Be on top!
Always be number 1!

I am indeed on top.
I am always number 1.
I never lose, or should I say, I have never felt defeat.

I should also know everything! To what happened, what is happening, and what will happen.

That's expected and natural in the Akashi family. My father also excels in business, and still on top of everyone.

It's unthinkable for me to play in someone's hand. I would never let that happen, not to my friends, even my parents!

Though I know my limit, there are things even in my age can and can't do. But if I know I can, then I'll do it.

~

Everyone around says that father excel ever since, in academic, in business.

And thus I must go beyond that since that was taught to me; to be on top!

I had an impression that father had a limit what he could do and couldn't when he was at my age.

But, the start of this year, during new year's event, an old man I haven't met arrived as a special guest, and he was the only one who degraded father's achievements

"You are indeed smart, intimidating, however, you wouldn't be able to achieve everything you have now without Shiori-chan"

I thought father would disagree. Because my parents got married out of business reasons. Also, I respect and love my mother, but what a fragile and sickly woman could do?

But father agreed to him,

"Indeed, it was because of Shiori that I am in this position. She is my greatest nightmares for my sweet victories"

Even grandmother laughed and agreed with realization that the old man was correct. She laughed to why they didn't realize it until he said it, no more like, they knew but when mother died, they seemed forgot.

I asked my father afterwards, and he indeed agreed that mother was the key to his victories. He again repeated that mother was indeed his greatest nightmares, but the key to his achievements in business.

I had no idea what he was saying. Grandmother also agreed. But she said,

"It's just use of words. Seijurou, you need to find an unpredictable woman, who will exceed your expectations, who will give you nightmares. If you find that woman, then you'll understand the key of your father's victory"

I didn't quite understand what she meant, but after that, the words I didn't hear from others before, it became crystal clear as well.

Mother was the key to father's success.

~

I tried Anna, since they engaged me to her, but she was like an open book. Furthermore, she didn't have any idea that I know her secret, so she was being a usual lady from her family. But she's predictable, and kept saying yes to everything I would say. She never exceeded my expectations.

I also tried Jiro's twin sister, Rio, but her emotion is open to everyone. She's more predictable than Anna and again never exceeded my expectations.

I even considered Satsuki, but, same as the other two, her emotion is open.

There was no one else. I again considered Anna since she has an elegant vibes. But then, she's not the woman I am looking for. She couldn't help me getting connections and deals in business.

So I tried to achieve everything on my own. I became number one in academics, sports, shogi. And in my age, as a first step to be the next president of the Akashi group, I should make a deal or new connections to any business sectors.

Finding flaws to cut worthless people is way easier. Even with the help of the triplets, I couldn't make any new connections, nor any new deal. Grandmother even told me that father was the same, but because of mother he made new connections and deals.

~

"You pushed her away! She is a good friend of mine!"

~

And months since new year's party, I moved to Kyoto and entered my first year in high school. As expected, I immediately became the captain of the basketball team, even the president of the student council. That was given.

And that very first day, the girl my former self fancies stood near the bulletin board. But well, I have no interest to someone who doesn't have any use, and already thrown away.

However, as if being played at, during lunch the same day, I saw her again, talking to Jiro and Ukyo. To be honest, I never expected to see her again, especially here in Kyoto. She should hide herself away from me.

Then, most people would get agitated and mad when they were cornered nor if being accused falsely, but she smiled and calmly bought drink from the vending machine, explaining her side.

She even looked straight at me and made her point to why would she follow me, the person who told her to get lost. She did have a point.

Though it was the first time I found an amusing response, I still didn't see her worth.

~

"Don't push her away again. She's special!"

~

And three days had passed since the start of my high school, I started my duties as the president of student council.

I checked each clubs, and high priorities were those clubs with few members, so we could disband them already

"Girls team of Archery club was in list, but already crossed out, why?" I asked one of the members

"Ah, they have enough club members" he responded then handed the list of new members

As far as I remember, that girl was part of the archery club, Rio as well. Indeed, they were on the list.

And so, to make sure that they do have enough members, I went to there after class.

But after not seeing this girl for three days, she was here, in her own world. She was practicing using her right hand, I remember her from middle school and she was left handed. Why was she practicing with her right? Also, her form wasn't correct.

Impressive though that she still hadn't notice me.

But not long after, she shriek in surprised as she finally noticed me.

I went around and she was asking me, but I didn't respond right away.

She again aimed to the target, and for some reason, I just went behind her held her hands, and told her to move them to right positions. I felt her body tensed up, but she still followed what I said.

And when she released it, the arrow finally hit the center target.

I moved back as she thanked me, but I went to check the equipments here, and they were all old and easy to break. That started a discussion though since I ordered her to win, then I would do something about the girl's team equipments, but she needed to use her dominant hand.

