Hopeless Romantic

Disclaimer: I own nothing. What a shame. T_T

A/N: I know I should be updating my other Shiznat fic 'Life is Just a Dream'. In fact, I already have chapter three but I'm having troubles on writing chapter four. So, wish me luck! Lol ^^

Anyway, I kind of got the idea from the chick flick movie '27 Dresses' I just watched last night. Lol. I know it was out like, 2 years ago? Lawl ^^

Summary: Fujino Shizuru is a refined sophisticated heir of the traditional wealthy Fujino household. She believes that one day she would soon meet the right person for her and dreams of having a perfect wedding and starting a happy family. Soon, she meets the rebellious and happy-go-lucky Kuga Natsuki—who grew up in America—by means of her childhood friend, Kanzaki Reito. What will happen after these two opposite poles collide with each other? Will they be attracted or repulsed?

Chapter One: The Meeting

"How would you know if the person is the right one for you, that they are your true love?" Emeralds asked in curiosity.

"Every one of us has a match. You will know that this is the right person when you hear bells when you kiss them or when time seems to stop when you are together. And the worst symptom? It is when your heart beats really crazy —doki dokidokidokidoki dokidokidoki—until you can't seem to breathe anymore." Crimson orbs glistened dreamily.

"What the hell is that? Those are the symptoms of having a hearts attack. Better go get yourself checked. Hahahaha. You're such a hopeless romantic. But in case you wanna know, for me, love is your own choice. You choose who ever person you wanna fall in love with. Though, if you really think that that person is your Mr .or Ms. Right, would you still love them even though you are the total opposites of each other?" Crimsons are now looking amused at the Emeralds. "Like they're a total jerk. They would be late for your dates, and sometimes, even forget all about it. Or maybe, they would ignore all your phone calls. And maybe, even your family and friends would think they are not the right one for you. Would you still love this person even though you are always their last priority? But if both of you will still love each other despite that, if both of you are willing to go against all odds, then that is true love."

"Now who's the hopeless romantic?"

*broom**broom**broom**

Motor engines roared to life one by one. The crowds went wild in cheering their favourite dog in the race. Some men were starting to take their clothes off and wave them around in the air. Some girls were squealing in delight to those macho bikers riding their own macho sports bike. There was even more crowd today than any other day. Ostensibly, some famous bikers from America were here to race. It was said that the bikers were actually of Japanese descent and had decided to live at their parent's home country.

*bang*

A gunshot was heard, indicating the start of the race. The crowd went even wilder and wilder as the bikers try to outrun each other. Spectators started to get rougher and rougher, some bets were heard amongst the hundreds of people that decided to watch the race.

Around one corner, two humongous shirt-naked men were arguing to each other.

"What are you talking about? Juliet would of course beat the crap out of Duran!" The man with orange hair shoved the other.

"NANI? Juliet's not even comparable to Duran's speed!" Some spectators around them started to get into the fight on who is the better of the two "foreigners", forgetting to cheer for their own Japanese bikers. Some teenagers started to throw beer pop cans randomly to these people.

Amongst all the riots and noise was a sophisticated young lady. She had gotten a lot of attention upon entering the facility with her childhood friends Kanazaki Reito, Suzushiro Haruka and Kikukawa Yukino. Reito had insisted that they should come with him tonight. Rieto's good friend, Yuuichi Tate, was also participating on the said race. The tawny haired girl was sticking out like a sore thumb among the crowd. Honestly, who would wear a traditional kimono to a race track?

"You dragged us out of here to watch your friend lose? Honestly Reito, your friend is eating dust as we speak."

"Haruka-chan." Yukino tried to clam the mocking blonde.

"Ma ma ma ma Haruka-chan. It was just unfortunate that they are here. Tate-kun's doing his best."

"And you bubuzuke!" Haruka pointed at her friend who was calmly sitting at the bench with her eyes close. How she was able to stand the noise was a mystery to her friends. "Why the hell are you dressed up like that? People are staring at you like your some geisha doll on display!" The said people scampered away, afraid to face the wrath of the lion. Eyes fluttered open as she heard her friend called out to her. Behind the closed eyelids were a enticing crimson orbs.

