This is supposed to be the chapter where Tsukasa will make his grand appearance but this is how it turned out. I'm really disappointed with myself because of that. (sigh) Well, anyway… I hope you guys will continue to read and review my fanfic…You're the ones who inspires me to write this one… :)

I do NOT own Hana Yori Dango or any of its wonderful characters… :) – read and review –

Rui was sitting patiently at the grounds near the lakeside of his former high school compound. He was watching the sun setting to give way for night time. His camera and his bag are just beside him. He tilted back his head slightly to see the sky in between orange and red color. It was as if giving him the perfect painting of fire – the clouds having forms of different shapes.

The air that touches his skin is chilly – very refreshing and calming. Calming enough that he lied down his body on the grasses, watching the sky fading to darkness. He closed his eyes – not to sleep, but to visualize what he has been trying to forget for the past four years.

Rui was eighteen and he was attending his college years at a prestigious university. He was standing at the foot of the stairs of their university, standing face to face with a very beautiful woman. She has a long hair, flawless skin, and slender body.

"I'm sorry, Rui." The young woman said, not really sounding apologetic at all. "Having a boyfriend right now is not my priority. Having been able to be accepted at Mirage Modeling Company is everything to me right now." She started to explain.

He inhaled the air but he felt like every breath he takes is slicing his heart in a million pieces – but still he chose to remain silent. He felt that there's still more that she wanted to tell him and he was giving her that chance.

"I am the youngest one to be accepted without even auditioning – and that means a lot to me."

When he was sure that she has finished explaining, he took another breath. "It's really nothing, Shizuka." He answered, trying to hide the pain he was feeling that time. "The day I told you how I feel about you, I wasn't really hoping you'll repay my feelings towards me. So, there's no point to apologize."

After he finished telling those words to her, he left without another word. He left Shizuka at that spot. He never dares to look back, because if he did, he knew he'll just break down from his emotions that he has been holding back.

On the other hand, Shizuka watched him leave. She was in between depression and happy. Happy because at least she will have her full attention to her newfound career, and depressed because the only man who probably loved her wholeheartedly is walking out of her life to give her the freedom she was asking for.

And probably, that would be the last time they'll face each other that way. And maybe the next time they'll see each other, they'll either look on different ways or pretend that they do not know each other.

And that's what exactly happened between them. For the first time in four years, they have seen each other again. He knew how happy Shizuka was to see him again, but seeing her again brings back those memories that he'd rather forget than letting it eat him alive.

His cell phone beeped. He reached for it. '1 New Message Received' It said on his screen. He opened it and saw the name of Tsukushi flashing on his inbox. "What does this girl want from me now?" he asked himself as he was opening the message.

Tsukushi: I have scheduled you for a photo shoot tomorrow on Mr. Oyama and Ms. Igawa's wedding at eight in the morning. Be there on time.

He sighed deeply and closed his cell phone. He decided to go and have a walk before going home by then, grabbing his bag and camera along with him. This is what Tsukushi often do – make arrangements for him to cover an event without even consulting him first. But he's not pissed off, he's actually thankful for that because at least, he has something to do to spare his time rather than sleeping and thinking about the past.

--

The case of being alone is not really seen in the sense of being all by yourself. Sometimes, being alone helps you realize of what you have done in the past and what you should be doing in preparation for the next days to come. In the case of Rui Hanazawa – being alone is normal. His constant state of passiveness is natural for his friends and everyone around him.

But for Soujiro Nishikado?

Yuki started shaking her head. She stopped near the enormous fountain just outside a prestigious Italian Restaurant. From where she is standing, she could make a clear view of her womanizer friend and co-worker, Soujiro – depressed, alone and seemed to be in deep thought. A glass of rum was on his hand as he plainly ignored the existence of the Italian pasta placed neatly on his white mantled table for two – or in his case, table exclusively for one.

She wondered why. This is the first time she have seen him in a state she normally observes around Rui. She wanted to know what's wrong with him – and maybe, just as a friend, she could console him even for just a quick span of time.

And even before she knows it – Soujiro shot back a glance at her. Seeing each other eye to eye for the first time outside of their day-to-day office matters. It was then when she was snapped back to reality. She seemed a bit alarmed as Soujiro caught her in the act of staring at him for only their watches know how long.

Soujiro suddenly stood up from his seat and she quickly wanted to run but –

"Yuki!"

