of Lieutenant Kirisawa's 2nd Unit and possibly the entire Tokyo MPD, keeps his gun aimed at the man who a minute ago is about to hold a knife against an unconscious Ritsu's neck. "Put Mister Onodera down and then put your hands behind your head!"
The second man who assisted in trying to kidnap Onodera now lies on the ground from a shoulder wound…a gun lying a few feet away from him as he bleeds.
Shortly thereafter, police backup and arrives and arrests the six men. Meanwhile, two ambulances wait downstairs while paramedic staff appears to check on Onodera Akifumi, Ritsu, and Asahina who lay unconscious in Takano's apartment.
Through gritted teeth, Hanai momentarily closes his eyes in frustration and relief that nothing worse happened. He and Asano then call the incident in, calling 2nd Unit base and then Nomura to inform them about the incident.
Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)
Setting: Marukawa Shoten – Parking Lot
Happening concurrently with all events above…
General Point of View (POV)
Everything happened quickly…
AJ, Michael, and Troy each carrying a leather briefcase knew what to do…
AJ handed his leather briefcase to Misaki. Troy handed his briefcase to Yuu. The elder Ishino handed his briefcase to Chiaki – a joint move that caught Usami, Ijuuin, and Hatori's respective attention.
Troy explained to those who now have their briefcases as the black-suited men ran towards them, "Work in teams of two. They're armed. Hit and block them with the briefcase, and don't let it go. Use the corners and hit them with everything you've got at the right spots. Knock them out, work with your team, and stay close!"
Usami, Ijuuin, and Hatori focused on one opponent each now while Misaki, Yuu, and Chiaki did exactly what Troy advised them to do. Usami teamed up with Misaki. Yuu teamed up with Ijuuin. Hatori joined forces with Chiaki.
Troy, AJ, and Michael each handled two at a time…with each one demonstrating his skill in hand combat against an armed opponent. AJ's opponent – the leader – was armed with a butterfly knife, while Michael's and Troy's enemies were armed with hunter knives.
Michael took off his belt and used it as leverage to secure his opponent's arm, bring his opponent to him, kick him, and send him reeling against his companion. He then hit his black-suited enemies with his belt, stunning both men senseless and kicking them full-force. Both men were rendered unconscious.
Michael then moved to help Ijuuin and Yuu, with Michael dealing with one opponent while Ijuuin and Yuu teamed up to fight the second attacker.
AJ punched and kicked his two opponents with speed and precision – with the primary aim of disarming them and knocking them out as quickly as he could. His enemies were also swift, with them nearly slicing AJ with their blades. He, however, took those close-call opportunities as openings to deliver stinging blows to the head, ear, throat, chest, stomach, and groin areas.
When the time was right, AJ delivered powerful kicks against each of his opponents' heads and knocked them out cold. He then used his belt along with his opponents' belts to bind their hands and one of his opponents' feet.
Not to be outdone, Troy's hands and feet were swift and painful in administering damage against his enemies. AJ's opponents went down the same time as Troy's did, but Troy saw two more black-suited armed men running towards Troy and AJ's direction. He yelled at AJ while he focused on the new arrivals, "Help them! I'll take care of them!"
"I'll bind the out-cold ones first, and then I'll go!" AJ yelled back, and after he had done his task he then assisted Chiaki and Hatori.
"Fine!" Troy acknowledged while he continued deflecting and attacking the assaults coming from two skilled and armed opponents.
Before AJ's assistance, Hatori caught on with what Michael had done earlier. And so he too had taken off his belt. This time, though, he used the buckle portion of his belt to inflict pain on his opponent – first by having the attacker drop his hunter knife, and then hitting the man with his belt as many times as he.
Chiaki blocked his enemy from stabbing and grabbing him as many times as he could, and hit him with the briefcase whenever he could. At one point in time, he swung the briefcase against the man's fact. His attacker reeled towards AJ who then punched the attacker twice – once in the stomach and another in the face for a knock-out.
