Sorry for delaying this chapter for one or two weeks (I haven't counted the days, gomen)…Thanks, though, for the wonderful reviews and just making me feel that I'm not alone…your condolences meant a lot to me…thanks for the encouragement – those became my strength as well…

Anyway, stop about me…let's just enjoy ourselves with Tsukasa and Tsukushi…I have written their first encounter, yes? (…reading previous chapter…) yes, I have! :) so, where did I stopped? Ah, here yah go…chapter seven of my fic wonderland…

Read and review.

Don't own Hana Yori Dango and its loveable characters. :)

Tsukushi's a snob, yes, it's true. She's always been stiff when it comes to work. Her time mingling with other people – which includes her three best friends, is very minimal when compared to the time she spends with work. Time for work is twenty-seven hours every eight days in a week; while time for chatting with friends is – yup, five minutes. That includes her bossing them around, telling what they need to do, when they'll do it, and where they will do it.

Yuki, however, is the opposite of that. Yuki Matsuoka is a talented designer and that's a fact. Yuki loves making new friends – another factual information. Yuki, an almost-famous designer, loves making everyone around her feel comfortable – just for one Tsukushi Makino's sake. Yuki, if put in a simpler manner, is the one making the harmonious balance inside Wonderland.

There's one thing she isn't good at, though. And that's taking in too much amount of alcohol. She's aware of that fact, but whenever she sees alcohol in front of her, she couldn't resist or restrain herself from taking in a lot of different alcoholic beverage.

Just who the hell is this guy? She asked mentally to herself upon waking up a couple of minutes ago. She woke up with a sleeping Tsukushi Makino beside her on one room. And now that she had stepped out of the room, she found herself a sleeping guy on the couch – covering his body is one of Tsukushi's comforters. Yuki looked up as if she was seeing something on top of her head. Maybe he's my date last night?

She thought and looked at his sleeping face. His lips seemed soft and pinkish – that's for sure, and she likes guys with naturally pink and soft lips. For her, those kind of lips were sweet. She smiled happily as she studied him more. She frowned upon seeing the guy's naturally curled hair. He has curly hair? Now, that couldn't be my type of guy!

Her eyes widened as another idea occurred in her brains. Her head was turning from the guy's sleeping figure to the door where she and Tsukushi was slept the whole night, and back to the sleeping figure of the guy once more. Could it be… A perfect 'O' shape was formed on her lips. "MAKINO'S BOYFRIEND? WAAAAAAAAAHHH…"

Hearing Yuki's scream made the guy jumped out from the couch in an instant.

"YUKI, I'M COMING!" Tsukushi's worried voice came in between Yuki's screaming. She showed up with her pajamas and before either Yuki or the guy could say a word, Tsukushi was continuously hitting the guy with her own pair of blue bunny slippers. "YOU PERVERT! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO YUKI?" Tsukushi was asking in between her hitting the guy.

The guy was covering his whole body from her. "WILL YOU… OUCH! STOP WITH YOUR… OUCH! STUPID… ARGH! RANTINGS?" he bellowed, but nothing happened. She was still hitting him with her blue bunny slippers. "I said STOP!" he ordered, this time, his face all red in anger, his eyes narrowed, and his fists were almost balled. Tsukushi and Yuki stared at his angry face with eyes wide open. He brushed his hair back to his head and looked at them. "What the hell is that for?" he demanded to know.

"You…uh, you…" Tsukushi startled. She turned to Yuki and when she turned back to him, her eyes were narrowed as well. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO YUKI TO MAKE HER SCREAM LIKE A COCKATOO ALARM?" she yelled, demanding an answer from him.

"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HER!" he replied in the same tone as Tsukushi. "YOUR FRIEND STARTED SCREAMING LIKE CRAZY – WAKING ME UP IN SURPRISE!" he added in defense for himself.

"Like hell it's true!" Tsukushi snapped.

"It is!" he straightened, making a step closer to her.

"It's not!" she said, making a step closer to him.

"It is!"

"Not!"

"Is!"

"NOT!"

"IS!"

"Don't you guys think you're too close to each other now?" Yuki break in as their gazes met. Their forehead was touching each other's in the process of their childish fight. Both Tsukushi and the guy swallowed and broke apart. Awkward and silence was in the air.

