"SHOW ME LOVE"

CHAPTER ONE: First Time He Saw Her

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Inside the Royal Casino, a group of men in suits inside the private side of the room has their undivided attention to their game of poker. The huge room has three sets of round table.

"I'm sorry gentlemen but I believe the luck's on my side." The old man smiled widely as he reached for the mountain of colored chips after showing his cards to the others.

A petite young man smirked who was wearing a long black overcoat to the confusion of the others, he was the only person who wore an overcoat inside, add the hat he have that almost cover his face. "Not so fast, old man," he smiled in amusement as he showed his card. "A royal plush." He taunted.

The old man's face turned red as he looked at the card. "You're cheating!"

As he yelled at the petite boy, everyone's attention turned to them. The F4, who were currently playing with the others on one of the other tables, stopped their game with irritation as they also looked at the commotion.

"Somebody better shut that guy's mouth or I'll beat him!" an irritated Tsukasa who has been concentrating on his card suddenly said in a dangerous tone. He really hates it when somebody bothers him.

Soujirou smirked, "You're more than welcome, my friend. I happen to hate whiny people."

Before anyone could act, the smirking petite boy stood up and collect his chips, he was not even disturb at the old man's accusation, which was not true.

"You can't get away that easily here, boy!" the man clapped his hand, and a group of men who looked like bodyguards surrounded the place, much to the F4 leader's irritation.

The boy just continued his task and started to walk away after it.

"Get him!" The old man pointed to the boy, then he looked around the table, "Why don't you let your guards get that cheating boy too, he cheats with all of us." He convinced the others.

As the guards were closing on him, he smirked as he continued to walk while whistling. Man, it was always like this in the end. Losers' always tends to take their revenge in one way or another.

"Should we help the guy?" Akira asked. "He sure doesn't look like a cheater."

"What's with it to us?" Tsukasa asked. "Why help when we won't get something that we want from him."

"You--" whatever Akira's saying was cut off as the ramble on the private room started.

The guards fell down one after the other, the petite boy sure was strong. His moves were calculated and he was sure with his attacks.

He bowed cockily to his angered and impressed audience. As he bowed, his hat fell from his head, and a rich long auburn hair appeared for anyone on the room to see.

"A Girl!" almost everyone said in surprise.

He or rather she was still smiling widely with amusement as she stood straight.

"Why, if it isn't Tsukushi Makino!" the old man who called her a cheater remarked with surprise. The people around started to murmur something about her.

"Why, she's the daughter of Mr. Eiren Makino, the CEO and President of the Makino group of companies!"

Tsukasa's irritation turned into something else, a mixture of curiosity and interests. He was now looking intently at the still cocky petite young lady near the exit door. Who was this Tsukushi Makino that stirred the attention of the whole room full of men? He thought.

Tsukushi's voice suddenly boomed at the room. "Well, nice to gamble with you people, ciao!" then she took her leave with a smirk.

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Outside the Royal Casino Tsukushi shook off her coat and dropped it on the back of her silver Mercedez sports. She then dropped her stack of colored chips on top of her coat, she grinned, she would definitely use the chips on other Casino's.

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"Who do you think was that girl?" Tsukasa asked.

Soujirou and Akira exchanged a knowing look. Tsukasa was finally having a feeling towards the opposite sex, other than his usual irritation and anger.

"Ah, love!" Akira chirped. "Really do come in the most unexpected places."

Tsukasa reached out for his babbling friend, "I didn't mention anything about love! I'm just curious about who she was."

"Curiosity can lead to love, dear friend." Soujirou added.

Before Tsukasa could retaliate, Rui stood up, "Let's go, I'm tired."

"You're always tired!" the trio quipped after Rui.

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The next day, Tsukasa called someone that early in the morning. "Doumyouji-sama, what can I do for you?" the voice in the other line greeted with respect.

"I want you to give me a full report about a certain girl name Tsukushi Makino, I want it this afternoon, that's all." The man from the other line did not even had the chance to reply as Tsukasa put the phone down.

"What's with this sudden interest with a girl?" Tsukasa's older sister, Tsubaki, who just arrived last night from America asked as she heard her brother's conversation on the phone.