AJ glanced towards Michael and then at Troy. Between Ijuuin and Michael, they kept Yuu safe from their last opponent with the second one already out cold. As to Troy, only one opponent remained and Troy seemed to have the upper hand on the fight. Gauging for himself that Michael and Troy were managing the fight well on their respective ends, he focused his energies on helping Usami and Misaki.
Hatori secured the two weapons from his team's opponents. After asking Chiaki to take off his belt and using the two belts he now had to bind his opponents' hands behind their back. He then used their opponents' belts to bind their feet. Once the unconscious men were secured, he then told Chiaki, "You stay behind me…keep your eyes open. Leave it to us."
Chiaki was about to protest, but once he saw that Ijuuin knocked his team's last opponent unconscious and thus freeing themselves, he then nodded.
Ijuuin, Yuu, and Michael approached Chiaki, with Michael – delegating himself to protect the three – ushering them to step away a few feet to continue giving Troy and AJ room to work. He proposed, "Yanase-kun, please use your cell phone and call the police right here. The rest of us will bind their hands behind their backs with their belts while they're knocked out. If you have a belt, use it to bind their feet, too."
Yuu nodded, taking out his belt and giving it to Ijuuin. He then fished for his smart phone and called the police to report the incident.
Troy spun, delivering the final kick that knocked his final opponent unconscious.
Michael ordered, "Help AJ and the rest, Troy! We'll bind them!"
Troy nodded, quickly taking out his belt, giving it to Michael, and then running towards Usami and group. Soon, AJ and Troy worked in tandem with the two final opponents while the rest stepped back – the two opponents proving to be the most formidable ones among the 14 henchmen sent to the point that it was taking more of AJ and Troy's respective strengths and skills to make them flinch.
Soon, sirens whirred louder and clearer to herald the police coming closer to the fight.
AJ and Troy worked together in increasing the assault, leveraging the respective strengths of their opponents against themselves and then delivering their own blows. As the procession of blue-and-red lights enters the Marukawa Shoten parking lot, the two young men attacked their opponents in sync so that the latter two collided against each other.
Finally, the two opponents fall on the ground unconscious. Troy and AJ secured the unconscious henchmen with belts.
It took a while for the police to properly secure all the men with handcuffs, while another team gathered witness information from Usami and the others. Soon, the information was shared with MPD's 2nd Unit – namely Detective Kyobashi Katsuyuki, who then dispensed the information to Deputy Chief Nomura Tadanobu since Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi was off for the rest of the day.
Timeline: August 6 (four days before Alexa's concert debut)
Setting: Raven Resorts Tokyo – Shido Kazuomi's Penthouse Residence
(Evening – date between Shido Kazuomi and Alexandra Emrys)
General Point of View (POV)
Shido Kazuomi and Em were enjoying the latter and soothing part of their date – movie and ice cream. The two were still wearing their date clothes as they enjoyed their dessert, with Kazuomi leaving the top two buttons and cufflinks from his shirt undone. Em has placed her shoes underneath the coffee table and sat criss-cross on the couch.
In the middle of the movie, Em received a text message from Soryu Oh informing her about attacks at Seimei University Hospital, Marukawa Shoten, and at the apartment building where Onodera Ritsu and Takano Masamune lived.
Kazuomi paused the movie and encouraged Em to call Soryu. Placing the call on speaker phone, Em and Kazuomi then heard Soryu explain how there had been attacks against people affiliated with the joint-venture partnership between Marukawa Shoten and Onodera Shuppan – those attacks including those against Michael and AJ Ishino and Troy.
Em sighed, visibly disturbed, "If it weren't for you, Soryu, I wouldn't have known anything about it. Yuzu has Victoria keeping a perpetual eye, and I also have my own means…but knowing this news first-hand from someone I trust means a whole world of difference."
Soryu asked, "You didn't hear anything from anyone? Not even from the police? How about Troy..?"
"None…"
"Then I guess you haven't heard this piece of news, either. Okada Aoi is out on bail a little before noon today."
"Shit…." Em closed her eyes and looked more bothered…upset… "No, I haven't."