Tsukushi took in a deep breath as she turned to her best friend. "Yuki, what happened?" she asked the calmest way she could muster.

"Well, I was just staring at him. He's kind of cute, you know."

"Yuki?!" Tsukushi snapped at her as the guy made a grin on the corner of his lips.

"It's true, Tsukushi! He is!"

"Rubbish!"

"No, it's not rubbish!"

"It is, Yuki!"

"If only you would open your eyes, you'll see that a lot of the opposite sex are actually cute."

"This is not even what we're talking about."

"But…"

"Okay, girls." The guy cut them off instead. "Don't argue because of me, okay?" he told them coolly and both Yuki and Tsukushi nodded in silence. "Why not prepare for breakfast instead? I'm hungry." At that, the two girls gave him a dangerous glare.

--

Shizuka Todo gazed upon the windows of her own room. They were enormous and sparkly. She was on her typical house outfit – long polo. The girl, no matter how simple the dress, once put on her, becomes a very elegant-looking piece of clothing. Shizuka, even when she was just a child, knows this special ability of hers. She knew back then that she's meant to wear clothes in a way that no one can. She then decided to become a model and there's nothing else she had wished for. 

But achieving a dream isn't always the thing which makes you happy. Aside from dreams, hopes, or aspirations, one needs someone to be by their side. Her eyes went slowly to her marbled bedroom floor. Her French manicured toenails are touching the cold floor.

She played with her feet. She opens and closes them in a way that her heels are together while she's doing this. It's those childish games like this makes her feel the innocence and freedom she once owned. Innocence from the word pain and freedom from the dream that cages her whole being. When she was tired, she sighed and just kept looking at her feet – they are apart yet her heels are still together.

"This is just like Rui and I." she whispered to herself upon seeing her own feet. "Apart yet something still binds us together." She added. It's two people that has been broken apart by one dream yet their past still keeps them together. She thought. She was mentally voicing her own perception once again. Yet, it what she perceives is true. If those feet were to be compared with her and Rui, they are just like that – exactly like that. They might not be together now but she knew that in her heart and in Rui's heart, they are still one because fate has brought them together once upon a time.

She smiled at that thought. She smiled at the realization she had made for today. Somehow, just thinking about Rui makes her feel contented. The thoughts of the quiet and mysterious Rui Hanazawa makes all the difference in her world – even if he doesn't know that she thinks of him. What matters is she thinks about him.

Just right at that moment, Shizuka's thoughts were drifted away by the sudden interruption of her servant, knocking at her bedroom door. "Miss, your appointment with Tanaka-san is two hours from now. Shall I prepare the tub for you?" it asked behind the closed door. A celebrity like her needs at least a minimum of two hours to prepare herself before going out of their house to meet with the different people she's destined to meet around her.

"Yes, please." She replied, not stepping out from the corner she was standing at that moment.

--

Akira woke up the following day. His head was throbbing in pain as his eyes were hurt by the sudden intrusion of the rays of the sun coming from the open window right across his bed. He lazily sat on his bed, his right hand covering his face from the hurting rays of the sun. It was morning, obviously. And how he managed to drive himself home made him wonder. All he remembers from the previous night is how Sakurako was ranting as he was taking in a large amount of alcoholic beverages glass after glass.

He then decided to get out of his bed. His dark and mysterious personality is hidden as his whole bedroom is covered with white painted walls and white curtains which only have a small floral print in a vertical pattern. The curtains were pulled apart, giving him a perfect view of their garden. He opened the sliding door towards his own terrace and breathed the first fresh morning air.

"Sanjo-san, I really appreciate all your help." He heard his mother's soft voice from below. He motioned his head on the swimming pool area and saw his mother half-bowing to Sakurako Sanjo, who also bowed half her body in response to what his mother did. "I'm really glad that my son has a friend like you. Please continue on taking care of my son, Sanjo-san." After saying those words, his mother straightened her back and together with Sakurako, they faced each other.

Sakurako smiled. She was still wearing the dress she wore last night and he could only guess that Sakurako might have slept on one of their guest rooms in their manor. "I will." She shortly replied. "But for now, I think I really need to go. I still need to get ready for office works." She told Akira's mother. She reached for her bag and put it on her shoulder. "Thank you for the delicious dinner and breakfast, Mrs. Mimasaka." She added, half-bowing in front of Akira's mother who bowed as well.