"Ara, Haruka-chan. If I remember correctly, Reito invited me for a dinner party, did he not?" Fujino Shizuru was a well-known figure amongst people of Japan and even overseas. Who would not recognize the girl if she was present at every billboard in Tokyo and was recently featured at Nihon Keizai Shimbun as the 'leader' of today's generation.

"It's just that Reito must have forgotten to inform me that we will be watching a race. Reito must be getting old to forget such trivial things no?" Shizuru smiled at Reito who was now sweating nervously. Reito decided to omit the part that they will be coming to watch Tate's race first, then go to the party. If Reito had told Shizuru about the race, she would gladly decline Reito's offer—which would be bad because Reito had promised Tate that he would introduce him to his best friend. It seems that the blonde boy with an unusual side burns had taken interest to Shizuru.

The real question is who would not? There were so many reasons to list as to why people were captivated by the young refined lady. First of all, she was a Fujino. The Fujino household was known for its conglomerate all over the world. People would kill just to wed the Fujino heir. Just imagine all those privileges one would gain when they become part of the family. Second, the education the girl had received and achievements gained cannot par to any girl in the country—well except for Haruka as she said so herself. Shizuru also learned various traditional Japanese arts—a characteristic a mother-in-law would like to have for a daughter-in-law. Not to mention that behind that brain was a beauty that will make the princess of England to shame—especially the smile that would melt anyone's knees into jell-o. Despite all of these overwhelming characteristics she had, she stayed down to earth and simple which made her even more likeable. Shizuru was just the epitome of a true traditional Japanese woman.

That was what outsiders see Shizuru. Though in reality, behind this perfection is a normal girl which can be really scary at times as Reito had put it. Sure Shizuru was all that simple, but the manipulation skills the girl had was—was—there was no words to describe how manipulative she can be. Not really a bad thing though. To her friends, Shizuru was just as fragile and vulnerable as anyone can be but still have the authoritative aura around her. She pouts whenever things do not go her way. She passed her student council work on to Haruka during their school days. She enjoyed tea and she daydreamed in the middle of a class.

They say that Picasso discovered his talent for painting when he was nine. Mozart found his calling at age five, composing his first mini web. Tigerwoods won his first club well before his second birthday [1]. And Shizuru? She discovered what she wanted when she was eight. No, it was not to be the next CEO of Fujino Corporation, nor be the richest woman in the world and over throw Bill Gates. It was to find the right 'one', have a perfect wedding and start a happy family together with the 'one'. Cheesy for a Fujino, is it not? But that was her dream. That's what she wanted. Fujino Shizuru knew what she wanted.

The attention of the three girls was averted from Reito to the track. People were cheering while some can be heard grunting. A man was waving the checkered flag, indicating the end of the race. Haruka immediately stood up from her seat.

"It's done. So I'm going to wait for you guys in the car. Don't make me wait for too long or I'll leave you two!" Haruka walked away from the two with Yukino following closely behind her.

Shizuru was trying to see the winner standing on the podium. Unfortunately for her, the podium was too crowded and people from the bench are blocking her view. The last thing she saw was people trying to climb over the safety fence, before Reito grab a hold of her arm, escorting her out.

"Well, Shizuru, let's not make Haruka-chan and Yukino-chan wait any longer."

"Reito's right. We should not make Haruka-chan wait any longer. Reito and I know too well what will happen if we take too long." Shizuru giggled at the pale face of Reito. Ever since they were kids, Reito cannot stand up to Haruka's rambling and loud voice. If Haruka were alive during world war, it would have been a great asset as a torturing method for the Japanese.

"STUPID SPIDER!" Reito and Shizuru were at the exit of the facility when a loud voice caught Shizuru's ears. Shizuru turned to inquire who the owner of the voice was but just like before, the people were crowding too much at the podium.

"Ara? What a loud voice." Shizuru giggled as she continued to walk out of the race track, with Reito holding the door open for her.

The chattering inside the girl's locker room stopped as a group of foreigners came in. A frowning blunette walked in with a laughing red head behind her. Following the two well-known bikers was another red head with two blessed bosoms. Their eyes follow the three stunning ladies but immediately stopped when the said blunette gave them a death glare.

"Come on mutt! It was fun! Admit it!" the red head with longer hair stated, clutching her stomach while laughing hysterically.

"It was not! I bet you won't be laughing if it was you." The blunette face the red head without missing the chance to throw the water bottle at the red head.

