Love after Marriage - Chapter 1

Jul 09, 2008 23:43


Title: Love after Marriage
Pairing: Akame
Rating: PG13
Genre: Angst, Fluff, Drama
Summary: Kamenashi Kazuya, a 20 year old university student who was forced to marry Akanishi Jin, her senior of two years, after their alleged scandal. The marriage to Kazuya was just pretence, the wedding ring didn’t mean anything to her. Meanwhile, Jin have been in love with Kazuya the first time he met her, and now living a marriage without love from both sides truly hurts. He wished that one day Kazuya would come to love him. Would his love be returned by the stubborn and arrogant Kazuya? Or would she still refuse to listen to the voices of her heart? 
Disclaimer: Characters once again don't belong to me.
Note:  A multi-chaptered version of my one-shot ‘Love after Marriage’. Read that one-shot first if you have not. This version will be written in a more detailed way.

-
Tokyo University
Kamenashi Kazuya stared at the envelope she was holding with such intensity, the fear of not being accepted at her dream University once again crossed her mind. Even though she is a brilliant student, and that the possibility of getting into any prestigious University in Tokyo is high, she could not help but feel pessimistic.
Taking a deep breath, Kazuya slowly pealed off the envelope, soon the letter was clutched in her hands. Unfolding said letter while having her eyes closed, they fluttered open as she looked down at the contents of it.
Kamenashi Kazuya … accepted … School of Economics.
“I got accepted.” Kazuya whispered.
Tears soon cluttered in her eyes as a form of happiness. She read the letter again for confirmation, the results remained unchanged. Kazuya placed her acceptance letter close to her heart, and smiled happily. Her eyes lit in excitement, knowing that she have to tell her parents about the good news.
“Otoosan!! Okaasan!!” She exclaimed, entering Kamenashi private residence.
That day, Kazuya’s long time dream became a reality.
-
Despite it being a weekend, Akanishi Jin chose to stay at home. While his friends are probably busy enjoying their precious moments with their girlfriends, Jin preferred to spend most of his time either in school or at home. He is the only one that is single in his circle of friends. That fact didn’t matter to him though, not even the slightest.
After Jin had completed his school work, he walked down to the living room, and sat down on the couch. He was about to grab the remote control when his mother sat next to him, she had a worried expression on her face.
“Jin, why don’t you find a hobby that you’ll love?”
He turned to face his mother, his looks that of confusion, not understanding what she had meant.
“What do you mean, okaasan?”
Mrs Akanishi heaved out a sigh. “I’m starting to worry over you. On weekends, you’ll just stay at home and do your school stuff. It’s good that you’re concentrating on your studies but sometimes, you’ll have to relax, perhaps hanging out with your close friends. If not, try to get a hobby.”
“Or better, get a girlfriend …” Akanishi Reio interrupted, grinning.
“Shut up, Reio!” Jin flashed his younger brother a dead glare, his eyes saying ‘Shut your stupid nonsense or else …!’ which caused Reio to immediately shut up but the grin on his face remained.
“Speaking of that, when will you ever have a girlfriend, Jin?” Mrs Akanishi asked in a serious tone. “To think of it, you did not have one back in high school, right?”
Jin shook his head, confirming his mother’s assumption.
“Jin …”
“Don’t worry, okaasan. One day, I’ll find the one for me. I will love her wholeheartedly, and she’ll be the only one I want to spend the rest of my life with. I believe that I’ll meet her someday.” Jin flashed a small smile, hoping that his explanation would assure his mother.
Mrs Akanishi nodded reluctantly. “Well, if you say so. I just want you to be happy.”
“I know.”
“Ah! Onii-chan, don’t tell me …. that you’re … that …” Reio interrupted once again.
“Reio! Don’t you have somewhere to go?!!!” Jin shouted exasperatedly, pointing towards the door. His brother’s teasing was too much for him to handle, it pissed him off honestly.
“Fine, I won’t disturb you anymore. I’ll be going then.” Reio opened the door, glancing back. “Onii-chan, get a girlfriend!!!!” He winked and walked out of the house.
“That brat …” Jin whispered.
-
Kazuya entered the Café she had promised to meet her best friend, she smiled when she saw said person waving at her, seated at their usual place. She walked towards him, settling herself in front of him.