But she refused. She got her left handed bow, and easily released the bow, and it hit the center target.

To be honest, I was expecting her to response that it was easy for her to win if she would use her dominant hand, but no, it was a boring reason.

But well, I could use her for Rakuzan to be number one.

As a president of student council, I didn't just sit down and do nothing. I saw the previous reports from the archery club, and saw that they requested money for equipments, even training camps, and those were for both boys and girls team. Reo also told me about his friend from the archery club, but already left and transferred. That's why this coach must be eliminated. He would be in her way!

And this was the first time, I labeled her as a 'good friend'

And thus, I went around and found a perfect fit to be the coach. He is related to that girl after all.

I also found out about the preliminary and she didn't know anything about it.

~

So that Saturday, with Jiro's invitation as well, I tagged along to witness the farce within their club. I could say though that it was good thing I came to watch it.

I watched her before, but watching her now, I could see her focus in the target in front of her. It was entrancing compared to other players. There was elegance around her once she stood on the platform with her arrow and bow.

This time I decided to see if she could be the one I am looking for. I didn't see her worth before, let's see if she is worthy as my past self said.

~

"You didn't see, because you failed to open your eyes to her. She's the woman I love. Be good to her! Don't push her away again! At least stick with her as a good friend"

~

Since then my conscious of her grew. Her responses and expressions were amusing. My inside self was also telling me not to let her go.

And then it happened the Friday during Golden week, Grandma came to Kyoto.

"Seems you haven't found any new connections, Seijurou" she told as she was sitting on her usual chair here in the house in Kyoto, with her usual silver cane.

I sighed and nodded, agreeing to what she said. "I haven't, but eventually I will. I am still in my first year in high school."

"And seems you haven't found the correct woman."

"Is that really relevant to achieve being number one in business? Father had sold his son to the Umezikawa family, but the lady in that family could only say yes, and didn't even decide by herself"

"Do you really think your father did that? If Shiori is still alive, I am sure she would get mad at him. Masaomi won't give his son"

"Then, what's with the engagement they even announced back when I was still in middle school?"

"Was it engagement? As far as I remember, it wasn't engagement but additional business with Umezikawa family"

"It was announced by the Umezikawa family that I got engaged to their daughter" Akashi shook his head then crossed his arms "besides, being engaged to someone is natural to Akashi family" as I said that, grandma looked at me questionably

"Who told you that?"

"Huh?"

"It's not a custom in Akashi family to be engaged to someone. Akashi family has enough money, Seijurou. Why are we going to give our son or daughter away? Getting connections, earning money, it's easy for us to do that"

It seems something added to my question. Then how about my parents? Weren't they engaged? All adults said that to strengthen father and mother's family, the two got engaged.

"Don't think too hard dear. You'll find the answer if you find a capable woman. Again, make sure she's unpredictable, since there's no meaning if she isn't."

"It's troublesome that I need to find a woman in order to achieve my goal in business. I rather do it by myself, by my own strength"

"And that's why you are still a kid" father entered the room and I immediately looked at him with sharp gaze "I am telling you to always be on top, be number one, and you must do that, in which you indeed achieved so far by now. But in business, in order to do that, you need to be wiser, smarter, and have a capable one next to you" he smirk as if he finally became victorious against me. He then turned to grandmother and lowered his head "we need to go now. The shinkansen will depart in an hour"

And they left, but father reminded me that he would be coming back next week since his friend would be having a concert.

Anyways, I was somehow pissed to what just happened, so I decided to have a run, left my phone and everything, just my wallet, mp3 and noise cancelation earphone. I clearly ordered everyone to don't follow me since I would just go for a run.

~

I was able to clear my mind, but I ran too far. I just realized when I saw an abandoned puppy under the bridge.

I went to see it, which turned out it was a husky and it was disgusting and pitiful. But despite that, this puppy was wagging his tail, looking straight at me.

"I am like your previous owner, I can just ignore you and abandon you" but he was still wagging his tail

I removed my jacket and just put it to him, then left to buy some milk. I just bought almond milk and improvised a bowl.

I would just go back there, bring him somewhere higher, then return home since there would be storm later today.

However, the woman I less wanted to see appeared before me, with the puppy I just saw. She should be in a training camp. Did they return early as planned because of the storm?

And with series of events, the dam needed to release the water because a storm was coming. The local workers also asked us to leave the area and return home.

I even lied to this girl that it was my usual track for jogging. I couldn't possibly tell her that I was lost in thoughts that I ran too far.

Anyways, I need to return home but they already blocked the other side. Should I just give them money to let me pass?

But before even asking, another possibility arose.

