Chapter 01 - Eitoku
"Tsukushi!" exclaimed her mother as she entered the hall, "You're soaked!" Turning to her husband, Mama instructed, "Get the towel quickly!" As her father ran off to get the towel, her mother fussed, "You should have called! I would have sent your father to pick you up!" Tsukushi made no reply as her mother usher her into the living room. "Susumu, will you stop flicking the channels and get back to your school work?!" yelled her mother at the 16-year-old. "All right..." answered her brother dully as he switched off the television and rolled over to pick up his books.
"Papa!" yelled her mother again, "Where's the towel?!" Papa hurried out of the other room with a towel clutched in his hand. Tsukushi sneezed again. She didn't feel like protesting or saying anything to anyone at the moment. "If you're sick, you won't be able to report to school tomorrow," grumbled her mother as she yanked the towel from her husband and vigorously dried Tsukushi's hair with it, "It's your first day at Eitoku and it's very important that you are there tomorrow." Tsukushi frowned. She had never understood why her parents insisted on sending her to such an exclusive university when they couldn't even afford the fees.
"There, there..." pacified Papa, "I'm sure Tsukushi did not expect the rain to come." Mama turned on him and yelled, "I know that! Do you think I'm stupid?!" Turning to Tsukushi, she softened her stance. "Where were you today anyway?" asked her mother. "Ah-choo!" sneezed Tsukushi and her mother handed her a handkerchief. "I went to Eitoku for a while," she answered, and then blew into the piece of cloth, "I wanted to check out the reference books." Her mother grimaced. "Listen, Tsukushi. The main reason why you're there is to find a good future," she said.
"I am doing that," protested Tsukushi, not actually reading between the lines. A broad smile appeared on Mama's face. "So, anyone interesting?" she asked excitedly. "Huh?" a puzzled Tsukushi looked at her. "You know what I mean," slapped Mama on her back. Papa stood and listened eagerly for any news that might change his fortune. Looking at her parents' reaction, it dawned on Tsukushi that they were talking about a marriage prospect. Tsukushi got up and announced loudly with annoyance, "I'm going to bed!"
It was never the intent of her parents to send Tsukushi to study in real terms. They wanted her to be in that school so that they could have a wealthy son-in-law to count on. Eitoku is not an ordinary school in Japan - it houses the famous and wealthy of the elite class. Of course, fees don't come cheap either. Tsukushi would have gone to a public university, had it not been for her parents. Coming from a middle-class family, Eitoku is not a university she wants to be in. It's an ill fitted combination and on top of that, bonds between the students were built from their kindergarten days.
"I'm not going to find a single friend there," sighed Tsukushi, tossing over to her other side. The moon shone brightly through the window even as the air remains cool. Spring was supposed to be a joyous season but Tsukushi was definitely not feeling it. She yawned. "Whatever happens, happens..." muttered Tsukushi, closing her eyes.
Morning broke and the April rays shone through her windows. Tsukushi stirred and rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?" she yawned, peering at the alarm clock which read 07:00 hours. "It's still early," she mumbled sleepily and turned onto her side. Her eyes widened suddenly as she sat up. "Oh my goodness!" she exclaimed, "I'm late!"
Scrambling frantically, Tsukushi pulled on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, grabbed her book bag and dashed out of her room. "Mama!" she exclaimed, "Why did you not wake me?!" Her parents looked up calmly from their breakfast table. "Good morning," greeted her mother with a smile, "I thought you might want to sleep a little longer." Tsukushi's mouth dropped. "What's Mama talking about?" she exclaimed in thought. "Don't you have a ride to school," continued her mother, "I didn't think you want to be up as early as Susumu who has to take a bus."
"Huh?!" replied Tsukushi, as puzzled as she can be. "Oh! Stop pretending," cooed her father, "Your boyfriend is picking you up, isn't he?" Tsukushi stared wide mouthed. Her mother grinned. "His jacket is hanging by the door," said her mother, "Don't forget to return it to him later." Tsukushi slapped her forehead and groaned. "It belongs to some stranger," she said finally, "He lent it to me last night because it was really raining and it was cold."
"Why would a stranger lend his jacket to you?" replied her mother defiantly, "Anyway, you should get dressed and have your breakfast before he comes." Tsukuhi sighed. It was no use explaining to her parents about this, or anything for that matter. "Forget it," answered Tsukushi exasperatedly, making her way to the exit, "I'm leaving!"
