Chapter Text
Rushing through halls and almost out of breath, Kumiko dashed as she was late for her next class. “This is the worst! Why is my next class in Annex B? If Professor Smith didn’t enjoy sharing his life experiences to the class, I won’t be rushing. Ugh.”
Kumiko groaned inwardly as she was running to get to the fifth floor of Annex B. She made it in a nick of time. She was out of breath as she settled on an empty seat. It would be a bad impression if she was late for her Introduction to Business Management.
In front of the podium stood a man who is on his late-forties, he started writing his name on the board and some expectations for the class. He introduced himself as Professor Jones. He started handing out the syllabus and discussed afterwards. After discussion, Professor Jones asked the students to draw from the box in front.
“Okay. Now that everyone has drawn a piece of paper from the box, I want you to open it and find your designated seats. The person with the same letter as yours, will be your partner starting our next meeting until this semester ends.” Kumiko opened her paper and looked for her designated seat, “Row 3-A, great a seat near the windows.” As she reached her seat, it was occupied by an arrogant-looking guy who’s clearly a Japanese. “Umm… I don’t want to sound rude, but you’re sitting on my designated seat.” Kumiko tried to say it as polite as possible.
A few moments later, girls from their class started crowding around Eisuke saying that they wanted to be his partner. Eisuke caught Kumiko staring at him, “Sorry but she’s my partner.” The girls sighed and shoot Kumiko their glares and left afterwards.
He looked up and smirked, “This will be my seat, I prefer seating near the window. You sit beside me. I won’t be taking no for an answer.” Kumiko looked surprised when the guy declared her seat as his. “Oh boy… what a troublesome partner I have.” Kumiko continued to stare at Eisuke, and suddenly Eisuke arched his brow and sighed “Do you have any problem with that? If you have something to say, say it. I don’t have all day to have a staring contest with you.”
Kumiko was taken aback by Eisuke’s arrogance, she wanted to speak but decided to let it off the hook as she does not want to cause any trouble. She held out her hand and introduced herself, “I am Kumiko Yamanaka. Please take care of me.”
“Eisuke. Eisuke Ichinomiya.”
“I see now where the arrogance is coming from, the future head of Ichinomiya group. I didn’t expect that he’s going to be my classmate and what’s worse is he’s my partner for this class.” Kumiko heaved a sigh.
Once everyone found their partner, Professor Jones started discussing the rest of the syllabus and gave the overview for the first chapter. Afterwards, he gave another print out to everyone and it was their first assignment to be done as partners. “I guess this would be easier if Tsukasa was my classmate on this class. Great!” Kumiko let out an irritating sigh and she turned to Eisuke, “Hey Eisuke, do you have time after class? I want to discuss this assignment with you.”
“You can do that on your own.” Eisuke stood up and left the room. Kumiko was dismayed with Eisuke’s reply. His posse then followed him leaving the class. Kumiko left and met up with Tsukasa in front of the university gates. While on their way home, Kumiko was complaining nonstop about Eisuke Ichinomiya.
“He is so arrogant! Who does he think he is?! Just because he carries the Ichinomiya name doesn’t mean he can always get away with everything he wants! I hate him so much!” Tsukasa just laughed at Kumiko’s reaction. “It’s unusual for you to get so worked up. Just give the guy some adjustment time. You do know that he was adopted into the Ichinomiya family. He might be having a hard time.”
Kumiko just nodded and immediately changed the subject, “Anyway, can we drop by the supermarket on the way? I need to buy some ingredients for tomorrow’s breakfast.” After grocery, they went back to their condo and Tsukasa started preparing dinner. After eating dinner, the two of them settled themselves in the sofa. Kumiko sat on one end of the sofa, while Tsukasa settled on the opposite end.
“Hey Kumiko.”
“Hmmm?”
“Don’t you think people will find it weird when they find out that we live together?”
“I don’t know. You’re my childhood friend and the future right-hand man of the Yamada group. Why ask?”
“Well, it might spark rumors you know. I am worried about your reputation as the next head of Yamada group.”
“You really don’t have to worry about that. I am using my mother’s surname here. I decided to use it again to avoid people from recognizing the Yamada heiress.”
“I see. Ever since we started going to school, you used your mother’s surname to avoid detection, right?”
Kumiko nodded.
“I am also careful not to reveal my identity to everyone. I just want to enjoy my college days at peace; before I will be introduced as the next heir.”
Kumiko approached Eisuke again for their assignment, Eisuke heaved an irritating sigh. “Fine. What do you want my help with?”
“I want you to answer this part. I will answer the other half so that we’re even. It’s about fundamentals of business management.” Handing the paper to Eisuke, Eisuke scanned through the questions and gave his response “Mm. I’ll give my answers to these questions in the next class.”
“Uhmmm. Thank you.” Kumiko bowed as Eisuke turned to his heel to leave.
“Ohhhh! Eisuke! You are one lucky bastard. We heard that your partner is Kumiko.” One of his friends slapped his shoulder.
“So? Why are you acting so excited?” Eisuke sighed.
“Don’t you know? A lot of guys are after Kumiko because she’s a rare Japanese beauty. She has this long beautiful black hair, those crimson eyes and look at how she gracefully moves.”
After their next class ended, Eisuke handed Kumiko his share for the assignment and Kumiko gave a smile, “Thank you.”
One day while Kumiko and Tsukasa were on their way home, “You seem to be in a good mood the past few weeks. Were you able to solve your problem with Eisuke?”
“Oh right! I forgot to tell you, yes I did!” Kumiko beamed a smile at Tsukasa.
“Well that’s good news. Have you heard of the latest news?” Tsukasa asked.
“About?”
“The sudden drop in stocks - you know it will affect your family greatly.”
“I know. But I think my father already has made his move, as far as I know the past few months he did not send me here for nothing.” Kumiko’s lips quirk up.
“I was meeting some important business contacts here - one of the reasons why I sometimes go out during the weekend. But, I wasn’t expecting the sudden drop would come early. I mean, I predicted it would come around early next year. Oh well, it just means someone really wants Yamada zaibatsu to fall.”
“Looks like I need to step up my game especially if I’m going to be your assistant in the near future.” Tsukasa sounded determined which brought Kumiko to smile.