Tsukasa smiled mysteriously before retelling his sister about the incident at the casino. "You see, she's not a primpy kind of girl and she's definitely tough."

Tsubaki smiled softly. "A perfect pair for Tsukasa Doumyouji, it's about time she comes into your life."

Tsukasa's vein popped, "Don't say stupid things, sister!"

"You're the stupid one, stupid!" his sister ranted back, "You won't recognize your own feelings even if it hits you on the nose!"

"You!" Tsukasa growled, "Why did you ever bother to come back here when all you'll do was to irritate me!"

Tsubaki smirked as she ruffled Tsukasa's messy-curly hair, "That's the idea, dummy!"

Tsukasa glowered at her as Tsubaki started to leave.

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The next day…..

"I heard that you've been messing up the casino's again last night, Tsukushi," Eiren Makino confirmed.

Tsukushi looked up from her bowl of cereals as a wicked smile appeared on her lips, "And I won it all."

Her father laughed, "I thought so!"

Her mother, Lena Makino, shook her head with disapprovement, "I really don't understand why you do this stuff, Tsukushi, a fine lady doesn't do such horror."

Tsukushi chuckled, "Really mother, those snobs' tea parties that you're attending were alienating you."

Lena's eyes bulged, "Of course not, I'm just looking after your future, a husband doesn't like a reckless lady for a bride, and I attend parties not just because of social calls, but it's also part of the business."

Tsukushi rolled her eyes, she won't understand the rules of the rich even if she's one of them. She was just born different. She has a craving to be free from those rules.

"Anyway, speaking of husband," her mother continued, "I think you're in age enough to marry, and a friend of mine thinks you'll be perfect for their son, Ken. What a very fine young man"

Eiren's brow furrowed, "You mean the son of the shipping magnate?

"Yes, of course!"

"A good choice, but don't narrow down your choice yet my dear," Mr. Makino said, "I'm still waiting for the Doumyouji's or the Nishikado's to "talk" to us."

Lena's smile brightened, "But of course, I only want the best for our only daughter, don't you want to add the Mimasaka's and the Hanazawa's?"

"I heard that the Hanazawa's were joining forces with the Todou's and well, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mimasaka is currently enjoying the company of older women."

"They're out then, anyway, do pray that the Doumyouji's will contact us soon, they are the richest of all our choices. But I do hope that Tsukushi will have the time to at least meet Ken, it's not bad to always have another choice if everything didn't fall into plan."

Tsukushi looked at her parents with disbelief. They were talking about her as if she's not there and her future was just like another business. Well, what did she expect?

"How about it, Tsukushi," her mother turned to her, "You will have to meet Ken sometime, since the Doumyouji's are not yet contacting us. I guess it's time you come along with me when I attend some parties."

Tsukushi just stare at her mother who was smiling charmingly. She got up from her chair while wiping her mouth, "I don't know mother, got so much to do."

Lena's smile faded, "Tsukushi Makino, it's best if you follow my suggestion or you'll end up just like Haruka Midori…"

"Who was she?" Tsukushi asked.

"Exactly my point!" her mother said.

Tsukushi rolled her eyes, expect her mother to watch over the scams and downfalls of the has been's. "Anyway, I'll see you later guys," she kissed both her parents on their cheeks before she headed out.

"Really Eiren, your daughter needs a little taming, she's done enough bad publicity." Lena said after their daughter exited the room. "It's time for her to be engage to someone."

Eiren nodded in agreement to his wife, "And do you think that Ken was the right someone for her?"

"I don't know, but we could try, Ken is every bit the gentleman, Tsukushi would probably just make fun of him." Lena shrugged, "You know your daughter."

"We'll see."

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At the Doumyouji mansion that morning, Tsukasa was having his breakfast when a man in black suit approached him.

Tsukasa's brow shot up, "Did I not tell everyone not to bother me when I'm eating!"

The man backed away a little, "My apologies sir, but I thought you might want the results about Ms. Tsukushi Makino right away."

"Why didn't you say so in the first place," Tsukasa's demeanor calmed as he took the portfolio.

The black-suited man disappeared once Tsukasa has his hand on the folder.

Tsukasa smiled mischievously as he read about the girl name Tsukushi. "Interesting…."