“Have you waited long, Toma?”
“Hmm, not that long, just five minutes or so.” Ikuta Toma answered, shaking his head. “Anyway, move on to the good news … Wow, Todai University! It’s like a dream come true for you, right Kazuya? You’ve really worked hard for it!”
“All the sacrifice I made during the last year of high school was worth it.” Kazuya felt relieved. “I’m glad the moment I’ve been waiting for is here.”
“Girl, I’m really happy for you!” Toma flashed a smile that showed his teeth, one cheerful smile of his.
“Thank you, Toma.”
“It would have been more fun if we were in the same university, ne …” Toma muttered.
“You already have Yamapi in Meiji university though different faculty.”
“It’s not the same! It got to be the three of us together. I missed the old times, you know!” Toma sighed, placing his fist onto his chin. “How wonderful if we could turn back the time …”
“Have you forgotten something, Toma?”
“What?”
“That both of you are older than me, Pi by a year and you, two years. So even if we’re in the same university, or by chance, same faculty but because we’re in a different academic year, our schedules will always clash. Didn’t you notice that ever since Pi entered the same university as you?”
Toma heaved out another sigh. He hated to be reminded of the fact that the three of them could not spend as much time as they did when they were kids. They are now young adults, no longer a teenager. For Kazuya though, there are still a few months more before she turns twenty.
Kazuya punched him playfully on his shoulder, seeing that Toma had an upset expression written on his face. He looked really glum.
“Hey, cheer up. Even if we’re going to be busy in the future, the three of us will always try to find time to spend together. It’s sad that we can only meet up a few times in a year but that is better than not meeting at all, right?”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Toma nodded, and smiled. “Gomen, gomen!”
“Anyway, where’s Pi? He promised he’ll be here too.”
“That …” Toma was suddenly reminded of that. “He told me that he is really sorry that he can’t join us today because he had to finish up his project which is due on Monday. He is really over the sky for your acceptance in Todai, and that he’ll make up for it.”
Kazuya sighed. “I guess that can’t be helped.”
“Yeah, all that aside … let’s order our food! It’s my treat! I’ll make sure Yamapi buy you a present as a form of punishment for not attending our meet up!” Toma teased.
“Tell him that!” Kazuya chuckled.
-
Jin was on his way to the convenience shop when he bumped into someone. The girl bowed politely, whispering her apology before walking away. Looking down on the floor, he realised that she had dropped something.
“Miss, your handkerchief!”
Jin said but it was too late, she had walked a distance away from him, entering a parked car. Even if it was a few seconds long, he managed to get a glimpse of the girl’s face. She had straight long brown hair, and by the first impression, Jin thought she was beautiful.
She’s just a random stranger you met in your life.
He shook his head, frowning when he remembered about the handkerchief that she had dropped. Now what am I going to do with this, Jin thought.
If there’s fate for us to meet again, I’ll return it to her.
That was what Jin decided in the end. Keeping the handkerchief inside his jeans pocket, he too left the scene. Honestly, the chance of meeting again was perhaps near to zero nevertheless he would take care of the item for the time being.
If fate wants to prove him wrong, so let it be.
-
Glancing at his wrist watch, Jin realised that he had two hours to spend before his next class. Not wanting to stay in school throughout his free time, he decided to meet his friend at a Café not far from the school’s premises. He was on his way to the car park when he spotted someone so familiar at the gate.  
Straight long brown hair, tall, fair … handkerchief ….
Akanishi Jin stood frozen in his steps as he stared at the beautiful woman, he was truly mesmerised. What is this feeling, Jin wondered. His heart’s beating faster, and it almost seemed that he could just gaze at her all day.
As if fated, their eyes locked for a split second.
-
Kazuya took a deep breathe outside the gate of her school, gripping onto her bag tightly before entering it. It was her first day of school so she was alone nevertheless she hoped that she would make new friends soon.
