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A Simple Misunderstanding
A Hana Yori Dango Fanfiction
By Maho-chan
A bargain with Tsukasa’s father, a fashionable party, a motorcycle and a red dress cause a serious misunderstanding between Tsukasa and Tsukushi. How will they resolve it?
Disclaimer: I don’t own Hana Yori Dango. This fanfiction is rated M for innuendo and later scenes of romance. It is set after vol. 36 of the manga, and there is a small spoiler alert regarding Shigeru in this chapter. Please enjoy and review:)
(9/30/06) Chapter 1 re-edited and revised.
A Simple Misunderstanding
A Hana Yori Dango Fanfiction
By Maho-chan
Chapter 1
It all began with a phone call.
"Tsukushi, could you come to Tsukasa's house at 5:00 tonight?” The message had been from Shizuka and Tsukushi had been so surprised to hear it.
Tsukushi had called back several times, hoping to find out why Shizuka had returned and requested to meet her at Tsukasa's home, but to no avail. Resigned to having faith in the friend that she admired so, Tsukushi did as she was asked and appeared at the mansion right on time. After a seemingly endless search through the mansion which was partly due to the confusion of Tsukasa’s many servants, Tsukushi finally found Shizuka sitting with Tsukasa and drinking tea.
They made a very mismatched pair, sitting in the gothic style dining room that was adjacent to the wing of the house that Tsukasa usually occupied. Tsukasa wore jeans and a T-shirt and Shizuka looked immaculate in a peach colored suit. Tsukushi watched from the doorway, wondering why she had been summoned in the first place. The cryptic message from Shizuka had her feeling bewildered.
Watching them, Tsukushi noticed that the conversation they were having did not seem to be going well. Shizuka seemed unconcerned that Tsukasa was talking heatedly, his expression hinting at impending doom.
Why in the world was he so upset?
Perplexed, Tsukushi coughed loudly, hoping to get their attention and end her suspense.
Tsukasa looked over suddenly, his expression growing darker. Shizuka waved Tsukushi over to the table, motioning for her to sit next to Tsukasa.
"Tsukasa." Shizuka began in a calming voice. “As I was saying before, you must dress well for this event tonight. Don't worry; I’ve prepared an outfit for Tsukushi. Every thing will be fine.” Shizuka paused to smile reassuringly at Tsukushi.
Tsukushi smiled back, feeling more than a little confused.
What was going on?
Watching their exchange, Tsukasa glowered and muttered something under his breath about his stupid father. Shizuka looked back at him and continued, unaffected by his attitude. “You will ride it? It is important that you make an entrance.”
Tsukushi glanced at Tsukasa, wondering what in the world “it” was.
He nodded back, grimly.
Tsukushi listened as Shizuka discussed more details, such as the time, the place, dinner, and who would be there. The subject of “it” came up again, and Tsukasa looked like he was about to explode. It seemed as though Shizuka had been speaking for another 10 minutes before Tsukasa slammed his hands on the table and interrupted her.
“I understand.” Tsukasa said icily, leveling Shizuka with his strongest glare. “I said I would do it. I can't believe my father actually called you and put you up to this.”
Startled at the mention of Tsukasa’s father, Tsukushi finally mustered up the courage to ask all the questions that had been on her mind since finding them together.
“What are you both talking about? Why did I have to come here? What is ‘it’? And what does any of this have to do with Domyoji’s father?”
Shocked, Tsukushi turned to Tsukasa. “ARE YOU GOING TO NEW YORK AGAIN?” She cried, suddenly upset. “Is that what this is? You just came back and now you are leaving again, aren’t you? You asked me to come here so that we could spend a goodbye night together, didn't you? Pervert!”
Completely and utterly horrified, Tsukushi asked in a strange voice “Why is Shizuka here?”
And then jumping to conclusions even further, Tsukushi suddenly roared
“Are you now engaged to Shizuka? What is with your family? First Shigeru, and now Shizuka? Is that what this is? DOMYOJI!”
Her tirade was halted by Tsukasa’s hand placed firmly on her mouth.
“IDIOT.” Tsukasa said, feeling exasperated and most certainly at the end of his rope with the whole situation. “Listen to me. I am not going to New York. I am not engaged to Shizuka. I am not engaged to ANYONE. It makes no sense. Think about it.” Pausing for a moment and rethinking what Tsukushi had said, he blurted out “And I am not a PERVERT!”
Tsukushi moved her mouth against his fingers, her expression wary. Tsukasa turned to Shizuka, and commanded angrily. “This is all your fault. Explain this to her.”
“Tsukushi,” Shizuka began carefully, hoping to calm both of her friends down. "Tsukasa’s father has an influential business contact that is having a party tonight for his daughter’s debut into society. This contact has been a target of the Domyoji Corporation for a long time and is one that the Domyoji corporation hopes will become an ally and help them increase their assets. Tsukushi, as you already know, in high society appearance is very important.”
“Children play an important role in acting as evidence of the status of the parents. Tsukasa’s father called me because he had already asked Tsukasa to go to this party as a representative of the Domyoji family and he wanted to make sure that certain preparations were made."
Tsukasa grumbled under his breath again, this time about interfering parents and using children as prawns.
Tsukushi pulled Tsukasa's hand away from her mouth and said "You mean pawns not prawns." Tsukasa glared at her in reply as Shizuka continued on.
"The reason I was asked to help make the preparations for this party is because the daughter is very appearance conscious. She loves beauty, novelty and fashion. She enjoys being surrounded by such things. She has also been known to persuade her father to act upon whatever catches her interest. It is Tsukasa’s father’s hope that the daughter will think that Tsukasa is cool and based on that assessment, will recommend the Domyoji Corporation to her father."
"But what does this have to do with me?" Tsukushi asked, still feeling very confused. If it was just about Tsukasa being seen as cool, well, they really didn't need her, did they? Tsukasa would have no problem doing that on his own.
Shizuka smiled and said in reply "Tsukushi, you have been asked to come here because one mark of status for a young person in high society is a romantic relationship."
Noting the blush that appeared on both Tsukasa and Tsukushi’s faces at the words 'romantic relationship', Shizuka continued, “Tsukasa’s father is aware of your relationship and understands that he can't force Tsukasa to bring anyone else as a date. Therefore, his father has requested that you also attend the party. He has asked me to prepare clothes for you to wear and to help you navigate the party tonight. Please don’t worry, both myself and Rui will also be attending and with Tsukasa will be your support.”
Shizuka took a long, slow drink of her tea as Tsukushi processed what had been said.
AN: From here on, Shizuka and Rui’s characterizations will be based upon their characterizations in the Hana Yori Dango J-drama.