Disclaimer: As everyone knows, I do not own the characters from Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flowers. They just hang around my place a lot. They're kinda like cats that way.

Thank you, Kamio-sensei!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN: This is a branching from the events in Vol. 9.

A Reason To Stay

A Hana Yori Dango FanFic

by Janice Rips

Prologue

--I'm a little sorry I didn't say goodbye properly... but it was a fitting end for us.--

---

Tsukushi hangs up her uniform, grabs her bag, and bids goodnight to the manager at her second job. She thanks him again for keeping her on and promises to do better.

--Kinsan saved me yet again. First he got me this job, now he's helping me keep it. I just wish he hadn't tangled with Doumyouji. I want to keep those parts of my life separate... Oh... right. That part of my life is over.--

Tsukushi is so lost in thought, she doesn't notice the limo that pulls to the curb next to her. The window lowers, and a strong, feminine voice calls out, "Yomogi! Wait up!"

Startled from her reverie, Tsukushi blinks at the smiling face of Tsubaki, Doumyouji's older sister. Tsubaki motions her closer to the car.

"Tsukushi! I'm so glad to see you! Please, join me for dinner tonight."

"I'm sorry, Tsubaki-san, I can't. Your brother and I... well, we didn't part on the best of terms, and I don't think he'll want to see me."

"What did that idiot do now?" Tsubaki exclaims, "I swear, that boy needs a leash to keep him under control."

"No, no," Tsukushi tries to placate her, "It's not his fault this time! He was trying to so the right thing," she explains. "He just... went about it the wrong way. As usual..." she finishes weakly.

"I'm sure. Anyway, you don't have to worry about him, he won't be there. The rest of the F4 are throwing him a going-away party. I'll be surprised if he makes it home tonight."

Tsukushi is surprised. "But aren't you leaving for New York tomorrow?"

"Exactly. He can sleep on the plane. It's a long flight. So, it'll just be us girls tonight. Get in the car. I'll call your parents for you."

Tsukushi can't think of a suitable argument, at least not one that Tsubaki would accept, so she gets in the limo, and they drive off.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"--I'm a little sorry I didn't say goodbye properly... but it was a fitting end for us.--" is a direct quote from the Viz American release of Boys Over Flowers Vol. 9.