"If that's the case then... do you want to stay in my place first? You can stay until the rain stops. My brother has some of his clothes still there"

I turned around as I looked at her, who was still carrying the Husky. That possibility never occured to me. Why would she suggest that? Especially to me?

But, I just accepted her offer.

We went to her apartment mansion, and when we entered her house, she suddenly put a towel on the puppy, then to me and she dried my hair.

I was taken a back from her action, but seems she also realized it, so she moved back and apologized that it was a forced habit.

I joked that she should join us, but that made her more flustered and left me to get a change of clothes. That was out of character. Why did I even joke like that in the very place?

~

In the end, I stayed in her place for two nights. I learned more about her.

She has a fear of thunder roars and lightnings.
She can cook and bake.
She likes classic music.
She has one older brother that is studying abroad.
She plays games, and sucks on them.

Even I was pulled for losing in a team game because of her. But I didn't care about it. If it's official, then it's a different story.

I also found out her number since she just casually gave me her phone to call my family and used it to contact my butlers instead. She removed the password, and just lend it to me.

So I called them to inform my situation, and told them what they should do while I was stranded here; buy stuffs for the puppy, register for veterinary, and also, talk to the local government to do something about the bridge and land area here since the elevation was lower, causing problems to the people here. I told them to inform my father and tell him that it was my proposal, and if they needed money for the construction, then just give them. Making sure though not to release our family involvement, and just do what the local government could do.

~

The week after the storm, surprisingly, my father called me that he already talked to the local government, and it seemed that they already had a construction planned in the area the following weekend, but because they were low in fund, they could only do bare minimum for the road construction. Thus, father added funds to them to do arch bridges, and land elevation, so that water won't overflow, and father requested to do it immediately, which they would do along the planned construction.

That week as well, the school declined the fund request from the archery team so they could join an upcoming tournament. The school board found out the money expenses of the previous coach, so they were being strict with the team.

I didn't know if it was coincidence, but my father became the new owner of S-hotel in Tokyo, and it was near where the tournament would occur. Father then gave that building to me. So I decided to sponsor the archery team, I would handle their shinkansen, and let them stay in our hotel. If they would advance to international, then I would handle their plane tickets and hotel.

In one condition though, they would provide lunch for me every Tuesday and Thursday, cooked by (f/n).

"You sure fancy her, young master" Kari made a big wide smile, pouring a tea on my teacup

"Who are you referring?" Ken asked his younger brother Kari, who was still had a mask on since he just recovered from cold

"The young lady that let him stay in her place. The young lady who adopted the puppy he wanted to adopt instead. The young lady from same neighborhood that requires construction. The young lady that will compete in Tokyo. Everything related to her"

"Ah, yeah. I am trying to consider if she's the one I need to achieve my goal. But not yet, she's indeed unpredictable time to time, but not yet. Not yet"

"Setting that aside, Seijurou-sama, tomorrow you will be watching Jiro-sama and Ukyo-sama's match, right? Just a reminder that you need to return home since your father will be here, and you are going to watch the symphonic concert."

"Yeah, I have plenty of time, I think. But depending on the game, then I will be a little late."

For some reason, I had a feeling that I would see her. But she had no reason to go there, since her friend won't like it.

~
"You'll be drawn more to her. She's special to me, and she will be special to you as well. Look after her!"

~

And, she indeed went to watch the game, with her friend that Jiro likes. Seemed like Rio planned it.

Irritating though to the fact that she didn't sit near us, and even got a hat from that boy from the same club.

But, to someone who could only focus to one at a time, she would eventually feel dizzy.

I left to make a call that I won't be able to return home on time, so father would just attend the event with his personal butler, or if not, then bring Kari and Ken.

And as I was about to return, as expected, she went to the bathroom to freshen herself.

I waited for her to come out, then ordered her to follow me. We didn't go back inside, but I let her rest in one of the nearby benches. I told her to sit, and cool her eyes as I bought sports drink for her.

Why did I even do that?

I stayed with her. I didn't hate it since it was cool in the area. I called Kari about the documents father gave to me last night that I forgot in my library, and asked him to just put them in front of my room.

I stayed with (f/n) for a while, then she left to damp her handkerchief with water again. She insisted, so I let her go.

But a nuisance appeared. Anna approached with her fancy umbrella. She sat next to me, and told me about the game so far. I told her to go back, but she threw her fiancé talk, and even told me to limit my interaction with (f/n).

I noticed (f/n) though, and seemed she heard that so she left by herself.

I crossed my feet and told Anna about her secret, and even told her that we weren't really engaged. It was her family who just announced it.

She was surprised to what I told her, and thus we ended up in a limited time mutual condition.

~
"Don't order (f/n). Let her move on her own pace."

