Eiri "Yuki" Uesugi x Jerrica "Jem" Benton (Gravitation/JEM crossover)
Title: Aftermath
Fandom(s): JEM, Gravitation
Pairing: Jerrica "Jem" Benton x Eiri "Yuki" Uesugi
Warnings: foul language.
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: I do not own JEM or Gravitation, and I make no money on writing this. I kind of wish I could, though.
Summary: Jerrica Benton thought her life could not get any worse. Her secret has torn her relationship with Rio apart, the Holograms have gone their separate ways, and the Starlight House has been shut down. Then she met Eiri Yuki and realized she had been wrong.
Jerrica Benton let out a long and heavy sigh then shoved her paperwork off to one side. Her head ached from reading so many legal documents. Granted, there were just as many requests and memos from the department heads at Starlight Music as there were the legal issues, but it really did not matter to her. Reading so much strained her eyes, and the strain traveled to her temples, creating a dull throb that refused to leave her alone.
It did not help that Starlight Music was about to go into the red. With Jem and the Holograms officially disbanded and permanently, the company could bring in revenue on any new albums. Sure, Jerrica could always compile another greatest hits collection and slap some never-before-seen photos on the CD sleeve, but it would be, as it always was, a desperate attempt to keep the Hologram flames alive. Starlight Music needed new talent to bring in money, but no one was willing to sign on with a floundering record label because Jerrica could not pay the artists up front. It was a Catch-22 that was seriously taking its toll on both Jerrica and Starlight Music.
With the paper to one side, Jerrica let out a second sigh and stared at an old photograph she kept on her desk. She and her former beau, Rio, were standing together, smiling. They were on the beach with a picnic lunch, and her sister had called out, “Smile for the camera, guys!” Times were simpler back then, even though she had kept secrets from him, secrets that ultimately tore them apart. Her heart ached as she gazed at the memory then she slammed the frame down so she would not have to see. At the same time, a soft knock on her office door caught her attention.
“Ms Benton?” her secretary inquired. “There’s a Mr. Seguchi here to see you.”
“Send him in, Joni,” she replied. Jerrica sat straight in her chair and stared straight ahead.
“Yes, Ms Benton.”
From what she knew, Tohma Seguchi was one of the top businessmen in Japan. He had several companies to his name, but the most prominent was NG Productions, a label he had started from the ground up. Word in the music industry was he sought to expand the recording empire he had built. Rumour also had it he was a professional musician himself, a synth player with considerable skill. It was playing into his favour that she had placed Starlight Music up for sale, though she was not willing to sell her father’s company to just anyone. The right individual had to care, had to believe in the music, and Tohma Seguchi sounded like he might just be the one.
The moment her secretary stepped aside, a blond-haired man close to six feet tall entered her office, followed by another, and Jerrica had to fight her jaw dropping at their appearances as she rose to her feet. Neither man appeared to be Japanese with their fair features, but she did not dare insult them by saying anything. She also found it odd that Tohma Seguchi, whom she recognized from photos, had brought only one other person with him. Jerrica had thought he would have at least two people with him, one being a lawyer. Was he displaying trust and faith in her or was he only toying with her about buying Starlight?
Tohma Seguchi bowed to her, a smile on his face.
“Ms Benton,” he murmured.
“Mr. Seguchi,” Jerrica replied, returning the bow. She gestured to the blond-haired man accompanying him. His companion was actually scowling, and it started to make her feel slightly anxious. “Who is this, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“This is my brother-in-law, Eiri Yuki,” Tohma answered, finding a seat. “I hope you do not mind he is here.”
“No.” Jerrica shook her head as she sat down, even though this Eiri sent chills down her spine. “Not at all. Shall we begin?”
“Yes,” Tohma said with a nod, his smile still in place. “I hope you do not mind, but I am still only considering buying this building. I have a few inquiries . . .”
At his words, Jerrica’s heart sank. Still only considering? It meant she had to really convince the man. He remained the best candidate for taking over.
‘I’ll sell him on the idea,’ she vowed. ‘I won’t let you down, Father. I promise.’