"Anytime, Sanjo-san."

Sakurako gave her last smile on Akira's mother, and as she takes her first steps towards their household to make her exit, she noticed Akira's presence on his balcony. She paused for a while and Mrs. Mimasaka glanced to where his son was standing and gazing at them quietly. She smiled at him and waved her hand in mid-air. "See you at the office, Mimasaka Akira-san!" she said and without any word from him, she walked towards their household.

Akira just watched her leave their garden. He didn't move any muscle except for the pupil of his eyes. He watched her go and leave.

"You're really lucky." He heard his mother's voice once again. He looked at her with blank emotion. "Having a friend like Sanjo-san who is always there for you even if you do not ask for help is one of the best things that money can't buy, Akira. I'm really glad that someone's looking out for you." She finished and followed where Sakurako left a few seconds ago.

He took a deep breath and looked at the sky. It was clear. It was blue. It was also calm and the breeze that touches his skin was soft. He felt at ease yet upon seeing the clear, blue sky, he couldn't help but make a frown. I still wish you're with me. His mind ranted as though he was psychologically talking to someone. He made one last look at Sakurako's disappearing car at the corner of their manor before returning to his humble bedroom.

--

"Seriously, Tsukushi!" Yuki whispered as they were both washing the plates where they have eaten their breakfast along with the curly-haired stranger. "He's not really your boyfriend?" Yuki asked in a disbelieving tone. She was pointing at the stranger who is now looking at himself at the mirror.

Tsukushi, who was the one actually washing the plates, paused as she eyed her own best friend. "What on earth made you think that he's my boyfriend in the first place?" she asked instead as a comeback in a sarcastic tone. She rolled her eyes and gave a quick look at the stranger. "He saved us last night and he doesn't want money as payment. He wants to sleep here so I agreed." She answered matter of factly and went back to washing the dishes.

Yuki grinned maliciously but she tried to stop herself from doing so. "He saved us last night?" Yuki asked repeatedly.

"Uh-huh." Tsukushi answered without looking at Yuki as she was doing the chores.

"And he didn't accept any money as a reward for helping us?"

"Yup."

"Because what he wanted was a shelter for the night?"

"Yes."

"And you let him in?"

Tsukushi sighed and glanced at her grinning best friend. "I told you, Yuki!" she said in an almost annoying tone. "He saved us from a group of perverted jerks and what he wanted was shelter for the night because he was, I guess, too lazy to find himself a hotel where he could stay in for the night!" she snapped at her in a whispering manner. "Besides, I don't even know why he's looking for a shelter late at night!"

"Maybe he's not from here?" Yuki guessed and they both gave another quick glance at the stranger who is now reaching for his dark tinted shades at the center table of Tsukushi's living area where he slept.

"Nah." Tsukushi opposed as they looked at each other. "He speaks japanese fluently and he has a face of a japanese male!"

"A very cute face of a japanese male!"

Tsukushi raised an eyebrow at her best friend. "I'll pretend I never heard that."

"Hey, thanks for letting me sleep here. I'm going now." The stranger said and before he could go out of Tsukushi's apartment, Tsukushi rushed to his front to stop him from exiting her premises. He made a questioning look at what Tsukushi did. "What now?" he asked.

"I know I agreed that you can stay here for the night." she started.

"And…?"

"But breakfast isn't something we agreed on!" she snapped at him and she held up her hand in mid-air. Her palm was facing his direction. "Don't think that it's for free because, honestly, money is hardly earned nowadays and my salary isn't enough for me so…" she paused and took a deep breath. "…I need you to pay me for the food you ate!"

The stranger's eyes widened in surprise and even Yuki's eyes widened as another perfect 'O' shape formed on her lips in disbelief. "Eh?" the stranger replied shortly. He smirked in disbelief. "Need I remind you that I saved your life last night?"

Tsukushi's eyebrows met as her forehead crumpled. "Need I remind you that the only thing we agreed upon is for me to take you in for the night?" she asked in the same manner that the stranger did. "You even promised me that you'll be gone in the morning!" she added.

"And that's why I'm going."

"Not without your payment!"

"I saved your life!"

"A deal is a deal." She replied, eyeing him. "And breakfast isn't part of the deal!"

Again, as they spoke with each other, they make a step forward making their faces meet once again.