"What is it that you're holding, son?" Kaede emerged to the room and sat at the other end of the table. The maids started to serve to the lady of the house.

Tsukasa shrugged before he talked about Tsukushi.

"Ah….the Makino heiress…" Kaede's eyes sparkled as she think about what the Makino groups could do to the Doumyouji Empire after they join forces. "I heard about her but I never had the chance to meet her yet, she will be a nice choice for you if you asked me, except for the rumors about her being 'different', but that can be change."

Tsukasa's brow shot up once again, "Mother, you do know that I'm calling the shot not you, so back off!"

"I know that son, but making sure that she'll be a part of the family through her parents won't hurt," Kaede said as she called for her personal assistant.

"Yes madam?"

"Contact the Makino's, I want a private meeting with them."

The assistant vowed before leaving.

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"Hey Kushi, you're late!" Yuki complained as Tsukushi parked her car in front of her.

"Sorry, can't help it." Tsukushi said as Yuki got inside the car.

"Nice outfit, if it wasn't for the car, people might mistake you for an…errr…." Yuki said as she looked at Tsukushi's tattered pants, a sleeve-torn black top, and a black slipper.

Tsukushi smirked, "Like a commoner," she shrugged. "It's not that bad."

Yuki laughed, "You're weird, Kushi."

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"Imagine that…" Tsukasa grinned as he saw a car parked not far away from them.

"What is it with you today Tsukasa? It seems like there's nothing that could make your day bad." Akira noticed.

"You're right," Soujirou said as he fill in Akira and Rui about Kaede's plan and that Tsukasa had some investigation about Tsukushi Makino, "And there my friend," he motioned for the car, "Tsukasa now know that his princess was just on his kissing distance and yet he never notice her before."

"Geez, now I know," Akira looked excitedly on the car also, "I never knew that the Makino heiress was schooling here at Eitoku also."

Tsukasa glared at his friend at the back seat of his car, "Now that you know, I expect you to stay away from her."

"Geez man," Akira chuckled, "Even if she's as pretty as a goddess, I won't exchange the older woman that I'm dating for her."

"Better be it….. or else…" Tsukasa warned.

"And who's with her?" Rui asked.

Soujirou smirked, "Looks good enough to eat!"

Tsukasa looked at the two girls again who was getting out of the car, "Her friend looks just like a commoner to me."

Soujirou laughed, "And what do you think about your princess? She look more like the commoner one."

"Weird girl!" Tsukasa complained as he assessed Tsukushi's attire, he even wince when he saw that she was not even wearing a shoes. "I'll make sure that she has to wear clothes properly when she becomes my girl….with that clothes now, I can't take her anywhere."

"Maybe she just loves to clothe herself differently," Akira commented, "Just look the way she dressed last night at the Casino."

"She looked cute though." Rui muttered.

Tsukasa's vein popped, he's feeling jealous even if it's only a comment for Tsukushi. "You! Just shut up!"

The F3 laughed at him in unison.

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"So, are you gonna go out with this Ken guy?" Yuki asked with excitement.

Tsukushi raised her brow as if thinking Yuki's words over. While driving to school, she told Yuki about the Ken-guy and her parents' talk about some silly-engagement. And as they walked to their school building, it's like Yuki's the one who was so excited about the 'mythical' date, which meant, NO, she's not going even if it kills her!

She slung her backpack on her right shoulder as she said, "No, why should I go out with some guy I don't know?" her forehead was starting to wrinkle.

Yuki shrugged, "But it would be fun though, I mean, I don't even know how it feels to be in a date and you don't have to pay your dinner or something like that."

Tsukushi put an arm on her friend's shoulder, trust her friend to be so happy even in a most simple way. Yuki's from an average class of family, she happened to be at Eitoku since she's intelligent and the Makino foundation was backing her up. They hit it off the first time they met and they become the best of friends even if they have a different personality. Yuki was shy and silent, she's only speaking what's in her mind when it's only Tsukushi whose around, while Tsukushi was loud and lively, she loves to be different, to party and to just defy the so-called rules of the rich and famous. Maybe that's why they became friends, they complimented each other. "Why, I treat you sometimes though." Tsukushi said a while.

Yuki rolled her eyes. "Not just sometimes, I guess always. And thank you for that too, but you know, maybe it's different when a guy treats you or something like that." She shrugged.