"What was that for!" The red head immediately stopped laughing and dangerously walked over to where the blunette was. She leaped on the blunette but was rather confused when she felt this marshmallow softness pushed up against her face.

"Mai! What the hell?" the red head screamed fighting the blush that was slowly creeping up on her cheeks.

"Come on Nao-chan. No fighting before the race." The blunette snickered in apathy to her friend's condition, "And you, Natsuki. Stop starting a fight with Nao-chan and change into your biker suit. The race's gonna start any minute now." Mai scolded the two girls just like a mother.

"What? But Mai! I did not start the fight! The spider did!" Natsuki tried to prove her innocence.

"What are you saying mutt! You were the one who threw a water bottle on me while I was sitting over there!"

"Cause you were laughing like a hyena! And I told you to stop!"

"But it was funny!"

Mai's eyebrow were beginning to twitch at the non-stop bickering of the two girls in front of her.

"Natsuki! Nao! Will you guys stop bickering like 5-year-olds and get dressed already!" Mai said as she looked in disapproval at Nao and Natsuki. "Not to mention you are making me embarrassed by fighting like that in front of these girls!" Mai scolded more as she stepped aside to reveal the view of the other girls with their eyes fixated on the two bickering bikers. "I'm sorry about causing all this ruckus." Mai bowed to the girls in apology and glared back to the Nao and Natsuki who was standing too proud behind her.

"What?" Natsuki and Nao asked simultaneously. Mai did not speak up but continued to glare daggers at the two.

"I'm sorry." Nao and Natsuki shrugged and continued to dress up, quietly this time.

"Hehehe. I'm sorry again." Mao smiled timidly at the girls while scratching the back of her head.

The girls however, cannot tear their eyes away as soon as the foreign bikers started to undress. Natsuki were clad in a raven matching lingerie that complimented her white, porcelain skin while Nao wore a red pair of underwear, the tone of red the same as her hair's color.

Natsuki wore a two-piece white, black and blue Ducati leather suit. It was top-grain cowhide leather, excellent for abrasion resistance with pre-curved sleeves for comfortable riding position. The name 'Duran' was printed on the left sleeve while a logo of a wolf paw crest was stitched on the left torso of the suit.

Nao had chosen a matching black and red Yamaha leather suit. It had the same top-grain leather like Natsuki's. The suit had nylon stitching perforated leather on the front to keep the Nao cool. Nao's suit also had Dupont Kevlar at crotch, on inner arms, and behind the knees for perfect fit and ease of movement. Nao's suit had the name 'Juliet' printed across the upper back and a spider logo on the left arm sleeve.

The other participants were in awe when the two bikers stepped out of the locker room. The aura the two gave off was of professionalism. Murmurs immediately started amongst the group. Kuga Natsuki was born at Los Angeles, California together with Yuuki Nao and Tokiha Mai. Despite growing up in the states, the three were fluent in Japanese. The other bikers know too well, who Kuga Natsuki was. After all, she made the headline and front cover of Cycle World Magazine after she won the Grand Prix about three months ago and was featured at Forbes Magazine for the Kuga Enterprise.

Kuga Natsuki was expected to take over the Enterprise after she had graduated from University of California. However, the people were shocked when she announced her desire to go home in Japan and open up a garage. Some weeks after the shocking announcement, the media moved on to another catch, Natsuki's very own sister, Alyssa.

Regardless of the fact that Natsuki rejected the position her father, Kuga Kido, offered her, he actually anticipated his daughter's actions. Ever since a kid, Natsuki never showed interest in formal social activities. Whenever Natsuki was supposed to attend such gathering, the girl would run off together with her dog, and would not be found 3 days after the gathering. Natsuki had always been like that—happy-go-lucky. She never worried about life and her future.

Only a few people had approached the blunette despite of her beauty. Everyone would think of their own lives first, right? Countless of suitors, men and women, approached the blunette during her school days, but abruptly decreased when a certain paparazzi shot spread through the internet and magazines. The shot was a certain Kuga Natsuki giving a black haired boy the hell of his life. The next day, the said spiky haired boy came to the Kuga mansion with his face contorted, apologizing deeply in front of Natsuki.