"Your breakfast..." called her father. "I'm not having it," she replied as she slipped on her shoes and took her jacket. "Don't forget his jacket," called her mother. "I don't know if I'm going to see him again! If Papa wants it, he can have it!" snapped Tsukushi as she slammed the door shut.
"Makiko!" waved Matsumoto Yuki, a girl with dark brown shoulder-length hair. "Good morning!" her best friend returned the greeting as Yuki ran towards her, "My, ain't you happy for a Monday morning." Yuki nodded. Fujishima Makiko, the only daughter of the Fujishima Media Corporation, have been friends with Matsumoto Yuki, the third daughter of Matsumoto Reiji, Japan's architect of the century, since kindergarten. Both have been inseparable since then and their parents used to tease that if one had been a boy, they would have betrothed them.
"So, what are you so happy about?" asked Makiko. Yuki smiled. "It's our first day as adults," she replied. "And that's something to be happy about?" Makiko raised an eyebrow. Her friend has the strangest way of being happy. "Yap!" chirped Yuki, "A brand new year. A brand new beginning." Makiko shook her head. She could never be as carefree as Yuki and she envied her so. Being the only daughter of Japan's biggest media company, she shouldered a heavy responsibility. She knew that her university education was to prepare her for the upcoming role as heir to the corporation.
In contrast, Yuki's future laid in her own hands. Her parents supported every one of their children's choices of career and had never once forced their opinions on their children. Yuki's elder brother majored in economics and took the path of an economist in an international bank, while her second sister majored in music and played for the Royal Orchestra of London.
"Yuki," asked Makiko quietly as they passed the first corridor to their lecture theatre, "What are you going to be? Your career, I mean." Yuki stopped in her tracks. Makiko turned and looked at her questioningly. Yuki forced a smile and replied, "We'll talk about that some other time. Let's get to class or we'll be late." Avoiding Makiko's eyes, she hurried past her, pulled open the door and entered the hall. Makiko, puzzled at her friend's reaction, followed quietly.
Hanazawa Rui stared blankly at the car park as he waited patiently for his best friends. The only son of Hanazawa Corporation, Rui's never a morning person and thus hated morning lessons. "That's Hanazawa Rui," muttered a girl to her friend as they passed him. "He's really good looking," her friend whispered back, "But why is he standing there alone? Where's the other F3?" The girl shrugged and urged her friend to hurry as the last bell for the first class of the day have already rung.
"Yo! Rui!" exclaimed Akira as he pulled into the vacant lot next to Rui's BMW. Rui gave a half smile and walked leisurely over. "Where's Soujirou?" asked Akira, his head darting around, "He's supposed to be here earlier." Rui shrugged and leaned against the Posche convertible. Mimasaka Akira was the only son of Mimasaka Holdings but unlike Rui, he has two younger siblings of the female gender. "Have you finished with your part of the project?" asked Akira, reaching over for his books. Rui nodded.
"Akira! Rui!" came a familiar voice behind the duo. Both turned to find Nishikado Soujirou standing on the pavement. "Where's your car?" asked a surprised Akira. "In the garage," replied Soujirou nonchalantly, "Got into an accident last night." Akira stared in horror while Rui shrugged. "Not your new Ferrari?!" exclaimed Akira. Soujirou nodded. The second son of Nishikado-Meji Corp, Soujirou gets into accidents as often as one changes clothes. "Not a big deal," said Soujirou, "Let's get going."
"Where's Tsukasa though?" asked Akira as the trio head towards their lecture hall. "He's either in class or at the library," replied Soujirou, leading the way, "Wherever he is, he'll catch up with us later as usual."
"Damn! First day of school and I'm late!" cursed Tsukushi under her breath. Standing at the main entrance, she frowned. "Where do I go from here? Left or right?" she muttered, with hands on her hips. "Mind you," came a voice from behind, "You don't own the school's entrance." She jumped and turned around. Her eyes widen with surprise and she grasped. "You?!" she exclaimed, pointing at the tall, lanky male.
Doumyoji Tsukasa frowned. "Don't you know it's rude to point?" he said, "Haven't your parents taught you any manners?" Tsukushi's face turned red with embarrassment as her hand dropped to her side. "Now, if you'll excuse me," said Tsukasa, passing her. Tsukushi, open-mouthed, stared intently at his retreating figure. "By the way," said Tsukasa, glancing over his shoulder, "If you don't hurry, you're going to miss the first session."
"Huh? Oh!" she replied, embarrassed to be caught staring and hurried off in the opposite direction. Tsukasa shook his head and turned off towards his lecture hall.