~

That day as well, I ended up returning to her place because they invited themselves in her place. But, she shouldn't let us stay in her place since as far as I remember, there would be major construction in the area. What if we are still in her place when they started the construction?

But she still complied to the others.

I didn't go in right away since I decided to walk Go, the husky I found and she adopted.

But when I got out of the building, I could see the construction workers were getting ready already from the other side. So it would be either tonight or tomorrow. I walked Go first, and just walked around, letting people pet Go.

Though one of the tenants from same building pet Go and mentioned about the construction.

"This dog is (f/n)-chan's, right? Are you her boyfriend?"

"No, a friend. I am just walking her dog, while she's entertaining her other friends." I responded, but I could see from her expression that she didn't believe my response

"Well, anyways, seems you all will be staying in her place"

"Why?"

"Oh? She didn't tell you?" She pointed outside and the construction worker were putting barricades in front "I just came back in time for them to close the road. There's a road construction notice sent two weeks ago. It will be from 7pm to 7am tomorrow, and might have extension"

That woman! So it was really tonight! Did she do this on purpose?!

I smiled towards the old woman and thanked her. She went inside first, but for me, I went to the mansion's bulletin board, and it was there, announced there. I glanced towards her mail box, and I could see papers wanting to come out from the mail box.

"Go, your owner now is so stupid. It wasn't on purpose, she was just stupid for forgetting to check her mails." Go barked as if agreeing to what I said.

I had her key anyways, so I opened her mailbox and got ALL of her mails.

She was amazingly stupid.

~

And in the end, we all ended up staying the night. Everyone was okay with it since they would be playing games and it seemed their first time sleeping over.

That night, I had a little joke with her, but after that, it was a laughing matter and disappointing when she asked me what she should do. I only asked her once to follow my order, but after that, I let her do what she wanted to do. It was a let down since that moment she seemed wanted to be like others.

Though she took it back and said that she would find the answer to her own question.

Well, lots happened, then the next day, she refused to say my name, despite saying the name of other men! She really had a gut!

I'll make her say my name!

~

I went home and the brothers were smiling at me, as I was drinking my tea in my reading room

"Do you have a problem?" I asked them and they shook their heads at the same time

"So you are back. I heard you stayed again in that girl's house. As much as I wanted to ask about it, I'll save that later. We need to talk" father came in and the twins immediately bowed down, and they were about to leave when father stopped them as he sat down across me "stay you two. You need to hear this as well"

"Is it connected to the documents?" I asked and got it on the table on my left "this Kurosaki Kousuke?"

"We will be meeting this one this coming Saturday since he will be attending the same event with us. So while we are there, Ken and Kari need to gather all the evidences in his house in Osaka. That's the only place we haven't checked."

"Just get evidence?" The two again asked in unison, and while they talked about what they needed to do, I again read the profile of this man

He is famous in jewelry industry. Selling golds and diamonds. A big name indeed.

"Then, what's the problem with this man?"

"He is a fraud." Father immediately responded "he scammed lots of people, and he is selling fake golds and diamonds. Bribing lawyers and judges. Mentally, verbally, and physically abusing his victims"

"And what it is for us? Since you don't want him to be exposed immediately, then we are not directly affected, but someone you know?"

"Yeah, Shikanori Junta. He is a friend I met through your mother. He and his wife are very close friends of Shiori since they were young. It was Junta's wife's birthday recently, and he bought diamonds accessory set from Kurosaki. But turns out there were all fake"

"What a rip off. They didn't check them first?" I sighed and father then crossed his feet

"They did. The diamonds that went on appraisal were real, but the diamonds he handed after the transaction were fake. They handed it to court when they knew that they were fakes, but because the diamonds during the process were real, Kurosaki countered that Junta and his wife exchanged the diamonds and are trying to degrade him. Now, Junta had lost money buying that diamond, then he has a high chance losing the case, and he needs to pay Kurosaki for the reputation damage"

"Then why just get the evidences?"

"There's high chance that he could still run away with it if we expose him immediately. We will be exposing him still, but not now. But well, exposing him to the police right away would be better to"

"I understand" I put the documents back to the table then to the twins "you know what you must do"

"Yes"

~

However, as expected, things didn't go right away to our side since father needed to leave to Taiwan for emergency business trip. Thus, we needed to rethink of a new plan, since I couldn't attend by myself.

Everyone knew that the twins always attend events with me.

And since father needed to leave, aside from the twins, as always, I needed to bring someone with me other than the twins.

Limiting the plan for Saturday!

~TBC~
~Chapter 21 - The Decisive Date!

~

And in the end I got busy, so I could only edit one draft! But for now this! Will try to update the next one this week, but if I can't then next week~

For now~ I hope you enjoyed this update XD

~