Natsuki was always the rough one. Who would have thought that such rough and rebellious attitude would be the supposed heir to Kuga Enterprise? During the course of her university life, Natsuki gathered more and more of girl wooers. Natsuki would occasionally socialize with them but gave nothing more than that.

Kuga Natsuki started to walk towards her bike of choice, which was a shining black Ducati 1198. With her helmet on, Natsuki straddled the sports bike, readying herself for the race.

"Mutt!" a muffled voice beside her disturbed her concentration.

"What is it spider?" Natsuki annoyingly answered to her friend's call.

"Wanna bet?" Natsuki's ears perked up like a dog at Nao's preposition.

"What is it?" Interest was evident to Natsuki's voice. Natsuki never let the chance to beat Nao at anything.

"If I win, you're gonna match me up to some hot girls at tonight's party."

"And if I win?"

"Then I'm gonna hook you up with someone."

"What the hell? What made you think I wanna be hooked up to someone?"

"Well. What do you want then?"

"Hmm. You can be my maid for tonight!" Natsuki laughed at the thought of bossing Nao around.

"Fine." Natsuki revved up her engine.

"Deal." Both girls readied their selves. Their ears were being sensitive to the sound they were anxiously waiting.

*bang*

The gunshot was heard and soon the two foreign biker where on each other's tail.

"Natsuki! Nao-chan!" Mai cheered loudly despite the fact that the girls would not ever hear a single thing she was saying.

It was a close race. Too close. The officials was staring at the picture for quite a while now, deciding who came in first. After a minute or so, the officials announced the people who were lucky enough to stand on the podium. To Natsuki and Nao's disappointment, they found their selves standing on the same podium for first place. On their right was a blonde guy with weird side burns at second place and a long haired brunette girl on their left.

"Natsuki! Nao-chan! Congratulations!" Mai shouted behind the chaotic crowd. Natsuki and Nao was now getting on each other's nerves. Remembering the scene at the locker room earlier, Nao smirked at her thoughts. It's time for her revenge.

"STUPID SPIDER!" Natsuki screamed at the top of her lungs when Nao discreetly tripped her over the podium. Nao just snickered and was about to laugh aloud but swallowed hardly when she noticed the killing intent behind Mai's death glare. Nao's definitely going to be deaf after an ear full sermon from Mai.

The dinner party was held at the Hyatt Regency in Tokyo. The hall was equally elegant as the guests inside it. The ceiling was adorned with large crystal chandeliers. The chatters stopped when the heirs to Japan's top business magnates walked in. Fujino Shizuru was wearing her traditional purple kimono with her hair tied up. Kanzaki Reito changed into a tuxedo. Haruka changed into a white blouse and black dress pants with Yukino in clad in her black cocktail dress. Amongst the people, Shizuru was the first to be noticed. Why wouldn't she, if she was the only person wearing a kimono? Shizuru always preferred wearing kimonos at such occasions. Though Shizuru also wears cocktail dresses occasionally, the tawny-haired goddess still preferred the kimono over it. Maybe it was the influence of growing up in a traditional family. The media guests took shots after shots, taking every move the quartet do.

Immediately, the four socialized to different people. People were fluttering them while some tried to pull one on them. However, Haruka scared people, who tried to approach Yukino, away.

"Ara, Haruka-chan can be really cute when being protective of Yukino-chan." Shizuru eased the glaring girl that immediately blushed.

"Shut up, bubuzuke! Why are you here anyway? Why don't you do and socialize more so you can find the 'one'" Haruka said mordantly.

"Being friendly with each other again I see." Shizuru did not get the chance to speak up when Reito approached them. "I'm really getting jealous of you guys. I'm the only one who doesn't receive any special treatment from you guys." Reito pouted as he held the glass of wine to his lips.

The three girls were about to speak up when people started to whisper among each other, looking at the entrance door. It seems that the late arrival had caught their interests. Came in were three dazzling ladies.

The only blunette was wearing a white long sleeved polo with a loosely fixed blue tied with black vest over it and a pair of blue jeans finished with white leather shoes. The red heads that were standing on each of her sides were wearing black fitted dresses that complimented every curve in their body.

"Attractive ladies aren't they?" the quartet tore their eyes off the trio on the door and faced the other intruder. "I'm Yuuichi Tate. Nice to meet you." Tate bowed in respect of the people in front of him.