"If it wasn't for me, you would have been in the front page of the newspapers by now!"

"Ha!" she smirked. "If it wasn't for you, my sleep would have been longer and my refrigerator wouldn't have to be emptied because you practically ate everything!"

At this rate, the stranger was losing his temper and as well as Tsukushi.

"Will you just let me go?"

"Payment first!"

Yuki rolled her eyes. "Really, now." She interrupted. "Do you really need to be that close every time you argue?" she asked.

Again, Tsukushi and the stranger looked at each other's eyes and quickly broken apart. Yuki started walking and found herself in between her best friend and the stranger. Neither of her two companies is talking now. "I'm Yuki, by the way." She said, handing out her hand to the stranger. "Yuki Matsuoka. I'm a designer at Wonderland. And this is my best friend Tsukushi Makino, the owner of Wonderland." She introduced their selves to him. The stranger just accepted her hand but it didn't last long. "So, what's your name?"

Tsukushi was eyeing him suspiciously but he didn't mind it. "My name's Tsu –" he paused. He looked at the two girls standing right before him, waiting for him to introduce himself. He wasn't sure if he could trust them since this is the first time, since the incident last night, that he's talking to them without the influence of alcohol.

Tsukasa Domyouji. That's his name. But the name 'Domyouji' alone could make a commotion and he doesn't want any of that crap right now. He needed to protect himself and giving away his name freely isn't part of the protection he wanted to have. He knew that even if his fellow people don't know what he looks like, he is sure that everyone is familiar with the name 'Tsukasa Domyouji' and that name alone can bring him all the troubles he was trying to avoid.

"Yes?" Yuki said just to pull him back to reality. "Your name?" she asked as soon as he turned to them.

"Tsubasa." He answered, changing one letter of his name. He smiled nervously. "My name's Tsubasa…" he lost for words as he was trying to come up with a made-up surname. Surely he couldn't just give a made-up identity without making a made-up name first. And before either of them could ask his full name, there was a ring coming from Tsukushi's cell phone.

Tsukushi quickly run to it and answered the call while Yuki followed her with her eyes.

--

Author's Note: another long chapter from me. I know I've kept you waiting and now that I have started recovering from the loss we just had, I can say that my brain is also repairing itself and my ideas are still with me ((thank God for that))…

To everyone who gave their condolences and moral/spiritual support, I really thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kind words became my strength. Thank you. :)

To shidchil, you're the first person who gave me moral support and strength. And even if you had two exams for the next day, you still managed to take a look at my fic. Thanks. :) and if you see any flaws, please feel free to tell me. You can always PM me. :) and I hope you passed your exams. :)

To FilmMaker, thanks for the constant reviews and for the kind words. :) You have always been there for me and I really appreciate everything you say. Hontou ni arigatou gozaimasu. :)

To blueprincess16, I'm glad you love my fic and thank you as well for the reviews. :)

To loty (an anonymous reviewer), what can I say? Thanks for reading and reviewing my fic. The part where you told me that you take about 2 minutes just to read a single paragraph since you read it about four or five times makes me feel overwhelmed. Thank you so much. :)

To hana yori dango forever (an anonymous reviewer), I also thank you for putting faith with my capacity upon writing this fic. Your words are so kind that when I read it, even if I'm about to cry, made my lips curled up for a smile. :) thank you also for the compliment and yes, I'm still a student. :)

To anime07, I'm glad you liked the first Tsukushi and Tsukasa moment just like everyone else. Thanks for the review as well. :)

To Lillith Evans, a new reviewer, I'm really glad that you liked my fic. I went to your page and saw your HYD fic. I liked it as well. Thanks for the review. :)

Last but not least, to cheshirecat (an anonymous reviewer), thanks for the review and for the condolence. Well, what can I say? I love Shizuka Todo. I have watched the part where she came back to Japan and told Rui that she wanted to spend (was it Christmas time? Sorry, I kinda forgot that detail) that certain holiday with the one she truly loves and she spent it with Rui and that made me fell in love with her character. So don't worry, you can revisit my fic any time you want. But of course, there will be instances where some of the characters – like Shizuka – will not be mentioned in some chapters and the only characters you will be encountering every single chapter will be Tsukushi and Tsukasa since they are the main characters of my fic. Hope you understand. :)

Again, thank you everyone. :)

Ja neh. :)

--please review--