"Mèi-Mei… Be careful. Keep a sharper eye open. Call me if you need anything. I can send some men at Raven Resort to keep a quiet eye on you and everyone."
"There might be greater police presence here. I don't want to get you or your team in any trouble with the police."
"We've always been careful. Don't worry."
After a long pause, Em then replied to Soryu, "All right…. I'll take you up on that offer. And yes, I will be careful. Thank you, Gēge. Please have your people take great care."
"We will… And thank you for not putting up a fight with me this time…" said Soryu, sounding quietly relieved and pleased.
Kazuomi continued to encourage Em to tie up any loose ends so that she would have peace of mind, the two agreeing to have the calls done via speaker phone which was Em's way in giving consideration knowing that Kazuomi was also concerned about Troy and the others.
After Em called Fuse Nozomu, whose agency she hired to help her with the Okada situation and being informed that the men who stabbed Mino Kanade and tried to kidnap Kirishima Hiyori and Mino Yamato as well as stabbed Mino Kanade were mob-affiliated, she sat down and continued to feel disturbed.
This prompted Em to ask Kazuomi if it was all right if she called one more person –Deputy Chief Nomura Tadanobu.
True to her word, Em placed the call on speaker mode for Kazuomi's benefit. After Nomura said hello, she asked him about the incidents as well as Okada being out on bail.
Strangely enough, Nomura placed his phone on speaker mode as well and informed Em that Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi was listening in on the call.
The work-related, short phone call that Em intended to have with Nomura took a different turn.
Kazuomi could not believe hearing that Nomura had chosen to break up with Em without citing any reason other than the two of them getting together was a bad idea…doing so in less than 24 hours after Nomura and Em agreed to date non-exclusively – a fact that Kazuomi, Shiba Yuzuru, and Soejima Kei were all aware about.
Hearing the exchange between Nomura and Em angered Kazuomi, especially when a teary-eyed Em acknowledged to Nomura that she was hurt by his decision. Nonetheless, Em still wished Nomura and Detective Ishihara Emira well before she ended the call.
Seeing how hurt Em was, Kazuomi proposed for the two of them to take a short break from their movie and replenish their empty bowls with ice cream…the innocuous deed along with the turn of events that they left behind at the living room providing that small push to bring the two physically closer.
And so Kazuomi and Em exchange a mutual kiss – the first one being a chaste peck on the lips, and the subsequent ones much more explorative infused with more passion. The two allowed themselves to get drawn closer to each other in an embrace, their hands roaming each other's body.
Until a phone call came in on Em's cell phone….
Kazuomi and Em drew away from each other, both of them trying to catch their respective breaths. Being closer to the kitchen counter, he glanced at her cell phone and said as he read the phone's caller ID, "Katsuyuki from MPD is calling you. Might be important…"
"He's working on the Okada / Miyamoto cold case. Also includes the murder of Yuzu's parents at Arakawa Bridge." Em closed her eyes and accepted her cell phone from Kazuomi. She picked up the call, placing it on speaker phone.
"Em," said Detective Kyobashi Katsuyuki – Tokyo MPD Sergeant and a member of Lieutenant Kirisawa Hiroshi's team of investigators – on the other line once Em said hello, "I have two things for you. One is data regarding Representative Okada Sekai that you'd be very interested to know. Two, and more importantly, Lieutenant Minase and Doctor Himuro were rushed to Seimei University Hospital. Doctor Himuro is in critical condition. If you're heading over there, the Boss and Nomura are already there. Just look for them."
Kazuomi whispered in Em's ear and then she told Kyobashi with intent laced in her voice, "We'll be leaving right now for the hospital. About Representative Okada, let's talk while I fire up my laptop. Share information with me, please. I've been kept in the dark from anything that happened today, so update me. Also about Okada... Tell me everything while on our way there, and I mean tell me everything."
End of Chapter Eleven
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, Representative Sekai Okada, Aoi Okada, Danuja Okada, and Alexandra Emrys and any other original characters are properties of PJ Zatken.