"Tate-kun! This is Shizuru, Haruka-chan and Yukino-chan." Reito said as he introduced his friends, "Congrats on being second. You were great tonight!" Reito patted Tate's shoulder.

"I would have been third but we got two first placer tonight so I was bumped into second." Tate smiled shyly.

"Two?" Shizuru asked unexpectedly.

"Ye—yeah. You saw the three girls who just came, right? The blunette and the red head were tied for first place." Tate said as he looked over the tri who was now happily chatting with each other. "They just arrived a few days ago. They are from America, though Japanese by blood."

"Kuga?" Shizuru asked again.

"Yeah. She's the blunette."

"Kuga of Kuga Enterprise?" Tates nodded, "No wonder she looked familiar. Ara, I saw the article about Kuga-san."

"Oh yeah! So she was the delinquent daughter of Kido-san?" Four pairs of eyes turned towards Haruka. "What? I just can't believe she did that! And Her father was expecting much from there. And yet, she decided to throw that and be all rebel."

"Ara, I agree with you Haruka-chan." Now three pairs of eyes turned to Shizuru. It was not very often that the tawny haired girl would agree to Haruka. "She does give off the rebellious aura." Shizuru said, not tearing her eyes off the blunette.

Natsuki was looking around idly when her emeralds accidentally met the alluring crimson orbs. 1… 2… 3.. 4.. 5.. seconds had passed and they were still holding the gaze to each other until Natsuki averted her eyes off from the enticing crimsons. Natsuki fought the urge to look back again but was completely beaten by her sudden desire to look back. Natsuki blushed immediately when the tawny haired girl smiled at her alluringly.

"Natsuki, are you alright?" Mai asked Natsuki, worry was evident to her voice. Mai cannot help but worry over her two friends ever since the two impulsively decided to live in Japan—away from their parents. "Your face is really red."

"Just probably can't stand the wine. You're so weak mutt!" Nao laughed.

"Ye—yeah I think Nao's right. I—I'm just going out for air." What the hell am I blushing for?

Nao and Mai looked at each other. Never once did Natsuki let Nao off the hook for mocking her.

"There's something wrong with the mutt."

"She must really have too much to drink." Little did both of them know, Natsuki never had a single drop of alcohol running in her body.

Natsuki laid on one of the pool chairs with her eyes shut. She took her blue tie off and randomly threw it aside.

"Ara." Natsuki immediately sat up at the angelic voice that invaded her personal face. Natsuki was presented with the sight of a tawny-haired girl wearing a purple kimono with a—a blue tie hanging off her head.

"I—I'm sorry!" Natsuki instantly rushed towards the girl and took her tie off her head. "I didn't mean to hit you with my tie." Natsuki was blushing again.

"Ara, no worries Stranger-han." Shixuru giggled. Ara, she blushes too quickly. She was blushing a while ago too!

"…suki [2]"

"Wha—what?" Shizuru uncharacteristically stuttered. She was definitely taken aback by the girl's words.

"..suki." Natsuki continued to mumble while looking at the floor blushing feverishly.

"Ara. I'm sorry. But I don't understand Stranger-han." Shizuru had recomposed herself. She heard the girl this time but decided on teasing her a little more.

"Natsuki!" Natsuki accidentally shouted, "I—I mean I'm Natsuki, Kuga Natsuki." Natsuki offered a handshake.

"Fujino Shizuru." Shizuru smiled. And took Natsuki's hand. Lights surrounding the edges of the pool lit one by one under the moonlit sky.

It all began at a simple handshake. It was all there, the symptoms. To the two, time seemed to have stopped. Hearts began to beat madly in tune together. Their eyes were glued to each other, refusing to look at another thing besides the orbs they were holding. They stayed like that, no one knew for how long or how short—they didn't care. The only thing they care about right now is that they found the 'one'.

[1] Yup! That was from the movie ^^

[2] Suki- 'I like you' in Japanese. Shizuru thought Natsuki was confessing to her. When in fact, she was just introducing herself.

So how was it? This is my try for Rom-com Shiznat! ^^ I just had to write and publish it today. Anyway R&R please! Would be greatly appreciated! ^^ One more thing! Sorry for the mistakes you found. I haven't got the chance to proof read it yet. So, yeah. Just tell me any mistakes I made. ^^