She bit her lower lip and turned to face him. She just gave him a smile – one worried smile.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Well, you see…" she started taking a deep breath before continuing. "I was just looking around town a while ago. I was just about to go home now but I kinda spotted you." She answered truthfully. "Gomen."

Soujiro looked convinced. "Oh." Was all he muttered.

They shared a moment of silence after that.

"Uhm…wanna go have a walk with me?" Soujiro suddenly asked, breaking the silence between them.

Yuki seemed startled upon hearing those words. "Uhm…o-okay."

He nodded. "Okay. That's good, then." He told her. "Oh, can you wait for me here? I'll just get my stuffs back in the restaurant. Okay?"

She nodded and Soujiro ran back to the restaurant, retrieving his things and paying the bills for his 'slightly' touched food and a glass of rum. As soon as Soujiro came out from the restaurant, he puts on his jacket and gave a nod to Yuki, signaling them to start walking.

--

Rui was walking on the streets that night and when he came across their boutique, with the lights open on the second floor – on Tsukushi's and Yuki's offices to be exact, he decided to check who was still there at this kind of night. And he was glad he did. "Tsukushi?" Rui was waking her up. She had fallen asleep on her working table while designing on a new dress. "Tsukushi, wake up!" he called out softly while tapping her shoulders.

"Mrmf"

"Tsukushi." He went on. Workaholic! He thought drastically while seeing the innocent face of his best friend.

With five more calls from him, she reluctantly woke up. "Nande, Rui?" she asked sleepily, wiping her eyes at the back of her hands.

"Let's go home already."

"Hmm?"

"It's nearing eleven." He added.

When his words were registered into her sleepy mind, Tsukushi arranged her things and put it on her bag. She stood from her office chair and both of them went out of her office to head home. She was always grateful for having friends like them – making her feel like she has not only one brother but four other siblings.

--

Soujiro and Yuki are both walking on the streets together, both sharing a complete air of silence. Neither one of them knows what to say to start a conversation. As far as they know – two complete individuals who have a different view on many things will have a hard time to find something they have in common – worse, they'll find nothing at all.

Just across the streets from where they stand is a large LCD monitor. They both stopped to see the current news with regards to their country. On the monitor, a video of a man – about their age – is being welcomed in the airport. Along with him are his personal securities and secretary.

"Akira Mimasaka – the owner of the very prestigious Mimasaka Enterprises, has just arrived from his meeting with the European Prime Minister. The young Akira Mimasaka is one of the representatives of Japan to maintain the ties of between countries." That was the headline of the news.

"Akira?" Soujiro managed to utter the name.

Yuki detected a sense of surprise from Soujiro's voice. "You know him, Soujiro?"

He nodded, not taking off his eyes on the monitor.

Yuki studied him for a moment until the news about Akira Mimasaka's arrival was over. She was sensing anger judging by the way he looks at the monitor showing Akira Mimasaka's face. And when her gazes were on his hands, she saw a glimpse of his fist like he was ready to attack the monitor.

"Let's go." he told her as he started walking.

Yuki snapped from her questions in mind and followed Soujiro. Again, a moment of silence was then shared by the two of them as they both walked on the streets. "Uhm…Ano, Soujiro-kun…"

"Nande?" he asked her, still walking on right before her, and still not looking at her.

"Are you alright?"

Soujiro suddenly stopped at her question. He inhaled the cold air of the night as Yuki waited for his reply. A simple 'yes, I'm okay' or 'no, I'm not' is just the answer she was looking for. But those simple words seemed to be hard for Soujiro to blurt out. Even if he answers her with a sarcasm will do, but nothing really came out from his mouth. His eyes were pinned on the ground as if something was there that only he can see. He breathed deeply. "Let's go home, Yuki." He told her instead, forcing a smile on his face while he slowly faced her.

"O-okay…" she answered and they both walked down the streets, still mystified by the way Soujiro was acting.

--

FilmMaker, thank you for the review and suggestion. I'm taking it as an option on how they will meet. You're one great help. :)

And to everyone who reviewed, thanks as well.

Akira has appeared! yey! Do you know what it means? It means Tsukasa is appearing next… (like next FIVE chapters!! Heeheehee… kiddin') .:giggles:.

--Do you guys think it will be more interesting if Tsukasa is the next king of their country? Because on the chapter where he is supposed to be appearing, I wrote something like he's a prince. (Oops! Spoiler!! Heeheehee)--

So, uhmm… Review? :)