As she was walking, she noticed a tall and handsome man standing on the entrance of one of the faculties. Kazuya stopped in her tracks when she realised that the man was staring at her. It was obvious. Suddenly feeling nervous, she bowed at him out of respect before walking into the direction of her faculty. 
Jin flashed a small smile, placing his hands onto his pockets, and continued his steps.
That new freshman certainly had caught his attention, he would not let go of her that easily. He wanted to meet her again, someday, some point of time.
Is this what people call love at first sight?
Chuckling, Jin shook his head lightly.
-
“Eh, really? You’ve had a stranger staring at you only on the first day of school?” Horikita Maki exclaimed excitedly, a friend Kazuya had clicked with instantly. Maki had a shy and pure angelic appearance but after getting close with her, Kazuya realised that she was easy to talk to. 
“Yeah.”
“How does he look like? Is he handsome?” Maki asked.
“Hmm …” Kazuya tried to remember the face of the man she encountered earlier but couldn’t. His image blur in her vision after all, she had seen him only from a far distance. Kazuya’s eyes widened when she saw said man walking past them alongside a friend.
“Hiro-kun!”
Kazuya turned to face her friend in shock, not expecting Maki to know one of the guys, whoever that name belongs to. The taller one of the two men turned to the source of voice, smiling as he hurried towards Maki. The other simply followed and stood next to him.
“Maki-chan!” Mizushima Hiro said. “I didn’t know you go to this school!”
“Well, now you know. It’s my first day.” Maki winked, realising that Kazuya was starting to feel uncomfortable, she quickly introduced him. “Kazuya, this is my neighbour, Mizushima Hiro and his friend.”
“Kamenashi Kazuya.” She bowed.
“Nice to meet you, Kazuya. Just call me Hiro-kun.” Hiro eyed his friend to introduce himself.
“Akanishi Jin.”
Kazuya stared dumbfounded at the hand reaching out towards her but nevertheless she accepted that friendly handshake, feeling uncomfortable when both of their hands touched. It was a weird feeling, and it made Kazuya sick in the stomach.
She finally knew the name of the man but the smile that he flashed totally did not bring any effect to her.
-
Akanishi Jin …
“Where have I heard of that name before?” Kazuya whispered. She placed the pencil she was holding to her lips, trying to think hard to remember something, anything. “His name sounds so familiar … Think, Kazuya. Try to …”
Kazuya stood up from her chair abruptly.
“Akanishi Jin, the first heir to Akanishi Holdings?” Kazuya seemed to be in a shock.
Akanishi is one of the Top 10 richest and most influential companies in Japan. Kazuya knew because Kamenashi Corp had been getting projects from Akanishi Holdings for years now. The Kamenashi Corp wouldn’t get to this state of success if not for the help from the other, they wouldn’t be able to taste the kind of luxury they’re having now.
Indebted, Kazuya too felt towards the Akanishi’s.
-
“So her name’s Kazuya. What a nice name …”
Jin sank to the comforts of his bed, rolling to the right side. He was in a dreamy state, the images of Kazuya refused to disappear from the back of his mind. The first meeting with her was accidental, he didn’t know if she could still remember that incident. His heart unsettled, refusing to believe that it had been love at first sight.
She was just another random stranger that he’ll meet everyday.
But that second meeting changed his perspectives. It had not been a chance but rather fate that allowed them to meet. If not for that fate, they probably wouldn’t cross each other’s lives anymore, not even knowing one another’s name.  
“Kazuya … Kazu …” Jin smiled cheekily, his cheeks suddenly felt hot.
Jin placed his hands onto his heart, knowing very well what this special feeling means. No doubt he is in love. Even if it is his first love, Jin could recognise it.
It’s all because of fate.
-
Author’s Note: I estimated this fic to be ten chapters long, estimation could be wrong. So we’ll see. This is just the beginning since they’ve just met and all. If you’ve read the one-shot, you know how angsty it will be. But the positive thing is … you all know that they’ll end up together. Just prepare for the angst in between. I’ll write in more detail on Kazuya and Jin’s relationship after marriage. I’ve already introduced a few of the side characters in this chapter. For Jin’s best friend, I think I’ll choose Ueda. If you have anyone else to suggest, do so. Hope the first chapter is up to expectations!

love after marriage

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