"We need to talk," Tsukasa said, dragging her off without waiting for an answer. They went into an unused classroom.
"Wh-what do you want to talk to me about?" Tsukushi asked, trying to stand up to him and hide her fear.
"Makino, I want you to meet me Sunday at Omotesando; 1pm in front of the Hanae Mori building."
"What?"
"I'm asking you out on a date, stupid!" he barked.
"I- I have to work!" was the only response that came to mind.
"Then I'll pay you," he said casually. "Fifty thousand yen per date."
Sheesh, that was more than double her monthly wage at the sweet shop.
"Look," he said, opening his wallet and taking out a fifty thousand yen note. "You're poor - you need the money, don't you?" he waved it in front of her face.
Tsukushi stood still.
"Think of it as compensation for before."
Tsukushi gaped. 'You mean when you'd almost raped me?' she thought.
"If you don't take it, I'll burn it in front of you."
She almost reflexively snatched the money from him.
"Good girl," he said, pleased. "Now, I'll see you then." He left.
She stood, staring at the note in her hand. Was this an apology from him? Was he just toying with her? (of course, he was). But could she withstand it?
'A fool and his money are soon parted,' she thought evilly.
This was going to be interesting.
She found that most of their 'dates' consisted either of him window shopping for himself and asking her opinion, going to the movies or fine dining at an exclusive restaurant. He didn't seem to mind that they had the occasional argument as long as they remained together.
But they all ended with him saying the same thing. "It's not a date without a kiss."
She obliged every time, just one kiss, and was somewhat relieved that he was a good kisser.
One date, she'd found herself getting the chills. "What, are you sick?" he'd asked, irritated.
"Sorry," she murmured.
He immediately felt her forehead, knowing that wasn't her typical response. "You're burning up!"
She started to feel faint and dizzy, and fell.
At least, she thought she fell.
It took her a moment to realise she was being carried in his arms through an entrance to a hotel.
"The penthouse," he commanded, leaving hotel minions to scramble.
"Tsukasa… I don't think I can do this…"
"Don't be silly," he admonished. "I'm just renting a room so you can get better."
When she woke up, it was dark. The shower in the adjacent bathroom was running, and then stopped.
He stepped out of the bathroom, a bath towel wrapped around his waist. She found herself blushing at his wet, tousled hair and broad chest.
His eyes widened. "You're awake."
"I'd better get going," she said, getting off the bed then immediately feeling dizzy. She ran to the bathroom and puked in the toilet.
She was surprised to find gentle hands rubbing her back. "Y-you… don't have to… help me…" she stammered.
"Don't worry – I'm used to your vomit, remember?" he snapped.
"You deserved that!" she shouted, then barfed some more.
"Glad to know you're getting better, Tsukushi," he said dryly.
His kiss lingered on her more that night.
It was White Day, the day where the girls were supposed to give the guys a gift. Tsukasa had given a small but expensive necklace to Tsukushi in private for Valentine's Day.
She hadn't known what to give him, but then thought to a time where they were window shopping, and he was interrupted from buying a scarf by her sneezing profusely. Recently, she'd tracked back to the shop and found she had earned just enough money from this whole dating fiasco to buy it.
Her feelings were clear, unfortunately. She'd found herself blushing more and more, a fact that he seemed to welcome and not tease her about.
She just needed to know whether there was any hope.
Tsukasa was in the cafeteria with the other members of the F4, swatting away gifts like they were flies. He hadn't accepted anything, unlike the others – each having a steady array of gifts piling up.
"Tsukasa!" she almost shouted. He looked at her, wide-eyed, noticing she held something in her hands. The others were surprised that Makino, of all people, would bring a gift. Other onlookers started to raucously laugh.
This was it. Would he acknowledge her in public? Did he want to get serious?
He gently took the gift from her, surveying the packaging. Then he opened it.
"This is… expensive," he mused, looking at the scarf, recognising it from the store.
'Not expensive for you,' she thought, appreciating the way he didn't rub it in her face.
"Arigatou," he said, dragging her forward by her hand and kissing her on the lips. Everyone in the room was shocked.
That's when she knew she could trust him.