"So basically, you want to go on a date?" Tsukushi's mind started to work.

Yuki nodded.

"Ha!" Tsukushi snapped her fingers. "Why don't WE go on a date with Ken. I'm planning on letting you go alone but knowing you, you probably won't meet him, so let's enjoy a free dinner and the companion of a gentleman." She said the last words sarcastically while rolling her eyes.

Yuki rolled her eyes, "Why do I feel like you've planned this already before I even began to say anything?"

Tsukushi fake innocence, "Why Yuki, you must be mistaken. I just want you to be with me when I saw this guy mom's referring."

"Duh! I've known you so long, Kushi, maybe more than your own parents knew you….you just want to pissed your parents off when that Ken-guy starts to report that you've got a chaperone on your date! So stop the act, weird woman," Yuki said while smirking.

"Hey! I'm not weird!"

"Tell that to the marines!"

They were still arguing when the bell for the first class rang….

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The two friends were paying their lunch at the counter of the school cafeteria, their morning class were already finished, they were on their way to look for somewhere to sit when Yuki tripped on a chair……or so they thought.

"What the fuck!" Tsukushi cursed as she looked behind her. She saw Yuki sprawled on the floor and her lunch can never be called a lunch anymore.

"Poor people really have no finesse!" one girl who was sitting on the chair near where Yuki sat said while looking at her, technically, it was the girl's foot that cause Yuki's fall.

Tsukushi's face started to turn red because of anger, it's been a while, no, it's been for always since Yuki stepped at Eitoku that these snobs tries to bitch on her friend, they all think that being face to face with a commoner is a sin.

"Well, if it isn't the VERY bitch herself!" Tsukushi muttered with disgust, "Hmmm….eating lunch with your common bitches, eh. What? Planning something more evil plot, I suppose…"

"Stay out of this, Makino!" Asai muttered while flipping her hair to her back. "If it weren't for your much respected parents, students and other people in the well-respected society won't even recognize you…"

"And what's that suppose to mean?" Tsukushi's eyes narrowed as she helped Yuki on her feet.

"You know, stealing is really a very serious crime, y'know?" Asai shrugged as her airhead friends' snigger.

"Stealing!"

"Ow, princess, don't you watch the news or read the society pages, you're on the headline for the scam that you did last night, and if you really want to marry a decent guy, I suggest to stop befriending poor people and stop pulling stunts just like what you did on the casino's."

Tsukushi smiled tightly, if Asai is not a girl and a whiny as a chicken's butt, she would have spank her but she'll reconsider, her hands was not worth aching for Asai's face. "Really Asai, I'm not stealing but your puny brain won't know the difference right and don't preach me with those damn words of yours 'coz you're not my mom, thank god! Since my mom's one-billion per cent prettier and nicer than you are, so I'll be careful if I were you, you might be the one who'll end up being a very poor old maid!" with that said, Tsukushi walked away together with Yuki.

Asai was left with her friends, dumbfounded, "Huh……."

As Tsukushi and Yuki walked out at the lunchroom, not far away on the side, the F4 were seated, the commotion really took their attention, specially the curly-haired guy….

"Remind me to visit that girl's locker later," Tsukasa said while playing the red tag on his hands. "Nobody messes with my girl…"

"Tsukasa, let me remind you, she's not yours yet…" Akira teased.

"Shut up!"

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At the Doumyouji Building….

"Hello, Mr. Makino?" Doumyouji Kaede spoke as someone picked up the phone on the other line.

"Yes, who's this?"

"I'm Doumyouji Kaede, I assume you've heard about me…."

"Of course, of course, who wouldn't know you Madame…"

"I called to speak about my son and your daughter….and I guess a phone call won't clear all the details…." Kaede let her words hang.

"I understand," the man on the other line agreed as he knew what they were talking about already. "We could arrange something about this meeting."

"I'll expect you and your wife at one of the restaurant the Doumyouji's owns, "she gave the exact location of the restaurant.

"We'll be there, Mrs. Doumyouji."

"Okay then." She hung up the phone afterwards.

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Hi this is Shierri. I'm still the same author but with different penname since my previous account was deactivated. But I'll keep coming back…hehe (winks)